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Illinois 



HISTORICAL 



Editors : 
NEWTON BATE MAN, LL. D. 
PAUL SELBY, A. M. 




Wabash County 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



Editor: 

THEODORE G. RISLEY 



ILLUSTRATED 



CHICAGO 

MUNSELL PUBLISHING COMPANY 

19 11 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the years 

1S94. 1S99. Ii*n0 and lyOn by 

WILLIAM W. MUNSELL. 

in the oflSce of the Librarian of Congress at Washington 



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ILLINOIS RIVSK 
BASIN. 




TERRITORY IlRAIN'ED BV THE ILLINOIS RIVER. 




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PREFACE. 



Why publish this book? There should be many and strong reasons to warrant such an 
nndertaking. Are there such reasons'? What considerations are weighty enough to have 
induced the publishers to make this venture? and what special claims has Illinois to such a 
distinction? These are reasonable and inevitable inquiries, and it is fitting they should 
receive attention. 

In the first place, good State Histories are of great importance and value, and there is 
abundant and cheering evidence of an increasing popular interest in them. This is true of 
all such works, whatever States may be their subjects; and it is conspicuously true of Illi- 
nois, for the following, among many other reasons : Because of its great prominence in the 
early history of the West as the seat of the fii'st settlements of Europeans northwest of the 
Ohio Eiver — the unique character of its early civilization, due to or resulting fi'om its early 
French population brought in contact with the aborigines — its political, military, and educa- 
tional prominence — its steadfast loyalty and patriotism — the marvelous development of its 
vast resources — the number of distinguished statesmen, generals, and jurists whom it has 
furnished to the Government, and its grand record in the exciting and perilous conflicts on 
the Slavery question. 

Tills is the magnificent Commonwealth, the setting forth of whose history, in all of its 
essential departments and features, seemed to warrant the bringing out of another volume 
devoted to that end. Its material has been gathered from every available source, and most 
carefully examined and sifted before acceptance. Especial care has been taken in collecting 
material of a biographical character ; facts and incidents in the personal history of men identi- 
fied with the life of the State in its Territorial and later periods. This material has been 
gathered from a great variety of sources widely scattered, and much of it quite inaccessible 
to the ordinary inquirer. The encyclopedic form of the work favors conciseness and com- 
pactness, and was adopted with a view to condensing the largest amount of information 
within the smallest practicable space. 

And so the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois was conceived and planned in the belief 
that it was needed; that no other book filled the place it was designed to occupy, or fur- 
nished the amount, variety and scope of information touching the infancy and later life of 
Illinois, that would be found in its pages. In that belief, and in furtherance of those ends, 
the book has been constructed and its topics selected and wi-itten. Simplicity, perspicuitj, 
conciseness and accuracy have been the dominant aims and rules of its editors and writers. 
The supreme mission of the book is to record, fairly and truthfully, historical facts ; facts of 
the earlier and later history of the State, and d^a^vn from the almost innumerable sources 
connected with that history; facts of interest to the great body of our people, as well as to 
scholars, officials, and other special classes; a book convenient for reference in the school, 
tbe nffice, and the home. Hence, no attempt at fine writing, no labored, irrelevant and 

3 



4 PKEFACE. 

long-drawn accounts of matters, persons or things, which really need but a few plain words 
for their adequate elucidation, will be found in its pages. On the other hand, perspicuity 
and fitting development are never intentionally sacrificed to mere conciseness and brevity. 
Whenever a siibject, from its nature, demands a more elaborate treatment — and there are 
many of this character — it is handled accordingly. 

As a rule, the method pursued is the separate and topical, rather than the chronological, 
as being more satisfactory and convenient for reference. That is, each topic is considered 
separately and exhaustively, instead of being blended, chronologically, with others. To pass 
from subject to subject, in the mere arbitrary order of time, is to sacrifice simplicity and 
order to complexity and confusion. 

Absolute freedom from error or defect in all cases, in handling so many thousands of 
items, is not claimed, and could not reasonably be expected of any finite intelligence; since, 
in complicated cases, some element may possibly elude its sharpest scrutiny. But every 
statement of fact, made herein without qualification, is believed to be strictly correct, and 
the statistics of the volume, as a whole, are submitted to its readers with entire confidence. 

Considerable space is also devoted to biographical sketches of persons deemed worthy of 
mention, for their close relations to the State in some of its varied interests, political, gov- 
ernmental, financial, social, religious, educational, industrial, commercial, economical, mili- 
tary, judicial or otherwise; or for their supposed personal deservings in other respects. It 
is believed that the extensive recognition of such individuals, by the publishers, will not be 
disapproved or regretted by the public ; that personal biography has an honored, useful and 
legitimate place in such a history of Illinois as this volume aims to be, and that the omission 
of such a department would seriously detract from the completeness and value of the book. 
Perhaps no more delicate and difficult task has confronted the editors and publishers than 
the selection of names for this part of the work. 

While it is believed that no unworthy name has a place in the list, it is freely admitted 
that there may be many others, equally or possibly even more worthy, whose names do not 
appear, partly for lack of definite and adequate information, and partly because it was not 
deemed best to materially increase the space devoted to this class of topics. 

And so, with cordial thanks to the publishers for the risks they have so cheerfully 
assumed in this enterprise, for their business energy, integrity, and determination, and their 
uniform kindness and courtesy ; to the many who have bo generously and helpfully promoted 
the success of the work, by their contributions of valuable information, interesting reminis- 
cences, and rare incidents; to Mr. Paul Selby, the very able associate editor, to whom 
especial honor and credit are due for his most efficient, intelligent and scholarly services ; to 
Hon. Harvey B. Hurd, Walter B. Wines, and to all others who have, by word or act, 
encouraged us in this enterprise — with gi-ateful recognition of all these friends and helpers, 
the Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois, with its thousands of topics and many thousands of 
details, items and incidents, is now respectfully submitted to the good people of the State, 
for whom it has been prepared, in the earnest hope and confident belief that it will be found 
instructive, convenient and useful for the purposes for which it was designed. 



PREFATORY STATEMENT. 



Since the bulk of the matter contained in thlB volnme was practically completed and 
ready for the press, Dr. Newton Bateman, who occupied the relation to it of editor-in-chief, 
has passed beyond the sphere of mortal existence. In placing the work before the public, it 
therefore devolves upon the undersigned to make this last prefatory statement. 

As explained by Dr. Bateman in his preface, the object had in view in the preparation 
of a "Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois" has been to present, in compact and concise form, 
the leading facts of Territorial and State history, from tlie arrival of the earliest French 
explorers in Illinois to the present time. This has included an outline history of the State, 
under the title, "Illinois," supplemented by special articles relating to various crises and eras 
in State history ; changes in form of government and administration ; the history of Consti- 
tutional Conventions and Legislative Assemblies ; the various wars in which Illinoisans have 
taken part, with a summary of the principal events in the history of individual military 
organizations engaged in the Civil War of 1861-65, and the War of 1898 with Spain; lists of 
State oflficeTs, United States Senators and Members of Congress, with the terms of each; the 
organization and development of political divisions; the establishment of charitable and 
educational institutions; the growth of public improvements and other enterprises which 
have marked the progress of the State; natural features and resources; the history of early 
newspapers, and the growth of religious denominations, together with general statistical 
information and unusual or extraordinary occurrences of a local or general State character — 
all arranged under topical heads, and convenient for ready reference by all seeking informa- 
tion on these subjects, whether in the family, in the office of the professional or business 
man, in the teacher's study and the school-room, or in the public library. 

While individual or collected biographies of the public men of Illinois have not been 
wholly lacking or few in number — and those already in existence have a present and con- 
stantly increasing value — they have been limited, for the most part, to special localities and 
particular periods or classes. Rich as the annals of Illinois are in the records and character 
of its distinguished citizens who, by their services in the public councils, upon the judicial 
bench and in the executive chair, in the forum and in the field, have reflected honor upon 
the State and the Nation, there has been hitherto no comprehensive attempt to gather 
together, in one volume, sketches of those who have been conspicuous in the creation and 
upbuilding of the State. The collection of material of this sort has been a task requiring 
patient and laborious research ; and, while all may not have been achieved in this direction 
that was desirable, owing to the insufficiency or total absence of data relating to the lives of 
many men most prominent in public aiJairs during the period to which they belonged, it is 
still believed that what has been accomplished will be found of permanent value and be 
appreciated by those most deeply interested in this phase of State history. 

The large number of topics treated has made brevity and conciseness an indispensable 
feature of the work ; consequently there has been no attempt to indulge in graces of style or 

5 



6 PKEFATOEY STATEMENT. 

elaboration of narrative. The object has been to present, in simple language and concise 
form, facta of history of interest or value to those who may choose to consult its pages. 
Absolute inerrancy is not claimed for every detail of the work, but no pains has been 
spared, and every available authority consulted, to arrive at complete accuracy of statement. 

In view of the important bearing which railroad enterprises have had upon the extraor- 
dinary development of the State within the past fifty years, considerable space has been given 
to this department, especially with reference to the older lines of railroad whose history has 
been intimately interwoven with that of the State, and its progress in wealth and population. 

In addition to the acknowledgments made by Dr. Bateman, it is but proper that I 
should exiaress my personal obligations to the late Prof. Samuel M. Inglis, State Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, and his assistant, Prof. J. II. Freeman; to ex-Senator John 
M. Palmer, of Springfield; to the late Hon. Joseph Medill, editor of "The Chicago Tribune" ; 
to the Hon. James B. Bradwell, of "The Chicago Legal News"; to Gen. Green B. Eaum' 
Dr. Samuel Willard, and Dr. Garrett Newkirk, of Chicago (the latter as author of the prin- 
cipal portions of the ai-ticle on the "Undergi-ound Eailroad") ; to the Librarians of the State 
Historical Library, the Chicago Historical Library, and the Chicago Public Library, for 
special and valuable aid rendered, as well as to a large circle of correspondents in different 
parts of the State who have courteously responded to requests for information on special 
topics, and have thereby materially aided in securing whatever success may have been 
attained in the work. 

In conclusion, I cannot omit to pay this final tribute to the memory of my friend and 
associate. Dr. Bateman, whose death, at his home in Galesburg, elsewhere recorded, was 
deplored, not only by his associates in the Faculty of Knox College, his former pupils and 
immediate neighbors, but by a large circle of friends in all parts of the State. 

Although his labors as editor of this volume had been substantially finished at the time 
of his death (and they included the reading and revision of every line of copy at that time 
prepared, comprising the larger proportion of the volume as it now goes into" the hands of 
the public), the enthusiasm, zeal and kindly appreciation of the labor of others which ne 
brought to the discharge of his duties, have been sadly missed in the last stages of prepara- 
tion of the work for the press. In the estimation of many who have held his scholarship 
and his splendid endowments of mind and character in the highest admiration, his con- 
nection with the work will be its strongest commendation and the surest evidence of its 
merit. 

With myself, the most substantial satisfaction I have in dismissing the volume from my 
hands and submitting it to the judgment of the public, exists in the fact that, in its prepara- 
tion, I have been associated with such a co-laborer— one whose abilities commanded uni- 
versal respect, and whose genial, scholarly character and noble qualities of mind and heart 
won the love and confidence of all mth whom he came in contact, and whom it had been my 
privilege to count as a friend from an early period in his long and useful career. 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 



PAGE 

Abraham Lincoln {Frontispiece) 1 

Annex Central Hospital for Insane, Jacksonville 84 

Asylum for Feeble-Minded Children, Lincoln 237 

Bateman, Kewton (Portrait ) 3 

Board of Trade Building, Chicago 277 

"Chenu Mansion," Kaskaskia (1898), where La Fayette was entertained in 1825 .... 315 

Chicago Academy of Sciences 394 

Chicago Drainage Canal 94 

Chicago Historical Society Building 394 

Chicago Post Otfice (U. S. Gov. Building) 88 

Chicago Public Buildings 395 

Chicago Thoroughfares 80 

Chicago Thoroughfares 93 

Chief Chicagou (Portrait) 246 

Comparative Size of Great Canals 95 

Day after Chicago Fire 92 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago 170 

Early Historic Scenes, Chicago (No. 2) 171 

Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 280 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois 12 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — The Vineyard 13 

Experiment Farm, University of Illinois — Orchard Cultivation 13 

First Illinois State House, Kaskaskia (1818) 314 

Fort Dearborn from the West (1808) 246 

Fort Dearborn from Southeast (1808) 247 

Fort Dearborn (1853) 247 

General John Edgar's House, Kaskasia 315 

Henry de Tonty (Portrait) 246 

House of Governor Bond, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

House of Chief Ducoign, the last of the Kaskaskias (1893) 314 

Home for Juvenile Female Offenders, Geneva. 236 

Illinois Eastern Hospital for Insane, Kankakee 85 

Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, Quincy 438 

Illinois State Normal University, Normal 504 

Illinois State Capitol (First), Kaskaskia 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Second), Vandalia 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Third), Springfield 240 

Illinois State Capitol (Present), Springfield 241 

Illinois State Building, "World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 601 

Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet 306 

Illinois State Penitentiary — Cell House and Women's Prison 307 

Illinois State Reformatory, Pontiac 493 



8 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 

PAGE 

Institution for Deaf and Dumb, Jacksonville 300 

Interior of Room, Kaskaskia Hotel (1893) where La Fayette Banquet was held in 1825 314 

Institution for the Blind, Jacksonville 301 

Kaskaskia Hotel, where La Fayette was feted in 1825 (as it appeared, 1893) 314 

La Salle (Portrait) 246 

Library Building, University of Illinois 334 

Library Building — Main Floor — University of Illinois 335 

Lincoln Park Vistas, Chicago 120 

Map of Burned District, Chicago Fire, 1871 276 

Map of Grounds, World's Columbian Exposition, 1893 600 

Map of Illinois Following Title Page 

Map of Illinois River Valley " " " 

McCormick Seminary, Chicago 362 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 90 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 206 

Monuments in Lincoln Park, Chicago 207 

Natural History Hall, University of Illinois 151 

Newberry Library, Chicago 394 

Northern Hospital for the Insane, Elgin 402 

Old Kaskaskia, from Garrison Hill (as it appeared in 1893) 314 

Old State House, Kaskaskia (1900) 315 

Pierre Menard Mansion, Kaskaskia (1893) 314 

Remnant of Old Kaskaskia (as it appeared in 1898) 315 

Scenes in South Park, Chicago 604 

Seiby, Paul (Protrait) 5 

Sheridan Road and on the Boulevards, Chicago 121 

Soldiers' Widows' Home, Wilmington 439 

Southern Illinois Normal, Carbondale 505 

Southern Illinois Penitentiary and Asylum for Incurable Insane, Chester 492 

University Hall, University of Illinois 150 

University of Chicago 363 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 540 

University of Illinois, Urbana. (Group of Buildings) 541 

View from Engineering Hall, University of Illinois 281 

View on Principal Street, Old Kaskaskia (1891) 315 

Views in Lincoln Park, Chicago 91 

Views of Drainage Canal 96 

Views of Drainage Canal 97 

War Eagle (Portrait) 246 

Western Hospital for the Insane, Watertown • 403 

World's Fair Buildings 605 



PREFACE 

The simple story of the adventures, privations and achievements of the sturdy 
pioneers who reclaimed the western wilderness from savagery and primitive soli- 
tude, and reared, within its vast confines, homes, schoolhouses, churches and 
cities, and there transplanted all the beneficent accessories of civilization, will 
stir with laudable aspirations the hearts of generations yet to come. The noble 
forefathers who daringly moved to the frontier lines of civilization, and their 
heroic companions, the loyal mothers, who, by their side, faltered at no peril and 
bravely struggled against almost insurmountable difficulties, have "gone beyond" 
and left but a brief and disconnected record of their adversities and triumphs. 

It is the design of this meager history to furnish some description of the 
natural characteristics and material resources of Wabash County, and also to 
preserve the essential and most interesting features of its pioneer history, as well 
as to chronicle the achievements of subsequent generations. The early pioneers, 
who were acquainted with the thrilling incidents and crude conditions of our 
frontier days, with but a few solitary exceptions, have passed away and none sur- 
vive who can shed a clear light on debatable facts or traditionary tales relating 
to the first settlements of the county. 

In the year 1883 was published a combined and very acceptable history of 
Edwards, Wabash and Lawrence Counties, in which the editors diligently en- 
deavored to present the most valuable facts connected with the early history of 
the county, their data being largely obtained from a group of intelligent men, 
then living, who, as witnesses of the scenes of pioneer life, were well (lualified to 
furnish much authentic information, and to those venerable men. as well as the 
publishers of the history, we owe a debt of gratitude. We are indebted for val- 
uable information to Judge E. B. Green, Hon. Jacob Zimmerman, John D. Kav- 
anaugh, Oliver H. Wood, Miss Elizabeth Chapman, Capt. Stephen D. Greer, 
George B. Grey and George B. Stein, and to Hon. S. Z. Landes and David .S. 
Harvey, recently deceased, and especially to the writings of the late Dr. (. 
Schneck. The editors of newspapers in Wabash Count\- have also cheerfully 
responded to requests and the old files of tlie "Mt. Carmel Register" have been 
of inestimable value as a source of authoritative information. 

Early church history has been treated (|uite extensively, the material being 
furnished by the clergy of respective denominations except that of tiie I'resby- 



terian Church, which was supplied by Dr. J. B. Maxwell. S. A. Mayne, County 
Superintendent of Schools, is the contributor of a valuable compilation of school 
history and other facts connected with the subject of education. We have 
labored industriously and sincerely, in the face of paucity of material, to produce 
an authentic and readable account of principal events, interesting reminiscences, 
notable characters, leading industries and important features of Wabash County 
history. 

It is as much the duty of patriotism to commemorate the heroic deeds and 
lofty characters of our ancestors as it is to develop and enhance the greatness 
of our country, in order to secure the happiness and progress of succeeding gen- 
erations ; for it is from the splendid achievements of the past that the most 
potent inspirations that lead to future triumphs are drawn. We have, therefore, 
sought to garner and present such facts of history as may be calculated to interest 
and instruct the present day reader and those who shall follow him. Our county 
is one of the fairest in the Wabash Valley, and the river valleys, where civiliza- 
tion was first planted, have alweys been man's favorite abode. There the condi- 
tions of nature seem to act most kindly on man's ambitions ; there the exuberant 
soil and plentiful waters bless him with the most abundant resources, and lavishly 
augment his opportunities for civilization with a prodigality unknown to the tree- 
less prairies, semi-arid plains and barren mountain slopes. In this fruitful, salu- 
brious and inviting region, man, if anywhere, should be happy, prosperous and 
patriotic. 

We cherish the hope that this briefly summarized history may be found 
worthy of some measure of commendation, and that criticism will yield some- 
thing to the spirit of charity. 

Much is due the publishers for the pecuniary outlay which they have borne, 
also for the conscientious and painstaking care manifested by them in connec- 
tion with all departments of the work. 



INDEX 



CHAPTER I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 

The Northwest Territory — Original Geography — Cession by Virginia 
— Natural Conditions — Ordinance of 1787 — Division and Civil Gov- 
ernment — Frontiers 617-618 

CHAPTER n. 

ILLINOIS. 

Area and Geography — Prairies and Forests — Prehistoric Monuments 
and Relics — Indians — French Explorers — Settlement — British Do- 
minion — The Conquest of Kaskaskia — Territory of Illinois — Illinois 
a State 618-622 

CHAPTER III. 

WABASH COUNTY. 

First County Organization — Illinois County — Subsequent Organizations 
of Which Wabash County Formed a Part — The Present County 
Organized in 1824 — Its Area and Boundaries — Topography, Hydrog- 
raphy and Soil 622-624 

CHAPTER IV. 

GEOLOGY— FLORA AND FAUNA. 

Geological Conditions in Wabash County — Soil, Coal Measures and 
Stone Varieties — Brick ' and Potter's Clay — Botany — Indigenous 
Trees and Other Products — Native Animals — Changes that Have 
Been Produced by Civilization — Animals and Birds that Have Dis- 
appeared 624-625 

CHAPTER V. 

SETTLEMENT. 

Origin of the Name "Wabash" — County Organization — Some Early 
French Settlers — First English Settlement — The Comptons, Great- 
house and Seth Card — The Alleghany County Colony — The Cannon 
Massacre — Primitive Industries — First Mills — Flatboating to Nevir 
Orleans — Life in the Pioneer Cabins — Amusements and .Social Life. . 625-628 



CHAPTER VI. 

POLITICAL ORGANIZATION— COUNTY SEATS. 

Temporary Identity of Edwards and Wabash Counties — Palmyra First 
County-Seat — Its Insanitary Location — Removal of County-Seat to 
Albion — Early Courts and First County Building — Friction Between 
East and West Divisions — Wabash County Set Off From Edwards 
in 1824 — Act of Organization — Centreville First County-Seat of 
Wabash — First Election — Seat of Justice Removed to Mt. Carmel — 
Court Houses — Fires and Disastrous Cyclone of 1877 — Appeal to 
State Legislature for Aid Successful 628-631 

CHAPTER Vn. 

BENCH AND BAR— COUNTY OFFICERS. 

First Circuit Court — Judges Who Have Presided Over Edwards and 
Wabash County Circuit Courts — Changes in Circuits and Court Dis- 
tricts — Some of the Most Eminent Jurists — Wabash County Bar — 
The Place Which Lawyers Have Filled in General History — Early 
and Present Lawyers in Wabash County — County Officers, 1882 to 
1910 '. 631-635 

CHAPTER MIL 

INDUSTRIAL— PUBLIC UTILITIES. 

Agricultural Conditions — Streams and Water Facilities — Artificial 
Drainage and Tiling — Soil and Cereal Crops — Vegetable and Fruit 
Products — Stock Breeding — Wabash County Breeders' Association — 
County Fairs — Transportation and Railway Facilities — The Big 
Four Railroad — The Grand Rapids Dam — Fishing Industry — Devel- 
opment of the Mussel-Shell Industry — \'aluable Pearl Discoveries.. 635-638 

CHAPTER IX. 

THE WABASH COUNTY PRESS. 

The Part Played by the Local Newspaper and What it Accomplishes — 
The First Paper in Mt. Carmel — The Mt. Carmel Sentinel and Advo- 
cate — Mt. Carmel Register and its Varied Political Career — The 
Wabash Republican, Greenbrier and Plow Boy Have a Brief Exist- 
ence — Wabash Democrat — Temperance Journals — The Mt. Carmel 
Republican — Havill's Every Morning 638-640 

CHAPTER X. 

WABASH COUNTY WAR RECORD. 

State and Local Patriotism — Record of Illinois in Civil War — Important 
Battles in Which Illinois Volunteers Took Part — Number of Lives 
Sacrificed — Black Hawk War — List of Citizens of Wabash County 
Who Participated in that Struggle — Mexican War and Principal Bat- 
tles — Civil War Regiments Partially Organized or Recruited from 
Wabash County — Company Organizations — The Soldiers' Monu- 
ment — Spanish-American War 640-643 



CHAPTER XI. 

PRECINCT HISTORY. 

List of Present Precincts in Wabash County — Mt. Carmel, Bellmont, 
Coffee, Compton, Friendsville, Lancaster, Lick Prairie and Wabash — 
Individual Sketches of Precincts — Early and Noted Settlers — Im- 
portant Local Events 643-649 

CHAPTER XII. 

TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 

City of Mt. Carmel — Its Founders and Their Plans for Establishing an 
Ideal City — Article of Incorporation — First Houses and First Busi- 
ness Enterprises — Later Development — A Booming Advertisement — 
Some Calamitous Events — The Old Town of Rochester — Its Early 
Prosperity and Final Collapse — \^illages of Later Days — Keensburg, 
Cowling, Bellmont, Lancaster, Friendsville, Allendale and Patton . . 649-653 

CHAPTER XIII. 

EDUCATION. 

Colonial Education — Appropriation of Public Lands for Support of 
Schools in Illinois — First Public School Law — Establishment of 
Present System in 1854 — First State Superintendent of Schools — 
First Teachers and Later Promoters of Popular Education — Descrip- 
tion of Early School Houses by Dr. Samuel Willard — First Regular 
School Established in Wabash County at Friendsville in 1816 — 
Friendsville Academy — First Schools in Coffee Precinct and Mt. 
Carmel — Statistics of Wabash County Schools for 1909 — Present 
Conditions 653-655 

CHAPTER XIV. 

CHURCH HISTORY. 

Pioneer Ministers in Wabash County — Church Organizations and Date 
of Establishment — Presbyterian, Catholic, Christian, United Breth- 
ren, Methodist, Evangelical Lutheran and Episcopal Organiza- 
tions — List of Pastors and Important Events in Church History. . 655-665 

CHAPTER XV. 

SCIENTIFIC AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 

Early Physicians in Wabash County — First Medical Society — Later Or- 
ganizations — Mt. Carmel Scientific Society — Southern Illinois 
Scientific Association — Secret and Fraternal Societies 665-667 

CHAPTER XVI. 

NOTABLE EVENTS AND REMINISCENCES. 

The Miller Murder — Trial and Execution of Milton Jones— A Civil War 
Time Tragedy — The Sinking of the Ivate Sarchet — Lebanon Camp 
Meetings — The Flood of 1875 — The Cyclone Disaster of 1877 — The 
Famous Big Tree on the Wabash 667-671 



CHAPTER XVII. 

ABORIGINES IN WABASH COUNTY. 

Indian Tribes Who Have Congregated in the County — Evidence of 
Earlier Occupation — Indian Mounds — Pottery and Other Prehistoric 
Relics — Sites of Villages and Burying Places — Origin of the Name 
Wabash — The Old Indian Trails — Modern Relics Found at Old 
Palmyra, Mt. Carmel and M'Cleary's Bluff 671-675 

CHAPTER XVIII. 
The Legend of Tuckawanna, the Renegade — (By Theodore G. Risley) . 675-678 

CHAPTER XIX. 

BIOGRAPHICAL. 

The Part of Biography in General History — Citizens of Wabash County 
and Outlines of Personal History — Individual Sketches Arranged in 
Alphabetical Order 679-828 



PORTRAITS 



Brines, Lyman 092 

Brines, Lyman's Family 692 

Bosecker, Christian, and Wife 62S 

Canedy, Lewis G., and Family .632 

Cline, John W., and Family 804 

Courter, Jacob, and Family 640 

Fischer, John 6S0 

Fischer, Philip R., and Family 6S2 

French, Howard P 6S4 

Green, Edward B 624 

Grundon, Ulysses G., and Famih' 686 

Havill, Frank W 688 

Hyne, Wolfgang 690 

Johnson, William R 694 

Jordan. Levi 696 

Keen, Albert B 698 

Keen, Daniel E 700 

Keen, Ezra B 702 

Knowles, James 704 

Landes, Silas Z 706 

Leach, Horace J 708 

Lopp, J. A 710 

Manley, Paul G 712 

Maxwell, J. B 710 

Miller, Raymond 720 

Mitchell, John M 722 

Morgan, Calvin D 724 

Moyer, Edward J 726 

Mundv, Jlr. and Mrs. Willam 728 



Reel, David S 730 

Reel, Justus G 732 

Reel, Margaret G 730 

Rees, Lewis, and Wife 734 

Risley, Larner 736 

Risley, Theodore G 616 

Risley, Mrs. Theodore G., and Sons 620 

Schafer, William H 738 

Scherer, Peter, Wife and Son 742 

Sclmeck. Jacob 744 

Schuh, Philip 745 

Sears, Paul 743 

Seller, Frederick C 750 

Seller, Jacob E 756 

Seller, Louisa Risly 752 

Seller, Sebastian 758 

Seller, S. S 76O 

Sexton. Sydney A 768 

Seybold, Charles, and Family 772 

Smith, James E 776 

Smith. Rozander 780 

Sparling, Henry, and Family 784 

Sterl, George L.. and Family 788 

Tanquary, John F 792 

Walter, Martin 796 

Wood, Marshall 804 

Wright, Thomas B §08 

Zimmerman. Jacob 812 



ILLUSTRATIONS 



American National Bank, Mt. Carmel 652 

Big Four Depot and Y. M. C. A., Mt. Carmel 648 

Christian Cliurch, Mt. Carmel 668 

City Hall, Mt. Carmel 648 

Coal Mine of Albert B. Keen 698 

Court House, Mt. Carmel 616 

Evangelical Church, Mt. Carmel 656 

First Jlethodist Church, Mt. Carmel 660 

Grand Rapids Dam, Locks and Keeper's Residence 636 

Hanging Rock 636 

Indian Relics 672 

Indian Relics 676 

Interior of Catholic Clmrch, Mt. Carmel 664 

Lutheran Church. Mt. Carmel i 660 

.Map of Wabash County 616 

Presbyterian Clmrch, Mt. Carmel 668 

Property of Jacob Courter 644 

Residence of Jacob Courter 644 

Residence of Philip R. Fischer 682 

Residence of Ulysses G. Grundon 686 

Residence of James A. Leeds 718 

Residence of William Marvel 714 

Residence of William H. Schafer 740 

Residence of F. C. Seller 754 

Residence of S. S. Seller 764 

Residence of Charles Seybold 772 

Residence of George L. Sterl 788 

Residence of Jacob Zimmerman 816 

St. Jolm tlie Baptist Episcopal Church, Mt. Carmel 656 

Sycamore Tree 672 

The Alfred McNair Homestead 718 

The Robert G. Williams Residence 800 

\illaKe Cieek Farm •. 740 



Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois. 



ABBOTT, (Lient.-GoT.) Edward, a British 
officer, who was commandant at Post Vincennes 
(called by the British, Fort Sackville) at the 
time Col. George Rogers Clark captured Kaskas- 
kia in 1778. Abbott's jurisdiction extended, at 
least nominally, over a part of the "Illinois 
Country. ' " Ten days after the occupation of Kas- 
kaskia, Colonel Clark, having learned that 
Abbott had gone to the British headquarters at 
Detroit, leaving the Post without any guard 
except that furnished by the inhabitants of the 
village, took advantage of his absence to send 
Pierre Gibault, the Catholic Vicar-General of Illi- 
nois, to win over the people to the American 
cause, which he did so successfully that thej' at 
once took the oath of allegiance, and the Ameri- 
can flag was run up over the fort. Although 
Fort Sackville afterwards fell into the hands of 
the British for a time, the manner of its occupa- 
tion was as much of a surprise to the British as 
that of Kaskaskia itself, and contributed to the 
completeness of Clark's triumph. (See Clark, 
Col. Oeorge Rogers, also, Chibault. Pierre.) Gov- 
ernor Abbott seems to have been of a more 
humane character than the mass of British 
officers of his day, as he wrote a letter to General 
Carleton about this time, protesting strongly 
against the employment of Indians in carrj-ing 
on warfare against the colonists on the frontier, 
on the ground of humanity, claiming that it was 
a detriment to the British cause, although he 
was overruled by his superior officer, Colonel 
Hamilton, in the steps soon after taken to recap- 
ture Vincennes. 

.4BINGD0N, second city in size in KnoxCounty, 
at the junction of the Iowa Central and the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads; 10 
miles south of Galesburg. with which it is con- 
nected by electric car line ; has city waterworks, 
electric light plant, wagon works, brick and tile 
works, sash, blind and swing factories, two banks. 



three weekly papers, public library, fine high 
school building and two ward school.s. Hedding 
College, a flourishing institution, under auspices 
of the M. E. CImrch, is located here. Population 
(190U), 3,022; (est. 1904), 3,000. 

ACCAULT, Michael (Ak-ko), French explorer 
and companion of La Salle, who came to the 
"Illinois Country" in 1780, and accompanied 
Hennepin when the latter descended the Illinois 
River to its mouth and then ascended the Mis- 
sissippi to the vicinity of the present city of St. 
Paul, where they were captured by Sioux. They 
were rescued by Greysolon Dulhut (for whom 
the city of Duluth was named), and having dis- 
covered the Falls of St. Anthony, returned to 
Green Bay. (See Hennepin.) 

ACKERMAN, William K., Railway President 
and financier, was born in New York City, Jan. 
29, 1832, of Knickerbocker and Revolutionary 
ancestry, his grandfather, Abraham D. Acker- 
man, having served as Captain of a company of 
the famous "Jersey Blues," participating with 
"Mad" Anthony Wayne in the storming of Stony 
Point diu-ing the Revolutionary War, while his 
father served as Lieutenant of Artillery in the 
War of 1812. After receiving a high school edu- 
cation in New York, Mr. Ackerman engaged in 
mercantile business, but in 1852 became a clerk 
in the financial department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Coming to Chicago in the service of 
the Company in 1860, he successively filled the 
positions of Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer, 
until July, 1876, when he was elected "Vice-Presi- 
dent and a year later promoted to the Presidency, 
voluntarily retiring from this position in August, 
1883, though serving some time longer in the 
capacity of Vice-President. During the progress 
of the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago 
( 1892-93) Mr. Ackerman served as Auditor of the 
Exposition, and was City Comptroller of Chicago 
under the administration of Mayor Hopkins 



10 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



(1893-95). He is an active member of the Chicago 
Historical Society, and has rendered valuable 
service to railroad history by the issue of two bro- 
chures on the "Early History of Illinois Rail- 
roads, " and a "Historical Sketch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad.'' 

ADAMS, John, LL.D., educator and philan- 
thropist, was born at Canterbury, Conn., Sept. 18, 
1772; graduated at Yale College in 1795; taught 
for several years in his native place, iu Plain- 
field, N. J., and at Colchester, Conn. In 1810 he 
became Principal of Phillips Academy at An- 
dover, Mass., remaining there twenty-three 
years. In addition to his educational duties he 
participated in the organization of several great 
charitable associations which attained national 
importance. On retiring from Pliillips Academy 
in 1833, he removed to Jacksonville, 111., where, 
four years afterward, he became the tliird Prin- 
cipal of Jacksonville Female Academy, remaining 
six years. He then became Agent of the Ameri- 
can Sunday School Union, in the course of tlie 
next few years founding several hundred Sunday 
Schools in different parts of the State. He re- 
ceived the degree of LL. D. from Yale College in 
1854. Died in Jacksonville, April 24, 1863. The 
subject of this sketch was father of Dr. William 
Adams, for forty years a prominent Presbyterian 
clergyman of New York and for seven years (1873- 
80) P*resident of Union Theological Seminary. 

ADAMS, John McGregor, manufacturer, was 
bom at Londonderry, N. H., March 11, 1834, the 
son of Rev. John R. Adams, who served as Chap- 
lain of the Fifth Maine and One Hundred and 
Twenty-first ISJew York Volunteers during tlie 
Civil War. Mr. Adams was educated at Gorham, 
Me., and Andover, Mass., after which, going to 
New York City, he engaged as clerk in a dry- 
goods house at §150 a year. He next entered the 
office of Clark & Jessup, hardware manufacturers, 
and in 1858 came to Chicago to represent the 
house of Morris K. Jessup & Co. He thus became 
associated with the late John Crerar, the firm of 
Jessup & Co. being finally merged into that of 
Crerar, Adams & Co., which, with the Adams & 
Westlake Co., have done a large business in the 
manufacture of railway supplies. Since the 
death of Mr. Crerar, Mr. Adams has been princi- 
pal manager of the concern's vast manufacturing 
business. 

ADAMS, (Dr.) Samuel, physician and edu- 
cator, was born at Brunswick, Me., Dec. 19. 1806, 
and educated at Bowdoin College, wliere he 
graduated in both the departments of literature 
and of medicine. Then, liaving practiced as a 



physician several years, in 1838 he assumed the 
chair of Natural Philosophj-, Chemistry and 
Natural History in Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, 111. From 1843 to 1845 he was also Pro- 
fessor of Materia Medica and Therapeutics in tlie 
Medical Department of the same institution, and, 
during his connection with the College, gave 
instruction at difl'erent times in nearly every 
branch embraced in the college curriculum, 
including the French and German languages. 
Of uncompromising firmness and invincible cour- 
age in his adherence to principle, he was a man 
of singular modesty, refinement and amiability 
in private life, winning the confidence and esteem 
of all with whom he came in contact, especially 
the students who came under his instruction. A 
profound and thorough scholar, he possessed a 
refined and exaited literary taste, which was 
illustrated in occasional contributions to scien- 
tific and literary periodicals. Among productions 
of his pen on philosophic topics may be enumer- 
ated articles on "The Natural History of Man in 
his Scriptural Relations;" contributions to the 
"Biblical Repository" (1844); "Auguste Comte 
and Positivism" ("New Englander," 1873), and 
"Herbert Spencer's Proposed Reconciliation be- 
tween Religion and Science " ("New Englander, " 
1875). His connection with Illinois College con- 
tinued until his death, April, 1877 — a period of 
more than thirty-eight years. A monument to 
his memory has been erected through the grate- 
ful donations of his former pupils. 

ADAMS, George Everett, lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, born at Keene, N. H., June 18, 1840; 
was educated at Harvard College, and at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge, Mass., graduating at the 
former in 1860. Early in life he settled in Chi- 
cago, where, after some time spent as a teacher 
in the Chicago High School, he engaged in the 
practice of his profession. His first post of pub- 
lic responsibility was that of State Senator, to 
which he was elected in 1880. In 1882 he was 
chosen, as a Republican, to represent the Fourth 
Illinois District in Congress, and re-elected in 
1884, '86 and '88. In 1890 he was again a candi- 
date, but was defeated by Walter C. Newberry. 
He is one of the Trustees of the Newberry 
Librar}'. 

ADAMS, James, pioneer lawj-er, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Jan. 26, 1803; taken to Oswego 
County, N. Y., in 1809, and, in 1821, removed to 
Springfield, 111., being the first lawyer to locate 
in the future State capital. He enjoyed an ex 
tensive practice for the time ; iu 1823 was elected 
a Justice of the Peace, took part iu the Winne- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



11 



bago and Black Hawk wars, was elected Probate 
Judge in 1S41. and died in office. August 11, 1843. 

ADAMS COU>'TY, an extreme westerly county 
of the State, situated about midway between its 
northern and southern extremities, and bounded 
on the west by the Mississippi River. It was 
organized in 182.5 and named in honor of John 
Quincy Adams, the name of Quincy being given 
to the county seat. The United States Census of 
1890 places its area at 830 sq. m. and its popula- 
tion at 61,888. The soil of tlie county is fertile 
and well watered, the surface diversified and 
liilly, especially along the Mississippi bluffs, and 
its climate equable. The wealth of the county is 
largely derived from agriculture, although a 
large amount of manufacturing is caiTied on in 
Quincy. Population (1900), 67,058. 

ADDAMS, John Huy, legislator, was bom at 
Sinking Springs, Berks County, Pa., July 12, 
1832; educated at Trappeand Upper Dublin, Pa., 
and learned the trade of a miller in his youth, 
which he followed in later life. In 1844, Mr. 
Addams came to Illinois, settUng at Cedarville, 
Stephenson County, purchased a tract of land 
and built a saw and grist mill on Cedar Creek. 
In 1854 he was elected to the State Senate from 
Stephenson County, serving continuouslj' in that 
body by successive re-elections until 1870— first as 
a Whig and afterwards as a Republican. In 1865 
he established the Second National Bank of Free- 
port, of which he continued to be the president 
until his death, August 17, 1881. — Miss Jane 
( Addams), phi lanthropist , the founder of the " Hull 
House," Chicago, is a daughter of Mr. Addams. 

ADDISON, village, Du Page County; seat of 
Evangelical Lutheran College, Normal School 
and Orphan Asylum ; has State Bank, stores and 
public school. Pop. (1900), 591; (1904), 614. 

ADJl'TAXTS-GEXERAL. The office of Adju- 
tant-General for the State of Illinois was first 
created by Act of the Legislature, Feb. 2, 186.5. 
Previous to the War of the Rebellion the position 
was rather honorary than otherwise, its duties 
(except during the Black Hawk War) and its 
emoluments being alike unimportant. The in- 
cimibent was simply the Cliief of the Governor's 
Staff. In 1861, tlie post became one of no small 
importance. Those who held the office during 
the Territorial period were: Elias Rector, Robert 
Morrison, Benjamin Stephenson and Wm. Alex- 
ander. After the admission of Illinois as a State 
up to the beginning of the Civil War. the duties 
(which were almost wholly nominal) were dis- 
charged by Wm. Alexander. 1819 21 ; Elijah C. 
Berry, 1821 ^S: James W. Berry, 1828-39; Moses 



K. Anderson, 1889-57; Thomas S. Mather, 1858-61. 
In November, 1861, Col. T. S. Mather, who had held 
the position for three years previous, resigned to 
enter active service, and Judge Allen C. Fuller 
was appointed, remaining in office until January 
1, 1865. The first appointee, under the act of 
1865, was Isham N. Haj'nie, who held office 
until his death in 1869. The Legislature of 1869, 
taking into consideration that all the Illinois 
volunteers had been mustered out, and that the 
duties of the Adjutant-General had been materi- 
allj- lessened, reduced the proportions of the 
department and curtailed the appropriation for 
its support. Since the adoption of the military 
code of 1877, the Adjutant-General's office has 
occupied a more important and conspicuous posi- 
tion among the departments of the State govern- 
ment. The following is a list of those who have 
held office since General Haynie, with the date 
and duration of their respective terms of office: 
Hubert Dilger, 1869-73; Edwin L. Higgins, 
1873-75; Hiram Hilliard, 1875-81; Isaac H. Elliot, 
1881-84; Joseph W. Vance, 1884-93; Albert Oren- 
dorff, 189.3-96; C. C. Hilton, 1896-97; Jasper N. 
Reece, 1897 — . 

AGRICULTURE. Illinois ranks high as an 
agricultural State. A large area in the eastern 
portion of the State, because of the absence of 
timber, was called by the early settlers "the 
Grand Prairie."' Upon and along a low ridge 
beginning in Jackson County and running across 
the State is the prolific fruit-growing district of 
Southern Illinois. The bottom lands extending 
from Cairo to the mouth of the Illinois River are 
of a fertility seemingly inexhaustible. The cen- 
tral portion of the State is best adapted to corn, 
and the southern and southwestern to the culti- 
vation of winter wheat. Nearh' three-fourths of 
the entire State — some 42, 000 square miles — is up- 
land prairie, well siuted to the raising of cereals. 
In the value of its oat crop Illinois leads all the 
States, that for 1891 being S31, 106,674, with 3,068,- 
930 acres under cultivation. In the production 
of corn it ranks next to Iowa, the last census 
(1890) showing 7,014,336 acres under cultivation, 
and the value of the crop being estimated at 
§86,905,510. In wheat-raising it ranked seventh, 
although the annual average value of the crop 
from 1880 to 1890 w-as a little less than .$29,000,- 
000. As a live-stock State it leads in the value of 
horses (§83,000,000), ranks second in the produc- 
tion of swine (§30,000,000), third in cattle-growing 
(§32,000.000), and fourth in dairy products, the 
value of milch cows being e.stimated at §24,000,- 
000. (See also Farmers Institute.) 



12 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF. A 

department of the State administration which 
grew out of the organization of tlie Illinois Agri- 
cultural Society, incorporated by Act of the 
Legislature in 1853. The first appropriation from 
the State treasury for its maintenance was §1,000 
per annum, "to be expended in the promotion of 
mechanical and agricultural arts." The first 
President was James N. Brown, of Sangamon 
County. Simeon Francis, al.so of Sangamon, was 
the first Recording Secretary ; John A. Kennicott 
of Cook, first Corresponding Secretary ; and John 
Williams of Sangamon, first Treasurer. Some 
thirty volumes of reports have been issued, cover- 
ing a variety of topics of vital interest to agri- 
culturists. The department has well equipped 
offices in the State House, and is charged with 
the conduct of State Fairs and the management 
of annual exhibitions of fat stock, besides the 
collection and dissemination of statistical and 
other information relative to the State's agri- 
cultural interests. It receives annual reports 
from all County Agricultural Societies. The 
State Board consists of three general officers 
(President, Secretary and Treasurer) and one 
representative from each Congressional district. 
The State appropriates some .$20,000 annually for 
the prosecution of its work, besides which there 
is a considerable income from receipts at State 
Fairs and fat stock shows. Between $30,000 and 
$2.5,000 per annum is disbursed in premiums to 
competing exhibitors at the State Fairs, and some 
SIO.OOO divided among County Agricultural 
Societies holding fairs. 

AKERS, Peter, D. D., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, born of Presbyterian parentage, in 
Campbell County, Va., Sept. 1, 1790; was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and, at the age 
of 16, began teaching, later pursuing a classical 
course in institutions of Virginia and North 
Carolina. Having removed to Kentucky, after a 
brief season spent in teaching at Mount Sterling 
in that State, he began the study of law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1817. Two years later he 
began the publication of a paper called "The 
Star, " which was continued for a short time. In 
1831 he was converted and joined the Methodist 
church, and a few months later began preaching. 
In 1833 he removed to Illinois, and, after a year 
spent in work as an evangelist, he assumed the 
Presidency of McKendree College at Lebanon, 
remaining during 1833-34; then established a 
"manual labor school" near Jacksonville, which 
he maintained for a few years. From 1837 to 
1852 was spent as stationed minister or Presiding 



Elder at Springfield, Quincy and Jacksonville. In 
the latter year lie was again appointed to the 
Presidency of McKendree College, where he 
remained five years. He was then (1857) trans- 
ferred to the Minnesota Conference, but a year 
later was compelled by declining health to assume 
a superannuated relation. Returning to Illinois 
about 1865, he served as Presiding Elder of the 
Jacksonville and Pleasant Plains Districts, but 
was again compelled to accept a superannuated 
relation, making Jacksonville his home, where 
he died, Feb. 21, 1886. While President of Mc- 
Kendree College, he published his work on "Bib- 
lical Chronology, " to which he had devoted manj' 
previous years of his life, and which gave evi- 
dence of great learning and vast research. Dr. 
Akers was a man of profound convictions, exten- 
sive learning and great eloquence. As a pulpit 
orator and logician he probably had no superior 
in the State during the time of his most active 
service in the denomination to which he belonged. 

AKIN, Edward C, lawyer and Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Will County, 111., in 1852, and 
educated in the public schools of Joliet and at Ann 
Arbor, Mich. For four years he was paying and 
receiving teller in the First National Bank of 
Joliet, but was admitted to the bar in 1878 and 
has continued in active practice since. In 1887 he 
entered upon his political career as the Republi- 
can candidate for City Attorney of Joliet, and was 
elected by a majority of over 700 votes, although 
the city was usually Democratic. The follow- 
ing year he was the candidate of his party for 
State's Attorney of Will County, and was again 
elected, leading the State and county ticket by 
800 votes — being re-elected to the same office in 
1893. In 1895 he was the Republican nominee 
for Mayor of Joliet, and, although opposed by a 
citizen's ticket headed by a Republican, was 
elected over his Democratic competitor by a deci- 
sive majority. His greatest popular triumph was 
in 1896, when he was elected Attorney-General 
on the Republican State ticket by a plurality 
over his Democratic opponent of 133,248 and a 
majority over all competitors of 111,255. His 
legal abilities are recognized as of a very high 
order, while his personal popularity is indicated 
by his uniform success as a candidate, in the 
face, at times, of strong political majorities. 

ALBANY, a village of Whiteside County, lo- 
cated on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway (Rock Island 
branch). Population (1890), 611; (1900), 621. 

ALBION, county-seat of Edwards County, 
on Southern Railway, midway between St. Louis 




EXI'EItlMEXT FARM (THE VIXEYARD) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. 




EXPERIMENT FARM (ORCHARD CULTIVATION) UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



13 



and Louisville; seat of Southern Collegiate In- 
stitute; has plant for manufacture of vitrified 
shale paving brick, two newspapers, creamery, 
flouring mills, and is important shipping point 
for live stock; is in a rich fruit-growing district; 
has five churches and splendid public schools. 
Population (1900), 1,162; (est. 1904), 1,500. 

ALCORN, James Lusk, was born near Gol- 
oonda. 111., Nov. 4, 1816; early went South and 
held various offices in Kentucky and Mississippi, 
including member of the Legislature in each; 
was a member of the Mississippi State Conven- 
tions of 1851 and 1861, and by the latter appointed 
a Brigadier-General in the Confederate service, 
but refused a commission by Jefferson Davis 
because his fidelity to the rebel cause was 
doubted. At the close of the war he was one of 
the first to accept the reconstruction policy ; was 
elected United States Senator from Mississippi in 
1865, but not admitted to his seat. In 1869 he 
was chosen Governor as a Republican, and two 
years later elected United States Senator, serving 
until 1877. Died, Dec. 20, 1894. 

ALDRICH, J. Frank, Congressman, was born 
at Two Rivers, Wis., April 6, 1853, the son of 
William Aldrich, who afterwards became Con- 
gressman from Chicago ; was brought to Chicago 
in 1861, attended the public schools and the Chi- 
cago Universitj-, and graduated from the Rensse- 
laer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N. Y., in 1877, 
receiving the degree of Civil Engineer. Later he 
engaged in the linseed oil business in Chicago. 
Becoming interested in politics, he was elected a 
member of the Board of County Commissioners 
of Cook County, serving as President of that body 
during the reform period of 1887; was also a 
member of the County Board of Education and 
Chairman of the Chicago Citizens' Committee, 
appointed from the various clubs and commer- 
cial organizations of the city, to promote the for- 
mation of the Chicago Sanitary District. From 
May 1, 1891, to Jan. 1, 1893, he was Commissioner 
of Public Works for Chicago, when he resigned 
his office, having been elected (Nov., 1892) a 
member of the Fifty-third Congress, on the 
Republican ticket, from the First Congressional 
District; was re-elected in 1894. retiring at the 
close of the Fifty-fourth Congress. In 1898 he 
was appointed to a position in connection with 
the office of Comptroller of the Currency at 
Washington. 

ALDRICH, William, merchant and Congress- 
man, was born at Greenfield, N. Y., Jan. 20, 1820. 
His early common school training was supple- 
mented by private tuition in higher branches of 



mathematics and in surveying, and by a term in 
an academy. Until he had reached the age of 26 
years he was engaged in farming and teaching, 
but, in 1846, turned his attention to mercantile 
pursuits. In 1851 he removed to Wisconsin, 
where, in addition to merchandising, he engaged 
in the manufacture of furniture and woodenware, 
and where he also held several important offices, 
being Superintendent of Schools for three years. 
Chairman of tlie County Board of Supervisors 
one year, besides serving one term in the Legisla- 
ture. In 1860 he removed to Chicago, where he 
embarked in the wholesale grocery business. In 
1875 he was elected to the City Council, and, in 
1876, chosen to represent his district (the First) in 
Congress, as a Republican, being re-elected in 1878, 
and again in 1880. Died in Fond du Lao, Wis., 
Dec. 3, 1885. 

ALEDO, county-seat of Mercer County ; is in 
the midst of a rich farming and bituminous coal 
region; fruit-growing and stock-raising are also 
extensively carried on, and large quantities of 
these commodities are shipped here; has two 
newspapers and ample school facilities. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,601; (1900), 3,081. 

ALEXANDER, John T., agriculturist and 
stock-grower, was born in Western Virginia, 
Sept. 15, 1820; removed with his father, at six 
j'ears of age. to Ohio, and to Illinois in 1848. 
Here he bought a tract of several thousand acres 
of land on the Wabash Railroad, 10 miles east of 
Jacksonville, which finally developed into one of 
the richest stock-farms in the State. After the 
war he became the owner of the celebrated 
"Sullivant farm," comprising some 20,000 acres 
on the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad in 
Champaign County, to which he transferred his 
stock interests, and although overtaken by re- 
verses, left a large estate. Died, August 22, 1876. 

ALEXANDER, Milton K., pioneer, was born in 
Elbert Count}-, Ga., Jan. 23, 1796; emigrated 
with his father, in 1804, to Tennessee, and, while 
still a boy, enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812. 
serving under the command of General Jackson 
until the capture of Pensacola, when he entered 
upon the campaign against the Semiuoles in 
Florida. In 1823 he removed to Edgar County. 
111., and engaged in mercantile and agricultural 
pursuits at Paris; serving also as Postmaster 
there some twenty-five years, and as Clerk of the 
County Commissioners' Court from 1826 to '37. 
In 1826 he was commissioned by Governor Coles, 
Colonel of the Nineteenth Regiment, Illinois 
State Militia; in 1830 was Aide-de-Camp to Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, and, inl832, took part in the Black 



14 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hawk War as Brigadier-General of the Second 
Brigade, Illinois Volunteers. On the inception of 
the internal improvement scheme in 1837 he was 
elected by the Legislature a member of the first 
Board of Commissioners of Public Works, serving 
until the Board was abolished. Died. July 7, 1856. 

ALEXANDER, (Dr.) William M., pioneer, 
came to Southern Illinois previous to the organi- 
zation of Union County (1818), and for some time, 
while practicing his profession as a physician, 
acted as agent of the proprietors of the town of 
America, which was located on the Ohio River, 
on the first high ground above its junction with 
the Mississippi. It became the first county-seat 
of Alexander County, which was organized in 
1819, and named in his honor. In 1820 we find 
him a Representative in the Second General 
Assembly from Pope County, and two years later 
Representative from Alexander County, when he 
became Speaker of the House during the session 
of the Third General Assembly. Later, he 
removed to Kaskaskia, but finally went South, 
where he died, though the date and place of his 
death are unknown. 

ALEXANDER COUNTY, the extreme southern 
county of the State, being bounded on the west 
by the Mississipppi, and south and east by tlie 
Ohio and Cache rivers. Its area is about 230 
square miles and its population, in 1890, was 16,- 
563. The first American settlers were Tennessee- 
ans named Bird, who Occupied the delta and gave 
it the name of Bird's Point, which, at the date of 
the Civil War (1861-65), had been transferred to 
the Missouri shore opposite the mouth of the Ohio. 
Other early settlers were Clark, Kennedy and 
Philips (at Movmds), Conyer and Terrel (at Amer- 
ica), and Humphreys (near Caledonia). In 1818 
Shadrach Bond (afterwards Governor), John G. 
Comyges and others entered a claim for 1800 acres 
in the central and northern part of the county, 
and incorporated the "City and Bank of Cairo." 
The history of this enterprise is interesting. In 
1818 (on Comyges' death) the land reverted to the 
Government; but in 1835 Sidney Breese, David J. 
Baker and Miles A. Gilbert re-entered the for- 
feited bank tract and the title thereto became 
vested in the "Cairo City and Canal Company," 
which was chartered in 1837, and, by purchase, 
extended its holdings to 10,000 acres. The 
county was organized in 1819; the first county- 
seat being America, which was incorporated in 
1820. Population (1900), 19,384. 

ALEXIAN BROTHERS' HOSPITAL, located 
at Chicago; established in 1860. and under the 
management of tlie Alesian Brothers, a monastic 



order of tlie Roman Catholic Church. It was 
originally opened in a small frame building, but a 
better edifice was erected in 1868, only to be de- 
stroj-ed in the great fire of 1871. The following 
year, through the aid of private benefactions and 
an appropriation of §18.000 from the Chicago Re- 
lief and Aid Society, a larger and better hospital 
was built. In 1888 an addition was made, increas- 
ing the accommodation to 150 beds. Only poor 
male patients are admitted, and these are received 
without reference to nationality or religion, and 
absolutely without charge. The present medical 
staff (1896) comprises fourteen physicians and sur- 
geons. In 1895 the close approach of an intra- 
mural transit line having rendered the building 
unfit for hospital purposes, a street railway com- 
panj- purchased the site and buildings for §250,- 
000 and a new location has been selected. 

ALEXIS, a village of Warren County, on the 
Rock Island & St. Louis Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 12 miles east of 
north from Monmouth. It has manufactures of 
brick, drain-tile, pottery and agricultural imple- 
ments; is also noted for its Clydesdale horses. 
Population (1880), 398; (1890), 562; (1900), 915. 

ALGON(Jl'INS, a group of Indian tribes. 
Originally tlieir territory extended from about 
latitude 37' to 53° north, and from longitude 25° 
east to 15° west of the meridian of Washington. 
Branches of the stock were found by Cartier in 
Canada, by Smith in "Virginia, by the Puritans in 
New England and by Catholic missionaries in the 
great basin of the Mississippi. One of the prin- 
cipal of their five confederacies embraced the 
Illinois Indians, who were foimd within the 
State by the French when the latter discovered 
the country in 1673. They were hereditary foes 
of the warlike Iroquois, by whom their territory 
was repeatedly invaded. Besides the Illinois, 
other tribes of the Algonquin family who origi- 
nally dwelt within the present limits of Illinois, 
were the Foxes, Kickapoos, Miamis, Menominees, 
and Sacs. Although nomadic in their mode of 
life, and subsisting largely on the spoils of the 
chase, the Algonquins were to some extent tillers 
of the soil and cultivated large tracts of maize. 
Various dialects of their language have been 
reduced to grammatical rules, and Eliot's Indian 
Bible is published in their tongue. The entire 
Alg(mquin stock extant is estimated at about 
95.000, of whom some 35,000 are within the United 
States. 

ALLEN, William Joshua, jurist, was born 
June 9, 1829, in Wilson Covmty, Tenn. ; of Vir- 
ginia ancestrv of Scotch-Irish descent. In early 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



15 



infancy he was brougnt by his parents to South- 
ern Illinois, where his father, Willis Allen, be- 
came a Judge and member of Congress. After 
reading law with his father and at the Louisville 
Law School, young Allen was admitted to the 
bar, settling at Metropolis and afterward (18.53) 
at his old home, Marion, in Williamson County. 
In 1855 he was appointed United States District 
Attorue.v for Illinois, but resigned in 1859 and re- 
sumed private practice as partner of John A. 
Logan. The same year he was elected Circuit 
Judge to succeed his father, who had died, but he 
declined a re-election. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Conventions of 1802 and 1869, serv- 
ing in both bodies on the Judicial Committee and 
as Chairman of the Committee on the Bill of 
Rights. From 1864 to 1888 he was a delegate to 
every National Democratic Convention, being 
chairman of the Illinois delegation in 1876. He 
has been four times a candidate for Congress, and 
twice elected, serving from 1863 to 1865. During 
this period he was an ardent opponent of the wai 
policy of the Government. In 1874-75, at the 
solicitation of Governor Beveridge, he undertook 
the prosecution of the leaders of a bloody "ven- 
detta" which had broken out among his former 
neighbors in Williamson County, and, by his fear- 
less and impartial efforts, brought the offenders to 
justice and assisted in restoring order. In 1886, 
Judge Allen removed to Springfield, and in 1887 
was appointed by President Cleveland to succeed 
Judge Samuel H. Treat (deceased) as Judge of the 
United States District Court for the Southern 
District of Illinois. Died Jan. 26, 1901. 

ALLEX, Willis, a native of Tennessee, who 
removed to Williamson County, 111., in 1829 and 
engaged in farming. In 1834 he was chosen 
Sheriff of Franklin County, in 1838 elected Rep- 
resentative in the Eleventh General Assembly, 
and, in 1844, became State Senator. In 1841, 
although not yet a licensed lawyer, he was chosen 
Prosecuting Attorney for the old Third District, 
and was shortly afterward admitted to the bar. 
He was cfhosen Presidential Elector in 1844, a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
and served two terms in Congress (1851-55). On 
Starch 2, 1859, he was commissioned Judge of the 
Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit, but died three 
months later. His son, William Joshua, suc- 
ceeded liim in the latter office. 

ALLERTON, Samuel Waters, stock-dealer and 
capitalist, was bom of Pilgrim ancestry in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., May 36, 1829. His 
youth was spent with his father on a farm in 
Yates County. N. Y.. but atout 1852 he engaged 



in the live-stock business in Central and Western 
New York. In 1856 he transferred his operations 
to Illinois, shipping stock from various points to 
New York City, finally locating in Chicago. He 
was one of the earliest projectors of the Chicago 
Stock- Yards, later securing control of the Pitts- 
burg Stock- Yards, also becoming interested in 
yards at Baltimore, Philadelphia, Jersey City and 
Omaha. Sir. AUerton is one of the founders and 
a Director of the First National Bank of Chicago, 
a Director and stockholder of the Chicago City 
Railway (the first cable line in that city), the 
owner of an extensive area of highly improved 
farming lands in Central Illinois, as also of large 
tracts in Nebraska and Wyoming, and of valuable 
and productive mining properties in the Black 
Hills. A zealous Republican in politics, he is a 
liberal supporter of the measures of that party, 
and, in 1893, was the unsuccessful Republican can- 
didate for Mayor of Chicago in opposition to 
Carter H. Harrison. 

ALLOUEZ, Claude Jean, sometimes called 
"The Apostle of the West," a Jesuit priest, was 
born in France in 1620. He reached Quebec in 
1658, and later explored the country around 
Lakes Superior and Michigan, establishing the 
mission of La Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis. , 
now stands, in 1665, and St. Xavier, near Green 
Bay, in 1669. He learned from the Indians the 
existence and direction of the upper Mississippi, 
and was the first to communicate the informa- 
tion to the authorities at Montreal, which report 
was the primary cause of Joliet's expedition. He 
succeeded Marquette in charge of the mission at 
Kaskaskia, on the Illinois, in 1677, where he 
preached to eight tribes. From that date to 1690 
he labored among the aborigines of Illinois and 
Wisconsin. Died at Fort St. Joseph, in 1690. 

ALLYN, (Rev.) Robert, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Ledj^ard, New London County, 
Conn., Jan. 25, 1817, being a direct descend- 
ant in the eighth generation of Captain Robert 
Allyn, who was one of the first settlers of New 
London. He grew up on a farm, receiving his 
early education in a country school, supple- 
mented by access to a small public library, from 
which he acquired a good degree of familiarity 
with standard English writers. In 1837 he 
entered the Wesleyan University at Middletown, 
Conn., where he distinguished himself as a 
mathematician and took a high rank as a linguist 
and rhetorician, graduating in 1841. He im- 
mediately engaged as a teacher of mathematics 
in the Wesleyan Academy at Wilbraham, Mass., 
and, in 1846, was elected principal of the school. 



16 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



meanwhile (1843) becoming a licentiate of the 
Providence Conference of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. From 1848 to 1854 he served as Princi- 
pal of the Providence Conference Seminary at 
East Greenwich, R. I., when he was appointed 
Commissioner of Public Schools of Rhode Island 
— also serving the same year as a Visitor to West 
Point Military Academy. Between 1857 and 1859 
he filled the chair of Ancient Languages in the 
State University at Athens, Ohio, when he ac- 
cepted the Presidency of the Wesleyau Female 
CoUege at Cincinnati, four years later (1863) 
becoming President of McKendree College at 
Lebanon, III., where he remained until 1874. 
That position he resigned to accept the Presi- 
dency of the Southern Illinois Normal University 
at Carbondale, whence he retired in 1892. Died 
at Carbondale, Jan. 7, 1894. 

ALTAMONT, Effingham County, is intersecting 
point of the Vandalia, Chicago & Eastern Illinois, 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W., and Wabash Railroads, 
being midway and highest point between St. 
Louis and Terre Haute, Ind. ; was laid out in 
1870. The town is in the center of a grain, fruit- 
growing and stock-raising district ; has a bank, 
two grain elevators, flouring mill, tile works, a 
large creamery, wagon, furniture and other fac- 
tories, besides churches and good schools. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,044, (1900), 1,335. 

ALTGELD, John Peter, ex-Judge and ex-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Prussia in 1848, and in boy- 
hood accompanied his parents to America, the 
family settling in Ohio. At the age of 16 he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
Ohio Infantry, serving until the close of the war. 
His legal education was acquired at St. Louis and 
Savannah, Mo., and from 1874 to '78 he was 
Prosecuting Attorney for Andrew County in that 
State. In 1878 he removed to Chicago, where he 
devoted himself to professional work. In 1884 he 
led the Democratic forlorn hope as candidate for 
Congress in a strong Republican Congressional 
district, and in 1886 was elected to the bench of 
the Superior Court of Cook County, but resigned 
in August, 1891. The Democratic State conven- 
tion of 1893 nominated him for Governor, and he 
was elected the following November, being the 
first foreign-born citizen to hold that office in the 
history of the State, and the first Democrat 
elected since 1852. In 1896 he was a prominent 
factor in the Democratic National Convention 
which nominated William J. Bryan for Presi- 
dent, and was also a candidate for re-election to 
the office of Governor, but was defeated by John 
R. Tanner, the Republican nominee. 



ALTON, principal city in Madison County 
and important commercial and manufacturing 
point on Mississippi River, 25 miles north of 
St. Louis; site was first occupied as a French 
trading-post about 1807, tlie town proper being 
laid out by Col. Rufus Easton in 1817; principal 
business houses are located in tlie valley along 
the river, while the residence portion occupies 
the bluffs overlooking the river, sometimes rising 
to the height of nearly 250 feet. The city has 
extensive glass works employing (1903) 4,000 
hands, flouring mills, iron foundries, manufac- 
tories of agricultural implements, coal cars, min- 
ers' tools, shoes, tobacco, lime, etc., besides 
several banks, numerous churches, schools, and 
four newspapers, three of them daily. A monu- 
ment to the memory of Elijah P. Lovejoy, who 
fell while defending his press against a pro-slav- 
ery mob in 1837, was erected in Alton Cemetery, 
1896-7, at a cost of §30,000, contributed by the 
State and citizens of Alton. Population (1890), 
10,294; (1900), 14,210. 

ALTON PENITENTIARY, The earliest pun- 
ishments imposed upon public offenders in Illi- 
nois were by public flogging or imprisonment for 
a short time in jails rudely constructed of logs, 
from which escape was not difficult for a prisoner 
of nerve, strength and mental resource. The 
inadequacy of such places of confinement was 
soon perceived, but popular antipathy to any 
increase of taxation prevented the adoption of 
any other policy until 1827. A grant of 40,000 
acres of saline lands was made to the State by 
Congress, and a considerable portion of the money 
received from their sale was appropriated to the 
establishment of a State penitentiary at Alton. 
The sum set apart proved insufficient, and, in 1831, 
an additional appropriation of $10,000 was made 
from the State treasurj'. In 1833 the prison was 
ready to receive its first inmates. It was built of 
stone and had but twenty-four cells. Additions 
were made from time to time, but by 1857 the 
State determined upon building a new peniten- 
tiary, which was located at Joliet (see Northern 
Penitentiary), and, in 1860, the last convicts were 
transferred thither from Alton. The Alton prison 
was conducted on what is known as "the Auburn 
plan" — associated labor in silence by day and 
separate confinement by night. The manage- 
ment was in the hands of a "lessee," who fur- 
nished supplies, employed guards and exercised 
the general powers of a warden under the super- 
vision of a Commissioner appointed by the State, 
and who handled all the products of convict 
labor. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1' 



ALTON RIOTS. (See Lovejoy. Elijah Par- 
rish. ) 

ALTONA., town of Knox County, on C, B. & Q. 
R. R., 16 miles northeast of Galesburg; has an 
endowed public library, electric light system, 
cement sidewalks, four churches and good school 
system. Population (1900), 633. 

ALTON & SANGAMON RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Alton Railroad.) 

AMBOT, city in Lee County on Green River, at 
junction of Illinois Central and C. , B. & Q. Rail- 
roads, 95 miles south by west from Chicago; has 
artesian water with waterworks and fire protec- 
tion, city park, two telephone systems, electric 
lights, railroad repair shops, two banks, two 
newspapers, seven churches, graded and high 
schools; is on line of Northern Illinois Electric 
Ry. from De Kalb to Dixon; extensive bridge 
and iron works located hera Pop. (1900), 1,826, 

AMES, Edward Raymond, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, bom at Amesville, Athens County, Ohio, 
May 30, 1806; was educated at the Ohio State 
University, where he joined the M. E. Church. 
In 1828 he left college and became Principal of 
the Seminary at Lebanon, HI., which afterwards 
became McKendree College. While there he 
received a license to preach, and, after holding 
various charges and positions in the church, in- 
cluding membership in the General Conference 
of 1840, '44 and '52, in the latter year was elected 
Bishop, ser^'ing until his death, which occurred 
in Baltimore, April 25, 1879. 

ANDERSON, Galusha, clergj-man and edu- 
cator, was born at Bergen, N. Y., March 7, 1832; 
graduated at Rochester University in 1854 and at 
the Theological Seminary there in 1856; spent 
ten years in Baptist pastoral work at Janesville, 
"Wis., and at St. Louis, and seven as Professor in 
Newton Theological Institute, Mass. From 1873 
to '80 he preached in Brooklyn and Chicago; was 
then chosen President of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, remaining eight years, when he again be- 
came a pastor at Salem, Mass., but .soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Denison University, 
Ohio. On the organization of the new Chicago 
University, he accepted the chair of Homiletics 
and Pastoral Theology, which he now holds 

ANDERSON, George A., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was bom in Botetourt County, Va., March 
11, 1853. "When two years old he was brought by 
his parents to Hancock County, 111 He re- 
ceived a collegiate education, and, after studying 
law at Lincoln, Neb., and at Sedalia, Mo., settled 
at Quincy, III., where he began practice in 1880. 
In 1884 he was elected City Attorney on the 



Democratic ticket, and re-elected in 1885 without 
opposition. The following year he was the suc- 
cessful candidate of his party for Congress, which 
was his last public service. Died at Quincy, 
Jan. 31, 1896. 

ANDERSON, James C, legislator, was born in 
Henderson County, 111., August 1, 1845; raised on 
a farm, and after receiving a common-school 
education, entered Monmouth College, but left 
earl}- in the Civil War to enlist in the Twentieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he attained 
the rank of Second Lieutenant. After the war he 
served ten years as Sheriff of Henderson County, 
was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly in 1888, '90, "92 and '96, and served on 
the Republican "steering committee" during the 
session of 1893. He also served as Sergeant-at- 
Arms of the Senate for the session of 1895, and 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1896. His home is at Decorra. 

ANDERSON, Stinson H., Lieutenant-Gover- 
nor, was born in Sumner County, Tenn., in 1800; 
came to Jefferson County, 111., in his youth, and, 
at an early age, began to devote his attention to 
breeding fine stock; served in the Black Hawk 
War as a Lieutenant in 1832, and the same year 
was elected to the lower branch of the Eighth 
General Assembly, being reelected in 1834. In 
1838 he was chosen Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket w^th Gov. Thomas Carlin, and soon after 
the close of his term entered the United States 
Army as Captain of Dragoons, in this capacitj- 
taking part in the Seminole War in Florida. 
Still later he served under President Polk as 
United States Marshal for Illinois, and also held 
the position of Warden of the State Penitentiary 
at Alton for several years. Died.September, 18.57. — 
William B. (Anderson), son of the preceding, 
was born at Mount Vernon, 111., April 30, 1830; 
attended the common schools and later studied 
surveying, being elected Surveyor of Jefferson 
County, in 1851. He studied law and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1858, but never practiced, pre- 
ferring the more quiet life of a farmer. In 1856 
he was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and re-elected in 1858. In 1861 he 
entered the volunteer service as a private, was 
promoted through the grades of Captain and 
Lieutenant-Colonel to a Colonelcy, and, at the 
close of the war, was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. In 1868 he was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, was a member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy. In 1874 he was elected to the Forty- 



18 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



fourth Congress on the Democratic ticket. In 
1893 General Anderson was appointed bj' Presi- 
dent Cleveland Pension Agent for Illinois, con- 
tinuing in that position four years, when he 
retired to private life. 

ANDRUS, Rev. Reuben, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Rutland, Jefferson County, 
N. y., Jan. 29, 1824; early came to Fulton 
County, 111., and spent three years (1844-47) as a 
student at Illinois College, Jacksonville, but 
graduated at McKendree College, Lebanon, in 
1849 ; taught for a time at Greenfield, entered the 
Methodist ministry, and, in 1850, founded the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University at Blooniington, of 
which he became a Professor; later reentered 
the ministry and held cliarges at Beardstown, 
Decatur, Quincy, Springfield and Bloomington, 
meanwhile for a time being President of Illinois 
Conference Female College at Jacksonville, and 
temporary President of Quincy College. In 1867 
he was transferred to the Indiana Conference and 
stationed at Evansville and Indianapolis; from 
1872 to '75 was President of Indiana Asbury Uni- 
versity at Greencastle. Died at Indianapolis, 
Jan. 17, 1887. 

ANNA, a city in Union County, on the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 36 miles from Cairo; is center 
of extensive fruit and vegetable-growing district, 
and largest shipping-point for these commodities 
on the Illinois Central Railroad. It has an ice 
plant, pottery and lime manufactories, two banks 
and two newspapers. The Southern '(111. ) Hos- 
pital for tlie Insane is located here. Population 
(1890), 2,295; (1900), 2,618; (est. 1904). 3,000. 

ANTHONY, Elliott, jurist, was born of New 
England Quaker ancestry at Spafford, Onondaga 
County, N. Y., June 10, 1827; was related on 
the maternal side to the Chases and Phelps (dis- 
tinguished lawyers) of Vermont. His early years 
were spent in labor on a farm, but after a course 
of preparatory study at Cortland Academy, in 
1847 he entered the sophomore class in Hamilton 
College at Clinton, graduating with honors in 
1850. The next year he began the study of law, 
at the same time giving instruction in an Acad- 
emy at Clinton, where he had President Cleve- 
land as one of his pupils. After admission to the 
bar at Oswego, in 1851, he removed West, stop- 
ping for a time at Sterling, lU., but the following 
year located in Chicago. Here he compiled "A 
Digest of Illinois Reports"; in 1858 was elected 
City Attorney, and, in 1863. became solicitor of 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now the 
Chicago & Northwestern). Judge Anthony 
served in two State Constitutional Conventions — 



those of 1862 and 1869-70— being chairman of the 
Committee on Executive Department and mem- 
ber of the Committee on Judiciary in the latter. 
He was delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1880, and was the same year elected a 
Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, and was 
re-elected in 1886, retiring in 1892, after which he 
resumed the practice of his profession, being 
chiefly employed as consulting counsel. Judge 
Anthony was one of the founders and incorpo- 
rators of the Chicago Law Institute and a member 
of the first Board of Directors of the Chicago 
Public Library; also served as President of the 
State Bar Association (1894-95), and delivered 
several important historical addresses before that 
body. His other most important productions 
are volumes on "The Constitutional History of 
Illinois," "The Story of the Empire State" and 
"Sanitation and Navigation." Near the close of 
his last term upon the bench, he spent several 
months in an extended tour through the princi- 
pal comitries of Europe. His death occurred, 
after a protracted illness, at his home at Evans- 
ton, Feb. 24. 1898. 

ANTI-NEBRASKA EDITORIAL CONVEN- 
TION, a political body, which convened at 
Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, pursuant to the suggestion 
of "The Morgan Journal," then a weekly paper 
published at Jacksonville, for the purpose of for- 
mulating a policy in opposition to the principles 
of tlie Kansas-Nebraska bill. Twelve editors 
were in attendance, as follov%s: Charles H. Ray 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; V. Y. Ralston of 
"The Quincy Whig"; O. P. Wharton of "The 
Rock Island Advertiser"; T. J. Pickett of "The 
Peoria Republican"; George Schneider of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung"; Charles Faxon of "The 
Princeton Post"; A. N. Ford of "The Lacon Ga- 
zette" ; B. F Shaw of "The Dixon Telegraph" ; E. 
C. Daugherty of "The Rockford Register"; E. W. 
Blai.3dell of "The Rockford Gazette"; W. J. 
Usrey of "The Decatur Chronicle"; and Paul 
Selby of ' 'The Jacksonville Journal. " Paul Selby 
was chosen Chairman and W. J. Usrey, Secre- 
tary. The convention adopted a platform and 
recommended the calling of a State convention 
at Bloomington on May 29, following, appointing 
the following State Central Committee to take the 
matter in charge: W. B. Ogden, Chicago; S. M. 
Church, Pockford; G. D. A. Parks, Joliet; T. J 
Pickett, Peoria ; E. A. Dudley, Quincy ; William 
H. Herndon, Springfield; R. J. Oglesby, Deca- 
tur ; Joseph Gillespie. Edwardsville ; D. L. Phil- 
lips. Jonesboro; and Ira O. Wilkinson and 
Gustavus Koerner for the State-at -large. Abra- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



19 



nam Lincoln was present and participated in the 
consultations of the committees. All of these 
served except Messrs. Ogden, Oglesby and Koer- 
ner, the two former declining on account of ab- 
sence from the State. Ogden was succeeded by 
the late Dr. John Evans, afterwards Territorial 
Governor of Colorado, and Oglesby by Col. Isaac 
C. Pugh of Decatur. (See Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1S5G. ) 

APPLE RIVER, a village of Jo Daviess 
Coimty, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 21 miles 
east-northeast from Galena. Population (1880), 
636; (1S90). 573; (1900). 576. 

APPLIXGTON, (Maj.) Zeiias, soldier, was born 
in Broome County, N. Y., Dec. 24, 1815; in 1837 
emigrated to Ogle County, 111., where he fol- 
lowed successively the occupations of farmer, 
blacksmith, carpenter and merchant, finally 
becoming the founder of the town of Polo. Here 
he became wealthy, but lost much of his property 
in the financial revulsion of 1857. In 1858 he 
was elected to the State Senate, and, during the 
session of 1859, was one of the members of that 
body appointed to investigate the "canal scrip 
fraud" (which see), and two years later was oneof 
the earnest supporters of the Government in its 
preparation for the War of the Rebellion. The 
latter year he assisted in organizing the Seventh 
Illinois Cavalry, of whicli he was commissioned 
Major, being some time in command at Bird's 
Point, and later rendering important service to 
General Pope at New IMadrid and Island No. 10. 
He was killed at Corinth, Sliss., May 8, 1863. 
while obeying an order to charge upon a band of 
rebels concealed in a wood. 

APPORTIONMENT, a mode of distribution of 
the counties of the State into Districts for the 
election of members of the General Assembly 
and of Congress, which will be treated under 
separate heads: 

Legislative. — The first legislative apportion- 
ment was provided for bj' the Constitution of 
1818. That instrument vested the Legislature 
with power to divide tlie State as follows: To 
create districts for the election of Representatives 
not less than twenty -seven nor more than thirty- 
six in number, until the population of the State 
should amount to 100,000; and to create sena- 
torial districts, in number not less than one-third 
nor more than one-half of the representative dis- 
tricts at the time of organization. 

The schedule appended to the first Constitution 
contained tlie first legal apportionment of Sena- 
tors and Representatives. The first fifteen 
counties were allowed fourteen Senators and 



twenty-nine Representatives. Each county 
formed a distinct legislative district for repre- 
sentation in the lower house, with the number of 
members for eacli varying from one to three; 
wliile Jolmson and Franklin were combined in 
one Senatorial district, the other counties being 
entitled to one Senator each. Later apportion- 
ments were made in 1821, '26, "31, '36, '41 and "47. 
Before an election was held under the last, how- 
ever, the Constitution of 1848 went into effect, 
and considerable changes were effected in this 
regard. The number of Senators was fixed at 
twenty-five and of Representatives at seventy- 
five, until the entire population should equal 
1,000.000, when five members of the House were 
added and five additional members for each 500,- 
000 increase in population until the whole num- 
ber of Representatives readied 100. Tliereafter 
the number was neither increased nor dimin- 
ished, but apportioned among the several coun- 
ties according to the number of white inliabit- 
ants. Should it be found necesstiry, a single 
district might be formed out of two or more 
counties. 

The Constitution of 1848 established fifty-four 
Representative and twenty-five Senatorial dis- 
tricts. By the apportionment law of 1854, the 
number of the former was increased to fifty-eight, 
and, in 1861, to sixty-one. The number of Sen- 
atorial districts remained unchanged, but their 
geogi-aphical limits varied under each act, while 
the number of members from Representative 
districts varied according to population. 

The Constitution of 1870 provided for an im- 
mediate reapportionment (subsequent to its 
adoption) by the Governor and Secretary of 
State upon the basis of the United States Census 
of 1870. Under the apportionment thus made, 
as prescribed by the schedule, tlie State was 
divided into twenty-five Senatorial districts (each 
electing two Senators) and ninety-seven Repre- 
sentative districts, with an aggregate of 177 mem- 
bers varying from one to ten for the several 
districts, according to population. This arrange- 
ment continued in force for only one Legislature 
— that chosen in 1870. 

In 1873 this Legislature proceeded to reappor- 
tion tlie State in accordance with the principle of 
"minority representation," which had been sub- 
mitted as an independent section of the Constitu- 
tion and adopted on a separate vote. This 
provided for apportioning the State into fifty -one 
districts, each being entitled to one Senator and 
three Representatives. The ratio of representa- 
tion in the lower house was ascertained by divid- 



20 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing the entire population by 153 and each county 
to be allowed one Representative, provided its 
population reached three-fifths of the ratio ; coun- 
ties having a population equivalent to one and 
three-fifths times the ratio were entitled to two 
Representatives; while each county with a larger 
population was entitled to one additional Repre- 
sentative for each time the full ratio was repeated 
in the number of inhabitants. Apportionments 
were made on this principle in 1872, '82 and '93. 
Members of the lower house are elected bienni- 
ally; Senators for four years, those in odd and 
even districts being chosen at each alternate 
legislative election. The election of Senators for 
the even (numbered) districts takes place at the 
same time with that of Governor and other State 
ofBcers, and that for the odd districts at the inter- 
mediate periods. 

Congressional. — For the first fourteen years 
of the State's history, Illinois constituted but one 
Congressional district. The census of 1830 show- 
ing sufficient population, the Legislature of 1831 
(by act, approved Feb. 13) divided the State into 
three districts, the first election under this law 
being held on the first Monday in August, 1832. 
At that time Illinois comprised fifty-five coun- 
ties, which were apportioned among the districts 
as follows: First — Gallatin, Pope, Johnson, 
Alexander, Union, Jackson, Franklin, Perry, 
Randolph, Monroe, Washington, St. Clair, Clin- 
ton, Bond, Madison, Macoupin; Second — White, 
Hamilton, Jefferson, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, 
Clay, Marion, Lawrence, Fayette, Montgomery, 
Shelby, Vermilion, Edgar, Coles, Clark, Craw- 
ford; Third — Greene, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Macon, TazeweU, McLean, Cook, Henry, La 
Salle, Putnam, Peoria, Knox, Jo Daviess, Mercer, 
McDonough, Warren, Fulton, Hancock, Pike, 
Schuyler, Adams, Calhoun. 

The reapportionment following the census of 
1840 was made by Act of March 1, 1843, and the 
first election of Representatives thereunder 
occurred on the first Monday of the following 
August. Forty-one new counties had been cre- 
ated (making ninety-six in all) and the nimiber 
of districts was increased to seven as follows: 
First — Alexander, Union, Jackson, Monroe, 
Perry, Randolph, St. Clair, Bond, "Washington, 
Madison; Second — Johnson, Pope, Hardin, 
Williamson, Gallatin, Franklin, White, Wayne, 
Hamilton, Wabash, Massac, Jefferson, Edwards, 
Marion ; Third — Lawrence, Richland, Jasper, 
Fayette, Crawford, Effingham, Christian, Mont- 
gomery, Shelby, Moultrie, Coles, Clark, Clay, 
Edgar, Piatt, Macon, De Witt; Fourth— Lake, 



McHenry, Boone, Cook, Kane, De Kalb, Du Page, 
Kendall, Will, Grundy, La Salle, Iroquois, 
Livingston, Champaign, Vermilion, McLean, 
Bureau; Fifth — Greene, Jersey, Calhoun, Pike, 
Adams, Marquette (a part of Adams never fully 
organized). Brown, Schuyler, Fulton Peoria, 
Macoupin ; Sixth — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, 
Winnebago, Carroll, Ogle, Whiteside, Henry, 
Lee, Rock Island, Stark, Mercer, Henderson, 
Warren, Knox, McDonough, Hancock; Seventh 
■ — Putnam, Marshall, Woodford, Cass, Tazewell, 
Mason, Menard, Scott, Morgan, Logan, Sangamon. 

The next Congressional apportionment (August 
22, 1852) divided the State into nine districts, as 
follows — the first election under it being held the 
following November : First — Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Car- 
roll, Ogle ; Second — Cook. Du Page, Kane, De 
Kalb, Lee, Whiteside, Rock Island; Third — 
Will, Kendall, Grund}-, Livingston, La Salle, 
Putnam, Bureau, Vermilion, Iroquois, Cham- 
paign, McLean, De Witt; Fourth — Fulton, 
Peoria, Knox, Henry, Stark, Warren, Mercer, 
Marshall, Mason, Woodford, Tazewell; Fifth 
— Adams, CaDioun, Brown, Schuj-ler, Pike, Mc- 
Donough, Hancock, Henderson ; Sixth — Morgan, 
Scott, Sangamon, Greene, Macoupin, Montgom- 
ery, Shelby, Christian, Cass, Menard, Jersey; 
Seventh — Logan, Macon, Piatt, Coles, Edgar, 
Moultrie, Cumberland, Crawford, Clark, Effing- 
ham, Jasper, Clay, Lawrence, Richland, Fayette ; 
Eighth — Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair, Bond, 
Madison, Clinton, Washington, Jefferson, Mar- 
ion; Ninth — Alexander, Pulaski. Massac, Union, 
Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, Jack- 
son, Perry, Franklin, Williamson, Hamilton, 
Edwards, White, Wayne, Wabash. 

The census of 1860 showed that Illinois was 
entitled to fourteen Representatives, but through 
an error the apportionment law of April 24, 1861, 
created only thirteen districts. This was com- 
pensated for by providing for the election of one 
Congressman for the State-at- large. The districts 
were as follows: First — Cook, Lake; Second — 
McHenry, Boone, Winnebago, De Kalb, and 
Kane; Third — Jo Daviess, Stephenson, White- 
side, Carroll, Ogle, Lee; Fourth — Adams, Han- 
cock, Warren, Mercer, Henderson, Rock Island; 
Fifth — Peoria, Knox, Stark, Marshall, Putnam, 
Bureau, Henry; Sixth — La Salle, Gnmdy, Ken- 
dall, Du Page, Will, Kankakee; Seventh — 
Macon, Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, Moultrie, 
Cumberland, Vermilion, Coles, Edgar, Iroquois, 
Ford; Eighth — Sangamon, Logan, De Witt, Mc- 
Lean, Tazewell, Woodford, Livingston ; Ninth — 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



21 



Fulton, Mason, Menard, Cass, Pike, McDonough, 
Schuyler, Brown ; Tenth — Bond, Morgan, Cal- 
houn, Macoupin, Scott, Jersey, Greene, Christian, 
Montgomery, Shelby; Eleventh — Marion, Fay- 
ette, Richland, Jasper, Clay, Clark, Crawford, 
Franklin, Lawrence, Hamilton, Effingham, 
Wayne, Jefferson; Twelfth — St. Clair, Madison, 
Clinton, Monroe. Washington, Randolph; 
Thirteenth — Alexander, Pulaski, Union, Perry, 
Johnson, Williamson, Jackson, Massac, Pope, 
Hardin, Gallatin, Saline, White, Edwards, 
Wabash. 

The next reapportionment was made July 1, 
1872. The Act created nineteen districts, as fol- 
lows: First — The first seven wards in Chicago 
and thirteen towns in Cook County, with the 
county of Du Page; Second — Wards Eighth to 
Fifteenth (inclusive) in Chicago; Third — Wards 
Sixteenth to Twentieth in Chicago, the remainder 
of Cook County, and Lake County ; Fourth — 
Kane, De Kalb, McHenry, Boone, and Winne- 
bago; Fifth — Jo Daviess, Stephenson. Carroll, 
Ogle, Whiteside; Sixth — Henry. Rock Island, 
Putnam, Bureau, Lee; Seventh — La Salle, Ken- 
dall, Grund}-, Will; Eighth — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Marshall. Livingston, Woodford; Ninth — 
Stark, Peoria, Knox, Fulton; Tenth — Mercer, 
Henderson, Warren, McDonough, Hancock, 
Schuyler ; Eleventh — Adams, Brown, Calhoun, 
Greene, Pike, Jersey; Twelfth — Scott, Morgan, 
Menard, Sangamon, Cass, Christian ; Thirteenth — 
Mason, Tazewell, McLean, Logan, De Witt ; Four- 
teenth — Macon. Piatt, Champaign, Douglas, Coles, 
Vermilion; Fifteenth — Edgar, Clark, Cumber- 
land, Shelby, Moultrie, Effingham, Lawrence, 
Jasper, Crawford; Sixteenth — Montgomery, 
Fayette, Washington, Bond, Clinton, Marion, 
Clay ; Seventeenth • — Macoupin, Madison, St. 
Clair, Monroe ; Eighteenth — Randolph, Perry, 
Jackson, Union. Johnson, Williamson. Alex- 
ander, Pope, Massac. Pulaski ; Nineteenth — 
Richland, Wayne, Edwards, White, Wabash, 
Saline, Gallatin, Hardin, Jefferson, Franklin, 
Hamilton. 

In 1882 (by Act of April 29) the number of dis- 
tricts was increased to twenty, and the bound- 
aries determined as follows: First — Wards First 
to Fourth (inclusive) in Chicago and thirteen 
towns in Cook County ; Second — Wards •'ith to 
7th and part of 8t]i in Chicago; Tliird — Wards 
'Jth to 14th and part of 8th in Chicago; Fourth 
— The remainder of the City of Chicago and of 
the county of Cook; Fifth — Lake, McHenry, 
Boone, Kane, and De Kalb ; Sixth — Winnebago, 
Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, and Carroll; 



Seventh — Lee, Whiteside, Henry, Bureau, Put- 
nam; Eighth — La Salle, Kendall Grundy, Du 
Page, and Will; Ninth — Kankakee, Iroquois, 
Ford, Livingston, Woodford, Marshall; Tenth — 
Peoria, Knox, Stark, Fulton ; Eleventh — Rock 
Island, Mercer, Henderson, Warren, Hancock, 
McDonough, Schuyler; Twelfth — Cass, Brown. 
Adams, Pike, Scott. Greene. Calhoun. Jersey ; 
Thirteenth — Tazewell, Mason, Menard, Sanga- 
mon, Morgan, Christian; Fourteenth — McLean, 
De Witt, Piatt, Macon, Logan; Fifteenth — 
Coles, Edgar, Douglas, Vermilion, Champaign; 
Sixteenth — Cumberland, Clark, Jasper, Clay, 
Crawford, Richland, Lawrence, Wayne, Edwards, 
Wabash ; Seventeenth — Macoupin, Montgomery, 
Moultrie, Shelby, Effingham, Fayette; Eight- 
eenth — Bond, Madison, St. Clair, Monroe. Wash- 
ington ; Nineteenth — Marion, Clinton Jefferson, 
Saline, Franklin, Hamilton, White, Gallatin, Har- 
din ; Twentieth — Perry, Randolph, Jackson, 
Union, WiIliam.son, Johnson, Alexander, Pope, 
Pidaski. Massac. 

The census of 1890 showed the State to be entit- 
led to twenty-two Representatives. No reap- 
portionment, however, was made until June, 
1893, two members from the State-at-large being 
elected in 1892. The existing twenty-two Con- 
gressional districts are as follows: The first 
seven districts comprise the counties of Cook and 
Lake, the latter lying wholh- in the Seventh dis- 
trict; Eighth — McHenry, De Kalb, Kane, Du 
Page, Kendall, Grundy; Ninth — Boone, Winne- 
bago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Carroll, Ogle, Lee; 
Tenth — Whiteside, Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, 
Stark, Knox ; Eleventh — Bureau, La Salle, 
Livingston, Woodford; Twelfth — Will. Kanka- 
kee, Iroquois, Vermilion ; Thirteentli — Ford, Mc- 
Lean, DeWitt. Piatt, Champaign, Douglas; Four- 
teenth — Putnam, Marshall, Peoria, Fulton, 
Tazewell, Ma.son; Fifteenth— Henderson, War- 
ren, Hancock, McDonough, Adams, Brown, 
Schuyler; Sixteenth — Cass, Morgan, Scott, 
Pike, Greene, Macoupin, Calhoun, Jersey; 
Seventeenth — Menard, Logan, Sangamon, Macon, 
Christian; Eighteenth — Madison, Montgomery. 
Bond, Fayette, Shelby. Moultrie; Nineteenth — 
Coles. Edgar, Clark, Cumberland, Effingham. 
Jasper, Crawford, Richland, Lawrence; Twenti- 
eth — Claj-. Jefferson, Wayne, Hamilton, Ed- 
wards. Wabash, Franklin, White, Gallatin, 
Hardin; Twenty-first — Marion, Clinton, Wash- 
ington, St. Clair. Monroe, Randolph, Perry; 
Twenty second — Jackson, Union, Alexander. 
Pulaski. Johnson. Williamson, Saline, Pope, 
Massac. (See also Representatives iv Congress.) 



22 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ARCHER, William B., pioneer, was born in 
Warren County, Ohio, in 1792, and taken to Ken- 
tucky at an early day, where he remained until 
1817, when his familj- removed to Illinois, finally 
settling in what is now Clark County. Altliough 
pursuing the avocation of a farmer, he became 
one of the most prominent and influential men in 
that part of the State. On the organization of 
Clark Count}' in 1819, he was appointed the first 
County and Circuit Clerk, resigning the former 
office in 1820 and the latter in 1822. In 1834 he 
was elected to the lower branch of the General 
As.sembly, and two years later to the State 
Senate, serving continuously in the latter eight 
years. He was thus a Senator on the breaking 
out of the Black Hawk War (1833), in whicli he 
served as a Captain of militia. In 1834 he was an 
ansuccessful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor; 
was appointed by Governor Duncan, in 1835, a 
•nember of the first Board of Commissioners of 
f,he Illinois & Michigan Canal; in 1838 -was 
returned a second time to the House of Repre- 
sentatives and re-elected in 1840 and "46 to the 
same body. Two j'ears later (1848) lie was again 
elected Circuit Clerk, remaining until 18.52, and 
m 18.~>4 was an Anti-Nebraska Whig candidate 
for Congress in opposition to James C. Allen. 
Although Allen received the certificate of elec- 
tion. Archer contested his right to the seat, with 
the result that Congress declared the seat vacant 
and referred the question back to tlie people. In 
a new election held in August, 18.56, Arclier was 
defeated and Allen elected. He held no public 
office of importance after this date, but in 18.56 
was a delegate to the first Republican National 
<Jonvention at Pliiladelpliia, and in that body was 
an enthusiastic supporter of Abraham Lincoln, 
whose zealous friend and admirer he was, for the 
office of Vice-President. He was also one of the 
active promoters of various railroad enterprises 
in that section of the State, especially the old 
Chicago & Vincennes Road, the first projected 
southward from the City of Chicago. His con- 
nection witli the Illinois & Micliigan Canal was 
che means of giving his name to Archer Avenue, 
a somewhat famous thoroughfare in Chicago 
He was of tall stature and great energy of cliar- 
acter, with a tendency to enthusiasm tllat com- 
municated itself to others. A local history lias 
said of him that "he did more for Clark County 
than any man in his day or since." although "no 
consideration, pecuniary or otherwise, was ever 
given him for his seiwices." Colonel Archer was 
one of the founders of Marshall, the county-seat 
of Clark County, Governor Duncan being associ- 



ated with him in the ownership of the land on 
which the town was laid out. His death oc- 
curred in Clark Count}', August 9, 1870, at the 
age of 78 years. 

ARCOLAjincorporated city in Douglas County. 
158 miles south of Chicago, at junction of Illinois 
Central and Terre Haute branch Vandalia Rail- 
road ; is center of largest broom-corn producing 
region in the world; has city waterworks, with 
efficient volunteer fire department, electric lights, 
telephone system, grain elevators and broom- 
corn warehouses, two banks, three newspapers, 
nine churches, library building and excellent free 
school system. Pop. (1890), 1,733; (1900), 1,995. 

ARE>"Z, Francis A., pioneer, was born at 
Blankenberg, in the Province of the Rhein, 
Prussia, Oct. 31, 1800; obtained a good education 
and, while a young man, engaged in mercantile 
business in his native country. In 1827 he came 
to the United States and, after spending two 
years in Kentucky, in 1829 went to Galena, where 
he was engaged for a short time in the lead 
trade. He took an early opportunity to become 
naturalized, and coming to Beardstown a few 
months later, went into merchandising and real 
estate; also became a contractor for furnishing 
supplies to the State troops during the Black Hawk 
War, Beardstown being at the time a rendezvous 
and shipping point. In 1834 he began the publi- 
cation of "The Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois 
Bounty Land Register," and was the projector of 
the Beardstown & Sangamon Canal, extending 
from tlie Illinois River at Beardstown to Miller's 
Ferry on the Sangamon, for which he secured a 
special charter from the Legislature in 1836. He 
had a survey of the line made, but the hard times 
prevented the beginning of the work and it was 
finally abandoned. Retiring from the mercantile 
business in 1835, he located on a farm six miles 
southeast of Beardstown, but in 1839 removed to 
a tract of land near the Morgan County line 
which he had bought in 1833, and on which the 
present village of Arenzville now stands. This 
became the center of a thrifty agricultural com- 
munity composed largely of Germans, among 
whom he exercised a large influence. Resuming 
the mei'cantile business here, he continued it 
until about 1853, when he sold out a considerable 
part of his possessions. An ardent Whig, he was 
elected as such to the lower branch of the Four- 
teenth General Assembly (1844) from Morgan 
County, and during the following session suc- 
ceeded in securing the passage of an act by whicl; 
a strip of territory three miles wide in the north 
ern part of Morgan County, including the village 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



23 



of Arenzville. and which had been in dispute, 
was transferred by vote of the citizens to Cass 
County. In 1852 Mr. Arenz visited his native 
land, by appointment of President Filhuore. as 
bearer of dispatches to the American legations at 
Berlin and Vienna. He was one of the founders 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society of 1853, 
and served as the Vice-President for liis district 
until his death, and was also the founder and 
President of the Cass County Agricultural Soci- 
ety. Died, April 2, 1856. 

ARLINGTON, a village of Bureau County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 92 
miles west of Chicago. Population (1880), 447; 
(1890). 436; (1900), 400. 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (formerly Dunton), a 
village of Cook County, on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 22 miles northwest of Chicago; 
is in a dairj-ing district and has several cheese 
factories, besides a sewing machine factory, 
hotels and churches, a graded school, a bank and 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 995; (1890), 
1,424: (1900), 1,380. 

ARMOUR, Philip Danforth, packer. Board of 
Trade operator and capitalist, was born at Stock- 
bridge, Madison County, N. Y., May 16, 1832. 
After receiving the benefits of such education as 
the village academy afforded, in 1852 he set out 
across the Plains to California, where he re- 
mained four years, achieving only moderate suc- 
cess as a miner. Returning east in 1856, he soon 
after embarked in the commission business in 
Milwaukee, continuing until 1863, when he 
formed a partnership with Mr. John Plankinton 
in the meat-packing business. Later, in conjunc- 
tion with his brothers — H. O. Armour having 
already built up an extensive grain commission 
trade in Chicago — he organized the extensive 
packing and commission firm of Armour & 
Co., with branches in New York, Kansas City 
and Chicago, their headquarters being removed 
to the latter place from Milwaukee in 1875. 
Mr. Armour is a most industrious and me- 
thodical business man, giving as many hours 
to the superintendence of business details as the 
most industrious day-laborer, the result being 
seen in the creation of one of the most extensive 
and prosperous firms in the country. Mr, 
Armour's practical benevolence has been demon- 
strated in a munificent manner by his establish- 
ment and endowment of the Armour Institute 
(a manual training school) in Chicago, at a cost 
of over $2,250,000, as an offshoot of the Armour 
Mission founded on the bequest of his deceased 
brother, Joseph F. Armour. Died Jan. 6, 1901. 



ARMSTRONG, John Strawn, pioneer, born in 
Somerset County, Pa., May 29, 1810, the oldest of 
a family of nine sons ; was taken by his parents 
in 1811 to Licking County, Ohio, where he spent 
his childhood and early youth. His father was a 
native of Ireland and his mother a sister of Jacob 
Strawn, afterwards a wealthy stock-grower and 
dealer in Morgan County. In 1829, John S. came 
to Tazewell County, 111., but two years later 
joined the rest of his family in Putnam (now 
Marshall) County, all finally removing to La 
Salle County, where they were among the earli- 
est settlers. Here he settled on a farm in 1834, 
where he continued to reside over fiftj' years, 
when he located in the village of Sheridan, but 
earh- in 1897 went to reside with a daughter in 
Ottawa. He was a soldier in the Black Hawk 
War, has been a prominent and influential farm- 
er, and, in the later years of his life, has been 
a leader in "Granger" politics, being Master of his 
local "Grange," and also serving as Treasurer of 
the State Grange.— George Washington (Arm- 
strong), brother of the preceding, was born upon 
the farm of his parents, Joseph and Elsie (Strawn) 
Armstrong, in Licking County, Ohio, Dec. 9, 
1812; learned the trade of a weaver with his 
father (who was a woolen manufacturer), and at 
the age of 18 was in charge of the factory. 
Early in 1831 he came with his mother's family 
to Illinois, locating a few months later in La 
Salle County. In 1832 he served with his older 
brother as a soldier in the Black Hawk War, was 
identified with the early steps for the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, finally be- 
coming a contractor upon the section at Utica, 
where he resided several years. He then returned 
to the farm near the present village of Seneca, 
where he had located in 1833, and where (with 
the exception of his residence at Utica) he has 
resided continuously over sixty-five years. In 
1844 Mr. Armstrong was elected to the lower 
branch of the Fourteenth General Assembly, 
also served in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847 and, in 1858, was the unsuccessful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in opposition to Owen 
Lovejo}'. Re-entering the Legislature in 1860 as 
Representative from La Salle County, he served 
in that body by successive re-elections until 1868, 
proving one of its ablest and most influential 
members, as well as an accomplished parliamen- 
tarian. Mr. Armstrong was one of the original 
promoters of the Kankakee & Seneca Riilroad. — 
William E. (Armstrong), third brother of this 
family, was bom in Licking County, Ohio, Oct. 
25, 1814; came to Illinois with the rest of the 



24 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



family in 1831, and resided in La Salle County 
until 1841, meanwhile serving two or three terms 
as Sheriff of the county. The latter year he was 
appointed one of the Commissioners to locate the 
county-seat of the newly-organized coimty of 
Grundy, finally becoming one of the founders and 
the first permanent settler of the town of Gnmdy 
— later called Morris, in honor of Hon. I. N. Mor- 
ris, of Quincy, 111, at that time one of the Com- 
missioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Here Mr. Armstrong was again elected to the 
ofiSce of Sheriff, serving several terms. So ex- 
tensive was his influence in Grundy County, that 
he was popularly known as "The Emperor of 
Grundy." Died, Nov. 1, 1850.— Joel W. (Arm- 
strong), a fourth brother, was born in Licking 
County, Ohio, Jan. 6, 1817; emigrated in boyhood 
to La Salle County, 111. ; served one term as 
County Recorder, was member of the Board of 
Supervisors for a number of years and the first 
Postmaster of his town. Died, Dec. 3, 1871. — • 
Perry A. (Armstrong), the seventh brother of 
this historic familj', was born near Newark, Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, April 15, 1833, and came to La 
Salle County, 111., in 1831. His opportunities for 
acquiring an education in a new country were 
limited, but between work on the farm and serv- 
ice as a clerk of his brother George, aided by a 
short term in an academy and as a teacher in 
Kendall County, he managed to prepare himself 
for college, entering Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville in 1813. Owing to failure of health, he was 
compelled to abandon his plan of obtaining a col- 
legiate education and returned home at the end 
of his Freshman year, but continued his studies, 
meanwhile teaching district schools in the winter 
and working on his mother's farm during the 
crop season, until 1845, when he located in Mor- 
ris, Grundy County, opened a general store and 
was appointed Postmaster. He has been in pub- 
lic position of some sort ever since he reached his 
majority, including the offices of School Trustee, 
Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, 
County Clerk (two terras). Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, and two terms as 
Representative in the General Assembly (1862-64 
and 1873-74). During his last session in the Gen- 
eral Assembly he took a conspicuous part in the 
revision of the statutes under the Constitution of 
1870, framing some of the most important laws 
on the statute book, while participating in the 
preparation of others. At an earlier date it fell 
lo his lot to draw up the original charters of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, the Illinois Central, and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads. He 



has also been prominent in Odd Fellow and 
Masonic circles, having been Grand Master of the 
first named order in the State and being the old- 
est 32d degree Mason in Illinois ; was admitted to 
the State bar in 1864 and to that of the Supreme 
Court of the United States in 1868, and has been 
Master in Chancery for over twenty consecutive 
years. Mr. Armstrong has also found time to do 
some literary work, as shown by his history of 
"The Sauks and Black Hawk War," and a num- 
ber of poems. He takes much pleasure in relat- 
ing reminiscences of pioneer life in Ilhnois, one 
of which is the story of his first trip from 
Ottawa to Chicago, in December, 1831, when he 
accompanied his oldest brother (William E. 
Armstrong) to Chicago with a sled and ox- 
team for salt to cure their mast- fed pork, the 
trip requiring ten days. His recollection is, that 
there were but three white families in Chicago 
at that time, but a large number of Indians 
mixed with half-breeds of French and Indian 
origin. 

ARNOLD, Isaac N., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born near Cooperstown. N. Y., Nov. 30, 1813, 
being descended from one of the companions of 
Roger Williams. Thrown upon his own resources 
at an early age, he was largely "self-made." 
He read law at Cooperstown, and was admitted 
to tlie bar in 1835. The next year he removed to 
Chicago, was elected the first City Clerk in 1837, 
but resigned before the close of the year and was 
admitted to the bar of Illinois in 1841. He soon 
established a reputation as a lawyer, and served 
for three terms (the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and 
Twentieth) in the lower house of the Legisla- 
ture. In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Polk ticket, but the repeal of tlie Missouri 
Compromise, with the legislation regarding Kan- 
sas and Nebraska, logically forced him, as a free- 
soiler, into the ranks of the Republican party, by 
which he was sent to Congress from 1861 to 1865. 
While in Congress he prepared and delivered an 
exhaustive argument in support of the right of 
confiscation by the General Government. After 
the expiration of his last Congressional term, Mr. 
Arnold returned to Chicago, where he resided 
until his death, April 24, 1884. He was of schol- 
arly instincts, fond of Uterature and an author of 
repute. Among his best known works are his 
"Life of Abraham Lincoln" and his "Life of 
Benedict Arnold." 

ARRIJfGTOX, Alfred W., clergyman, lawyer 
and author, was born in Iredell County, N. C, 
September, 1810, being the son of a Whig mem- 
ber of Congress from that State. In 1829 he was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS- 



25 



received on trial as a Methodist preacher and 
became a circuit-rider in Indiana; during 1833-33 
served as an itinerant in Missouri, gaining much 
celebrity by his eloquence. In 1834 he began the 
study of law, and having been admitted to the 
bar, practiced for several years in Arkansas, 
where he was sent to the Legislature, and, in 1844, 
was the Whig candidate for Presidential Elec- 
tor. Later he removed to Texas, where he served 
as Judge for six years. In 1856 he removed to 
Madison, Wis., but a year later came to Chicago, 
where he attained distinction as a lawyer, dying 
in that city Dec. 31, 1867. He was an accom- 
plished scholar and gifted writer, having written 
much for "The Democratic Review" and "The 
Southern Literary Messenger," over the signature 
of "Charles Suiumerfield," and was author of an 
"Apostrophe to Water," which he put in tlie 
mouth of an itinerant Methodist preacher, and 
which John B. Gough was accustomed to quote 
with great effect. A volume of his poems with a 
memoir was published in Chicago in 1869. 

ARROWSMITH, a village of McLean County, 
on the Lake Erie & Western RaOway, 20 miles 
east of Bloomington; is in an agricultural and 
stock region; has one newspaper. Population 
(1890). 420; (1900). 317. 

ARTHUR, village in Moultrie and Douglas 
Counties, at junction of Chicago & Eastern Illi- 
nois and Terre Haute & Peoria Division Vandalia 
Line; is center of broom-corn belt; has two 
banks, a weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 
858; (est. 1904), 1,000. 

ASAY, Edward G., lawyer, was born in Phila- 
delphia, Sept. 17, 1825; was educated in private 
schools and entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church; later spent sometime in the 
South, but in 1853 retired from the ministry and 
began the study of law, meantime devoting a part 
of his time to mercantile business in New York 
City. He was admitted to the bar in 1856, remov- 
ing the same year to Chicago, where he built up 
a lucrative practice. He was a brilliant speaker 
and became eminent, especially as a criminal 
lawyer. Politically he was a zealous Democrat 
and was the chief attorney of Buckner S. Morris 
and others during their trial for conspiracy in 
connection with the Camp Douglas affair of No- 
vember, 1864. During 1871-72 he made an ex- 
tended trip to Europe, occupying some eighteen 
months, making a second visit in 1882. His later 
years were spent chiefly on a farm in Ogle 
County. Died in Chicago, Nov. 24, 1898. 

ASBUKY, Henry, la\vyer, was born Ln Harri- 
son (now Robertson) County, Ky., August 10, 



1810; came to Illinois in 1834, making the jour- 
ney on horseback and finally locating in Quincy, 
where he soon after began the study of law with 
the Hon. O. H. Brovning; was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, being xor a time the partner of Col. 
Edward D. Baker, afterwards United States 
Senator from Oregon and finally killed at Ball's 
Bluff in 1862. In 1849 Mr. Asbury was appointed 
by President Taylor Register of the Quinc}' Land 
OfBce, and, in 1864-65, served by appointment of 
President Lincoln (who was his close personal 
friend) as Provost-Marshal of the Quincy dis- 
trict, thereby obtaining the title of "Captain," 
by which he was widely known among his 
friends. Later he served for several years as 
Registrar in Bankruptcy at Quincy, which was 
his last official position. Originally a Kentucky 
Whig, Captain Asbury was one of the founders 
of tlie Republican party in Illinois, acting in co- 
operation with Abram Jonas, Archibald Williams, 
Nehemiah Bushnell, O. H. Browning and others 
of his immediate neighbors, and with Abraham 
Lincoln, with whom he was a frequent corre- 
spondent at that period. Messrs. Nicolay and 
Hay, in their Life of Lincoln, award him the 
credit of having suggested one of the famous 
questions propounded by Lincoln to Dougla.s 
which gave the latter so much trouble during 
the memorable debates of 1858. In 1886 Captain 
Asbury removed to Chicago, where he continued 
to reside until his death, Nov. 19, 1896. 

ASHLAXD, a town in Cass County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Baltimore & Ohio South-Westem Railroad, 21 
miles west-northwest of Springfield and 200 
miles southwest of Chicago. It is in the midst of 
a rich agricultural region, and is an important 
shipping point for grain and stock. It has a 
bank, three churches and a weekly newspaper. 
Coal is mined in the vicinity. Population (1880), 
609; (1890), 1,045; (1900), 1,201. 

ASHLEY, a city of Washington County, at 
intersection of Illinois Central and Louisville & 
Nashville Railways, 62 miles east by southeast of 
St., Louis; is in an agricultural and fruit growing 
region; has some manufactures, electric light 
plant and excellent granitoid sidewalks. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,035; (1900), 953. 

ASHMORE, a village of Coles County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
waj', 9 miles east of Charleston ; has a newspaper 
and considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
446, (1900), 487; (1903), 520. 

ASHTOX, a village of Lee County, on the Chi- 
cago & North-Westem Railroad, 84 miles west of 



26 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago : lias one newspaper. Population (1880), 
646; (189(1). 680; (1900), 776. 

ASPINWALL, Homer F., farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Stephenson Count j', 111., Nov. 15, 
1846, educated in the Freeport high school, and, 
in early life, spent two years in a wholesale 
notion store, later resuming the occupation of a 
farmer. After holding various local offices, in- 
cluding that of member of the Board of Supervis- 
ors of Stephenson Coimty, in 1893 Mr. Aspinwall 
was elected to the State Senate and re-elected in 
1896. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish- 
American War in 1898, he was appointed by 
President McKinley Captain and Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Volunteer Army, but 
before being assigned to duty accepted the Lieu- 
tenant-Colonelcy of the Twelfth Illinois Pro- 
visional Regiment. When it became evident that 
the regiment would not be called into the service, 
he was assigned to the command of the "Mani- 
toba," a large transport steamer, which carried 
some 12,000 soldiers to Cuba and Porto Rico with- 
out a single accident. In view of the approach- 
ing gpssion of the Forty-first General A.ssembly, 
it being apparent that the war was over, Mr. 
Aspinwall applied for a discharge, which was 
refused, a 20-days' leave of absence being granted 
instead. A discharge was finally granted about 
the middle of February, when he resumed his 
seat in the Senate. Mr. Aspinwall owns and 
operates a large farm near Freeport. 

ASSUMPTION, a town in Christian County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 23 miles south by 
west from Decatur and 9 miles north of Pana. 
It is situated in a rich agricultural and coal min- 
ing district, and has two banks, five churches, a 
public school, two weekly papers and coal mines. 
Population (1880), 706; (1890), 1,076; (1900), 1,703. 

ASTORIA, town in Fulton County, on Rock 
Island & St. Louis Division C, B. & Q. R. R. ; 
has city waterworks, electric light plant, tele- 
phone exchange, three large grain elevators, 
pressed brick works; six churches, two banks, 
two weekly papers, city hall and park, and good 
schools; is in a coal region; business portion is 
built of brick. Pop. (1890), 1,357; (1900), 1.684. 

ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA F£ RAIL- 
WAY COMPANY. This Company operates three 
subsidiary lines in Illinois — the Chicago, Santa 
Fe & California, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa 
Fe in Chicago, and the Mississippi River Rail- 
road & Toll Bridge, which are operated as a 
through line between Chicago and Kansas City, 
with a branch from Ancona to Pekin, 111., hav- 
ing an aggregate operated mileage of 515 miles, of 



which 295 are in Illinois. The total earnings and 
income for the year ending June 30, 1895, were 
§1,298,600, while the operating expenses and fixed 
charges amounted to §3.360,706. The accumu- 
lated deficit on the whole line amounted, June 30, 
1894, to more than §4,500,000. The total capitali- 
zation of the whole line in 1895 was $52,775,251. 
The parent road was chartered in 1859 under the 
name of the Atchison & Topeka Railroad ; but in 
1863 was changed to the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad. The construction of the main 
line was begun in 1859 and completed in 1873. 
The largest number of miles operated was in 
1893, being 7,481.65. January 1, 1896, the road 
was reorganized under the name of The Atchison, 
Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Company (its present 
name), which succeeded by purchase under fore- 
closure (Dec. 10, 1895) to the property and fran- 
chises of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroad Company. Its mileage, in 1895, was 
6,481.65 miles. The executive and general officers 
of the system (1898) are: 

Aldace F. Walker, Chairman of the Board, 
New York; E. P. Ripley, President, Chicago; C. 
M. Higginson, Ass't to the President, Chicago; 
E. D. Kenna, 1st Vice-President and General 
Solicitor, Chicago; Paul Morton, 2d Vice-Presi- 
dent, Chicago; E. Wilder, Secretary and Treas- 
urer, Topeka ; L. C. Deming, Assistant Secretary, 
New York ; H. W. Gardner, Assistant Treasurer, 
New York; Victor Morawetz, General Counsel, 
New York; Jno. P. Whitehead, Comptroller, 
New York; H. C. Whitehead, General Auditor, 
Chicago ; W. B. Biddle, Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; J. J. Frey, General Slanager, Topeka; 
H. W. Mudge, General Superintendent, Topeka; 
W. A. Bissell, Assistant Freight Traffic Manager, 
Chicago; W. F. White, Passenger Traffic 
Manager, Chicago; Geo. T. Nicholson, Assistant 
Passenger Traffic Manager, Chicago; W. E. 
Hodges, General Purchasing Agent, Chicago; 
James A. Davis, Industrial Commissioner, Chi- 
cago ; James Dim, Chief Engineer, Topeka, Kan. ; 
John Player, Superintendent of Machinery, 
Topeka, Kan. ; C. W. Kouns, Superintendent Car 
Service, Topeka, Kan. ; J. S. Hobson, Signal 
Engineer, Topeka; C. G. Sholes, Superintendent 
of Telegraph, Topeka, Kan. ; C. W. Ryus. General 
Claim Agent, Topeka ; F. C. Gay, General Freight 
Agent, Topeka; C. R. Hudson, Assistant General 
Freight Agent, Topeka; W. J. Black, General 
Passenger Agent, Chicago; P. Walsh, General 
Baggage Agent, Chicago. 

ATHENS, an incorporated city and coal-mining 
town in Menard County, on the Chicago, Peoria 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



27 



& St. Louis R. R., north by northwest of Spring- 
field. It is also the center of a prosperous agri- 
cultural and stock-raising district, and large 
numbers of cattle are shipped there for the Chi- 
cago market. The place has an electric lighting 
plant, brickyards, two machine shops, two grain 
elevators, five churches, one newspaper, and good 
schools. Athens is one of the oldest towns in 
Central Illinois. Pop. (1890), 944; (1900), 1,535. 

ATKIXS, Smith D., soldier and journalist, was 
bom near Elmira, N. Y., June 9, 1836; came with 
his father to Illinois in 1846, and lived on a farm 
till 1850; was educated at Rock River Seminary, 
Mount Morris, meanwhile learning the printer's 
trade, and afterwards established "The Savanna 
Register" in Carroll County. In 1854 he began 
the study of law, and in 1860, while practicing at 
Freeport, was elected Prosecuting Attornej", but 
resigned in 1861, being the first man to enlist as a 
private soldier in Stephenson County. He served 
as a Captain of the Eleventh Illinois Volunteers 
(three-months' men), re-enlisted with the same 
rank for three years and took part in the capture 
of Fort Donelson and the battle of Shiloh, serv- 
ing at the latter on the staff of General Hurlbut. 
Forced to retire temporarily on account of his 
health, he next engaged in raising volunteers in 
Northern Illinois, was finally commissioned Col- 
onel of the Ninety-second Illinois, and, in June, 
1863, was assigned to command of a brigade in 
the Army of Kentucky, later serving in the Army 
of the Cumberland. On the organization of Sher- 
man's great "March to the Sea," he efiiciently 
cooperated in it, was brevetted Brigadier-General 
for gallantry at Savannah, and at the close of the 
war, by special order of President Lincoln, was 
brevetted Major-General. Since the war, Gen- 
eral Atkins' chief occupation has been that of 
editor of "The Freeport Journal," though, for 
nearly twenty-four years, he served as Post- 
master of that city. He took a prominent part 
in the erection of the Stephenson County Sol- 
diers' Monument at Freeport, has been President 
of the Freeport Public Library since its organiza- 
tion, member of the Board of Education, and since 
1895, by appointment of the Governor of Illinois, 
one of the Illinois Commissioners of the Chicka- 
mauga and Chattanooga Military Park. 

ATKINSON, village of Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 39 miles 
east of Rock Island; has an electric light plant, a 
bankandanew.spaper. Pop. (1890), 534; (1900), 763. 

ATLANTA, a city of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 20 miles southwest of 
Bloomington. It stands on a high, fertile prairie 



and the surrounding region is rich in coal, as. 
well as a productive agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing district. It has a water-works system, elec- 
tric light plant, five churches, a graded school, a 
weekly paper, two banks, a flouring mill, and is 
the headquarters of the Union Agricultural So- 
ciety established in 1860. Population (190(1). 1,270. 

ATLAS, a liamlet in the southwestern part of 
Pike County, 10 miles southwest of Pittsfield and 
three miles from Rockport, the nearest station on 
the Quincy & Louisiana Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad. Atlas has an in- 
teresting history. It was settled bj- Col. WjUiam 
Ross and four brothers, who came here from 
Pittsfield, Mass., in the latter part of 1819, or 
early in 1820, making there the first settlement 
within the present limits of Pike County. The 
town was laid out by the Rosses in 1823, and the 
next year the county-seat was removed thither 
from Coles Grove — now in Calhoun County — but 
which had been the first county-seat of Pike 
County, when it comprised all the territory lying 
north and west of the Illinois River to the Mi.s- 
sissippi River and the Wisconsin State line. 
Atlas remained the county-seat until 1833, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Pittsfield. 
During a part of that time it was one of the 
most important points in the western part of the 
State, and was, for a time, a rival of Quincy. 
It now has only a postoffice and general store. 
The population, according to the census of 1890, 
was 52. 

ATTORNEYS-GENERAL. The following is a 
list of the Attorneys-General of Illinois under the 
Territorial and State Governments, down to the 
present time (1899), with the date and duration of 
the term of each incumbent : 

Territorial — Benjamin H. Doyle, July to De- 
cember, 1809; John J. Crittenden, Dec. 30 to 
April, 1810; Thomas T. Crittenden, April to 
October, 1810; Benj. M. Piatt, October, 1810-13; 
William Mears, 1813-18. 

State — Daniel Pope Cook, March 5 to Dec. 14, 
1819; William Mears, 1819-21; Samuel D. Lock- 
wood, 1821-23; James Turney, 1823-29; George 
Forquer, 1829-33; James Semple, 1833 34; Ninian 
W. Edwards, 1834-35; Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 
1835-36; Walter B. Scates, 1836-37; Usher F. 
Linder. 1837-38; George W. Olney, 1838-39; Wick- 
liffe Kitchell, 1839-40; Josiah Lamborn, 1840-43; 
James Allen McDougal, 1843-46; David B. Camp- 
bell, 1846-48. 

The Constitution of 1848 made no provision for 
the continuance of the office, and for nineteen 
years it remained vacant. It was re-created. 



28 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



however, by legislative enactment in 1867, and 
on Feb. 28 of that year Governor Oglesby 
appointed Robert G. Ingersoll, of Peoria, to dis 
charge the duties of the position, which he con- 
tinued to do until 1869. Subsequent incumbents 
of the office have been : Washington Bushnell, 
1809-73; James K. Edsall, 1873-81; James McCart- 
ney, 1881-85; George Hunt, 1885-93; M. T. Moloney, 
1893-97; Edward C. Akin, 1897 — . Under the 
first Constitution (1818) the office of Attorney- 
General was filled by appointment by the Legisla- 
ture; under the Constitution of 1848, as already 
stated, it ceased to exist until created by act of 
the Legislature of 1867, but, in 1870, it was made 
a constitutional office to be filled by popular 
election for a term of four years. 

ATWOOD, a village lying partly in Piatt and 
partly in Douglas County, on the Cincinnati, 
Hamilton & Dayton R. R., 27 miles east of Deca- 
tur. The region is agricultural and fruit-grow- 
ing; the town has two bank.s, an excellent school 
and a newspaper. Pop (1890), 530; (1900), 698. 

ATWOOD, Charles B., architect, was born at 
Millbury, Mass., May 18, 18-19; at 17 began a full 
course in architecture at Harvard Scientific 
School, and, after graduation, received prizes for 
public buildings at San Francisco, Hartford and 
a number of other cities, besides furnishing 
designs for some of the fiaest private residences 
in the country. He was associated with D. H. 
Burnham in preparing plans for the Columbian 
Exposition buildings, at Chicago, for the World's 
Fair of 1893, and distinguished himself by pro- 
ducing plans for the "Art Building," the "Peri- 
style," the "Terminal Station" and other 
prominent structures. Died, in the midst of his 
highest successes as an architect, at Chicago, 
Dec. 19, 1895. 

AUBURN, a village of Sangamon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 15 miles south of 
Springfield ; has some manufactories of flour and 
farm implements, besides tile and brick works, 
two coal mines, electric light plant, two banks, 
several churches, a graded school and a weekly 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 874; (1900), 1,281. 

AUDITORS OF PUBLIC ACCOUIVTS. The 
Auditors of Public Accounts under the Terri- 
torial Government were H. H. Maxwell, 1812-16; 
Daniel P. Cook, 1816-17; Robert Blackwell, (April 
to August), 1817; Elijah C. Berry, 1817-18. Under 
the Constitution of 1818 the Auditor of Public 
Accounts was made appointive by the legislature, 
without limitation of term ; but by the Constitu- 
tions of 1848 and 1870 the office was made 
elective by the people for a term of four years. 



The following is a list of the State Auditors 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union down to the present time (1899). with 
the date and duration of the term of eacli: 
Elijah C. Berry, 1818-31; James T. B. Stapp, 
1831-35; Levi Davis, 1835-41; James Shields, 
1841-43; William Lee D. Ewlug x843-46; Thomas 
H Campbell, 1846-57; Jesse K. Dubois, 1857-64; 
Orlin H. Minei, 1864-69; Charles E. Lippincott, 
1869-77; Thomas B. Needles, 1877-81; Charles P. 
Swigert, 1881-89; C. W. Pavey, 1889-93; David 
Gore, 1893-97; James S McCuUough, 1897 — . 

AUGUSTA, a village in Augusta township, 
Hancock County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 36 miles northeast of Quincy. 
Wagons and brick are the principal manufac- 
tures. The town has one newspaper, two banks, 
tliree churches and a graded school. The sur 
rounding country is a fertile agricultural region 
and abounds in a good quality of bituminous 
coal. Fine qualities of potter's clay and mineral 
paint are obtained here. Population (1890), 
1,077; (1900), 1,149. 

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution controlled by the Evangelical Lutheran 
denomination, located at Rock Island and founded 
in 1863. Besides preparatory and collegiate de- 
partments, a theological school is connected with 
the institution. To the two first named, young 
women are admitted on an equality with 
men. More than 500 students were reported in 
attendance in 1896, about one-fourth being 
women. A majority of the latter were in the 
preparatory (or academic) department. The col- 
lege is not endowed, but owns property (real 
and personal) to the value of $250,000. It has a 
library of 12,000 volumes. 

AURORA, a city and important railroad cen- 
ter, Kane County, on Fox River, 39 miles south- 
west of Chicago; is location of principal shops of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy R. R., has fine 
water-power and many successful manufactories, 
including extensive boiler works, iron foundries, 
cotton and woolen mills, flour mills, silver-plat- 
ing works, corset, sash and door and carriage 
factories, stove and smelting works, establish- 
ments for turning out road-scrapers, buggy tops, 
and wood-working machinery. The city owns 
water-works and electric light plant; has six 
banks, four daily and several weekly papers, 
some twenty-five churches, excellent scliools and 
handsome public library building; is connected 
by interurban electric lines with the principal 
towns and villages in the Fox River valley. 
Population (1890), 19,688; (1900), 24,147. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



2i) 



AUSTIN, a suburb of Chicago, in Cook County. 
It is accessible from that city by either the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway, or by street 
railway lines. A weekly newspaper is issued, a 
graded school is supported (including a high 
school department) and there are numerous 
churches, representing the various religious 
denominations. Population (1880), 1,359; (1890), 
4,031. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1899. 

AUSTIN COLLEGE, a mi.xed school at Effing- 
ham, 111., founded in 1890. It has eleven teachers 
and reports a total of 312 pupils for 1897-98—163 
males and 1.50 females. It has a library of 2,000 
volumes and reports property valued at $37,000. 

AUSTRALIAN BALLOT, a form of ballot for 
popular elections, thus named because it was 
first brought into use in Australia. It was 
adopted by act of the Legislature of Illinois in 
1891, and is applicable to the election of all public 
officers except Trustees of Schools, School Direct- 
ors, mv3mbers of Boards of Education and officers 
of road districts in counties not under township 
organization. Under it, all ballots for the elec- 
tion of •; Sicers (except tliose just enumerated) 
are required to be printed and distributed to the 
election officers for use on the day of election, at 
public cost. These ballots contain the names, 
on the same sheet, of all candidates to be voted 
for at such election, such names having been 
formally certified previously to the Secretary of 
State (in the case of candidates for offices to be 
voted for by electors of the entire State or any 
district greater than a single county) or to the 
County Clerk (as to all others), by the presiding 
officer and secretary of the convention or caucus 
making such nominations, when the party repre- 
sented cast at least two per cent of the aggregate 
vote of the State or district at the preceding gen- 
eral election. Other names may be added to the 
ballot on the petition of a specified number of the 
legal voters under certain prescribed conditions 
named in the act. The duly registered voter, on 
presenting himself at the poll, is given a copy of 
the official ticket by one of the judges of election, 
upon which he proceeds to indicate his prefer- 
ence in a temporary booth or closet set apart for 
his use, by making a cross at the head of the col- 
umn of candidates for whom he wishes to vote, if 
he desires to vote for all of the candidates of the 
same party, or by a similar mark before the name 
of each individual for whom be wishes to vote, in 
case he desires to distribute his support among 
the candidates of different parties. The object of 
the law is to secure for the voter secrecy of the 
ballot, with independence and freedom from dic- 



tation or interference by others in the exercise of 
his right of suffrage. 

AVA,atown in Jackson County (incorporated 
as a city, 1901), on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad 
(Cairo & St. Louis Division), 75 miles south- 
southeast from St. Louis. It has two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (1890), 807; (1900), 984. 

AVON, village of Fulton County, on C, B & Q. 
R. R. , 20 miles south of Galesburg; has drain- 
pipe works, two factories for manufacture of 
steam- and hot-water heaters, two banks and two 
newspapers; agricultural fair held here annu- 
ally. Population (1900). 809; (1904, est.), 1,000. 

AYER, Benjamin F., lawyer, was born in 
Kingston, N. H., April 22, 1835, graduated at 
Dartmouth College in 1846, studied law at Dane 
Law School (Harvard Universit}'), was admitted 
to the bar and began practice at Manchester, 
N. H. After serving one term in the New Hamp- 
shire Legislature, and as Prosecuting Attorney 
for Hillsborough County, in 1857 he came to Chica- 
go, soon advancing to the front rank of lawyers 
then in practice there ; became Corporation Counsel 
in 1861, and, two years later, drafted the revised 
city charter. After the close of his official career, 
he was a member for eight years of the law firm of 
Beckwith, Ayer & Kales, and afterwards of the 
firm of Ayer & Kales, until, retiring from general 
practice, Mr. Ayer became Solicitor of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, then a Director of the Company, 
and is at present its General Counsel and a potent 
factor in its management. 

AYERS, Marshall Paul, banker, Jacksonville, 
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., July 27, 1823; 
came to Jacksonville, 111., with his parents, in 
1830, and was educated there, graduating from 
Illinois College, in 1843, as the classmate of Dr. 
Newton Bateman, afterwards President of Knox 
College at Galesburg, and Rev. Thomas K. 
Beecher, now of Elmira, N.Y. After leaving col- 
lege he became the partner of his father (David 
B. Ayers) as agent of Mr. John Grigg, of Philadel- 
phia, who was the owner of a large body of Illi- 
nois lands. His father dying in 1850, Mr. Ayers 
succeeded to the management of the business, 
about 75.000 acres of Mr. Grigg's unsold lands 
coming under his charge. In December, 1852, 
with the assistance of Messrs. Page & Bacon, bank- 
ers, of St. Louis, he opened the first bank in Jack- 
sonville, for the sale of exchange, but which 
finally grew into a bank of deposit and has been 
continued ever since, being recognized as one of 
the most solid institutions in Central Illinois. In 
1870-71. aided by Philadelphia and New York 
capitalists, he built the "Illinois Farmers' Rail- 



30 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



road" between Jacksonville and Waverly, after- 
wards extended to Virden and finally to Centralia 
and Mount Vernon. This was the nucleus of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern Railway, though Mr. 
Ayers has had no connection with it for several 
years. Other business enterprises with which he 
has been connected are the Jacksonville Gas Com- 
pany (now including an electric light and power 
plant), of which he has been President for forty 
years; the "Home Woolen Mills'" (early wiped 
out by Are), sugar and paper-barrel manufacture, 
coal-mining, etc. About 1877 he purchased a 
bodj' of 23,600 acres of land in Champaign County, 
known as "Broadlands, " from John T. Alexander, 
an extensive cattle-dealer, who had become 
heavily involved during the years of financial 
revulsion. As a result of this transaction. Mr. 
Alexander's debts, which aggregated 81.000,000, 
were discharged within the next two years. Mr. 
Ayers has been an earnest Republican since the 
organization of that party and, during the war, 
rendered valuable service in assisting to raise 
funds for the support of the operations of the 
Christian Commission in the field. He has also 
been active in Sunday School, benevolent and 
educational work, having been, for twenty years, 
a Trustee of Illinois College, of which he has 
been an ardent friend. In 1846 he was married 
to Miss Laura Allen, daughter of Rev. John 
Allen, D. D., of Huntsville, Ala., and is the father 
of four sons and four daughters, all living. 

BABCOCK, Amos C, was born at Penn Yan, 
N. Y., Jan.20, 1828, the son of a member of Con- 
gress from that State; at the age of 18, having 
lost his father by death, came West, and soon 
after engaged in mercantile business in partner- 
ship with a brother at Canton, 111. In 18.54 he 
was elected by a majority of one vote, as an Anti- 
Nebraska Whig, to the lower brancli of the Nine- 
teenth General Assembly, and, in the following 
session, took part in the election of United States 
Senator which resulted in the choice of Lyman 
Trumbull. Although a personal and political 
friend of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. Babcock, as a matter 
of policy, cast his vote for liis townsman, William 
Kellogg, afterwards Congressman from that dis- 
trict, until it was apparent that a concentration 
of the Anti-Nebraska vote on Trumbull was 
necessary to defeat the election of a Democrat. 
In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
the first As.sessor of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth District, and, in 1863, was commissioned 
by Governor Yates Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Third Illinois Volunteers, bxit soon resigned. 
Colonel Babcock served as Delegate-at -large in 



the Republican National Convention of 1868, 
which nominated General Grant for the Presi- 
dency, and the same year was made Chairman of 
the Republican State Central Committee, also 
conducting the campaign two years later. He 
identified himself with the Greeley movement in 
1872, but, in 1876, was again in line with his 
party and restored to his old position on the State 
Central Committee, serving until 1878, Among 
business enterprises with which he was con- 
nected was the extension, about 18.54, of the Buda 
branch of the Chicago, , Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad from Yates City to Canton, and the 
erection of the State Capitol at Austin, Tex., 
which was undertaken, in conjunction with 
Abner Taylor and J. V. and C. B. Farwell, about 
1881 and completed in 1888, for which the firm 
received over 3,000.000 acres of State lands in the 
"Pan Handle" portion of Texas. In 1889 Colonel 
Babcock took up his residence in Chicago, which 
continued to be his home imtil his death from 
apoplexy, Feb. 2.5, 1899. 

BABCOCK, Andrew J., soldier, was born at 
Dorchester, Norfolk County, Mass., July 19, 1830; 
began life as a coppersmith at Lowell; in 1851 
went to Concord, N. H., and, in 18.56, removed to 
Springfield, 111., where, in 18.59, he joined a mili- 
tary company called the Springfield Greys, com- 
manded by Capt. (afterwards Gen. ) John Cook, of 
which he was First Lieutenant. This company 
became the nucleus of Company I, Seventh Illi- 
nois Volunteers, whicli enlisted on Mr. Lincoln's 
first call for troops in April, 1861. Captain Cook 
having been elected Colonel, Babcock succeeded 
him as Captain, on the re-enlistment of the regi- 
ment in July following becoming Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and, in March, 1862, being promoted to 
the Colonelcy "for gallant and meritorious service 
rendered at Fort Donelson." A year later he was 
compelled to resign on account of impaired 
health. His home is at Springfield. 

B.\CON, George E., lawyer and legislator, born 
at Madison, Ind., Feb. 4, 1851; was brought to 
Illinois by his parents at three years of age, and, 
in 1876, located at Paris, Edgar County; in 1879 
was admitted to the bar and held various minor 
oflices, including one term as State's Attorney. 
In 1886 he was elected as a Republican to the 
State Senate and reelected four years later, but 
finally removed to Aurora, wliere he died, July 
6, 1896. Mr. Bacon was a man of recognized 
ability, as shown by the fact that, after the death 
of Senator John A. Logan, he was selected by his 
colleacrues of the Senate to pronoimce the eulogy 
on l'..e deceased statesman. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



31 



BAGBT, John C, jurist and Congressman, was 
born at Glasgow, Ky., Jan. 24, 1819. After pas- 
sing through the common scliools of Barren 
County, K}-., he studied civil engineering at 
Bacon College, graduating in 1840. Later he 
read law and was admitted to the bar in 184.5. 
In 1846 he commenced practice at Rushville, 111., 
confining himself exclusively to professional work 
until nominated and elected to Congress in 1874, 
bj- the Democrats of the (old) Tenth District. In 
188.-) lie was elected to the Circuit Bench for the 
Sixth Circuit. Died, April 4, 1896., 

BAILEY, Joseph Mead, legislator and jurist, 
was born at Middlebury, Wj-oming County, N. Y., 
June 22, 1833, graduated from Rochester (X. Y. ) 
University in 18.54, and was admitted to the 
bar in that city in 18.55. In August, 1856. he 
removed to Freeport, 111. , where he soon built up 
a profitable practice. In 1866 he was elected a 
Representative in the Twenty-fifth General 
Assembly, being re-elected in 1868. Here he was 
especially prominent in securing restrictive legis- 
lation concerning railroads. In 1876 he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector for his district on 
the Republican ticket. In 1877 he was elected a 
Judge of the Thirteenth judicial district, and 
re-elected in 1879 and in 1885. In January, 
1878, and again in June, 1879, he was assigned to 
the bench of the Appellate Court, being presiding 
Ju.stice from June, 1879. to June, 1880, and from 
June, 1881, to June. 1882. In 1879 he received 
the degree of LL.D. from the Universities of 
Rochester and Chicago. In 1888 he was elected 
to the bench of the Supreme Court. Died in 
office, Oct. 16, 1895. 

B.ilLH.VCHE, John, pioneer journalist, was 
born in the Island of Jersey, May 8. 1787; after 
gaining the rudiments of an education in his 
mother tongue (the French), he acquired a knowl- 
edge of English and some proficiency in Greek 
and Latin in an academy near his paternal home, 
when he spent five years as a printer's apprentice. 
In 1810 lie came to the United States, first locat- 
ing at Cambridge, Ohio, but, in 1812, purchased a 
half interest in "The Fredonian" at Chillicothe 
(then the State Capital), .soon after becoming sole 
owner. In 1815 he purchased "The Scioto Ga- 
zette" and consolidated the two papers under the 
name of "The Scioto Gazette and Fredonian 
Chronicle." Here he remained until 1828, mean- 
time engaging temporarih- in the banking busi- 
ness, also serving one term in the Legislature 
(1820), and being elected Associate Justice of the 
Court of Common Pleas for Ross County. In 
1828 he removed to Columbus, assuming charge 



of "The Ohio State Journal," served one term as 
Mayor of the city, and for three consecutive 
years was State Printer. Selling out "The Jour- 
nal" in 1836, he came west, the next year becom- 
ing part owner, and finally sole proprietor, of "The 
Telegraph" at Alton, lU., which lie conducted 
alone or in association with various partners until 
1854, when he retired, giving his attention to the 
book and job branch of the business. He served as 
Representative from Madison County in the Thir- 
teenth General Assembly (1843-44). As a man 
and a journalist Judge Bailhache commanded the 
highest respect, and did much to elevate the 
standard of jom-nalism in Illinois, "The Tele- 
graph," during the period of his connection with 
it, being one of the leading papers of the State. 
His death occurred at Alton, Sept. 3, 1857, as the 
result of injuries received the day previous, by 
being thrown from a carriage in which he was 
riding. — Maj. William Henry (Bailhache), son of 
the preceding, was born at Chillicothe, Ohio, 
August 14. 1826, removed with his fatlier to Alton, 
111., in 1836, was educated at Shurtlefif College, 
and learned the printing trade in the office of 
"The Telegraph," under the direction of his 
father, afterwards being associated with the 
business department. In 1855, in partnership 
with Edward L. Baker, he became one of the 
proprietors and business manager of "The State 
Journal" at Springfield. During the Civil War 
he received from President Lincoln the appoint- 
ment of Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, 
serving to its close and receiving the brevet rank 
of Major. After the war he returned to journal- 
ism and was associated at different times with 
"The State Journal" and "The Quincy Whig," 
as business manager of each, but retired in 1873 ; 
in 1881 was appointed by President Arthur, 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Santa Fe., X. M., 
remaining four years. He is now (1899) a resi- 
dent of San Diego, Cal., where he has been 
engaged in newspaper work, and, under the 
administration of President McKinley, has been 
a Special Agent of the Treasury Department. — 
Preston Heath (Bailhache), another son, was 
born in Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1835, served as 
a Surgeon during the Civil War, later became a 
Surgeon in the regular army and has held posi- 
tions in marine hospitals at Baltimore, Washing- 
ton and New York, and has visited Europe in the 
interest of sanitary and hospital service. At 
present (1899) he occupies a prominent position 
at the headquarters of the United States Marine 
Hospital Service in Washington. — .\rthnr Lee 
(Bailhache), a third son, bom at Alton, 111., AprD 



32 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



12, 1839; at the beginning of the Civil War was 
employed in the State commissary service at 
Camp Yates and Cairo, became Adjutant of the 
Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteers, and died at 
Pilot Knob, Mo., Jan. 9, 1863, as the result of 
disease and exposure in the service. 

BAKER, David Jewett, lawyer and United 
States Senator, was born at East Haddam, Conn. , 
Sept. 7, 1792. His family removed to New York 
in 1800, where he worked on a farm during boy- 
hood, but graduated from Hamilton College in 
1816, and three years later was admitted to the 
bar. In 1819 he came to Illinois and began prac- 
tice at Kaskaskia, where he attained prominence 
in his profession and was made Probate Judge of 
Randolph County. His opposition to the intro- 
duction of slaverj' into the State was bo aggres- 
sive that his life was frequently threatened. In 
1830 Governor Edwards appointed' him United 
States Senator, to fill the unexpired term of 
Senator McLean, but he served only one month 
when he was succeeded by John M. Robinson, 
who was elected by the Legislature. He was 
United States District Attorney from 1833 
to 1841 (the State then constituting but 
one district), and thereafter resumed private 
practice. Died at Alton, August 6, 1869. 
—Henry Southard (Baker), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Nov. 10, 
1824, received his preparatory education at Shurt- 
leff College, Upper Alton, and, in 1843, entered 
Brown University, R. I., graduating therefrom 
in 1847; was admitted to the bar in 1849, begin- 
ning practice at Alton, the home of his father, 
Hon. David J. Baker. In 1854 he was elected as an 
Anti-Nebraska candidate to the lower branch of 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and, at the 
subsequent session of the General Assembly, was 
one of the five Anti-Nebraska members whose 
uncompromising fidelity to Hon. Lyman Trum- 
bull resulted in the election of the latter to the 
United States Senate for the first time — the others 
being his colleague. Dr. George T. Allen of the 
House, and Hon. John M. Palmer, afterwards 
United States Senator, Burton C. Cook and Nor- 
man B. Judd in the Senate. He served as one of the 
Secretaries of the Republican State Convention 
held at Bloomington in May, 1856, was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1864, and, in 1865, 
became Judge of the Alton City Court, serving 
until 1881. In 1876 he presided over the Repub- 
lican State Convention, served as delegate to the 
Republican National Convention of the same 
year and was an unsuccessful candidate for 
Congress in opposition to William R. Morrison. 



Judge Baker was the orator selected to deliver 
the address on occasion of the unveiling of the 
statue of Lieut. -Gov. Pierre Menard, on the 
capitol grounds at Springfield, in Januarj-, 1888. 
About 1888 he retired from practice, dying at 
Alton, March 5, 1897. — Edward L. (Baker), 
second son of David Jewett Baker, was born at 
Kaskaskia, 111., June 3, 1829; graduated at Shurt- 
leflf College in 1847; read law with his father two 
years, after which he entered Harvard Law 
School and was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 1855. Previous to this date Mr. Baker had 
become associated with William H. Bailhache, in 
the management of "The Alton Daily Telegraph," 
and, in July, 1855, they purchased "Tlie Illinois 
State Journal," at Springfield, of which Mr. 
Baker assumed the editorship, remaining until 
1874. In 1869 he was appointed United States 
Assessor for the Eighth District, serving until 
the abolition of the office. In 1873 he received 
the appointment from President Grant of Consul 
to Buenos Ayres, South America, and, assuming 
the duties of the office in 1874, remained there 
for twenty-three years, proving him.self one of 
the most capable and efficient officers in the con- 
sular service. On the evening of the 20th of 
June, 1897, when Mr. Baker was about to enter a 
railway train already in motion at the station in 
the city of Buenos Ayres, he fell under the cars, 
receiving injuries which necessitated the ampu- 
tation of his right arm, finally resulting in his 
death in the hospital at Buenos Ayres, July 8, 
following. His remains were brought home at 
the Government expense and interred in Oak 
Ridge Cemetery, at Springfield, where a monu- 
ment has since been erected in his honor, bearing 
a tablet contributed by citizens of Buenos Ayres 
and foreign representatives in that city express- 
ive of their respect for his memory. — DaTld 
Jewett (Baker), Jr., a third son of David Jewett 
Baker, Sr., was born at Kaskaskia, Nov. 20,1834; 
graduated from Shurtleflf College in 1854, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856. In November of 
that year he removed to Cairo and began prac- 
tice. He was Mayor of that city in 1864-65, and, 
in 1869, was elected to the bench of the Nineteenth 
Judicial Circuit. The Legislature of 1873 (by Act 
of March 28) having divided the State into 
twenty-six circuits, he was elected Judge of the 
Twenty -sixth, on June 3, 1873. In August, 1878, 
he resigned to accept an appointment on the 
Supreme Bench as successor to Judge Breese, 
deceased, but at the close of his term on the 
Supreme Bench (1879), was re-elected Circuit 
Judge, and again in 1885. During this period he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



33 



served for several years on the Appellate Bench. 
In 1888 he retired from the Circuit Bench by 
x'esignation and was elected a Justice of the 
Supreme Court for a term of nine years. Again, 
in 1897, he was a candidate for re-election, but 
was defeated by Carroll C. Hoggs. Soon after 
retiring from the Supreme Bench he removed to 
Chicago and engaged in general practice, in 
partnership with his son, John W. Baker. He 
fell dead almost instantlj' in his ofBce, March 13, 
1899. In all, Judge Baker had spent some thirty 
years almost continuously on the bench, and had 
attained eminent distinction both as a lawyer and 
a jurist. 

BAKER, Edward Dickinson, soldier and 
United States Senator, was born in London, 
Eng., Feb. 34, 1811; emigrated to Illinois while 
yet in his minority, first locating at Belleville, 
afterwards removing to CarroUton and finally to 
Sangamon Count}', the last of which he repre- 
sented in the lower house of the Tenth General 
Assembly, and as State Senator in the Twelfth 
and Thirteenth. He was elected to Congress as 
a Whig from the Springfield District, but resigned 
in December, 1846, to accept the colonelcy of the 
Fourth Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, in the 
Mexican War, and succeeded General Shields in 
command of the brigade, when the latter was 
wounded at Cerro Gordo, In 1848 he was elected 
to Congress from the Galena District; was also 
identified with the construction of the Panama 
Railroad ; went to San Francisco in 1852, but 
•ater removed to Oregon, where he was elected 
to the United States Senate in 1860. In 1861 he 
resigned the Senatorship to enter the Union 
army, commanding a brigade at the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, where he was killed, October 21, 1861. 

BAKER, Jelm, lawyer and Congressman, was 
born in Fayette County, Ky., Nov. 4, 1822. At 
an early age he removed to Illinois, making his 
home in Belleville, St. Clair County. He re- 
ceived his early education in the common schools 
and at McKendree College. Although he did 
not graduate from the latter institution, he 
received therefrom the honorary degree of A. M. 
in 1858, and that of LL. D. in 1882. For a time 
lie studied medicine, but abandoned it for the 
study of law. Fi-om 1861 to 1865 he was Master 
in Chancery for St. Clair County. From 1865 to 
1869 he represented tlie Belleville District as a 
Republican in Congress. From 1876 to 1881 and 
from 1882 to 1885 he was Minister Resident in 
Venezuela, during the latter portion of his term 
of service acting also as Consul-General. Return- 
ing home, he was again elected to Congress (1886) 



from the Eighteenth District, but was defeated 
for re-election, in 1888, by William S. Forman, 
Democrat. Again, in 1896, having identified 
himself with the Free Silver Democracy and 
People's Party, he was elected to Congress from 
tlie Twentieth District over Everett J. Murphy, 
the Republican nominee, serving until March 3, 
1899. He is the author of an annotated edition 
of Montesquieu's "Grandeur and Decadence of 
the Romans." 

BALDWIN, Elmer, agriculturist and legisla- 
tor, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., March 
8, 1806 ; at 16 years of age began teaching a coun- 
try school, continuing this occupation for several 
years during the winter months, while working 
on his father's farm in the summer. He then 
started a store at New Milford, which he man- 
aged for three years, when he sold out on account 
of his health and began farming. In 1833 he 
came west and purchased a considerable tract of 
Government land in La Salle County, where the 
village of Farm Ridge is now situated, removing 
thither with his family the following year. He 
served as Justice of the Peace for fourteen con- 
secutive terms, as Postmaster twenty years and 
as a member of the Board of Supervisors of La 
Salle Coimty six years. In 1856 he was elected 
as a Republican to the House of Representatives, 
was re-elected to the same office in 1866, and to 
the State Senate in 1872, serving two years. He 
was also appointed, in 1869, a member of the first 
Board of Public Charities, serving as President of 
the Board. Mr. Baldwin is author of a "His- 
tory of La Salle County," which contains much 
local and biographical history. Died, Nov. 18, 
1895. 

BALDWIN, Theron, clergyman and educa- 
tor, was born in Goshen, Conn., July 21, 1801; 
graduated at Yale College in 1827; after two 
years' study in the theological school there, was 
ordained a home missionary in 1829, becoming 
one of the celebrated "Yale College Band," or 
"Western College Society," of which he was Cor- 
responding Secretary during most of his life. He 
was settled as a Congregationalist minister at 
Vandalia for two j'ears, and was active in pro- 
curing the charter of Illinois College at Jackson- 
ville, of which he was a Trustee from its 
organization to liis death. He served for a 
number of years, from 1831, as Agent of the 
Home Missionary Society for Illinois, and, in 
1838, became the first Principal of Monticello 
Female Seminary, near Alton, which he con- 
ducted five years. Died at Orange, N. J., April 
10, 1870. 



34 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BALLARD, Addison, merchant, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Warren County, Ohio, No- 
vember, 1822. He located at La Porte, Ind., 
about 1841, where he learned and pursued the 
carpenter's trade; in 1849 went to California, 
remaining two years, when he returned to La 
Porte ; in 1853 removed to Chicago and embarked 
in the lumber trade, which he prosecuted until 
1887, retiring with a competeuej'. Jlr. Ballard 
served several years as one of the Commissioners 
of Cook County, and, from 1876 to 1883, as Alder- 
man of the City of Chicago, and again in the 
latter office. 1894-9G. 

BALTES, Peter Joseph, Roman CathoUc Bishop 
of Alton, was born at Ensheim, Rhenish Ba- 
varia, April 7, 1827 ; was educated at the colleges 
of the Holy Cross, at Worcester, Mass., and of St. 
Ignatius, at Chicago, and at Lavalle University, 
Montreal, and was ordained a priest in 1853, and 
consecrated Bishop in 1870. His diocesan admin- 
istration was succe.ssful, but regarded by )u,« 
prie.sts as somewhat arbitrary. He wrote numer- 
ous pastoral letters and brochures for the guidance 
of clergy and laity. His most important literary 
work was entitled "Pastoral Instruction," first 
edition, N. Y., 1875; second edition (revised and 
enlarged), 1880. Died at Alton, Feb. 15, 1886. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO SOUTHWESTERN 
RAILWAY. This road (constituting a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio system) is made up of two 
principal divisions, the first extending across the 
State from East St. Louis to Belpre, Ohio, and tlie 
second (known as tlie Springfield Division) extend- 
ing from Beardstown to Shawneetown. The total 
mileage of the former (or main Hne) is 537 
miles, of which 147^''2 are in Illinois, and of the 
latter (wholly within Illinois) 228 miles. The 
main line (originally kno\vn a-s the Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway) was chartered in Indiana in 
1848, in Ohio in 1849, and in Illinois in 1851. It 
was constructed by two companies, the section 
from Cincinnati to the Indiana and Illinois State 
line being known as the Eastern Division, and 
that in Illinois as the Western Division, the 
gauge, as originally built, being six feet, but 
reduced in 1871 to standard. Tlie banking firm 
of Page & Bacon, of St. Louis and San Francisco, 
were tlie principal financial backers of the enter- 
prise. The line was completed and opened for 
traffic, May 1, 1857. The following year the road 
became financially embarrassed ; the Eastern Di- 
vision was placed in the hands of a receiver in 
1860, while the Western Division was sold imder 
foreclosure, in 1862, and reorganize<l as the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railway under act of the Illinois 



Legislature passed in February, 1861. The East- 
ern Division was sold in January, 1867; and, in 
November of the same year, the two divisions 
were consolidated under the title of the Ohio & 
Mississippi Railway. — The Springfield Division 
was the result of the consolidation, in December, 
1869, of the Pana, Springfield & Northwestern 
and the Illinois & Southeastern Railroad — each 
liaving been chartered in 1807 — the new corpo- 
ration taking the name of the Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Railroad, under which name 
the road was built and opened in March, 1871. In 
1873, it was placed in tlie hands of receivers ; in 
1874 was sold under foreclosure, and, on March 
1, 1875, passed into the hands of tlie Ohio & Mis- 
sissippi Railway Company. In November, 1876, 
the road was again placed in the hands of a 
receiver, but was restored to the Company in 1884. 
— In November, 1893, the Ohio & Mississippi was 
consolidated with the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad, which was the successor of the 
Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad, 
the reorganized Company taking the name of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway Com- 
pany. The total capitalization of the road, as 
organized in 1898, was 584,770,531. Several 
brandies of the main line in Indiana and Ohio go 
to increase the aggregate mileage, but being 
wholly outside of Illinois are not taken into ac- 
count in this statement. 

BALTIMORE & OHIO & CHICAGO BAIL- 
ROAD, part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 
System, of which only 8.21 out of 265 miles are in 
Illinois. The principal object of the company's 
incorporation was to secure entrance for the 
Baltimore & Ohio into Chicago. The capital 
stock outstanding exceeds $1,500,000. The total 
capital (including stock, funded and floating debt) 
is $20,329,166 or §76,728 per mile. The gross 
earnings for the year ending June 30, 1898, were 
§3,38:1,016 and the operating expenses 83,493,452. 
The income and earnings for the portion of the 
line in Illinois for the same period were §309,308 
and the expen.ses §308,096. 

BANGS, Mark, lawyer, was born in Franklin 
County, Mass., Jan. 9, 1833; spent his boy- 
hood on a farm in Western New York, and, after 
a year in an institution at Rochester, came to 
Cliicago in 1844, later spending two years in farm 
work and teaching in Central Illinois. Return- 
ing east in 1847, he engaged in teaching for 
two years at Springfield, Mass., then spent 
a year in a dry goods store at Lacon, 111., 
meanwhile prosecuting his legal studies. lo 
1851 he began practice, was elected a Judg* 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



35 



of the Circuit Court in 1859; served one session 
as State Senator (1870-72) ; in 1873 was ap- 
pointed Circuit Judge to fill the unexpired 
term of Judge Richmond, deceased, and, in 1875. 
was appointed by President Grant United States 
District Attorney for the Northern District, 
remaining in office four years. Judge Bangs was 
also a member of the first Anti-Nebraska State 
Convention of Illinois, held at Springfield in 1854 ; 
in 18G3 presided over the Congressional Conven- 
tion wliich nominated Owen Lovejoy for Congress 
for the first time ; was one of the charter members 
of the "Union League of America," serving as its 
President, and, in 1868, was a delegate to tlie 
National Convention which nominated General 
Grant for President for the first time. After 
retiring from the office of District Attorney in 
1879, he removed to Chicago, wliere he is still 
(1898) engaged in the practice of his profession. 

BANKSOX, Andrew, pioneer and early legis- 
lator, a native of Tenne.ssee, settled on Silver 
Creek, in St. Clair County, 111., four miles south 
of Lebanon, about 1808 or 1810, and subsequently 
removed to Washington County. He was a Col- 
onel of "Rangers" during the War of 1813, and a 
Captain in the Black Hawk War of 1833. In 
1833 he was elected to the State Senate from 
Washington County, serving four years, and at 
the session of 1823-28 was one of those who voted 
against the Convention resolution which had for 
its object to make Illinois a slave State. He sub- 
sequently removed to Iowa Territory, but died, in 
1853, wliile visiting a son-in-law in Wisconsin. 

BAPTISTS. The first Baptist minister to set- 
tle in Illinois was Elder James Smith, who 
located at New Design, in 1787. He was fol- 
lowed, about 1796-97, by Revs. David Badgley and 
Joseph Chance, who organized the first Baptist 
church within the limits of the State. Five 
churches, having four ministers and 111 mem- 
bers, formed an association in 1807. Several 
causes, among them a difference of views on the 
slavery question, resulted in the division of the 
denomination into factions. Of these perhaps 
the most numerous was the Regular (or ilission- 
ary) Baptists, at the head of which was Rev. John 
M. Peck, a resident of the State from 1832 until 
his death (1858). By 1835 the sect had grown, 
until it had some 250 churches, with about 7,500 
members. These were under the ecclesiastical 
care of twenty-two Associations. Rev. Isaac 
McCoy, a Baptist Indian missionary, preached at 
Fort Dearborn on Oct. 9, 1825, and, eight years 
later. Rev. Allen B. Freeman organized the first 
Baptist society in what was then an infant set- 



tlement. By 1890 the number of Associations 
had gi'own to forty, with 1010 churches 891 
ministers and 88, 884 members. A Baptist Theo- 
logical Seminary was for some time supported at 
Morgan Park, but, in 1895, was absorbed by the 
University of Chicago, becoming the divinity 
school of that institution. The chief organ of the 
denomination in Illinois is "The Standard." pub- 
lished at Chicago. 

BARBER, Hiram, was born in Warren County, 
N. Y., March 34, 1835. At 11 years of age he 
accompanied his family to Wisconsin, of which 
State he was a resident until 1866. After gradu- 
ating at the State University of Wisconsin, at 
Madison, he studied law at the Albany Law 
School, and was admitted to practice. After 
serving one term as District Attorney of his 
county in Wisconsin (1881-62), and Assistant 
Attorney-General of the State for 1865-66, in 
the latter year he came to Chicago and, in 1878, 
was elected to Congress by the Republicans of 
the old Second Illinois District. His home is in 
Chicago, where he holds the position of Master in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook County. 

BARDOLPH, a village of McDonough County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 7 
miles northeast of Macomb; has a local paper. 
Population (1880), 409; (1890), 447; (1900), 387. 

BARJi'SBACK, George Frederick Julias, pio- 
neer, was born in Germany, July 25, 1781; came 
to Philadelphia in 1797, and soon after to Ken- 
tucky, where he became an overseer; two or 
three years later visited his native country, suf- 
fering shipwreck en route in the English Channel ; 
returned to Kentucky in 1803, remaining until 
1809, when he removed to what is now Madison 
(then a part of St. Clair) County, 111. ; served in 
the War of 1812, farmed and raised stock until 
1824, when, after a second visit to Germany, he 
bought a plantation in St. Francois County, Mo. 
Subsequently becoming disgusted with slavery, 
he manumitted his slaves and returned to Illinois, 
locating on a farm near Edwardsville, where he 
resided until his death in 1869. Mr. Barnsback 
served as Representative in the Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1844-46) and, after returning from 
Springfield, distributed his salary among the poor 
of Madison County. — Julius A. (Barnsback), his 
son, was born in St. Francois County, Mo., Slay 
14, 1826; in 1846 became a merchant at Troy, 
Madison County ; was elected Sheriff in 1860 ; in 
1864 entered the service as Captain of a Company 
in the One Hundred and Fortieth Illinois Volun- 
teers (100-days' men) ; also served as a member of 
the Twenty-fourth General Assembly (1865). 



36 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BARNUM, William H., lawyer and ex-Judge, 
was born in Onondaga County, N. Y., Feb. 13, 
1840. When he was but two years old his family 
removed to St. Clair County, 111. , where he passed 
his boyhood and youth. His preliminary educa- 
tion was obtained at Belleville, 111., Ypsilanti, 
Mich., and at the Michigan State University at 
Ann Arbor. After leaving the institution last 
named at the end of the sophomore year, he 
taught school at Belleville, still pursuing his clas- 
sical studies. In 1863 he was admitted to the bar 
at Belleville, and soon afterward opened an ofBce 
at Chester, where, for a time, he held the ofBce 
of Master in Chancery. He removed to Chicago 
in 1867, and, in 1879, was elevated to the bench 
of the Cook Coxmty Circuit Court. At the expi- 
ration of his term he resumed private practice. 

BARBERE, GraiiTille, was born in Highland 
County, Ohio. After attending the common 
schools, he acquired a higher education at Au- 
gusta, Ky., and Marietta, Ohio. He was admitted 
to the bar in his native State, but began the prac- 
tice of law in Fulton County, 111., in 18.56. In 
1872 he received the Republican nomination for 
Congress and was elected, representing his dis- 
trict from 1873 to 1875, at the conclusion of his 
term retiring to private life. Died at Canton, 
lU., Jan. 13, 1889. 

BARRIJiGTON, a village located on the north- 
em border of Cook County, and partly in Lake, 
at the intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway, 33 mUes 
northwest of Cliicago. It has banks, a local paper, 
and several cheese factories, being in a dairying 
district. Population (1890), 848; (1900), 1,163. 

BARROWS, John Henry, D. D., clergyman 
and educator, was born at Jledina, Mich., July 
11, 1847; graduated at Mount Olivet College in 
1867, and studied theology at Yale, Union and 
Andover Seminaries. In 1869 he went to Kansas, 
where he spent two and a half years in mission- 
ary and educational work. He then (in 1872) 
accepted a call to the First Congregational 
Church at Springfield, 111., where he remained a 
year, after which he gave a year to foreign travel, 
visiting Europe, Egypt and Palestine, during a 
part of the time supplying the American chapel 
in Paris. On his retiu-n to the United States he 
spent six years in pastoral work at Lawrence and 
East Boston, Mass., when (in November, 1881) he 
assumed the pastorate of the First Presbj-terian 
Church of Chicago. Dr. Barrows achieved a 
world-wide celebrity by his services as Chairman 
of the "Parliament of Religions," a branch of the 
"World's Congress Auxiliary," held during the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 
1893. Later, he was appointed Professorial Lec- 
turer on Comparative Religions, xxnder lectureships 
in connection with the University of Chicago en- 
dowed by Mrs. Caroline E. Haskell. One of these, 
established in Dr. Barrows' name, contemplated 
a series of lectures in India, to be delivered on 
alternate years with a similar course at the Uni- 
versity. Courses were delivered at the University 
in 189.5-96, and, in order to carrj' out the purposes 
of the foreign lectureship, Dr. Barrows found it 
necessary to resign his pastorate, which he did in 
the spring of 1896. After spending the summer 
in Germany, the regular itinerary of the round- 
the-world tour began at London in the latter part 
of November, 1896, ending with his return to the 
United States by way of San Francisco in May, 
1897. Dr. Barrows was accompanied by a party 
of personal friends from Chicago and elsewhere, 
the tour embracing visits to the principal cities 
of Southern Europe, Egypt, Palestine, China and 
Japan, with a somewhat protracted stay in India 
during the winter of 1896-97. After his return to 
the United States he lectured at the University 
of Chicago and in many of the principal cities of 
the country, on the moral and religious condition 
of Oriental nations, but, in 1898, was offered 
the Presidency of Oberlin College, Ohio, which 
he accepted, entering upon his duties early in 
1899. 

BARRY, a city in Pike County, founded in 
1836, on the Wabash Railroad, 18 miles east of 
Hannibal, Mo., and 30 miles southeast of Quincy. 
The surrounding country is agricultural. The 
city contains flouring mills, porkpacking and 
poultry establishments, etc. It has two local 
papers, two banks, three churches and a high 
school, besides schools of lower grade. Popula- 
tion (1880), 1,392; (1890), 1,3.54; (1900), 1,643. 

BARTLETT, Adolptans Clay, merchant, was 
born of Revolutionary ancestry at Stratford, 
Fulton County, N. Y. , June 22, 1844 ; was educated 
in the common schools and at Danville Academy 
and CUnton Liberal Institute, N. Y., and, coming 
to Chicago in 1863, entered into the employment 
of the hardware firm of Tuttle, Hibbard & Co., 
now Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co., of which, 
a few years later, he became a partner, and later 
Vice-President of the Company. Mr. Bartlett 
has also been a Trustee of Beloit College, Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Home for the Friendless and 
a Director of the Chicago & Alton Railroad and 
the Metropolitan National Bank, besides being 
identified with various other business and benevo- 
lent associations. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



37 



BASCOM, (Rev.) Flarel, D. D., clergj-man. 
was born at Lebanon, Conn., June 8, 1804; spent 
his boyhood on a farm until 17 years of age, mean- 
while attending the common schools; prepared 
for college under a private tutor, and, in 1824, 
entered Yale College, graduating in 1838. After a 
year as Principal of the Academy at New Canaan, 
Conn., he entered upon the study of theology 
at Yale, was licensed to preach in 1831 and, for 
the next two years, served as a tutor in the liter- 
ary department of the college. Then coming to 
Illinois (1833), he cast his lot with the "Yale 
Band," organized at Yale College a few years 
previous ; spent five years in missionary work in 
Tazewell County and two years in Northern Illi- 
nois as Agent of the Home Missionary Society, 
exploring new settlements, founding churches 
and introducing missionaries to new fields of 
labor. In 1839 he became pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, remaining until 
1849, when he assumed the pastorship of the First 
Presbyterian Church at Galesburg, this relation 
continuing until 1856. Then, after a year's serv- 
ice as the Agent of the American Missionary 
Association of the Congregational Church, he 
accepted a call to the Congregational Church at 
Princeton, where he remained until 1869, when 
he took charge of the Congregational Church at 
Hinsdale. From 1878 he served for a consider- 
able period as a member of the Executive Com- 
mittee of the Illinois Home Missionary Society; 
was also prominent in educational work, being 
one of the founders and, for over twenty-five 
years, an officer of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary, a Trustee of Knox College and one of 
the founders and a Trustee of Beloit College, 
Wis., from which he received the degree of D. D. 
in 1869. Dr. Bascom died at Princeton, 111., 
August 8, 1890. 

BATAVIA, a city in Kane County, on Fox 
River and branch lines of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroads, 3.5 miles west of Chicago; has water 
power and several prosperous manufacturing 
establishments employing over 1,000 operatives. 
The city has fine water- works supplied from an 
artesian well, electric lighting plant, electric 
street car lines with intenirban connections, two 
weekly papers, eight churches, two public 
schools, and private hospital for insane women. 
Population (1900), 3,871; (1903, est.), 4,400. 

BATEMAN, Newton, A. M., LL.D., educator 
and Editor-in-Chief of the "Historical Encyclo- 
pedia of Illinois," was born at Fairfield, N. J., 
July 27, 1822, of mixed English and Scotch an- 



cestry ; was brought by his parents to Illinois in 
1833; in his youth enjoyed only limited educa- 
tional advantages, but graduated from Illinois 
College at Jacksonville in 1843, supporting him- 
self during his college course who.'y by his own 
labor. Having contemplated entering the Chris- 
tian ministry, he spent the following year at Lane 
Theological Seminary, but was compelled to 
withdraw on account of failing health, when he 
gave a year to travel. He then entered upon his 
life-work as a teacher by engaging as Principal 
of an English and Classical School in St. Louis, 
remaining there two years, when he accepted the 
Professorship of Mathematics in St. Charles Col- 
lege, at St. Charles, Mo., continuing in that 
position four years (1847-51). Returning to Jack- 
sonville, 111., in the latter year, he assumed the 
principalship of the main public school of that 
city. Here he remained seven years, during four 
of them discharging the duties of County Super- 
intendent of Schools for Morgan County. In the 
fall of 1857 he became Principal of Jacksonville 
Female Academy, but the following year was 
elected State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, having been nominated for the office by the 
Republican State Convention of 1858, which put 
Abraham Lincoln in nomination for the United 
States Senate. By successive re-elections he con- 
tinued in this office fourteen years, serving con- 
tinuously from 1859 to 1875, except two years 
(1863-65), as the result of his defeat for re-election 
in 1862. He was also endorsed for the same office 
by the State Teachers' Association in 1856, but 
was not formally nominated by a State Conven- 
tion. During his incumbency the Illinois com- 
mon school system was developed and brought to 
the state of efficiency which it has so well main- 
tained. He also prepared some seven volumes of 
biennial reports, portions of which have been 
republished in five different languages of Europe, 
besides a volume of "Common School Decisions," 
originally published by authority of the General 
Assembly, and of which several editions have 
since been issued. This volume has been recog- 
nized by the courts, and is still regarded as 
authoritative on the subjects to which it relates. 
In addition to his official duties during a part of 
this period, for three years he served as editor of 
"The Illinois Teacher," and was one of a com- 
mittee of three which prepared the bill adopted 
by Congress creating the National Bureau of 
Education. Occupying a room in the old State 
Capitol at Springfield adjoining that used as an 
office by Abraham Lincoln during the first candi- 
dacy of the latter for the Presidency, in 1860, a 



38 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



close intimacy sprang up between the two men, 
which enabled the "School-master," as Mr. Lin- 
coln playfully called the Doctor, to acquire an 
insight into the character of the future emanci- 
pator of a race, enjoyed by few men of tliat time, 
and of which he gave evidence by his lectm-es 
full of interesting reminiscence and eloquent 
appreciation of the high character of the "Martyr 
President." A few months after his retirement 
from the State Superintendency (187.5), Dr. Bate- 
man was offered and accepted the Presidency of 
Knox College at Galesburg, remaining until 1893, 
when he voluntarily tendered his resignation. 
This, after liaving been repeatedly urged upon 
the Board, was finally accepted : but that body 
immediately, and by unanimous vote, appointed 
him President Emeritus and Professor of Mental 
and Moral Science, under which he continued to 
discharge his duties as a special lectiirer as his 
health enabled him to do so. During his incum- 
bency as President of Knox College, he twice 
received a tender of the Presidency of Iowa State 
University and the Cliancellorship of two otlier 
important State institutions. He also served, by 
appointment of successive Governors between 1877 
and 1891, as a member of the State Board of 
Health, for four years of this period being Presi- 
dent of the Board. In February, 1878, Dr. Bate- 
man, unexpectedly and without solicitation on his 
part, received from President Hayes an appoint- 
ment as "Assay Commissioner" to examine and 
test the fineness and weiglit of United States 
coins, in accordance with the provisions of the 
act of Congress of June 22, 1874, and discharged 
the duties assigned at the mint in Philadelphia. 
Never of a very strong physique, whicli was 
rather weakened by his privations while a stu- 
dent and his many years of close confinement to 
mental labor, towards the close of his life Dr. 
Bateman suffered much from a chest trouble 
which finally developed into "angina pectoris," 
or heart disease, from wliicli, as the result of a 
most painful attack, he died at liis home in Gales- 
burg, Oct. 21, 1897. The event produced the 
most profound sorrow, not on ly among his associ- 
ates in the Faculty and among the students of 
Knox College, but a large number of friends 
throughout the State, who had known him offi- 
cially or personally, and had learned to admire 
liis many noble and beautiful traits of character. 
His funeral, whicli occurred at Galesburg on 
Oct. 25, called out an immense concourse of 
sorrowing friends. Almost the last labors per- 
formed by Dr. Bateman were in the revision of 
matter for this volume, in which he manifested 



the deepest interest from the time of his assump- 
tion of the duties of its Editor-in-Chief. At the 
time of his death he had the satisfaction of know- 
ing tliat his work in tliis field was practically 
complete. Dr. Bateman had been twice married, 
first in 1850 to Miss Sarah Dayton of Jacksonville, 
wlio died in 1857, and a second time in October, 
1859, to Miss Annie N. Tyler, of Massachusetts 
(but for some time a teacher in Jacksonville 
Female Academy), who died, May 28, 1878. — 
Clifford Rush (Bateman), a son of Dr. Bateman 
by his first marriage, was born at Jacksonville, 
March 7, 1854, graduated at Amherst College and 
later from the law department of Columbia Col- 
lege, New York, afterwards prosecuting his 
studies at Berlin. Heidelberg and Paris, finally 
becoming Professor of Administrative Law and 
Government in Columbia College — a position 
especially created for him. He had filled this 
position a little over one year when his career — 
which was one of great promise — was cut short by 
death. Feb. 6, 1883. Three daughters of Dr. Bate- 
man survive — all the wives of clergymen. — P. S. 

BATES, Clara Doty, autlior, was born at Ann 
Arbor, Mich., Dec. 23, 1838; published her first 
book in 1868; the next year married Morgan 
Bates, a Chicago publisher; wrote much for 
juvenile periodicals, besides stories and poems, 
some of the most jxipular among the latter being 
"Blind Jakey" (1808) and "^sop's Fables" in 
verse (1873). She was the collector of a model 
library for children, for the World's Columbian 
Exposition, 1893. Died in Chicago, Oct. 14, 1895. 

BATES, Erastus »wton, soldier and State 
Treasurer, was bijrn at Plainfield, Mass., Feb. 29, 
1828. being descended from Pilgrims of the May- 
flower. When 8 years of age he was brought by 
his father to Ohio, where the latter soon after- 
ward died. For several years he lived with an 
uncle, preparing himself for college and earning 
money by teaching and manual labor. He gradu- 
ated from Williams College, Mass., in 1853, and 
commenced the study of law in New York City, 
but later removed to Minnesota, where he served 
as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1856 and was elected to the State Senate in 1857. 
In 1859 he removed to Centralia, 111., and com- 
menced practice there in August, 1863; was com- 
missioned Major of the Eightieth Illinois 
Volunteers, being successively promoted to the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, and 
finally brevetted Brigadier-General. For fifteen 
months he was a prisoner of war, escaping from 
Libby Pri.son only to be recaptured and later 
exposed to the fire of the Union batteries at Mor- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



39 



ris Island, Charleston harbor. In 1866 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and, in 1868, State 
Treasurer, being re-elected to the latter office 
under the new Constitution of 1870, and serving 
imtil January, 1873. Died at Minneapolis, 
Minn., May 29, 1898, and was buried at Spring- 
Held. 

BATES, George C, lawyer and politician, was 
born in Canandaigua, N. Y., and removed to 
Michigan in 1834 ; in 1849 was appointed United 
States District Attorney for that State, but re- 
moved to California in 1850, where he became a 
member of the celebrated "Vigilance Committee" 
at San Francisco, and, in 1856, delivered the first 
Republican speech there. From 1861 to 1871, he 
practiced law in Chicago; the latter year was 
appointed District Attorney for Utah, serving 
two years, in 1878 removing to Denver, Colo., 
where he died, Feb. 11, 1886. Mr. Bates was an 
orator of much reputation, and was selected to 
express the thanks of the citizens of Chicago to 
Gen. B. J. Sweet, commandant of Camp Douglas, 
after the detection and defeat of the Camp Doug- 
las conspiracy in November, 1864 — a duty which 
he performed in an address of great eloquence. 
At an early day he married the widow of Dr. 
Alexander Wolcott, for a number of years previ- 
ous to 1830 Indian Agent at Chicago, his wife 
being a daughter of John Kinzie, the first white 
settler of Chicago. 

BATH, a village of Mason Coimty, on the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago, Peoria & St. 
Louis Railway, 8 miles south of Havana. Popu- 
lation (1880), 439; (1890), 384; (1900), 330. 

BAYLIS, a corporate village of Pike County, 
on the main line of the Wabash Railway, 40 miles 
southeast of Quincy ; has one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 368; (1900), 340. 

BATLISS, Alfred, Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, was born about 1846, served as a 
private in the First Michigan Cavalry the last 
two years of the Civil War, and graduated from 
Hillsdale College (Mich.), in 1870, supporting 
himself during his college course by work upon a 
farm and teaching. After serving three years as 
County Superintendent of Schools in La Grange 
County, Ind., in 1874 he came to Illinois and 
entered upon the vocation of a teacher in the 
northern part of the State. He served for some 
time as Superintendent of Schools for the city of 
Sterling, afterwards becoming Principal of the 
Township High .School at Streator, where he was, 
in 1898, when he received the nomination for the 
office of State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, to which he was elected in November follow- 



ing by a plurality over his Democratic opponent 
of nearly 70,000 votes. 

BEARD, Thomas, pioneer and founder of the 
city of Beardstown, 111., was born in Granville, 
Washington Count}-, N. Y., in 1795, taken to 
Northeastern Ohio in 1800, and, in 1818, removed 
to Illinois, living for a time about Edwardsville 
and Alton. In 1820 he went to the locality of 
the present city of Beardstown, and later estab- 
lished there the first ferry across the Illinois 
River. In 1827, in conjunction with Enoch 
March of Morgan County, he entered the land on 
which Beardstown was platted in 1829. Died, at 
Beardstown, in November, 1849. 

BEARDSTOWN, a city in Cass County, on the 
Illinois River, being the intersecting point for 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern and the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railways, and tlie 
northwestern terminus of the former. It is 111 
miles north of St. Louis and 90 miles south of 
Peoria. Tliomas Beard, for whom the town was 
named, settled here about 1820 and soon after- 
wards established the first ferry across the Illi- 
nois River. In 1827 the land was patented by 
Beard and Enoch March, and the town platted, 
and. during tlie Black Hawk War of 1832, it 
became a principal base of supplies for the Illi- 
nois volunteers. The city has six churches and 
three schools (Including a high school), two banks 
and two daily newspapers. Several branches of 
manufacturing are carried on here — flouring and 
saw mills, cooperage works, an axe-handle fac- 
tory, two button factories, two stave factories, 
one shoe factory, large macliine shops, and others 
of less importance. The river is spanned here by 
a fine railroad bridge, costing some $300,000. 
Population (1890), 4,226; (1900), 4,837. 

BEAUBIEN, Jean Baptisto, the second per- 
manent settler on the site of Chicago, was bora 
at Detroit in 1780, became clerk of a fur-trader on 
Grand River, married an Ottawa woman for his 
first wife, and, in 1800, had a trading-post at Mil- 
waukee, which he maintained until 1818. Ho 
visited Chicago as early as 1804, bought a cabia 
there soon after the Fort Dearborn massacre ot 
1812, married the daughter of Francis La Fram- 
boise, a French trader, and, in 1818, becam© 
agent of the American Fur Company, having 
charge of trading posts at Mackinaw and else* 
where. After 1823 he occupied the building; 
known as "the factory," just outside of Fort Dear* 
born, which had belonged to the Government, 
but removed to a farm on the Des Plaines in 1840. 
Out of the ownership of this building grew his 
claim to the right, in 1835, to enter seventy-flve 



40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acres of land belonging to the Fort Dearborn 
reservation. The claim was allowed by the Land 
OfBce officials and sustained by the State courts, 
but disallowed by the Supreme Court of the 
United States after long litigation. An attempt 
was made to revive this claim in Congress in 
1878, but it was reported upon adversely by a 
Senate Committee of which the late Senator 
Thomas F. Bayard was chairman. Mr. Beaubien 
was evidently a man of no little prominence in 
his day. He led a company of Chicago citizens 
to the Black Hawk War in 1832, was appointed 
by the Governor the first Colonel of Militia for 
Cook County, and, in 1850, was commissioned 
Brigadier-General. In 1858 he removed to Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and died there, Jan. 5, 1863. — Mark 
(Beaubien), a younger brother of Gen. Beaubien, 
was born in Detroit in 1800, came to Chicago in 
1826, and bought a log house of James Kinzie,-in 
which he kept a hotel for some ti:ne. Later, he 
erected the first frame building in Chicago, which 
was known as the "Sauganash," and in which he 
kept a hotel until 1834. He also engaged in mer- 
chandising, but was not successful, ran the first 
ferry across the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, and served for many years as lighthouse 
keeper at Chicago. About 1834 the Indians trans- 
ferred to him a reservation of 640 acres of land on 
the Calumet, for wliich, some forty years after- 
wards, he received a patent wliich had been 
signed by Martin Van Buren — he having previ- 
ously been ignorant of its existence. He was 
married twice and had a family of twenty-two 
children. Died, at Kankakee, 111., April 16, 1881. 
— Madore B. (Beaubien), the second son of 
General Beaubien by his Indian wife, was born 
on Grand River in Michigan, July 15, 1809, joined 
his father in Chicago, was educated in a Baptist 
Mission School where Niles, Mich., now stands; 
was licensed as a merchant in Chicago in 1831, 
but failed as a business man; served as Second 
Lieutenant of the Naperville Company in the 
Black Hawk War, and later was First Lieutenant 
of a Chicago Company. His first wife was a 
white woman, from whom he separatad, after- 
wards marrying an Indian woman. He left Illi- 
nois with the Pottawatomies in 1840, resided at 
Council Bluffs and, later, in Kansas, being for 
many years the official interpreter of the tribe 
and, for some time, one of six Commissioners 
employed by the Indians to look after their 
affairs with the United States Government. — 
Alexander (Beaubien), son of General Beau- 
bien by his white wife, was born in one of the 
buildings belonging to Fort Dearborn, Jan. 28, 



1822. In 1840 he accompanied his father to his 
farm on the Des Plaines, but returned to Chicago 
in 1862, and for years past has been employed on 
the Chicago police force. 

BEBB, William, Governor of Ohio, was born 
in Hamilton County in that State in 1802 ; taught 
school at North Bend, the home of William Henry 
Harrison, studied law and practiced at Hamilton ; 
served as Governor of Ohio, 1846-48; later led a 
Welsh colony to Tennessee, but left at the out- 
break of the Civil War, removing to Winnebago 
County, 111., where he had purchased a large 
body of land. He was a man of uncompromising 
loyalty and high principle ; served as Examiner 
of Pensions by appointment of President Lincoln 
and, in 1868, took a prominent part in the cam- 
paign which resulted in Grant's first election to 
the Presidency. Died at Rockford, Oct. 23, 1873. 
A daughter of Governor Bebb married Hon. 
John P. Reynolds, for man)' years the Secretary 
of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, and, 
during the World's Colunibian Exposition, 
Director-in-Chief of the Illinois Board of World's 
Fair Commissioners. 

BECKER, Charles St. N., ex-State Treasurer, 
was born in Germany, June 14, 1840, and brought 
to this country by his parents at the age of 11 
years, the family settling in St. Clair County, 111. 
Early in the Civil War he enlisted in the Twelfth 
Missouri regiment, and, at the battle of Pea 
Ridge, was so severely wounded that it was 
found necessary to amputate one of his legs. In 
1866 he was elected Sheriff of St. Clair County, 
and, from 1872 to 1880, he served as clerk of the 
St. Clair Circuit Court. He also served several 
terms as a City Councilman of Belleville. In 1888 
he was elected State Treasurer on tlie Republican 
ticket, serving from Jan. 14, 1889, to Jan. 13, 1891. 

BECKWITH, Corj'don, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Vermont in 1823, and educated at Provi- 
dence, R. I., and Wrentham, Mass. He read law 
and was admitted to the bar in St. Albans, Vt., 
where he practiced for two years. In 1853 he 
removed to Chicago, and, in January, 1864, was 
appointed by Governor Yates a Justice of the 
Supreme Court, to fill the five remaining months 
of the unexpired term of Judge Caton, who had 
resigned. On retiring from the bench lie re- 
sumed private practice. Died, August 18, 1890. 

BECKWITH, Hiram Williams, lawyer and 
author, was born at Danville, 111., March 5, 1833. 
Mr. Beckwith's father. Dan W. Beckwith, a pio- 
neer settler of Eastern Illinois and one of the 
founders of the city of Danville, was a native of 
W3alusing, Pa., where he was born about 1789, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



41 



his mother being, in her girlhood. Hannah York, 
one of the survivors of the famous Wyoming 
massacre of 1778. In 1817, the senior Beckwith, 
in company with his brother George, descended 
the Ohio River, afterwards ascending the Wabash 
to where Terre Haute now stands, but finally 
locating in what is now a part of Edgar County, 
111. A year later he removed to the vicinity of 
the present site of the city of Danville. Having 
been employed for a time in a surveyor's 
corps, he finally became a surveyor himself, and, 
on the organization of Vermilion County, served 
for a time as County Surveyor by appointment of 
the Governor, and was also employed by the 
General Government in surveying lands in the 
eastern part of the State, some of the Indian 
reservations in that section of the State being 
set off by him. In connection with Guy W. 
Smith, then Receiver of Public Moneys in the 
Land Office at Palestine, 111., he donated the 
ground on wliich the county-seat of Vermilion 
County was located, and it took the name of Dan- 
ville from his first name — "Dan." In 1830 he 
was elected Representative in the State Legisla- 
ture for the District composed of Clark, Edgar, 
and Vermilion Counties, then including all that 
section of the State between Crawford Covuity 
and the Kankakee River. He died in 1835. 
Hiram, the subject of this sketch, thus left 
fatherless at less than three years of age, received 
only such education as was afforded in the com- 
mon schools of that period. Nevertheless, he 
began the study of law in the Danville office of 
Lincoln & Lamon, and was admitted to practice 
in 1854, about the time of reaching his majority. 
He continued in their oflSce and, on the removal 
of Lamon to Bloomington in 1859, he succeeded 
to the business of the firm at Danville. Mr. 
Lamon — who, on Mr. Lincoln's accession to the 
Presidency in 1861, became Marshal of the Dis- 
trict of Columbia — was distantly related to Mr. 
Beckwith by a second marriage of the mother of 
the latter. While engaged in the practice of his 
profession, Mr. Beckwith has been over thirty 
years a zealous collector of records and other 
material bearing upon the early history of Illinois 
and the Northwest, and is probably now the 
owner of one of tlie most complete and valuable 
collections of Americana in Illinois. He is also 
the author of several monographs on historic 
themes, including "The Winnebago War," "The 
Illinois and Indiana Indians," and "Historic 
Notes of the Northwest," published in the "Fer- 
gus Series." besides having edited an edition of 
"Reynolds' History of Illinois" (published by the 



same firm) , which he has enriched by the addition 
of valuable notes. During 1895-96 he contributed 
a series of valuable articles to "The Chicago 
Tribune" on varioiis features of early Illinois and 
Northwest history. In 1890 he was appointed by 
Governor Fifer a member of the first Board of 
Trustees of the Illinois State Historical Library, 
serving until the expiration of his term in 1894, 
and was re-appointed to the same position by 
Governor Tanner in 1897, in each case being 
chosen President of the Board. 

BEECHER, Charles A., attorney and railway 
solicitor, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., 
August 27, 1829, but, in 1836, removed with his 
family to Licking County, Ohio, where he lived 
upon a farm until he reached the age of 18 years. 
Having taken a course in the Oliio Wesleyan 
University at Delaware, in 1854 he removed to 
Illinois, locating at Fairfield, Wayne County, 
and began the study of law in the office of his 
brother, Edwin Beecher, being admitted to prac- 
tice in 1855. In 1867 he united with others in tlie 
organization of the Illinois Southeastern Rail- 
road projected from Shawneetown to Edgewood 
on the Illinois Central in Effingham County. 
This enterprise was consolidated, a year or two 
later, with the Pana, Springfield & Northwest- 
ern, taking the name of the Springfield & Illinois 
Southeastern, under which name it was con- 
structed and opened for traffic in 1871. (This 
line — which Mr. Beecher served for some time 
as Vice-President — now constitutes the Beards- 
town & Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore 
& Ohio Southwestern.) The Springfield & Illi- 
nois Southeastern Company having fallen into 
financial difficulty in 1873, Mr. Beecher was 
appointed receiver of the road, and, for a time, 
had control of its operation as agent for the bond- 
holders. In 1875 the line was conveyed to the 
Ohio & Jlississippi Railroad (now a part of the 
Baltimore & Ohio), when Mr. Beecher became 
General Counsel of the controlling corporation, 
so remaining until 1888. Since that date he has 
been one of the assistant counsel of the Baltimore 
& Ohio system. His present home is in Cincin- 
nati, although for over a quarter of a century he 
has been prominently identified with one of the 
most important railwaj' enterprises in Southern 
Illinois. In politics Mr. Beecher has always been 
a Republican, and was one of the few in Wayne 
County who voted for Fremont in 1856, and for 
Lincoln in 1860. He was also a member of 
the Republican State Central Committee of 
Illinois from 1860 for a period of ten or twelve 
vears 



42 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BEECHER, Edward, D. D., clergyman and 
educator, was born at East Hampton, L. I., 
August 27, 1.S03 — the son of Rev. Lj'man Beecher 
and the elder brother of Henry Ward ; graduated 
at Yale College in 1822, taught for over a year at 
Hartford, Conn., studied theology, and after a 
year's service as tutor in Yale College, in 
1826 was ordained pa.stor of the Park Street 
Congregational Church in Boston. In 1830 
he became President of Illinois College at 
Jacksonville, remaining until 1844, when he 
resigned and returned to Boston, serving as 
pastor of the Salem Street Church in that 
city until 1850, also acting as senior editor of 
"The Congregatioualist" for four years. In 1856 
he returned to Illinois as pastor of the First Con- 
gregational Church at Galesburg, continuing 
until 1871, when he removed to Brooklyn, where 
he resided without pastoral charge, except 1885- 
89, when he was pastor of the Parkville Congre- 
gational Church. While President of Illinois 
College, that institution was exposed to much 
hostile criticism on account of his outspoken 
opposition to slavery, as shown by his participa- 
tion in founding the first Illinois State Anti- 
Slavery Society and his eloquent denunciation of 
the murder of Elijah P. Lovejoy. Next to his 
brother Henry Ward, he was probably the most 
powerful orator belonging to that gifted family, 
and, in connection with his able associates in the 
faculty of the Illinois College, assisted to give 
that institution a wide reputation as a nursery 
of independent thought. Up to a short time 
before his death, he was a prolific writer, his 
productions (besides editorials, reviews and con- 
tributions on a variety of subjects) including 
nine or ten volumes, of which the most impor- 
tant are: "Statement of Anti-Slavery Principles 
and Address to the People of Illinois" (1837); 
"A Plea for Illinois College"; "History of the 
Alton Riots" (1838); "The Concord of Ages" 
(1858): "The Conflict of Ages" (1854); "Papal 
Conspiracy Expcsed" (1854), besides a number 
of others invariably on religious or anti-slavery 
topics. Died in Brooklyn, July 28, 1895. 

BEECHER, William H., clergyman — oldest 
son of Rev. Lyman Beecher and brother of 
Edward and Henry Ward — was born at East 
Hampton, N. Y., educated at home and at An- 
dover, became a Congregatioualist clergyman, 
occupying pulpits at Newport, R. I., Batavia, 
N. Y., and Cleveland, Ohio; came to Chicago in 
his later years, dying at the home of his daugh- 
ters in that city, June 23, 1889. 

BEGGS, (Rev.) Stephen R., pioneer Methodist 



Episcopal preacher, was born in Buckingham 
County, Va., March 30, 1801. His father, who 
was opposed to slavery, moved to Kentucky in 
1805, but remained tliere only two years, when he 
removed to Clark Count}', lud. The son enjoyed 
but poor educational advantages here, obtaining 
his education chiefly bj- liis own efforts in what 
he called "Brush College." At the age of 21 he 
entered the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, during the next ten years traveling 
diff'erent circuits in Indiana. In 1831 he was 
appointed to Chicago, but the Black Hawk War 
coming on immediately tliereafter, he retired to 
Plainfield. Later lie traveled various circuits in 
Illinois, until 1868, wlien lie was superannuated, 
occupying his time thereafter in writing remi- 
niscences of his early history. A volume of this 
character published by him, was entitled "Pages 
from the Early History of the West and North- 
west." He died at Plainfield, 111., Sept. 9, 1895, 
in the 95th year of his age. 

BEIDLER, Henry, early settler, was born of 
German extraction in Bucks County, Pa., Nov. 
27, 1812; came to Illinois in 1843, settling first at 
Springfield, where he carried on the grocery 
business for five years, then removed to Chicago 
and engaged in the lumber trade in connection 
with a brother, afterwards carrying on a large 
lumber manufacturing business at Muskegon, 
Mich., which proved very profitable. In 1871 
Mr. Beidler retired from the lumber trade, in- 
vesting largely in west side real estate in the city 
of Chicago, which appreciated rapidly in value, 
making him one of the most wealthy real estate 
owners in Chicago. Died, March 16, 1893. — Jacob 
(Beidler), brother of the preceding, was born in 
Bucks County, Penn., in 1815; came west in 
1842, first began working as a carpenter, but 
later engaged in the grpcery business with his 
brother at Springfield, HI. ; in 1844 removed to 
Chicago, where he was joined by his brother four 
years later, when they engaged largely in tlie 
hmiber trade. Mr. Beidler retired from business 
in 1891, devoting his attention to large real estate 
investments. He was a liberal contributor to 
religious, educational and benevolent institutions. 
Died in Chicago, March 15, 1898. 

BELFIELD, Henry Holmes, educator, was 
born in Philadelphia, Nov. 17, 1837; was educated 
at an Iowa College, and for a time was tutor in 
the same ; diu-ing the War of the Rebellion served 
in the army of the Cumberland, first as Lieuten- 
ant and afterwards as Adjutant of the Eighth 
Iowa Cavalry, still later being upon the staff' of 
Gen. E. M. McCook, and taking part in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



43 



Atlanta and Nashville campaigns. While a 
prisoner in the hands of the rebels he was placed 
under tire of the Union batteries at Charleston. 
Coming to Chicago in 186G, he served as Principal 
in various public schools, including the North 
Division High School. He was one of the earli- 
est advocates of manual training, and, on tlie 
establishment of the Chicago Manual Training 
School in 1884. was appointed its Director — a 
position wliich he has continvied to occupy. 
During 1891-92 he made a trip to Europe by 
appointment of the Government, to investigate 
the school systems in European countries. 

BELKXAP, Hugh Reid, ex-Member of Congress, 
was born in Keokuk, Iowa, Sept. 1, 1860, being 
the son of W. W. Belknap, for some time Secre- 
tary of War under President Grant. After 
attending the public schools of his native city, 
he took a course at Adams Academy, Quincy, 
Mass., and at Phillips Academy, Andover. when 
he entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where he remained twelve j-ears in 
various departments, finally becoming Chief 
Clerk of the General Manager. In 1892 he retired 
from this position to become Superintendent of 
the South Side Elevated Railroad of Chicago. 
He never held any political position until nomi- 
nated (1894) as a Republican for the Fifty-fourth 
Congress, in the strongly Democratic Third Dis- 
trict of Chicago. Although the returns showed 
a plurality of tliirty-one votes for his Democratic 
opponent (Lawrence McGann), a recount proved 
him elected, when, Mr. McGann having volun- 
tarily withdrawn, Mr. Belknap was unanimously 
awarded the seat. In 1896 he was re-elected 
from a District usually strongly Democratic, 
receiving a plurality of 590 votes, but was 
defeated by his Democratic opponent in 1898, retir- 
ing from Congress, March 3, 1899, when he re- 
ceived an appointment as Paymaster in the Army 
from President McKinley, with the rank of Major. 
BELL, Robert, lawyer, was born in Lawrence 
County, 111., in 1829, educated at Mount Carmel 
and Indiana State University at Bloomington, 
graduating from the law department of the 
latter in 18.55; while yet in his minority edited 
"The Mount Carmel Register," during 1851-.52 
becoming joint owner and editor of the same 
with his brother, Victor D. Bell. After gradu- 
ation he opened an office at Fairfield, Wayne 
County, but, in 1857. returned to Mount Carmel 
and from 1864 was the partner of Judge E. B. 
Green, until the appointment of the latter Chief 
Justice of Oklahoma by President Harrison in 
1890. In 1869 Mr. Bell was appointed County 



Judge of Lawrence County, being elected to the 
same office in 1894. He was also President 
of the Illinois Southern Railroad Company 
until it was merged into the Cairo & Vincennes 
Road in 1867 ; later became President of the St. 
Louis & Mt. Carmel Railroad, now a part of the 
Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis line, and 
secured the construction of the division from 
Princeton, Ind., to Albion, 111. In 1876 he visited 
California as Special Agent of the Treasury 
Department to investigate alleged frauds in the 
Revenue Districts on the Pacific Coast ; in 1878 
was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress on 
the Republican ticket in the strong Democratic 
Nineteenth District; was appointed, the same 
year, a member of the Republican State Central 
Committee for the State-at-large, and, in 1881, 
officiated by appointment of President Garfield, 
as Commissioner to examine a section of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in New Mexico. 
Judge Bell is a gifted stump-speaker and is known 
in the southeastern part of the State as the 
"Silver-tongued Orator of the Wabash." 

BELLEVILLE, the county-seat of St. Clair 
County, a city and railroad center, 14 miles south 
of east from St. Louis. It is one of the oldest 
towns in the State, having been selected as the 
county-seat in 1814 and platted in 1815. It lies 
in the center of a rich agricultural and coal-bear- 
ing district and contains numerous factories of 
various descriptions, including flouring mills, a 
nail mill, glass works and shoe factories. It has 
five newspaper establishments, two being Ger- 
man, which issue daily editions. Its commercial 
and educational facilities are exceptionally good. 
Its population is largely of German descent. 
Population (1890), 15,361 ; (1900), 17,484. 

BELLEVILLE, CENTRALIA & EASTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Louisville. Evansville & St. 
Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

BELLEVILLE & CARONDELET RAILROAD. 
a short line of road extending from Belleville to 
East Carondelet, 111. , 17.3 miles. It was eliartered 
Feb. 20, 1881, and leased to the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroad Company, June 1, 1883. 
The annual rental is .$30,000, a sum equivalent to 
the interest on tlie bonded debt. The capital 
stock (1895) is §500,000 and the bonded debt §485,- 
000. In addition to these sums the floating debt 
swells the entire capitalization to 6995,0.54 or S57,- 
317 per mile. 

BELLEVILLE & ELDORADO RAILROAD, 
a road 50.4 mOes in length running from Belle- 
ville to Duquoin, 111. It was chartered Feb. 22, 
1861, and completed Oct. 81, 1871. On July 1, 



44 



IIISTORICx\L ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1880, it was leased to the St Louis, Alton & 
Terra Haute Railroad Company for 486 years, and 
has since been operated by that corporation in 
connection with its Belleville branch, from East 
St. Louis to Belleville. At Eldorado the road 
intersects the Cairo & Vincennes Railroad and 
the Shawneetown branch of the St. Louis & 
Southeastern Railroad, operated by the Louisville 
& Npshville Railroad Company. Its capital 
stock (1895) is $1,000,000 and its bonded debt 
§550,000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLEVILLE & ILLIXOISTOWX RAILROAD. 
(See St. Louis. Alton <fc Terre Haute Railroad.) 

BELLEVILLE & SOUTHERN ILLINOIS 
RAILROAD, a road (laid with steel rails) run- 
ning from Belleville to Duquoin, 111., 56.4 miles 
in length. It was chartered Feb. 15, 1857, and 
completed Dec. 15, 1873. At Duquoin it connects 
with the Illinois Central and forms a short line 
between St. Louis and Cairo. Oct. 1, 1866, it was 
leased to the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Company for 999 years. Tlie capital 
stock is §1,692,000 and the bonded debt 81,000,- 
000. The corporate office is at Belleville. 

BELLMONT, a village of AVabash County, on 
the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis Railway, 9 
miles west of Mount Carmel. Population (1880), 
350; (1890), 487; (1900). 024 

BELT RAILWAV COMPANY OF CHICAGO, 
THE, a corporation chartered, Nov. 32, 1882, and 
the lessee of the Belt Division of the Chicago & 
Western Indiana Railroad (which see). Its total 
trackage (all of standard gauge and laid witli 66- 
pound steel rails) is 93.26 miles, distributed as fol- 
lows : Auljurn Junction to Cliicago, Milwaukee & 
St. PaulJunction, 15.9 miles; branches from Pull- 
man Junction to Irondale, 111., etc., 5.41 miles; 
second track, 14.1 miles; sidings, 57.85 miles. 
/ The cost of construction has been $524, 549 ; capi- 
tal stock, $1,200,000. It has no funded debt. 
The earnings for the year ending June 30, 1895, 
were $.556,847, the operating expenses $378,012, 
and the taxes $51,009. 

BELVIDERE,an incorporated city, the coiuity- 
seat of Boone County, situated on the Kishwau- 
kee River, and on two divisions of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, 78 miles west-northwest 
of Chicago and 14 miles east of Rockford; is con- 
nected with the latter city by electric railroad. 
The city has twelve churches, five graded schools, 
and three banks (two national). Two daily and 
two semi-weekly papers are published here. Bel- 
videre also has verj' considerable manufacturing 
interests, including manufactories of sewing ma- 
chines, bicycles, automobiles, besides a large 



milk-condensing factory and two creameries. 
Population (1890), 3,867; (1900), 6,937. 

BEMENT, a village in Piatt County, at inter- 
section of main line and Chicago Division of 
Wabash Railroad, 20 miles east of Decatur- and 
166 miles south-southwest of Chicago; in agri- 
cultural and stock - raising district ; iias three 
grain elevators, broom factory, water- works, elec- 
tric-light plant, four churches, two banks and 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 1,129; (1900), 1,484. 

BENJAMIN, Reuben Moore, lawyer, born at 
Chatham Centre, Columbia County, N. Y., June 
29, 1833; was educated at Amherst College, Am- 
herst, Mass. ; spent one year in the law depart- 
ment of Harvard, anotlier as tutor at Amherst 
and, in 1856, came to Bloomington, 111., where, on 
an examination certificate furnished by Abraliam 
Lincoln, lie was licensed to practice. The first 
public ofKce held by Mr. Benjamin was that of 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70, in which he took a prominent part in 
shaping the provisions of the new Constitution 
relating to corporations. In 1873 he was chosen 
County Judge of McLean County, by repeated 
re-elections holding the position until 1886, when 
he resumed private practice. For more than 
twenty years he has been connected with the law 
department of Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, a part of the time being Dean of the Faculty ; 
is also the author of several volumes of legal 
text-books. 

BENNETT MEDICAL COLLEGE, an Eclectic 
Medical School of Chicago, incorporated by 
special charter and opened in the autumn of 
1868. Its first sessions were held in two large 
rooms; its faculty consisted of seven professors, 
and there were thirty matriculates. More com- 
modious quarters were secured the following 
year, and a still better home after the fire of 1871, 
in which all the college property was destroyed. 
Another change of location was made in 1874. 
In 1890 the propert}' then owned was sold and a 
new college building, in connection with a hos- 
pital, erected in a more quiet quarter of the city. 
A free dispensarj' is conducted by the college. 
The teaching facult}' (1896) consists of nineteen 
professors, with four assistants and demonstra- 
tors. Women are admitted as pupils on equal 
terms with men. 

BENT, Charles, journalist, was born in Chi- 
cago, Dec. 8, 1844, but removed with his family, 
in 1856, to Morrison, Whiteside County, where, 
two j'ears later, he became an apprentice to the 
printing business in the office of "The Whiteside 
Sentinel." In June, 1864, he enlisted as a soldier 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



45 



in the One Hundred and Fortietli Illinois (100- 
days' regiment) and, on the expiration of his term 
of service, reenlisted in the One Hundred and 
Forty -seventh Illinois, being mvistered out at 
Savannah, Ga., in January, 1866, with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant. Then resuming his voca- 
tion as a printer, in July, 1867, he purchased the 
office of "The Whiteside Sentinel," in which he 
learned his trade, and has since been the editor of 
that paper, except during 1877-79 while engaged 
in writing a "History of Whiteside County." 
He is a charter member of the local Grand Army 
Post and served on the staff of the Department 
Commander ; was Assistant Asses.sor of Internal 
Revenue during 1870-73, and, in 1878, was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for White- 
side and Carroll Counties, serving four years. 
Other positions held by him include the office of 
City Alderman, member of the State Board of 
Canal Commissioners (1883-85) and Commissioner 
of the Joliet Penitentiary (1889-93). He has also 
been a member of the Republican State Central 
Committee and served as its Chairman 1886-88. 

BENTON, county-seat of Franklin County, on 
III. Cent, and Chi. & E. 111. Railroads; has electric- 
light plant, water-works, saddle and harness fac- 
tory, two banks, two flouring mills, shale brick 
and tile works (projected), four churches and 
three weekly papers. Pop. (189U), 939 ; (1900), 1,341. 

BERDAN, James, lawyer and County Judge, 
was born in New York City, July 4, 1805, and 
educated at Columbia and Yale Colleges, gradu- 
ating from the latter in the class of 1824. His 
father, James Berdan, Sr , came west in the fall 
of 1819 as one of the agents of a New York 
Emigration Society, and, in January, 1820, visited 
the vicinity of the present site of Jacksonville, 
111., but died soon after his return, in part from 
exposure incurred during his long and arduous 
winter journey. Thirteen years later (1832) his 
son, the subject of this sketch, came to the same 
region, and Jacksonville became his home for the 
remainder of his life. Mr. Berdan was a well- 
read lawyer, as well as a man of high principle 
and sound culture, with pure literary and social 
tastes. Although possessing unusual capabilities, 
his refinement of character and dislike of osten- 
tation made him seek rather the association and 
esteem of friends than public office. In 1849 he 
was elected County Judge of Morgan County, 
serving by a second election until 1857. Later 
he was Secretary for several years of the Tonica 
& Petersburg Railroad (at that time in course of 
construction), serving until it was merged into 
the St. Louis, Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, 



now constituting a part of the Jacksonville di- 
vision of the Chicago & Alton Railroad ; also 
served for many years as a Trustee of Illinois 
College. In the latter years of his life he was, for 
a considerable period, the law partner of ex-Gov- 
ernor and ex-Senator Richard Yates. Judge 
Berdan was the ardent political friend and 
admirer of Abraham Lincoln, as well as an inti- 
mate friend and frequent correspondent of the 
poet Longfellow, besides being the correspondent, 
during a long period of bis life, of a number of 
other prominent literary men. Pierre Irving, 
the nephew and biographer of Washington Irving, 
was his brother-in-law through the marriage of a 
favorite sister. Judge Berdan died at Jackson- 
ville, August 24, 1884. 

BERGEN, (Rev.) John tJ., pioneer clergyman, 
was born at Hightstown, N. J., Nov. 27, 1790; 
studied theology, and, after two years' service as 
tutor at Princeton and sixteen years as pastor of 
a Presbyterian church at Madison, N. J., in 1828 
came to Springfield, 111., and assisted in the 
erection of the first Protestant church in the 
central part of the State, of which he remained 
pastor until 1848. Died, at Springfield, Jan. 
17, 1872. 

BERGGREJf, Augustus W., legislator, born in 
Sweden, Augu-st 17, 1840; came to the United 
States at 16 years of age and located at Oneida, 
Knox Count}', HI. , afterwards removing to Gales- 
burg; held various offices, including that of 
Sheriff oi Knox County (1873-81), State Senator 
(1881-89) — serving as President pro fern, of the 
Senate 1887-89, and was Warden of the State 
penitentiary at Joliet, 1888-91. He was for many 
years the very able and efficient President of the 
Covenant Mutual Life Association of Illinois, and 
is now its Treasurer. 

BEROIER, (Rev.) J, a secular prie.st, born in 
France, and an early missionary in Illinois. He 
labored among the Tamaroas, being in charge of the 
mission at Cahokia from 1700 to his death in 1710. 

BERRY, Orville F., lawyer and legislator, was 
born in McDonough County, 111., Feb. 16, 18.52; 
early left an orphan and, after working for some 
time on a farm, removed to Carthage, Hancock 
County, where he read law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877; in 1883 was elected Mayor of 
Carthage and twice re-elected ; was elected to the 
State Senate in 1888 and '93, and, in 1891, took a 
prominent part in securing the enactment of the 
compulsory education clause in the common 
school law. Mr. Berry presided over the Repub- 
lican State Convention of 1896, the same year was 
a candidate for re-election to the State Senate, 



46 



H^ISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but the certificate was awarded to his Democratic 
competitor, who was declared elected by 164 
plurality. On a contest before the Senate at the 
first session of the Fortieth General Assembly, 
the seat was awarded to Mr. Berry on the groimd 
of illegality in the rulings of the Secretary of 
State affecting the vote of his opponent. 

BERRY, (Col.) William W., lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born in Kentucky, Feb. 23, 1834, and 
educated at Oxford. Ohio. His home being then 
in Covington, he studied law in Cincinnati, and, 
at the age of 23, began practice at Louisville, Ky., 
being married two years later to Miss Georgia 
Hewitt of Frankfort. Early in 1861 he entered 
the Civil War on the Union side as Major of the 
Louisville Legion, and subsequently served in 
tlie Army of the Cumberland, marctiing to the 
sea with Sherman and, during the period of his 
service, receiving four wounds. After the close 
of the war he was offered the position of Gov- 
ernor of one of the Territories, but, determining 
not to go further west than Illinois, declined. 
For three years he was located and in practice at 
Winchester, lU., but removed to Quincy in 1874. 
where he afterwards resided. He always took a 
warm interest in politics and, in local affairs, 
was a leader of his party. He was an organizer of 
the G. A. R. Post at Quincy and its first Com- 
mander, and, in 1884-85, served as Commander of 
the State Department of the G. A. R. He organ- 
ized a Young Men's Republican Club, as he 
believed tliat the young minds should take an 
active part in politics. He was one of the com- 
mittee of seven appointed by the Governor to 
locate the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home for Illinois, 
and, after spending six months inspecting vari- 
ous sites offered, the institution was finally 
located at Quincy; was also Trustee of Knox 
College, at Galesburg, for several years. He was 
frequently urged by his party friends to run for 
public office, but it was so much against his 
nature to ask for even one vote, that he would 
not consent. He died at his home in Quincy, 
mucli regretted, ]May 6, 1895. 

BESTOR, Oeorge C, legislator, born in Wash- 
ington City, April 11, 1811; was assistant docu- 
ment clerk in the House of Representatives eiglit 
years; came to Illinois in 1885 and engaged in 
real-estate business at Peoria; was twice ap- 
pointed Postmaster of that city (1842 and 1861) 
and three times elected Mayor ; served as finan- 
cial agent of the Peoria & Oquawka ( now Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad), and a Director of^ 
the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw ; a delegate to the 
Whig National Convention of 1852; a State 



Senator (1858-62), and an ardent friend of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Died, in Washington, May 14, 

1872, while prosecuting a claim against the 
Government for the construction of gunboats 
during the war. 

BETHALTO, a village of Madison County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 25 miles north of St. Louis. Popula- 
tion (1880), 6-28; (1890), 879; (1900), 477. 

BETHANY, a village of Moultrie County, on 
Peoria Division 111. Cent. Railroad, 18 miles south- 
east of Decatur ; in farming district ; has one news- 
paper and four churches. Pop. , mostly American 
born, (1890), 688; (1900), 873; (1903, est.), 900. 

BETTIE STUART INSTITUTE, an institu- 
tion for young ladies at Springfield, 111., founded 
in 1868 by Mrs. Mary McKee Homes, who con- 
ducted it for some twenty years, until her death. 
Its report for 1898 shows a faculty often instruct- 
ors and 125 pupils. Its property is valued at 
$23,500. Its course of instruction embraces the 
preparatory and classical branches, together with 
music, oratory and fine arts. 

BEVERIDGE, James H., State Treasurer, 
was born in Washington County, N. Y., in 1828; 
served as State Treasurer, 1865-67, later acted as 
Secretary of the Commission which built the 
State Capitol. His later years were spent in 
superintending a large dairy farm near Sandwich, 
De Kalb Coimty, where he died in January, 1896. 

BEVERIDCiE, John L., ex-Governor, was born 
in Greenwich, N. Y., July 6, 1824; came to Illi- 
nois. 1842, and, after spending some two years in 
Granville Academy and Rock River Seminary, 
went to Tennessee, where he engaged in teaching 
while studying law. Having been admitted to 
the bar, he returned to Illinois in 1851, first locat- 
ing at Sycamore, but three years later established 
himself in Chicago. During the first year of the 
war he assisted to raise the Eighth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, and was commissioned first as Cap- 
tain and still later Major; two years later 
became Colonel of the Seventeenth Cavalry, 
which he commanded to the close of the war, 
being mustered out, February, 1866, with the 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the war 
he held the office of Sheriff of Cook County four 
years; in 1870 was elected to the State Senate, 
and, in the following year, Congressman-at-large 
to succeed General Logan, elected to the United 
States Senate; resigned this office in January, 

1873, having been elected Lieutenant-Governor, 
and a few weeks later succeeded to the govern- 
orship by the election of Governor Oglesby to the 
United States Senate. In 1881 he was appointed. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



47 



by President Arthur, Assistant United States 
Treasurer for Chicago, serving until after Cleve- 
land's first election. His present home (1898), is 
near Los Angeles. Cal. 

BIENVILLE, Jean Baptiste le Moyne, Sieur 
de, was born at Montreal, Canada, Feb. 23, 1680, 
and was the French Governor of Louisiana at the 
time the Illinois country was included in that 
province. He had several brothers, a number of 
whom played important parts in the early liistorj- 
of the province. Bienville first visited Louisi- 
ana, in company with his brother Iberville, in 
1698, their object being to establish a French 
colony near the mouth of the Mississippi. The 
first settlement was made at Biloxi, Dec. 6, 1699, 
and Sanvolle, another brother, was placed in 
charge. Tlie latter was afterward made Governor 
of Louisiana, and, at his death (1701), lie was 
succeeded by Bienville, who transferred the seat 
of government to Mobile. In 1704 he was joined 
by his brother Chateaugaj-, who brought seven- 
teen settlers from Canada. Soon afterwards 
Iberville died, and Bienville was recalled to 
France in 1707, but was reinstated the following 
year. Finding the Indians worthless as tillers of 
the soil, he seriously suggested to the home gov- 
ernment the expediency of trading off the copper- 
colored aborigines for negroes from the West 
Indies, three Indians to be reckoned as equiva- 
lent to two blacks. In 1713 Cadillac was sent out 
as Governor, Bienville being made Lieutenant- 
Governor. The two quarreled. Cadillac was 
superseded by Epinay in 1717, and, in 1718, Law's 
firet expedition arrived (see Company of the 
West), and brought a Governor's commission for 
Bienville. The latter soon after founded New 
Orleans, which became the seat of government 
for the province (which then included Illinois), in 
1733. In January, 1724, he was again summoned 
to France to answer charges; was removed in 
disgrace in 1726, but reinstated in 1733 and given 
the rank of Lieutenant-General. Failing in vari- 
ous expeditions against the Chickasaw Indians, 
he was again superseded in 1743, returning to 
France, where he died in 1768. 

BIGGS, William, pioneer. Judge and legislator, 
was born in Maryland in 1753, enlisted in the 
Revolutionary arm)', and served as an officer 
under Colonel George Rogers Clark in the expe- 
dition for the capture of Illinois from the British 
in 1778. He settled in Bellefontaine (now Monroe 
County) soon after the close of the war. He was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County for many years, and 
later Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas. He also represented his 



county in the Territorial Legislatures of In- 
diana and Illinois. Died, in .St. Clair County, 
in 1837. 

BIGGSVILLE, a village of Henderson County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
1.5 miles northeast of Burlington ; lias a bank and 
two newspapers; considerable grain and live- 
stock are shipped here. Population (1880), 358; 
(1890), 487; (1900), 417. 

BIG MUDDY RIVER, a stream formed by the 
union of two branches which ri.se in Jefferson 
County. It runs south and southwest through 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and enters the 
Mississippi about five miles below Grand Tower. 
Its length is estimated at 140 miles. 

BILLINGS. Albert Merritt, capitalist, was 
born in New Hampshire, April 19, 1814, educated 
in the common schools of his native State and 
Vermont, and, at the age of 22, became Sheriff of 
Wind.sor County, Vt., Later he was proprietor 
for a time of the mail stage-coach line between 
Concord, N. H. , and Boston, but, having sold out, 
invested his means in the securities of the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway and became 
identified with the business interests of Chicago. 
In the '50's he became as.sociated with Cornelius 
K. Garrison in the People's Gas Company of Chi- 
cago, of which he served as President from 1859 
to 1888. In 1890 Mr. Billings became extensively 
interested in the street railway enterprises of Mr. 
C. B. Holmes, resulting in his becoming the pro- 
prietor of the street railway system at Memphis, 
Tenn., valued, in 1897, at §3,000,000. In early 
life he had been associated with Commodore 
Vanderbilt in the operation of the Hudson River 
steamboat lines of the latter. In addition to his 
other business enterprises, he was principal 
owner and. during the last twent3--five years of 
his life. President of the Home National and 
Home Savings Banks of Chicago. Died, Feb. 7, 
1897, leaving an estate valued at several millions 
of dollars. 

BILLINGS, Henry W., was born at Conway, 
Mass., July 11, 1814, graduated at Amherst Col- 
lege at twenty years of age, and began the study 
of law with Judge Foote, of Cleveland, Ohio, was 
admitted to the bar two years later and practiced 
there some two years longer. He then removed 
to St. Louis, Mo., later resided for a time at 
Waterloo and Cairo, 111., but, in 1845, settled at 
Alton; was elected Mayor of that city in 1851, 
and the first Judge of the newly organized City 
Court, in 1859, serving in this position six years. 
In 1869 he was elected a Delegate from Madison 
County to the State Constitutional Convention of 



48 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1869-70, but died before the expiration of the ses- 
sion, on April 19, 1870. 

BIRKBECK, Morris, early colonist, was born 
in England about 17(52 or 1763, emigrated to 
America in 1817, and settled in Edwards County, 
111. He purchased a large tract of land and in- 
duced a large colony of English artisans, laborers 
and farmers to settle upon the same, founding 
the town of New Albion. He was an active, un- 
compromising opponent of slavery, and was an 
important factor in defeating the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Coles in October, 1824, 
but resigned at the end of tliree montlis, a hostile 
Legislature having refused to confirm him. A 
strong writer and a frequent contributor to the 
press, his letters and published works attracted 
attention both in this country and in Europe. 
Principal among the latter were: "Notes on a 
Journey Through France" (1815); "Notes on a 
Journey Through America" (1818), and "Letters 
from Illinois" (1818). Died from drowning in 
1825, aged about 63 years. (See Slavery and 
Slave Laws.) 

BISSELL, William H., first Republican Gov- 
ernor of Illinois, was born near Cooperstown, 
N. Y., on April 35, 1811, graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia in 1835, and, after practicing a short 
time in Steuben County, N. Y., removed to Mon- 
roe County, 111. In 1840 he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, where he soon 
attained high rank as a debater. He studied law 
and practiced in Belleville, St. Clair County, be- 
coming Prosecuting Attorney for tliat county in 
1844. He served as Colonel of the Second Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War, and achieved 
distinction at Buena Vista. He represented Illi- 
nois in Congress from 1849 to 1855, being first 
elected as an Independent Democrat. On the pas- 
sage of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, he left the Demo- 
cratic party and, in 1856, was elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket. While in Congress he was 
challenged by Jefferson Davis after an inter- 
change of heated words respecting the relative 
courage of Northern and Southern soldiers, 
spoken in debate. Bissell accepted the challenge, 
naming muskets at thirty paces. Mr. Davis's 
friends objected, and the duel never occurred. 
Died in office, at Springfield, 111., March 18, 1860. 

BLACK, John Charles, lawyer and soldier, 
born at Lexington, Miss., Jan. 29, 1839, at eight 
years of age came with his widowed motlier to 
Illinois; while a student at Wabash College, Ind., 
in April, 1861, enlisted in the Union army, serv- 
ing gallantly and vs'ith distinction until Aug. 15, 



1865, when, as Colonel of the 37th 111. Vol. Inf., he 
retired with the rank of BrevetBrigadier-General; 
was admitted to tlie bar in 1857, and after practic- 
ing at Danville, Champaign and Urbana, in 1885 
was appointed Commissioner of Pensions, serving 
until 1889, when he removed to Chicago; served as 
Congressman-at-large (1893-95), and U. S. District 
Attorney (1895-99); Commander of the Loyal 
Legion and of the G. A. R. (Department of 
Illinois); was elected Commander-in-Chief of the 
Grand Army at the Grand Encampment, 1903. 
Gen. Black received the honorary degree of A.M. 
from his Alma Mater and that of LL. D. from Knox 
College; in January, 1904, was appointed by 
President Roosevelt member of the U. S. Civil 
Service Commission, and chosen its President. 

BLACKBURN UNIVERSITY, located at Car- 
linville, Macoupin County. It owes its origin to 
the efforts of Dr. Gideon Blackburn, who, having 
induced friends in the East to unite with him in 
the purchase of Illinois lands at Government 
price, in 1837 conveyed 16,656 acres of these 
lands, situated in ten different counties, in trust 
for the founding of an institution of learning, 
intended particularly "to qualify j'oung men for 
the gospel ministry. " The citizens of Carlinville 
donated funds wherewith to purchase eighty 
acres of land, near that city, as a site, which was 
included in the deed of trust. The enterprise 
lay dormant for many years, and it was not until 
1857 that the institution was formally incorpo- 
rated, and ten years later it was little more than 
a liigh scliool, giving one course of instruction 
considered particularlj^ adapted to prospective 
students of theologj'. At present (1898) there 
are about 110 students in attendance, a faculty 
of twelve instructors, and a theological, as well as 
preparatory and collegiate departments. The 
institution owns property valued at §110,000, of 
which 150,000 is represented by real estate and 
$40,000 by endowment funds. 

BLACK HAWK, a Chief of the Sac tribe of 
Indians, reputed to liave been born at Kaskaskia 
in 1767. (It is also claimed that he was born on 
Rock River, as well as within the present limits 
of Hancock County. ) Conceiving tliat his people 
had been wrongfully despoiled of lands belonging 
to them, in 1833 he inaugurated what is com- 
monly known as the Black Hawk War. His 
Indian name was Makabaimishekiakiak, signify- 
ing Black Sparrow Hawk. He was ambitious, but 
susceptible to flattery, and while having many of 
the qualities of leadership, was lacking in moral 
force. He was always attached to British inter- 
ests, and unquestionably received British aid of a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



49 



substantial sort. After his defeat he was made 
the ward of Keokuk, another Cliief, which 
Iiuiniliation of his pride broke his heart. He died 
on a reservation set apart for him in Iowa, in 
1838, aged 71. His body is said to have been 
exhumed nine months after death, and his articu- 
lated skeleton is alleged to have been preserved 
in the rooms of the Burlington (la.) Historical 
Society until 185.5, when it was destroyed by fire. 
(See also Black Hawk War: Appendix. ) 

BLACKSTONE, Timothy B., Railway Presi- 
dent, was born at Branford, Conn., March 28, 
1829. After receiving a common school educa- 
tion, supplemented by a course in a neigliboring 
academy, at 18 he began the practical study of 
engineering in a corps employed by the New 
York & New Hampshire Railway Company, and 
the same year became assistant engineer on the 
Stockbridge & Pittsfield Railway. While thus 
employed he applied himself diligently to the 
study of the tlieoretical science of engineering, 
and, on coming to Illinois in 1851, was qualified 
to accept and fill the position of division engineer 
(from Bloomington to Dixon) on the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railway. On the completion of the main 
line of that road in 1855, he was appointed Chief 
Engineer of tlie Joliet & Chicago Railroad, later 
becoming financially interested therein, and 
being chosen President of the corporation on the 
completion of the line. In January, 1864, the 
Chicago & Joliet was leased in perpetuity to the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad Company. Mr. Black- 
stone then became a Director in the latter organi- 
zation and, in April following, was chosen its 
President. This office he filled uninterruptedly 
until April 1,1899, when the road passed into the 
hands of a syndicate of other lines. He was also 
one of the original incorporators of the Union 
Stock Yards Company, and was its President from 
1864 to 1868. His career as a railroad man was con- 
spicuous for its long service, the uninterrupted 
success of his management of the enterprises 
entrusted to his hands and his studious regard for 
the interests of stockholders. This was illustrated 
by the fact that, for some thirty years, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad paid dividends on its preferred 
and common stock, ranging from 6 to 8Ji percent 
per annum, and, on disposing of his stock conse- 
quent on tlie transfer of the line to a new corpora- 
tion in 1899, Mr. Blackstone rejected offers for his 
stock — aggregating nearly one-third of the whole 
— which would have netted him $1,000,000 in 
excess of the amount received, because he was 
unwilling to use liis position to reap an advantage 
over smaller stockholders. Died, Mav 26, 1900. 



BLACKWELL, Robert S., lawyer, was born 
at Belleville, 111., in 1833. He belonged to a 
prominent family in the early history of the 
State, his fatlier, David Blackwell, who was also 
a lawyer and settled in Belleville about 1819, 
having been a member of the Second General 
Assembly (1820) from St. Clair County, and also 
of the Fourth and Fifth. In April, 1823, he was 
appointed by Governor Coles Secretary of State, 
succeeding Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, after- 
wards a Justice of tlie Supreme Court, who liad 
just received from President Monroe the appoint- 
ment of Receiver of Public Moneys at the 
Edwardsville Land Office. Mr. Blackwell served 
in the Secretary's office to October, 1824, during 
a part of the time acting as editor of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer," which had been removed from 
Kaskaskia to Vandalia, and in which he strongly 
opposed the policy of making Illinois a slave 
State. He finally died in Belleville. Robert 
Blackwell, a brother of David and the uncle of 
the subject of this sketch, was joint owner with 
Daniel P. Cook, of "The Illinois Herald" — after- 
wards "The Intelligencer" — at Kaskaskia, in 
1816, and in April, 1817, succeeded Cook in the 
office of Territorial Auditor of Public Accounts, 
being himself succeeded by Elijah C. Berry, who 
had become his partner on "The Intelligencer," 
and served as Auditor until the organization of 
the State Government in 1818. Blackwell & Berry 
were chosen State Printers after the removal of 
the State capital to Vandalia in 1820, serving in 
this capacity for some years. Robert Blackwell 
located at Vandalia and served as a member of 
the House from Fayette County in the Eighth 
and Ninth General Assemblies (1832-36) and in 
the Senate, 1840-42. Robert S.— the son of David, 
and the younger member of this somewhat 
famous and historic family — whose name stands at 
the head of this paragraph, attended the common 
schools at Belleville in his boyhood, but in early 
manhood removed to Galena, where he engaged 
in mercantile pursuits. He later studied law 
with Hon. O. H. BrowTiing at Quincy, beginning 
practice at Rushville. where he was associated 
for a time with Judge Minshall. In 1852 he 
removed to Chicago, having for his first partner 
Corydon Beckwith, afterwards of the Supreme 
Court, still later being associated with a number 
of prominent lawyers of that day. He is de- 
scribed by his biographers as "an able lawyer, an 
eloquent advocate and a brilliant scholar." 
"Blackwell on Tax Titles," from his pen, has been 
accepted by the profession as a high authority on 
that branch of law. He al.so published a revision 



50 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Statutes in 1858, and began an "Abstract 
of Decisions of the Supreme Court," which had 
reached the third or fourth volume at his death, 
May 16. 1863. 

BLAIR, WilliaiUj merchant, was born at 
Homer. Cortland County, N. Y., May 20, 1818, 
being descended through five generations of New 
England ancestors. After attending school in 
the town of Cortland, which became his father's 
residence, at the age of 14 he obtained employ- 
ment in a stove and hardware store, four years 
later (1836) coming to Joliet, 111., to take charge 
of a branch store which the firm had established 
there. The next year he purchased the stock and 
continued the business on his own account. In 
August, 1843, he removed to Chicago, where he 
established the earliest and one of the most 
extensive wholesale hardware concerns in that 
city, with which lie remained connected nearly 
fifty years. During this period he was associated 
with various partners, including C. B. Nelson, 
E. G. Hall, O. W. BeUlen, James H. Horton and 
others, besides, at times, conducting the business 
alone. He suffered by the fire of 1871 in common 
with other business men of Chicago, but promptly 
resumed business and, within the next two or 
three years, had erected business blocks, succes- 
sively, on Lake and Kandolph Streets, but retired 
from business in 1888. He was a Director of the 
Merchants' National Bank of Chicago from its 
organization in 1865, as also for a time of the 
Atlantic & Pacific Telegraph Company and the 
Chicago Gaslight & Coke Company, a Trustee of 
Lake Forest University, one of the Managers of 
the Presbyterian Hospital and a member of the 
Chicago Historical Society. Died in Chicago, 
May 10, 1899. 

BLAKELY, Darid, joirrnalist, was born in 
Franklin County, Vt., in 1834; learned the print- 
er's trade and graduated from tlie University of 
Vermont in 1857. He was a member of a musical 
family which, under the name of "The Blakely 
Family," made several successful tours of the 
West. He engaged in jovu-nalism at Rochester, 
Minn., and, in 1863, was elected Secretary of 
State and ex-oificio Superintendent of Schools, 
serving until 1865, when he resigned and, in 
partnership with a brother, bought "The Chicago 
Evening Post," with which he was connected at 
the time of the gi-eat fire and for some time after- 
ward. Later, he returned to Minnesota and 
became one of the proprietors and a member of 
the editorial staff of ' 'The St. Paul Pioneer-Press. ' ' 
In his later years Mr. Blakely was President of 
the Blakely Printing Company, of Chicago, also 



conducting a large printing busine.ss in New 
York, which was his residence. He was manager 
for several years of the celebrated Gilmore Band 
of musicians, and also instrumental in organizing 
tlie celebrated Sousa's Band, of which he was 
manager up to the time of his decease in New 
York, Nov. 7, 1896. 

BLAKEMAX, Curtiss, sea-captain, and pioneer 
settler, came from New England to Madison 
County, 111., in 1819, and settled in what was 
afterwards known as the "Marine Settlement," of 
which he was one of the founders. This settle- 
ment, of which the present to%vn of Slarine (first 
called Madison) was the outcome, took its name 
from the fact that several of the early settlers, like 
Captain Blakeman, were sea-faring men. Captain 
Blakeman became a prominent citizen and repre- 
sented Sladison County in the lower branch of 
the Tliird and Fourth General Assemblies (1823 
and 1824), in the former being one of the opponents 
of the pro-slavery amendment of the Constitution. 
A son of his, of the same name, was a Represent- 
ative in the Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
General Assemblies from Madison County. 

BLANCHARD, Jonathan, clergj'man and edu 
cator, was born in Rockingham, Vt., Jan. 19, 
1811; graduated at Middlebury College in 1832; 
then, after teaching some time, spent two years 
in Andover Theological Seminary, finally gradu- 
ating in theology at Lane Seminary, Cincinnati, 
in 1838, where he remained nine years as pastor 
of the Sixth Presbyterian Church of that city. 
Before this time he had become interested in 
various reforms, and, in 1843, was sent as a 
delegate to the second World's Anti-Slavery 
Convention in London, serving as the American 
Vice-President of that body. In 1846 he assumed 
the Presidency of Knox College at Galesburg, 
remaining until 1858, during his connection 
with that institution doing much to increase its 
capacity and resources. After two years spent in 
pastoral work, he accepted (1860) the Presidency 
of Wheaton College, which he continued to fill 
until 1882, when he was chosen President Emer- 
itus, remaining in this position until his death. 
May 14, 1892. 

BLANBINSTILLE, a town in McDonough 
County, on the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Rail- 
road, 36 miles southeast of Burlington, Iowa, and 
64 miles west by south from Peoria. It is a ship- 
ping point for the grain groivn in the surround- 
ing country, and has a grain elevatoi and steam 
flour and saw mills. It also has banks, two 
weekly newspapers and several churches. Popu- 
lation'dO"'^'! 877; (1900). 995. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



51 



BLANEY, Jerome Van Zaudt, early physician, 
born at Newcastle, Del., May 1, 1830; was edu- 
cated at Princeton and graduated in medicine at 
Philadelphia when too young to receive his 
diploma ; in 1842 came west and joined Dr. Daniel 
Brainard in founding Rush Medical College at 
Chicago, for a time filling three chairs in that 
institution ; also, for a time, occupied the chair of 
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy in Northwest- 
ern University. In 1861 he was appointed Sur- 
geon, and afterwards Medical Director, in the 
army, and was Surgeon -in-Chief on the staff of 
General Sheridan at the time of the battle of 
Winchester; after the war was delegated by the 
Government to pay off medical officers in the 
Northwest, in this capacity disbursing over .5000,- 
000: finally retiring with the rank of Lieutenant- 
Colonel. Died. Dec. 11, 18T-t. 

BLATCHFORD, Eliphalet Wickes, LL.D., 
son of Dr. John Blatchford, was born at Stillwater, 
N. Y. , May 31, 1826; being a grandson of Samuel 
Blatchford, D.D.,who came to New York from 
England, in 179.5. He prepared for college at Lan- 
singburg Academy. New York, and at Marion 
College, Mo., finally graduating at IlUnois College, 
Jacksonville, in the class of 1845. After graduat- 
ing, he was emploj^ed for several years in the law 
offices of his uncles, R. M. and E. H. Blatchford, 
New York. For considerations of health he re- 
turned to the West, and, in 1850, engaged in busi- 
ness for himself as a lead manufacturer in St. 
Louis, Mo., afterwards associating with him the 
late Morris Collins, under the firm name of Blatch- 
ford & Collins. In 1854 a branch vs-as established 
in Chicago, known as Collins & Blatchford. After 
a few years the firm was dissolved, Mr. Blatch- 
ford taking the Chicago business, which has 
continued as E. W. Blatchford & Co to the pres- 
ent time. While Mr. Blatchford has invariably 
declined political offices, he has been recognized 
as a stavmch Republican, and the services of few 
men have been in more frequent request for 
positions of trust in connection with educational 
and benevolent enterprises. Among the numer- 
ous positions of this character whjch he has been 
called to fill are those of Treasurer of the North- 
western Branch of the United States Sanitary 
Commission, during the Civil War, to which he 
devoted a large part of his time ; Trustee of Illi- 
nois College (1866-75); President of the Chicago 
Academj' of Sciences ; a member, and for seven- 
teen years President, of the Board of Trustees of 
the Chicago Eye and Ear Infirmary ; Trustee of 
the Chicago Art Institute ; Executor and Trustee 
of the late Walter L. Newberry, and, since its 



incorporation, President of the Board of Trustees 
of The Newberry Library; Trustee of the John 
Crerar Library; one of the fouuders and Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago 
Manual Training School; life member of the 
Chicago Historical Society; for nearly forty 
years President of the Board of Directors of the 
Chicago Theological Seminary; during his resi- 
dence in Chicago an officer of the New England 
Congregational Chiu-ch; a corporate member of 
the American Board of Commissioners for For- 
eign Missions, and for fourteen years its Vice- 
President; a charter member of the City 
Missionary Society, and of the Congregational 
Club of Chicago; a member of the Chicago 
Union League, the University, the Literary and 
the Commercial Clubs, of which latter he has 
been President. Oct. 7, 1858, Mr. Blatchford was 
married to Miss Mary Emily Williams, daughter 
of JohnC.WilHams, of Chicago. Seven children — 
four sons and three daughters — have blessed this 
union, the eldest son, Paul, being to-day one of 
Chicago's valued business men. Mr. Blatchford's 
life has been one of ceaseless and successful 
activity in business, and to him Chicago owes 
much of its prosperity. In the giving of time 
and money for Christian, educational and benevo- 
lent enterprises, he has been conspicuous for his 
generosity, and noted for his valuable counsel and 
executive ability in carrying these enterprises to 
success. 

BLATCHFORD, John, D.D., was born at New- 
field (now Bridgeport), Conn., May 24, 1799; 
removed in childhood to Lansingburg, N. Y., 
and was educated at Cambridge Academy and 
Union College in that State, graduating in 1820. 
He finished his theological course at Princeton, 
N. J., in 1823, after which he ministered succes- 
sively to Presbyterian churches at Pittstown and 
Stillwater, N. Y., in 1830 accepting the pastorate 
of the First Congregational Church of Bridge- 
port. Conn. In 1836 he came to the West, spend- 
ing the following winter at Jacksonville, 111. , and, 
in 1837, was installed the first pastor of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, where he 
remained until compelled by failing health to 
resign and return to the East. In 1841 he ac- 
cepted the chair of Intellectual and Moral Phi- 
losophy at Marion College, Mo., subsequently 
assuming the Presidency. The institution having 
been purchased by the Free Masons, in 1844, he 
removed to West Ely, Mo., and thence, in 1847, 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided during the 
remainder of his life. His death occurred in St. 
Louis, April 8, 1855. The churches he served 



52 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



testified strongly to Dr. Blatchford's faithful, 
acceptable and successftil performance of his 
ministerial duties. He was married in 1825 to 
Frances Wickes, daughter of Eliphalet Wickes, 
Esq., of Jamaica, Long Island, N. Y. 

BLEDSOE, Albert Taylor, teacher and law- 
yer, was born in Frankfort, Ky., Nov. 9, 1809; 
graduated at West Point Military Academy in 
1830, and, after two years' service at Fort Gib- 
son, Indian Territory, retired from the army in 
1832. During 1833-34 he was Adjimct Professor 
of Mathematics and teacher of French at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and, in 1835-36, Professor of 
Mathematics at Miami University. Then, hav- 
ing studied theology, he served for several years 
as rector of Episcopal churches in Ohio. In 1838 
he settled at Springfield, 111., and began the prac- 
tice of law, remaining several years, when he 
removed to Washington, D. C. Later he became 
Professor of Mathematics, first (1848-54) in the 
University of Mississippi, and (1854-61) in the 
University of Virginia. He then entered the 
Confederate service with the rank of Colonel, 
but soon became Acting Assistant Secretary of 
War ; in 1863 visited England to collect material 
for a work on the Constitution, which was pub- 
lished in 1866, when he settled at Baltimore, 
where he began the publication of "The Southern 
Review," which became the recognized organ of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Later 
he became a minister of the Methodist Church. 
He gained considerable reputation for eloquence 
during his residence in Illinois, and was the 
author of a number of works on reUgious and 
political subjects, the latter maintaining the 
right of secession; was a man of recognized 
ability, but lacked stability of character. Died 
at Alexandria, Va., Dec. 8, 1877. 

BLODGETT, Henry Williams, jurist, was born 
at Amherst, Mass., in 1821. At the age of 10 
years he removed with his parents to Illinois, 
where he attended the district schools, later 
returning to Amherst to spend a year at the 
Academy. Returning home, he spent the years 
1839-42 in teaching and surveying. In 1842 he 
began the study of law at Chicago, being 
admitted to the bar in 1845, and beginning prac- 
tice at Waukegan, 111., where he has continued 
to reside. In 1852 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature from Lake Coimty, as 
an anti-slavery candidate, and, in 1858, to the 
State Senate, in the latter serving four years. 
He gained distinction as a railroad solicitor, being 
employed at different times by the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 



Paul, the Michigan Southern and the Pittsburg 
& Fort Wayne Companies. Of the second named 
road he was one of the projectors, procuring its 
charter, and being identified with it in the sev- 
eral capacities of Attorney, Director and Presi- 
dent. In 1870 President Grant appointed him 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois. This position he 
continued to occupy for twenty-two years, resign- 
ing it in 1892 to accept an appointment by Presi- 
dent Cleveland as one of the counsel for the 
United States before the Behring Sea Arbitrators 
at Paris, which was his last official service. 

BLOOMIXGDALE, a village of Du Page County, 
30 miles west by north from Chicago. Population 
(1880), 226; (1890), 463; (1900), 235. 

BLOOMINGTON, the county-seat of McLean 
County, a flourishing city and railroad center, 59 
miles northeast of Springfield ; is in a rich agri- 
cultural and coal-mining district. Besides car 
shops and repair works employing some 2,000 
hands, there are manufactories of stoves, fur- 
naces, plows, flour, etc. Nurseries are numerous 
in the vicinity and horse breeding receives much 
attention. The city is the seat of Illinois Wes- 
leyan University, has fine public schools, several 
newspapers (two published daily), besides educa- 
tional and other publications. Tlie business sec- 
tion suffered a disastrous fire in 1900, but has been 
rebuilt more substantially than before. The prin- 
cipal streets are paved and electric street cars con- 
nect with Normal (two miles distant), the site of 
the "State Normal University" and "Soldiers' Or- 
phans' Home." Pop. (1890), 20,284; (1900), 23,386. 

BLOOMINGTON CONTENTION OF l.S,56. 
Although not formally called as such, this was 
the first Republican State Convention held in 
Illinois, out of which grew a permanent Repub- 
lican organization in the State. A mass conven- 
tion of those opposed to the repeal of the Missouri 
Compromise (known as an "Anti-Nebraska 
Convention") was held at Springfield during the 
week of the State Fair of 18.54 (on Oct. 4 and 5), 
and, although it adopted a platfoiTU in harmony 
with the principles which afterwards became the 
foundation of the Republican party, and appointed 
a State Central Committee, besides putting in 
nomination a candidate for State Treasurer — tlie 
only State officer elected that year — the organi- 
zation was not perpetuated, the State Central 
Committee failing to organize. The Bloomington 
Convention of 1856 met in accordance with a call 
issued by a State Central Committee appointed 
by the Convention of Anti-Nebraska editors held 
at Decatur on February 23, 1856. (See Anti-Neb- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



53 



raska Editorial Convention.) The call did not 
even contain the word "Republican," but was 
addressed to those opposed to the principles of 
the Nebraska Bill and the policy of the existing 
Democratic administration. The Convention 
met on May 29, 185(j, the date designated by the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, but was rather 
in the nature of a mass than a delegate conven- 
tion, as party organizations existed in few coun- 
ties of the State at that time. Consequently 
representation was very unequal and followed no 
systematic rule. Out of one hundred counties 
into which the State was then divided, only 
seventy were represented by delegates, ranging 
from one to twenty-five each, leaving thirty 
counties (embracing nearly the whole of the 
southern part of the State) entirely xinrepre- 
sented. Lee County had the largest representa- 
tion (twenty-five), Morgan County (the home of 
Richard Yates) coming next with twenty dele- 
gates, while Cook County had seventeen and 
Sangamon had five. The whole niunber of 
delegates, as shown by the contemporaneous 
record, was 269. Among the leading spirits in 
the Convention were Abraham Lincoln, Archi- 
bald Williams, O, H. Browning, Richard Yates, 
John M. Palmer, Owen Lovejoy, Norman B. 
Judd, Burton C. Cook and others who afterwards 
became prominent in State politics. The delega- 
tion from Cook County included the names of 
John Wentworth, Grant Goodrich, George 
Schneider, Mark Skinner, Charles H. Ray and 
Charles L. Wilson. The temporary organization 
was effected with Archibald Williams of Adams 
County in the chair, followed by the election of 
John M. Palmer of Macoupin, as Permanent 
President. The other officers were: Vice-Presi- 
dents — John A. Davis of Stephenson; William 
Ross of Pike; James McKee of Cook; John H. 
Bryant of Bureau; A. C. Harding of Warren; 
Richard Yates of Morgan; Dr. H. C. Johns of 
Macon; D. L. Phillips of Union; George Smith 
of Madison; Thomas A. Marshall of Coles ; J. M. 
Ruggles of Mason ; G. D. A. Parks of Will, and John 
Clark of Schuyler. Secretaries — Henrj- S. Baker 
of Madison ; Charles L. Wilson of Cook ; John 
Tillson of Adams; Washington Bushnell of La 
Salle, and B. J. F. Hanna of Randolph. A State 
ticket was put in nomination consisting of 
William H. Bissell for Governor (by acclama- 
tion); Francis A. Hoffman of Du Page County, 
for Lieutenant-Governor; Ozias M. Hatch of 
Pike, for Secretary of State; Jesse K. Dubois of 
Lawrence, for Auditor ; James Miller of McLean, 
for TreJisurer, and William H. Powell of Peoria, 



for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Hoff- 
man, having been found ineligible by lack of resi- 
dence after the date of naturalization, withdrew, 
and his place was subsequently filled by the 
nomination of Jolin Wood of Quincy. The plat- 
form adopted was outspoken in its pledges of 
unswerving loyalty to the Union and opposition 
to the extension of slavery into new territory. A 
delegation was appointed to the National Con- 
vention to be held in Philadelphia on June 17, 
following, and a State Central Committee was 
named to conduct the State campaign, consisting 
of James C. Conkling of Sangamon County; 
Asahel Gridley of McLean; Burton C. Cook of 
La Salle, and Charles H. Ray and Norman B. 
Judd of Cook. The principal speakers of the 
occasion, before the convention or in popular 
meetings held while the members were present in 
Bloomington, included the names of O. H. Brown- 
ing, Owen Lovejoy, Abraham Lincoln, Burton 
C. Cook, Richard Yates, the venerable John 
Dixon, foimder of the city bearing his name, and 
Governor Reeder of Pennsylvania, who had been 
Territorial Governor of Kansas by appointment 
of President Pierce, but had refused to carry out 
the policy of the administration for making 
Kansas a slave State. None of the speeches 
were fully reported, but that of Mr. Lincoln has 
been universally regarded by those who heard it 
as the gem of the occasion and the most brilliant 
of his life, foreshadowing his celebrated "house- 
divided-against-itself" speech of June 17, 1858. 
John L. Scripps, editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
cratic Press," writing of it, at the time, to his 
paper, said: "Never has it been our fortune to 
listen to a more eloquent and masterly presenta- 
tion of a subject. . . . For an hour and a half he 
(Mr. Lincoln) held the assemblage spellbound by 
the power of his argument, the intense irony of 
his invective, and the deep earnestness and fervid 
brilliancy of his eloquence. When he concluded, 
the audience sprang to their feet and cheer after 
cheer told how deeply their hearts had been 
touched and their souls warmed up to a generous 
enthusiasm." At the election, in November 
following, although the Democratic candidate 
for President carried the State by a plurality of 
over 9,000 votes, the entire State ticket put in 
nomination at Bloomington was successful by 
majorities ranging from 3,000 to 20.000 for the 
several candidates. 

BLUE ISLAND, a village of Cook County, on 
the Calumet River and the Chicago, Rock Island 
& Pacific, the Chicago & Grand Trunk and 
the Illinois Central Railways, 1.5 miles south of 



54 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Chicago. It has a higli school, churches and two 
newspapers, besides brick, smelting and oil works. 
Population (1890), 2,.521 ; (1900), 6,114 

BLUE ISL.\ND RAILROAD, a short line 3.96 
miles in length, l.ving wholly within Illinois; 
capital stock S25,000; operated by the Illinois 
Central Railroad Compan}^ Its funded debt 
(189.5) was 8100,000 and its iioating debt, §3,779. 

BLUE MOUND, a town of Macon County, on 
tlie Wabash Railway, 14 miles southeast of De- 
catur;; in ricli grain and live-stock region; has 
tliree grain elevators, two banks, tile factory and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 696; (1900), 714. 

BLUFFS, a village of Scott County, at the 
junction of the Quincy and Hannibal branches of 
the Wabash Railway, 53 miles west of Spring- 
field; has a bank and a newspaper. Population 
(1880), 163; (1890), 421: (1900), 539. 

BOAL, Robert, M.D., physician and legis- 
lator, born near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1806; was 
brought by his parents to Ohio when five years 
old and educated at Cincinnati, graduating from 
the Ohio Medical College in 1838; settled at 
Lacon, 111., in 1836, practicing there until 1863, 
when, having been appointed Surgeon of the 
Board of Enrollment for tlaat District, he re- 
moved to Peoria. Other public positions held by 
Dr. Boal have been those of Senator in the 
Fourteenth and Fifteenth General Assemblies 
(1844-48), Representative in the Nineteenth and 
Twentieth (1854-58), and Trustee of the Institu- 
tion for the Deaf and Dumb at Jacksonville, 
remaining in the latter position seventeen years 
under the successive administrations of Gov- 
ernors Bissell, Yates, Oglesby, Palmer and Bever- 
idge — the last five years of his service being 
President of the Board. He was also President 
of the State Medical Board in 1883. Dr. Boal 
continued to practice at Peoria until about 1890, 
when he retired, and, in 1893, returned to Lacon 
to reside with his daughter, the widow of the 
late Colonel Greenbury L. Fort, for eight years 
Representative in Congress from the Eighth 
District. 

BOARD OF ARBITRATION, a Bureau of the 
State Government, created by an act of the Legis- 
lature, approved August 3, 1895. It is appointed 
by the Executive and is composed of three mem- 
bers (not more than two of whom can belong to 
the same political party), one of whom must be 
an employer of labor and one a member of some 
labor organization. The term of office for the 
members first named was fixed at two years; 
after March 1, 1897, it is to be three years, one 
member retiring annually. A compensation of 



§1,500 per annum is allowed to each member of 
the Board, while the Secretary, who must also be 
a stenographer, receives a salary of 81.300 per 
annum. When a controversy arises between an 
individual, firm or corporation emploj-ing not less 
than twenty-five persons, and his or its employes, 
application may be made by the aggrieved 
party to the Board for an inquiry into the 
nature of the disagreement, or both parties maj' 
unite in the submission of a case. The Board is 
required to visit the locality, carefully investi- 
gate the cause of the dispute and render a deci- 
sion as soon as practicable, the same to be at once 
made public. If the application be filed by the 
employer, it must be accompanied bj' a stipula- 
tion to continue in business, and order no lock-out 
for the space of three weeks after its date. In 
like manner, complaining employes must promise 
to continue peacefully at work, under existing 
conditions, for a like period. The Board is 
granted power to send for persons and papers and 
to administer oaths to witnesses. Its decisions 
are binding upon applicants for six months after 
rendition, or until either party shall have given 
the other si.xtj' days' notice in writing of his or 
their intention not to be bound thereby. In case 
the Board shall learn that a disagreement exists 
between employes and an employer having less 
than twenty-five persons in liis employ, and that 
a strike or lock-out is seriously threatened, it is 
made the duty of the body to put itself into 
communication with both employer and employes 
and endeavor to effect an amicable settlement 
between them by mediation. The absence of any 
provision in the law prescribing penalties for its 
violation leaves the observance of the law, in its 
present form, dependent upon the voluntary 
action of the parties interested. 

BOARD OF EQUALIZATION, a body organ- 
ized under act of the General Assembl3', apjiroved 
March 8, 1867. It first consisted of twentj'-five 
members, one from each Senatorial District. 
The first Board was appointed by the Governor, 
holding office two years, aftervs'ards becoming 
elective for a term of four years. In 1873 the 
law was amended, reducing the number of mem- 
liers to one for each Congressional District, the 
whole number at that time becoming nineteen, 
with the Auditor as a member ex-officio, who 
usually presides. From 1884 to 1897 it consisted 
of twenty elective members, but, in 1897, it was 
increased to twenty-two. The Board meets 
annually on the second Tuesday of August. Tlie 
abstracts of the property assessed for taxation in 
the several counties of the State are laid before 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



55 



it for examination and equalization, but it may 
not reduce the aggregate valuation nor increase 
it more than one per cent. Its powers over the 
returns of the assessors do not extend beyond 
equalization of assessments between counties. 
The Board is required to consider the various 
classes of property separately, and determine 
such rates of addition to or deduction from tlie 
listed, or assessed, valuation of each class as it 
may deem equitable and just. The statutes pre- 
scribe rules for determining the value of all the 
classes of propert3' enumerated — personal, real, 
railroad, telegraph, etc. The valuation of the 
capital stock of railroads, telegraph and other 
corporations (except newspapers) is fixed by the 
Board. Its consideration having been completed, 
the Board is required to summarize the results of 
its labors in a comparative table, which must be 
again examined, compared and perfected. 
Reports of eacli annual meeting, with the results 
reached, are printed at the expense of the State 
and distributed as are other public documents. 
The present Board (1897-1901) consists by dis- 
tricts of (1) George F. McKnight, (2) John J. 
McKenna, (3) Solomon Simon, (4) Andrew Mc- 
Ansh, (5) Albert Oberndorf, (6) Henry Severin, 
(7) Edward S. Taylor, (8) Theodore S. Rogers, 
(9) Charles A. Works, (10) Thomas P. Pierce, (11) 
Samuel M. Barnes, (12) Frank P. Martin, (13) 
Frank K. Robeson, (14) W. O. Cadwallader, (15) 
J. S. Cruttenden, (16) H. D. Hirshheimer, (17) 
Thomas N. Leavitt, (18) Joseph F. Long, (19) 
Richard Cadle, (20) Charles Emerson, (21) John 
W. Larimer, (22) William A. Wall, besides the 
Auditor of Public Accounts as ex-ofRcio member 
— the District members being divided politically 
in the proportion of eighteen Republicans to four 
Democrats. 

BOARD OF PUBLIC CHARITIES, a State 
Bureau, created by act of the Legislature in 
1869, upon the recommendation of Governor 
Oglesby. The act creating the Board gives the 
Commissioners supervisory oversight of the 
financial and administrative conduct of all the 
charitable and correctional institutions of the 
State, with the exception of the penitentiaries, 
and they are especially charged with looking 
after and caring for the condition of the paupers 
and the insane. As originally constituted the 
Board consisted of five male members who em- 
ployed a Secretary. Later provision was made 
for the appointment of a female Commissioner. 
The office is not elective. The Board has always 
carefully scrutinized the accounts of tlie various 
State charitable institutions, and, under its man- 



agement, no charge of peculation against any 
official connected with the same has ever been 
substantiated ; there have been no scandals, and 
only one or two isolated charges of cruelty to 
inmates. Its supervision of the county jails and 
almshouses has been careful and conscientious, 
and has resulted in benefit alike to the tax-payers 
and the inmates. The Board, at the close of the 
year 1898, consisted of the following five mem- 
bers, their terms ending as indicated in paren- 
thesis: J. C. Corbus (1898), R, D. Lawrence 
(1899), Julia C. Lathrop (1900), William J. Cal- 
houn (1901), Ephraim Banning (1902). J. C. Cor- 
bus was President and Frederick H. Wines, 
Secretaiy. 

BOGARDUS, Charles, legislator, was born 
in Cayuga County. N. Y., March 28, 1841, and 
left an orphan at six yeai's of age ; was educated 
in the common schools, began working in a store 
at 12, and, in 1862, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Fifty-first New York Infantry, being elected 
First Lieutenant, and retiring from the service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel "for gallant and meritori- 
ous service" before Petersburg. While in the 
service he participated in some of the most 
important battles in Virginia, and was once 
wounded and once captured. In 1872 he located 
in Ford County. 111., wliere he has been a success- 
ful operator in real estate. He has been twice 
elected to the House of Representatives (1884 and 
'86) and three times to the State Senate (1888, 
'93 and '96), and has served on the most important 
committees in each house, and has proved him- 
self one of the most useful members. At the 
session of 189.5 he was chosen President 2^''o tern. 
of the Senate. 

BOtlGS, Carroll C, Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Fairfield, Wayne County, 
III., Oct. 19, 1844, and still resides in his native 
town; has held the offices of State's Attorney, 
County Judge of Wayne County, and Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Second Judicial Circuit, 
being assigned also to Appellate Court duty. In 
June, 1897, Judge Boggs was elected a Justice of 
the Supreme Court to succeed Judge David J. 
Baker, his term to continue until 1906. 

BOLTWOOD, Henry L., the son of WiUiam 
and Electa (Stetson) Bolt wood, was born at Am- 
herst, Mass., Jan. 17, 1831; fitted for college at 
Amherst Academy and graduated from Amherst 
College in 1853. While in college he taught 
school every winter, commencing on a salary of 
$4 per week and "boarding round" among the 
scliolars. After graduating he taught in acad- 
emies at Limerick, Me., and at Pembroke and 



56 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Derry, N. H., and in the high school at Law- 
rence, Mass. ; also served as School Commissioner 
for Rockingham County, N. H. In 1864 he went 
into the service of the Sanitary Commission in 
the Department of the Gulf, remaining xintil the 
close of the war ; was also ordained Cliaplain of a 
colored regiment, but was not regularlj' mustered 
in. After the close of the war he was employed 
as Superintendent of Schools at Griggsville, 111., 
for two years, and, while there, in 1867, organ- 
ized the first township high school ever organized 
in the State, where he remained eleven years. He 
afterwards organized the township high school at 
Ottawa, remaining there five years, after which, 
in 1883, he organized and took charge of the 
township high school at Evanston, where he has 
since been employed in his profession as a teacher. 
Professor Bolt wood has been a member of the State 
Board of Education and has served as President 
of the State Teachers' A.ssociation. As a teacher 
he lias given special attention to English language 
and literature, and to history, being the author 
of an English Grammar, a High School Speller 
and "Topical Outlines of General Historj'," 
besides many contributions to educational jour- 
nals. He has done a great deal of institute work, 
both in Illinois and Iowa, and has been known 
somewhat as a tariff reformer. 

BOND, Lester L., lawyer, was born at Raven- 
na, Ohio, Oct. 27, 1829; educated in the common 
schools and at an academy, meanwhile laboring 
in local factories; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in 1853, the following year coming to 
Chicago, where he has given his attention chiefly 
to practice in connection with patent laws. Mr. 
Bond served several terms in the Chicago City 
Council, was Republican Presidential Elector in 
1868, and served two terms in the General Assem- 
bly— 1866-70. 

BOND, Shadrach, first Territorial Delegate in 
Congress from Illinois and first Governor of the 
State, was born in Maryland, and, after being 
liberally educated, removed to Kaskaskia while 
Illinois was a part of the Northwest Territory. 
He served as a member of the first Territorial 
Legislature (of Indiana Territory) and was the 
first Delegate from the Territory of Illinois in 
Congress, serving from 1812 to 1814. In the 
latter year he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Moneys; he also held a commission as Captain in 
the War of 1812. On the admission of the State, 
in 1818. he was elected Governor, and occupied 
the executive chair until 1822. Died at Kaskas- 
kia, April 13, 1832.— Shadrach Bond, Sr., an uncle 
of the preceding, came to Illinois in 1781 and was 



elected Delegate from St. Clair County (then 
comprehending all Illinois) to the Territorial 
Legislature of Northwest Territory, in 1799, and, 
in 1804, to the Legislative Council of the newly 
organized TeiTitory of Indiana. 

BOND COUNTY, a small county lying north- 
east from St. Louis, having an area of 380 square 
miles and a population 1900) of 16,078. The 
first American settlers located here in 1807, com- 
ing from the South, and building Hill's and 
Jojies's forts for protection from the Indians. 
Settlement was slow, in 1816 there being scarcely 
twenty-five log cabins in the county. The 
county-seat is Greenville, where the first cabin 
was erected in 181.5 by George Davidson. The 
county was organized in 1818, and named in 
honor of Gov. Shadrach Bond. Its original 
limits included the present counties of Clinton, 
Fayette and Montgomery. The first court was 
held at Perryville, and, in May, 1817, Judge 
Jesse B. Thomas presided over the first Circuit 
Court at Hill's Station. The first court house 
was erected at Greenville in 1822. The county 
contains good timber and farming lands, and at 
some points, coal is found near the surface. 

BONNEY, Charles Carroll, lawyer and re- 
former, was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Sept. 4, 
1831 ; educated at Hamilton Academy and settled 
in Peoria, 111., in 1850, where he pursued the 
avocation of a teacher while studying law ; was 
admitted to the bar in 1852, but removed to Chi- 
cago in 1860, where he has since been engaged in 
practice; served as President of the National 
Law and Order League in New York in 1885, 
being repeatedly re-elected, and has also been 
President of the Illinois State Bar Association, as 
well as a member of the American Bar Associa- 
tion. Among the reforms wliich he has advo- 
cated are constitutional prohibition of special 
legislation ; an extension of equity practice to 
bankruptcy and other law proceedings ; civil serv- 
ice pensions; State Boards of labor and capital, 
etc. He has also published some treatises in book 
form, chiefly on legal questions, besides editing 
a volume of "Poems by Alfred W. Arrington, 
with a sketch of his Character" (1869.) As Presi- 
dent of the World's Congresses Auxiliary, in 1893, 
Mr. Bonney contributed largely to the success of 
that very interesting and important feature of 
the great Columbian Exposition in Chicago. 

BOONE, Levi D., M. D., early physician, was 
born near Lexington, Ky., December, 1808 — a 
descendant of the celebrated Daniel Boone; re- 
ceived the degree of M. D. from Transylvania 
University and came to Edwardsville. 111., at an 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



57 



early day, afterwards locating at Hillsboro and 
taking part in the Black Hawk War as Captain of 
a cavalrj- company; came to Chicago in 1836 and 
engaged in the insurance business, later resuming 
the practice of his profession; served several 
terms as Alderman and was elected Mayor in 
1855 by a combination of temperance men and 
Know- Nothings ; acquired a large property by 
operations in real estate. Died, February, 
1882 

BOO>'E COUNTY, the smallest of the "north- 
ern tier" of counties, having an area of only 290 
square miles, and a population (1900) of 15,791. 
Its surface is chiefly rolling prairie, and the 
principal products are oats and corn. The earli- 
est settlers came from New York and New Eng- 
land, and among them were included Medkiff, 
Bunham, Caswell, Cline, Towner, Doty and 
Whitney. Later (after the Pottawattomies had 
evacuated the country), came the Shattuck 
brothers, Maria HoUenbeck and Mrs. Bullard, 
Oliver Hale, Nathaniel Crosby, Dr. Whiting, H. 
C. Walker, and the Neeley and Mahoney families. 
Boone County was cut off from Winnebago, and 
organized in 1837, being named in honor of Ken- 
tucky's pioneer. The first frame house in the 
county was erected by S. F. Doty and stood for 
fifty years in the village of Belvidere on the north 
side of the Kishwaukee River. The county -seat 
(Belvidere) was platted in 1837, and an academy 
built soon after. Tlie first Protestant church 
was a Baptist society under the pastorate of Rev. 
Dr. King. 

BOURBONN AIS, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles north of 
Kankakee. Population (1890), 510; (1900), 595. 

BOUTELL, Henry Sherman, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Boston, Ma.ss., March 14, 
1856, graduated from the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evanston, 111., in 1874, and from Harvard 
in 1876; was admitted to the bar in Illinois in 
1879, and to that of the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1885. In 1884 Mr. Boutell was 
elected to the lower branch of the Thirty-fourth 
General Assembly and was one of the "103" who, 
in the long struggle during the following session, 
participated in the election of Gen. John A. 
Logan to the United States Senate for the last 
time. At a special election held in the Sixth 
Illinois District in November, 1897, he was 
elected Representative in Congress to fill the 
vacancy caused by the sudden death of his pred- 
ecessor. Congressman Edward D. Cooke, and at 
the regular election of 1898 was re-elected to the 
same position, receiving a plurality of 1,116 over 



his Democratic competitor and a majority of 719 
over all. 

BOUTO>', Nathaniel S., manufacturer, was 
born in Concord, N. H., May 14, 1828; in his 
youth farmed and taught school in Connecticut, 
but in 1852 came to Chicago and was employed 
in a foundry firm, of which he soon afterwards 
became a partner, in the manufacture of car- 
wheels and railway castings. Later he became 
associated with the American Bridge Company's 
works, which was sold to the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company in 1857, when he bought the 
Union Car Works, which he operated until 1863. 
He then became the head of the Union Foundry 
Works, which having been consolidated with 
the Pullman Car Works in 1886, he retired, 
organizing the Bouton Foundry Company. Mr. 
Bouton is a Republican, was Commissioner of 
Public Works for the city of Chicago two terms 
before the Civil War, and served as Assistant 
Quartermaster in the Eighty-eighth Illinois 
Infantry (Second Board of Trade Regiment) 
from 1862 until after the battle of Chickamauga. 

BOYD, Thomas A., was born in Adams County, 
Pa., June 25, 1830, and graduated at Marshall 
College, Mercersburg, Pa., at the age of 18; 
studied law at Chambersburg and was admitted 
to the bar at Bedford in his native State, where 
he practiced until 1856, when he removed to Illi- 
nois. In 1861 he abandoned his practice to enlist 
in the Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, in which he 
held the position of Captain. At the close of the 
war he returned to his home at Lewistown, and, 
in 1866, was elected State Senator and re-elected 
at the expiration of his term in 1870, serving in 
the Twenty-fifth, Twent3'-sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also a 
Republican Representative from liis District in 
the Forty-fifth and Forty-sixth Congresses 
(1877-81). Died, at Lewistown, May 28, 1897. 

BRACEVILIE, a town In Grundy County, 61 
miles by rail southwest of Chicago. Coal mining 
is the principal industry. The town has two 
banks, two churches and good public schools. 
Population (1890), 2,150; (1900), 1,669. 

BRADFORD, village of Stark County, on Buda 
and Rusliville branch Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway ; is in excellent farming region 
and has large grain and live-stock trade, excel- 
lent high school building, fine churches, good 
hotels and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 773. 

BRADSBY, William H., pioneer and Judge, 
was born in Bedford Count}', Va., July 12, 1787. 
He removed to Illinois earh' in life, and was the 
first postmaster in Washington County (at Gov- 



58 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ington), the first school-teacher and the first 
Circuit and County Clerk and Recorder. At the 
time of his death he was Probate and County 
Judge. Besides being Clerk of all the courts, he 
was virtually County Treasurer, as he had cus- 
tody of all the county's money. For several 
years he was also Deputy United States Surveyor, 
and in that capacity surveyed much of the south 
part of the State, as far east as Wayne and Clay 
Counties. Died at Nashville, 111 , August 21, 
1839. 

BRADWELL, James Bolesworth, lawyer and 
editor, was born at Loughborough, England, April 
16, 1828, and brought to America in infancy, his 
parents locating in 1829 or '30 at Utioa, N. Y. In 
1833 they emigrated to Jacksonville, lU., but the 
following year removed to "Wheeling, Cook 
County, settling on a farm, where the yoimger 
Bradwell received his first lessons in breaking 
prairie, splitting rails and tilling the soil. His 
first schooling was obtained in a country log- 
school-house, but, later, he attended the Wilson 
Academy in Chicago, where he had Judge Lo- 
renzo Sawyer for an instructor. He also took a 
course in Knox College at Galesburg, then a 
manual-labor school, supporting himself by work- 
ing in a wagon and plow shop, sawing wood, 
etc. In May, 1852, lie was married to Miss Myra 
Colby, a teacher, with whom he went to Mem- 
phis, Tenn., the same year, where they engaged 
in teaching a select school, the subject of this 
sketch meanwhile devoting some attention to 
reading law. He was admitted to the bar there, 
but after a stay of less than two years in Mem- 
phis, returned to Chicago and began practice. 
In 1861 he was elected County Judge of Cook 
County, and re-elected four years later, but 
declined a re-election in 1869. The first half of 
his term occurring during the progress of the 
Civil War, he had the opportunity of rendering 
some vigorous decisions which won for him the 
reputation of ,a man of courage and inflexible 
independence, as well as an incorruptible cham- 
pion of justice. In 1872 he was elected to the 
lower branch of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly from Cook County, and re-elected in 
1874. He was again a candidate in 1882, and by 
many believed to have been honestly elected, 
though his opponent received the certificate. He 
made a contest for the seat, and the majority of 
the Committee on Elections reported in his 
favor ; but he was defeated through the treach- 
ery and suspected corruption of a professed polit- 
ical friend. He is the author of the law making 
women eligible to school offices in Illinois and 



allowing them to become Notaries Public, and 
has always been a champion for equal rights for 
women in the professions and as citizens. He 
was a Second Lieutenant of the One Hundred and 
Fifth Regiment, Illinois Militia, in 1848 ; presided 
over the American Woman's Suffrage Associa- 
tion at its organization in Cleveland; has been 
President of the Chicago Press Club, of the Chi- 
cago Bar Association, and, for a number of years, 
the Historian of the latter ; one of the founders 
and President of the Union League Club, besides 
being associated with many other social and 
business organizations. At present (1899) he is 
editor of "The Chicago Legal News," founded by 
his wife thirty years ago, and with which he has 
been identified in a business capacity from its 
establishment. — Myra Colby (Bradwell), the wife 
of Judge Bradwell, was born at Manchester, Vt. , 
Feb. 12, 1831 — being descended on her mother's 
side from the Chase family to which Bishop 
Philander Chase and Salmon P. Chase, the latter 
Secretary of the Treasury and Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court by appointment of Abraham 
Lincoln, belonged. In infancy she was brought 
to Portage, N. Y. , where she remained until she 
was twelve years of age, when her family re- 
moved west. She attended school in Kenosha, 
Wis., and a seminary at Elgin, afterwards being 
engaged in teaching. On May 18, 1852, she was 
married to Judge Bradwell, almost immediately 
going to Memphis, Tenn. , where, with the assist- 
ance of her husband, she conducted a select school 
for some time, also teaching in the public schools, 
when they returned to Chicago. In the early 
part of the Civil War she took a deep interest in 
the welfare of the soldiers in the field and their 
families at home, becoming President of the 
Soldiers' Aid Society, and was a leading spirit in 
the Sanitary Fairs held in Chicago in 1863 and in 
1865. After the war she commenced the study 
of law and, in 1868, began the publication of 
"The Chicago Legal News," with which she re- 
mained identified until her death — also publishing 
biennially an edition of the session laws after 
each session of the General Assembly. After 
passing a most creditable examination, appUca- 
tion was made for her admission to the bar in 
1871, but denied in an elaborate decision rendered 
by Judge C. B. Lawrence of the Supreme Court 
of the State, on the sole ground of sex, as 
was also done by the Supreme Court of the 
United States in 1873, on the latter occasion 
Chief Justice Chase dissenting. She was finally 
admitted to the bar on March 28, 1892, and was 
the first lady member of the State Bar Associ- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



59 



ation. Other organizations with which she was 
identified embraced the Illinois State Press 
Association, the Board of Managers of the Sol- 
diers' Home (in war time), the "Illinois Industrial 
School for Girls" at Evanston, the Washingtonian 
Home, the Board of Lady Managers of the 
World's Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of 
the Woman's Committee on Jurisprudence of the 
World's Congress Auxiliary of 1893. Although 
much before the public during the latter years of 
her life, she never lost the refinement and graces 
which belong to a true woman. Died, at her 
home in Chicago, Feb. 14, 1894. 

BRAIDWOOD, a city in Will County, incorpo- 
rated in 1860 ; is 58 miles from Chicago, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad: an important coal- 
mining point, and in the heart of a rich 
agricultural region. It has a bank and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (I8?i0), 4,641 ; (1900), 3,279. 

BRANSOX, Xathaniel W., lawyer, was born in 
Jacksonville, 111., May 29, 1837; was educated in 
the private and public schools of that city and at 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in 
1857 ; studied law with David A. Smith, a promi- 
nent and able lawyer of Jacksonville, and was 
admitted to the bar in January, 1860, soon after 
establishing himself in practice at Petersburg, 
Menard County, where he has ever since resided. 
In 1867 Mr. Branson was appointed Register in 
Bankruptcy for the Springfield District — a po- 
sition which he held thirteen years. He was also 
elected Representative in the General Assembly 
in 1873, b}- re-election in 1874 serving four years 
in the stormy Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth 
General Assemblies ; was a Delegate from Illinois 
to the National Republican Convention of 1876, 
and served for several years most efficiently as a 
Trustee of the State Institution for the Blind at 
Jacksonville, part of the time as President of the 
Board. Politically a conservative Republican, 
and in no sense an office-seeker, the official po- 
sitions which he has occupied have come to him 
unsought and in recognition of his fitness and 
capacity for the proper discharge of their duties. 

DRAYMAN, Mason, lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 23, 1813; brought up 
as a farmer, became a printer and edited "The 
Buffalo Bulletin," 1834-35; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1836; removed west in 
1837, was City Attorney of Monroe, Mich., in 1838 
and became editor of "The Louisville Adver- 
tiser" in 1841. In 1843 he opened a law office in 
Springfield, 111., and the following year was 
appointed by Governor Ford a commissioner to 
adjust the Mormon troubles, in which capacity 



he rendered valuable service. In 1844-45 he was 
appointed to revise the statutes of the State. 
Later he devoted much attention to railroad 
enterprises, being attorney of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, 1851-55; then projected the construc- 
tion of a railroad from Bird's Point, opposite 
Cairo, into Arkansas, which was partially com- 
pleted before the war, and almost wholly de- 
stroyed during that period. In 1861 he entered 
the service as Major of the Twenty-ninth IlUnois 
Volunteers, taking part in a niunber of the early 
battles, including Fort Donelson and Shiloh; 
was promoted to a colonelcy for meritorious con- 
duct at the latter, and for a time served as 
Adjutant-General on the staff of General McCler- 
nand; was promoted Brigadier-General in Sep- 
tember, 1863, at the close of the war receiving 
the brevet rank of Major-General. After the 
close of the war he devoted considerable atten- 
tion to reviving his railroad enterprises in the 
South; edited "The Illinois State Journal," 
1872-73; removed to Wisconsin and was ap- 
pointed Governor of Idaho in 1876, serving four 
years, after which he returned to Ripon. Wis. 
Died, in Kansas City, Feb. 37, 1895. 

BREESE, a village in Clinton County, on 
Baltimore & Ohio S. W. Railway, 39 miles east of 
St. Louis; has coal mines, water system, bank and 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 808, (1900), 1,571. 

BREESE, Sidney, statesman and jurist, was 
born at Whitesboro, N. Y., (according to the 
generally accepted authority) July 15, 1800. 
Owing to a certain sensitiveness about his age in 
his later years, it has been exceedingly difficult 
to secure authentic data on the subject; but his 
arrival at Kaskaskia in 1818, after graduating at 
Union College, and his admission to the bar in 
1820, have induced many to believe that the date 
of his birth should be placed somewhat earlier. 
He was related to some of the most prominent 
families in New York, including the Livingstons 
and the Morses, and, after his arrival at Kaskas- 
kia, began the study of law with his friend Elias 
Kent Kane, afterwards United States Senator. 
Meanwhile, having served as Postmaster at Kas- 
kaskia, he became Assistant Secretary of State, 
and, in December, 1820, superintended the re- 
moval of the archives of that office to 'Vandalia, 
the new State capital. Later he was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney, serving in that position 
from 1822 till 1827, when he became United 
States District Attorney for Illinois. He was 
the first official reporter of the Supreme Court, 
issuing its first volume of decisions; served as 
Lieutenant-Colonel of volunteers during the 



60 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Black Hawk War (1832) ; in 1835 was elected to 
the circuit bench, and, in 1841, was advanced to 
the Supreme bench, serving less than two years, 
when he resigned to accept a seat in the United 
States Senate, to which he was elected in 1843 as 
the successor of Richard M. Young, defeating 
Stephen A. Douglas in the first race of the latter 
for the office. While in the Senate (1843-49) he 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Public 
Lands, and was one of the first to suggest the 
construction of a transcontinental railway to the 
Pacific. He was also one of the originators and 
active promoters in Congress of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad enterprise. He was Sjjeaker of the 
Illinois House of Representatives in 1851 , again 
became Circuit Judge in 1855 and returned to 
the Supreme bench in IS.'i" and served more than 
one term as Chief Justice, the last being in 
1873-74. His home during most of his public life 
in Illinois was at Carlyle. His death occurred 
at Pinckneyville, June 38. 1878. 

BEENTANO, Lorenzo, was born at Mannheim, 
in the Grand Duchy of Baden, Germany, Nov. 
14, 1813; was educated at the Universities of 
Heidelberg and Freiburg, receiving the degree of 
LL.D., and attaining high honors, both profes- 
sional and political. He was successively a 
member of the Baden Chamber of Deputies and 
of the Frankfort Parliament, and always a leader 
of the revolutionist party. In 1849 he became 
President of the Provisional Republican Gov- 
ernment of Baden, but was, before long, forced 
to find an asylum in the United States. He first 
settled in Kalamazoo County, Mich. , as a farmer, 
but, in 1859, removed to Chicago, where he was 
admitted to the Illinois bar, but soon entered the 
field of journalism, becoming editor and part 
proprietor of "The Illinois Staats Zeitung." He 
held various public offices, being elected to the 
Legislature in 1862, serving five years as Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Education, was a 
Republican Presidential Elector in 1808, and 
United States Consul at Dresden in 1872 (a gen- 
eral amnesty having been granted to the 
participants in the revolution of 1848), and 
Representative in Congress from 1877 to 1879. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 17, 1891. 

BRIDGEPORT, a town of Lawrence County, 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 
14 miles west of Vincennes, Ind. It has a bank 
and one weekly paper. Population (1900), 487. 

BRIDGEPORT, a former suburb (now a part of 
the city) of Chicago, located at the junction of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal with the South 
Branch of the Chicago River. It is now the 



center of the large slaughtering and packing 
industry. 

BRIDGEPORT & SOUTH CHICAGO RAIL- 
WAY. (See Oiicago & Northern Pacific Railroad.) 

BRIGHTON, a village of Macoupin County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago & Alton and the 
Rock Island and St. Louis branch of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railways; coal is mined 
here; has a newspaper. Population (1880), 691; 
(1890), 697; (1900), 660. 

BRIMFIELD, a town of Peoria County, on the 
Buda and Rushville branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 38 miles south of 
Buda; coalmining and farming are the chief 
industries. It has one weekly paper and a bank. 
Population (1880), 832; (1890), 719; (1900), 077. 

BRISTOL, Frank Milton, clergyman, was bom 
in Orleans County, N. Y., Jan. 4, 1851; came 
to Kankakee, 111., in boyhood, and having lost 
his father at 12 years of age, spent the following 
years in various manual occupations until about 
nineteen years of age, when, having been con- 
verted, he determined to devote his life to the 
ministry. Tlirough the aid of a benevolent lady, 
he was enabled to get two years' (1870-72) instruc- 
tion at the Northwestern University, at Evans- 
ton, afterwards supporting himself by preaching 
at various points, meanwhile continuing his 
studies at the University until 1877. After com- 
pleting his course he served as pastor of some of 
the most prominent Methodist churches in Chi- 
cago, his last charge in the State being at Evans- 
ton. In 1897 he was transferred to Washington 
City, becoming pastor of the Metropolitan M. E. 
Church, attended by President McKinley. Dr. 
Bristol is an author of some repute and an orator 
of recognized ability. 

BROADWELL, Norman M., lawyer, was born 
in Morgan County, 111., August 1, 1825; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and at McKendree 
and Illinois Colleges, but compelled by failing 
health to leave college without graduating; spent 
some time in the book business, then began the 
study of medicine with a view to benefiting his 
own health, but finally abandoned this and, about 
1850, commenced the study of law in the office of 
Lincoln & Herndon at Springfield. Having been 
admitted to the bar, he practiced for a time at 
Pekin, but, in 1854, returned to Springfield, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. In 1860 
he was elected as a Democrat to the House of 
Representatives from Sangamon County, serving 
in the Twenty -second General Assembly. Other 
offices held by him included those of County 
Judge (1863-65) and Mayor of the city of Spring- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



61 



field, to which last position he was twice elected 
(1S6T and again in 1869). Judge Broadwell was 
one of the most genial of men, popular, high- 
luinded and honorable in all his dealings. Died, 
in Springfield, Feb. 28, 1893. 

BROOKS, John Flavel, educator, was born 
in Oneida County, Xew York, Dec. 3, 1801 ; 
graduated at Hamilton College, 1828; studied 
three years in the theological department of Yale 
College ; was ordained to the Presbyterian min- 
istry in 1831, and came to Illinois in the service 
of the American Home 3Iissionary Society. 
After preaching at CoUiusville, Belleville and 
other points, 5Ir. Brooks, who was a member of 
the celebrated "Yale Band," in 1837 assumed the 
principalship of a Teachers' Seminary at AVaverly, 
Morgan Count)', but three years later removed to 
Springfield, where he established an academy for 
both sexes. Although finally compelled to 
abandon this, he continued teaching with some 
interruptions to within a few years of his death, 
which occurred in 1886. He was one of the Trus- 
tees of Illinois College from its foundation up to 
his death. 

BROSS, William, journalist, was born in Sus- 
sex County, X. J., Nov. 14, 1813, and graduated 
with honors from Williams College in 1838, hav- 
ing previously developed his physical strengtli 
by much hard work upon the Delaware and 
Hudson Canal, and in the lumbering trade. For 
five years after graduating he was a teacher, and 
settled in Chicago in 1848. Th3re he first engaged 
in bookselling, but later embarked in journalism. 
His first publication was "The Prairie Herald," a 
religious paper, which was discontinued after 
two years. In 1852, in connection with John L. 
Scripps, he founded "The Democratic Press," 
which was consolidated with "Tlie Tribune" in 
1858, Jlr. Bross retaining his connection with the 
new concern. He was always an ardent free- 
soiler, and a firm believer in the great future of 
Chicago and the Northwest. He was an enthusi- 
astic Republican, and, in 1856 and 1860, sert'ed as 
an effective campaign orator. In 1864 he was 
the successful nominee of his party for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor. This was his only official position 
outside of a membership in the Chicago Common 
Council in 1855. As a presiding officer, he was 
dignified j-et affable, and his impartiality was 
shown by the fact that no appeals were taken 
from his decisions. After quitting public life he 
devoted much time to literary pursuits, deliver- 
ing lectures in various parts of the country. 
Among his best known works are a brief "His- 
tory of Chicago," "History of Camp Douglas," 



and "Tom Quick." Died, in Chicago, Jan. 27, 
1890. 

BROWN, Henry, lawyer and historian, was 
born at Hebron. Tolland County, Conn., May 18, 
1789 — the son of a commissary in the army of 
General Greene of Revolutionary fame; gradu- 
ated at Yale College, and, when of age, removed 
to New York, later studying law at Albany, 
Canandaigua and Batavia, and being admitted to 
the bar about 1813, when he settled dovra in 
practice at Cooperstown; in 1816 was appointed 
Judge of Herkimer County, remaining on the 
bench until about 1824. He then resumed prac- 
tice at Cooperstown, continuing until 1836, when 
he removed to Chicago. The following year he 
was elected a Justice of the Peace, serving two 
years, and, in 1842, became Prosecuting Attorney 
of Cook County. During this period he was 
engaged in writing a "History of Illinois," which 
was published in New York in 1844 This was 
regarded at the time as the most voluminous and 
best digested work on Illinois history that had as 
yet been published. In 1846, on assuming the 
Presidency of tlie Chicago Lyceum, he delivered 
an inaugural entitled "Chicago, Present and 
Future," which is still preserved as a striking 
prediction of Chicago's future greatness. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, he became a Freesoiler in 1848. 
Died of cholera, in Chicago, May 16, 1849. 

BROWN, James B., journalist, was born in 
Gilmanton, Belknap County, N. H., Sept. 1, 
1833 — his father being a member of the Legisla- 
ture and Selectman for his town. The son was 
educated at Gilmanton Academy, after which he 
studied medicine for a time, but did not gradu- 
ate. In 1857 he removed West, first settling at 
Duuleith, Jo Daviess County, 111., where he 
became Principal of the public schools; in 1861 
was elected County Superintendent of Schools 
for Jo Daviess County, removing to Galena two 
years later and assuming the editorship of "The 
Gazette" of that city. Mr. Brown also served as 
Postmaster of Galena for several years. Died, 
Feb. 13, 1896. 

BROWN, James N., agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 1, 
1806; came to Sangamon County, 111., in 1833, 
locating at Island Grove, where he engaged 
extensively in farming and stock-raising. He 
served as Representative in the General Assem- 
blies of 1840, '42, '46, and '52, and in the last was 
instruniental in securing the incorporation of the 
Illinois State Agricultural Societj', of which he 
was chosen the first President, being re-elected in 
1854. He was one of the most enterprising grow- 



62 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ers of blooded cattle in the State and did much to 
introduce them in Central Illinois; was also an 
earnest and influential advocate of scientific 
education for the agricultural classes and an 
efficient colaborer with Prof. J. B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, in securing the enactment by Con- 
gress, in 1862, of the law granting lands for the 
endowment of Industrial Colleges, out of which 
grew the Illinois State University and institu- 
tions of like character in other States. Died, 
Nov. 16, 1868. 

BROWN, William, lawyer and jurist, was born 
June 1, 1819, in Cumberland, England, his par- 
ents emigrating to this country wlien lie was 
eight years old, and settling in Western New 
York. He was admitted to the bar at Rochester, 
in October, 1845, and at once removed to Rock- 
ford, 111., where he commenced practice. In 1853 
he was elected State's Attorney for the Four- 
teenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1857, was chosen 
Mayor of Rockford. In 1870 he was elected to 
the bench of the Circuit Court as successor to 
Judge Sheldon, later was promoted to the Su- 
preme Court, and was re-elected successively in 
1873, in '79 and '85. Died, at Rockford, Jan. 15, 
1891. 

BROWN, William H., lawyer and financier, 
was born in Connecticut, Dec. 20, 1796; spent 
his boyhood at Auburn, N. Y., studied law, and, 
in 1818, came to Illinois with Samuel D. Lock- 
wood (afterwards a Justice of the State Supreme 
Court), descending the Ohio River to Shawnee- 
town in a flat-boat. Mr. Brown visited Kaskas- 
kia and was soon after appointed Clerk of the 
United States District Court by Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, removing, in 1820, to Vandalia, the new 
State capital, where he remained until 1835. He 
then removed to Chicago to accept the position of 
Cashier of the Chicago branch of the State Bank 
of Illinois, which he continued to fill for many 
years. He served the city as School Agent for 
thirteen years (1840-53), managing the city's 
school fund through a critical period with great 
discretion and success. He was one of the group 
of early patriots who successfully resisted the 
attempt to plant slavery in Illinois in 1823-24; 
was also one of the projectors of the Chicago & 
Galena Union Railroad, was President of the 
Chicago Historical Society for seven years and 
connected witli many other local enterprises, 
lie was an ardent personal friend of President 
Lincoln and served as Representative in the 
Twenty-second General Assembly (1860-62). 
While making a tour of Europe he died of paraly- 
sis at Amsterdam, June 17, 1867. 



BROWN COUNTY, situated in the western 
part of the State, with an area of 300 square 
miles, and a population (1890) of 11,951; was cut 
off from Schuyler and made a separate county in 
May, 1839, being named in honor of Gen. Jacob 
Brown. Among the pioneer settlers were the 
Vandeventers and Hambaughs, John and David 
Six, WilUam McDaniel, Jeremiah Walker, 
Willis O'Neil, Harry Lester, John Ausmus and 
Robert H. Curry. The county-seat is Mount 
Sterling, a town of no little attractiveness. 
Other prosperous villages are Mound Station and 
Ripley. The chief occupation of the people is 
farming, although there is some manufacturing 
of lumber and a few potteries along the Illinois 
River. Population (1900), 11,557. 

BROWNE, Francis Fisher, editor and author, 
was born hi South Halifax, Vt., Dec. 1, 1843, the 
son of William Goldsmith Browne, who was a 
teacher, editor and author of the song "A Hun- 
dred Years to Come." In childhood he was 
brought by his parents to Western Massachusetts, 
where he attended the public schools and learned 
the printing trade in his father's newspaper 
office at Chicopee, Mass. Leaving school in 1802, 
he enlisted in the Forty-sixth Regiment Massa- 
chusetts Volimteers, in which he served one 
year, chiefly in North Carolina and in the Army 
of the Potomac. On the discharge of his regi- 
ment he engaged in the study of law at Roches- 
ter, N. Y,, entering the law department of the 
University of Michigan in 1866, but abandoning 
his intenton of entering the legal profession, 
removed to Chicago in 1867, where he engaged in 
journalistic and literary pursuits. Between 1869 
and '74 he was editor of "The Lakeside Monthly," 
when he became literary editor of "The Alliance," 
but, in 1880, he established and assumed the 
editorship of "The Dial," a purely literary pub- 
lication which has gained a high reputation, and 
of wiiich he has remained in control continuously 
ever since, meanwhile serving as the literary 
adviser, for many years, of the well-known pub- 
lishing house of McClurg & Co. Besides his 
journalistic work, Mr. Browne has contributed 
to the magazines and literary anthologies a num- 
ber of short lyrics, and is the author of "The 
Everyday Life of Abraham Lincoln" (1886), and 
a volume of poems entitled, "Volunteer Grain" 
(1893). He also compiled and edited "Golden 
Poems by British and American Authors" (1881); 
"The Golden Treasury of Poetry and Prose" 
(1886), and the "Laurel Crowned"series of stand- 
ard poetry (1891-92). Mr. Browne was Chairman 
of the Committee of the Congress of Authors in 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



63 



the World's Congress Auxiliary held in con- 
nection with The Columbian Exposition in 
1893. 

BROWNE, Tkoiuai^ C, early jurist, was born in 
Kentucky, studied law there and, coming to 
Shawneetown in 1813, served in the lower branch 
of the Second Territorial Legislature (1814-16) 
and in the Council (1816-18), being tlie first law- 
yer to enter that body. In 181.'5 he was appointed 
Prosecuting Attorney and. on the admission of 
Illinois as a State, was promoted to the Supreme 
bench, being re-elected by joint ballot of the 
Legislatm'e in 1825, and serving continuously 
until the reorganization of the Supreme Court 
under the Constitution of 1848, a period of over 
thirty years. Judge Browne's judicial character 
and abilities have been differentlj' estimated. 
Though lacking in industry as a student, he is 
represented by the late Judge John D. Caton, 
who knew him personally, as a close thinker and 
a good judge of men. AVhile seldom, if ever, 
accustomed to argue questions in the conference 
room or write out his opinions, he had a capacity 
for expressing himself in short, pungent sen- 
tences, which indicated that he was a man of con- 
siderable ability and had clear and distinct views 
of his own. An attempt was made to impeach 
him before the Legislature of 1843 "for want of 
capacity to discharge the duties of his office," 
but it failed by an abnost unanimous vote. He 
was a AVliig in politics, but had some strong sup- 
porters among Democrats. In 1822 Judge Browne 
was one of the four candidates for Governor — in 
the final returns standing third on the list and, by 
dividing the vote of the advocates of a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution, contributing to 
the election of Governor Coles and the defeat of 
the pro-slavery party. (See Coles, Edirard, and 
Slaverj/ and Slave Laics.) In the latter part of 
his official term Judge Browne resided at Ga- 
lena, but, in 1833, removed with his son-in-law, 
ex-Congressman Joseph P. Hoge. to San Fran- 
cisco, Cal., where he died a few years later — 
probably alx)ut 18.56 or 1858. 

BROWNING, OrTille Hickman, lawyer. United 
States Senator and Attorney-General, was born 
in Harrison Coimty. Ky. , in 1810. After receiv- 
ing a classical education at Augu.sta in his native 
State, he removed to Quincy, 111., and was 
admitted to the bar in 1831. In 1832 he served 
in the Black Hawk War, and from 1836 to 1843, 
was a member of the Legislature, serving in both 
houses. A personal friend and political adherent 
of Abraham Lincoln, he aided in the organization 
of tlie Republican party at the memorable 



Bloomington Convention of 1856. Asa delegate 
to the Chicago Convention in 1860, he aided in 
securing Mr. Lincoln's nomination, and was a 
conspicuous supporter of the Government in the 
Civil War. In 1861 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Yates United States Senator to fill Senator 
Douglas' unexpired term, serving until 1863. In 
1866 he became Secretary of 'the Interior by ap- 
pointment of President Johnson, also for a time 
discharging the duties of Attornej'-General. 
Returning to Illinois, he was elected a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, which 
was his last participation in public affairs, his 
time thereafter being devoted to his profession. 
He died at his home in Quincy, 111., August 10, 
1881. 

BRYAN, Silas Lillard, legislator and jurist, 
born in Culpepper Coimtj', Va., Nov. 4, 1822; %vas 
left an orphan at an early age, and came %vest in 
1840, living for a time with a brother near Troy, 
Mo. Tlie following j'ear he came to Marion 
County, III., where he attended school and 
worked on a farm; in 1843 entered McKendree 
College, graduating in 1849, and two years later 
was admitted to the bar, supporting liimself 
meanwhile by teaching. He settled at Salem, 
111., and, in 1832, was elected as a Democrat to 
the State Senate, in which body he sers-ed for 
eight years, being re-elected in 1856. In 1861 he 
was elected to the bench of the Second Judicial 
Circuit, and again chosen in 1867, his second 
term expiring in 1873. While serving as Judge, 
he was also elected a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He was an imsuc- 
cessful candidate for Congress on the Greeley 
ticket in 1873. Died at Salem, March 30, 1880.— 
William Jenninars (Biyan), son of the preceding, 
was born at Salem, 111., JIarch 19, 1860. The early 
life of young Bryan was spent on his father's 
farm, but at the age of ten years lie began to 
attend the public school in town ; later spent two 
years in Whipple Academy, ,tbe preparatory 
department of Illinois CoUege at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1881, gi-aduated from the college proper as 
the valedictorian of liis class. Then he devoted 
two years to the study of law in the Union Law 
School at Cliicago, meanwhile acting as clerk and 
studying in the law office of ex-Senator Lyman 
Trumbull. Having graduated in law in 1883, lie 
soon entered upon the practice of his profession 
at Jacksonville as the partner of Judge E. P. 
Kirby, a well-known lawyer and prominent 
Republican of that city. Four years later (1887) 
found him a citizen of Lincoln, Neb., which has 
since been his home. He took a prominent part 



64 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in the politics of Nebraska, stumping the State 
for the Democratic nominees in 1888 and '89, and 
in 1S90 received the Democratic nomination for 
Congi-ess in a district wliich had been regarded 
as strongl}' Republican, and was elected by a 
large majority. Again, in 1892, he was elected 
by a reduced majority, but two years later 
declined a renomination, though proclaiming 
himself a free-silver candidate for the United 
States Senate, meanwhile officiating as editor of 
"The Omaha World-Herald." In July, 1896, he 
received the nomination for President from the 
Democratic National Convention at Chicago, on 
a platform declaring for the "free and imlimited 
coinage of silver" at the ratio of sixteen of silver 
(in weight) to one of gold, and a few weeks later 
was nominated by the "Populists" at St. Louis 
for the same office — being the youngest man ever 
put in nomination for the Presidency in the his- 
tory of the Government. He conducted an 
active personal campaign, speaking in nearly 
every Northern and Middle Western State, but 
was defeated by his Republican opponent. Maj. 
William McKinley. Mr. Brj-an is an easy and 
fluent speaker, possessing a voice of unusual 
compass and power, and is recognized, even by 
Ms political opponents, as a man of pure personal 
character. 

BRYAN, Thomas Barbour, lawyer and real 
estate operator, was born at Alexandria, Va., 
Dec. 23, 1828, being descended on the maternal 
side from the noted Barbour family of that 
State ; graduated in law at Harvard, and, at the 
age of twenty -one, settled in Cincinnati. In 
1852 he came to Chicago, where he acquired ex- 
tensive i"eal estate interests and built Bryan 
Hall, which became a popular place for en- 
tertainments. Being a gifted speaker, as well 
as a zealous Unionist, Mr. Bryan was chosen 
to deliver the address of welcome to Senator 
Douglas, when that statesman returned to 
Chicago a few weeks before his death in 1861. 
During the jsrogress of the war he devoted his 
time and his means most generously to fitting out 
soldiers for the field and caring for the sick and 
wounded. His services as President of the great 
Sanitary Fair in Chicago (186.5), where some 
§300,000 were cleared for disabled soldiers, were 
especiallj' conspicuous. At this time he became 
the purchaser (at §3,000) of the original copy of 
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation, 
which had been donated to the cause. He also 
rendered valuable service after the fire of 1871, 
thougli a heavy sufferer from that event, and was 
a leading factor in securing the location of the 



World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1890, 
later becoming Vice-President of the Board of 
Directors and making a visit to Eiu-ope in the 
interest of the Fair. After the war Mr. Bryan 
resided in Washington for some time, and, by 
appointment of President Hayes, served as Com- 
missioner of the District of Columbia. Pos.sessing 
refined literary and artistic tastes, he has done 
much for the encouragement of literatm-e and 
art in Chicago. His home is in the suburban 
village of Elmhurst. — Charles* Page (Bryan), son 
of the ijreceding, lawyer and foreign minister, 
was born in Chicago, Oct. 2, 1855, and educated 
at the University of Virginia and Columbia Law 
School; was admitted to practice in 1878, and 
the following year removed to Colorado, where 
he remained four years, while there serving in 
both Houses of the State Legislature. In 1883 he 
returned to Chicago and became a member of the 
First Regiment of the Illinois National Guard, 
serving upon the staff of both Governor Oglesby 
and Governor Fifer; in 1890, was elected to the 
State Legislature from Cook County, being re- 
elected in 1892, and in 1894; was also the first 
Commissioner to visit Europe in the interest of 
the World's Columbian Exposition, on his return 
serving as Secretary of the Exposition Commis- 
sioners in 1891-92. In the latter part of 1897 he 
was appointed by President JIcKinley Minister 
to China, but before being confirmed, early in 
1898, was assigned to the United States mission to 
the Republic of Brazil, where he now is, Hon. 
E. H. Conger of Iowa, who had previously been 
appointed to the Brazilian mission, being trans- 
ferred to Pekin. 

BRYANT, John Howard, pioneer, brother of 
William Cullen Brj-ant, the poet, was born in 
Cummington, Mass., Jul}- 22, 1807, educated at 
the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, 
N. Y, ; removed to Illinois in 1831, and held vari- 
ous offices in Bureau County, including that of 
Representative in the General Assembly, to which 
he was elected in 1842, and again in 1858. A 
practical and enterprising farmer, he was identi- 
fied with the Illinois State Agricultural Society 
in its early Instory, as also with tiie movement 
which resulted in the establishment of indastrial 
colleges in the various States. He was one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a warm 
personal friend of President Lincoln, being a 
member of the first Republican State Convention 
at Bloomington in 1856, and serving as Collector 
of Internal Revenue by appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln in 1862-64. In 1872 Mr. Bryant joined in the 
Liberal Republican movement at Cincinnati, two 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



65 



years later was identified with the "Independent 
Reform" party, but has since cooperated with 
the Democratic party. He has produced two 
volumes of poems, published, respective!}-, in 1855 
and 1885, besides a number of public addresses. 
His home is at Princeton, Bureau County. 

BUCK, Hiram, clergyman, was born in Steu- 
ben County, N. Y., in 1818; joined the Illinois 
Methodist Episcopal Conference in 1843, and con- 
tinued in its service for nearly fifty years, being 
much of the time a Presiding Elder. At his 
death he bequeathed a considerable sum to the 
endowment funds of the Wesleyan University at 
Bloomington and the Illinois Conference College 
at Jacksonville, Died at Decatur, 111., August 
22, 1892. 

BUDA,a village in Bureau Count.y. at the junc- 
tion of the main line with the Buda and Rush- 
ville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, and the Sterling and Peoria branch of 
the Chicago & Northwestern, 12 miles southwest 
of Princeton and 117 miles west-southwest of 
Chicago; has excellent water-works, electric- 
light plant, brick and tile factory, fine churches, 
graded school, a bank and one newspaper 
Dairying is carried on quite extensively and a 
good-sized creamery is located here. Population 
(1890), 990; (1900), 873. 

BUFORD, Napoleon Bonaparte, banker and 
soldier, was born in Woodford County, Ky., Jan. 
13, 1807 ; graduated at West Point Military Acad- 
emy, 1827, and served for some time as Lieutenant 
of Artillery; entered Har\-ard Law School in 
1831, served as Assistant Professor of Natural and 
Experimental Philosophy there (1834-35), then 
resigned his commission, and, after some service 
as an engineer upon public works in Kentucky, 
established himself as an iron-founder and banker 
at Rock Island, HI., in 1857 becoming President 
of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. In 1861 
he entered the volunteer service, as Colonel of 
the Twenty-seventh Illinois, serving at various 
points in Western Kentucky and Tennessee, as 
also in the siege of Yicksburg, and at Helena, 
Ark., where he was in command from Septem- 
ber, 1863, to March, 1865. In the meantime, by 
promotion, he attained to the rank of Major- 
General by brevet, being mustered out in August, 
1865. He subsequently held the post of Special 
United States Commissioner of Indian Affairs 
(1868), and that of Inspector of the Union Pacific 
Railroad (1867-69). Died, March 28, 1883. 

BULKLET, (Rev.) Jastns, educator, was born 
at Leicester, Livingston County, X. Y.. July 23. 
1819, taken to Allegany County, N. Y,, at 3 



years of age, where he remained until 17, attend- 
ing school in a log school-house in the winter and 
working on a farm in the summer. His family 
then removed to Illinois, finally locating at 
Barrj', Pike County. In 1842 he entered the 
preparatory department of Shurtleff College at 
Upper Alton, graduating there in 1847. He was 
immediately made Principal of the preparatory 
department, remaining two years, when he was 
ordained to the Baptist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Jerseyville. Four years 
later he was appointed Professor of Mathematics 
in Shurtleff College, but remained only two 
years, when he accepted the pastorship of a 
church at Carrollton, whicli he continued to fiU 
nine years, when, in 1864, he was called to a 
church at Upper Alton. At the expiration of 
one year he was again called to a professorship 
in Shurtleff College, this time taking the chair of 
Cliurch History and Cliurcli Polity, which he 
continued to fill for a period of thirty-four years; 
also serving for a time as Acting President dur- 
ing a vacancy in that office. During this period 
he was frequently called upon to preside as Mod- 
erator at General Associations of the Baptist 
Cliurch, and he became widely known, not only 
in that denomination, but elsewhere. Died at 
Upper Alton, Jan. 16, 1899. 

BULL, Lorenzo, banker, Quincy, 111., was bom 
in Hartford, Conn., March 21, 1819, being the 
eldest son of Lorenzo and Elizabeth Goodwin 
Bull. His ancestors on both sides were of the 
party who, under Thomas Hooker, moved from 
the vicinity of Boston and settled Hartford in 
1634. Leaving Hartford in the spring of 1833, he 
arrived at Quincy, 111., entirely without means, 
but soon after secured a position with Judge 
Henry H. Snow, who then held most of the 
county offices, being Clerk of the County Com- 
missioners' Coiui;, Clerk of the Circuit Court, 
Recorder, Judge of Probate, Notary Public and 
Justice of the Peace. Here the young clerk 
made himself acquainted with the people of the 
county (at that time few in number), ^vith the 
land-system of the coimtry and with the legal 
forms and metliods of procedure in the courts. 
He remained witli Judge Snow over two years, 
receiving for his services, the first year, six dol- 
lars per month, and. for the second, ten dollars 
per month, besides Iiis board in Judge Snow's 
family. He next accepted a situation with 
Messrs. Holmes, Brown & Co., then one of the 
most prominent mercantile houses of the city, 
remaining through various changes of the firm 
until 1844, wlien he formed a partnership with 



66 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



his brother under the firm name of L. & C. II. 
Bull, and opened a store for the sale of hardware 
and crockery, which was the first attempt made 
in Quincy to separate the mercantile business 
into different departments. Disposing of their 
business in 1861, the firm of L & C. H. Bull 
embarked in the private banking business, which 
the}' continued in one location for about thirty 
years, when they organized the State Savings 
Loan & Trust Company, in which he held the 
position of President until 1898. when he retired. 
Mr. Bull has always been active in promoting the 
improvement and growth of the city ; was one of 
the five persons who built most of the horse rail- 
roads in Quincy, and was, for about twenty years, 
President of the Company. The Quincy water- 
works are now (1898) owned entirely by himself 
and his son. He has never sought or held political 
office, but at one time was the active President of 
five distinct business corporations. He was also 
for some five years one of the Trustees of Illinois 
College at Jacksonville. He was married in 1844 
to Miss Margaret H. Benedict, daughter of Dr. 
Wm. M. Benedict, of Milbury, Mass., and they 
have five children now living. In politics he is a 
Republican, and his religious associations are with 
the Congregational Church. — Charles Heniy 
(Bull), brother of the preceding, was born in 
Hartford, Conn., Dec. 16. 1S23. and removed 
to Quincy, 111., in June, 1837. He commenced 
business as a clerk in a general store, where 
he remained for seven years, when he entered 
into partnership with his brother, Lorenzo Bull, 
in the hardware and crockery business, to 
which was subsequently added dealing in 
agricultural implements. This business was 
continued until the year 1861. when it was 
sold out, and the brothers established them- 
selves as private bankers under the same firm 
name. A few years later they organized the 
Merchants' and Farmers" National Bank, which 
was mainly owned and altogether managed by 
them. Five or six years later this bank was 
wound up, when they returned to private bank- 
ing, continuing in this business imtil 1891, when 
it was merged in the State Savings Loan & 
Trust Company, organized under the laws of 
Illinois with a capital of .5300,000, held equally 
by Lorenzo Bull, Charles H. Bull and Edward J. 
Parker, respectively, as President, Vice-Presi- 
dent and Cashier. Xear the close of 1898 the 
First National Bank of Quincy was merged into 
the State Savings Loan & Trust Company with 
J. H. Wai-field, the President of the former, as 
President of tlie consolidated concern. Mr. Bull 



was one of the parties who originally organized 
the Quincy. Missouri & Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany in 1869 —a road intended to be built from 
Quincy, 111., across the State of Missouri to 
Brownsville, Neb., and of which he is now 
(1898) the President, the name having been 
changed to the Quinc}-, Omaha & Kansas City 
Railway He was also identified with the con- 
struction of the system of street railways in 
Quincy, and continued active in their manage- 
ment for about twenty years. He has been 
active in various other public and private enter- 
prises, and has done much to advance the growth 
and prosperity of the city. 

BUNKER HILL, a city of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland. Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad, 37 miles northeast of St. Louis; has 
electric-lighting plant, telejjhone service, coal 
mine, flouring mill, wagon and various other 
manufactories, two banks, two newspapers, opera 
hou.se, numerous churches, public library, a mili- 
tary academy and fine public schools, and many 
handsome residences ; is situated on high ground 
in a rich agricultural and dairying region and an 
important shipping-point. Pop. (1900), 1,279. 

BUNN, Jacob, banker and manufacturer, was 
bom in Hunterdon County, N. J., in 1814; came 
to Springfield in 1836, and, four years later, began 
business as a grocer, to which he afterwards 
added that of private banking, continuing until 
1878. During a part of this time liis bank was 
one of the best known and widely regarded as 
one of the most solid institutions of its kind in 
the State. Though crippled by the financial 
revulsion of 1873-74 and forced investments in 
depreciated real estate, he paid dollar for dollar. 
After retiring from banking in 1878, he assumed 
charge of the Springfield "Watch Factory, in 
which he was a large stockliolder, and of wliich 
he became the President. Mr. Bunn was, be- 
tween 1866 and 1870, a principal stockholder in 
"The Chicago Republican" (the predecessor of 
"The Inter-Ocean"), and was one of the bankers 
who came to the aid of the State Government with 
financial assistance at the beginning of the Civil 
War. Died at Springfield, Oct. 16, 1897.— John W. 
(Bunn), brother of the jireceding and successor 
to the grocery business of J. & J. W. Bunn, has 
been a prominent business man of Springfield, 
and served as Treasurer of the State Agricultural 
Board from 1858 to 1898. and of the Illinois tJni- 
versit}' from its establishment to 1893. 

BUNSEN, Georgre, German patriot and educa- 
tor, was born at Frankfort-on-the-Maine. Ger- 
many, Feb. 18, 1794, and educated in his native 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



67 



city and at Berlin University; while still a 
student took part in the Peninsular War which 
resulted in the downfall of Napoleon, but resum- 
ing his studies in 1816, graduated three years 
later. He then founded a boys' school at Frank- 
fort, which he maintained fourteen years, when, 
having been implicated in the republican revolu- 
tion of 1833. he was forced to leave the country, 
locating the following year on a farm in St. Clair 
Count)', 111. Here he finally became a teacher in 
the public schools, served in the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847, was elected School 
Commissioner of St. Clair County, and, having 
removed to Belleville in 1855, there conducted a 
private school for the instruction of teachers 
while discharging the duties of his office: later 
was appointed a member of the first State School 
Board, serving until 1860, and taking part in the 
establishment of the Illinois State Normal Uni 
versity, of which he was a zealous advocate. He 
was also a contributor to "The Illinois Teacher," 
and, for several years prior to his death, served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Belleville without 
compensation. Died, November, 1873. 

BURCH.^RD, Horatio C, ex Congressman, was 
born at Marshall, Oneida County. N. Y., Sept. 22, 
1825; graduated at Hamilton College, N. Y., in 
1850, and later removed to Stephenson County, 
111., making his home at Freeport. By profes- 
sion he is a lawyer, but he has been also largely 
interested in mercantile pursuits. From 1857 to 
1860 he was School Commissioner of Stephenson 
County; from 1863 to 1866 a member of the State 
Legislature, and from 1869 to 1879 a Representa- 
tive in Congress, being each time elected as a 
Republican, for the first time as the successor of 
E. B. Washburne. After retiring from Congress, 
he served for six years (1879-85) as Director of the 
United States Mint at Philadelphia, with marked 
ability. During the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion at Chicago (1893), Mr. Burchard was in 
charge of the Bureau of Awards in connection 
with the Mining Department, afterwards resum- 
ing the practice of his profession at FVeeport. 

BURDETTE, Robert Jones, journalist and 
humorist, was born in Greensborough, Pa., July 
30, 1844. and taken to Peoria, 111. , in early life, 
where he was educated in the public schools. In 
1862 he enlisted as a private in the Forty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteers and served to the end of the 
war; adopted journalism in 1869. being employed 
upon "The Peoria Transcript" and other papers 
of that city. Later he became associated with 
"The Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye," upon which 
he gained a wide reputation as a genial humor- 



ist. Several volumes of his sketches have beer 
published, but in recent years he has devoted his 
attention chiefly to lecturing, with occasional 
contributions to the literary press. 

BUREAU COUNTY, set off from Putnam 
Coimty in 1837, near the center of the northern 
half of the State, Princeton being made the 
countj'-seat. Coal had been discovered in 1834, 
there being considerable quantities mined at 
Mineral and Selby. Sheffield also has an impor- 
tant coal trade. Public lands were offered for sale 
as early as 1835, and by 1844 had been nearly all 
sold. Princeton was platted in 1832, and. in 1890. 
contained a population of 3,396. The county has 
an area of 870 square miles, and, according to the 
census of 1900. a population of 41,113. The pio- 
neer settler was Henry Thomas, who erected the 
first cabin, in Bureau township, in 1828. He was 
soon followed by the Ament brothers (Edward, 
Justus and John L. ), and for a time settlers came 
in rapid succession, among the earliest being 
Amos Leonard, Daniel Dimmick, John Hall, 
William Hoskins, Timothy Perkins, Leonard 

Roth, Bulbona and John Dixon. Serious 

Indian disturbances in 1831 caused a hegira of 
the settlers, some of whom never returned. In 
1833 a fort was erected for the protection of the 
whites, and, in 1836, there began a new and large 
influx of immigrants. Among other early set- 
tlers were John H. and Arthur Bryant, brothers 
of the poet, William Cullen Bryant. 

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, estab- 
lished in 1879, being an outgrowth of the agitation 
and discontent among the laboring classes, which 
culminated in 1877-78. The Board consists of 
five Commissioners, who serve for a nominal 
compensation, their term of office being two 
years. They are nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by the Senate. The law requires 
that three of them shall be manual laborers and 
two employers of manual labor. The Bureau is 
charged with the collection, compilation and 
tabulation of statistics relative to labor in Illi- 
nois, particularly in its relation to the commer- 
cial, industrial, social, educational and sanitary 
conditions of the working classes. The Com- 
mission is required to submit biennial reports. 
Those already published contain much informa- 
tion of value concerning coal and lead mines, 
convict labor, manufactures, strikes and lock- 
outs, wages, rent, cost of living, mortgage 
indebtedness, and kindred topics. 

BURGESS, Alexander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop of the diocese of Quincy, was born at 
Providence, R. I,, Oct. 31, 1819. He graduated 



68 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from Brown University in 1838 and from the 
General Theological Seminary (New York) in 
1841. He was made a Deacon, Nov. 3, 1842, and 
ordained a priest, Nov. 1, 1843. Prior to his ele- 
vation to the episcopate he was rector of various 
parishes in Maine, at Brooklyn, N. Y., and at 
Springfield, Mass. He represented the dioceses 
of Maine, Long Island and Massachusetts in the 
General Conventions of the Protestant Episcopal 
Churcli from 1844 to 1877, and, in the latter year, 
was President of the House of Deputies. Upon 
the death of his brother George, Bishop of Maine, 
he was chosen by the clergy of the diocese to suc- 
ceed him but declined When the diocese of 
Quincy. 111. was created, he was elected its first 
Bishop, and consecrated at Christ Church, Spring- 
field, Slass , on May 15, 1878. Besides publishing 
a memoir of his brother. Bishop Burgess is the 
author of several Sunday-school question books, 
carols and hymns, and has been a contributor to 
periodica! church literature. His residence is at 
Peoria. 

BURLET, Arthur Oilman, merchant, was born 
at Exeter, N. H.. Oct. 4, 1813, received his edu- 
cation in the local schools, and, in 1835, came 
West, locating in Chicago. For some two years 
he served as clerk in the boot, shoe and clothing 
store of John Holbrook, after which he accepted 
a position with his half-brother, Stephen F. Gale, 
the proprietor of the first book and stationery 
store in Chicago. In 1838 he invested his savings 
in a bankrupt stock of crockery, purchased from 
the old State Bank, and entered uixsn a business 
career which was continued uninterruptedly for 
nearly sixty years. In that time Mr. Burley 
built up a business which, for its extent and 
success, was imsurpassed in its time in the West. 
His brother in-law, Mr. John Tyrrell, became a 
member of the firm in 1852. the business there- 
after being conducted imder the name of Burley 
& Tyrrell, with Mr. Burley as President of the 
Compan}' until his death, whicli occurred, August 

27, 1897. — Augustus Harris (Burley), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Exeter, N. H. , March 

28, 1819 ; was educated in the schools of his native 
State, and, in his youth, was employed for a 
time as a clerk in Boston. In 1837 he came to 
Chicago and took a position as clerk or salesman 
in the book and stationery store of his half- 
brother, Stephen F. Gale, subsequently became a 
partner, and, on the retirement of Mr. Gale a 
few years later, succeeded to the control of the 
business. In 1857 he disposed of his book and 
stationery business, and about the same time 
became one of the founders of the Merchants' 



Loan and Trust Company, with which he has 
been connected as a Director ever since. Mr. 
Burley was a member of the volunteer fire depart- 
ment organized in Chicago in 1841 Among the 
numerous public positions held by him may be 
mentioned, member of the Board of PublicWorks 
(1867-70), the first Superintendent of Lincoln Park 
(1869). Representative from Cook County in the 
Twenty-seventh General Assemblj- (1870-72). City 
Comptroller during the administration of Mayor 
Medill (1872-73), and again under Mayor Roche 
(1887), and member of the City Council (1881-82). 
Politically, Mr. Burley has been a zealous Repub- 
lican and served on the Chicago Union Defense 
Committee in the first year of the Civil War, and 
was a delegate from the State-aWarge to the 
National Republican Convention at Baltimore in 
1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency a second time. 

BURNH.4.5I, Daniel Hudson, architect, was 
born at Henderson, N. Y., Sept. 4, 1846; came to 
Chicago at 9 years of age: attended private 
schools and the Chicago High School, after which 
he spent two years at Waltham, Mass., receiving 
special instruction ; returning to Chicago in 1867, 
he was afterwards associated with various firms. 
About 1873 he formed a business connection with 
J. W. Root, architect, which extended to the 
death of the latter in 1891. The firm of Burnham 
& Root furnished the plans of a large number of 
the most conspicuous business buildings in Chi- 
cago, but won their greatest distinction in con- 
nection with the construction of buildings for the 
■World's CoUunbian Exposition, of which Mr. 
Root was Supervising Architect previous to his 
death, while Mr. Burnham was made Chief of 
Construction and, later. Director of Works. In 
this capacity his authoritj- was almost absolute, 
but was used with a discretion that contributed 
greatly to the success of the enterprise. 

BURR, Albert G., former Congressman, was 
born in Genesee County, N. Y., Nov. 8, 1829: 
came to Illinois about 1832 with his widowed 
mother, who settled in Springfield. In early life 
he became a citizen of Winchester, where he read 
law and was admitted to the bar, also, for a time, 
following the occupation of a printer. Here he 
was twice elected to the lower house of the Gen- 
eral Assembl}- (1860 and 1862), meanwhile serving 
as a member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1862. Having removed to CarroUton. 
Greene County, he was elected as a Democrat to 
the Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses (1866 and 
1868), serving until March 4, 1871. In August, 
1877, he was elected Circuit Judge to fill a 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



69 



vacancy and was re-elected for the regular term 
in June, 1879, but died in office, June 10, 1882. 

6URRELL, Orlando, member of Congress, was 
born in Bradford (^'ounty. Pa. ; removed with his 
parents to White County, 111., in 1834. growing 
up on a farm near Carmi; received a common 
school education; in 1850 went to California, 
driving an ox-team across the plains. Soon after 
the beginning of the Civil War (1861) he raised a 
company of cavalry, of which he was elected 
Captain, and which became a part of the First 
Regiment Illinois Cavalry; served as County 
Judge from 1873 to 1881, and was elected Sheriff 
in 1886. In 1894 he was elected Representative 
in Congress as a Republican from the Twentieth 
District, composed of counties which formerly 
constituted a large part of the old Nineteenth 
District, and which had uniformly been repre- 
sented by a Democrat. He suffered defeat as a 
candidate for reelection in 1896. 

BURROUGHS, John Curtis, clergjman and 
educator, was born in Stamford, N. Y., Dec. 7, 
1818; graduated at Yale College in 1842, and 
Madison Theological Seminarj- in 1846. After 
five 3'ears spent as pastor of Baptist churches at 
Waterford and West Troy, N. Y., in 18.12 he 
assmned the pastorate of the First Baptist Church 
of Chicago; about 18.56 was elected to the presi- 
dency of the Chicago University, then just 
established, having previously declined the 
presidency of Shurtleff College at Upper Alton. 
Resigning his position in 1874, he soon after 
became a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and, in 1884, was elected Assistant Super- 
intendent of Public Schools of that city, serving 
imtil his death, April 21, 1892. 

BUSET, Samuel T., banker and ex-Congress- 
man, was bom at Greencastle, Ind., Nov. 16, 
1835; in infancy was brought by his parents to 
Urbana, 111., where he was educated and has 
since resided. From 1857 to 1859 he was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits, but during 1860-61 
attended a commercial college and read law. In 
1862 he was chosen Town Collector, but resigned 
to enter the Union Army, being commissioned 
Second Lieutenant by Governor Yates, and 
assigned to recruiting service. Having aided in 
the organization of the Seventy-sixth Illinois 
Volunteers, he was commissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel, August 12, 1862 ; was afterward promoted 
to the colonelcy, and mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1865, with the rank of Brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for the General Assembly on the 
Democratic ticket, and for Trustee of the State 



University in 1888. From 1880 to 1889 he was 
JIayor and President of the Board of Education 
of Urbana. In 1867 he opened a private bank, 
which he conducted for twenty-one years. In 
1890 he was elected to Congress from the Fif- 
teenth Illinois District, defeating Joseph G. Can 
non. Republican, by whom he was in turn 
defeated for the same office in 1892. 

BUSHNELL, a flourishing city and manufac- 
turing center in McDonough County, 11 miles 
northeast of Macomb, at the junction of two 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
with the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads; fias 
numerous manufactories, including wooden 
pumps, flour, agricultural implements, wagons 
and carriages, tank and fence-work, rural mail- 
boxes, mattresses, brick, besides egg and poultry 
packing houses; also has water- works and elec- 
tric lights, grain elevators, three banks, several 
churches, 'graded public and high schools, two 
newspapers and a public library. Pop. (1900), 2,490. 

BUSHNELL, Nehemiah, lawyer, was born in 
the town of Westbrook, Conn., Oct. 9, 1813; 
graduated at Yale College in 1835, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1837, coming in 
December of the same year to Quincy, 111., where, 
for a time, he assisted in editing "The Whig" 
of that city, later forming a partnership with 
O. H. Browning, which was never fully broken 
until his death. In his practice he gave much 
attention to land titles in the "Military Tract"; 
in 1851 was President of the portion of the North- 
ern Cross Railroad between Quincy and Gales- 
burg (now a part of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy), and later of the Quincy Bridge Company 
and the Quincy & Palmyra (Mo.) Railroad. In 
1872 he was elected by the Republicans the 
"minority" Representative from Adams County 
in the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, but 
died during the succeeding session, Jan. 31, 1873. 
He was able, high-minded and honorable in public 
and private life. 

BUSHNELL, Washington, lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General, was born in Madison County, N. Y., 
Sept. 30, 1825; in 1837 came with his father to 
Lisbon, Kendall County, 111., where he worked on 
a farm and taught at times ; studied law at Pough- 
keepsie, N. Y., was admitted to the bar and 
established himself in practice at Ottawa, 111. 
The public positions held by him were those of 
State Senator for La Salle County (1861-69) and 
Attorney-General (1869-73); was also a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1864, 
besides being identified with various business 
enterprises at Ottawa. Died, June 30, 1885. 



70 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



BUTLER, William, State Treasurer, was born 
in Adair County, Ky., Dec. 15, 1797; during the 
war of 1812, at the age of 16 years, served as the 
messenger of the GoTernor of Kentucliy, carrying 
dispatches to Gen. William Henry Harrison in 
the field; removed to Sangamon County, 111., in 
1838, and, in 1836, was appointed Clerk of the 
Circuit Court by Judge Stephen T. Logan. In 
1859 he served as foreman of the Grand Jury 
wliich investigated tlie "canal scrip frauds" 
charged against ex-Governor Matteson, and it 
was largely througli his influence that the pro- 
ceedings of that body were subsequently pub- 
lislied in an official form. During tlie same year 
Govei'nor Bissell appointed him State Treasurer 
to fill a vacancy caused by tlie resignation of 
James Miller, and he was elected to the same 
office in 1860. Mr. Butler was an ardent sup- 
porter of Abraham Lincoln, whom he efficiently 
befriended in the early struggles of the latter 
in Springfield. He died in Springfield. Jan. 11, 
1876. 

BUTTERFIELD, Justin, early lawyer, was 
born at Keene, N. H., in 1790. He studied at 
"Williams College, and was admitted to the bar 
at Watertown, N. Y., in 1812. After some years 
devoted to practice at Adams and at Sackett's 
Harbor, N. Y., he removed to New Orleans, where 
he attained a high rank at the bar. In 1835 he 
settled in Chicago and soon became a leader in 
his profession there also. In 1841 he was appointed 
by President Harrison United States District At- 
torney for the District of Illinois, and, in 1849, by 
President Taylor Commissioner of the General 
Land Office, one of his chief competitors for the 
latter place being Abraham Lincoln. This dis- 
tinction he probably owed to the personal influ- 
ence of Daniel Webster, then Secretary of State, 
of whom Mr. Butterfield was a personal friend 
and warm admirer. While Commissioner, he 
rendered valuable service to the State in securing 
the canal land grant. As a lawyer he was logical 
and resourceful, as well as witty and quick at 
repartee, yet his chief strength lay before the 
Court rather than the jury. Numerous stories 
are told of his brilliant sallies at the bar and 
elsewhere. One of the former relates to his 
address before Judge Nathaniel Pope, of the 
United States Court at Springfield, in a habeas- 
corpus case to secure the release of Joseph Smith, 
the Mormon prophet, who was under arrest under 
the charge of complicity in an attempt to assassin- 
ate Governor Boggs of Missouri. Rising to begin 
his argument, Mr. Butterfield said: "I am to 
address the Pope" (bowing to the Court), "sur- 



rounded by angels" (bowing stiU lower to a party 
of ladies in the audience), "in the presence of 
the holy apostles, in behalf of the prophet of 
the Lord." On another occasion, being asked if 
he was opposed to the war with Mexico, he 
replied, "I opposed one war" — meaning his 
opposition as a Federalist to the War of 1818 — 
"but learned the folly of it. Henceforth I am for 
war, pestilence and famine." He died, Oct. 25, 
1855. 

BYFORD, William H., physician and author, 
was born at Eaton, Ohio, March 20, 1817; in 1830 
came witli his widowed mother to Crawford 
County, III., and began learning the tailor's 
trade at Palestine; later studied medicine at 
Vincennes and practiced at diff'erent points in 
Indiana. Meanwhile, having graduated at the 
Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, in 1850, he 
assumed a professorship in a Medical College at 
Evausville, Ind., also editing a medical journal. 
In 1857 he removed to Chicago, where he ac- 
cepted a chair in Rush Medical College, but two 
years later became one of the founders of the 
Chicago Medical College, where he remained 
twenty years. He then (1879) returned to Rusli, 
assuming the chair of Gynecology. In 1870 he 
assisted in founding the Woman's Medical Col- 
lege of Chicago, remaining President of the 
Faculty and Board of Trustees until his death. 
May 21, 1890. He published a number of medical 
works which are regarded as standard by the 
profession, besides acting as associate of Dr. N. S. 
Davis in the editorship of "The Chicago Medical 
Journal" and as editor-in-chief of "The Medical 
Journal and Examiner," the successor of the 
former. Dr. Byford was held in the highest 
esteem as a physician and a man, both by the 
general public and his professional associates. 

BYRON, a village of Ogle County, in a pictur- 
esque region on Rock River, at junction of the 
Chicago Great We.steru and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee ct St. Paul Railways, 83 miles west-north- 
west from Chicago : is in rich farming and dairy- 
ing district; has two banks and two weekly 
papers. Population (1890), 698; (1900), 1,015. 

CABLE, a town in Mercer County, on the Rock 
Island & Peoria Railroad, 26 miles south by east 
from Rock Island. Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, but there are also tile works, a good 
quality of clay for manufacturing purposes being 
found in abundance. Population (1880), 572; 
(1890), 1,27G; (1900). 697. 

CABLE, Benjamin T., capitalist and politiciaD, 
was born in Georgetown, .Scott County, Ky.. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



71 



August 11, 1853. When lie was three years old 
his father's family removed to Rook Island, 111., 
where he has since resided. After passing 
through the Rock Island public schools, he matric- 
ulated at the University of Michigan, graduating 
in June, 1876. He owns extensive ranch and 
manufacturing property, and is reputed wealthy ; 
is also an active Democratic politician, and influ- 
ential in his party, having been a member of both 
the National and State Central Committees. In 
1890 he was elected to Congress from the Eleventh 
Illinois District, but since 1893 has held no public 
office. 

CABLE, Ransom R., railway manager, was 
born in Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 23, 183-1. 
His earh' training was mainly of the practical 
sort, and bj- the time he was 17 years old he was 
actively emploj'ed as a lumberman. In 1857 he 
removed to Illinois, first devoting his attention 
to coal mining in the neighborhood of Rock 
Island. Later he became interested in the pro- 
jection and management of railroads, being in 
turn Superintendent, Vice-President and Presi- 
dent of the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. His 
next position was that of General Manager of the 
Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis Railroad. His 
experience in these positions rendered him famil- 
iar with both the scope and the details of railroad 
management, while his success brought him to 
the favorable notice of those who controlled rail- 
way interests all over the country. In 1876 he 
was elected a Director of the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railway. In connection with 
this company he has held, successively, the 
offices of Vice-President, Assistant to the Presi- 
dent, General Manager and President, being chief 
executive officer since 1880. (See Chicago, Bock 
Island & Pacific Railway.) 

CAHOKIA, the first permanent white settle- 
ment in Illinois, and, in French colonial times, 
one of its principal towns. French Jesuit mis- 
sionaries established the mission of the Tamaroas 
here in 1700, to which they gave the name of 
"Sainte Famille de Caoquias," antedating the 
settlement at Kaskaskia of the same year by a 
few months. Cahokia and Kaskaskia were 
jointly made the county-seats of St. Clair Countj', 
when that county was organized by Governor St. 
Clair in 1790. Five years later, when Randolph 
County was set off from St. Clair, Cahokia was 
continued as the county-soat of the parent 
county, so remaining until the removal of the 
seat of ju-stice to Belleville in 18U. Like its 
early rival, Kaskaskia, it has dwindled in impor- 
tance until, in 1890, its population was estimated 



at 100. Descendants of the early French settlers 
make up a considerable portion of the present 
population. The site of the old town is on the 
line of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
road, about four miles from East St. Louis. 
Some of the most remarkable Indian mounds in 
the Mississippi Valley, known as "the Cahokia 
Mounds, " are located in the vicinity. (See Mound- 
Builders. 'iVorks of the.) 

CAIRXES, Abraham, a native of Kentucky, in 
1816 settled in that part of Crawford County, 111., 
which was embraced in Lawrence County on the 
organization of the latter in 1821. Mr. Cairnes 
was a member of the House for Crawford Coimty 
in the Second General Assembly (1830-32), and 
for Lawrence County in the Third (1832-34), in 
the latter voting against the pro-slavery Conven- 
tion scheme. He removed from Lawrence 
County to some point on the Mississippi River in 
1836, but further details of his history are un- 
known. 

CAIRO, the coimty-seat of Alexander County, 
and the most important river point between St. 
Louis and Jlemphis. Its first charter was ob- 
tained from the Territorial Legislature by Shad- 
rach Bond (afterwards Governor of Illinois), John 
G. Comyges and others, who incorporated the 
"City and Bank of Cairo. "' The company entered 
about 1,800 acres, but upon the death of 3Ir. Comy- 
ges, the land reverted to the Government. The 
forfeited tract was re-entt.red in 1835 by Sidney 
Breese and others, who later transferred it to the 
"Cairo City and Canal Company,'" a corporation 
chartered in 1837, which, by purchase, increased 
its holdings to 10,000 acres. Peter Stapleton is 
said to have erected the first house, and John 
Hawley the second, within the town limits. In 
consideration of certain privileges, the Illinois 
Central Railroad has erected around the water 
front a substantial levee, eighty feet wide. Dur- 
ing the Civil War Cairo was an important base 
for military operations. Its population, according 
to the census of 1900, was 12,566. (See also Alex- 
ander Cvniiti/. ) 

CAIRO BRIDGE, THE, one of the triumphs of 
modern engineering, erected by the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad Company across the Ohio River, 
opposite the city of Cairo. It is the longest 
metallic bridge across a river in the world, being 
thirty -three feet longer than the Tay Bridge, in 
Scotland. The work of construction was begun, 
July 1, 1887, and uninterruptedly prosecuted for 
twenty-seven months, being completed, Oct. 29, 
1889. The first train to cross it was made up of 
ten locomotives coupled together. The ap- 



72 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



proaches from both tlie Illinois and Kentucky 
shores consist of iron viaducts and well-braced 
timber trestles. The Illinois viaduct approach 
consists of seventeen spans of loO feet each, and 
one span of 106 '4 feet. All these rest on cylin- 
der piers filled with concrete, and are additionally 
supported by piles driven within the cylinders. 
The viaduct on the Kentucky shore is of similar 
general construction. The total number of spans 
is twenty -two — twenty -one being of 150 feet each, 
and one of 106,'4 feet. The total length of the 
metal work, from end to end, is 10.650 feet, 
including that of the bridge proper, which is 
4644 feet. The latter consists of nine through 
spans and three deck spans. The through spans 
rest on ten first-class masonry piers on pneumatic 
foundations. The total length of the bridge, 
including the timber trestles, is 20,461 feet — about 
Zji miles. Four-fifths of the Illinois trestle 
work has been filled in with earth, while that on 
the southern shore has been virtually replaced by 
an embankment since the completion of the 
bridge. The bridge pi-oper stands 104.43 feet in 
the clear above low water, and from the deepest 
foundation to the top of the highest iron work is 
248.94 feet. The total cost of the work, including 
the filling and embankment of the trestles, has 
been (1895) between S3, 230, 000 and §3,500,000. 

CAIRO, VIXCEXXES & CHICAGO BAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, extending from 
Danville to Cairo (261 miles), with a branch nine 
miles in length from St. Francisville, 111., to Vin- 
cennes, Ind. It was chartered as the Cairo & 
Vincennes Railroad in 1867, completed in 1872, 
placed in the hands of a receiver in 1874, sold 
under foreclosure in January, 1880, and for some 
time operated as the Cairo Division of the 
"Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. In 1889, 
having been surrendered by the Wabash. St. 
Louis & Pacific Railway, it was united with the 
Danville & Southwestern Railroad, reorganized as 
the Cairo, Vincennes & Chicago Railroad, and, 
in 1890, leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railway, of which it is known 
as the "Cairo Divi.sion." (See Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago d- St. Loniti Railn-ai/.) 

CAIRO & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD, (See St. 
Louis <t Cairo Railroad and Jlobile & Ohio Eail- 
u-ai/. ) 

CAIRO & VINCENNES RAILROAD. (See 
Cairo, f'ineen7ies cO Cliicago Railroad.) 

CALDWELL, (Dr.) Georg'e, early physician 
and legislator (the name is spelled both Cad well 
and Caldwell in the early records), was born at 



Wethersfield, Conn.. Feb. 21, 1773, and received 
his literary education at Hartford, and his pro- 
fessional at Rutland, Vt. He married a daughter 
of Hon. Matthew Lyon, who was a native of 
Ireland, and who served two terms in Congress 
from Vermont, four from Kentucky (180311), 
and was elected the first Delegate in Congress 
from Arkansas Territory, but died before taking 
his seat in August, 1823. Lyon was also a resi- 
dent for a time of St. Louis, and was a candidate 
for Delegate to Congress from Missouri Territorj-, 
but defeated by Edward Hempstead (see Hemp- 
stead, Edward). Dr. Caldwell descended the 
Ohio River in 1799 in company with Lyon's 
family and his brother-in-law, John Messinger 
(see Messinger, John), who afterwards became a 
prominent citizen of St. Clair County, the party 
locating at Eddyville, Ky. In 1803, Caldwell 
and Messinger removed to Illinois, landing near 
old Fort Chartres, and remained some time in 
the American Bottom. The former finally 
located on the banks of the Mississippi a few 
miles above St. Louis, where he practiced his 
profession and held various public offices, includ- 
ing those of Justice of the Peace and County 
Judge for St. Clair County, as also for Madison 
County after the organization of the latter. He 
served as State Senator from Madison County 
in the First and Second General Assemblies 
(1818-22), and, having removed in 1820 within the 
limits of what is now Morgan County (but still 
earlier embraced in Greene), in 1822 was elected 
to the Senate for Greene and Pike Counties — 
the latter at that time embracing all the northern 
and northwestern part of the State, including 
the coimty of Cook. During the following ses- 
sion of the Legislature he was a sturdy opponent 
of the scheme to make Illinois a slave State. His 
home in Morgan Count)' was in a locality known 
as "Swinerton's Point," a few miles west of 
Jacksonville, where he died, 'August 1, 1826. 
(fiee Slavery and Slave Laws.) Dr. Caldwell (or 
Cadwell, as he was widely known) commanded 
a high degree of respect among early residents of 
Illinois. Governor Reynolds, in his "Pioneer 
History of Illinois," says of him: "He was 
moral and correct in his public and private life, 
. . . was a respectable physician, and always 
maintained an miblemished character. " 

CALHOUN, John, pioneer printer and editor, 
was born at Watertown, N. Y., April 14, 1S08; 
learned the printing trade and practiced it in his 
native town, also working in a type-foundry in 
Albany and as a compositor in Troy. In the fall 
of 1833 he came to Chicago,, bringing with him 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



73 



an outfit for the publication of a weekly paper, 
and, on Nov, 26, began the issue of "The Chicago 
Democrat" — the first paper ever published in tliat 
city. Mr. Calhoun retained the management of 
the paper three years, transferring it in Novem- 
ber, 1836, to John Wentworth, who conducted it 
until its absoi-ption by "The Tribune" in July, 
1861. Mr. Calhoun afterwards served as County 
Treasurer, still later as Collector, and, finally, as 
agent of the Illinois Central Raih-oad in procur- 
ing right of way for the construction of its lines. 
Died in Chicago, Feb. 20, 1859. 

CALHOUX, John, surveyor and politician, was 
born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 14, 1806; removed to 
Springfield. 111., in 1830, served in the Black 
Hawk War and was soon after appointed County 
Surveyor. It was under Mr. Calhoun, and by his 
appointment, that Abraham Lincoln served for 
some time as Deputy Surveyor of Sangamon 
County. In 1838 Calhoun was chosen Represent- 
ative in the Qenei-al Assembly, but was defeated 
in 1840, though elected Clerk of the House at the 
following session. He was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector in 1844, was an unsuccessful 
candidate for the nomination for Governor in 
1846, and, for three terms (1849, '50 and '.jl), 
served as Mayor of the cit3- of Springfield. In 
1852 he was defeated by Richard Yates (after- 
wards Governor and Cnited States Senator), as a 
candidate for Congress, but two years later was 
appointed by President Pierce Surveyor-General 
of Kansas, where he became discreditably con- 
spicuous by his zeal in attempting to carry out 
the policy of the Buchanan administration for 
making Kansas a slave .State — especially in con- 
nection with the Lecompton Constitutional Con- 
vention, with the election of which he had much 
to do, and over which he jiresided. Died at St. 
Joseph, Mo., Oct 25, 1859. 

CALHOUX, William J., lavryer, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., Oct. 5, 1847. After residing at 
various points in that State, his family removed 
to Ohio, where he worked on a farm until 1864, 
when he enlisted as a private in the Nineteenth 
Ohio Volimteer Infantry, serving to the end of 
the war. He participated in a number of severe 
battles while with Sherman on the march against 
Atlanta, returning %vith General Thomas to Nash- 
ville, Tenn. During the last few months of the 
war he served in Texas, being mustered, out at 
San Antonio in that State, though receiving his 
final discharge at Columbus, Ohio. After the 
war he entered the Poland Union Seminary, 
where he became the intimate personal friend of 
Maj William McKinley, who was elected to the 



Presidency in 1896. Having graduated at the 
seminary, he came to Areola, Douglas County, 
111. , and began the study of law, lat«r taking a 
course in a law school in Chicago, after which he 
was admitted to the bar (18~5) and established 
himself in practice at Danville as the partner of 
the Hon. Joseph B. Mann, In 1882 Mr. Calhoun 
was elected as a Republican to the lower branch 
of the Thirty-third General Assembly and, during 
the following session, proved himself one of the 
ablest members of that body. In May, 1897, Mr. 
Calhoun was appointed by President McKinley a 
special envoy to investigate the circumstances 
attending the death of Dr. Ricardo Ruiz, a nat- 
uralized citizen of the United States who had 
died while a prisoner in the hands of the Spaniards 
during the rebellion then in progress in Cuba. 
In 1898 he was appointed a member of the Inter- 
State Commerce Commission to succeed William 
R. Morrison, whose term had expired. 

CALHOUN COUNTY, situated between the 
Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, just above their 
junction. It has an area of 260 square miles, 
with a population (1900) of 8,917; was organized 
in 1825 and named for John C. Calhoun. Origi- 
nally, the county was well timbered and the 
early settlers were largely engaged in lumbering, 
which tended to give the population more or less 
of a migratory character. Much of the timber 
has been cleared off, and the principal business 
in later years has been agriculture, although coal 
is found and mined in paying quantities along 
Silver Creek. Tradition has it that the aborig- 
ines found the precious metals in the bed of this 
stream. It was originally included within the 
limits of the Military Tract set apart for the 
veterans of the War of 1812. The physical con- 
formation of the county's surface exhibits some 
peculiarities. Limestone bluffs, rising some- 
times to the height of 200 feet, skirt the banks of 
both rivers, while through the center of the 
county runs a ridge dividing the two watersheds. 
The side valleys and the top of the central ridge 
are alike fertile. The bottom lands are very 
rich, but are liable to inundation. The county- 
seat and principal town is Hardin, with a popula- 
tion (1890) of 311. 

C.4LLAH.4N, Ethelbert, lawyer and legislator, 
was born near Newark, Ohio, Dec. 17, 1829; 
came to Crawford County, 111., in 1849, where he 
farmed, taught school and edited, at different 
times, "The Wabash Sentinel" and "The Marshall 
Telegraph." He early identified himself with 
the Republican part}", and, in 1864, was the 
Republican candidate for Congress in his dis- 



74 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



trict ; became a member of the first State Board 
of Equalization by appolBtment of Governor 
Oglesby in 1867 ; served in the lower house of the 
General Assembly during the sessions of 1875, '91, 
93 and '95, and, in 1893-95, on a Joint Committee 
to revise the State Revenue Laws. He was also 
Presidential Elector in 1880, and again in 1888. 
Mr. Callahan was admitted to the bar when past 
80 years of age, and was President of the State 
Bar Association in 1889. His home is at Robinson. 
CALUMET KITER, a short stream the main 
body of which is formed by the union of two 
branches which come together at the southern 
boundarj- of the city of Chicago, and which flows 
into Lake Michigan a short distance north of the 
Indiana State line. The eastern branch, known 
as the Grand Calumet, flows in a westerly direc- 
tion from Xorthwestern Indiana and unites with 
the Little Calumet from the west, 3)i miles from 
the mouth of the main stream. From the south- 
em limit of Chicago the general course of the 
stream is north between Lake Calumet and Wolf 
Lake, which it serves to drain. At its mouth, 
Calumet Harbor has been constructed, which 
admits of the entrance of vessels of heavy 
draught, and is a shipping and receiving 
point of importance for heavy freight for 
the Illinois Steel Works, the PuUman Palace 
Car Works and other manufacturing establish- 
ments in that vicinity. The river is regarded as 
a navigable stream, and has been dredged by the 
General Government to a depth of twenty feet 
and 200 feet wide for a distance of two miles, 
with a depth of sixteen feet for the remainder of 
the distance to the forks. The Calumet feeder 
for the Illinois and Michigan Canal extends from 
the west branch (or Little Calumet) to the canal 
in the vicinity of Willow Springs. The stream 
was known to the early French explorers as "the 
Calimic," and was sometimes confounded by 
them with the Chicago River. 

CALUMET EITER RAILROAD, a short line, 
4.43 miles in length, lying wholly within Cook 
Coimty. The Pennsylvania Railroad Company 
is the lessee, but the Une is not operated at present 
(1898). Its outstanding capital stock is $68,700. 
It has no funded debt, but has a floating debt of 
8116,357, making a total capitalization of §105,087. 
This road extends from One Himdredth Street in 
Chicago to Hegewisch, and was chartered in 1883. 
(See Pennsylvania Railroad.) 

CAMBRIDGE, the county-seat of Henry 
County, about 160 miles southwest of Chicago, 
on the Rock Island & Peoria Railroad. It is situ- 
ated in a fertile region chiefly devoted to 



agriculture and stock-raising. The city is a con- 
siderable grain market and has some manufac- 
tories. Some coal is also mined. It has a public 
library, two newspapers, three banks, good 
schools, and handsome public (county) buildings. 
Population (1880), 1,203; (1890), United States 
census report, 940; (1900), 1,345. 

CAMERON, James, Cumberland Presbyterian 
minister and pioneer, was bom in Kentucky in 
1791, came to Illinois in 1815, and, in 1818, settled 
in Sangamon County. In 1829 he is said to have 
located where the town of Xew Salem (after- 
wards associated with the early history of Abra- 
ham Lincoln) was built, and of which he and 
James Rutledge were the founders. He is also 
said to have officiated at the funeral of Ann 
Rutledge, with whose memory Mr. Lincoln's 
name has been tenderly associated by his biog- 
raphers. Mr. Cameron subsequently removed 
successively to Fulton County, 111., to Iowa and 
to CaUfomia. dying at a ripe old age, in the latter 
State, about 1878. 

CAMP DOUGLAS, a Federal military camp 
established at Chicago early in the War of the 
RebeUion, located between Thirty-flrst Street and 
College Place, and Cottage Grove and Forest 
Avenues. It was[]originally designed and solely 
used as a camp of instruction for new recruits. 
Afterwards it was utilized as a place of confine- 
ment for Confederate prisoners of war. (For 
plot to liberate the latter, together with other 
similar prisoners in Illinois, see Camp Douglas 
Consjnraey. ) 

CAMP DOUGLAS CONSPIRACY, a plot formed 
in 1864 for the liberation of the Confederate 
prisoners of war at Chicago (in Camp Douglas), 
Rock Island, Alton and Springfield. It was to be 
but a preUniinary step in the execution of a 
design long cherished by the Confederate Gov- 
ernment, viz., the seizing of the organized gov- 
ernments of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the 
formation of a Northwestern Confederacy, 
through the cooperation of the "Sons of Lib- 
erty." (See Secret Treasonable Societies.) Three 
peace commissioners (Jacob Thompson, C. C 
Clay and J. P. Holcomb), who had been sent 
from Richmond to Canada, held frequent 
conferences with leaders of the treasonable 
organizations in the Xorth. including Clement L. 
'Vallandigham, Bowles, of Indiana, and one 
Charles Walsh, who was head of the movement 
in Chicago, with a large number of allies in that 
city and scattered throughout the States. The 
general management of the aflfair was entrusted 
to Capt. Thomas H. Hines. who had been second 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



75 



in command to the rebel Gen. John Morgan dur- 
ing his raid north of the Oliio River, while Col. 
Vincent Marmaduke. of Missouri, and G. St. Leger 
Grenfell (an Englishman) were selected to 
carry out the military program. Hines followed 
out his instructions with great zeal and labored 
indefatigably. Thompson's duty was to dis- 
seminate incendiary treasonable literature, and 
strengthen the timorous "Sons of Lilierty'" by 
the use of argument and money, both he and his 
agents being lavishly supplied with the latter. 
There was to be a draft in July, 1864. and it was 
determined to arm the '"Sons of Liberty" for 
resistance, the date of uprising being fixed for 
July 20. This part of the scheme, however, was 
finally abandoned. Captain Hines located him- 
self at Chicago, and personally attended to the 
distribution of fiinds and the purchase of arms. 
The date finally fixed for the attempt to liberate 
the Southern prisoners was August 29, 1864, when 
the National Democratic Convention was to 
assemble at Chicago. On that date it was 
exi)ected the city would be so crowded that the 
presence of the promised force of "Sons" would 
not excite comment. The program also included 
an attack on the city by water, for wliich pur- 
pose reliance was placed upon a horde of Cana- 
dian refugees, under Capt. John B. Castleman. 
There were some 26,500 Southern prisoners in the 
State at this time, of whom about 8,000 were at 
Chicago, 6,000 at Rock Island, 7,500 at Spring- 
field, and 5,000 at Alton. It was estimated that 
there were 4,000 "Sons of Liberty"' in Chicago, 
who would be largely reenforced. With these 
and the Canadian refugees the prisoners at Camp 
Douglas were to be liberated, and the army thus 
formed was to march upon Rock Island, Spring- 
field and Alton. But suspicions were aroused, 
and the Camp was reenforced by a regiment of 
infantry and a battery. The organization of the 
proposed assailing force was very imperfect, and 
the great majority of those who were to compose 
it were lacking in courage. Not enough of the 
latter reported for service to justify an attack, 
and the project was postponed. In the meantime 
a preliminary part of the plot, at least indirectly 
connected with the Camp Douglas conspiracy, 
and which contemplated the release of the rebel 
officers confined on Jolinson"s Island in Lake 
Erie, had been "nipped in the bud" by the arrest 
of Capt. C. H. Cole, a Confederate officer in dis- 
guise, on the 19th of September, just as he was 
on the point of putting in execution a scheme for 
seizing the United States .steamer Michigan at 
Sandusky, and putting on board of it a Confeder- 



ate crew. November 8 was the date next selected 
to carry out the Chicago scheme — the day of Presi- 
dent Lincoln's second election. The same pre- 
liminaries were arranged, except that no water 
attack was to be made. But Chicago was to be 
burned and flooded, and its banks pillaged. 
Detachments were designated to apply the torch, 
to open fire plugs, to levy arms, and to attack 
banks. But representatives of the United States 
Secret Service had been initiated into the "Sons 
of Liberty," and the plans of Captain Hines and 
his associates were well known to the authori- 
ties. An efficient body of detectives was put 
upon their track by Gen. B. J. Sweet, the com- 
mandant at Camp Douglas, although some of the 
most valuable service in running down the con- 
spiracy and capturing its agents, was rendered 
by Dr. T. Winslow Ayer of Chicago, a Colonel 
Langhome (an ex-Confederate who had taken 
the oath of allegiance without the knowledge of 
some of the parties to the plot), and Col. J. T. 
Shanks, a Confederate prisoner who was known 
as "The Texan." Both Langhorne and Shanks 
were appalled at the horrible nature of the plot 
as it was unfolded to them, and entered with 
zeal into the effort to defeat it. Shanks was 
permitted to escape from Camp Douglas, thereby 
getting in communication with the leaders of the 
plot who assisted to conceal him, while he faith- 
fully apprised General Sweet of their plans. On 
the night of Nov. 6 — or rather after midnight on 
the morning of the 7th — General Sweet caused 
simultaneous arrests of the leaders to be made at 
their hiding-places. Captain Hines was not 
captured, but the following conspirators were 
taken into custody: Captains Cantrill and Trav- 
erse; Charles "Walsh, the Brigadier-General of 
the "Sons of Liberty, " who was sheltering them, 
and in whose bam and house was found a large 
quantity of arms and military stores; Cols. St. 
Leger Grenfell, W. R. Anderson and J. T. 
Shanks; R. T. Semmes, Vincent Marmaduke, 
Charles T. Daniel and Buckner S. Morris, the 
Treasiu-er of the order. They were tried by 
Military Commission at Cincinnati for conspir- 
acy. Marmaduke and Morris were acquitted; 
Anderson committed suicide dxiring the trial; 
Walsh, Semmes and Daniels were sentenced to 
the penitentiary, and Grenfell was sentenced to 
be hung, although his sentence was afterward 
commuted to life imprisonment at the Dry Tortu- 
gas. where he mysteriously disappeared some 
years afterward, but whether he escaped or was 
drowned in the attempt to do so has never been 
known. The British Government had made 



76 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



repeated attempts to secure his release, a brotlier 
of his being a General in the British Army. 
Daniels managed to escape, and was never recap- 
tured, while Walsh and Semmes, after under- 
going brief terms of imprisonment, were 
pardoned by President Johnson. The subsequent 
history of Shanks, who played so prominent a 
part in defeating the scheme of wholesale arson, 
pillage and assassination, is interesting. Wliile 
in prison he had been detailed for service as a 
clerk in one of the offices under the direction of 
General Sweet, and, while thus employed, made 
the acquaintance of a young lady member of a 
loyal family, whom he afterwards married. 
After the exposure of the contemplated uprising, 
the rebel agents in Canada offered a reward of 
§1,000 in gold for the taking of his life, and he 
was bitterly persecuted. The attention of Presi- 
dent Lincoln was called to the service rendered 
by him, and sometime during 186.5 he received a 
commission as Captain and engaged in fighting 
the Indians upon the Plains. The efficiency 
shown by Colonel Sweet in ferreting out the con- 
spiracy and defeating its consummation won for 
him the gratitude of the people of Chicago and 
the whole nation, and was recognized by the 
Government in awarding him a commission as 
Brigadier-General. (See Benjamin J. Sweet, 
Camp Douglas and Secret Treasonable Societies. ) 

CAMPBELL, Alexander, legislator and Con- 
gressman, was born at Concord, Pa., Got. 4, 1814. 
After obtaining a limited education in the com- 
mon schools, at an early age he secured employ- 
ment as a clerk in an iron manufactory. He soon 
rose to the position of superintendent, managing 
iron-works in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Mis- 
souri, until 1850, when he removed to Illinois, 
settling at La Salle. He was twice (1852 and 
1853) elected Mayor of that city, and represented 
his county in the Twentj'-first General Assembly 
(1859). He was also a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 1862, and served 
one term (1875-77) as Representative in Congress, 
being elected as an Independent, but, in 1878, was 
defeated for re-election by Philip C. Hayes, 
Republican. Mr. Campbell was a zealous friend 
of Abraham Lincoln, and, in 1858, contributed 
liberally to the expenses of the latter in making 
the tour of the State during the debate with 
Douglas. He broke with the Republican party 
in 1874 on the greenback issue, which won for 
him the title of "Father of the Greenback." His 
death occurred at La Salle, August 9, 1898. 

CAMPBELL, Antrim, early lawyer, was born 
in New Jersey in 1814; came to Springfield, 111., 



in 1838; was appointed Master in Chancery for 
Sangamon County in 1849, and, in 1861, to a 
similar position by the United States District 
Court for that district. Died, August 11, 1868. 

CAMPBELL, James R., Congressman and sol- 
dier, was born in Hamilton County, 111., May 4, 
1853, his ancestors being among the first settlers 
in that section of the State; was educated at 
Notre Dame University, Ind. , read law and was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court in 1877 ; 
in 1878 purcliased "The McLeansboro Times," 
which he has since conducted : was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1884, and 
again in '86, advanced to the Senate in 1888, and 
re-elected in '92. During his twelve years' 
experience in the Legislature he participated, as 
a Democrat, in tlie celebrated Logan-Morrison 
contest for the United States Senate, in 1885, and 
assisted in the election of Gen. John M. Palmer 
to the Senate in 1891. At the close of his last 
term in the Senate (1896) he was elected to Con- 
gress from the Twentieth District, receiving a 
plurality of 2,851 over Orlando Burrell, Repub- 
lican, who had been elected in 1894. On the 
second call for troops issued by the President 
during the Spanish-American War, Mr. Camp- 
bell organized a regiment which was mustered in 
as the Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel and assigned 
to the corps of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee at Jackson- 
ville, Fla. Although his regiment saw no active 
service during the war, it was held in readiness 
for that purpose, and, on the occupation of Cuba 
in December, 1898, it became a part of the army 
of occupation. As Colonel Campbell remained 
with his regiment, he took no part in the pro- 
ceedings of the last term of the Fifty-fifth Con- 
gress, and was not a candidate for re-election in 
1898. 

CAMPBELL, Thompson, Secretary of State 
and Congressman, was born in Chester County, 
Pa., in 1811 ; removed in childhood to the western 
part of the State and was educated at Jefferson 
College, afterwards reading law at Pittsburg. 
Soon after being admitted to the bar he removed 
to Galena, 111., where he had acquired some min- 
ing interests, and, in 1843, was appointed Secre- 
tary of State by Governor Ford, but resigned in 
1846, and became a Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847; in 1850 was elected as a 
Democrat to Congress from the Galena District, 
but defeated for re-election in 1853 by E. B. 
Washburne. He was tlien appointed by President 
Pierce Commissioner to look after certain land 
grants bv the Mexican Government in California, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDLV OF ILLINOIS. 



77 



removing to that State in 1853, but resigned this 
position about 1855 to engage in general practice. 
In 1859 he made an extended visit to Europe 
with his family, and. on his return, located in 
Chicago, the following year becoming a candidate 
for Presidential Elector-at-large on the Breckin- 
ridge ticket; in 18G1 returned to California, and, 
on the breaking out of the Civil War, became a 
zealous champion of the Union cause, by his 
speeches exerting a powerful influence upon the 
destiny of the State. He also sen-ed in the Cali- 
fornia Legislature dm-ing the war. and, in 1864. 
was a member of the Baltimore Convention 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency 
a second time, assisting most ably in the subse- 
quent campaign to carry the State for the Repub- 
lican ticket. Died in San Francisco, Dec. 6, 1868. 

CAMPBELL, William J., la^vyer and politi- 
cian, was born in Philadelphia in 1850. AVhen 
he was two years old his father removed to 
Illinois, settling in Cook County. After passing 
through the Chicago public schools. Mr. Camp- 
bell attended the University of Pennsylvania, for 
two years, after which he studied law. and was 
admitted to the bar in 1875. From that date he 
was in active practice and attained prominence 
at the Chicago bar. In 1878 he was elected State 
Senator, and was re-elected in 1883, serving in all 
eight years. At the sessions of 1881. '83 and '85 
he was chosen President pro tempore of the 
Senate, and, on Feb. 6, 1883, he became Lieuten- 
ant-Governor upon the accession of Lieutenant- 
Governor Hamilton to the executive office to 
succeed Shelby 31. Cullom, who had been elected 
United States Senator. In 1888 he represented 
the First Illinois District in the National Repub- 
lican Convention, and was the same year chosen 
a member of the Republican Xational Committee 
for Illinois and was re-elected in 1882. Died in 
Chicago, March 4, 1896. For several years 
immediately preceding his death, Mr. Campbell 
was the chief attorney of the Armoiir Packing 
Company of Ciiicago. 

CAMP POIXT, a village in Adams County, at 
the intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Wabash Railroads, 22 miles east- 
northeast of Quincy. It is a grain center, has 
one flour mill, two feed mills, one elevator, a 
pressed brick plant, two banks, four churches, a 
high school, and one newspaper. Population 
(1890), 1.1.50; (1900). 1.260. 

CANAL SCRIP FRAUD. During the session 
of the Illinois General Assembly of 18.59. Gen. 
.Tacob Fry, who, as Commissioner or Trustee, had 
been associated with the construction of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal from 1837 to 1845, 
had his attention called to a check purporting to 
have been issued by the Commissioners in 1839, 
which, upon investigation, he became convinced 
was counterfeit, or had been fraudulently issued. 
Having communicated his conclusions to Hon. 
Jesse K. Dubois, the State Auditor, in charge of 
the work of refunding the State indebtedness, an 
inquiry was instituted in the office of the Fund 
Commissioner — a position attached to the Gov- 
ernor's office, but in the charge of a secretary — 
which developed the fact that a large amount of 
these evidences of indebtedness had been taken 
up through that office and bonds issued therefor 
by the State Auditor under the laws for funding 
the State debt. A subsequent investigation by the 
Finance Committee of the State Senate, ordered 
by vote of that body, resulted in the discovery 
that, in May and August, 1839, two series of 
canal "scrip" (or checks) had been issued by the 
Canal Board, to meet temporary demands in the 
work of construction — the sum aggregating 
§269,059 — of which all but $316 had been redeemed 
within a few yeai-s at the Chicago branch of the 
Illinois State Bank. The bank officers testified 
that this scrip (or a large part of it) had, after 
redemption, been held by them in tlie bank vaults 
without cancellation until settlement was had 
with the Canal Board, when it was packed in 
boxes and turned over to the Board. After hav- 
ing lain in the canal office for several years in 
this condition, and a new "Trustee" (as the 
officer in charge was now called) having come 
■into the canal office in 1853, this scrip, with other 
papers, was repacked in a shoe-box and a trunk 
and placed in charge of Joel A. Matteson, then 
Governor, to be taken by him to Springfield and 
deposited there. Nothing further was known of 
these papers until October. 1854. when .$300 of the 
scrip was presented to the Secretarj- of the Fund 
Commissioner by a Springfield banker, and bond 
issued thereon. This was followed in 1856 and 
1857 by larger sums, until, at the time the legis- 
lative investigation was instituted, it was found 
that bonds to the amount of §223.182.66 had been 
issued on account of principal and interest. 
With the exception of the S300 first presented, it 
was shown that all the .scrip so funded had been 
presented by Governor Matteson. either while in 
office or subsequent to his retirement, and the 
bonds issued therefor delivered to him — although 
none of the persons in whose names the issue was 
made were known or ever afterward discovered. 
The developments made by the Senate Finance 
Committee led to an offer from Matteson to 



78 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



indemnify the State, in wliich he stated that he 
liad "unconsciously and innocently been made 
the instrument through whom a gross fraud upon 
the Slate had been attempted." He therefore 
gave to the State mortgages and an indemnifying 
bond for the smn shown to have been funded by 
him of this class of indebtedness, upon which the 
State, on foreclosure a few years later, secured 
judgment for 6355,000, although the property on 
being sold realized only .?338,000. A further 
investigation by the Legislature, in 1861, revealed 
the fact that additional issues of bonds for similar 
scrip hiid been made amounting to $105,310, for 
which the State never received any compensa- 
tion. A search through the State House for the 
trunk and box placed in the hands of Governor 
Matteson in 1853, while the official investigation 
was in progress, resulted in the discovery of the 
trunk in a condition showing it had been opened, 
but the box was never found. The fraud was 
made the subject of a protracted investigation 
by the Grand Jury of Sangamon County in May, 
18.59, and, although the jury twice voted to indict 
Governor Matteson for larceny, it as often voted 
to reconsider, and, on a third ballot, voted to 
"ignore the bill." 

CANBY, Richard Sprigs, jurist, was born in 
Green County, Ohio, Sept. 30, 1808 ; was educated 
at Miami University and admitted to the bar, 
afterwards serving as Prosecuting Attorney, 
member of the Legislature and one term (1847-49) 
in Congress. In 1863 he removed to Illinois, 
locating at Olney, was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit in 1867, resuming 
practice at the expiration of his term in 1873. 
Died in Richland County, July 27, 1895. Judge 
Canby was a relative of Gen. Edward Richard 
Spriggs Canby, who was treacherously killed by 
the Modocs in California in 1873. 

CAJfNOJT, Joseph G., Congressman, was born 
at Guilford, N. C, May 7, 1830, and removed to 
Illinois in early youth, locating at Danville, Ver- 
milion County. By profes.sion he is a lawyer, 
and served as State's Attorney of Vermilion 
County for two terms (1861-08). Incidentally, 
he is conducting a large banking basiness at 
Danville. In 1872 he was elected as a Republican 
to the Forty-third Congress for the Fifteenth Dis- 
trict, and has been re-elected biennially ever 
since, except in 1890, when he was defeated for 
the Fifty-second Congress by Samuel T. Busey, 
his Democratic opponent. He is now (1898) 
serving his twelfth term as the Representative 
for the Twelfth Congressional District, and has 
been re-elected for a thirteenth term in the Fifty- 



sixth Congress (1899-1901). Mr. Cannon has been 
an influential factor in .State and National poli- 
tics, as shown by the fact that he has been Chair- 
man of the House Committee on Appropriations 
during the important sessions of the Fifty-fourth 
and Fifty-fifth Congresses. 

CANTON, a flourishing city in Fulton County, 
13 miles from the Illinois River, and 28 miles 
southwest of Peoria. It is the commercial me- 
tropolis of one of the largest and richest counties 
in the "corn belt"; also lias abundant supplies 
of timber and clay for manufacturing purposes. 
There are coal mines within the municipal limits, 
and various manufacturing establishments. 
Among the principal outputs are agricultural 
implements, flour, brick and tile, cigars, cigar 
boxes, foundry and machine-shop products, fire- 
arms, brooms, and marble. The city is lighted 
by gas and electricity, has water-works, fire de- 
partment, a public library, six ward schools and 
one high schoo'., and three newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1890), 5,G04; (1900), 6,064. 

CAPPS, Jabez, pioneer, was born in London, 
England, Sept. 9, 1790; came to the United States 
in 1817, and to Sangamon Count}', 111., in 1819. 
For a time he taught school in what is now- 
called Round Prairie, in the present County of 
Sangamon, and later in Calhoun (the original 
name of a part of the city of Springfield), having 
among his pupils a number of those who after- 
wards became prominent citizens of Central 
Illinois. In 1836, in conjunction with two part- 
ners, he laid out the town of Mount Pulaski, the 
original county-seat of Logan County, where he 
continued to live for the remainder of his life, 
and where, during its later period, he served as 
Postmaster some fifteen years. He also served as 
Recorder of Logan County four years. Died, 
April 1, 1896, in the 100th year of his age. 

CARBONDALE, a city" in Jackson County, 
founded in 1852. 57 miles north of Cairo, and 91 
miles from St. Louis. Three lines of railway 
center here. The chief industries are coal-min- 
ing, farming, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
lumbering. It has two preserving plants, eight 
churches, two weekly papers, and four public 
schools, and is the seat of the Southern Illinois 
Normal University. Pop.(1890), 3,383; (1900), 3,318. 

CARBONDALE & SHAWNEETOWN RAIL- 
ROAD, a short line 17 '4' miles in length, ex- 
tending from Marion to Carbondale, and operated 
by the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Company, as lessee. It was incorporated as the 
Murphysboro & Shawneetown Railroail in 1807; 
its name changed in 1869 to The Carbondale & 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



79 



Shawneetown, was opened for business, Deo. 31, 
1871, and leased in 1886 for 980 years to the St. 
Louis Southern, through which it passed into the 
hands of the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- 
road, and by lease from tlie latter, in 1896, became 
apart of the Illinois Central System (which see). 
CAREY, Willium, lawj-er, was born in the town 
of Turner. Slaine, Dec. 29, 1826 ; studied law with 
General Fessenden and at Yale Law School, was 
admitted to the bar of the Supreme Court of 
Maine in 1856, the Supreme Court of Illinois iu 
1857, and the Supreme Court of the United 
States, on motion of Hon. Lyman Trumbull, in 
1873. Judge Carey was a member of the State 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70 from Jo 
Daviess County, and the choice of the Republicans 
in that bodj' for temporarj^ presiding officer; 
was elected to the next General Assemblj' (the 
Twenty -.seventh), serving as Chairman of the 
House Judiciary Committee through its four ses- 
sions; from 1873 to 1876 was United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for Utah, still later occupying 
various offices at Deadwood, Dakota, and in Reno 
County, Kan. The first office held by Judge 
Carey in Illinois (that of Superintendent of 
Schools for the city of Galena) was conferred 
upon him through tlie influence of John A. Raw- 
lins, afterwards General Grant's chief-of-staff 
during the war, and later Secretary of War — 
although at the time Mr. Rawlins and he were 
politically opposed. Mr. Carey's present resi- 
dence is in Chicago. 

CARLIN, Thomas, former Governor, was born 
of Irish ancestry in Fayette County, Ky., July 
18, 1789; emigrated to Illinois in 1811, and served 
as a private in the War of 1812, and as a Captain 
in the Black Hawk War. While not highly edu- 
cated, he was a man of strong common sense, 
high moral standard, great firmness of character 
and unfailing courage. In 1818 he settled in 
Greene County, of which he was the first Sheriff ; 
was twice elected State Senator, and was Regis- 
ter of the Land Office at Quincy, when he was 
elected Governor on the Democratic ticket in 
1838. An uncompromising partisan, he never- 
theless commanded the respect and good-will of 
his political opponents. Died at his home in 
Carrollton, Feb. 14. lS.j2. 

CARLIN, William Passmore, soldier, nephew of 
Gov. Thomas Carlin, was born at Rich Woods, 
Greene County, 111., Nov. 24, 1839. At the age 
of 21 he graduated from the United States Mili- 
tary Academy at West Point, and, in IS.W, was 
attached to the Sixth United .States Infantry as 
Lieutenant. A fter several years spent in Indian 



fighting, he was ordered to California, where he 
was promoted to a captaincy and assigned to 
recruiting duty. On August 15, 1861, he was 
commissioned Colonel of the Tliirty-eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers. His record during the war was 
an exceptionally brilliant one. He defeated Gen. 
Jeff. Thompson at Frederiektown, Mo., Oct. 21, 
1861 ; commanded the District of Southeast Mis- 
souri for eighteen months ; led a brigade under 
Slocum in the Arkansas campaign ; served with 
marked distinction in Kentucky and Mississippi ; 
took a prominent part in tlie battle of Stone 
River, was engaged in the Tullahoma campaign, 
at Chattanooga, Lookout Slountain and Mission- 
ary Ridge, and, on Feb. 8, 1864, was commis- 
sioned Major in the Sixteenth Infantry. He also 
took part in the Georgia campaign, aiding in the 
capture of Atlanta, and marching with Sherman 
to the sea. For gallant service in the assault at 
Jonesboro, Tenn., Sept. 1, 1864, he was made 
Colonel in the regular army, and, on March 13, 
1865. was brevetted Brigadier-General for meritori- 
ous service at Bentonville, N. C, and Major- 
General for services during the war. Colonel 
Carlin was retired with the rank of Brigadier- 
General in 1893. His home is at Carrollton. 

CARLINYILLE, the county -.seat of Macoupin 
County ; a city and railroad junction, 57 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, and 38 miles southwest of 
Springfield. Blackburn University (which see) 
is located here. Three coal mines are operated, 
and there are brick works, tile works, and one 
newspaper. The city has gas and electric light 
plants and water-works. Population (1880), 
3,117, (1890), 3,293; (1900), 3,502. 

CARLYLE, the county-seat of Clinton County, 
48 miles east of St. Louis, located on the Kaskas- 
kia River and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railroad. The town has churches, parochial and 
public schools, water-works, lighting plant, and 
manufactures. It has a flourishing seminary for 
young ladies, three weekly papers, and a public 
library connected with the high school. PopuJa- 
tion (1890), 1,784; (1900), 1,874. 

CARMI, the county-seat of White County, on 
the Little Wabash River, 124 miles east of St. 
Louis and 38 west of Evansville, Ind. The sur- 
romiding country is fertile, yielding both cereals 
and fruit. Flouring mills and lumber manufac- 
turing, including the making of staves, are the 
chief industries, though the city has brick and 
tile works, a plow factory and foundry. Popula- 
tion (1880). 2.512; (1890), 2,785; (1900), 2,939. 

CARPEiVTER, Milton, legislator and State 
Treasurer; entered upon public life in Illinois as 



80 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Representative in the Ninth General Assembly 
(1834) from Hamilton Count}-, serving bj- succes- 
sive re-elections in the Tenth, Eleventh and 
Twelfth. While a member of the latter (1841) 
he was elected by the Legislature to the office of 
State Treasurer, retaining this position until the 
adoption of the Constitution of 1848, when he was 
chosen his own successor by popular vote, but 
died a few days after the election in August, 
1848. He was buried in what is now known as 
the "Old Hutchinson Cemetery" — a burj^ing 
ground in the west part of the city of Springfield, 
long since abandoned — where his remains still lie 
(1897) in a grave unmarked by a tombstone. 

CARPENTER, Philo, pioneer and early drug- 
gist, was born of Puritan and Revolutionary 
ancestry in the town of Savoy, Mass., Feb. 27, 
1805 ; engaged as a druggist's clerk at Troy, N. Y. , 
in 1828, and came to Chicago in 1832, where he 
established himself in the drug business, which 
was later extended into other lines. Soon after 
his arrival, he began investing in lands, which 
have since become immensely valuable. Mr. 
Carpenter was associated with tlie late Rev. 
Jeremiah Porter in the organization of the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, but, in 1851, 
withdrew on account of dissatisfaction with the 
attitude of some of the representatives of that 
denomination on the subject of slavery, identify- 
ing himself with the Congregationalist Church, 
in which he had been reared. He was one of the 
original founders and most liberal benefactors of 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, to which he 
gave in contributions, during his life-time, or in 
bequests after liis death, sums aggregating not 
far from $100,000. One of the Seminary build- 
ings was named_ in his honor, "Carpenter Hall." 
He was identified with various other organiza- 
tions, one of the most important being the Relief 
and Aid Society, which did such useful work 
after the fire of 1871. By a life of probity, liber- 
ality and benevolence, he won the respect of all 
classes, d_ving, August 7, 1886. 

CARPENTER, (Mrs.) Sarah I.Warren, pio- 
neer teacher, born in Fredonia, N. Y., Sept. 1, 
1813; at the age of 13 she began teaching at State 
Line, N. Y. ; in 1833 removed with her parents 
(Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Warren) to Chicago, and 
soon after began teaching in what was called the 
"Yankee settlement," now the town of Lockport, 
Will County. She came to Chicago the following 
year (1834) to take the place of assistant of Gran- 
ville T. Sproat in a school for boys, and is said to 
have been the first teacher paid out of tlie public 
funds in Chicago, though Miss Eliza Clia]ipe!l 



(afterwards Mrs. Jeremiah Porter) began teach- 
ing the children about Fort Dearborn in 1833, 
Miss Warren married Abel E. Carpenter, whom 
she survived, dying at Aurora, Kane County, 
Jan. 10, 1897. 

CARPENTERSTILLE, a village of Kane 
County and manufacturing center, on Lake Ge- 
neva branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road. 6 miles north of East Elgin and about 48 
miles from Chicago. Pop. (1890), 7.54; (1900), 1,002. 

CARR, Clark E., lawyer, politician and diplo- 
mat, was born at Boston, Erie County, N. Y., 
May 20, 1836; at 13 years of age accompanied his 
father's family to Galesburg, lU. , where he spent 
several years at Knox College. In 1857 he gradu- 
ated from the Albany Law School, but on return- 
ing to Illinois, soon embarked in politics, his 
affiliations being uniformly with the Republican 
party. His first office was that of Postmaster at 
Galesbiu-g, to which he was appointed by Presi 
dent Lincoln in 1861 and which he held for 
twenty-four years. He was a tried and valued 
assistant of Governor Yates during the War of 
tlie Rebellion, serving on the staff of the latter 
with the rank of Colonel. He was a delegate to 
the National Convention of his party at Baltimore 
in 1864, which renominated Lincoln, and took an 
active part in the campaigns of that year, as well 
as those of 1868 and 1872. In 1869 he purchased 
"The Galesburg Republican," which he edited 
and published for two years. In 1880 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor ; in 1884 was a delegate to the 
Republican National Convention, from the State- 
at-large, and, in 1887, a candidate for the caucus 
nomination for United States Senator, which was 
given to Charles B. Farwell. In 1888 he was 
defeated in the Republican State Convention as 
candidate for Governor by Joseph W. Fifer. In 
1889 President Harrison appointed him Minister 
to Denmark, which post he filled with marked 
ability and credit to the country until his resig- 
nation was accepted by President Cleveland, 
when he returned to his former home at Gales- 
burg. While in Denmark he did much to 
promote American trade with that country, 
especially in the introduction of American corn 
as an article of food, which has led to a large 
increase in the annual exportation of this com- 
modity to Scandinavian markets. 

CARR, Eugene A., soldier, was born in Erie 
County, N. Y., May 20, 1830, and graduated at 
West Point in 1850, entering the Mounted Rifles. 
Until 1861 he was stationed in the Far West, and 
engaged in Indian fighting, earning a First Lieu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



81 



tenancy through his gallantry. In 1861 he 
entered upon active service under General Lyon, 
in Southwest Missouri, taking jxirt in tlie engage- 
ments of Dug Springs and Wilson's Creelv, 
winning the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 
September, ISOl, he was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Illinois Cavalrj'. He served as acting 
Brigadier-General in Fremont's hundred-day 
expedition, for a time commanding the Fourth 
Division of the Armj' of the Southwest. On the 
second day at Pea Ridge, although three times 
wounded, he remained on the field seven hours, 
and materially aided in securing a victory, for 
his bravery being made Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers. In the summer of 1803 he was 
promoted to the rank of Major in the Regular 
Army. During tlie Vicksburg campaign he com- 
manded a division. leading the attack at Magnolia 
Church, at Port Gibson, and at Big Black River, 
and winning a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy in 
the L^nited States Army. He also distinguished 
himself for a first' and second assault upon taking 
Vicksburg, and, in the autumn of 1862, com- 
manded tlie left wing of the Sixteenth Corps at 
Corinth. In December of that year lie was 
transferred to the Department of Arkansas, 
where he gained new laurels, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General for gallantry at Little Rock, 
and Major-Geueral for services during the war. 
After the close of the Civil War, he was stationed 
chiefly in tlie West, where he rendered good serv- 
ice in the Indian campaigns. In lSi)4 he was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General, and 
has since resided in New York. 

CARRIEL, Henry F., M.D., alienist, was born 
at Cliarlestown, N. H., and educated at JIarlow 
Academy, N. H., and Weslej'an Seminary. Vt. ; 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, New York City, in 1857, and immedi- 
ately accepted the position of Assistant Physician 
in the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum, 
remaining until 1870. Meanwhile, however, he 
visited a large number of the leading hospitals 
and asylums of Europe. In 1870, Dr. Carriel 
received tlie appointment of Superintendent of 
the Illinois Central Hospital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville, a position which he continued to 
fill until 1893, when he voluntarily tendered to 
Governor Altgeld his resignation, to take effect 
July 1 of that year.— Mrs. Mary Turner (Carriel), 
wife of Dr. Carriel, and a daughter of Prof. 
Jonathan B. Turner of Jacksonville, was elected 
a Trustee of the University of Illinois on the Repub- 
lican ticket in 1896, receiving a plurality of 148,039 
over Julia Holmes Smith, her highest competitor. 



CARROLL COUNTY, originally a part of Jo 
Daviess County, but set apart and organized in 
1839, named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton. The 
first settlements were in and around Savanna. 
Cherry Grove and Arnold's Grove. The first 
County Commissioners were Messrs. L. H. Bor 
den. Garner Moffett and S. M, Jersey, wlio held 
their first court at Savanna, April 13, 1839 In 
1843 the county seat was changed from Savanna 
to Mount Carroll, where it yet remains. Town 
shijjs were first organized in 1850, and the 
development of the county has steadily pro 
gressed since tliat date. The surface of the land 
is rolling, and at certain points decidedly pictur- 
esque. The land is generally good for farming. 
It is well timbered, particularly along the Mis- 
sissippi. Area of the county, 440 square miles; 
population, 18,963. Mount Carroll is a pleasant, 
prosperous, wide-awake town, of about 3,000 
inhabitants, and noted for its excellent public 
and private scliools. 

CARROLLTON, the county-seat of Greene 
County, situated on tlie west branch of the Chi- 
cago & Alton and the Quincy, Carrollton & St. 
Louis Railroads, 33 miles north-northwest of 
Alton, and 34 miles south by west from Jackson- 
ville. The town has a foundry, carriage and 
wagon factory, two machine shops, two flour 
mills, two banks, six churches, a high school, and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
2,3.58: (1900), 2,355. 

C.VRTER, Joseph N., Ju.stice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Hardin County, K}'., March 
12, 1843; came to Illinois in boyhood, and. after 
attending school at Tuscola four years, engaged 
in teaching until 1863, when lie entered Illinois 
College, graduating in 1806; in 1868 graduated 
from the Law Department of the University of 
Michigan, the next year establishing himself in 
practice at Quincy, where he has since resided 
He was a member of the Thirty-first and Tliirty- 
second General Assemblies (1878-82), and, in 
June, 1894, was elected to tlie seat on the Supreme 
Bench, wliich he now occupies 

CARTER, Thomas Henry, United States Sena- 
tor, born in Scioto County, Ohio, 0<'t, 30, 1854; 
in his fifth year was brought to Illinois, his 
father locating at Pana, where he was educated 
in the public schools ; was employed in farming, 
railroading and teaching several years, then 
studied law and was admitted to the bar, and, in 
1882, removed to Helena, Mont., where he en- 
gaged in practice; was elected, as a Republican 
the last Territorial Delegate to Congress from 
Idaho and the first Representative from the new 



82 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



State; was Commissioner of the General Land 
Office (1891-92), and, in 1895, was elected to the 
United States Senate for the term ending in 1901. 
In 1893 he was chosen Chairman of the Repub- 
lican National Committee, serving until the St. 
Louis Convention of 1896. 

CARTERVILLE, a city in Williamson County, 
10 miles by rail northwest of Marion. Coal min- 
ing is the principal industry. It has a bank, five 
churches, a public school, and a weekly news- 
paper. Population (1880), 692; (1890), 969; (1900), 
1,749; (1904, est.), 2,000. 

CARTHAGE, a city and the countj'-seat of 
Hancock County, 13 miles east of Keokuk, Iowa, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Wa- 
bash Railroads; has water-work.s, electric lights, 
three banks, four trust companies, four weekly 
and two semi- weekly- papers, and is the seat of a 
Lutheran College. Pop. (1890), 1,654: (1900), 3,104. 

CARTHAGE COLLEGE, at Carthage, Hancock 
County, incorporated in 1871 ; has a teaching 
faculty of twelve members, and reports 158 pupils 
— sixty-eight men and ninety women — for 1897-98. 
It has a library of 5,000 volumes and endowment 
of §33,000. Instruction is given in the classical, 
scientific, musical, fine arts and business depart- 
ments, as well as in preparatorj' studies. In 1898 
this institution reported a property valuation of 
$41,000, of which 835,000 was in real estate. 

CARTHAGE & BURLINGTON RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, Burlington d' Quincy Railroad.) 

CARTWRIGHT, James Henry, Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was born at Maquoketa, Iowa, 
Dec. 1, 1843 — the son of a frontier Methodist 
clergyman; was educated at Rock River Semi- 
nary and the University of Michigan, graduating 
from the latter in 1867 ; began practice in 1870 at 
Oregon, Ogle County, which is still his home ; in 
1888 was elected Circuit Judge to succeed Judge 
Eustace, deceased, and in 1891 assigned to Appel- 
late Court duty ; in December, 1895, was elected 
Justice of the Supreme Court to succeed Justice 
John M. Bailey, deceased, and re-elected in 
1897. 

CARTWRIGHT, Peter, pioneer Methodist 
preacher, was born in Amherst County, Va., 
Sept. 1, 1785, and at the age of five years accom- 
panied his father (a Revolutionary veteran) to 
Logan County, Ky. The country was wild and 
unsettled, there were no schools, the nearest mill 
was 40 miles distant, the few residents wore 
homespun garments of flax or cotton ; and coffee, 
tea and sugar in domestic use were almost un- 
known. Methodist circuit riders soon invaded 
the district, and, at a camp meeting held at Cano 



Ridge in 1801, Peter received his first religious 
impressions. A few months later he abandoned 
his reckless life, sold his race-horse and abjured 
gambling. He began preaching immediately 
after his conversion, and, in 1803, was regularly 
received into the ministry of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Churcli, although only 18 years old. In 
1833 he removed to Illinois, locating in Sangamon 
County, then but sparsely settled. In 1638, and 
again in 1833, he was elected to the Legislatui-e, 
where his homespun wit and undaunted coiuage 
.stood him in good stead. For a long series of 
years he attended annual conferences (usuallj' as 
a delegate), and was a conspicuous figure at 
camp-meetings. Altliough a Democrat all his 
life, he was an uncompromising antagonist of 
slavery, and rejoiced at the division of his 
denomination in 1844. He was also a zealous 
supporter of the Government during the Civil 
War. In 1846 he was a candidate for Congi-ess 
on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by 
Abraliam Lincoln. He was a powerful preacher, 
a tireless worker, and for fifty years served as a 
Presiding Elder of his denomination. On the 
lecture platform, his quaintness and eccentricity, 
together with his inexhaustiljle fund of personal 
anecdotes, insured an interested audience. 
Numerous stories are told of his pli3'sical prowess 
in overcoming unruly characters whom he liad 
failed to convince by moral suasion. Inside the 
church he was equally fearless and outspoken, 
and his strong common sense did much to pro- 
mote the success of the denomination in tlie 
West. He died at liis home near Pleasant Plains, 
Sangamon County, Sept. 35, 1873. His principal 
published works are "A Controversy with the 
Devil" (1853), "Autobiography of Peter Cart- 
\vright" (1856), "The Backwoods Preacher" 
(London, 1869), and several works on Methodism. 
CARY, Eugene, lawyer and insurance manager, 
was born at Boston, Erie County, N. Y., Feb. 30, 
1835; began teaching at sixteen, meanwhile 
attending a select school or academy at intervals; 
.studied law at Slieboygan, Wis., and Buffalo, 
N. Y., 1855-56; served as City Attorney and 
later as County Judge, and, in 1861, enlisted in 
the First Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers, serv- 
ing as a Captain in the Army of the Cmnberland, 
and the last two years as Judge- Advocate on the 
staff of General Rousseau. After the war he 
settled at Nashville, Tenn., where he held the 
office of Judge of the Fir.st District, but in 1871 
he was elected to the City Council, and, in 1883. 
was the High-License candidate for Mayor in 
opposition to Mayor Harrison, and believed by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



83 



many to have been honestly elected, but counted 
out by the machine methods then iu vogue. 

CASAD, Anthony Wayne, clergyman and phy- 
sician, was born in Wantage Township, Sussex 
County, N. J., May 2, 1791; died at Summerfield, 
III, Dec. 16, 1857. His father, Rev. Thomas 
Casad, was a Baptist minister, who, with his 
wife, Abigail Tingley, was among the early 
settlers of Sussex CJouiitj'. He was descended 
from Dutch-Huguenot ancestry, the family name 
being originally Cossart, the American branch 
having been foimded by Jacques Cossart, who 
emigiated from Leyden to New York in 1663. 
At the age of 19 Anthony removed to Greene 
County, Ohio, settling at Fairfield, near the site 
of the present city of Daj-ton, where some of his 
relatives were then residing. On Feb. 6, ISll, he 
married Anna, eldest daughter of Captain Samuel 
Stites and Martha Martin Stites, her mother's 
father and grandfather having been patriot sol- 
diers in the War of the Revolution. Anthony 
AVayne Casad served as a volunteer from Ohio in 
the War of 1812, being a member of Captain 
Wm. Stephenson's Company. In 1818 he re- 
moved with his wife's father to Union Grove, St. 
Clair County, 111. A few years later he entered 
the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
and during 1831-23 was stationed at Kaskaskia 
and Buffalo, removing, in 1823, to Lebanon, 
where he taught school. Later he studied medi- 
cine and attained considerable prominence as a 
practitioner, being commissioned Surgeon of the 
Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry in 183.5. He was 
one of the founders of JIcKendree College and a 
liberal contributor to its support; was also for 
many years Deputy Superintendent of Schools at 
Lebanon, served as County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and acted as agent for Harper 
Brothers in the sale of Southern Illinois lands. 
He was a prominent Free Mason and an influ- 
ential citizen. His 30ungest daughter, Amanda 
Keziah, married Rev. CoUn D. James (which see). 

CASEY, a village of Clark County, at the inter- 
section of the Tandalia Line and the Chicago & 
Ohio River Railroad, 35 miles southwest of Terre 
Haute. Population (1890), 844; (1900), 1,500. 

CASEY, Zadoc, pioneer and early Congressman, 
was born in Georgia. March 17. 1796, the young- 
est son of a soldier of the Revolutionary War who 
removeil to Tennessee about 1800. The subject 
of this sketch came to Illinois in 1817. bringing 
with him his widowed mother, and settling in 
tlie vicinity of the pre.sent city of Moimt Vernon, 
in Jefferson County, where he acquired great 
prominence as a politician and became the head 



of an influential family. He began preaching at 
an early age, and continued to do so occasionally 
through his political career. In 1819, he took a 
prominent part in the organization of Jefferson 
County, serving on the first Board of County 
Commissioners; was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Legislatm-e in 1820, but was elected 
Representative in 1822 and re-elected two years 
later ; in 1,826 was advanced to the Senate, serv- 
ing until 1830, when lie was elected Lieutenant- 
Governor, and during his incumbency took part 
in the Black Hawk War. On March 1, 1833, he 
resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship to accept 
a seat as one of the three Congressmen from 
Illinois, to which he had been elected a few 
montlis previous, being subsequentlj- re-elected 
for four consecutive terms. In 1842 he was 
again a candidate, but was defeated by John A. 
McClernand. Other public positions held by him 
included those of Delegate to the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, Representative in 
the Sixteenth and Seventeenth General Assem- 
blies (1848-52), serving as Speaker in the former. 
He was again elected to the Senate in 1860, 'out 
died before the expiration of his term, Sept. 4. 
1863. During the latter j-ears of his life he was 
active in securing the right of way for the Ohio 
& Mississippi Railroad, the original of the Mis- 
sissippi division of the Baltimore, Ohio & South- 
western. He commenced life in poverty, but 
acquired a considerable estate, and was the donor 
of the ground upon which the Supreme Court 
building for the Southern Division at Mount 
Vernon was erected. — Dr. Xewton E. (Casey), 
son of the preceding, was born in Jefferson 
County, 111., Jan. 27, 1826, received his pri- 
mary education in the local schools and at Hills- 
boro and Mount Vernon Academies; in 1842 
entered the Ohio University at Athens in that 
State, remaining until 1845, when he com- 
menced the stud}' of medicine, taking a course 
of lectures the following year at the Louisville 
Medical Institute; soon after began practice, 
and, in 1(547, removed to Benton, 111., returning 
the following year to Mount Vernon. In 
1856-57 he attended a second course of lectures at 
the Missouri Medical College, St. Louis, the latter 
year removing to Mound City, where he filled a 
number of positions, including that of Mayor 
from 1859 to 18G4. when he declined a re-election. 
In 1860, Dr. Casey served as delegate from Illi- 
nois to the Democratic National Convention at 
Cliarleston. S. C, and, on the establishment of 
the United States Government Hospital at Mound 
Citv. in 1861. acted for some time as a volunteer 



84 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



surgeon, later serving as Assistant Surgeon. In 
1866, he was elected Representative in the 
Twenty-fifth General Assembly and re-elected in 
1868, when he was an unsuccessful Democratic 
candidate for Speaker in opposition to Hon. S. M. 
Cullom; also again served as Representative in 
the Twenty-eighth General Assembly (1872-74). 
Since retiring from public life Dr. Casey has 
given his attention to the practice of his profes- 
sion. — Col. Thomas S. (Casey), another son. was 
born in Jefferson County, 111., April 6, 1832, 
educated in the common schools and at McKend- 
ree College, in due course receiving the degree of 
A.M. from the latter; studied law for three 
years, being admitted to the bar in 18.54; in 1860, 
was elected State's Attorney for the Twelfth 
Judicial District; in September, 1862, was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Tenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was mustered out 
May 16, 1863, having in the meantime taken part 
in the battle of Stone River and other important 
engagements in Western Tennessee. By this 
time his regiment, having been much reduced 
in numbers, was consolidated with the Sixtieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1864, he was 
again elected State's Attorney, serving until 
1868; in 1870, was chcsen Representative, and, in 
1872, Senator for the Mount Vernon District for 
a term of four years. In 1879, he was elected Cir- 
cuit Judge and was immediately assigned to 
Appellate Court duty, soon after the expiration of 
his term, in 188.5, removing to Springfield, where 
he died, March 1, 1891. 

CASS COUNTY, situated a little west of the 
center of the State, with an area of 860 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 17,222 — named 
for Gen. Lewis Cass. French traders are believed 
to have made the locality of Beardstown their 
headquarters about the time of the discovery of 
the Illinois country. The earliest permanent 
white settlers came about 1820, and among them 
were Thomas Beard, Martin L. Lindsley, John 
Cetrough and Archibald Job. As early as 1821 
there was a horse-mill on Indian Creek, and, in 
1827, M. L Lindsley conducted a school on the 
bluffs. Peter Cartwright, the noted Methodist 
missionary and evangelist, was one of the earliest 
preachers, and among the pioneers may be named 
Messrs. Robertson, Toplo, McDonald, Downing, 
Davis, Shepherd, Penny, Bergen and Hoj^kins. 
Beardstown was the original county-seat, and 
during both the Black Hawk and Mormon 
troubles was a depot of supplies and rendezvous 
for troops. Here also Stephen A. Douglas made 
his first political speech. The site of the town, 



as at present laid out. was at one time sold by 
Mr. Downing for twenty-five dollars. The 
county was set off from Morgan in 1837. The 
principal towns are Beardstown, Virginia, Chand- 
lerville, Ashland and Arenzville. The county- 
seat, formerly at Beardstown, was later removed 
to Virginia, where it now is. Beardstown was 
incorporated in 1837, with about 700 inhabitants. 
Virginia was platted in 1836, but not incorporated 
until 1842. 

CASTLE, Orlando Lane, educator, was born at 
Jericho, Vt,, July 26, 1822; graduated at Denison 
University, Ohio, 1846; spent one year as tutor 
there, and, for several years, had charge of the 
public schools of Zanesville, Ohio. In 1858, he 
accepted the chair of Rhetoric, Oratory and 
Belles-Lettres in Shurtleff College, at Upper 
Alton, 111., remaining until his death. Jan. 31, 
1892. Professor Castle received the degree of 
LL.D. from Denison University in 1877. 

CATHERWOOD, Mary Hartwell, author, was 
born (Hartwell) in Lura}', Ohio, Dec. 16, 1844, 
educated at the Female College, Granville, Ohio, 
where she graduated, in 1868, and, in 1887, was 
married to James S. Catherwood, with whom she 
resides at Hoopeston, 111. Mrs. Catherwood is the 
author of a number of works of fiction, which 
have been accorded a high rank. Among her 
earlier productions are "Craque-o'-Doom" (1881), 
"Rocky Fork" (1882), "Old Caravan Days" 
(1884), "The Secrets at Roseladies" (1888), "The 
Romance of Dollard" and "The Bells of St. 
Anne" (1889). During the past few years she 
has shown a predilection for subjects connected 
with early Illinois history, and has published 
popular romances under the title of "The Story 
of Tonty," "The White Islander," "The Lady of 
Fort St. John, " "Old Kaskaskia" and "The Chase 
of Sant Castin and other Stories of the French 
in the New World." 

CATON, John Dean, early lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., March 19, 
1812. Left to the care of a widowed mother at 
an early age, his childhood was sjient in poverty 
and manual labor. At 15 he was set to learn a 
trade, but an infirmity of sight compelled him to 
abandon it. After a brief attendance at an 
academy at Utica, where he studied law between 
the ages of 19 and 21, in 1833 he removed to 
Chicago, and shortly afterward, on a visit to 
Pekin, was examined and licensed to practice by 
Judse Stephen T. Logan. In 1834, he was elected 
Justice of the Peace, served as Alderman in 
1 837-38, and sat upon the bench of the Supreme 
Court from 1842 to 1864, when he resigned, hav- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



85 



ing serve<l nearly twenty-two years. During 
this period he more than once occupied the posi- 
tion of Chief-Justice. Being embarrassed by the 
financial stringency of 1837-38, in the latter year 
he entered a tract of land near Plainfield, and, 
taking his family with him, began farming. 
Later in life, while a resident of Ottawa, he 
liecame interested iu the construction of telegraph 
lines in the West, which for a time bore his name 
and were ultimately incorporated in the "West- 
ern Union," laying the foundation of a large 
fortune. On retiring from the bench, lie devoted 
himself for the remainder of his life to his private 
alTairs, to travel, and to literary labors. Among 
his published works are "The Antelope and Deer 
of America," "A Summer in Norway," "Miscel- 
lanies," and "Early Bench and Bar of Illinois." 
Died in Chicago, July 30, 1895. 

CAVARLT, Alfred W., early lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born in Connecticut, Sept. 15, 1793; 
served as a soldier in the War of 1813, and, in 
1822, came to Illinois, first settling at Edwards- 
ville, and soon afterwards at Carrollton, Greene 
County. Here he was elected Representative in 
the Fifth General Assembly (1820), and again to 
the Twelfth (1840) ; also served as Senator in the 
Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Assemblies 
(1842-48), acting, in 1845, as one of the Commis- 
sioners to revise the statutes. In 1844, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector, and, in 1846, was a 
prominent candidate for the Democratic nomi- 
nation for Governor, but was defeated in conven- 
tion by Augustus C. French. Mr. Cavarlj' was 
prominent both in his profession and in the 
Legislature wliile a member of tliat body. In 
1853, he removed to Ottawa, where he resided 
until his death, Oct. 35, 1876. 

CEXTERVILLE (or Central City), a village in 
the coal-mining district of Grimdy County, near 
Coal Citv. Population (1880), 673; (1900), 290. 

CENTRAL HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
established under act of the Legislature passed 
March 1, 1847, and located at Jacksonville, Mor- 
gan County. Its founding was largely due to the 
philanthropic efforts of Miss Dorothea L. Dix, 
who addressed the people from the platform and 
appeared before the General Assembly in behalf 
of this class of unfortunates. Construction of 
the building was begun in 1848. By 1851 two 
wards were ready for occupancy, and the first 
patient was received in November of that year. 
The first Superintendent was Dr. J. JI. Higgins, 
who served less than two years, when he was suc- 
ceeded by Dr. H. K. Jones, who had been Assist- 
ant Superintendent. Dr. Jones remained as 



Acting Superintendent for .several months, when 
the place was filled by the appointment of Dr. 
Andrew McFarland of New Hampshire, his 
administration continuing until 1870, when he 
resigned on account of ill-health, being succeeded 
by Dr. Henry F. Carriel of New Jersey. Dr. 
Carriel tendered his resignation in 1893, and, 
after one or two further changes, in 1897 Dr. 
F. C. Winslow, who had been Assistant Superin- 
tendent under Dr. Carriel, was placed in charge 
of the institution. The original plan of construc- 
tion provided for a center building, five and a 
half stories high, and two wings with a rear 
extension in which were to be the chapel, kitchen 
and employes' quarters. Subsequently these 
wings were greatly enlarged, permitting an 
increase in the number of wards, and as the 
exigencies of the institution demanded, appropri- 
ations have been made for the erection of addi- 
tional buildings. Numerous detached buildings 
have been erected within the past few years, and 
the capacity of the institution greatly increased 
— "The Annex" admitting of the introduction of 
many new and valuable features in the classifica- 
tion and treatment of patients. The number of 
inmates of late years has ranged from 1,300 to 
1,400. The counties fron^ which patients are 
received in this institution embrace: Rock 
Island, Mercer, Heni-y, Bureau. Putnam, Mar- 
shall, Stark, Knox, Warren, Henderson, Hancock, 
McDonough, Fulton, Peoria, Tazewell, Logan, 
Mason, Menard, Cass, Schuyler, Adams, Pike, 
Calhoun, Brown, Scott, Morgan, Sangamon, 
Christian, Montgomery, Macoupin, Greene and 
Jersey, 

CENTRALIA, a city and railway center of 
Marion County, 350 miles south of Chicago. It 
forms a trade center for the famous "fruit belt" 
of Southern Illinois ; has a number of coal mines, 
a glass plant, an envelope factory, iron foundries, 
railroad repair shops, flour and rolling mills, and 
an ice plant ; also has water- works and sewerage 
sj'stem, a fire department, two daily pa])ers, and 
excellent graded schools. Several parks afford 
splendid pleasure resorts. Population (1890), 
4,763; (1900), 6,731; (1903. est.), 8,000. 

CENTRALIA & ALTAMONT RAILROAD. 
(See Ceutralia & Cheufcr Railroad.) 

CENTRALIA & CHESTER RAILROAD, a rail 
way line wholly within the State, extending 
from Salem, in Marion County, to Chester, on the 
Mississippi River (91.0 miles), with a lateral 
branch from Sparta to Roxborough (5 miles), and 
trackage facilities over the Illinois Central from 
the branch junction to Centralia (2 9 miles) — 



8G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



total, 99.5 miles. The original line was chartered 
as the Centralia & Chester Railroad, in December, 
lyyT, completed I'l-om Sparta to Coulterville in 
1889, and consolidated the same year with the 
Sparta & Evansville and the Centralia & Alta- 
mont Railroads (projected); line completed 
from Centralia to Evansville early in 1894. The 
branch from Sparta to Rosborough was built in 
1895, the section of the main line from Centralia 
to Salem (14.9 miles) in 189G, and that from 
Evansville to Chester (IT.G miles) in 1897-98. 
The road was placed in the hands of a receiver, 
June 7, 1897, and the expenditures for extension 
and equipment made under authority granted by 
the United States Court for the issue of Receiver's 
certificates. The total capitalization is §2,374,- 
841, of which $978,000 is in stocks and S948,000 in 
bonds. 

CENTRAL MILITARY TRACT RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago, BurUngton tfc Quincy Railroad.) 

CERRO (iORDO, a town in Piatt County, 13 
miles by rail east-nortlieast of Decatur. The crop 
of cereals in the surrounding country i.s sufficient 
to support two elevators at Cerro Gordo, which 
has also a flouring mill, brick and tile factories, 
etc. There are three churches, graded schools, a 
bank and two newspaper offices. Population 
(1890), 939; (1900), 1,008. 

CHADDOCK COLLEGE, an institution under 
the patronage of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
at Quincy, 111., incorporated in 1878; is co-educa- 
tional, has a faculty of ten instructors, and 
reports 127 students — 70 male and 57 female — in 
the classes of 1895-9G. Besides the usual depart- 
ments in literature, science and the classics, 
instruction is given to classes in theology, music, 
the fine arts, oratory and preparatory studies. It 
has property valued at §110,000, and reports an 
endowment fund of .?8,000. 

CHAMBERLIJf, Thomas Crowder, geologist 
and educator, was born near Mattoon, 111., Sept. 
25, 1845; graduated at Beloit College, Wisconsin, 
in 1866: took a course in Michigan University 
(1868-69); taught in various Wisconsin institu- 
tions, also discharged the duties of State 
Geologist, later filling the chair of Geology at 
Columbian University, Washington, D. C. In 
1878, he was sent to Paris, in charge of the edu- 
cational exhibits of Wisconsin, at the Interna- 
tional Exposition of that year — during his visit 
making a special study of the Alpine glaciers. 
In 1887. he was elected President of the Univer- 
sity of Wisconsin, serving until 1892. when he 
became Head Professor of Geology at the Univer- 
sity of Chicago, %v^here he still remains. He is 



also editor of the University "Journal of Geol- 
ogy" and President of the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences. Professor Chamberlin is author of a 
number of volumes on educational and scientific 
subjects, chieflj' in the line of geology. He 
received the degree of LL.D. from the Univer- 
sity of Michigan, Beloit College and Columbian 
University, all on tlie same date (1887). 

CHAMPAUtX, a flourishing city in Champaign 
County, 128 miles .southwest of Chicago and 83 
miles northeast of Springfield ; is the intersecting 
point of three lines of railway and connected 
with the adjacent city of Urbana. the countj-- 
seat, by an electric railway. The Univer.sity of 
Illinois, located in Urbana, is contiguous to the 
city. Champaign has an excellent system of 
water-works, well-paved streets, and is lighted by 
both gas and electricity. The surrounding coun- 
try is agricultural, but the city has manufac- 
tories of carriages and machines. Three papers 
are published here, besides a college weekly con- 
ducted by the students of the University. The 
Burnham Hospital and the Garwood Old Ladies' 
Home are located in Champaign. In tlie resi- 
dence portion of the city there is a handsome 
park, covering ten acres and containing a notable 
piece of bronze statuary, and several smaller parks 
in other sections. Tliere are several handsome 
churches, and excellent schools, both public and 
private. Population (1890), 5,839; (1900), 9,098. 

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, situated in the eastern 
half of the central belt of the State; area, 1.008 
square miles; population (1900), 47,622. The 
county was organized in 1833, and named for a 
county in Ohio. The physical conformation is 
flat, and the soil rich. The county lies in the 
heart of what was once called the "Grand 
Prairie." Workable seams of bituminous coal 
underlie the surface, but overlying quick.sands 
interfere w-ith their operation. The Sangamon 
and Kaskaskia Rivers have their sources in this 
region, and several railroads cross the county. 
The soil is a black muck underlaid by a j-ellow 
clay. Urbana (with a poijulation of 5,708 in 
1900) is the county -seat. Other important points 
in the county are Champaign (9,000), Tolono 
(1,000), and Rantoul (1,200). Champaign and 
Urbana adjoin each other, and the grounds of the 
Illinois State University extend into each corpo- 
ration, being largely situated in Champaign. 
Large di'ifted masses of Niagara limestone are 
found, interspersed with coal measure limestone 
and sandstone. Alternating beds of clay, gravel 
and quicksand of the drift formation are found 
beneath the subsoil to the depth of 150 to 300 feet. 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CHAMPAIGN, HAVANA & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Cenfnil Railroad.) 

CHANDLER, Charles, pliysician, was born at 
West Woodstock, Conn.. July 3, 1806; graduated 
witli the degree of M.D. at Castleton, Vt., and, 
in 1829, located in Scituate, R. I. ; in 1832, started 
with the intention of settling at Fort Clark (now 
Peoria), 111., but was stopped at Beardstown by 
the "Black Hawk War," finally locating on the 
Sangamon River, in Cass County, where, in 1848, 
he laid out the town of Chandlerville — Abraham 
Lincoln being one of the survej'ors who jjlatted 
the town. Here he gained a large practice, 
which he was compelled, in his later years, jiar- 
tially to abandon iu consequence of injuries 
received while prosecuting his profession, after- 
wards turning his attention to merchandising 
and encouraging the development of the locality 
in which he lived by promoting the construction 
of railroads and the building of schoolhouses and 
churches. Liberal and pxiblic-spirited, his influ- 
ence for good extended over a large region. 
Died, April 7, 18T9. 

CHANDLER, Henry B., newspaper manager, 
was born at Frelighsburg, Quebec, July 12, 1S3G; 
at 18 he began teaching, and later took cliarge of 
the business department of "The Detroit Free 
Press"; in 1861, came to Chicago with Wilbur F. 
Storey and became business manager of "The 
Chicago Times"; iu 1870, disagreed with Storey 
and retired from newspaper business. Died, at 
Yonkers, N. Y., Jan. 18, 1896. 

CHANDLERVILLE, a village in Cass County, 
on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad, 7 
miles north by east from Virginia, laid out in 
1848 by Dr. Charles Chandler, and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln. It has a bank, a creamery, 
four churches, a weekly newspaper, a flour and a 
saw-mill. Population (1890), 910; (1900), 940. 

CHAPIN, a village of Morgan County, at the 
intersection of the Wabash and the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroads. 10 miles west of 
Jacksonville. Population (1890), 4.50; (1900), 514. 

CHAPPELL, Charles H., railway manager, 
was born in Du Page County, 111., March 3, 1841. 
With an ardent passion for the railroad business, 
at the age of 16 he obtained a position as freight 
brakeman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, being steadily promoted through the 
ranks of conductor, train-master and dispatcher, 
until, in 1865, at the age of 24, he was appointed 
General Agent of the Eastern Division of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy. Other railroad 
positions which Mr. Chappell has .since held are : 
Superintendent of a division of the Union Pacific 



(1869-70) ; Assistant or Division Superintendent 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, or some of 
its branches (1870-74) ; General Superintendent 
of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas (1874-76) ; 
Superintendent of the Western Division of the 
Wabash (1877-79). In 1880, he accepted the 
position of Assistant General Superintendent of 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, being advanced in 
the next three years through the grades of 
General Superintendent and Assistant General 
Manager, to that of General Manager of the 
entire system, which he has continued to fill for 
over twelve years. Quietly and without show or 
display, Mr. Chappell continues in the discharge 
of his duties, assisting to make the system with 
which he is identified one of the most successful 
and perfect in its operation in the whole country. 

CHARLESTON, the county-seat of Coles 
County, an incorporated city and a railway junc- 
tion. 46 miles west of Terre Haute, Ind. It lies 
in the center of a farming region, yet has several 
factories, including woolen and flouring mills, 
broom, plow and carriage factories, a foundry 
and a canning factory. Tliree newspapers are 
published here, issuing daily editions. Population 
(1890), 4,135; (1900), 5,488. The Eastern State 
Normal School was located here in 1895. 

CHARLESTON, NEOGA & ST, LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City 
Railroad.) 

CHARLEVOIX, Pierre Francois Xayier de, 
a celebrate<l French traveler and an early 
explorer of Illinois, born at St. Quentin, France, 
Oct. 29, 1682. He entered the Jesuit Society, 
and while a student was sent to Quebec 
(1695), where for four years he was instructor in 
the college, and completed his divinity studies. 
In 1709 he returned to France, but came again to 
Quebec a few years later. He ascended the St. 
Lawrence, sailed through Lakes Ontario and Erie, 
and finally reached the Mississippi by way of the 
Illinois River. After visiting Cahokia and the 
surrounding county (1720-21), he continued down 
the Blississippi to New Orleans, and returned to 
•France by way of Santo Domingo. Besides some 
works on religious subjects, he was the author of 
histories of Japan, Paraguay and San Domingo. 
His great work, however, was the "History of 
New France," which was not published until 
twenty years after his death. His journal of his 
American explorations appeared about the same 
time. His history has long been cited by 
scholars as authority, but no English translation 
was maile until 1805, when it was undertaken bv 
Shea. Died in France. Feb. 1, 1761. 



88 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CHASE, Philander, Protestant Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Cornish, Vt., Dec 14, 1775, 
and graduated at Dartmouth in 1795. Although 
reared as a Congregationalist, he adopted the 
Episcopal faith, and was ordained a priest in 
1799, for several years laboring as a missionary 
in Northern and Western New York. In 1805, 
he went to New Orleans, but returning North in 
1811, spent six years as a rector at New Haven, 
Conn., then engaged in missionary work in Ohio, 
organizing a number of parishes and founding an 
academy at Worthington; was consecrated a 
Bisliop in 1819, and after a visit to England to 
raise funds, laid the foundation of Kenyon 
College and Gambier Theological Seminary, 
named in lionor of two English noblemen who 
had contributed a large portion of the funds. 
Differences arising with some of his clergy in 
reference to the proper use of the funds, he 
resigned both the Bisiioiiric and the Presidency 
of the college in 1831. and after three years of 
missionary labor in IMichigan, in 1835 was chosen 
Bishop of Illinois. Making a second visit to 
England, he succeeded in raising additional 
funds, and, in 1838, founded Jubilee College at 
Robin's Nest, Peoria County, 111., for which a 
charter was obtained in 1847. He was a man of 
great religious zeal, of indomitable perseverance 
and the most successful pioneer of the Episcopal 
Church in the West. He was Presiding Bishop 
from 1843 until his death, which occurred Sept. 
20, 1852. Several volumes appeared from his pen, 
the most important being "A Plea for the West" 
(1826), and "Reminiscences: an Autobiography, 
Comprising a History of the Principal Events in 
the Author's Life" (1848). 

CHATHAM, a village of Sangamon County, on 
the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 9 miles south of 
Springfield. Population (1890), 482: (1900), 629, 

CHATSWORTH, town in Livingston County, 
on 111. Cent, and Toledo, Peoria & Western Rail- 
ways, 79 miles east of Peoria; in farming and 
stock-raising district ; has two banks, three grain 
elevators, five churches, a graded school, two 
weekly papers, water works, electric lights, paved 
streets, cement sidewalks, brick works, and other 
manufactories. Pop. (1890), 827: (1900), 1,038. 

CHEBANSE, a town in Iroquois and Kankakee 
Counties, on the Illinois Central Railroad, 64 
miles south-southwest from Chicago; the place 
has two banks and one newspaper. Population 
(1880), 728; (1890), 616; (1900). .5.55. 

CHEXET, Charles Edward, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born in 
Canandaigua, N. Y., Feb. 12. 1836; graduated at 



Hobart in 1857, and began study for the ministry 
of the Protestant Episcopal Chui-ch. Soon after 
ordination he became rector of Christ Church, 
Chicago, and was prominent among those wlio, 
under the leadership of Assistant Bishop Cum- 
mins of Kentucky, organized the Reformed Epis- 
copal Church in 1873. He was elected Missionary 
Bisliop of the Northwest for the new organiza- 
tion, and was consecrated in Clirist Church, 
Chicago, Dec. 14, 1873. 

CHENEY, John Vance, author and librarian, 
was born at Groveland, N. Y., Dec. 29, 1848, 
though the famil}' home was at Dorset, Vt.. 
where he grew up and received his primary edu- 
cation. He acquired his academic training at 
Manchester, Vt., and Temple Hill Academy, 
Genesee, N. Y., graduating from the latter in 
1865, later becoming Assistant Principal of the 
same institution. Having studied law, he was 
admitted to the bar successively' in Massachu-setts 
and New York ; but meanwhile having written 
considerably for the old ''Scribner's Monthly" 
(now "Century Magazine"), while under the 
editorship of Dr. J. G. Holland, he gradually 
adopted literature as a profession. Removing to 
the Pacific Coast, he took charge, in 1887, of the 
Free Public Library at San Francisco, remaining 
until 1894, when he accepted the position of 
Librarian of the Newberry Library in Chicago, 
as successor to Dr. William F. Poole, deceased. 
Besides two or three volumes of ver.se, Mr. Cheney 
is the author of numerous essays on literarj' 
subjects. His published works include "Thistle- 
Drift," poems (1887); "Wood-Blooms," poems 
(1888), "Golden Guess," essays (1892); "That 
Dome in Air," essays (1895); "Queen Helen," 
poem (1895) and "Out of the Silence," poem 
(1897). He is also editor of "Wood Notes Wild," 
by Simeon Pease Cheney (1892), and Caxton Club's 
edition of Derby's Phoenixiana. 

CHENOA, an incorporated city of McLean 
County, at the intersecting point of the Toledo, 
Peoria & Western and the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
roads, 48 miles east of Peoria, 23 miles northeast 
of Bloomington, and 102 miles south of Chicago. 
Agriculture, dairy farming, fruit-growing and 
coal-mining are the chief industries of the sur- 
rounding region. The city also has an electric 
light plant, water-works, canning works and tile 
works, besides two banks, seven churches, a 
graded school, two weekly papers, and telephone 
systems connecting with the surrounding coun- 
try. Population (1890), 1,226; (1900), 1,512. 

CHESBROUGH, ElUs Sylvester, civil engineer, 
was bom in Baltimore, Md,, July 6, 1813; at the 




CHICAGO THOROUGHFARES. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



89 



age of thirteen was cliainman to an engineering 
party on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, being 
later employed on other roads. In 1837, he was 
appointed senior assistant engineer in the con- 
struction of the Louisville, Cincinnati & Charles- 
ton Railroad, and, in 1846, Chief Engineer of the 
Boston Waterworks, in 1850 becoming sole Com- 
missioner of the Water Department of that city. 
In lS'h>. he became engineer of the Chicago Board 
of Sewerage Commissioners, and in that capacity 
designed the sewerage system of the city — also 
planning the river tunnels. He resigned the 
'office of Commissioner of Public Works of 
Chicago in 1879. He was regarded as an author- 
ity on water-supply and sewerage, and was con- 
sulted by the officials of New York, Boston, 
Toronto, Milwaukee and other cities. Died, 
August 19, 1886. 

CHESJfUT, John A., lawyer, was bom in Ken- 
tucky, Jan. 19, 1816, his father being a native of 
South Carolina, but of Irish descent. John A. 
was educated principall}- in his native State, but 
came to Illinois in 1836, read law with P. H. 
Winchester at Carlinville, was admitted to the 
bar in 1837, and practiced at Carlinville until 
IS.i.'i, when he removed to Springfield and engaged 
in real estate and banking business. Mr. Che.s- 
nut was associated with many local business 
enterprises, was for several years one of the 
Trustees of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville, also a Trustee of the 
Illinois Female College (Methodist) at tlie same 
place, and was Supervisor of the United States 
Census for the Sixth District of Illinois in 1880. 
Died, Jan. 14, 1898. 

CHESTER, the county-seat of Randolph 
County, situated on the Mississippi River, 76 
miles south of St. Louis. It is the seat of the 
Southern Illinois Penitentiary and of the State 
Asylum for Insane Convicts It stands in the 
heart of a region abounding in bituminous coal, 
and is a prominent shipping point for this com- 
modity ; also has quarries of building stone. It 
has a grain elevator, (iouring mills, rolling mills 
and foimdries. Population (1880), 2,580; (1890), 
2.708; (1900), 2,832. 

CHETLAIN, Augnstns Louis, soldier, was bom 
in St. Louis, Mo., Dec. 26, 1824, of French Hugue- 
not stock — his parents having emigrated from 
Switzerland in 1823, at first becoming members 
of the Selkirk colon}' on Red River, in Manitoba. 
Having received a common school education, he 
became a merchant at Galena, and was the first 
to volunteer there in response to the call for 
troops after the bombardment of Fort Sumter, in 



1801, being chosen to the captaincy of a company 
in the Twelfth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, 
which General Grant had declined; participated 
in the campaign on the Tennessee River which 
resulted in the capture of Fort Donelson and the 
battle of Shiloh. meanwhile being commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel ; also distinguished himself at 
Corinth, where he remained in command until 
May, 1863, and organized the first colored regi- 
ment raised in the West. In December, 1863, he 
was promoted Brigadier-General and placed in 
charge of the organization of colored troops in 
Tennes.see, serving later in Kentucky and being 
brevetted Major-General in January, 1864. From 
January to October, 186.5, he commanded the 
post at Memphis, and later the District of Talla- 
dega, Ala., until January, 1860, when he was 
mustered out of the service. General Chetlain 
was Assessor of Internal Revenue for the District 
of Utah (1867-69), then appointed United States 
Consul at Brussels, serving until 1872, on his 
return to the United States establishing himself 
as a banker and broker in Cliicago. 

CHICAGO, the county-seat of Cook County, 
chief city of Illinois and (1890) second city in 
population in the United States. 

Situation. — The city is situated at the south- 
west bend of Lake Michigan, 18 miles north of 
the extreme southern point of the lake, at the 
mouth of the Chicago River; 715 miles west of 
New York, 590 miles north of west from Wash- 
ington, and 260 miles northeast of St. Louis. 
From the Pacific Coast it is distant 2,417 miles. 
Latitude 41° 52' north ; longitude 87° 35' west of 
Greenwich. Area (1898), 186 square miles. 

Topography. — Chicago stands on the dividing 
ridge between the Mississippi and St. Lawreice 
basins. It is 502 feet above sea-level, and its 
highest point is some 18 feet above Lake Michi- 
gan. The Chicago River is virtually a bayou, 
dividing into north and south branches about a 
half-mile west of the lake. The surrounding 
country is a low, flat prairie, but engineering 
science and skill have done much for it in the 
way of drainage. The Illinois & Michigan Canal 
terminates at a point on the south branch of 
the Chicago River, within the city limits, and 
unites the waters of Lake Michigan with those 
of the Illinois River. 

CoMMEKCE.— The Cliicago River, with its 
branches, affords a water frontage of nearly 60 
miles, the gi-eater part of which is utilized for 
the shipment and unloading of grain, lumber, 
stone, coal, merchandise, etc. Another navigable 
stream (the Calumet River) also lies within the 



90 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



corporate limits. Dredging has made the Chi- 
cago River, with its branches, navigable for 
vessels of deep draft. The harbor has also been 
widened and deepened. Well constructed break- 
waters protect the vessels lying inside, and the 
port is as safe as any on the great lakes. The 
city is a port of entry, and the tonnage of ves.sels 
arriving there exceeds that of any other port in 
the United States. During 1897, 9,136 ves.sels 
arrived, with an aggregate tonnage of 7,209,442, 
while 9,201 cleared, representing a tonnage of 
7,18.5,324. It is the largest grain market in the 
world, its elevators (in 1897) having a capacity 
of 33,550,000 bushels. 

According to the reports of the Board of Trade, 
the total receipts and shipments of grain for 
the year 1898 — counting flour as its grain equiva- 
lent in bushels — amounted to 323,097,453 bushels 
of the former, to 389,930,028 bushels of the latter. 
The receipts and shipments of various products 
for the year (1898) were as follows; 



Flour (bbls.) . 

Wheat (bu.) . . 

Corn "... 

Oats "... 

Rye "... 

Barley " . . . 

Cured Meats (lbs.) 

Dressed Beef " . 

Live-stock — Hogs 
" Cattle 

" Sheep 



Receipts. 

5,316,195 

35,741,555 

137,426,374 

110,393,647 

4,935.308 

18,116,.594 

229,005,246 

110,286,6.52 

9,360,968 

3,480,632 

3,502,378 



Shipments. 

5,032,236 

38,094,900 

130,397,681 

85.0.57,636 

4,453,384 

6,75.5,247 

923,627,722 

1,060,8.59,808 

1,334,768 

864,408 

545,001 



Chicago is also an important lumber market, 
the receipts in 1895, including shingles, being 
1,563,537 M. feet. As a center for beef and pork- 
packing, the city is without a rival in the amount 
of its products, there having been 92,459 cattle 
and 760,514 hogs packed in 1894-95. In bank 
clearings and general mercantile business it 
ranks second only to New York, while it is also 
one of the chief manufacturing centers of the 
country. The census of 1890 shows 9,959 manu- 
facturing establishments, with a capital of S29 J,- 
477,038; employing 303,108 hands, and turning 
out products valued at 8633,184,140, Of the out- 
put by far the largest was that of the slaughter- 
ing and meat-packing establishments, amounting 
to §203,825,093; men's clothing came next (S33,- 
'^<'^,226) ; iron and steel, §31,419,854; foundry and 
machine shop products, S29,928,616; planed 
lumber, §17,604,494. Chicago is also the most 
important live-stock market in the United States. 
The Union Stock Yards (in tlie southwest part of 
the city) are connected with all railroad lines 
entering the c'ty, and cover man_y hundreds of 



acres. In 1894, there were received 8,788,049 
animals (of all descriptions), valued at §148,057,- 
G26. Chicago is also a primary market for hides 
and leather, the production and sales being both 
of large proportions, and the trade in manufac- 
tured leather (notably in boots and shoes) 
exceeds that of any other market in the country. 
Ship-building is a leading industry, as are also 
brick-making, distilling and brewing. 

Transportation, etc. — Besides being the chief 
port on the great lakes, Chicago ranks second to 
no other American city as a railway center. The 
old "Galena & Chicago Union," its first railroad, 
was operated in 1849, and within three years a 
substantial advance had been scored in the way 
of steam transportation. Since then the multi- 
plication of railroad lines focusing in or passing 
through Chicago has been rapid and steady. In 
1895 not less than thirty-eight distinct lines enter 
the city, although these are operated by only 
twenty -two companies. .Some 2,600 miles of 
railroad track are laid witliin the city limits. 
The number of trains daily arriving and depart- 
ing (suburban and freight included) is about 
2,000. Intramural transportation is afforded by 
electric, steam, cable and horse-car lines. Four 
tunnels under the Chicago River and its branches, 
and numerous bridges connect the various divi- 
sions of the city. 

History. — Point du Sable (a native of San 
Domingo) was admittedly the first resident of 
Chicago other than the aborigines. The French 
missionaries and explorers — Marquette, Joliet, 
La Salle, Hennepin and others — came a century 
earlier, their explorations beginning in 1673. 
After the expulsion of the French at the close of 
the French and Indian War, the territory passed 
under British control, though French traders 
remained in this vicinity after the War of the 
Revolution. One of these named Le Mai followed 
Point du Sable about 1796, and was himself suc- 
ceeded by John Kinzie. the Indian trader, who 
came in 1803. Fort Dearborn was built near the 
mouth of the Chicago River in 1804 on land 
acquired from the Indians by the treaty of 
Greenville, concluded by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
in 1795, but was evacuated in 1812, when most of 
the garrison and the few inhabitants were massa- 
cred by the .savages. (See Fort Dearborn.) The 
fort was rebuilt in 1816, and another settlement 
established around it. The first Government 
survey was made, 1829-30. Early residents were 
the Kinzies, the Wolcotts, the Beaubiens and the 
Millers. The Black Hawk War (1832) rather 
aided in developing the resources and increasing 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



91 



the population of the infant settlement by draw- 
ing to it settlers from the interior for purposes of 
mutual protection. Town organization was 
effected on August 10, 1832, the total number of 
votes polled being 28. The town grew rapidly 
for a time, but received a set-back in the financial 
crisis of 1837. During May of that year, how- 



ever, a charter was obtained and Chicago became 
a city. The total number of votes cast at that 
time was 703. The census of the city for the 1st 
of July of that year showed a population of 4,180. 
The following table shows the names and term 
of office of the chief city officers from 1837 to 
1899: 



1837 
1838 
1839 
1S40 
1841 
1842 
1843 
!S44 
1845 
184(1 
1847 
1848 
1849 
1850 
1851 
1852 
1853 
1354 
1855 
1856 
1857 
1858 
1859 
IStiO 
1861 
1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
f868 
1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 
1875 
1876 

1877-78 
1879-80 
1S81-82 
1883-84 
1885 86 
1887-88 
1889-90 
1891-92 
1893 94 

1895-96 

lay 7 -98 



City Clerk. 



Wm. B. Ogden 

Buckner S. Morris ^ 

Benj. W. Raymond 

Alexander Lloyd 

K. C. Sherman 

Benj. W. Raymond J. Curtis. 

Augustus (iarietl ; James M. Lowe 

Aug iJarreti,Al30n S.Shermani 4t JE. A. Rucker 

Ang.Garrett.Al3onS.Sherman(4vE. A. Rucker,Wm.S.Brown{5 
John P. Chapiu Henry B. Clarke 



I. N". Arnold, Geo. Davis (1). 

Geo. Davis 

Wm. H. Brackett 

Thomas Hoyne 

Thomas Iloyne 



Ctty attobnky. 



Henry B. Clarke., 
Sidney Abe. I. 
Sidney A bell. 
Sidney Abell., 



James Curtiss 

Jameg U. Woodworth . 

Janiea H. Woodworth . 

James Curtiss 

Walti'r S. Gurnee ! Henry \V. Zimmerman . 

Walters. Gurnee I Henry W. Zimmerman , 

Charles M. Gray Henry W. Zimmerman , 

Ira L IMilliken Henry W. Zimmerman . 

Levi D. Boone | Henry W. Zimmerman . 

Thomas Oyer | Henry W. Zimmerman . 

John Wentworth jH. Kreisman 

John C. Haines — iH. Kreisman 

JohnC Haines H. Kreisman 

John Wentworth !Abraham Kohn 

Julian S. Rumsey jA. J. Marble 

F. O. Sherman i A. J. Marble 

F C. Sherman ." |H. W. Zimmerman 

F. C. siierman H. W. Zimmerman 

John B. Rice 'Albert H. Bodman 

John B. Rice I Albert H. Bodman 

John B. Rice lAlbert H. Bodman 

John B. Kice I Albert H. Budman 

John B, Rice (8) [Albert H. Bodman, 

R. B. Ma-son ! Charles T. Hotchkiss 

R. B. Mason : Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Jo'eph MediU I Charles T. Hotchkiss 

Joseph :Medill Charles T. Hotchkiss.... 

Harvey D. Colvin Joa. K. C. Forrest 

Harvey D. Colvin Job. K. C. Forrest 

Monroe Heath, '9) H.D. Colvin,] 

Thomas Hoyne Caspar Butz 

Monroe Heath Caspar Butz,. 



Carter H. Uarrisoa .. 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H. Harrison 

Carter H Harrison 

John A. Roche 

Dewitt C. Cregier 

Hempstead Washburne. . 
Carter H. Harrison. Geo. B. 
I Swift.aii John P. Hopkins. (11 f < 

Geo. B. Swift James R. B. ^'an Cleave . 

Carter H. Harrison. Jr William LoetHer.. 

I Carter H. Harrison, Jr William Loeffler.. 



IF. J. Howard 

P. J. Howard 

John G. Neuraeister 

C. Herman Plautz 

D. W. Nickerson 

Franz Araberg 

James R. B. Van Cleave . 



N. B. Judd 

N. B, Judd 

Samuel L. Smith 

Mark Skinner 

Geo. Manierre 

Henry Brown 

G Manierre. Henry Brown(3) 

Henry W. Clarke 

Henry W. Clarke 

Charles H . Larrabee 

Patrick Ballingall 

Giles Spring 

O R. W. Lull 

Henry H. Clark 

Henry H. Clark 

Arno Voss 

Arno Voss 

Patrick Ballingall 

J. A. Thompson 

J. L Marsh 

John C. Miller 

Elliott Anthony 

Geo. F. Crocker 

John Lvie King 

Ira W. Buel 

Geo. A. Meech 

Francis Adams 

Francis Adams 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Daniel D. Driscoll 

Hasbrouck I>avi3 

Hasbrouck Davis 

Hasrirouck Davis 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Israel N. Stiles 

Egbert Jamieson 

Egbert Jamieson 



City Treasureb. 



Hiram Pearsons. 

Hiram Pearsons. 

Geo. W. Dole. 

W.S Gurnee, N. H. BoUea(2) 

N. H. BoIIes. 

F. C. Sherman. 

Walter 8. Gurnee. 

Walter S. tiurnee, 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Andrew Getzler. 

Wm. L. Church. 

Wm. I,. Church. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Edward Manierre. 

Uriah P. Harris. 

Wm. F De Wolf. 

O. J. Rose, 

C. N. Holden. 

Alonzo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey. 

Alonzo Harvey ,C.W.Hunt(6) 

W. H. Rice. 

F. H. Cutting, W. H. Rice (7) 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

A. G. Throop. 

A. G. Throop. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

Wm. F. Wentworth. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

David A. Gage. 

David A Gage. 

Daniel O'Hara. 

Daniel O'Hara. 



R.S, Tuthill 

R. S. Tulhtll 

Julius S. Grinnell 

Julius S. Grinnell Rudolph Brand. 

Julius S. Grinnell John M. Dunphy. 

Hempstead Washburne Wm. M. Devine, 



Clinton Brlggs. 
Chas. B. Larrabee. 
W. O. Seipp. 



Chas. D. Gastfield. 



Hempstead Washburne 

Geu. F.Sugg 

Jacob J. Kern,G.A.Trude(10) 



Geo. A. Trude.... 

Roy O. West 

Miles J. Devine.. 
Andrew J. Ryan. 



C, Herman Plautz. 
Bernard Roesing. 
Peter Kiolbassa. 

Michael J. Bransfield. 
Adam Wolf. 
Ernst Hummel. 
Adani Ortseifeu. 



(1) I. N. Arnold rwigned, and Geo. Davis appointed, October. 1837. 

(2) Gurnee resigned, Bolles appointed his successor, April, 1840. 
(3> Manierre resigned, Brown appointed his succe.ssor. July, 1843. 

(4) Election of Garrett declared illegal, and Sherman elected at new election, held April, 1844. 

(5) Brown appointi-d to till vacancy caused by resignation of Rucker. 

(6) Harvey resigned and Hunt appointed to lill vacancy. 

(7) Cutting having failed to qualify. Rice, who was already in office, held over. 

(8) Legislature changed date of election from April to November, the persons in office at beginning of 1869 remaining in office 

to December of that year. 

(9) City organized under general Incorporation Act in 1875, and no city election held until April. 1876. The order for a new 

election omitted the office of Mayor, yet a popular vote was taken which gave a majority to Thomas Hoyne. The Council 
then in office refused to canvass this vote, but its successor, at its first meeting, did so. declaring Hoyne duly elected. 
Colvin, the incumbent, refusi-d to surrender the office, rlaiming the ri^ht to '• hold over;" Hoyne then made a contest 
for the office, which resnltetl In a decision by the Supreme Court denying the claims of both contesta -ts when a new 
election was ordered by the City Council. July 12, 1876, at wtiich Monroe Heath was elected, serving out the term. 

(10) City Attorney Kern, having resigned November 21, 1892, Geo. A. Trude was appointed to serve out the remainder of the 
term. 

ill) Mavor Harrison, having been assassinated. October 28. 1893. the City Council at its next meeting (November 6, 1893) 
elected Geo. B Swift i an Alderm-in from the Eleventh W:ird i Mayor a^J inferim. At a special eleciiOD held December IS, 
1893, John P. Hopkins was elected to fill out the unexpired term of Mayor Harrison. 



92 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The Fiee of 1871.— The city steadily grew in 
beauty, population and commercial importance 
imtil 1871. On Oct. 9 of that year occurred the 
"great fire'' the story of which has passed into 
history. Recuperation was speedy, and the 2.100 
acres burned over were rapidly being rebuilt, 
when, in 1874, occurred a second conflagration, 
although by no means so disastrous as that of 
1871. The city's recuperative power was again 
demonstrated, and its subsequent development 
has been phenomenal. The subjoined statement 
shows its growth in population : 



1837 
1840 
18.50 
18G0 
1870 
1880 
1890 
1900 



4,179 

4,470 

28,369 

112,162 

298.977 

503.18.5 

1,099,8.50 

1,698,575 



Notwithstanding a large foreign population and 
a constant army of unemployed men, Cliicago 
has witnessed only three disturbances of the 
peace by mobs — the railroad riots of 1877, the 
Anarchist disturbance of 1886, and a strike of 
railroad employes in 1894. 

Municipal Administration. — Chicago long 
since outgrew its special charter, and is now 
incorporated under the broader provisions of the 
law applicable to "cities of the first class," under 
which the city is virtually autonomous. The 
personnel, drill and equipment of the police and 
fire departments are second to none, if noi supe- 
rior to any, to be found in other American cities. 
The Chicago River, with its branches, divides the 
city into three i^rincipal divisions, known respec- 
tively as North. South and West. Each division 
has its statutory geograpliical boimdaries, and 
each retains its own distinct townsliip organiza- 
tion. This system is anomalous; it has, how- 
ever, both assailants and defenders. 

Public Improvements. — Chicago has a fine 
system of parks and boulevards, well developed, 
well improved and well managed. One of the 
parks (Jackson in the Soutli Division) was the 
site of the World's Columbian Exposition. The 
water supjjly is obtained from Lake Michigan by 
means of cribs and tunnels. In this direction 
new and better facilities are being constantly 
introduced, and the existing water S3-stem will 
compare favorably with that of any other Ameri- 
can city. 

Architecture.— The public and oifice build- 
ings, as well as the business blocks, are in some 
instances classical, but generally severely plain. 



Granite and other varieties of stone are used in 
the City Hall, County Court House, the Board of 
Trade structure, and in a few commercial build- 
ings, as well as in many private residences. In 
the business part of the city, however, steel, 
iron, brick and fire clay are the materials most 
largely employed in construction, the exterior 
walls being of brick. The most approved 
methods of fire-proof building are followed, and 
the "Cliicago construction" has been recognized 
and adopted (with modifications) all over the 
United States. Office buildings range from ten 
to sixteen, and even, as in the ease of the Masonic 
Temple, twenty stories in heiglit. Most of them 
are sumptuous as to the interior, and manj- of the 
largest will each accommodate 3,000 to 5,000 
occupants, including tenants and their employes. 
In the residence sections wide diversity may be 
seen ; the chaste and the ornate styles being about 
equally popular. Among the liandsome public, 
or semi-public buildings may be mentioned the 
Public Library, the Newberry Librarj-, the Art 
Institute, tlie Armour Institute, the Academy of 
Sciences, the Auditorium, the Board of Trade 
Building, the Masonic Temple, and several of the 
railroad depots. 

Education and Libraries. — Chicago has a 
public school system unsurpassed for excellence 
in any other city in the country. According. to 
the report of the Board of Education for 1898, the 
city had a total of 221 primary and grammar 
schools, besides fourteen high schools, employing 
5,268 teachers and giving instruction to over 
236,000 pupils in the course of the year. The 
total expenditures dm'ing the year amounted to 
§6,785.601, of which nearly §4, .500. 000 was on 
account of teachers' salaries. The city has 
nearly $7,500,000 invested in school buildings. 
Besides pupils attending public schools there are 
about 100.000 in attendance on private and 
parochial schools, not reckoning students at 
higher institutions of learning, such as medical, 
law, theological, dental and pharmaceutical 
schools, and the great University of Chicago. 
Near the city are also the Northwestern and the 
Lake Forest Universities, the former at Evanston 
and the latter at Lake Forest. Besides an exten- 
sive Free Public Library for circulating and refer- 
ence purposes, maintained by public taxation, 
and embracing (in 1898) a total of over 235,000 
volumes and nearly 50,000 pamphlets, there 
are the Library of the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Newberry and Crerar Libraries — the last 
two the outgrowth of posthumous donations by 
public-spirited and liberal citizens — all open to 




DAY AFTER CHICAGO FIRE. 




CHICAGO THOROUGHFARES. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



93 



the public for purposes of reference under certain 
conditions. This list does not include the exten- 
sive library of the University of Chicago and those 
connected with the Armour Institute and the 
public scliools, intended for the use of the pupils 
of these various institutions 

CHICAGO BOARD OF TRADE, one of the 
leading commercial exchanges of the world It 
was originally organized in the spring of 1843 as 
a voluntary association, with a membership of 
eighty-two. Its primary object was the promo- 
tion of the city's commercial interests by unity 
of action. On Feb. 8, 1849, the Legislature 
enacted a general law authorizing the establish- 
ment of Boards of Trade, and under its provisions 
an incorporation was effected — a second organi- 
zation being effected in April, 1850. For several 
years the association languished, and at times its 
existence seemed precarious. It was, however, 
largely instrumental in securing the introduction 
of the system of measuring grain by weight, 
which initial step opened the way for subsequent 
great improvements in the methods of handling, 
storing, inspecting and grading cereals and seeds. 
Bj' the close of 18.56, the association had overcome 
the difficulties incident to its earlier years, and 
the feasibility of erecting a permanent Exchange 
building began to be agitated, but the project lay 
dormant for several years. In 1856 was adopted 
the first system of classification and grading of 
wheat, which, though crude, formed the founda- 
tion of the elaborate modern system, which has 
proved of such benefit to the grain-growing 
States of the West, and has done so much to give 
Chicago its commanding influence in the grain 
markets of the world. In 1858, the privilege of 
trading on the floor of the Exchange was limited 
to members. The same j'ear the Board began 
to receive and send out daily telegraphic market 
reports at a cost, for the first year, of §500,000, 
which was defrayed by private subscriptions. 
New York was the only city with which such 
communication was then maintained. In Febru- 
ary, 1859, a special charter was obtained, confer- 
ring more extensive powers upon the organization, 
and correspondingly increasing its efficiency. An 
important era in the Board's history was the 
Civil War of 1861-65. During this struggle its 
attitude was one of undeviating loyalty and gener- 
ous patriotism. Hundreds of thousands of dollars 
were contributed, by individual members and 
from the treasury- of the organization, for the work 
of recruiting and equipping regiments, in caring 
for the wounded on Southern battlefields, and 
"roviding for the families of enlisted men. In 



1864, the Board waged to a successful issue a war 
upon the irredeemable currency with which the 
entire West was then flooded, and secured such 
action by the banks and by the railroad and 
express companies as compelled its replacement 
by United States legal-tender notes and national 
bank notes. In 1865, handsome, large (and. as 
then supposed, permanent) quarters were occu- 
pied in a new building erected by the Chicago 
Cliamber of Commerce under an agreement with 
the Board of Trade. This structure was destroyed 
in the fire of October, 1871, but at once rebuilt, 
and made ready for re-occupancy in precisely 
one j-ear after the destruction of its predecessor. 
Spacious and ample as these quarters were then 
considered, the growing membership and increas- 
ing business demonstrated their inadequacy 
before the close of 1877. Steps looking to the 
erection of a new building were taken in 1881, 
and, on May 1, 1885, the new edifice — then the 
largest and most ornate of its class in the world 
— was opened for occupancy. The membership 
of the Board for the year 1898 aggregated con- 
siderably in excess of 1,800. The influence of the 
association is felt in every quarter of the com- 
mercial world. 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & NORTHERN 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago. Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad.) 

CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY RAIL- 
ROAD (known as the "Burlington Route") is 
the parent organization of an extensive system 
which operates railroads in eleven Western and 
Northwestern States, furnishing connections 
from Chicago with Omaha, Denver, St. Paul and 
Minneapolis, St. Louis and Kansas City, Chey- 
enne (Wyo.), Billings (Mont.), Deadwood (So. 
Dak,), and intermediate points, and having con- 
nections by aflSliated roads with the Pacific Coast. 
The main line extends from Chicago to Denver 
(Colo.), 1,025.41 miles. The mileage of the 
various branches and leased proprietary lines 
(1898) aggregates 4,037.06 miles. The Company 
uses 207.23 miles in conjunction with other 
roads, besides subsidiary standard-gauge lines 
controlled through the ownership of securities 
amounting to 1,440 miles more. In addition to 
these the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy controls 
179 miles of narrow-gauge road. The whole 
number of miles of standard-gauge road operated 
by the Burlington system, and known as the 
Burlington Route, on June 30, 1899, is estimated 
at 7,419, of which 1,509 is in IlUnois, all but 47 
miles being owned by the Company. The system 
in Illinois connects many important commercial 



94 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



points, including Chicago, Aurora, Galesburg, 
Quincy, Peoria. Streator, Sterling, Mendota, Ful- 
ton, Lewistown, Rushville, Geneva, Keithsburg. 
Rook Island. Beardstown, Alton, etc. The entire 
capitalization of the line (including stock, bonds 
and floating debt) amounted, in 1898, to 8234,884,- 
600, which was equivalent to about 833,000 per 
mile. The total earnings of the road in Illinois, 
during the fiscal year ending June 30. 1898, 
amounted to 88,724,997, and the total disburse- 
ments of the Company within the State, during 
the same period, to 87,469,456. Taxes paid in 
1898, 8377,968.— (History). The first section of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad was 
constructed under a charter granted, in 1849, to 
the Aurora Branch Railroad Company, the name 
being changed in 1852 to the Chicago & Aurora 
Railroad Company. The line was completed in 
1858, from the junction with the old Galena & 
Chicago Union Railroad, 30 miles west of Chi- 
cago, to Aurora, later being extended to Mendota. 
In 1855 the name of the Company was changed 
by act of the Legislature to the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy. The section between Mendota and 
Galesburg (80 miles) was built under a charter 
granted in 1851 to the Central Military Tract 
Railroad Company, and completed in 1854. July 
9, 1856, the two companies were consolidated 
under the name of the former. Previous to this 
consolidation the Company had extended aid to 
the Peoria & Oquawka Railroad (from Peoria to 
the Mississippi River, nearly opposite Burlington, 
Iowa), and to the Northern Cross Railroad from 
Quincy to Galesburg, both of which were com- 
pleted in 1855 and operated by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy. In 1857 the name of the 
Northern Cro-ss was changed to the Quincy & 
Chicago Railroad. In 1860 the latter was sold 
under foreclosure to the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and, in 1863, the Peoria & Oquawka was 
acquired in the same way — the former constitut- 
ing the Quincy branch of the main line and the 
latter giving it its Burlington connection. Up 
to 18G3, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy used 
the track of the Galena & Chicago Union Rail- 
road to enter the city of Chicago, but that year 
began the construction of its line from Aurora to 
Chicago, which was completed in 1864. In 1873 
it acquired control, by perpetual lease, of the 
Burlington & Missouri River Road in Iowa, 
and, in 1880, extended this line into Nebraska, 
now reaching Billings, Mont., with a lateral 
branch to Deadwood, So. Dak. Other branches 
in Illinois, built or acquired by this corporation, 
include the Peoria & Hannibal ; Carthage & Bur- 



lington ; Quincy & Warsaw ; Ottawa, Chicago & 
Fox River Valley; Quincy, Alton & St. Louis, 
and the St. Louis, Rock Island & Chicago. The 
Chicago, Burlington & Northern — known as the 
Northern Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy — is an important part of the system, 
furnishing a connection between St. Louis on 
the south and St. Paul and Minneapolis on the 
north, of which more than half of the distance of 
583 miles between terminal points, is in Illinois. 
The latter division was originally chartered, Oct. 
21, 1885, and constructed from Oregon, 111., to St. 
Paul, Minn. (319 miles), and from Fulton to 
Savanna, lU. (16.72 miles), and opened, Nov. 1, 
1886. It was formally incorporated into the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy line in 1899. In 
June of the same year the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy also acquired by purchase the- Keokuk & 
Western Railroad from Keokuk to Van Wert, 
Iowa (143 miles), and the Des Moines & Kansas 
City Railway, from Des Moines, Iowa, to Caines- 
ville, Mo. (113 miles). 

CHICAGO, DANVILLE & VINCENXES RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Cliicago & Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO DRAINAGE CANAL, a channel or 
waterway, in course of construction (1892-99) 
from the Chicago River, within the limits of the 
city of Chicago, to Joliet Lake, in the Des Plaines 
River, about 12 miles above the junction of the 
Des Plaines with the Illinois. The primary object 
of the channel is the removal of the sewage of 
the city of Chicago and the proper drainage of 
the region comprised within what is called the 
"Sanitary District of Chicago." The feasibility 
of connecting the waters of Lake Michigan by 
way of the Des Plaines River with those of the 
Illinois, attracted the attention of the earliest 
French explorers of this region, and was com- 
mented upon, from time to time, by them and 
their successors. As early as 1808 the subject of 
a canal uniting Lake Michigan with the Illinois 
was discussed in a report on roads and canals by 
Albert Gallatin, then Secretary of the Treasury, 
and the project was touched upon in a bill relat- 
ing to the Erie Canal and other enterprises, intro- 
duced in Congress in 1811. The measure continued 
to receive attention in the press, in Western 
Territorial Legislatures and in oflicial reports, 
one of the latter being a report by John C. Cal- 
houn, as Secretary of War, in 1819, in which it is 
spoken of as "valuable for military purposes." 
In 1823 Congress passed an act granting the 
right of way to the State through the public 
lands for such an enterprise, which was followed, 



o 



o 

2 

o 
o 






X 



O 




SANITARY CANAL- CHICAGO 




MANCHESTER 




NORTH SEA 

- 3ALTIC- 




^Ajsl^JWJSSSSSS 



2 --*"7gZ* M2'-*iiX*tzi- 



NORTH SEA 
- AMSTERDAM - 

200 08 




SUEl 




PANAMA 




WELLAND 



ILLINOIS* MISSISSIPPI 

HENNEPIN - 
i eoo 



ERIE 



ILLINOIS*MICHIGAN 



COMPARATIVE SIZE OF NOTED CANALS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



95 



five J^ears later, by a grant of lands for the pur- 
pose of its construction. The work was begun in 
1836, and so far completed in 1848 as to admit of 
the passage of boats from the Chicago basin to La 
Salle. (See Illinois d: Michigan Canal.) Under 
an act passed by the Legislature in 1865, the work 
of deepening the canal was undertaken lij' the 
city of Chicago with a view to furnishing means 
to relieve the city of its sewage, the work being 
completed some time before the fire of 1871. This 
scheme having failed to accomplish the object 
designed, other measiires began to be considered. 
Various remedies were proposed, but in all the 
authorities were confronted with the difficulty 
of providing a fund, under the provisions of the 
Constitution of 1870, to meet the necessary cost 
of construction. In the closing months of the 
year 1885, Hon. H. B. Hurd, who had been a 
member of a Board of "Drainage Commission- 
ers," organized in 1855, was induced to give 
attention to the subject. Having satisfied him- 
self and others that the difficulties were not 
insurmountable with proper action by the Legis- 
lature, the City Coimcil, on Jan. 27, 1886, passed 
a resolution authorizing the Mayor to appoint a 
Commission, to consist of "one expert engineer of 
reputation and experience in engineering and 
sanitary matters," and two consulting engineers, 
to constitute a "drainage and water-supply com- 
mission" for the purpose of investigating and 
reporting upon the matter of water-supply and 
disposition of the sewage of the city. As a 
result of this action, Rudolph Hering, of Philadel- 
phia, was appointed expert engineer by Maj'or 
Harrison, with Benezette Williams and S. G. 
Artingstall, of Chicago, as consulting engineers. 
At the succeeding session of the General Assem- 
bly (1887), two bills — one known as the "Hurd 
bill" and the other as the "Winston bill," but 
both drawn bj- Mr. Hurd, the first contemplating 
doing the work by general taxation and the issue 
of bonds, and the other by special assessment-— 
were introduced in that body. As it was found 
that neither of these bills could be passed at that 
session, a new and shorter one, which became 
known as the "Roche- Winston bill," was intro- 
duced and passed near the close of the session. 
A resolution was also adopted creating a com- 
mission, consisting of two Senators, two Repre- 
sentatives and Mayor Roche of Chicago, to further 
investigate the subject. The later act, just 
referred to, provided for the construction of a cut- 
off from the Des Plaines River, which would 
divert the flood-waters of that stream and the 
North Branch into Lake Michigan north of the 



city. Nothing was done under this act, however. 
At the next session (1889) the commission made a 
favorable report, and a new law was enacted 
embracing the main features of the Hurd bill, 
though changing the title of the organization to 
be formed from the "Metropolitan Town," as 
proposed by Mr. Hurd, to the "Sanitary Dis- 
trict." The act, as passed, provided for the 
election of a Board of nine Trustees, their powers 
being confined to "providing for the drainage of 
the district," both as to surplus water and sew- 
age. Much opposition to the measure had been 
developed during the jjendency of the legislation 
on the subject, especially in the Illinois valley, 
on sanitary grounds, as well as fear of midsum- 
mer flooding of the bottom lands which are 
cultivated to some extent : but this was overcome 
by the argument that the channel would, when 
the Des Plaines and Illinois Rivers were improved 
between Joliet and La Salle, furnish a new and 
enlarged waterway for the passage of vessels 
betiveen tlie lake and the Mississippi River, and 
the enterprise was indorsed by conventions held 
at Peoria. Memphis and elsewhere, during the 
eighteen months preceding the passage of the 
act. The promise ultimately to furnish a flow of 
not less than 600,000 cubic feet per minute also 
excited alarm in cities situated upon the lakes, 
lest the taking of so large a volume of water from 
Lake Michigan should afi'eet the lake-level 
injiu'iously to navigation; but these apprehen- 
sions were quieted by the assurance of expert 
engineers that the greatest reduction of the lake- 
level below the pi'esent minimum would not 
exceed three inches, and more likely would not 
produce a perceptible effect. 

At the general election, held Nov. 5, 1889, 
the "Sanitary District of Chicago" was organ- 
ized by an almost imanimous popular vote 
— the returns showing 70,958 votes for the 
measure to 242 against. The District, as thus 
formed, embraces all of the city of Chicago 
north of Eighty-seventh Street, with forty- 
three square miles outside of the city limits 
but within the area to be benefited by the 
improvement. Though the channel is located 
partlj' in Will County, the district is wholly in 
Cook and bears the entire expense of construc- 
tion. The first election of Trustees was held at a 
special election, Dec. 12, 1889, the Trustees then 
elected to hold their offices for five years and 
until the following November. The second 
election occurred, Nov. 5, 1895, when the Board, 
as now constituted (1899), was chosen, viz. • 
William Boldenweck, Joseph C. Braden, Zina R. 



9C 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Carter, Bernard A. Eckliart, Alexander J. Jones, 
Thomas Kelly, James P. Mallette, Thomas A. 
Smyth and Frank Wenter. The Trustees have 
power to sell bonds in order to procure funds to 
prosecute tlie work and to levy taxes upon prop- 
erty within the district, under certain limitations 
as to length of time the taxes run and the rate 
per cent imposed. Under an amendment of the 
Drainage Act adopted by the Legislature in 1897, 
the rate of assessment iipon property within the 
Drainage District is limited to one and one-half 
per cent, up to and including the year 1899, but 
after that date becomes one-half of one per cent. 
The bed of the channel, as now in process of 
construction, commences at Robey Street and the 
South Branch of the Chicago River, 5.8 miles 
from Lake Michigan, and extends in a south- 
westerly direction to the vicinity of Summit, 
where it intersects the Des Plaines River. From 
this point it follows the bed of that stream to 
Lockport, in Will County, where, in consequence 
of the sudden depression in the ground, the bed of 
the channel comes to the surface, and where the 
great controlling works are situated. This has made 
necessary the excavation of about thirteen miles 
of new channel for the river — which runs parallel 
with, and on the west side of, the drainage canal 
— besides the construction of about nineteen 
miles of levee to separate the waters of the 
canal from the river. The following statement 
of the quality of the material excavated and the 
dimensions of the work, is taken from a paper by 
Hon. H. B. Hurd, under the title, "The Chicago 
Drainage Channel and Waterway," published in 
the sixth volume of "Industrial Chicago" (1896); 
"Through that portion of the channel between 
Cliicago and Smnmit, which is being constructed 
to produce a flow of 300,000 cubic feet per minute, 
which is supposed to be sufficient to dilute sew- 
age for about the present population (of Chicago), 
the width of tlie channel is 110 feet on the bot- 
tom, with side slopes of two to one. This portion 
of the channel is ultimatelj' to be enlarged to the 
capacity of 600,000 cubic feet per minute, Tlie 
bottom of the channel, at Robey Street, is 24.448 
feet below Chicago datum. The width of the 
ch'annel from Summit down to the neighborhood 
of Willow Springs is 202 feet on the bottom, with 
the same side slope. The cut through the rock, 
which extends from the neighborhood of Willow 
Springs to the point where the channel runs out 
of groimd near Lockport, is 160 feet wide at the 
bottom. The entire depth of the channel is 
substantially the same as at Robey Street, with 
the addition of one foot in 40,000 feet. The rock 



portion of the ciiannel is constructed to the full 
capacity of 600,000 cubic feet per minute. From 
the point where tlie channel runs out of ground 
to Joliet Lake, t.here is a rapid fall ; ove' this 
slope works are to be constructed to let the water 
down in such a manner as not to damage Joliet. " 

Ground was broken on the rock-cut near 
Lemont, on Sept. 3, 1892, and work has been in 
progress almost constantly ever since. The prog- 
ress of the work was greatly obstructed during 
the year 1898, by difficulties encountered in secur- 
ing the right of waj- for the discharge of the 
waters of the canal through the city of Joliet, 
but these were compromised near the close of the 
year, and it was anticipated that the work would 
be prosecuted to completion during the year 
1899. From Feb. 1, 1890, to Dec. 31, 1898, the 
net receipts of the Board for the prosecution of 
the work aggregated 828,257,707, while the net 
expenditures had amounted to S28, 221 864. 57. Of 
the latter, 820,099,284.67 was charged to construc- 
tion account, 83,106,903.12 to "land account" 
(including right of way), and 31,222,092.82 to the 
cost of maintaining the engineering department. 
When finished, the cost will reach not less than 
835,000,000. These figures indicate the stupen- 
dous character of the work, which bids fair to 
stand without a rival of its kind in modem 
engineering and in the results it is expected to 
achieve. 

CHICAGO GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. 
The total mileage of this line, June 30, 1898, was 
1,008 miles, of which 152.52 miles are operated 
and owned in Illinois. The line in this State 
extends west from Chicago to East Dubuque, the 
extreme terminal i)oints being Chicago and 
Minneapolis in the Northwest, and Kansas City 
in the Southwest. It has several branches in Illi 
nois. Iowa and Minnesota, and trackage arrange- 
ments with several lines, the most important 
being with the St. Paul & Northern Pacific {10.56 
miles), completing the connection between St. 
Paul and Minneapolis ; with the Illinois Central 
from East Dubuque to Portage (12.23 miles), and 
with the Chicago & Northern Pacific from Forest 
Home to the Grand Central Station in Chicago. 
The company's own track is single, of standard 
gauge, laid with sixty and seventy-five-pound 
steel rails. Grades and curvature are light, and 
the equipment well maintained. The outstand- 
ing capital stock (1898) was 852,019,054; total 
capitalization, including stock, bonds and miscel- 
laneous indebtedness, 857,144.245. (History). The 
road was chartered, Jan. 5. 1892, under the laws 
of Illinois, for the piirpose of reorganization of 







VIEWS OF DRAINAGE CANAL. 




VIEWS OF DKAINAGE CANAL. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



'.>~ 



the Chicago, St. Paul & Kansas City Railway 
Company on a stock basis. During 1895, the 
De Kalb & Great Western Railroad {~>.S1 miles) 
was built from De Kalb to Sycamore as a feeder 
of this line. 

CHICAGO, H.iRLEM & BATAYI.\ RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Cliicago cfc Aorthern Pacific Sail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO, HAVANA & WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See niinois Central Bailroad. ) 

CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY, organized, 
April 24, ISoO, for the purposes of (1) establishing 
a library and a cabinet of antiquities, relics, etc. ; 
(2) the collection and preservation of historical 
manuscripts, documents, papers and tracts; (3) 
the encouragement of the discovery and investi- 
gation of aboriginal remains, particularly in Illi- 
nois; (4) the collection of material illustrating 
the growth and settlement of Chicago. By 1871 
the Society had accumulated much valuable 
material, but the entire collection was destroyed 
in the great Chicago fire of that year, among the 
manuscripts consumed being the original draft 
of the emancipation proclamation by Abraham 
Lincoln. The nucleus of a second collection was 
consumed by fire in 1874. Its loss in this second 
conflagration included many valuable manu- 
scripts. In 1877 a temporary building was 
erected, which was torn down in 1892 to make 
room for the erection, on the same lot, of a 
thoroughly fire-proof structure of granite, 
planned after the most approved modern systems. 
The new building was erected and dedicated 
under the direction of its late President, Ed- 
ward G. Mason, Esq., Dec. 12, 1896. The Society's 
third collection now embraces about twenty-five 
thousand volmnes and nearly fifty thousand 
pamphlets; seventy -five portraits in oils, with 
other works of art; a valuable collection of 
manuscript documents, and a large museum of 
local and miscellaneous antiquities. Mr. Charles 
Evans is Secretary and Librarian. 

CHICAGO HOMCEOPATHIC MEDICAL COL- 
LEGE, organized in 1870, with a teaching faculty 
of nineteen and forty-five matriculates. Its first 
term opened October 4, of that year, in a leased 
building. By 1881 the college had outgrown its 
first quarters, and a commodious, well appointed 
structure was erected by the trustees, in a more 
desirable location. The institution was among 
the first to introduce a graded course of instruc- 
tion, extending over a period of eighteen vears. 
In 1897, the matriculating class numbered over 200. 

CHICAGO HOSPITAL FOR WOMEN AND 
CHILDREN,located at Chicago, and founded in 



1865 by Dr. Mary Harris Thompson. Its declared 
objects are: "To afi'ord a home for women and 
children among the respectable poor in need of 
medical and surgical aid ; to treat the same 
classes at home by an assistant physician; to 
afford a free dispensary for the same, and to 
train competent nurses." At the outset the 
hospital was fairly well sustained through pri- 
vate benefactions, and, in 1870, largely through 
Dr. Thompson's efforts, a college was organized 
for the medical education of women exclusively. 
(See Xorthwesfeni University Womaii's Medical 
School.) The hospital building was totally 
destroyed in the great fire of 1871, but temporary 
accommodations were provided in another section 
of the city. The following j-ear, with the aid of 
.?25.000 appropriated by the Chicago Relief and 
Aid Society, a permanent building was pur- 
chased, and, in 1885, a new, commodious and well 
planned building was erected on the same site, at 
a cost of about •?75.000. 

CHICAGO, MADISON & NORTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD, a line of railway 231.3 miles in length, 140 
miles of which lie within Illinois. It is operated 
bj- the Illinois Central Railroad Company, and is 
known as its "Freeport Division." The par value 
of the capital stock outstanding is .$50,000 and of 
bonds $2,500,000, while the floating debt is 
§3,620,698, making a total capitalization of 
§6,170,698, or §26,698 per mile. (See also niinois 
Central Railroad. ) This road was opened from 
Chicago to Freeport in 1888. 

CHICAGO MEDICAL COLLEGE. (See yorth- 
icestern University Medical College.) 

CHICAGO, MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAIL- 
WAT, one of the great trunk lines of the Xorth- 
west, having a total mileage (1898) of 6,153.83 
miles, of which 317.94 are in Illinois. The main 
line extends from Chicago to Minneapolis, 420 
miles, although it has connections with Kansas 
Citj', Omaha, Sioux City and various points in 
Wiscon.sin, Iowa and the Dakotas. The Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company enjoys 
the distinction of being the owner of all the lines 
operated by it, though it operates 245 miles of 
second tracks owned jointly with other lines. 
The greater part of its track is laid with 
60, 75 and 85-lb. steel rails. The total capital 
invested (1898; is .$220,00.5,901, distributed as 
follows: capital stock, 877.845,000; lx>nded debt, 
§135,285,500; other forms of indebtedness, 
§5,572,401. Its total earnings in Illinois for 
1898 were §5,205,244, and the total expendi- 
tures, §3,320,248. The total number of em- 
j)loyes in Illinois for 1898 was 2,293, receiving 



98 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



§1,746,827.70 in aggregate compensation. Taxes 
Ijaid for the same year amounted to 8151,280. — 
(History). The Chicago, IMihvaukce & St. Paul 
Railway was organized in 18C3 under the name 
of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway. The Illi- 
nois portion of the main line was built under a 
charter granted to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company, and the "Wisconsin por- 
tion under charter to the Wisconsin Union Rail- 
road Company; the whole bviilt and opened in 
1872 and purchased by the Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railway Company. It subsequently acquired by 
purchase several lines in "Wisconsin, the whole 
receiving the present name of the line by act of 
the "Wisconsin Legislature, passed, Feb. 14, 1874. 
The Chicago & Evanston Railroad was chartered, 
Feb. 16, 1801, built from Chicago to Calvary (10.8 
miles), and opened, May 1, 1885; was consolidated 
with the Chicago & Lake Superior Railroad, 
under the title of the Chicago, Evanston & Lake 
Superior Railroad Compan}-, Dec. 22, 1885, opened 
to Evanston, August 1, 1886, and purchased, in 
June, 1887, by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railway Company. The Road, as now 
organized, is made up of twenty-two divisions 
located in Illinois, "Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, 
Xorth and South Dakota, ^Missouri and 3Iichigan. 

CHICAGO, PAnrC.\H & 3IE3IPHIS RAIL- 
ROAD (Projected), a road chartered, Dec. 19, 
1893. to run between Altamont and Metropolis, 
111., 153 miles, with a branch from Johnston City 
to Carbondale, 20 miles — total length, 172 miles. 
The gauge is standard, and the track laid with 
sixty-pound steel rails. By Feb. 1, 1895, the road 
from Altamont to JIarion (100 miles) was com- 
pleted, and work on the remainder of the line has 
been in progress. It is intended to .connect with 
the "Wabash and the St. Louis Southern systems. 
Capital stock authorized and subscribed, §2,500,- 
000; bonds issued, $1,575,000. Funded debt, 
authorized, 815,000 per mile in five per cent first 
mortgage gold bonds. Cost of road up to Feb. 1, 
1895, $20,000 per mile; estimated cost of the entire 
line, §2,000,000. In December, 1896, this road 
passed into the hands of the Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois Railroad Company, and is now operated to 
Slarion, in "Williamson County. (See Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois Railroad.) 

CHICAGO, PEKIN & SOUTHWESTERX RAIL- 
ROAD, a division of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, chartered as the Chicago & Plainfield 
Railroad, in 1859; opened from Pekin to Streator 
in 1873, and to Mazon Bridge in 1876 ; sold under 
foreclosure in 1879, and now constitutes a part of 
the Chicago & Alton svstem. 



CHICAGO, PEORIA & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD 
COMPANY (uf Illinois), a coriioratiou operating 
two lines of railroad, one extending from Peoria 
to Jacksonville, and the other from Peoria to 
Springfield, with a connection from the latter 
place (in 1S95), over a leased line, with St. Louis. 
The total mileage, as officially reported in 1895, 
was 208.00 miles, of which 160 were owned by 
the corporation. (1) The original of the Jackson- 
ville Division of this line was the Illinois River 
Railroad, opened from Pekin to Virginia in 1859. 
In October, 1863, it was sold under foreclosure, 
and, early in 1864, was transfen'ed by the pur- 
chasers to a new corporation called the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville Railroad Company, by 
whom it was extended the same year to Peoria, 
and, in 18G9, to Jacksonville. Another fore- 
closure, in 1879, resulted in its sale to the 
creditors, followed by consolidation, in 1881, 
with the "Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway. 
(2) The Springfield Division was incorporated in 
1869 as the Springfield & Northwestern Railwaj' ; 
construction was begun in 1872, and road opened 
from Springfield to Plavana (45.20 miles) in 
December, 1874, and from Havana to Pekin and 
Peoria over the track of the Peoria, Pekin & 
Jacksonville line. The saine year the road was 
leased to the Indianapolis, Bloomington & "West- 
ern Railroad Company, but the lease was for- 
feited, in 1875, and the road placed in the hands 
of a receiver. In 1881, together with the 
Jacksonville Division, it was transferred to the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, and by 
that company operated as the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroad, The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific 
having defaulted and gone into the hands of a 
receiver, both the Jacksonville and the Spiing- 
field Divisions were reorganized in February, 
1887, under the name of the Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Railroad, and placed under control of 
the Jacksonville Southeastern Railroad. A 
reorganization of the latter took place, in 1890, 
under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville & 
St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, it passed into the 
hands of receivers, and was se\'ered from its 
allied lines. The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroad remained under the management of a 
separate receiver imtil January, 1896, when a 
reorganization was effected under its present 
name — "The Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois." The lease of the Springfield 
& St. Louis Division having expired in Decem- 
ber, 1895, it has also been reorganized as an 
independent corporation under the name of the 
St. Louis. Peoria & Xorthern Railway (which see)- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



99 



CHICAGO RIVER, a sluggish stream, draining 
a narrow strip of land between Lake Slichigan 
and the Des Plaines River, the entire watershed 
drained amounting to some 470 square miles. It 
is formed bj- the union of the "North" and 
the"'South Branch," which unite less than a mile 
and a half from the mouth of the main stream. 
At an early day the former was known as the 
"Guarie" and the latter as "Portage River." The 
total length of the North Branch is about 20 miles, 
only a small fraction of which is navigable. The 
South Branch is shorter but offers greater facilities 
for navigation, being lined along its lower por- 
tions witli grain-elevators, lumber-yards and 
manufactories. The Illinois Indians in early days 
found an eas}' portage between it and the Des 
Plaines River. The Chicago River, with its 
branches, separates Chicago into three divisions, 
known, respectively, as the "North" the "South" 
and the "West Divisions." Drawbridges have 
been erected at the principal street crossings 
over the river and both branches, and four 
tunnels, connecting the various divisions of the 
city, have been constructed under the river bed. 
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAIL- 
WAT, formed by the consolidation of various 
lines in 1880. The parent corporation (The 
Chicago & Rock Island Railroad) was chartered 
in Illinois in 1851, and the road opened from Chi- 
cago to the Slississippi River at Rock Island (181 
miles), July 10, 1854. In 1853 a company was 
chartered under the name of the Mississippi & 
Missouri Railroad for the extension of the road 
from the Mississippi to the Missouri River. The 
two roads were consolidated in 1866 as the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and the 
extension to the Missouri River and a junction 
with the Union Pacific completed in 1869. The 
Peoria & Bureau Valley Railroad (an important 
feeder from Peoria to Bureau Junction — 46.7 
miles) was incorporated in 1853, and completed 
and leased in perpetuity to the Chicago & Rock 
Island Railroad, in 1854. The St. Joseph & Iowa 
Railroad was purchased in 1889, and the Kansas 
City & Topeka Railway in 1891. The Company 
has financial and trafHc agreements with the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Texas Railway, extending 
from Terral Station, Indian Territory, to Fort 
Worth, Texas. The road also has connections 
from Chicago with Peoria; St. Paul and Minne- 
apolis; Omaha and Lincoln (Neb.); Denver, Colo- 
rado Springs and Pueblo (Colo.), besides various 
points in South Dakota, Iowa and Southwestern 
Kansas. The extent of the lines owned and 
operatedby the Company ("Poor's Manual," 1898), 



is 3,568.15 miles, of which 236.51 miles are in 
Illinois, 189.52 miles being owned by the coi-po- 
ration. All of the Company's owned and 
leased lines are laid with steel rails. The total 
capitalization reported for the same year was 
§116,748,211, of which §50,000,000 was in stock 
and $58,830,000 in bonds. The total earnings and 
income of the line in IlUnois, for the year ending 
June 30, 1898, was §5,851,875, and" the total 
expenses §3,401,165, of wliich §233,129 was in the 
form of taxes. Tlie Company has received under 
Congressional grants 550, 194 acres of land, exclu- 
sive of State grants, of which there had been sold, 
up to March 31, 1894, 548,609 acres. 

CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & FOND DU LAC RAIL- 
ROAD, (See Chicago & Northwestern Muilway.) 

CHICAGO, ST. PAUL & KANSAS CITY RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago Great Western Railway.) 

CHICAGO, ST. LOUIS & PADUCAH RAIL- 
WAY, a short road, of standard gauge, laid with 
steel rails, extending from Marion to Brooklyn, 
lU., 53.64 miles. It was chartered, Feb. 7, 1887, 
and opened for traffic, Jan. 1, 1889. The St. 
Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad Company is 
the lessee, having guaranteed principal and inter- 
est on its first mortgage bonds. Its capital stock 
is §1,000,000, and its bonded debt §3,000.000, 
making the total capitalization about §56,000 per 
mile. The cost of the road was §3,950,000; total 
incumbrance (1895), $3,016,715. 

CHICAGO TERMIIVAL TRANSFER RAIL- 
ROAD, the successor to the Chicago & Northern 
Pacific Railroad. The latter was organized in 
November, 1889, to acquire and lease facilities to 
other roads and transact a local business. The 
Road under its new name was chartered, June 4, 
1897, to purchase at foreclosure sale the property 
of the Chicago & Northern Pacific, soon after 
acquiring the property of the Chicago & Calumet 
Terminal Railway also. The combination gives 
it the control of 84.53 miles of road, of which 
70.76 miles are in Illinois. The line is used for 
both passenger and freight terminal purposes, 
and also a belt line just outside the city limits. 
Its principal tenants are the Chicago Great West- 
ern, the Baltimore & Ohio, the Wisconsin Central 
Lines, and the Chicago, Hammond & Western 
Railroad. The Company also has control of the 
ground on which the Grand Central Depot is 
located. Its total capitalization (1898) was $44,- 
553,044, of which §30,000,000 was capital stock 
and §13,394,000 in the form of bonds. 

CHICAGO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, organ- 
ized. Sept. 36, 1854, by a convention of Congre- 
gational ministers and laymen representing seven 



100 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Western States, among whicli was Illinois. A 
special and liberal charter was granted, Feb. 15, 
1855. The Seminary has always been under 
Congregational control and supervision, its 
twenty-four trustees being elected at Triennial 
Conventions, at which are represented all the 
cliurches of that denomination west of the Ohio 
and east of the Rocky Mountains. The institu- 
tion was formally opened to students, Oct. 6, 
1858, with two professors and twenty-nine 
matriculates. Since then it has steadily grown 
in both numbers and influence. Preparatory and 
linguistic schools have been added and the 
faculty (1896) includes eight professors and nine 
minor instructors. The Seminary is liberally 
endowed, its productive assets being nearly 
§1,000,000, and the value of its grounds, build- 
ings, library, etc., amounting to nearly $500,000 
more. No charge is made for tuition or room 
rent, and there are fort3--two endowed scholar- 
ships, the income of which is devoted to the aid 
of needy students. The buildings, including the 
library and dormitories, are four in number, and 
are well constructed and arranged. 

CHICAGO & ALTON RAILROAD, an impor 
tant railway running in a southwesterly direc- 
tion from Cliicago to St. Louis, with numerous 
branches, extending into Missouri, Kansas and 
Colorado. The Chicago & Alton Railroad proper 
was constructed under two charters — the first 
gianted to the Alton & Sangamon Railroad Com- 
panj', in 1847, and the second to the Chicago & 
Mississippi Railroad Company, in 1853. Con- 
struction of the former was begun in 1852, and 
the line opened from Alton to Springfield in 
1853. Under the second corporation, the line was 
opened from Springfield to Bloomington in 1854, 
and to Joliet in 1856. In 1855 a line was con- 
.structed from Chicago to Joliet under the name 
of tlie Joliet & Chicago Railroad, and leased in 
perpetuity to the present Company, which was 
reorganized in 1857 under the name of the St. 
Louis, Alton & Chicago Railroad Company. For 
some time connection was had between Alton 
and St. Louis by steam-packet boats running in 
connection with the railroad ; but later over the 
line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad — 
the first railway line connecting the two cities — 
and, finally, by the Company's own line, which 
was constructed in 1864, and formally opened 
Jan. 1, 1865. In 1861, a company with the 
present name (Chicago & Alton Railroad Com- 
pany) was organized, which, in 18G2, purchased 
the St. Louis, Alton & Chicago Road at fore- 
closure sale. Several branch lines have since 



been acquired by purcliase or lease, tlie most 
important in the State being the line from 
Bloomington to St. Louis by way of Jacksonville. 
This was chartered in 1851 under the name of the 
St. Louis. Jacksonville & Chicago Railroad, was 
opened for business in January, 1868, and having 
been diverted from the route upon which it was 
originally projected, was completed to Blooming- 
ton and leased to the Chicago & Alton in 1868. 
In 1884 this branch was absorbed by the main 
line. Otlier important branches are the Kansas 
City Branch from Roodliouse, crossing the Mis- 
sissippi at Louisiana, Mo. ; the "Washington 
Branch from Dwight to Washington and Lacon, 
and the Chicago & Peoria, by which entrance is 
obtained into the city of Peoria over the tracks 
of the Toledo, Peoria & Western. The whole 
number of miles operated (1898; is 843.54, of 
which .580.73 lie in Illinois. Including double 
tracks and sidings, the Company has a total 
trackage of 1,186 miles. The total capitalization, 
in 1898, was §32,793,972, of which 822,230,600 was 
in stock, and §6,694,850 in bonds. The total 
earnings and income for the year, in Illinois, were 
§5,022,315, and the operating and other expenses, 
§4,272,207. This road, under its management as 
it existed up to 1898, has been one of the most uni- 
formly successful in the countrj'. Dividends 
have been paid semiannually from 1863 to 1884, 
and quarterly from 1884 to 1896. For a number 
of years previous to 1897, the dividends had 
amounted to eight per cent per annum on botli 
preferred and common stock, but later had been 
reduced to seven per cent on account of short 
crops along the line. The taxes paid in 1898 
were §341,040. The surplus, June 30, 1895, 
exceeded two and three-quarter million dollars. 
The Chicago & Alton was the first line in the 
world to put into service sleeping and dining cars 
of the Pullman model, which have since been so 
widely adopted, as well as the first to run free 
reclining chair-cars for the convenience and 
comfort of its passengers. At the time the 
matter embraced in this volume is undergoing 
final revision (1899), negotiations are in progress 
for the purchase of this historic line by a syndi- 
cate representing the Baltimore & Ohio, the 
Missouri Pacific, the Union Pacific, and the 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas systems, in whose 
interest it %vill hereafter be operated. 

CHICAGO & AURORA RAILROAD. (See 
Cliicago, Burlington & Quincy Eailroad.) 

CHICAGO & EASTERN ILLINOIS RAIL- 
RO.iD. This company operates a line 516.3 miles 
in length, of which 278 miles are within Illinois. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



101 



The main line in this State extends southerly 
from Dolton Junction (IT miles south of Chicago) 
to Danville. Entrance to the Polk Street Depot 
in Chicago is secured over the tracks of the 
Western Indiana Railroad. The company owns 
several important branch lines, as follows: From 
Momence Junction to the Indiana State Line; 
from Cissna Junction to Cissna Park ; from Dan- 
ville Junction to Shelbyville. and from Sidell to 
Rossville. The system in Illinois is of standard 
gauge, about 108 miles being double track. The 
right of way is 100 feet wide and well fenced. 
The grades are light, and the constmction 
(including rails, ties, ballast and bridges), is 
general!}' excellent. The capital stock outstand- 
ing (1895) is 813,594, 400; funded debt, §18,018,000; 
floating debt, §916,381; total capital invested, 
833,570,781; total earnings in Illinois, 82,592,072; 
expenditures in the State, §2,595,631. The com- 
pany paid the same year a dividend of six per 
cent on its common stock (§286,914), and reported 
a surplus of §1.484,762. The Chicago & Eastern 
Illinois was originally chartered in 1865 as the 
Chicago, Danville & Vincennes Railroad, its main 
line being completed in 1872. In 1873, it defaulted 
on interest, was sold under foreclosure in 1877, 
and reorganized as the Chicago & Nashville, but 
later in same year took its present name. In 
1894 it was consolidated with the Chicago & 
Indiana Coal Railway. Two spurs (5.27 miles in 
length) were added to the line in 1895. Early in 
1897 this line obtained control of the Chicago, 
Paducah & Memphis Railroad, which is now 
operated to Marion, in Williamson County. (See 
Chicago. Paducah & Memphis Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY. Of 
the 335.27 miles of the Chicago & Grand Trunk 
Railroad, only 30.65 are in Illinois, and of the 
latter 9.7 miles are operated under lease. That 
portion of the line within the State extends from 
Chicago easterly to the Indiana State line. The 
Company is also lessee of the Grand Junction 
Railroad, four miles in length. The Road is 
capitalized at §6,000.000, has a bonded debt of 
§12,000,000 and a floating debt (1895) of §2,271,425, 
making the total capital invested, $20,871,425. 
The total earnings in Illinois for 1895 amounted 
to §660,393; disbursements within the State for 
the same period, §345,233. The Chicago & Grand 
Trunk Railway, as now constituted, is a consoli- 
dation of various lines between Port Huron, 
Mich., and Chicago, operated in the interest of 
the Grand Trunk Railway of Canada. The Illi- 
nois section was built under a charter granted in 
1B78 to the Chicago & State Line Railwaj- Com- 



pany, to form a connection with Valparaiso, Ind. 
This corporation acquired the Chicago & South- 
ern Railroad (from Chicago to Dolton), and the 
Chicago & State Line Extension in Indiana, all 
being consolidated under the name of the North- 
western Grand Trunk Railroad. In 1880, a final 
consolidation of these lines with the eastward 
connections took place under the present name — 
the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway. 

CHICAGO & GREAT EASTERN RAILWAY. 
(See Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway. ) 

CHICAGO & GREAT SOUTHERN RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria, Decatur c£- Evansville Railwaij.) 

CHICAGO & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Peoria, Decatur <& Evansville Rail- 
vay. ) 

CHICAGO & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago & Alton Railmad ) 

CHICAGO & NASHVILLE RAILROAD. (See 
Cliicago <& Ea.'iter)i Illinois Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & NORTHERN PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago Terminal Transfer Rail- 
road. ) 

CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN RAILWAY, 
one of the great trunk lines of the country, pene- 
trating the States of Illinois, Wisconsin, Michi- 
gan, Iowa, Minnesota and North and South 
Dakota. The total length of its main line, 
branches, proprietary and operated lines, on May 
1, 1899, was 5,076.89 miles, of which 594 miles are 
operated in Illinois, all owned by the company. 
Second and side tracks increase the mileage 
to a total of 7.217.91 miles. The Chicago & 
Northwestern Railway (proper) is operated in 
nine separate divisions, as follows: The Wis- 
consin, Galena, Iowa, Northern Iowa, Madison, 
Peninsula, Winona and St. Peter, Dakota and 
Ashland Divisions The principal or main linesi 
of the "Northwestern System,"' in its entirety, 
are those which have Chicago, Omaha, St. Paul 
and Minneapolis for their termini, though their 
branches reach numerous important points 
within the States already named, from the shore 
of Lake Michigan on the east to Wyoming on the 
west, and from Kansas on the south to Lake 
Superior on the north. — (History.) The Chi- 
cago & Northwestern Railway Company was 
organized in 1859 under charters granted by the 
Legislatures of Illinois and Wisconsin during 
that year, under which the new company came 
into possession of the rights and franchises of the 
Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railroad Com- 
pany. The latter road was the outgrowth o1 
various railway enterprises which had been pro 



102 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



jected, chartered and partly constructed in Wis- 
consin and Illinois, between 1848 and 1855, 
including the Madison & Beloit Railroad, the 
Rock River Valley Union Railroad, and the Illi- 
nois & Wisconsin Railroad — tlie last named com- 
pany being chartered by the IlUnois Legislature 
in 1851, and autliorized to build a railroad from 
Chicago to the Wisconsin line. Tlie Wisconsin 
Legislature of 1855 authorized the consolidation 
of the Rock River Valley Union Railroad with the 
Illinois enterprise, and, in March, 1855, the con- 
solidation of these lines was perfected under the 
name of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad. During the first four years of its exist- 
ence this company built 176 miles of the road, of 
which seventy miles were between Chicago and 
the Wisconsin State line, with the sections con- 
structed in Wisconsin completing the connection 
between Chicago and Fond du Lac. As the result 
of the financial revulsion of 1857, the corporation 
became financially embarrassed, and the sale of its 
property and franchises under the foreclosure of 
1859, already alluded to, followed. This marked 
the beginning of the present corporation, and, in 
the next few years, by the construction of new 
lines and the purchase of others in Wisconsin and 
Northern Illinois, it added largely to the extent 
of its lines, both constructed and projected. The 
most important of these was the union effected 
with the Galena & Cliicago Union Railroad, 
which was formally consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern in 1864. The history of 
the Galana & Chicago Union is interesting in 
view of the fact that it was one of the earliest 
railroads incorporated in Illinois, having been 
chartered by special act of the Legislature during 
the "internal improvement" excitement of 1836. 
Besides, its charter was the only one of that 
period under which an organization was effected, 
and although construction was not begun under 
it until 1847 (eleven years afterward), it was the 
second railroad constructed in the State and the 
first leading from the city of Chicago. In the 
forty years of its history the growth of the Chi- 
cago & Northwestern has been steady, and its 
success almost phenomenal. In that time it has 
not onlj' added largely to its mileage by the con- 
struction of new lines, but has absorbed more 
lines than almost any other road in the country, 
until it now reaches almost every important city 
in the Northwest. Among the lines in Northern 
Illinois now constituting a part of it. were several 
which had become a part of the Galena & Chicago 
Union before the consolidation. These included 
a line from BelviJere to Beloit, Wis. ; the Fox 



River Valley Railroad, and the St. Charles & 
Mississippi Air Line Railroad — all Illinois enter- 
prises, and more or less closely connected with 
the development of the State. The total capi- 
talization of the line, on June 30, 1898, was 
§200,968,108, of which §66,408,821 was capi- 
tal stock and §101,603,000 in the form of 
bonds. The earnings in the State of Illinois, 
for the same period, aggregated $4,374,923, 
and the expenditures §8,712.593. At the present 
time (1899) the Chicago & Northwestern is build- 
ing eight or ten branch lines in Wisconsin, Iowa, 
Minnesota and South Dakota. The Northwestern 
System, as such, comprises nearly 3,000 miles of 
road not included in the preceding statements of 
mileage and financial condition. Although owned 
by the Chicago & Northwestern Company, they 
are managed by different officers and under other 
names. The mileage of the whole system covers 
nearly 8,000 miles of main line. 

CHICAGO & SPRINGFIELD RAILROAD. 
(See Illinoif! Centra! Railroad.) 

CHICAGO & TEXAS RAILROAD, a line 
seventy-three miles in length, extending from 
Johnston City by way of Carbondale westerly to 
the Mississippi, thence southerly to Cape Girar- 
deau. The line was originally operated by two 
companies, under the names of the Grand Tower 
& Carbondale and the Grand Tower & Cape Girar- 
deau Railroad Companies. The former was 
chartered in 1882, and the road built in 1885 ; the 
latter, chartered in 1889 and the line opened the 
same year. They were consolidated in 1893, and 
operated under the name of the Chicago & Texas 
Railroad Company. In October, 1897, the last 
named line was transferred, under a twenty-five 
year lease, to the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany, by whom it is operated as its St. Louis & 
Cape Girardeau division. 

CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA RAIL- 
ROAD. The main line of tliis road extends from 
Chicago to Dolton, 111. (17 miles), and affords ter- 
minal facilities for all lines entering the Polk St. 
Depot at Chicago. It has branches to Hammond, 
Ind. (10.28 miles) ; to Cragin (15.9 miles), and to 
South Chicago (5.41 miles); making the direct 
mileage of its branches 48.59 miles. In addition, 
its second, third and fourth tracks and sidings 
increase the mileage to 204.79 miles. The com- 
pany was organized June 9, 1879 ; the road opened 
in 1880, and, on Jan. 26, 1882, consolidated with 
tlie South Chicago & Western Indiana Railroad 
Company, and the Chicago & Western Indiana 
Belt Railway. It also owns some 850 acres in fee 
in Chicago, including wharf property on the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



103 



Chicago River, right of way, switch and transfer 
yards, depots, the Indiana grain elevator, etc. 
The elevator and the Belt Division are leased to 
the Belt Railway Company of Chicago, and the 
rest of the property is leased conjointly by the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & Grand 
Trunk, the Chicago & Erie, the Louisville, New 
Albany & Chicago, and the AV;ibash Railways 
(each of which owns §1,000,000 of the capital 
stock), and by the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. 
These companies pay the expense of operation 
and maintenance on a mileage basis. 

CHICAGO k WISCONSIN RAILEOAD. (See 
Wisconsin Central Lines.) 

CHILDS, Robert A., was born at Malone, 
FrankUn County, N. Y., March 22, 1845, the son 
of an itinerant Methodist preacher, who settled 
near Belvidere. Boone County, 111., in 1852. His 
home having been broken up by the death of his 
mother, in 1854, he went to live upon a farm. In 
April. 181)1, at the age of 16 years, he enlisted in 
the company of Captain (afterwards General) 
Stephen A. Hurlbut, which was later attached to 
the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers. After being 
mustered out at the close of the war, lie entered 
school, and graduated from the Illinois State 
Normal Universitj in 1870. For the following three 
years he was Principal and Superintendent of 
public schools at Amboy, Lee Coimty. meanwhile 
studying law, and being admitted to the bar. In 
1873, he began the practice of his profession at 
Chicago, making his home at Hinsdale. After 
filling various local offices, in 1884 he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1892, was elected by the narrow 
majority of thirty-seven votes to represent the 
Eighth Illinois District in the Fifty-third Con- 
gress, as a Republican. 

CHILLICOTHE, a city in Peoria County, situ- 
ated on the Illinois River, at the head of Peoria 
Lake; is 19 miles northwest of Peoria, on the 
Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, and the freiglit division of the 
Atkinson, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. It is an 
important shipping-point for grain; has a can- 
ning factory, a button factory, two banks, five 
churches, a high school, and two veekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1.632; (1900), 1,699. 

CHINIQUY, (Rev.) Charles, clergyman and 
reformer, was born in Canada. July 30, 1809, of 
mixed French and Spanish blood, and educated 
for the Romish priesthood at the Seminary of St. 
Nicholet, where he remained ten years, gaining a 
reputation among his fellow students for extraor- 
dinary zeal and piety. Having been ordained 



to the priesthood in 1833, he labored in various 
churches in Canada until 1851, when he accepted 
an invitation to Illinois with a view to building 
up the church in the Mississippi Valley. Locat- 
ing at the j miction of the Kankakee and Iroquois 
Rivers, in Kankakee County, he was the means 
of bringing to that vicinity a colony of some 
5,000 French Canadians, followed by colonists 
from France, Belgium and other European 
countries. It has been estimated that over 
50.000 of this class of emigrants were settled in 
Illinois within a few years. The colony em- 
braced a territory of some 40 square miles, with 
the village of St. Ann's as the center. Here 
Father Chiniquy began his labors by erecting 
churches and schools for the colonists. He soon 
became dissatisfied with what he believed to be 
the exercise of arbitrary authority by the ruling 
Bishop, then began to have doubts on the question 
of papal infallibilit}', the final result being a 
determination to separate himself from the 
Mother Church. In this step he appears to have 
been followed by a large jjroportion of the colo- 
nists who had accompanied him from Canada, but 
the result was a feeling of intense bitterness 
between the opposing factions, leading to much 
litigation and many criminal prosecutions, of 
which Father Chiniquy was the subject, though 
never convicted. In one of these suits, in which 
the Father was accused of an infamous crime, 
Abraham Lincoln was counsel for the defense, 
the charge being proven to be the outgrowth of 
a conspiracy. Having finally determined to 
espouse the cause of Protestantism, Father 
Chiniquy allied himself with the Canadian Pres- 
bytery, and for many years of his active clerical 
life, divided his time between Canada and the 
United States, having supervision of churches in 
Montreal and Ottawa, as well as in this country. 
He also more than once visited Europe by special 
invitation to address important religious bodies 
in that country. He died at Montreal, Canada, 
Jan. 16. 1899, in the 90tli year of his age. 

CHOUART, Mcdard, (known also as Sieur des 
Groseilliers), an early French explorer, supposed 
to have been born at Toiu-aine, France, about 
1621. Coming to New France in early youth, he 
made a voyage of discovery with his brother-in- 
law, Radisson, westward from Quebec, about 
1654-56, tliese two being believed to have been 
the first white men to reach Lake Superior. 
After spending the winter of 1658-59 at La 
Pointe, near where Ashland, Wis., now stands, 
they are believed by some to have discovered the 
Upper Mississippi and to have descended that 



104 



IIISTOPJCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



stream a long distance towards its mouth, as 
they claimed to have reached a much milder 
climate and heard of Spanish shij^s on tlie salt 
water (Gulf of Mexico). Some antiquarians 
credit them, about this time (1659), with having 
visited the present site of the city of Chicago. 
They were the first explorers of Northwestern 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and are also credited 
with having been the first to discover an inland 
route to Hudson's Baj'. and with being the 
founders of the original Hudson's Bay Company. 
Groseillier's later history is unknown, but he 
ranks among the most intrepid explorers of the 
"New World" about the middle of the seventh 
century. 

CHRISMAN, a city of Edgar County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis and the Cincinnati, Hamilton & 
Dayton Railroads. 34 miles south of Danville ; has 
a pipe-wrench factory, grain elevators, and 
storage cribs. Population (1890), 830; (1900), 905. 

CHRISTIAN COUXTT, a rich agricultural 
county, lying in the "central belt," and organized 
in 1839 from parts of Macon, Montgomery, 
Sangamon and Shelby Counties. The name first 
given to it was Dane, in honor of Nathan Dane, 
one of the framers of the Ordinance of 1787, but 
a political prejudice led to a change. A pre- 
ponderance of early settlers having come from 
Christian County, Ky.. this name was finally 
adopted. The surface is level and the soil fertile, 
the nortliern half of the county being best 
adapted to corn and the southern to wheat. Its 
area is about 710 square miles, and its population 
(1900), was 33,790. The life of the early settlers 
was exceedingly primitive. Game was abun- 
dant ; wild honey was used as a substitute for 
sugar; wolves were troublesome; prairie fires 
were frequent; the first mill (on Bear Creek) 
could not grind more than ten bushels of grain 
per day, by lior.se-power. The people hauled their 
corn to St. Louis to exchange for groceries. The 
first store was opened at Robertson's Point, but 
the county seat was established at Taylorville. A 
great change was wrought in local conditions by 
the advent of the Illinois Central Railway, which 
passes through the eastern part of the coimty. 
Two other railroads now pass centrally through 
the county — the "Wabash" and the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern. The principal towns are 
Taylorville (a railroad center and thriving town 
of 2.839 inhabitants), Pana, Morrisonville, Edin- 
burg. and Assumption. 

CHURCH, Lawrence S., lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Nunda, N. Y., in 1830; passed his 



youth on a farm, but having a fondness for study, 
at an early age began teaching in winter with a 
view to earning means to prosecute his studies in 
law. In 1843 he arrived at McHenry, then the 
count3'-seat of McHenry Count}', 111., having 
walked a part of the way from New York, paj'ing 
a portion of his expenses by the delivery of lec- 
tures. He soon after visited Springfield, and 
having been examined before Judge S. H. Treat, 
was admitted to the bar. On the removal of the 
county-seat from McHenry to Woodstock, he 
removed to the latter place, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. A member of the 
Whig party up to 1856, he was that year elected 
as a Republican Representative in the Twentieth 
General Assembly, serving by re-election in the 
Twenty -first and Twenty-second; in 18G0, was 
supported for the nomination for Congress in the 
Northwestern District, but was defeated by Hon. 
E. B. Washburne ; in 1862. aided in the organiza- 
tion of the Ninety-fifth Illinois Volunteers, and 
was commissioned its Colonel, but was compelled 
to resign before reaching tlie field on account of 
failing health. In 1866 he was elected County 
Judge of JIcHenry County, to fill a vacancy, and, 
in 1869 to the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. 
Died, July 23, 1870. Judge Church was a man of 
high principle and a speaker of decided ability. 

CHURCH, Selden Marvin, capitalist, was born 
at East Haddam, Conn., March 4, 1804; taken by 
his father to Monroe Count}-, N. Y., in boyhood, 
and grew up on a farm there, but at the age of 
21, went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged 
in teacliing, being one of the earliest teacliers in 
the public schools of that city. Then, having 
spent some time in mercantile pursuits in Roches- 
ter, N. Y., in 1835 he removed to Illinois, first 
locating at Geneva, but the following year 
removed to Rockford, where he continued to 
reside for the remainder of his life. In 1841, he 
was appointed Postmaster of the city of Rock- 
ford by the first President Harrison, remaining 
in ofiice three years. Other offices held by him 
were those of County Clerk (1843-47), Delegate to 
the Second Constitutional Convention (1847), 
Judge of Probate (1849-57), Representative in 
the Twenty-third General Assembly (1863-65), 
and member of the first Board of Public Charities 
by appointment of Governor Palmer, in 1869, 
being re-appointed by Governor Beveridge. in 
1873, and, for a part of the time, serving as Presi- 
dent of the Board. He also served, by appoint- 
ment of the Secretary of War, as one of the 
Commissioners to assess damages for the Govern- 
ment improvements at Rock Island and to locate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



105 



the Government bridge between Rock Island and 
Davenport. During the latter years of his life he 
was President for some time of the Rockford 
Insurance Company ; was also one of the origina- 
tors, and, for many j-ears. Managing Director of 
the Rockford Water Power Company, which has 
done so much to promote the prosperity of that 
city, and, at the time of his death, was one of the 
Directors of the "Winnebago National Bank. Died 
at Rockford. June 23, 1892. 

CHUKCHILL, George, early printer and legis- 
lator, was born at Hubbardtown, Rutland 
County, Vt., Oct. 11, 1789; received a good edu- 
cation in his youth, thus imbibing a taste for 
literature which led to his learning the printer's 
trade. In 1806 he became an apprentice in the 
office of the Albany (N. Y.) "Sentinel," and, 
after serving his time, worked as a journeyman 
printer, thereby acciunulating means to purchase 
a half-intere.st in a small printing office. Selling 
this out at a loss, a year or two later, he went to 
New York, and. after working at the case some 
five months, started for the "West, stopping en 
route at Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Louisville. 
In the latter place he worked for a time in the 
office of "The Courier," and still later in that of 
"The Correspondent," then owned by Col. Elijah 
C. Berry, who subsequently came to IlHnois and 
served as Auditor of Public Accounts. In 1817 
he arrived in St. Louis, but, attracted by the fer- 
tile soil of Illinois, determined to engage in agri- 
cultural pursuits, finally purchasing land some 
six miles southeast of Edwardsville. in Madison 
County, where he continued to reside the re- 
mainder of his life. In order to raise means to 
improve his farm, in the spring of 1819 he 
worked as a compositor in the office of "The 
Missouri Gazette" — the predecessor of "The St. 
Louis Republic." While there he ^vTOte a series 
of articles over the signature of "A Farmer of St. 
Charles County." advocating the admission of 
the State of Missouri into the Union without 
slavery, which caused considerable excitement 
among the friends of that institution. During 
the same year he aided Hooper "Warren in 
establishing his paper, "The Spectator," at 
Edwardsville, and, still later, became a frequent 
contributor to its columns, especially during the 
campaign of 1822-24. which resulted, in the latter 
year, in the defeat of the attempt to plant slavery 
in Illinois. In 1822 he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Third General Assembly, serving in 
that body by successive re-elections until 1832. 
His re-election for a second term, in 1824, demon- 
strated that his vote at the preceding session, in 



opposition to the scheme for a State Convention 
to revise the State Constitution in the interest of 
slavery, was approved by his constituents. In 
1S38, he was elected to the State Senate, sers-ing 
four years, and. in 1844. was again elected to the 
House — in all serving a period in both Houses of 
sixteen years. Mr. Churchill was never married. 
He was an industrious and systematic collector of 
historical records, and. at the time of his death in 
the summer of 1872. left a mass of documents and 
other historical material of great value. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laws: Warren, Hooper, and 
Coles, Edirard.) 

CLARK (Gen.) George Rogers, soldier, was 
born near Monticello. Albemarle Covinty, Va.. 
Nov. 19, 1752. In his younger life he was a 
farmer and surveyor on the upper Ohio. His 
first experience in Indian fighting was under 
Governor Dunmore, against the Shawnees (1774). 
In 177.5 he went as a sui'veyor to Kentucky, and 
the British having incited the Indians against 
the Americans in the following year, he was 
commissioned a Major of militia. He soon rose 
to a Colonelcy, and attained marked distinction. 
Later he was commissioned Brigadier-General, 
and planned an expedition against the British 
fort at Detroit, which was not successful. In 
the latter part of 1777, in consultation with Gov. 
Patrick Henry, of "Virginia, he planned an expe- 
dition against Illinois, which was earned out 
the following year. On July 4, 1778, he captured 
Kaskaskia without firing a gun, and other 
French villages surrendered at discretion. The 
following February he set out from Kaskaskia to 
cross the "Illinois Country" for the purpose of 
recapturing Vincennes, which had been taken and 
was garrisoned by the British under Hamilton. 
After a forced march characterized by incredible 
suffering, his ragged followers effected the cap- 
ture of the post. His last important military- 
service was against the savages on the Big 
Miami, whose villages and fields he laid waste. 
His last years were passed in sorrow and in com- 
parative penury. He died at Louisville, Kj-., 
Feb. 18, 1818, and his remains, after reposing in a 
private cemetery near that city for half a cen- 
tury, were exhumed and removed to Cave Hill 
Cemetery in 1869. The fullest history of General 
Clark's expedition and his life will be found in 
the "Conquest of the Country Northwest of the 
Ohio River, 1774-1783, and Life of Gen. George 
Rogers Clark" (2 volumes. 1896), by the late 
William H. English, of Indianapolis. 

CLARE, Horace S., lawyer and politician, was 
bom at Huntsburg. Ohio, August 13, 1840. At 



106 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS, 



the age of 15, coining to Chicago, lie found 
employment in a livery stable ; later, worked on 
a farm in Kane County, attending school in the 
winter. After a year spent in Iowa Citj' attend- 
ing the Iowa State University, he returned to 
Kane County and engaged in the dairy business, 
later occupying himself with various occupations 
in Illinois and Missouri, but finally returning to 
his Ohio home, where he began the study of law 
at Circleville. In 1861 he enlisted in an Ohio 
regiment, rising from the ranks to a captaincy, 
but was finally compelled to leave the service in 
consequence of a wound received at Gettysburg. 
In 1865 he settled at Slattoon, 111., where he was 
admitted to tlie bar in 1868. In ISTO he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Legislatiu-e on the 
Republican ticket, but was elected State Senator 
in 1880, serving four years and proving himself 
one of the ablest speakers on the floor. In 1888 
he was chosen a delegate-at-large to the National 
Republican Convention, and has long been a con- 
spicuous figure in State politics. In 189G he was 
a prominent candidate for the Republican nomi- 
nation for Governor. 

CLARK, John M., civil engineer and merchant, 
was born at AVliite Pigeon, Mich., August 1, 1836; 
came to Chicago with his widowed mother in 
1847, and, after five years in the Chicago schools, 
served for a time (1852) as a rodman on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. After a course in the 
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Troy, N. Y., 
where he graduated in 1856, he returned to the 
service of the Illinois Central. In 1859 he went to 
Colorado, where he was one of the original 
founders of the city of Denver, and chief engi- 
neer of its first water supply company. In 1863 
he started on a surveying expedition to Arizona, 
but was in Santa Fe when that place was captured 
by a rebel expedition from Texas; was also 
present soon after at the battle of Apache Caiion, 
when the Confederates, being defeated, were 
driven out of the Territory. Returning to Chi- 
cago in 1864, he became a member of the whole- 
sale leather firm of Gray, Clark & Co. The 
official positions held by Mr. Clark include those 
of Alderman (1879-81). Member of the Board of 
Education, Collector of Customs, to which he 
was appointed by President Han-ison, in 1889, 
and President of the Chicago Civil Service Board 
by aiipointment of Mayor Swift, under an act 
passed by the Legislature of 1895, retiring in 1897. 
In 1881 he was the Republican candidate for Mayor 
of Chicago, but was defeated by Carter H. Harri- 
son. Mr. Clark is one of the Directors of the Crerar 
Library, uained in the will of Mr. Crerar. 



CLARK COUXTT, one of the eastern counties 
of the State, south of the middle line and front- 
ing upon the Wabash River; area, 510 square 
miles, and population (1900), 24,033; named for 
Col. George Rogers Clark. Its organization was 
effected in 1819. Among the earliest pioneers 
were John Bartlett, Abraham Washburn, James 
Whitlock, James B. Anderson, Stephen Archer 
and Uri Manly. The county-seat is Marshall, the 
site of wluch was purchased from the Govern- 
ment in 1833 by Gov. Joseph Duncan and Col. 
William B. Archer, the latter becoming sole pro- 
prietor in 1835, in which year the first log cabin 
was built. The original county-seat was Darwin, 
and the change to Marshall (in 1849) was made 
only after a hard struggle. The soil of the 
county is rich, and its agricultural products 
varied, embracing corn (the chief staple), oats, 
potatoes, winter wheat, butter, sorghum, honey, 
maple sugar, wool and pork. Woolen, flouring 
and lumber mills exist, but the manufacturing 
interests are not extensive. Among the promi- 
nent towns, besides Marshall and Darwin, are 
Casey (population 844), Martinsville (779), West- 
field'(510), and York (294). 

CLAY, Porter, clergyman and brother of the 
celebrated Henry Clay, was born in Virginia, 
March, 1779 ; in early life removed to Kentucky, 
studied law, and was, for a time. Auditor of 
Public Accounts in that State ; in 1815, was con- 
verted and gave himself to the Baptist ministry, 
locating at Jacksonville, 111., where he spent 
most of his life. Died, in 1850. 

CLAY CITY, a village of Clay County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 12 
miles west of Olney ; has one newspaper, a bank, 
and is in a grain and fruit-growing region. 
Population (1890). 612; (1900), 907; (1903), 1,020. 

CL.\Y COUJi'TY, situated in the southeastern 
quarter of the State ; has an area of 470 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 19,553. It was 
named for Henry Clay. The first claim in the 
county was entered by a Mr. Elliot, in 1818, and 
soon after settlers began to locate homes in the 
county, although it was not organized until 1824. 
During the same year the pioneer settlement of 
Maysville was made the countj-seat, but immi- 
gration continued inactive until 1837, when 
many settlers arrived, headed by Judges Apper- 
son and Hopkins and Messrs. Stanford and Lee, 
who were soon followed by the families of Coch- 
ran, McCullom and Tender. The Little Wabash 
River and a number of small tributaries drain 
the county. A light-colored sandy loam consti- 
tutes the greater part of the soil, although "black 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



107 



prairie loam"' appears here and there. Railroad 
facilities are hniited, but sufficient to accommo- 
date the county's requirements. Fruits, 
especially apples, are successfully cultivated. 
Educational advantages are fair, although largely 
confined to district schools and academies in 
lai"ger towns. Louisville was made the county- 
seat in 184'2, and, in 1890, had a population of 
637. Xenia and Flora are the most important 
towns. 

CLATTO^', a town in Adams County, on the 
Wabash Railway, '28 miles east-nortlieast of 
Quincj'. A branch of the Wabash Railway ex- 
tends from this point northwest to Carthage, 111., 
and Keokuk, Iowa, and another branch to 
Quincy, 111. The industries include flour and feed 
mills, machine and railroad repair shops, grain 
elevator, cigar and harness factories. It ha.s a 
bank, four churches, a high school, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,038; (1900), 996. 

CLE.4VER, William, pioneer, was born in Lon- 
don, England, in 1815 : came to Canada with his 
parents in 1831, and to Chicago in 1834 ; engaged 
in business as a chandler, later going into the 
grocery trade ; in 1849, joined the gold-seekers in 
California, and, six years afterwards, established 
himself in the southern part of the present city 
of Chicago, then called Cleaverville, where he 
served as Postmaster and managed a general 
store. He was the owner of considerable real 
estate at one time in what is now a densely 
populated part of the city of Chicago. Died in 
Chicago, Nov. 13, 1896. 

CLEMENTS, Isaac, ex-Congressman and Gov- 
ernor of Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Danville, 
111., was bom in Franklin County, Ind., in 1837; 
graduated from Asbury University, at Green- 
castle, in 18.59, having supported himself during 
his college course by teaching. After reading 
law and being admitted to the bar at Greencastle, 
he removed to Carbondale, 111., where he again 
found it necessarj- to resort to teaching in order 
to purchase law-books. In July, 1861, he enUsted 
in the Ninth Illinois Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant of Company G. He 
was in the service for three years, was three 
times wounded and twice promoted "for meri- 
torious sen-ice." In Jvme, 1867, he was ap- 
pointed Register in Bankruptcy, and from 1873 
to 187.5 was a Republican Representative in the 
Forty-third Congress from the (then) Eighteenth 
District. He was also a member of the Repub- 
lican State Convention of 1880. In 1889, he 
became Pension .-Vgent for the District of Illinois, 
by appointment of President Harrison, serving 



until 1893. In tlie latter part of 1898, he was 
appointed Superintendent of the Soldiers' 
Orphans" Home, at Normal, but served only a 
few months, when he accepted the position of 
Governor of the new .Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, 
at Danville. 

CLEVELAND, CINCINN.ATI, CHICAGO & ST. 
LOUIS RAILWAY. The total length of this sj-s- 
tem (1898) is 1,807.34 miles, of which 478.39 miles 
are operated in Illinois. That portion of the main 
Jine lying within the State extends from East St. 
Louis, northeast to the Indiana State line, 181 
miles. The Company is also the lessee of the 
Peoria & Eastern Railroad (133 miles), and oper- 
ates, in addition, other lines, as follows: The 
Cairo Division, extending from Tilton, on the 
line of the Wabash, 3 miles southwest of Dan- 
ville, to Cairo (2.59 miles) • the Chicago Division, 
extending from Kankakee southeast to the 
Indiana State line (34 miles); the Alton Branch, 
from W^ann Junction, on the main Une, to Alton 
(4 miles). Besides these, it enjoys with the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, joint owner- 
ship of the Kankakee & Seneca Railroad, which 
it operates. The .system is uniformly of standard 
gauge, and about 380 miles are of double track. 
It is laid with heavy steel rails (sixty-five, sixty- 
seven and eighty pounds), laid on white oak ties, 
and is amply ballasted with broken stone and 
gravel. Extensive repair shops are located at 
Mattoon The total capital of the entire system 
on Jime 30, 1898— including capital stock and 
bonded and floating debt — was §97,149,361. The 
total earnings in Illinois for the year were 
$3,773,193, and the total expenditm-es in the State 
§3,611,437. The taxes paid the same year were 
•5124,196. The history of this system, so far as 
Illinois is concerned, begins with the consolida- 
tion, in 1889, of the Cincinnati, IndianapoUs, St. 
Louis & Chicago, the Cleveland, Columbus, Cin- 
cinnati & Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis & 
St. Louis Railway Companies. In 1890, certain 
leased lines in Illinois (elsewhere mentioned) 
were merged into the system. (For lii.story of 
the several divisions of this system, see St. Louis, 
Alton & Terre Haute. Peoria & Eastern, Cairo 
& Vlncenytes, and Kankakee d- Seneca Railroads.) 

CLIM.\.TOLOGT. Extending, as it does, tlrrough 
six degrees of latitude. Illinois affords a great 
diversity of climate, as regards not only the 
range of temperature, but also the amount of 
rainfall. In both particulars it exhibits several 
points of contrast to States lying between the 
same parallels of latitude, but nearer the Atlan- 
tic. The same statement applies, as well, to all 



108 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



the North Central and the Western States. 
Warm winds from the Gulf of Mexico come up 
the Mississippi Vallej-, and impart to vegetation 
in the southern portion of the State, a stimulat- 
ing influence which is not felt upon the seaboard. 
On the other hand, there is no great barrier to 
the descent of the Arctic winds, which, in 
winter, sweep down toward the Gulf, depressing 
the temperature to a point lower than is custom- 
arj' nearer the seaboard on the same latitude. 
Lake Michigan exerts no little influence upon the 
climate of Chicago and other adjacent districts, 
mitigating both summer heat and winter cold. 
If a comparison be instituted between Ottawa 
and Boston — the latter being one degree farther 
north, but •'iTO feet nearer the sea-level — the 
springs and summers are found to be about five 
degrees warmer, and the winters tliree degrees 
colder, at the former point. In comparing the 
East and West in respect of rainfall, it is seen 
that, in the former section, the same is pretty 
equally distributed over the four seasons, while 
in the latter, spring and summer may be called 
the wet season, and autmnn and winter the dry. 
In the extreme West nearly three-fourths of the 
yearly precipitation occurs during the growing 
season. This is a climatic condition highly 
favorable to the growth of grasses, etc., but 
detrimental to the growth of trees. Hence we 
find luxuriant forests near the seaboard, and, in 
the interior, grassy plains. Illinois occupies a 
geographical position where these great climatic 
changes begin to manifest themselves, and where 
the distinctive features of the prairie first become 
fullj- apparent. The annual precipitation of 
rain is greatest in the southern part of the State, 
but, owing to the higher temperature of that 
section, the evaporation is also more rapid. The 
distribution of the rainfall in respect of seasons 
is also more unequal toward the south, a fact 
which may account, in part at least, for the 
increased area of woodlands in that region. 
While Illinois lies within the zone of southwest 
winds, their flow is affected by conditions some- 
what abnormal. The northeast trades, after 
entering the Gulf, are deflected by the mountains 
of Mexico, becoming inward breezes in Texas, 
southerly winds in the Lower Mississippi Valley, 
and southwesterly as they enter the Upper 
Valley. It is to this aerial current that the hot, 
moist summers are attributable. The north and 
northwest winds, which set in with the change 
of the season, depress the temperature to a point 
below that of the Atlantic slope, and are 
attended with a diminished precipitation. 



CLIXTON, the county-seat of De Witt County, 
situated 2'd miles south of Bloomington, at inter- 
section of the Springfield and the Champaign- 
Havana Divisions with the main line of the Illinois 
Central Railroad; lies in a productive agricultural 
region; has macliine shops, flour and planing 
mills, brick and tile works, water works, electric 
lighting plant, piano-case factory, banks, three 
new.spapers, six churches, and two public schools. 
Population (1890), 2,598; (1900), 4,453. 

CLINTON COUNTY, organized in 1824. from 
portions of Washington, Bond and Fayette Coun- 
ties, and named in honor of De Witt Clinton. It 
is situated directlj' east of St. Louis, has an area 
of 494 square miles, and a population (1900) of 
19,824. It is drained by the Kaskaskia River and 
by Shoal, Crooked, Sugar and Beaver Creeks. Its 
geological formation is similar to that of other 
counties in the same section. Thick layers of 
limestone lie near the surface, with coal seams 
underlying the same at varying depths. The 
soil is varied, being at some points black and 
loamy and at others (under timber) decidedly 
clayey. The timber has been mainlj' cut for fuel 
because of the inherent difficulties attending 
coal-mining. Two railroads cross the county 
from east to west, but its trade is not important. 
Agriculture is the chief occupation, corn, wheat 
and oats being the staple products. 

CLOUD, Newton, clergyman and legislator, 
was born in North Carolina, in 1805, and, in 1827, 
settled in the vicinity of Waverlj', Morgan 
County, 111, where he pursued the vocation of a 
farmer, as well as a preacher of the Methodist 
Church. He also became prominent as a Demo- 
cratic politician, and served in no less than nine 
sessions of the General Assembly, besides the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, of which he 
was chosen President. He was first elected 
Representative in the Seventh Assembly (1830), 
and afterwards served in the House during the 
sessions of the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Thir- 
teenth, Fifteenth and Twenty-seventh, and as 
Senator in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth. He 
was also Clerk of the House in 1844-45, and, 
having been elected Representative two years 
later, was chosen Speaker at the succeeding ses- 
sion. Although not noted for any specially 
aggressive qualities, his consistency of character 
won for him general respect, while his frequent 
elections to the Legislature prove liim to have 
been a man of large influence. 

CLOWRT, Robert C, Telegraph Manager, was 
born in 1838 ; entered the service of the Illinois & 
Mississippi Telegraph Company as a messenger 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



109 



boy at Joliet in 1853, became manager of the 
ofBce at Lockport six months later, at Springfield 
in 1853. and chief operator at St. Louis in 1854. 
Between 1859 and "63, he held highly responsible 
positions on various Western lines, but the latter 
year was commissioned by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and placed 
in charge of United States militarj- lines with 
headquarters at Little Rock, Ark. ; was mustered 
out in May, 1860, and immediatelj- appointed 
District Superintendent of Western Union lines 
in the Southwest. From that time his promotion 
was steady and rapid. In 1875 he became 
Assistant General Superintendent ; in 1878, Assist- 
ant General Superintendent of the Central Divi- 
sion at Chicago; in 1880, succeeded General 
Stager as General Superintendent, and, in 1885, 
was elected Director, member of the Execu- 
tive Committee and Vice-President, his terri- 
tory extending from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific. 

COAL AND COAL-MIXiyG. Illinois contains 
much the larger portion of waat is known as the 
central coal field, covering an area of about 
37,000 square miles, and underlying sixty coun- 
ties, in but forty-five of which, however, opera- 
tions are conducted on a commercial scale. The 
Illinois field contains fifteen distinct seams. 
Those available for commercial mining generally 
lie at considerable depth and are reached by 
shafts. The coals are all bituminous, and furnish 
an excellent steam-making fuel. Coke is manu- 
factured to a limited extent in La Salle and some 
of the southern counties, but elsewhere in the 
State the coal does not yield a good marketable 
coke. Neither is it in any degree a good gas 
coal, although used in some localities for that 
purpose, rather because of its abundance than on 
account of its adaptability. It is thought that, 
with the increase of cheap transportation facili- 
ties. Pittsburg coal will be brought into the State 
in such quantities as eventually to exclude local 
coal from the manufacture of gas. In the report 
of the Eleventh United States Census, the total 
product of the Illinois coal mines was given as 
12, 104, •372 tons, as against 0,115,377 tons reported 
bj- the Tenth Census. The value of the output 
was estimated at §11,735,203, or §0.97 per ton at 
the mines. The total number of mines was 
stated to be 1,072, and the number of tons mined 
was nearh- equal to the combined yield of the 
mines of Ohio and Indiana. The mines are 
divided into two classes, technically known as 
"regular" and "local." Of the former, there 
were 358, and of the latter, 714. These 358 regular 



mines employed 23,934 men and boys, of whom 
21,3)0 worked below ground, besides an oSice 
force of 389, and paid, in wages, §8,094,397. The 
total capital invested in these 358 mines was 
§17,030,351. According to the report of the State 
Bureau of Labor Statistics for 1898, 881 mines 
were operated during the year, employing 35,020 
men and producing 18,599,299 tons of coal, which 
was 1,473,459 tons less than the preceding year — 
the reduction being due to the strike of 1897. 
Five counties of the State produced more than 
1,000,000 tons each, standing in the following 
order: Sangamon, 1,763.803; St. Clair, 1,000,752; 
Vermilion, l,520,i'.99; Macoupin, 1.264,926; La 
Salle, 1.165,490. 

COAL CITY, a town in Grundy Coimty, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 29 miles 
by rail south-southwest of Joliet. Large coal 
mines are operated here, and the town is an im- 
portant shipping point for their product. It has a 
bank, a weekly newspaper and five churches. 
Pop. (1890). 1.672; (1900), 2.007; (1903), about 3,000. 

COBB, Emery, capitalist, was born at Dryden, 
Tompkins County, N. Y., August 20, 1831; at 16, 
began the study of telegraphy at Ithaca, later 
acted as operator on Western New York lines, 
but, in 1852, became manager of the office at 
Chicago, continuing until 1865, the various com- 
panies having meanwhile been consolidated into 
the Western Union. He then made an extensive 
tour of the world, and, although he had intro- 
duced the system of transmitting money by 
telegraph, he declined all invitations to return to 
the key-board. Having made large investments 
in lands about Kankakee, where he now resides, 
he has devoted much of his time to agriculture 
and stock-raising; was also, for many years, a 
member of the State Board of Agriculture, Presi- 
dent of the Short-Horn Breeders' Association, 
and, for twenty years (1873-93\ a member of the 
Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. 
He has done much to improve the city of his 
adoption by the erection of buildings, the con- 
struction of electric street-car lines and the 
promotion of manufactures. 

COBB, Silas B., pioneer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born at MontpeUer, Vt., Jan. 23, 1812; 
came to Chicago in 1833 on a schooner from Buf- 
falo, the voyage occupying over a month. Being 
without means, he engaged as a carpenter upon a 
building which James Kinzie, the Indian trader, 
was erecting ; later he erected a building of his 
own in which he started a harness-shop, which 
he conducted successfully for a number of years. 
He has since been connected with a number 



110 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of business enterprises of a public character, 
including banks, street and steam railways, but 
his largest successes have been achieved in the line 
of improved real estate, of wliich he is an exten- 
sive owner. He is also one of the liberal bene- 
factors of the University of Chicago, "Cobb 
Lecture Hall," on the campus of that institution, 
being the result of a contribution of his amount- 
ing to §150,000. Died in Chicago, April 5, 1900. 

COBDEN, a village in Union County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 43 miles north of Cairo 
and 15 miles south of Carbondale. Fruits and 
vegetables are extensively cultivated and shipped 
to northern inarkets. This region is well tim- 
bered, and Cobden has two box factories employ- 
ing a considerable number of men; also has 
several churches, schools and two weekly papers. 
Population (1890), 994; (1900,) 1,034. 

COCHRAN, William Granville, legislator and 
jurist, was born in Ross County, Ohio, Nov. 13, 
1844; brought to Moultrie County, 111., in 1849. 
and, at the age of 17, enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twenty -sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
serving in the War of the Rebellion three years 
as a private. Returning home from the war, he 
resumed life as a farmer, but early in 1873 began 
merchandising at Lovington, continuing this 
business three years, when he began the study of 
law; in 1879, was admitted to the bar, and has 
since been in active practice. In 1888 he was 
elected to the lower house of tlie General 
Assembly, was an unsuccessful candidate for the 
Senate in 1890, but was re-elected to the House 
in 1894, and again in 1896. At the special session 
of 1890, he was chosen Speaker, and was similarly 
honored in 1895. He is an excellent parliamen- 
tarian, clear-headed and just in his rulings, and 
an able debater. In June, 1897, he was elected 
for a six years' term to the Circuit bench. He is 
also one of the Trustees of the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home at Normal. 

CODDI>'(», Icliabod, clergyman and anti- 
slavery lectui'er, was born at Bristol, N. Y., in 
1811; at the age of 17 he was a popular temper- 
ance lecturer; while a student at Middlebury, 
Vt., began to lecture in' opposition to slavery; 
after leaving college served five years as agent 
and lecturer of the Anti-Slavery Society; was 
often exposed to mob violence, but always retain- 
ing his self-control, succeeded in escaping 
serious injury. In 1842 he entered the Congrega- 
tional ministry and held pastorates at Princeton, 
Lockport, Joliet and elsewhere; between 1854 
and "58, lectured extensively through Illinois on 
the Kansas-Nebraska issue, and was a power in 



the organization of the Republican party. Died 
at Baraboo, Wis., June 17, 1806. 

CODY, Hiram Hitchcock, lawyer and Judge: 
born in Oneida County, N. Y., June 11, 1824; was 
partiall}' educated at Hamilton College, and, in 
1843. came with his father to Kendall County, 
lU. In 1847, he removed to Naperville, where 
for six years he served as Clerk of the County 
Commissioners' Court. In 1851 he was admitted 
to the bar; in 1861, was elected County Judge 
with practical unanimity, served as a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, 
in 1874, was elected Judge of the Twelfth Judi- 
cial Circuit. His residence (1896) was at Pasa- 
dena. Cal. 

COLCHESTER, a city of McDonough County, 
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 
midway between Galesburg and Quincy; is the 
center of a rich farming and an extensive coal- 
mining region, producing more than 100,000 tons 
of coal annually. A superior quality of potter's 
clay is also luinea and shipped extensively to 
other points. The city lias brick and drain-tile 
works, a bank, four churches, two public schools 
and two weekly papers. Population (1890), 
1,643; (1900), 1,635. 

COLES, Edward, the second Governor of the 
State of Illinois, born in Albemarle County, Va., 
Dec. 15, 1786, the son of a wealthy planter, who 
had been a Colonel in the Revolutionary War; 
was educated at Hampden-Sidney and William 
and Mary Colleges, but compelled to leave before 
graduation by an accident which interrupted his 
studies ; in 1809, became the private secretary of 
President Madison, remaining six years, after 
which he made a trip to Russia as a special mes- 
senger by appointment of the President. He 
earl}' manifested an interest in the emancipation 
of the slaves of Virginia. In 1815 he made his 
first tour through the Northwest Territory, going 
as far west as St. Louis, returning three years 
later and visiting Kaskaskia while the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 was in session. In 
April of the following year he set out from his 
Virginia home, accompanied by his slaves, for 
Illinois, traveling by wagons to Brownsville. Pa., 
where, taking flat-boats, he descended the river 
with his goods and servants to a point below 
Louisville, where they disembarked, journeying 
overland , to Edwardsville. While descending 
the Ohio, he informed his slaves that they were 
free, and, after arriving at their destination, 
gave to each head of a family 160 acres of land. 
This generous act was, in after years, made the 
ground for bitter persecution by his enemies. At 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Ill 



Eilwardsville he entered upon the duties of 
Register of the Land OfEoe, to whicli he had 
been appointed by President Monroe. In 1822 
he became the candidate for Governor of those 
opposed to removing the restriction in the State 
Constitution against the introduction of slavery, 
and, although a majority of the voters then 
favored the measure, he was elected by a small 
plurality over his highest competitor in conse- 
quence of ,a division of the opjiosition vote 
between three candidates. The Legislature 
chosen at the same time submitted to the people 
a proposition for a State Convention to revise the 
Constitution, which was rejected at the election 
of 1824 b}' a majority of 1,668 in a total vote of 
11,612. While Governor Coles had the efficient 
aid in opposition to the measure of such men as 
Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, Congressman Daniel 
P. Cook. Jlorris Birkbeck, George Forquer, 
Hooper "Warren, George Churchill and others, he 
was himself a most influential factor in protecting 
Illinois from the blight of slavery, contributing 
his salary for his entire term (S4,000) to that end. 
In 1825 it became his duty to welcome La Fay- 
ette to Illinois. Retiring from office in 1826, he 
continued to reside some years on his farm near 
Edwardsville, and, in 1830, was a candidate for 
Congress, but being a known opponent of Gen- 
eral Jackson, was defeated by Joseph Duncan. 
Previous to 1833, he removed to Philadelphia, 
where he married during the following j'ear, and 
continued to reside there until his death, July 7, 
1868, having lived to see the total extinction of 
slavery in the L^nited States. (See Slavery and 
Slave Laics.) 

COLES COUNTY, originally a part of Crawford 
County, but organized in 1831, and named in 
honor of Gov. Edward Coles.— lies central to the 
eastern portion of the State, and embraces 520 
square miles, with a population (1900) of 34,146. 
The Kaskaskia River (sometimes called the 
Okaw) runs through the northwestern part of the 
county, but the principal stream is the Embarras 
(Embraw). The chief resource of the people is 
agriculture, although the county lies within the 
limits of the Illinois coal-belt. To the north and 
west are prairies, while timber abounds in the 
southeast. The largest crop is of corn, although 
wheat, dairy products, potatoes, hay, tobacco, 
sorghum, wool, etc., are also important jjroducts. 
Broom-corn is extensively cultivated. Manufac- 
turing is carried on to a fair extent, the output 
embracing sawed lumber, carriages and wagons, 
agricultural implements, tobacco and snuff, boots 
lud shoes, etc. Charleston, the county-seat, is 



centrally located, and has a number of handsome 
public buildings, private residences and business 
blocks. It was laid out in 1831, and incorporated 
in 1865; in 1900, its population was 5.488. 
Mattoon is a railroad center, situated some 130 
miles east of St. Louis. It has a population of 
9.622. and is an important shipping point for 
grain and live-stock. Other jirincipal towns are 
Ashmore, Oakland and Lerna. 

COLFAX, a village of McLean Countj', on the 
Kankakee and Bloomington branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, 23 miles northeast of Blooming- 
ton. Farming and stock-growing are the leading 
industries; has two banks, one new.spaper, three 
elevators, and a coal mine. Pop. (1900), 1,153. 

COLLEGE OF PHYSICIAXS A>'I) SURGEONS, 
located at Chicago, and organized in 1881. Its 
first term opened in September, 1882, in a build- 
ing erected by the trustees at a cost of §60,000, 
with a faculty embracing twenty-five professors, 
with a sufficient corps of demonstrators, assist- 
ants, etc. The number of matriculates was 152. 
The institution ranks among the leading medical 
colleges of the West. Its standard of qualifica- 
tions, for both matriculates and graduates, is 
equal to those of other first-class medical schools 
throughout the country. The teaching faculty, 
of late years, has consisted of some twenty-five 
professors, who are aided by an adequate corps of 
assistants, demonstrators, etc. 

COLLEGES, EARLY. The early Legislatures of 
Illinois manifested no little unfriendliness toward 
colleges. The first charters for institutions of 
this character were granted in 1833, and were for 
the incorporation of the "Union College of Illi- 
nois,'' in Randolph County, and the "Alton Col- 
lege of Illinois," at Upper Alton. The first 
named was to be under the care of the Scotch 
Covenanters, but was never founded. The 
second was in the interest of the Baptists, but 
the charter was not accepted. Both these acts 
contained jealous and unfriendly restrictions, 
notably one to the effect that no theological 
department should be established and no pro- 
fessor of theology employed as an instructor, nor 
should any religious test be applied in the selec- 
tion of trustees or the admission of pupils. The 
friends of higher education, however, made com- 
mon cause, and, in 1835, secured the passage of 
an "omnibus bill" incorporating four private 
colleges — the Alton ; the Illinois, at Jacksonville ; 
the McKendree, at Lebanon, and the Jonesboro. 
Similar restrictive provisions as to theological 
teaching were incorporated in these charters, and 
a limitation was placed upon the amount of 



113 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



property to be owned by any institution, but in 
many respects the law was more liberal than its 
predecessors of two years previous. Owing to 
the absence of suitable preparatory schools, these 
institutions were compelled to maintain prepara- 
tory departments under the tuition of the college 
professors. The college last named above ( Jones- 
boro) was to have been founded by the Christian 
denomination, but was never organized. The 
three remaining ones stand, in the order of their 
formation, McKendree, Illinois, Alton (afterward 
Shurtleff ) ; in the order of graduating initial 
classes — Illinois, McKendree, Shurtleff. Pre- 
paratory instruction began to be given in Illinois 
College in 1829, and a class was organized in the 
collegiate department in 1831. The Legislature 
of 1835 also incorporated the Jacksonville Female 
Academy, the first school for girls chartered in 
the State. From this time forward colleges and 
academies were incorporated in rapid succession, 
many of them at places whose names have long 
since disappeared from the map of the State. It 
was at this time that there developed a strong 
party in favor of founding what were termed, 
rather euphemistically, "Manual Labor Col- 
leges." It was believed that the time which a 
student might be able to "redeem" from study, 
could be so profitably employed at farm or shop- 
work as to enable him to earn his own livelihood. 
Acting upon this theory, the Legislature of 1835 
granted charters to the "Franklin Manual Labor 
College," to be located in either Cook or La Salle 
County; to the "Burnt Prairie Manual Labor 
Seminary," in White County, and the "Chatham 
Manual Labor School," at Lick Prairie, Sanga- 
mon County. University powers were conferred 
upon the institution last named, and its charter 
also contained the somewhat extraordinary pro- 
vision that any sect might establish a professor- 
ship of theolog}' therein. In 1837 six more 
colleges were incorporated, only one of which 
(Knox) was successfully organized. By 1840, 
better and broader views of education had 
developed, and the Legislature of 1841 repealed 
all prohibition of the establishing of theological 
departments, as well as the restrictions previously 
imposed upon the amount and value of property 
to be owned by private educational institutions. 
The whole number of colleges and seminaries 
incorporated under the State law ( 1896) is forty- 
three. (See also Illinois College, Knox College, 
Lake Forest University, McKendree College, Mon- 
mouth College, Jacksonville Female Seminary, 
Monticello Female Seminary. Northwestern Uni- 
versity, Shurtleff College.) 



COLLIER, Robert Laird, clergyman, was bom 
in Salisbury, Md., August 7, 1837; graduated at 
Boston University, 1858; soon after became an 
itinerant Methodist minister, but, in 1806, united 
with the Unitarian Church and officiated as 
pastor of churches in Chicago, Boston and Kan- 
sas City, basides supplying pulpits in various 
cities in England (1880-85). In 1885, he was 
appointed United States Consul at Leipsic, but 
later served as a special commissioner of the 
Johns Hopkins University in the collection of 
labor statistics in Europe, meanwhile gaining a 
wide reputation as a lecturer and magazine 
writer. His published works include: "E very- 
Day Subjects in Sunday Sermons" (1869) and 
"Meditations on the Essence of Christianity" 
(1876). Died near his birthplace, July 27, 1890. 

COLLINS, Frederick, manufacturer, was born 
in Connecticut, Feb. 24, 1804. He was the young- 
est of five brothers who came with their parents 
from Litchfield, Conn , to Illinois, in 1822, and 
settled in the town of Unionville — now Collins- 
ville — in the southwestern part of Madison 
County. They were enterprising and public- 
spirited business men, who engaged, quite 
extensively for the time, in various branches of 
manufacture, including flour and whisky. This 
was an era of progress and development, and 
becoming convinced of the injurious character 
of the latter branch of their business, it was 
promptly abandoned. The subject of this sketch 
was later associated with his brother Michael in 
the pork-packing and grain business at Naples, 
the early Illinois River terminus of the Sangamon 
& Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, but finally 
located at Quincy in 1851, where he was engaged 
in manufacturing business for many years. He 
was a man of high business probity and religious 
principle, as well as a determined opisonent of the 
institution of slavery, as shown bj' the fact that 
he was once subjected by his neighbors to the 
intended indignity of being hung in effigy for the 
crime of assisting a fugitive female slave on the 
road to freedom. In a speech made in 1834, in 
commemoration of the act of emancipation in the 
West Indies, he gave utterance to the following 
prediction : ' 'Methinks the time is not far distant 
when our own country will celebrate a day of 
emancipation within her own borders, and con- 
sistent songs of freedom shall indeed ring 
throughout the length and breadth of the land." 
He lived to see this prophecy fulfilled, dying at 
Quincy, in 1878. Mr. Collins was the candidate of 
the Liberty Men of Illinois for Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor in 1842. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



113 



COLLINS, James H., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Cambridge, Washington County, X. Y., 
but taken in early life to Vernon, Oneida County, 
where he grew to manhood. After spending a 
couple of years in an academy, at the age of 18 
he began the study of law, was admitted to 'the 
bar in 1824, and as a counsellor and solicitor in 
1837, coming to Chicago in the fall of 183o, mak- 
ing a part of the journey by the first stage-coach 
from Detroit to the present Western metropolis. 
After arriving in Illinois, he spent some time in 
exploration of the surrounding country, but 
returning to Chicago in 1834, he entered into 
partnership with Judge John D. Caton, who had 
been his preceptor in New York, still later being 
a partner of Justin Butterfield under the firm 
name of Butterfield & Collins. He was con- 
sidered an eminent authority in law and gained 
an extensive practice, being regarded as espe- 
cially strong in chancery cases as well as an able 
pleader. Politicallj', he was an uncompromising 
anti-slavery man, and often aided runaway 
slaves in securing their liberty or defended others 
who did so. He was also one of the original 
promoters of the old Galena & Chicago Union 
Railroad and one of its first Board of Directors. 
Died, suddenly of cholera, while attending court 
at Ottawa, in 18.54. 

COLLI>'S, Loren C, jurist, was born at AVind- 
sor, Conn., August 1, 1848; at the age of 18 
accompanied his family to Illinois, and was 
educated at the Northwestern University. He 
read law, was admitted to the bar, and soon 
built up a remunerative practice. He was 
elected to the Legislature in 1878, and through 
his ability as a debater and a parliamentarian, 
soon became one of the leaders of his party on 
the floor of the lower house. He was re-elected 
in 1880 and 1882, and, in 1883, was cho.sen Speaker 
of the Thirty-third General Assembly. In 
December, 1884, he was appointed a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, to fill the vacancy 
created by the resignation of Judge Barnum, was 
elected to succeed himself in 1885, and re-elected 
in 1891, but resigned in 1894, since that time 
devoting his attention to regular practice in the 
city of Chicago. 

COLLIXS, William H., retired manufacturer, 
born at ColliusviUe, 111., March 20, 1831; was 
educated in the common schools and at Illinois 
College, later taking a course in literature, 
philosophy and theology at Yale College ; served 
as pastor of a Congregational church at La Salle 
several years ; in 1858, became editor and propri- 
etor of "The Jacksonville Journal," which he 



conducted some four years. The Civil War hav- 
ing begun, he then accepted the chaplaincy of 
the Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, but 
resigning in 1863. organized a company of the 
One Hundred and Fourth Volunteers, of which 
he was chosen Captain, participating in the 
battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain and 
Missionary Ridge. Later he served on the staff 
of Gen. John 51. Palmer and at Fourteenth Army 
Corps headquarters, until after the fall of 
Atlanta. Then resigning, in November, 1864, he 
was appointed by Secretary Stanton Provost- 
Marshal for the Twelfth District of Illinois, con- 
tinuing in this service until the close of 1865, 
when he engaged in the manufacturing business 
as head of the Collins Plow Company at Quincy. 
Tliis business he conducted successfully some 
twenty-five years, when he retired. Mr. Collins 
has served as Alderman and Mayor, ad iiifcrim, 
of the city of Quincy; Representative in the 
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies — during the latter being chosen to deliver 
the eulogy on Gen. John A. Logan ; was a promi- 
nent candidate for the nomination for Lieutenant 
Governor in 1888, and the same year Republican 
candidate for Congress in the Quincy District; 
in 1894, was the Republican nominee for State 
Senator in Adams County, and, though a Repub- 
lican, has been twice elected Supervisor in a 
strongly Democratic city. 

COLLI>'SVILLE,a city on the southern border 
of Madison County, 13 miles (by rail) east-north- 
east of St. Louis, on the "Vandalia Line" (T. H. 
& I. Ry.), about 11 miles south of Edwardsville. 
The place was originally settled in 1817 by four 
brothers named Collins from Litchfield, Conn., 
who established a tan-j-ard and erected an ox-mill 
for grinding corn and wheat and sawing lumber 
The town was platted by surviving members of 
this family in 1836. Coal-mining is the principal 
industry, and one or two mines are operated 
within the corporate limits. The city has zinc 
works, as well as flour mills and brick and tile 
factories, two building and loan associations, a 
lead smelter, stock bell factory, electric street 
railways, seven churches, two banks, a high 
school, and a newspaper oflice. Population 
(1890), 3,498; (1900), 4,021; (1903, est.), 7,500. 

COLLIER, Robert, clergyman, was born at 
Keighly, Yorkshire, England. Dec. 8, 1823; left 
school at eight years of age to earn his living in 
a factory ; at fourteen was apprenticed to a black- 
smith and learned the trade of a hammer-maker. 
His only opportunity of acquiring an education 
during this period, apart from private study, was 



114 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in a night-school, which he attended two winters. 
In 1849 he became a local Methodist preacher, 
came to the United States the next year, settling 
in Pennsylvania, where he pursued his trade, 
preaching on Sundays. His views on the atone- 
ment having gradually been changed towards 
Unitarianism, his license to preach was revoked 
by the conference, and, in 1859, he united with 
the Unitarian Church, having already won a 
wide reputation as an eloquent public speaker. 
Coming to Chicago, he began work as a mission- 
ary, and, in 1860, organized the Unity Church, 
beginning with seven members, thougli it has 
since become one of the strongest and most influ- 
ential chiu-ches in the city. In 1879 he accepted 
a call to a churcli in New York City, where he 
still remains. Of .strong anti-slavery views and 
a zealous Unionist, he served during a part of the 
Civil War as a camp inspector for the Sanitary 
Commission. Since the war he lias repeatedly 
visited England, and has exerted a wide influence 
as a lecturer and jjulpit orator on both sides of 
the Atlantic. He is the author of a number of 
volumes, including "Nature and Life" (1866); 
'■A Man in Earnest: Life of A. H. Conant" (1868); 
"A History of the Town and Parish of likely" 
(1886), and "Lectures to Young Men and Women" 
(1886). 

COLTOX, Chauncey Sill, pioneer, was born at 
Springfield, Pa., Sept. 21, 1800; taken to Massachu- 
setts in childhood and educated at Monson in that 
State, afterwards residing for many years, dur- 
ing his manhood, at Monson, Maine. He came to 
Illinois in 1836, locating on the site of the present 
city of Galesburg, where he built the first store 
and dwelling house; continued in general mer- 
chandise some seventeen or eighteen years, mean- 
while associating his sons with him in business 
under the firm name of C. S. Colton & Sons. Mr. 
Colton was associated with the construction of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad from 
the beginning, becoming one of the Directors of 
the Company; was also a Director of the First 
National Bank of Galesburg, the first organizer 
and first President of the Farmers' and Mechan- 
ics' Bank of that city, and one of the Trustees of 
Knox College. Died in Galesburg, July 27, 188.5. 
— Francis (Colton), son of the preceding; born 
at Monson. Maine, May 24, 1834, came to Gales- 
burg with his father's family in 1836, and was 
educated at Knox College, graduating in 18.55, 
and receiving the degree of A.M. in 1858. After 
graduation, he was in partnership with his father 
some seven years, also served as Vice-President 
of the First National Bank of Galesburg, and, in 



1866, was appointed by President Johnson United 
States Consul at Venice, remaining there until 
1869. Tlie latter year he became the General 
Passenger Agent of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
continuing in tliat position until 1871, meantime 
visiting China, Japan and India, and establishing 
agencies for the Union and Central Pacific Rail- 
ways in various countries of Europe. In 1872 he 
succeeded his father as Pi'esident of the Farmers' 
and Mechanics' Bank of Galesburg, but retired in 
1884, and the same year removed to Washington, 
D. C, where he has since resided. Mr. Colton is 
a large land owner in some of the Western States, 
especially Kansas and Nebraska. 

COLUMBIA, a town of Monroe County, on 
Mobile & Ohio Raih'oad, 15 miles south of St. 
Louis ; has a machine shop, large flour mill, 
brewery, five cigar factories, electric light plant, 
telephone system, stone quarry, five churches, 
and public school. Pop. (1900), 1,197; (1903), 1,205. 

COMPANY OF THE WEST, THE. a company 
formed in France, in August, 1717, to develop 
the resources of "New France." in which the 
"Illinois Country" was at that time included. 
At the head of the company was the celebrated 
John Law, and to him and his associates the 
French monarch granted extraordinary powers, 
both governmental and commercial. Thej- were 
given the exclusive right to refine the precious 
metals, as well as a monopoly in the trade in 
tobacco and slaves. Later, the company became 
known as the Indies, or East Indies, Companj-, 
owing to the king having granted them conces- 
sions to trade with the East Indies and China. 
On Sept. 27, 1717, the Royal Council of France 
declared that the Illinois Country should form a 
part of the Province of Louisiana ; and, under the 
shrewd management of Law and his associates, 
immigration soon increased, as many as 800 
settlers arriving in a single year. The directors 
of the company, in the exercise of their govern- 
mental powers, appointed Pierre Duque de Bois- 
briant Governor of the Illinois District. He 
proceeded to Kaskaskia, and, within a few miles 
of that settlement, erected Fort Chartres. (See 
Fort Chartres. ) The policy of the Indies Company 
was energetic, and, in the main, wise. Grants of 
commons were made to various French villages, 
and Cahokia and Kaskaskia steadily grew in size 
and population. Permanent settlers were given 
grants of land and agriculture was encouraged. 
These grants (which were allodial in their char- 
acter) covered nearlj- all the lands in that part of 
the American Bottom, lying between tlie Missis- 
sippi and the Kaskaskia Rivers. Many grantees 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



115 



held their lands in one great common field, each 
proprietor contributing, pro rata, to the mainte- 
nance of a surrounding fence. In 1721 the Indies 
Company divided the Province of Louisiana into 
nine civil and military districts. That of Illinois 
was numerically the Seventh, and included not 
onlj' the southern half of the existing State, but 
also an immense tract west of the Mississippi, 
extending to the Rocky Mountains, and embrac- 
ing the present States of Missouri, Kansas, Iowa 
and Nebraska, besides portions of Arkansas and 
Colorado. The Commandant, with his secretary 
and the Company's Commissary, formed the 
District Council, tlie civil law being in force. In 
1732, the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and thereafter, the Governors of Illinois were 
appointed directly bj- the Frencli crown. 

CONCORDIA SEMINARY, an institution lo- 
cated at Springfield, fo'onded in 1879 ; the succes- 
sor of an earlier institution under the name of 
Illinois University. Theological, scientific and 
preparatory departments are maintained, al- 
though there is no classical course. The insti- 
tution is under control of the German Lutherans. 
The institution reports §125,000 worth of real 
property. The members of the Faculty (1898) 
are five in number, and there were about 171 
students in attendance. 

COXDEE, Leander D., lawyer, was born Ln 
Athens County, Ohio, Sept. 26, 18-17; brought 
by his parents to Coles County, 111., at the age of 
seven years, and received his education in the 
common schools and at St. Paul's Academy, Kan- 
kakee, taking a special course in Michigan State 
University and graduating from the law depart- 
ment of the latter in 1868. He then began prac- 
tice at Bvitler. Bates County, Mo., where he 
served tliree years as City Attorney, but, in 1873, 
returned to Illinois, locating in Hj'de Park (now 
a part of Chicago), where he served as City 
Attorney for four consecutive terms before its 
annexation to Chicago. In 1880, lie was elected 
as a Republican to the State Senate for the 
Second Senatorial District, serving in the Thirty- 
second and the Thirty-third General Assemblies. 
In 1892, he was the Republican nominee for Judge 
of the Superior Court of Cook Countj-, but was 
defeated with the National and the State tickets 
of that year, since when he has given his atten- 
tion to regular practice, maintaining a high rank 
in his profession. 

COXtJER, Edwin Hnrd, lawyer and diploma- 
tist, was born in Knox County, 111., March 7, 1843; 
graduated at Lombard Uniyersitj', Galesburg, in 
1869. and immediately thereafter enlisted as a 



private in the One Hundred and Second Illinois 
Volunteers, serving through the war and attain- 
ing the rank of Captain, besides being brevetted 
Major for gallant service. Later, he graduated 
from the Albany Law School and practiced for a 
time in Galesburg. but, in 1868, removed to Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming, stock-raising and 
banking; was twice elected County Treasurer of 
Dallas Count}', and, in 1880, State Treasurer, 
being re-elected in 1882 ; in 1886, was elected to 
Congress from the Des Moines District, and twice 
re-elected (1888 and '90), but before the close of 
his last terra was appointed by President Harri- 
son Minister to Brazil, serving until 1893. In 
1896, he served as Presidential Elector for the 
State-at-large, and, in 1897, was re-appointed 
Minister to Brazil, but, in 1898, was transferred 
to China, where (1899) he now is. He was suc- 
ceeded at Rio Janeiro bj- Charles Page Bryan of 
Illinois. 

COXOREGATIONALISTS, THE. Two Congre- 
gational ministers — Rev. S. J. ]Mills and Rev. 
Daniel Smith — visited Illinois in 1814, and spent 
some time at Kaskaskia and Shawneetown, but 
left for New Orleans without organizing anj- 
churches. The first chui'ch was organized at 
Mendon, Adams County, in 1833, followed bj 
others during the same year, at Naperville, Jack- 
sonville and Quincy. By 1836, the number had 
increased to ten. Among the pioneer ministers 
were Jabez Porter, who was also a teacher at 
Quincy, in 1828, and Rev. Asa Turner, in 1830, 
who became pastor of the first Quincj' church, 
followed later by Revs. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(afterwards President of Illinois College), Tru- 
man M. Post, Edward Beecher and Horatio Foci. 
Other Congregational ministers who came to t'^e 
State at an early day were Rev. Salmon Gridley, 
who finally located at St. Louis; Rev. John M. 
Ellis, who served as a missionary and was instru- 
mental in founding Illinois College and the Jack- 
sonville Female Seminary at Jacksonville; Revs. 
Thomas Lippincott, Cyrus L. Watson, Iheron 
Baldwin. Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, the two 
Lovejoj's (Owen and Elijah P.), and many more 
of whom, either temporarily or permanently, 
became associated with Presbyterian churches. 
Although Illinois College was under the united 
patronage of Presbyterians and Congregational- 
ists, the leading spirits in its original establish- 
ment were Congregationalists, and the same was 
true of Knox College at Galesburg. In 1835, at 
Big Grove, in an unoccupied log-cabin, was 
convened the first Congregational Council, known 
in the denominational history of the State as 



110 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



that of Fox River. Since then some twelve to 
fifteen separate Associations have been organized. 
By 1890, the development of the denomination 
had been sucli that it had 280 churches, support- 
ing 312 ministers, with 33,126 members. During 
that year the disbursements on account of chari- 
ties and home extension, by the Illinois churches, 
were nearly $1,000,000. The Chicago Theological 
Seminary, at Chicago, is a Congregational school 
of divinity, its property holdings being worth 
nearly §700,000. "The Advance" (published at 
Chicago) is the chief denominational organ. 
(See also Religious Denominations.) 

CONGRESSIONAL APPORTIONMENT. (See 
Apportionment, Congressional; also Represent- 
atives in Congress. ) 

CONKLIXG, James Cook, lawyer, was bom in 
New York City, Oct. 13, 1816; graduated at Prince- 
ton College in 1835, and, after studying law and 
being admitted to the bar at Morristown, N. J., in 
1838, removed to Springfield, 111. Here his first 
business partner was Cyrus Walker, an eminent 
and widely known lawyer of his time, while at a 
later period he was associated with Gen. James 
Shields, afterwards a soldier of the Mexican War 
and a United States Senator, at different times, 
from three different States. As an original 
Whig, Mr. Conkling early became associated 
with Abraham Lincoln, whose intimate and 
trusted friend he was through life. It was to 
him that Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
letter, which, by his special request, Mr. Conk- 
ling read before the great Union mass-meeting at 
Springfield, held, Sept. 3, 1863, now known as the 
"Lincoln-Conkling Letter." Mr. Conkling was 
chosen Mayor of the city of Springfield in 1844, 
and served in the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth and the Twenty-fifth General Assemblies 
(1851 and 1867). It was largely due to his tactful 
management in the latter, that the first appropri- 
ation was made for the new State House, which 
establisheil the capital permanently in that city. 
At the Bloomington Convention of 1856, where 
the Republican party in Illinois may be said to 
have been formally organized, with Mr. Lincoln 
and three others, he represented Sangamon 
County, served on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and was appointed a member of the State Central 
Committee wliich conducted the campaign of 
that year. In 1860, and again in 1864, his name 
was on the Republican State ticket for Presiden- 
tial Elector, and, on both occasions, it became his 
duty to cast the electoral vote of Mr. Lincoln's 
own District for him for President. The intimacy 
of personal friendship existing between him and 



Mr. Lincoln was fittingly illustrated by his posi- 
tion for over thirty years as an original member 
of the Lincoln Monument Association. Other 
public positions lield by him included those of 
State Agent during the Civil War by appointment 
of Governor Yates, Trustee of the State University 
at Champaign, and of Blackburn University at 
Carlinville. as also that of Postmaster of the city 
of Springfield, to which he was appointed in 1890, 
continuing in office four years. High-minded 
and honorable, of pure personal character and 
strong religious convictions, public-spirited and 
liberal, probably no man did more to promote 
the growth and prosperity of the city of Spring- 
field, during the sixty years of his residence there, 
than he. His death, as a result of old age, 
occurred in that city, March 1, 1899.— Clinton L. 
(Conkling), son of the preceding, was born in 
Springfield, Oct. 16, 1843; graduated at Yale 
College in 1864, studied law with his father, and 
was licensed to practice in the Illinois courts in 
1866, and in the United States courts in 1867. 
After practicing a few years, he turned his atten 
tion to manufacturing, but, in 1877, resumed 
practice and has proved successful. He has 
devoted much attention of late years to real 
estate business, and has represented large land 
interests in this and other States. For many 
years he was Secretary of the Lincoln Monument 
Association, and has served on the Board of 
County Supervisors, which is the only political 
office he has held. In 1897 he was the Repub 
lican nominee for Judge of the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, but, although confessedly a man of the 
highest probity and ability, was defeated in a 
district overwhelmingly Democratic. 

CONNOLLY, James Anstin, lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Newark, N. J., March 8, 
1843; went with his parents to Ohio in 1850, 
where, in 1858-59, he served as Assistant Clerk of 
the State Senate ; studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in that State in 1861, and soon after 
removed to Illinois; the following year (1862) lie 
enlisted as a private soldier in the One Hundred 
and Twenty-third Illinois Volunteers, but was 
successively commissioned as Captain and Major, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Lieutenant- 
Colonel. In 1872 he was elected Representative 
in the State Legislature from Coles County and 
re-elected in 1874; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois 
from 1876 to 1885, and again from 1889 to 1893 ; 
in 1886 was appointed and confirmed Solicitor of 
the Treasury, but declined the oflice; the same 
year ran as the Republican candidate for Con- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



117 



gress in the Springfield (then the Thirteenth) 
District in opposition to Wm. M. Springer, and 
was defeated by less than 1,000 votes in a district 
usually Democratic by 3,000 majority. He 
declined a second nomination in 1888, but, in 1894, 
was nominated for a third time (this time for the 
Seventeenth District), and was elected, as he was 
for a second term in 1896. He declined a renomina- 
tion in 1898, returning to the practice of his pro- 
fession at Springfield at the close of the Fifty-fifth 
Congress. 

CONSTABLE, Charles H., lawyer, was born at 
Chestertown, Jld.,July 0, 1817; educated at Belle 
Air Academy and the University of Virginia, 
graduating from the latter in 1838. Then, having 
studied law, he was admitted to the bar, came to 
Illinois early in 1840, locating at Mount Carmel, 
Wabash County, and, in 1844, was elected to the 
State Senate for the district composed of Wabash, 
Edwards and Waj-ne Coimties, serving until 1848. 
He also served as a Delegate in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1847. Originally a Whig, on the 
dissolution of that party in IS.jl, he became a 
Democrat; in ISriG, served as Presidential 
Elector-at-large on the Buchanan ticket and, 
during the Civil War, was a pronounced oppo- 
nent of the policy of the Government in dealing 
with secession. Having removed to Marshall, 
Clark County, in 1852, he continued the practice 
of his profession there, but was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court in 1861, serving imtil his death, 
which occurred, Oct. 9, 1865. While holding 
court at Charleston, in March, 1863, Jvidge Con- 
stable was arrested because of his release of four 
deserters from the army, and the holding to bail, 
on the charge of kidnaping, of two Union officers 
who had arrested them. He was subsequently 
released by Judge Treat of the United States 
District Court at Springfield, but the affair cul- 
minated in a riot at Charleston, on March 23, in 
which four soldiers and three citizens were killed 
outright, and eight persons were wounded. 

CONSTITUTIONAL CONTENTIONS. Illinois 
has had four State Conventions called for the 
purpose of formulating State Constitutions. Of 
these, three— those of 1818, 1847 and 1869-70— 
adopted Constitutions which went into effect, 
while the instrument framed by the Convention 
of 1862 was rejected by the people. A synoptical 
history of each will be found telow : 

CONVEXTIO.N OF 1818. — In January, 1818, the 
Territorial Legislature adopted a resolution 
instructing the Delegate in Congress (Hon. 
Nathaniel Pope) to present a jjetition to Congress 
requesting the pa.ssage of an act authorizing the 



people of Illinois Territory to organize a State 
Government. A bill to this effect was intro- 
duced, April 7, and became a law, April 18, follow- 
ing. It authorized the people to frame a 
Constitution and organize a State Government- 
apportioning the Delegates to be elected from 
each of the fifteen counties into which the Ter- 
ritory was then divided, naming the first Jlonday 
of July, following, as the day of election, and the 
first Monday of August as the time for the meet- 
ing of the Convention. The act was conditioned 
upon a census of the people of the Territory (to 
be ordered by the Legislature), sliowing a popu- 
lation of not less than 40,000. The census, as 
taken, showed the required population, but, as 
finally corrected, this was reduced to 34,620 — 
being the smallest with which any State was ever 
admitted into the Union. The election took 
place on July 6, 1818, and the Convention assem- 
bled at Kaskaskia on August 3. It consisted of 
thirty-three members. Of these, a majority were 
farmers of limited education, but with a fair 
portion of hard common-sense. Five . of the 
Delegates were lawyers, and these undoubtedly 
wielded a controlling influence. Jesse B. 
Thomas (afterwards one of the first United 
States Senators) presided, and Elias Kent Kane, 
also a later Senator, was among the dominating 
spirits. It has been asserted that to the latter 
should be ascribed whatever new matter was 
incorporated in the instrument, it being copied 
in most of its essential provisions from the Con- 
stitutions of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The 
Convention completed its labors and adjourned, 
August 26, the Constitution was submitted to 
Congress by Delegate John McLean, without the 
formality of ratification by the people, and Illi- 
nois was admitted into the Union as a State by 
resolution of Congress, adopted Dec. 3, 1818. 

Convention of 1847. — An attempt was made in 
1822 to obtain a revision of the Constitution of 
1818, the object of the chief promoters of the 
movement being to seciu-e the incorporation of a 
provision authorizing the admission of slavery 
into Illinois. The passage of a resolution, by the 
neces.sary two-thirds vote of both Houses of the 
General Assembly, submitting the proposition to 
a vote of the people, was secured by the most 
questionable methods, at the session of 1822, but 
after a heated campaign of nearly two years, it 
was rejected at the election of 1824. (See 
Slavery and Slave Laivs: also Coles, Edward.) 
At the session of 1840-41, another resolution on 
the subject was submitted to the people, but it 
was rejected by the narrow margin of 1,039 



118 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



votes. Again, in 1845, the question was submit- 
ted, and, at the election of 1846, was approved. 
The election of delegates occurred, April 19, 1847, 
and the Convention met at Springfield, June 19, 
following. It was composed of 162 members, 
ninety-two of whom were Democrats. The list 
of Delegates embraced the names of many who 
afterwards attained liigh distinction in public 
affairs, and the body, as a whole, was represent- 
ative in character. The Bill of Rights attached 
to the Constitution of 1818 was but little changed 
in its successor, except by a few additions, 
among which was a section disqualifying any 
person who had been concerned in a duel from 
holding office. The earlier Constitution, how- 
ever, was carefully revised and several important 
changes made. Among these may be mentioned 
the following: Limiting the elective franchise 
for foreign-born citizens to those who had 
become naturalized ; making the judiciary elect- 
ive; requiring that all State officers be elected 
liy the people ; changing the time of the election 
of the Executive, and making him ineligible for 
immediate re-election ; various curtailments of 
the power of the Legislature; imposing a two- 
mill tax for payment of the State debt, and pro- 
viding for the establishment of a sinking fund. 
The Constitution framed was adopted in conven- 
tion, August 31, 1847; ratified by popular vote, 
March 6, 1848, and went into effect, April 1, 1848. 
Convention of 1803. — The proposition for 
holding a tliird Constitutional Convention was 
submitted to vote of the people by the Legislature 
of 1859, endorsed at the election of 1860, and the 
election of Delegates held in November. 1861. In 
the excitement attendant upon the early events 
of the war, people paid comparatively little 
attention to the choice of its members. It was 
composed of forty-five Democrats, twenty-one 
Republicans, seven "fusionists" and two classed 
as doubtful. The Convention assembled at 
Springfield on Jan. 7, 1862, and remained in ses- 
sion until March 24, following. It was in man}' 
respects a remarkable body. The law providing 
for its existence prescribed that the members, 
before proceeding to business, should take an 
oath to support the State Constitution. This the 
majority refused to do. Their conception of 
their powers was such that they seriously deliber- 
ated upon electing a United States Senator, 
assumed to make appropriations from the State 
treasury, claimed the right to interfere with 
military affairs, and called upon the Governor 
for information concerning claims of tlie Illinois 
Central Railroad, which the Executive refused to 



lay before them. The instrument drafted pro- 
posed numerous important changes in the organic 
law, and was generallj' regarded as objectionable. 
It was rejected at an election held, June 17, 1863, 
by a majority of over 16,000 votes. 

Convention op 1869-70. — The second attempt 
to revise the Constitution of 1848 resulted in 
submission to the people, by the Legislature of 
1867, of a proposition for a Convention, which was 
approved at the election of 1868 by a bare major- 
ity of 704 votes. The election of Delegates was 
provided for at the next session (1869), the elec- 
tion held in November and the Convention 
assembled at Springfield, Dec. 13. Charles 
Hitchcock was chosen President, John Q. Har- 
mon, Secretary, and Daniel Shepard and A. H. 
Swain, First and Second Assistants. There were 
eighty-five members, of whom forty-four were 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats, although 
fifteen had been elected nominally as "Independ- 
ents." It was an assemblage of some of the 
ablest men of the State, including representatives 
of all tlie learned professions except tiie clerical, 
besides mercliants, farmers, bankers and journal- 
ists. Its work was completed May 13, 1870, and 
in the main good. Some of the principal changes 
made in the fundamental law, as proposed by the 
Convention, were the following: The prohibi- 
tion of special legislation where a general law 
may be made to cover the necessities of tlie case, 
and the absolute prohibition of such legislation 
in reference to divorces, lotteries and a score of 
other matters ; prohibition of the passage of any 
law releasing anj' civil division (district, county, 
city, township or town) from the paj^ment of its 
just proportion of any State tax; recommenda- 
tions to the Legislature to enact laws upon 
certain specified subjects, such as liberal home- 
stead and exemption rights, the construction of 
drains, the regulation of charges on railways 
(which were declared to be public highways), 
etc. , etc. ; declaring all elevators and storehouses 
public warehouses, and providing for their legis- 
lative inspection and supervision. The mainte 
nance of an "efficient system of public schools" 
was made obligatory upon the Legislature, and 
the appropriation of any funds — State, municipal, 
town or district — to the support of sectarian 
schools was prohibited. The principle of cumu 
lative voting, or "minority representation," in 
the choice of members of the House of Represent- 
atives was provided for, and additional safe 
guards thrown around the passage of bills. The 
ineligibility of the Governor to re-election for a 
second consecutive term was set aside, and a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



119 



t«"o-thirds vote of the Legislature made necessary 
to overritie an executive veto. Tlie list of State 
officers was increased by the creation of the 
offices of Attorney-General and Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, these having been previ- 
ously provided for only by statute. The Supreme 
Court bench was increased by the addition of 
four members, making the whole number of 
Supi'eme Court judges seven ; Appellate Courts 
authorized after 1874, and County Courts were 
made courts of record. The compensation of all 
State officers — executive, judicial and legislative 
— was left discretionary with the Legislature, 
and no limit was placed upon the length of the 
sessions of the General Assembly. The instru- 
ment drafted by the Convention was ratified at 
an election held, July 6, 1870, and went into force, 
August 8, following. Occasional amendments 
have been submitted and ratified from time to 
time. (See Constitutions. Elections ond Repre- 
sentation: also Minority Representation.) 

COJiSTITUTIOXS. Illinois has had three con- 
stitutions — that of 1870 being now (1898) in force. 
The earliest instrument was that approved by 
Congress in 1818, and the first revision was made 
in 1847 — the Constitution having beep ratified at 
an election held, Ularch 5, 1848, and going into 
force, April 1, following. The term of State 
officers has been uniformly fixed at four years, 
except that of Treasurer, which is two years. 
Biennial elections and sessions of the General 
Assembly are provided for. Senators holding their 
seats for four years, and Representatives two 
years. The State is required to be apportioned 
after each decennial census into fifty-one dis- 
tricts, each of which elects one Senator and three 
Representatives. The principle of minority rep- 
resentation has been incorporated into the 
organic law, each elector being allowed to cast as 
many votes for one legislative candidate as there 
are Representatives to be chosen in his district ; 
or he may divide his vote equally among all Die 
three candidates or between two of them, as he 
may see fit. One of the provisions of the Consti- 
tution of 1870 is the inhibition of the General 
As.sembly from passing private laws. Munici- 
palities are classified, and legislation is for all 
cities of a class, not for an individual corpora- 
tion. Individual citizens with a financial griev- 
ance must secure payment of their claims under 
the terms of some general appropriation. The 
sessions of the Legislature are not limited as to 
time, nor is there any restriction upon the power 
of the Executive to summon extra sessions. 
(See also Constitutional Conventions; Elections; 



Governors and oilier State Officers; Judicial 
System; Suffrage, Etc.) 

COOK, Burton C, lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Monroe County, N. Y., May 11, 1819; 
completed his academic education at the Collegi- 
ate Institute in Rochester, and after studying 
law, removed to Illinois (1835), locating first at 
Hennepin and later at Ottawa. Here he began 
the practice of his profession, and, in 1846, was 
elected by the Legislature State's Attorney for 
the Xinth Judicial District, serving two years, 
wlien, in 1848, he was re-elected by the people 
under the Constitution of that year, for four 
}-ears. From 18.53 to 1860. he was State Senator, 
taking part in the election which resulted in 
making Lyman Trumbull United States Senator 
in 1855. In 1861 he served as one of the Peace 
Commissioners from Illinois in the Conference 
which met at Washington. He may be called 
one of the founders of the Republican part}' in 
this State, having been a member of tlie State 
Central Committee appointed at Bloomington in 
1856, and Chairman of the State Central Com- 
mittee in 1862. In 1864, he was elected to Con- 
gress, and re-elected in 1866, "68 and '70, but 
resigned in 1S71 to accept the solicitorship of the 
Northwestern Railroad, which he resigned in 
1886. He was an intimate friend of Abraham 
Lincoln, serving as a delegate to both the National 
Conventions wliich nominated him for the Presi- 
dency, and presenting his name at Baltimore in 
1864. His death occurred at Evanston, August 
18, 1894. 

COOK, Daiiic-I Pope, early Congressman, was 
born in Scott County, Kj-., in 1795, removed to 
Illinois and began the practice of law at Kaskas- 
kia in 181.5. Early in 1816, he became joint owner 
and editor of "The Illinois Intelligencer." and at 
the same time served as Auditor of Public 
Accounts by appointment of Governor Edwards ; 
the next year (l^il7) was sent by President Mon- 
roe as bearer of dispatches to John Quincy Adams, 
then minister to London, and, on his return, was 
appointed a Circuit Judge. On the admission of 
the State he was elected the first Attorney- 
General, but almost immediately resigned and, 
in September, 1819, was elected to Congress, serv- 
ing as Representative until 1827. Having mai-ried 
a daughter of Governor Edwards, he became a 
resident of Edwardsville. He was a conspicuous 
opponent of the proposition to make Illinois a 
slave State in 1823-24, and did much to prevent 
the success of that scheme. He also bore a 
prominent part while in Congress in securing the 
donation of lands for the construction of the 



120 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Illinois & Michigan Canal. He was distinguished 
for his eloquence, and it was during his first 
Congressional campaign that stump-speaking was 
introduced into the State. Suffering from 
consumption, he visited Cuba, and. after return- 
ing to his home at Edwardsville and failing to 
improve, he went to Kentucky, where he died, 
Oct. 16, 1837.— John (Cook), soldier, born at 
Edwardsville, 111., June 12, 1825, the son of 
Daniel P. Cook, the second Congressman from 
Illinois, and grandson of Gov, Ninian Edwards, 
was educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College ; in 1855 was elected Mayor of Springfield 
and the following year Sheriff of Sangamon 
County, later serving as Quartermaster of the 
State. Raising a company promptly after the 
firing on Fort Simiter in 1861, he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Volunteers 
— the first regiment organized in Illinois under 
the first call for troops by President Lincoln ; was 
promoted Brigadier-General for gallantry at Fort 
Donelson in Marcli, 18C2; in 1864 commanded the 
District of Illinois, with headquarters at Spring- 
field, being mustered out, August, 1865, with the 
brevet rank of Major-Geueral. General Cook was 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly from Sangamon County, in 1868. During 
recent years his home has been in Michigan. 

COOK COUNTY, situated in the northeastern 
section of the State, bordering on Lake Michigan, 
and being the most easterlj' of the second tier of 
counties south of the Wisconsin State line. It 
has an area of 890 square miles ; population (1890), 
1,191,932; (1900), 1,838,735; county-seat, Cliicago. 
The county was organized in 1831, having origi- 
nally embraced the counties of Du Page, Will, 
Lake, McHenry and Iroquois, in addition to its 
present territorial limits. It was named in 
honor of Daniel P. Cook, a distinguished Repre- 
sentative of Illinois in Congress. (See Cook, 
Daniel P. ) The first County Commissioners were 
Samuel Miller, Gholson Kercheval and James 
Walker, who took the oath of office before Justice 
John S. C. Hogan, on March 8, 1831. WiUiam 
Lee was appointed Clerk and Archibald Cly bourne 
Treasurer. Jedediah Wormley was first County 
Surveyor, and three election districts (Chicago, 
Du Page and Hickory Creek) were created. A 
scow ferry was established across the South 
Branch, with Slark Beaubien as ferryman. Only 
non-residents were required to pay toll. Geolo- 
gists are of the opinion that, previous to the 
glacial epoch, a large portion of the county lay 
under the waters of Lake Michigan, whicli was 
connected with the Mississippi by the Des Plaines 



River. This theory is borne out by the finding 
of stratified beds of coal and gravel in tlie eastern 
and southern portions of the county, either under- 
lying the prairies or assuming the form of ridges. 
The latter, geologists maintain, indicate the exist- 
ence of an ancient key, and they conclude that, 
at one time, the level of the lake was nearly forty 
feet higher than at present. Glacial action is 
believed to have been very effective in establish- 
ing surface conditions in this vicinity. Lime- 
stone and building stone are quarried in tolerable 
abundance. Athens marble (white when taken 
out, but growing a rich yellow through exposure) 
is found in the southwest. Isolated beds of peat 
have also been found. The general surface is 
level, although undulating in some portions. The 
soil near the lake is sand}', but in the interior 
becomes a black mold from one to four feet in 
depth. Drainage is afforded by tlie Des Plaines, 
Chicago and Calumet Rivers, which is now being 
improved by tlie construction of the Drainage 
Canal. Manufactures and agriculture are the 
principal industries outside of the city of Chi- 
cago. (See also Chicago.) 

COOK COUNTY HOSPITAL, located in Chi- 
cago and under control of the Commissioners of 
Cook County. It was originally erected by the 
City of Chicago, at a cost of $80,000, and was 
intended to be used as a liospital for patients 
suffering from infectious diseases. For several 
years the building was unoccupied, but, in 1858, 
it was leased by an association of pliysicians, who 
opened a hospital, with the furtlier purpose of 
affording facilities for clinical instruction to the 
students of Rush Medical College. In 1863 the 
building was taken by the General Government 
for military purposes, being used as an eye and 
ear hospital for returning soldiers. In 1865 it 
reverted to the City of Chicago, and, in 1866, was 
purchased by Cook County. In 1874 the County 
Commissioners purchased a new and more spa- 
cious site at a cost of 814.5,000, and began the erec- 
tion of buildings thereon. The two principal 
pavilions were completed and occupied before tlie 
close of 1875; the clinical amphitlieater and 
connecting corridors were built in 1876-77, and an 
administrative building and two additional 
pavilions were added in 1882-84. Up to that date 
the total cost of the buildings had been §719,574, 
and later additions and improvements have 
swelled the outlay to more than 81,000,000. It 
accommodates about 800 patients and constitutes 
a part of the countj' machinery for the care of 
the poor. A certain number of beds are placed 
under the care of homeopathic physicians. The 



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ALONG SHERIDAN ROAD AND ON THE BOULEVARDS. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lai 



present (1896) allopathic medical stafif consists of 
fifteen physicians, fifteen surgeons, one oculist 
and aurist and one pathologist ; the homeopathic 
staff comprises five physicians and five surgeons. 
In addition, there is a large corps of internes, or 
house physicians and surgeons, composed of 
recent graduates from the several medical col- 
leges, who gain their positions through competi- 
tive examination and hold tliem for eighteen 
months. 

COOKE, Edward Dean, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Dubuque County, Iowa, Oct. 17, 
1849; was educated in the common schools and 
the high school of Dubuque; studied law in that 
city and at Columbian University, Washington, 
D.C., graduating from that institution with the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws, and was admitted to 
the bar in Washington in 1873. Coming to Chi- 
cago the same year, he entered upon the practice 
of his profession, which he pursued for the 
remainder of his life. In 1883 he was elected a 
Representative in the State Legislature from 
Cook County, serving one term; was elected as a 
Republican to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the 
Sixth District (Chicago), in 1894, and re-elected in 
1896. His death occurred suddenly while in 
attendance on the extra session of Congress in 
Washington, June 24, 1897. 

COOLBAUGH, William Findlay, financier, was 
born in Pike County, Pa., July 1, 1821; at the 
age of 15 became clerk in a dry-goods store in 
Philadelphia, but, in 1842, opened a branch 
establishment of a New York firm at Burlington, 
Iowa, where he afterwards engaged in the bank- 
ing business, also serving in the Iowa State 
Constitutional Convention, and, as the candidate 
of his party for United States Senator, being 
defeated by Hon. James Harlan by one vote. In 
1863 he came to Chicago and opened the banking 
house of W. F. Coolbaugh & Co. , which, in 1865, 
became the Union National Bank of Chicago. 
Later he became the first President of the Chi- 
cago Clearing House, as also of the Bankers' 
Association of the West and South, a Director of 
the Board of Trade, and an original incorporator 
of the Chamber of Commerce, besides being a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. His death by suicide, at the foot of 
Douglas Monument, Nov. 14, 1877, was a shock to 
the whole citj- of Chicago. 

COOLEY, Horace S., Secretary of State, was 
born in Hartford, Conn., in 1806, studied medi- 
cine for two years in early life, then went to Ban- 
gor, Maine, where he began the study of law ; in 
1840 he came to Illinois, locating first at Rushville 



and finally in the city of Quincy ; in 1843 took a 
prominent part in the campaign which resulted 
in the election of Thomas Ford as Governor — also 
received from Governor Carlin an appointment as 
Quartermaster-General of the State. On the 
accession of Governor French in December, 1846, 
he was appointed Secretary of State and elected 
to the .same office under the Constitution of 1848, 
dying before the expiration of his term, April 3, 
1850. 

CORBUS, (Dr.) J. C, physician, was born in 
Holmes County, Ohio, in 1833, received his pri 
mary education in the public schools, followed 
by an academic course, and began the study of 
medicine at Millersburg, finally graduating from 
the Western Reserve Medical College at Cleve- 
land. In 1855 he began practice at Orville, Ohio, 
but the same year located at Mendota, 111., soon 
thereafter removing to Lee County, where he 
remained until 1862. The latter year he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon of the Seventy-fifth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon pro- 
moted to the position of Surgeon, though com- 
pelled to resign the following year ou account of 
ill health. Returning from the army, he located 
at Mendota. Dr. Corbus served continuously as a 
member of the State Board of Public Charities 
from 1873 until the accession of Governor Altgeld 
to the Governorship in 1893, when he resigned. 
He was also, for fifteen years, one of the Medical 
Examiners for his District imder the Pension 
Bureau, and has served as a member of the 
Republican State Central Committee for the 
Mendota District. In 1897 he was complimented 
by Governor Tanner by reappointment to the 
State Board of Charities, and was made President 
of the Board. Early in 1899 he was appointed 
Superintendent of the Eastern Hospital for the 
Insane at Kankakee, as successor to Dr. William 
G. Stearns. 

CORNELL, Paul, real-estate operator and capi- 
talist, was born of English Quaker ancestry in 
Washington County, N. Y., August 5, 1823; at 9 
years of age removed with his step-father, Dr. 
Barry, to Ohio, and five years later to Adams 
County, 111. Here young Cornell lived the life of 
a farmer, working part of the year to earn money 
to send himself to school the remainder; also 
taught for a time, then entered the office of W. A. 
Richardson, at Rushville, Schuyler County, as a 
law student. In 1845 he came to Chicago, but 
soon after became a student in the law office of 
Wilson & Henderson at Joliet, and was admitted 
to practice in that city. Removing to Chicago in 
1847, he was associated, successively, with the late 



123 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



L. C. P. Freer, Judge James H. Collins and 
Messrs. Skinner & Hoyne ; finally entered into a 
contract with Judge Skinner to perfect the title to 
320 acres of land held under tax-title within the 
present limits of Hyde Park, which he succeeded 
in doing by visiting the original owners, thereby 
securing one-half of the jjroperty in his own 
name. He thus became the founder of the village 
of Hyde Park, meanwhile adding to his posses- 
sions other lands, which increased vastly in value. 
He also established a watch factory at Cornell 
(now a part of Chicago), which did a large busi- 
ness until removed to California. Mr. Cornell 
was a member of tlie first Park Board, and there- 
fore has the credit of assisting to organize Chi- 
cago's extensive park system. 

CORWIN, Franklin, Congressman, was born at 
Lebanon, Ohio, Jan. 12, 1818, and admitted to the 
bar at the age of 21, While a resident of Ohio he 
served in both Houses of the Legislature, and 
settled in Illinois in 1857, making his home at 
Peru. He was a member of the lower house of 
the Twenty-foui'th, Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, being Speaker in 1867, 
and again in 1869. In 1872 he was elected to 
Congress as a Republican, but, in 1874, was 
defeated by Alexander Campbell, who made the 
race as an Independent. Died, at Peru, 111. , June 
15, 1879. 

COUCH, James, pioneer hotel-keeper, was born 
at Fort Edward, N. Y., August 31, 1800; removed 
to Chautauqua County, in the same State, where 
he remained rmtil his twentieth year, receiving a 
fair English education. After engaging succes- 
sively, but with indifferent success, as hotel-clerk, 
stage-house keeper, lumber-dealer, and in the dis- 
tilling business, in 1836, in company with his 
younger brother, Ira, he visited Chicago. They 
both decided to go into business there, first open- 
ing a small store, and later entering upon their 
hotel ventures which proved so eminently suc- 
cessful, and gave the Tremont House of Chicago 
so wide and enviable a reputation. Mr. Couch 
superintended for his brother Ira the erection, at 
various times, of many large business blocks in 
the city. Upon the death of his brother, in 1857, 
he was made one of the trustees of his estate, and, 
with other trustees, rebuilt the Tremont House 
after the Chicago fire of 1871. In April, 1892, 
while boarding a street car in the central part of 
the city of Chicago, he was run over by a truck, 
receiving injuries which resulted in his death 
the same day at the Tremont House, in the 92d 
year of his age. — Ira (Couch), younger brother of 
the preceding, was born in Saratoga County, 



N. Y., Nov. 22, 1806. At the age of sixteen he 
was apprenticed to a tailor, and, in 1826, set up 
in business on his own account. In 1836, while 
visiting Chicago with his brother James, he 
determined to go into business there. With a 
stock of furnishing goods and tailors' supplies, 
newly bought in New York, a small store was 
opened. This business soon disposed of, Mr. 
Couch, with his brother, obtained a lease of the 
old Tremont House, then a low frame building 
kept as a saloon boarding house. Changed and 
refurnished, this was opened as a hotel. It was 
destroyed by fire in 1839, as was also the larger 
rebuilt structure in 1849. A second time rebuilt, 
and on a much larger and grander scale at a cost 
of S7.'j,000, surpassing anything the West had ever 
known before, the Tremont House this time stood 
until the Chicago fire in 1871, when it was again 
destro3'ed. Mr. Couch at all times enjoyed an 
immense patronage, and was able to accumulate 
(for that time) a large fortune. He pxirchased 
and improved a large number of business blocks, 
then within the business center of the city. In 
1853 he retired from active business, and, in con- 
sequence of impaired health, chose for the rest of 
his life to seek recreation in travel. In the 
winter of 1857, while with his family in 
Havana, Cuba, he was taken with a fever which 
soon ended his life. His remains now rest in a 
mausoleum of masonry in Lincoln Park, Chi- 
cago. 

COULTERVILLE,a town of Randolph County, 
at the crossing of the Centralia & Chester and 
the St. Louis & Paducah branch Illinois Central 
Railways, 49 miles southeast of St. Louis. Farm- 
ing and coal-mining are the leading industries. 
The town has two banks, two ci'eanieries, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 598: (1900), 650. 
COUNTIES, UNORGANIZED. (See Unorgan- 
ized Counties.) 

COWDEN, a village of Shelby County, at the 
intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Rail- 
ways, 60 miles southeast of Springfield. Con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vicinitj' : has a 
bank and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
350; (1890), 702; (1900), 751. 

COWLES, .ilfred, newspaper manager, was 
born in Portage County, Ohio, May 13, 1832, grew 
up on a farm and, after spading some time at 
Michigan University, entered the office of "The 
Cleveland Leader" as a clerk; in 1855 accepted a 
similar position on "The Chicago Tribune," which 
had ji^ist been bought by Joseph Jledill and 
others, finally becoming a stockholder and busi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



123 



ness manager of the paper, so remaining until his 
death iu Chica,i^o, Dec. 20, 1889. 

COX, Thomas, pioneer, Senator in the First 
General Assembly of Illinois (1818-22) from Union 
County, and a conspicuous figiu'e in early State 
history ; was a zealous advocate of the policy of 
making Illinois a slave State ; became one of the 
original proprietors and founders of the city of 
Springfield, and was appointed the first Register 
of the Land Office there, liut was removed under 
charges of misconduct; after his retirement from 
the Land Office, kept a hotel at Springfield. In 
1880 lie removed to Iowa (then a part of Wiscon- 
sin Territorj), became a member of the first 
Territorial Legislature there, was twice re-elected 
and once Speaker of the House, being prominent 
in 1840 as commander of the "Regulators" who 
drove out a gang of murderers and desperadoes 
who had got possession at Bellevue, Iowa. Died, 
at Macjiioketa, Iowa, 1843. 

COY, Irus, lawyer, was born in Chenango 
County, X. Y., July 33, 1832; educated in the 
common schools and at Central College, Cortland 
County, N. Y.. graduating in law at Albany in 
1857. Then, having removed to Illinois, he 
located in Kendall Coimty and began practice : in 
1808 was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in 1872, served as Presidential 
Elector on the Republican ticket; removed to 
Chicago in 1871, later serving as attorney of the 
Union Stock Yards and Transit Company. Died, 
in Chicago, Sept. 20, 1897. 

CRAFTS, Clayton E., legislator and politician, 
born at Aubmn, Geauga County, Ohio, July 8, 
1848 ; was educated at Hiram College and gradu- 
ated from the Cleveland Law School in 1868, 
coming to Chicago in 1869. Mr. Crafts served in 
seven consecutive sessions of the General Assem- 
bly (1888-95, inclusive) as Representative from 
Cook Coimty, and was elected by the Democratic 
majority as Speaker, in 1891, and again in '93. 

CRAIG, Alfred M., jurist, was born in Edgar 
Coiinty, 111., Jan. 15, 1831, graduated from Knox 
College in 1853, and was admitted to the bar in 
the following year, commencing practice at 
Knoxville. He held the offices of State's 
Attorney and County Judge, and represented 
Knox County in the Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. In 1873 he was elected to the bench 
of the Supreme Court, as successor to Justice 
C. B. Lawrence, and was re-elected in '82 and 
'91 ; his present term expiring with the centuiy. 
He is a Democrat in politics, but has been 
three times elected in- a Republican judicial 
district. 



CRAWFORD, Charles H., lawyer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Bennington, Vt., but reared in 
Bureau and La Salle Counties, 111. ; has practiced 
law for twenty yeai-s in Chicago, and been three 
times elected to the State Senate — 1884, "88 and 
'94— and is author of the Crawford Primary Elec- 
tion Law. enacted in 1885. 

CRAWFORD COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
bordering on the Wabash, 190 miles nearly due 
south of Chicago — named for William H. Craw- 
ford, a Secretary of War. It has an area of 452 
.square miles; population (1900), 19,240. The 
first settlers were the French, but later came 
emigrants from New England. The soil is ricli 
and well adapted to the production of corn and 
wheat, which are the principal crops. The 
county was organized in 1817, Darwin being 
the first county-seat. The present county-seat 
is Robinson, with a population (1890) of 1,387; 
centrally located and the point of intersection of 
two railroads. Other towns of importance are 
Palestine (population, 734) and Hutsonville (popu- 
lation, 582). The latter, as well as Robinson, is 
a grain-shipping point. Tlie Embarras River 
crosses the southwest portion of the county, and 
receives the waters of Big and Honey Creeks and 
Bushy Fork. The county has no naineral 
resources, but contains some valuable woodland 
and many well cultivated farms. Tobacco, 
potatoes, sorghum and wool are among the lead- 
ing products. 

CREAL SPRINGS, a village of Williamson 
County, on the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad ; has a bank and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890), 539; (1900), 940. 

CREBS, John M., ex-Congressman, was born in 
Middleburg, Loudoim County, Va. , April 7, 1830. 
When he was but 7 years old his parents removed 
to Illinois, where he ever after resided. At the 
age of 21 he began the study of law, and, in 1852, 
was admitted to the bar, beginning practice in 
White County. In 1863 he enlisted in the 
Eighty-seventh Illinois Volunteers, receiving a 
commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, participating 
in all the important movements in tlie Jlississippi 
Valley, including the capture of Vicksburg, and 
in the Arkansas campaign, a part of the time 
commanding a brigade. Returning home, he 
resumed the practice of his profession. In 1860 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction on the 
Democratic ticket. He was elected to Congress 
in 1868 and re-elected in 1870, and, in 1880, was a 
delegate to the Democratic State Convention 
Died, June 26, 1890. 



124 



niSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CREIGHTOX, James A., jurist, was born in 
White County, III., March 7, 1846; in childhood 
removed with his parents to Wayne County, and 
was educated in the schools at Fairfield and at 
the Southern Illinois College, Salem, graduating 
from the latter in 1868. After teaching for a 
time wliile studying law, he was admitted to the 
bar in 1870, and opened an office at Fairfield, but, 
in 1877, removed to Springfield. In 1885 he was 
elected a Circuit Judge for the Springfield Cir- 
cuit, was re-elected in 1891 and again in 1897. 

CRERAR, John, manufacturer and philanthro- 
pist, was born of Scotch ancestry in New York 
City, in 1827 ; at 18 years of age was an employe 
of an iron-importing firm in that city, subse- 
quently accepting a position with Morris K. 
Jessup & Co., in the same line. Coming to 
Chicago in 1863, in partnership with J. McGregor 
Adams, he succeeded to the business of Jessup & 
Co. , in that city, also becoming a partner in the 
Adams & Westlake Company, iron manufactur- 
ers. He also became interested and an official in 
various other business organizations, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company, the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, the Illinois Trust and Savings 
Bank, and, for a time, was President of the Chi- 
cago & Joliet Railroad, besides being identified 
with various benevolent institutions and associ- 
ations. After the fire of 1871, he was intrusted 
by the New York Chamber of Commerce with 
the custody of funds sent for the relief of suffer- 
ers by that calamity. His integrity and business 
sagacity were universally recognized. After his 
death, which occurred in Chicago, Oct. 19, 
1889, it was found that, after making munificent 
bequests to some twenty religious and benevolent 
associations and enterprises, aggregating nearly 
a million dollars, besides liberal legacies to 
relatives, he had left the residue of his estate, 
amounting to some $2,000,000, for the purpose of 
founding a public library in the city of Chicago, 
naming thirteen of his most intimate friends as 
the first Board of Trustees. No more fitting and 
lasting monument of so noble and public-spirited 
a man could have been devised. 

CRETE, a village of Will County, on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 30 miles south 
of Chicago. Population (1890), 642; (1900), 760. 

CROOK, George, soldier, was born near Day- 
ton, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1828 ; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy, West Point, in 1852, and 
was assigned as brevet Second Lieutenant to the 
Fourth Infantry, becoming full Second Lieuten- 
ant in 1853. In 1861 he entered the volunteer 
service as Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Infan- 



try ; was promoted Brigadier-General in 1862 and 
Major-General in 1864, being mustered out of the 
service, January, 1866. During the war he 
participated in some of the mo.st important 
battles in West Virginia and Tennessee, fought at 
Chickamauga and Antietam, and commanded 
the cavalry in the advance on Richmond in the 
spring of 1865. On being mustered out of the 
volunteer service he returned to the regular 
army, was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Twenty-tliird Infantry, and, for several years, was 
engaged in campaigns against the hostile Indians 
in the Northwest and in Arizona. In 1888 he 
was appointed Major-General and, from that tune 
to his death, was in command of the Military 
Division of the Missouri, with headquarters at 
Chicago, where he died, March 19, 1890. 

CROSIAR, Simon, pioneer, was born near 
Pittsburg, Pa., in the latter part of the last 
century ; removed to Ohio in 1815 and to Illinois 
in 1819, settling first at Cap au Gris, a French 
village on the Mississippi just above the mouth 
of the Illinois in what is now Calhoun County ; 
later lived at Peoria (1824), at Ottawa (1826), at 
Shippingport near the present city of La Salle 
(1829), and at Old Utica (1834) ; in the mean- 
while built one or two mills on Cedar Creek in 
La Salle County, kept a storage and commission 
house, and, for a time, acted as Captain of a 
steamboat plying on the Illinois. Died, in 1846. 

CRYSTAL LAKE, a village in McHenry 
County, at the intersection of two divisions of 
the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 43 miles 
northwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 546; 
(1890), 781; (1900), 950. 

CUBA, a town in Fulton County, distant 38 
miles west-southwest of Peoria, and about 8 miles 
north of Lewistown. The entire region (includ- 
ing the town) is underlaid with a good quality of 
bituminous coal, of which the late State Geologist 
Worthen asserted that, in seven townships of 
Fulton County, there are 9,000,000 tons to the 
square mile, within 150 feet of the surface. Brick 
and cigars are made here, and the town has two 
banks, a newspaper, three churches and good 
schools. Population (1890), 1,114; (1900), 1,198; 
(1903, school census), 1,400. 

CULLEN, William, editor and Congressman, 
born in the north of Ireland, March 4, 1826 ; while 
yet a child was brought by his parents to Pitts- 
burg, Pa., where he was educated in the public 
schools. At the age of 20 he removed to 
La Salle Co\mty, 111, and began life as a farmer. 
Later he took up his residence at Ottawa. He 
has served as Sheriff of La Salle County, and held 



mSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



125 



other local offices, and was for many years a part 
owner and senior editor of "The Ottawa Repub- 
lican." From 1881 to 1885, as a Republican, he 
represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress. 

CULLOM, Richard Northcraft, farmer and 
legislator, was born in the State of Maryland, 
October 1, 1795, but early removed to Wayne 
County, Ky., where he was married to Miss 
Elizabeth Coffey, a native of North Carolina. In 
1830 he removed to Illinois, settling near Wasli- 
ington, Tazewell Count}', where he continued to 
reside during the remainder of his life. Although 
a farmer by vocation, Mr. Cullom was a man of 
prominence and a recognized leader in public 
affairs. In 1836 he was elected as a Whig Repre- 
sentative in the Tenth General Assembly, serving 
in the same body with Abraham Lincoln, of 
whom he was an intimate personal and political 
friend. In 1840 he was chosen a member of the 
State Senate, serving in the Twelfth and Thir- 
teenth General Assemblies, and, in 1853, was 
again elected to the House. Mr. CuUom's death 
occurred in Tazewell County, Dec. 4, 1872, his 
wife having died Dec. 5, 1868. Mr. and Mrs. 
Cullom were the parents of Hon. Shelby M. 
Cullom. 

CULLOM, Shelby Moore, United States Sena- 
tor, was born in Wayne County, Ky., Nov. 22, 
1829. His parents removed to Tazewell County, 
111., in 1830, where his fatlier became a member 
of the Legislature and attained promhaence as a 
public man. After two years spent in Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris, varied by some 
experience as a teaclier, in 1853 the subject of 
this sketch went to Springfield to enter upon the 
stud}' of law in the office of Stuart & Edwards. 
Being admitted to the bar two years afterward, 
he was almost immediately elected City Attor- 
ney, and, in 1856, was a candidate on the Fill- 
more ticket for Presidential Elector, at the same 
time being elected to the Twentieth General 
Assembly for Sangamon County, as he was again, 
as a Republican, in 1860, being supported alike by 
the Fillmore men and the Free-Soilers. At the 
session following the latter election, he was 
chosen Speaker of the House, which was his first 
important political recognition. In 1862 he was 
appointed by President Lincoln a member of the 
War Claims Commission at Cairo, serving in this 
capacity with Governor Boutwell of Massachu- 
setts and Charles A. Dana of New York. He was 
also a candidate for the State Senate the same 
year, but then sustained his only defe;it. Two 
years later (1864) he was a candidate for Con- 



gress, defeating his former preceptor, Hon. John 
T. Stuart, being re-elected in 1866, and again in 
1868, the latter year over B. S. Edwards. He 
was a delegate to the National Republican Con- 
vention of 1872, and, as Chairman of the Illinois 
delegation, placed General Grant in nomination 
for the Presidency, holding the same position 
again in 1884 and in 1892; was elected to the Illi- 
nois House of Representatives in 1872 and in 1874, 
being chosen Speaker a second time in 1873, as he 
was the unanimous choice of his party for 
Speaker again in 1875 ; in 1876 was elected Gov- 
ernor, was re-elected in 1880, and, in 1883, elected 
to the United States Senate as successor to Hon. 
David Davis. Having had two re-elections since 
(1889 and '95), he is now serving his third term, 
which will expire in 1901. In 1898, by special 
appointment of President McKinley, Senator 
Cullom served upon a Commission to investigate 
the condition of the Hawaiian Islands and 
report a plan of government for this new division 
of the American Republic. Other important 
measures with which his name has been promi- 
nently identified have been the laws for the sup- 
pression of polygamy in Utah and for the creation 
of the Inter-State Commerce Commission. At 
present he is Chairman of the Senate Committee 
on Inter-State Commerce and a member of those 
on Appropriations and Foreign Affairs. His 
career has been conspicuous for his long public 
service, the large number of important offices 
which he has held, the almost unbroken uniform- 
ity of his success when a candidate, and his com- 
plete exemption from scandals of every sort. No 
man in the history of the State has been more 
frequently elected to the United States Senate, 
and only three — Senators Douglas, Trumbull and 
Logan — for an equal number of terms; though 
only one of these (Senator Trumbull) lived to 
serve out the full period for which he was 
elected. 

CUMBERLAND COUNTY, situated in the 
southeast quarter of the State, directly south of 
Coles County, from which it was cut off in 1842. 
Its area is 350 square miles, and population (1900), 
16,124. The county-seat was at Greenup until 
1855, when it was transferred to Prairie City, 
which was laid off in 1854 and incorporated as a 
town in 1866. Tlie present county-seat is at 
Toledo (population, 1890, 676). The Embarras 
River cro.s,ses the county, as do also three lines of 
railroad. Neoga, a mining town, has a popula- 
tion of 829. The county received its name from 
the Cumberland Road, which, as originally pro- 
jected, passed through it. 



126 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



CUMMINS, (Rev.) Dayid, Bishop of the Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Churcli, was 
born near Smyrna, Del., Dec. 11, 1822; gradu- 
ated at Dickinson College, Pa., in 1841, and 
became a licentiate in the Methodist ministry, 
but, in 1846, took orders in the Episcopal 
Church; afterwards held rectorships in Balti- 
more, Norfolk, Richmond and the Trinity 
Episcopal Church of Chicago, in 1866 being con- 
secrated Assistant Bishop of the Diocese of 
Kentucky. As a recognized leader of the Low- 
Church or Evangelical party, he early took issue 
with the ritualistic tendencies of the High-Church 
party, and, having withdrawn from the Episcopal 
Church in 1873, became the first Bishop of the 
Reformed Episcopal organization. He was zeal- 
ous, eloquent and conscientious, but overtaxed his 
strength in his new field of labor, dying at Luth- 
erville, Md., June 26, 1876. A memoir of Bishop 
Cummins, by his wife, was publishedin 1878. 

CDMtLAtlVE VOTE. (See Minority Rejn-e- 
sentation.) 

CURTIS, Harvey, clergyman and educator, was 
born in Adams, Jefferson County, N. Y. , May 30, 
1806; graduated at Middlebury College, Vt., in 
1831, with the highest honors of his class; after 
three years at Princeton Theological Seminary, 
was ordained pastor of the Congregational 
church at Brandon, Vt., in 1836. In 1841 he 
accepted an appointment as agent of the Home 
Missionary Society for Ohio and Indiana, between 
1843 and 18.58 holding pastorates at Madison, 
Ind., and Chicago. In the latter year he was 
chosen President of Knox College, at Galesburg, 
dying there, Sept. 18, 1862. 

CURTIS, William Elroy, journalist, was born 
at Akron, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1850; graduated at 
"Western Reserve College in 1S71, meanwhile 
learning the art of typesetting; later served as a 
reporter on "The Cleveland Leader" and, in 1872, 
took a subordinate position on "The Cliicago 
Inter Ocean," finally rising to that of managing- 
editor. While on "The Inter Ocean" he accom- 
panied General Custer in his campaign against 
the Sioux, spent several months investigating 
the "Ku-Klux" and "White League" organiza- 
tions in the South, and, for some years, was "The 
Inter Ocean" correspondent in Washington. 
Having retired from "The Inter Ocean," he 
became Secretary of the "Pan-American Con- 
gress" in Washington, and afterwards made the 
tour of tlie United States with the South and 
Central American representatives in that Con- 
gress. During the World's Columbian Exposition 
in Chicago he had general supervision of the 



Latin-American historical and archaeological 
e.xhibits. Mr. Curtis has visited nearly e%'ery 
Central and South American country and has 
written elaborately on these subjects for the 
magazines and for publication in book form ; has 
also published a "Life of Zachariah Chandler'' 
and a "Diplomatic History of the United States 
and Foreign Powers." For some time he was 
managing editor of "The Chicago News" and is 
now (1898) the Washington Correspondent of 
"The Chicago Record." 

CUSHMAN, (Col.) William H. W., financier 
and manufacturer, was born at Fi-eetown, Mass., 
Maj' 13, 1813; educated at the American Literary, 
Scientific and Military Academy, Norwicli, Vt. ; 
at 18 began a mercantile career at Middlebury, 
and, in 1824, removed to La Salle County, 111., 
where he opened a country store, also built a mill 
at Vermilionville ; later was identified with many 
large financial enterprises which generally 
proved successful, thereby accumulating a for- 
tune at one time estimated at 63,000,000. He was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirteenth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies (1842 and '44) 
and, for several years, held a commission as 
Captain of the Ottawa Cavalry (militia). The 
Civil War coming on, he assisted in organizing 
the Fifty-third Illinois Volunteers, and was com- 
missioned its Colonel, but resigned Sept. 3, 1862. 
He organized and was principal owner of the 
Bank of Ottawa, which, in 1865, became the First 
National Bank of that city; was the leading 
spirit in the H_vdraulic Companj' and the Gas 
Company at Ottawa, built and operated the 
Ottawa Machine Shops and Foundry, speculated 
largely in lands in La Salle and Cook Counties — 
his operations in the latter being especially large 
about Riverside, as well as in Chicago, was a 
principal stockholder in the bank of Cush- 
man & Hardin in Chicago, had large interests in 
the lumber trade in Michigan, and was one of 
the builders of the Chicago, Paducah & South- 
western Railroad. The Chicago fire of 1871, 
however, brought financial disaster upon him, 
which finally dissipated his fortune and de- 
stroyed his mental and physical health. His 
death occurred at Ottawa, Oct. 38, 1878. 

DALE, Michael d., lawyer, was born in Lan- 
caster, Pa. , spent his childhood and youth in the 
public schools of his native city, except one year 
in West Chester Academy, when he entered 
Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, graduating 
tliere in 1835. He then began the study of law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1837 ; coming to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



127 



Illinois the following year, he was retained in a 
suit at Greenville, Bond County, whicli led to his 
employment in otliers, and finally to opening an 
office there. In 1830 lie was elected Probate 
Judge of Bond County, remaining in office four- 
teen years, meanwhile being commissioned Major 
of the State Militia in 1844, and serving as mem- 
ber of a Military Court at Alton in 1847 ; was also 
the Delegate from Bond County to the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1853 he re- 
signed the office of County Judge in Bond County 
to accept that of Register of the Land office at 
Edwardsville, where he continued to reside, fill- 
ing the office of County Judge in Madison County 
five or six terms, besides occupying .some subordi- 
nate jjositions. Judge Dale married a daughter 
of Hon. William L. D. Ewing Died at Edwards- 
ville. April 1, bS!)."). 

DALLAS CITY, a town of Hancock County, at 
the intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
roads, 16 miles south of Burlington, It has man- 
ufactories of lumber, buttons, carriages and 
wagons, and two weekly newspapers. Popula- 
tion (1880), 839; (1890), 747; 1900), 970. 

DAXE?f HOWER, John Wilson, Arctic explorer, 
was born in Chicago, Sept. 30, 1849 — the son of 
W. W. Danenhower, a journalist. After passing 
through the schools of Chicago and Washington, 
he graduated from the United States Naval Acad- 
emy at Annapolis in 1870, was successively com- 
missioned as Ensign, Master and Lieutenant, and 
served on expeditions in the North Pacific and in 
the Mediterranean. In 1878 he joined the Arctic 
steamer Jeannette at Havre. France, as second in 
command under Lieut. George W. De Long; pro- 
ceeding to San Francisco in July, 1879, the 
steamer entered the Arctic Ocean by way of 
Behring Straits. Here, having been caught in an 
ice-pack, the vessel was held twenty-two months, 
Lieutenant Danenhower meanwhile being dis- 
abled most of the time by ophthalmia. The crew, 
as last compelled to abandon the steamer, dragged 
their boats over the ice for ninety-five daj'S until 
they were able to launch them in open water, 
but were soon separated by a gale. The boat 
commanded by Lieutenant Danenhower reached 
the Lena Delta, on the north coast of Siberia, 
where the crew were rescued by natives, landing 
Sept. 17; 1881. After an ineffectual search on 
the delta for the crews of the other two boats, 
Lieutenant Danenhower, with his crew, made 
the journey of 6,000 miles to Orenburg, finally 
arriving in the United .States in June, 1882. He 
has told the story of the expeilition in "The 



Narrative of the Jeannette," published in 1882. 
Died, at Annapolis, Md., April 20. 1887. 

DAJi VERS, a village of McLean County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway. The section is agricultural. The town 
has a bank and a newspaper. Population (1880), 
460; (1890), 506; (1900). 607. 

DANVILLE, tlie county-seat of Vermilion 
County, on Vermilion River and on five impor- 
tant lines of railroad; in rich coal-mining 
district and near large deposits of shale and 
soapstone, which are utilized in manufacture of 
sewer-pipe, paving and fire-clay brick. The city 
has car-shops and numerous factories, water- 
works, electric lights, paved streets, several 
banks, twenty-seven churches, five graded schools 
and one high school, and six newspapers, three 
daily. A Soldiers' Home is located three miles 
east of the city. Pop. (1890), 11,491 ; (1900), 16,354. 

DANVILLE, OLNEY, & OHIO RIVER RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago & Ohio River Railroad.) 

DANVILLE, URBAjVA, BLOOMINGTON & 
PEKIN RAILROAD. (See Peoria & Eastern 
Railroad.) 

D'ARTAKiUIETTE, Pierre, a French com- 
mandant of Illinois from 1734 to 1736, having 
been appointed by Bienville, then Governor of 
Louisiana. He was distinguished for gallantry 
and courage. He defeated the Natchez Indians, 
but, in an unsuccessful expedition against the 
Chickasaws, was wounded, captured and burned 
at the stake. 

DAA'ENPORT, Georg'e, soldier, pioneer and 
trader, born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1783, 
came to this country in 1804, and soon aftei 
enlisted in the United States army, with the rani 
of sergeant. He served gallantly on various 
expeditions in the West, where he obtained a 
knowledge of the Indians which was afterward 
of great value to him. During the War of 1812 
his regiment was sent East, where he partici- 
pated in the defense of Fort Erie and in other 
enterprises. In 1815, his term of enlistment hav- 
ing expired and the war ended, he entered the 
service of the contract commissary. He selected 
the site for Fort Armstrong and aided in planning 
and supervising its construction. He cultivated 
friendly relations with the suiTOunding tribes, 
and, in 1818, built a double log house, married, 
and engaged in business as a fur-trader, near the 
site of the present cit}' of Rock Island. He had 
the confidence and respect of the savages, was 
successful and his trading posts were soon scat- 
tered through Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. In 
1823 he piloted the first steamboat through the 



128 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



upper Mississippi, and, in 1S25, was appointed tlie 
first postmaster at Rock Island, being tlie only 
white civilian resident there. In 1826 he united 
his business with that of the American Fur Com- 
pany, in whose service he remained. Although 
he employed every effort to induce President 
Jackson to make a payment to Black Hawk and 
his followers to induce them to emigrate across 
the Mississippi voluntarily, when that Chief 
commenced hostilities, Mr. Davenport tendered 
his services to Governor Reynolds, by whom he 
was commissioned Quartermaster-General with 
the rank of Colonel. Immigration increased 
rapidly after the close of the Black Hawk War 
In 1835 a company, of which he was a member, 
founded the town of Davenport, opposite Rock 
Island, which was named in his honor. In 1837 
and '43 he was largely instrumental in negoti- 
ating treaties by which the Indians ceded their 
lands in Iowa to the United States. In the 
latter year he gave up the business of fur-trading, 
having accumulated a fortune through hard 
labor and scrupulous integrity, in the face often 
of grave perils. He had large business interests in 
nearly every town in his vicinity, to all of which 
he gave more or less personal attention. On the 
night of July 4, 1843, he was assassinated at his 
home by robbers. For a long time the crime was 
shrouded in mystery, but its perpetrators were 
ultimately detected and brought to punishment. 

DAVIS, David, jurist and United States 
Senator, was born in Cecil County, Md., March 
9, 1815; pursued his academic studies at Kenyon 
College, Ohio, and studied law at Yale. He settled 
at Bloomington, 111., in 1836, and, after practicing 
law there until 1844, was elected to the lower house 
of the Fourteenth General Assembly. After 
serving in the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
he was elected Judge of the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit under the new Constitution in 1848, being 
re-elected in 1855 and '61. He was a warm, per- 
sonal friend of Abraham Lincoln, who, in 1862, 
placed him upon the bench of the United States 
Supreme Court. He resigned his high judicial 
honors to become United States Senator in 1877 
as successor to Logan's first term. On Oct. 13, 
1881, he was elected President pro tern, of the 
Senate, serving in this capacity to the end of his 
term in 1885. He died at his home in Blooming- 
ton, June 26, 1886. 

DAVIS, tieorge R., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Three Rivers, Mass., January 3, 1840; 
received a common school education, and a 
classical course at Williston Seminary, Easthamp- 
ton, JIass. From 1863 to 1865 he served in the 



Union army, first as Captain in the Eighth 
Massachusetts Infantry, and later as Major in the 
Third Rhode Island Cavalry. After the war he 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. By 
profession he is a lawyer. He took a prominent 
part in the organization of the Chicago militia, 
was elected Colonel of the First Regiment, 
I. N. G., and was for a time the senior Colonel in 
the State service. In 1876 he was an unsuccessful 
Republican candidate for Congress, but was 
elected in 1878, and re-elected in 1880 and 1882. 
From 1886 to 1890 he was Treasurer of Cook 
County. He took an active and influential part 
in securing the location of the World's Columbian 
Exposition at Chicago, and was Director-General 
of the Exposition from its inception to its close, 
by his executive ability demonstrating the wis- 
dom of his selection. Died Nov. 25, 1899. 

DAVIS, Hasbroiiek, soldier and journalist, was 
born at Worcester, Mass., April 23, 1827, being 
the son of John Davis, United States Senator and 
Governor of Massachusetts, known in his lifetime 
as "Honest John Davis." The son came to Chi- 
cago in 1855 and commenced the practice of 
law ; in 1861 joined Colonel Voss in the organiza- 
tion of the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry, being elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel and, on the retirement of 
Colonel Voss in 1863, succeeding to the colonelcy. 
In March, 1865, he was brevetted Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, remaining in active service until August, 
1865, when he resigned. After the war he was. 
for a time, editor of "The Chicago Evening Post," 
was City Attorney of the City of Chicago from 
1867 to '69, but later removed to Massachusetts 
Colonel Davis was drowned at sea, Oct. 19, 1870, 
by the loss of the steamship Cambria, while on a 
vojrage to Europe. 

DAVIS, James M., early lawyer, was born in 
Barren County, Ky., Oct. 9, 1793, came to Illinois 
in 1817, located in Bond County and is said to 
have taught the first school in that county. He 
became a lawyer and a prominent leader of the 
Whig part3', was elected to the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1843) from Bond County, and to 
the Twenty-first from Montgomery in 1858, hav- 
ing, in the meantime, become a citizen of 
Hillsboro; was also a member of the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Mr. Davis was a 
man of striking personal appearance, being over 
six feet in height, and of strong individuality. 
After the dissolution of the Whig party he identi- 
fied himself with the Democracy and was an 
intensely bitter opponent of the war policy of 
the Government. Died, at HiUsboro, Sept. 17. 
1866. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



129 



DAVISj John A., soldier, was born in Craw- 
ford County, Pa., Oct. 35, 1823; came to Steplien- 
.son County, 111., in boyhood and served as 
Representative in t)ie General Assembly of 1857 
and '59; in September, 1861, enlisted as a private, 
was elected Captain and, on the organization of 
the Forty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, at 
Camp Butler, was commissioned its Colonel He 
participated in the capture of Fort Donelson, 
and in the battle of Shiloh was desperately 
wounded by a shot through the lungs, but 
recovered in time to join his regiment before the 
battle of Corinth, where, on Oct. 4, 1862, he fell 
mortally wounded, dying a few daj'S after. On 
receiving a request from some of his fellow-citi- 
zens, a few days before his death, to accept a 
nomination for Congress in the Freeport District, 
Colonel Davis patriotically replied: "I can serve 
my countrj' better in following the torn banner 
of my regiment in the battlefield." 

DAVIS, Levi, lawyer and State Auditor, was 
born in Cecil County, Md., July 20, 1806; gradu- 
ated at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1828, and was 
admitted to the bar at Baltimore in 1830. The 
following year he removed to Illinois, settling at 
Vandalia, then the capital. In 1835 Governor 
Duncan appointed him Auditor of Public 
Accounts, to which office he was elected by the 
Legislature in 1837, and again in 1838. In 
1816 he took up his residence at Alton. He 
attained prominence at the bar and was, for 
several years, attorney for the Cliicago & Alton 
and St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad 
Companies, in which he was also a Director. 
Died, at Alton, March 4, 1897. 

DAVIS, Xathau Smith, M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, educator and editor, was born in Chenango 
County, N. Y., Jan. 9, 1817; took a classical and 
scientific course in Cazenovia Seminary ; in 1837 
graduated from the College of Physicians and 
Surgeons, winning several prizes during his 
course; the same year began practice at Bing- 
hamton; spent two years (1847-49) in New York 
Cit}-, when he removed to Chicago to accept the 
chair of Physiology and General Pathology in 
Rush Sledical College. In 1859 he accepted a 
similar position in the Chicago Medical College 
(now the medical department of Northwestern 
University), where he still remains. Dr. Davis 
has not only been a busy practitioner, but a volu- 
minous writer on general and special topics con- 
nected with liis profession, having been editor at 
different times of several medical periodicals, 
including "The Chicago Medical Journal," "The 
Medical Journal and Examiner, " and "The 



Journal of the American Medical Association." 
He has also been prominent in State, National 
and International Medical Congresses, and is one 
of the founders of the Northwestern University, 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, the Cliicago 
Historical Society, the Illinois State Microscopi- 
cal Society and the Union College of Law , besides 
other scientific and benevolent associations. 

DAVIS, Oliver L., lawyer, was born in New 
York City, Dec. 20, 1819; after being in the 
employ of the American Fur Company some 
seven years, came to Danville, 111., in 1841 and 
commenced studying law the next year; was 
elected to the lower branch of the Seventeenth 
and Twentieth General Assemblies, first as a 
Democrat and next (1856) as a Republican; 
served on the Circuit Bench in 1861-66, and again 
in 1873-79, being assigned in 1877 to the Appellate 
bench. Died, Jan. 12, 1892. 

DAWSO\, John, early legislator, was born in 
Virginia, in 1791; came to Illinois in 1827, set- 
tling in Sangamon County ; served five terms in 
the lower Iiouse of the General Assembly (1830, 
'34, '36, "38 and '46), during a part of the time 
being the colleague of Abraham Lincoln. He 
was one of the celebrated "Long Nine" who repre- 
sented Sangamon County at the time of the 
removal of the State capital to Springfield ; was 
also a member of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. Died, Nov. 12, 1850. 

DEAF AND DUMB, ILLINOIS INSTITU- 
TION FOR EDUCATION OF, located at Jack- 
sonville, established by act of the Legislature, 
Feb. 23, 1839, and the oldest of the State 
charitable institutions. "Work was not begun 
until 1842, but one building was ready for 
partial occupancy in 1846 and was completed 
in 1849. (In 1871 tliis building, then known 
as the south wing, was declared unsafe, and 
was razed and rebuilt.) The center building 
was completed in 1852 and the north wing in 
1857. Other additions and new buildings have 
been added from time to time, such as new dining 
halls, workshops, barns, bakery, refrigerator 
house, kitchens, a gymnasium, separate cot- 
tages for the sexes, etc. At present (1895) the 
institution is probably the largest, as it is un- 
questionably one of the best c(5nducted, of its class 
in the world. The number of pupils in 1894 was 
716. Among its employes are men and women of 
ripe culture and experience, who have been con- 
nected with it for more than a quarter of a 
century. 

DEARBORN, Lnther, lawyer and legislator, 
was born at Plymouth, N. H., March 24, 1820, 



fl 



130 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and educated in Plymouth scliools and at New 
Hampton Academy ; in youtli removed to Dear- 
born County, Ind., where he taught scliool and 
served as deputy Circuit Clerli; then came to 
Mason County, 111., and, in 1844, to Elgin. Here 
he was elected Sheriff and, at the expiration of 
his term. Circuit Clerk, later engaging in the 
banking business, which proving disastrous in 
1857, he returned to Mason County and began the 
practice of law. He then spent some years in 
Minnesota, finally returning to Illinois a second 
time, resumed practice at Havana, served one 
term in the State Senate (1876-80) ; in 1884 
became member of a law firm in Chicago, but 
retired in 1887 to accept the attorneyship of the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, retaining this position 
until his death, which occurred suddenly at 
Springfield, April 5, 1889. For the last two years 
of his life Mr. Dearborn's residence was at 
Aurora. 

DECATUR, the county -seat of Macon County; 
39 miles east of Springfield and one mile north 
of the Sangamon River — also an important rail- 
way center. Three coal shafts are operated out- 
side the city. It is a center for the grain trade, 
having five elevators. Extensive car and repair 
shops are located there, and several important 
manufacturing industries flourish, among them 
three flouring mills. Decatur has paved streets, 
water-works, electric street railways, and excel- 
lent public schools, including one of the best and 
most noted high schools in the State. Four 
newspapers are published thei'e, each issuing a 
dailv edition. Pop., (1890), 16,841; (1900), 20,754. 

DECATUR EDITORIAL COXVEXTIOX. (See 
Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention.) 

DECATUR & EASTERN RAILWAY. (See 
Indiana, Decatur & Western Railiray.) 

DECATUR, MATTOON & SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur d: Evansville 
Railu-ay. ) 

DECATUR, SULLIVAN & MATTOON RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Peoria, Decatur <fc Evansville 
Railway. ) 

DEEP SNOW, THE, an event occurring in the 
winter of 1830-31 and referred to by old settlers 
of Illinois as constituting an epoch in State his- 
tory. The late Dr. Julian M. Sturtevant, Presi- 
dent of Illinois College, in an address to the "Old 
Settlers" of Morgan County, a few years before 
his death, gave the following account of it: "In 
the interval between Christmas, 1830, and Janu- 
ary, 1831, snow fell all over Central Illinois to a 
depth of fully three feet on a level. Then came 
a rain with weather so cold that it froze as it 



fell, forming a crust of ice over this three feet of 
snow, nearly, if not quite, .strong enough to bear 
a man, and finally over this crust there were a 
few inches of snow. The clouds passed away 
and the wind came down upon us from the north- 
west witli extraordinary ferocity. For weeks — 
certainly not less than two weeks — the mercury 
in tlie thermometer tube was not, on any one 
morning, higher than twelve degrees below zero. 
This snow-fall produced constant sleighing for 
nine weeks." Other contemporaneous accounts 
say tliat this storm caused great sufi^ering among 
both men and beasts. The scattered settlei'S, un- 
able to reach the mills or produce stores, were 
driven, in some cases, to great extremity for 
supplies; mills were stopped by the freezing up 
of streams, while deer and other game, sinking 
through the crust of snow, were easily captured 
or perished for lack of food. Birds and domestic 
fowls often sufl'ered a like fate for want of sus- 
tenance or from the severit}" of the cold. 

DEERE, John, manufacturer, was born at 
Middlebury, Yt., Feb. 7, 1804; learned the black- 
smith trade, which he followed until 1838, when 
he came west, settling at Grand Detour, in Ogle 
County ; ten years later removed to Moline, and 
there founded the plow-works which bear his 
name and of which he was President from 1868 
until his death in 1886.— Charles H. (Deere), son 
of the preceding, was born in Hancock, Addison 
County Vt., March 28, 1837; educated in the 
common schools and at Iowa and Knox Acad- 
emies, and Bell's Commercial College, Chicago; 
became assistant and head book-keeper, travel- 
ing and purchasing agent of the Deere Plow 
Company, and, on its incorporation, Vice-Presi- 
dent and General Manager, until his father's 
death, when he succeeded to the Presidency. He 
is also the founder of the Deere & Mansur Corn 
Planter Works, President of the Moline Water 
Power Company, besides being a Director in 
various other concerns and in the branch houses 
of Deere & Co., in Kansas City, Des Moines, 
Council Bluffs and San Francisco. Notwith- 
standing his immense business interests, Mr. 
Deere has found time for the discharge of public 
and patriotic duties, as shown by the fact that he 
was for years a member and Chairman of the 
State Bureau of Labor Statistics ; a Commissioner 
from Illinois to the Vienna International Exposi- 
tion of 1873; one of the State Commissioners of 
the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893; a 
Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 1888, 
and a delegate from his District to the National 
Republican Convention at St. Louis, in 1896. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



131 



DEERIXG, William, manufacturer, was born 
at Paris, Oxford Count}', Maine, April 26, 1826, 
completed his education at the Readfield high 
school, in 1843. engaged actively in manufactur- 
ing, and during his time has assisted in establish- 
ing several large, suoce.ssful business enterprises, 
including wliolesale and commission dry-goods 
houses in Portland. Maine, Boston and New York. 
His greatest work has been the building up of the 
Deering Manufactui-ing Companj', a main feature 
of which, for thirty years, has been the manu- 
facture of Marsh harvesters and other agricultural 
implements and appliances. This concern began 
operation in Chicago about 18T0, at the present 
time (1899) occupying eight}' acres in the north 
part of the city and employing some 4,000 hands. 
It is said to turn out a larger amount and greater 
variety of articles for the use of the agriculturist 
than any other establishment in the country, 
receiving its raw material from many foreign 
countries, including the Philippines, and distrib- 
uting its products all over the globe. Mr. Deer- 
ing continues to be President of the Company 
and a principal factor in the management of its 
immense business. He is liberal, public-spirited 
and benevolent, and his business career has been 
notable for tlie absence of controversies with his 
employes. He has been, for a number of years, 
one of the Trustees of the Northwestern Univer- 
sity at Evanston, and, at the present time, is 
President of the Board. 

DE KALB, a city in De Kalb Count}', 58 miles 
west of Chicago. Of late years it has grown 
rapidly, largely because of the introduction of 
new industrial enteqjrises. It contains a large 
wire drawing plant, barbed wire factories, foun- 
dry, agricultural implement works, machine 
shop, shoe factory and several minor manufac- 
turing establishments. It has banks, four news- 
papers, electric street railway, eight miles of 
paved streets, nine churches and three graded 
schools. It is the site of the Northern State Nor- 
mal School, located in 1895. Population (1880), 
1,598; (1890), 2,.579; (1900), 5,904; (1903, est.), 8,000. 

DE KALB COUNTY, originally a portion of 
La Salle County, and later of Kane ; was organized 
in 183T, and named for Baron De Kalb, the 
Revolutionary patriot. Its area is 650 square 
miles and population (in 1900), 31,756. The land 
is elevated and well drained, lying between Fox 
and Rock Rivers. Prior to 1835 the land belonged 
to the Pottawatomie Indians, who maintained 
several villages and their own tribal government. 
No sooner had the aborigines been removed than 
white settlers appeared in large numbers, and, 



in September, 1835, a convocation was held on 
the banks of the Kishwaukee, to adopt a tempo- 
rary form of government. The public lands in the 
county were sold at auction in Chicago in 1843. 
Sycamore (originally called Orange) is the 
county-seat, and, in 1890, had a population of 
2,987. Brick buildings were first erected at 
Sycamore by J. S. Waterman and the brothers 
Mayo. In 1854, H. A. Hough established the 
first newspaper, "The Republican Sentinel." 
Other prosperous towns are De Kalb (population, 
2,579), Cortland, Malta and Somonauk. The sur- 
face is generally rolling, upland prairie, with 
numerous groves and wooded tracts along the 
principal streams. Various lines of railroad trav- 
erse the county, which embraces one of the 
wealthiest rural districts in the State. 

DE KALB & GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago Great Western Railway.) 

DELAVAN, a thriving city in Tazewell County, 
on the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, at 
the point of its intersection with the Peoria and 
Pekin Division of the Illinois Central Railway, 34 
miles west-southwest of Bloomington and 24 
miles south of Peoria. Grain is extensively 
grown in the adjacent territory, and much 
shipped from Delavan. The place supports two 
banks, tile and brick factory, creamery, and two 
weekly papers. It also has five churches and a 
graded school. Pop. (1890), 1,176, (1900), 1,304. 

DEMENT, Henry Dodge, ex-Secretary of State, 
was born at Galena, 111., in 1840 — the son of 
Colonel John Dement, an early and prominent 
citizen of the State, who held the ofllce of State 
Treasurer and was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Conventions of 1847 and 1870. Colonel 
Dement having removed to Dixon about 1845, the 
subject of this sketch was educated there and at 
Mount Morris. Having enlisted in the Thirteenth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry in 1861, he was elected 
a Second Lieutenant and soon promoted to First 
Lieutenant — also received from Governor Yates a 
complimentary commission as Captain for gal- 
lantry at Arkansas Post and at Chickasaw 
Bayou, where the commander of his regiment. 
Col. J. B. Wyman, was killed. Later he served 
with General Curtis in Mississippi and in the 
Fifteenth Army Corps in the siege of Vicksburg. 
After leaving the army he engaged in the manu- 
facturing business for some years at Dixon. Cap- 
tain Dement entered the State Legislature by 
election as Representative from Lee County in 
1872, was re-elected in 1874 and, in 1876, was pro- 
moted to the Senate, serving in the Thirtieth and 
Thirty-first General Assemblies. In 1880 he was 



132 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



chosen Secretary of State, and re-elected in 1884, 
serving eight years. The last public position held 
by Captain Dement was that of Warden of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, to which he was 
appointed in 1891, serving two years. His 
present home is at Oak Park, Cook County. 

DEMENT, John, was born in Sumner County, 
Tenn., in April, 1804. When 13 years old he 
accompanied his parents to Illinois, settling in 
Franklin County, of which he was elected Sheriff 
in 1826, and which he represented in the General 
Assemblies of 1828 and "30. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk War, having 
previously had experience in two Indian cam- 
paigns. In 18S1 he was elected State Treasurer 
by the Legislature, but, in 1836, resigned this 
office to represent Fayette Countj' in the General 
Assembly and aid in the fight against the removal 
of the capital to Springfield. His efforts failing 
of success, he removed to the northern part of the 
State, finally locating at Dixon, where he became 
extensively engaged in manufacturing. In 1837 
President Van Buren appointed him Receiver of 
Public Monej' s. but he was removed by President 
Harrison in 1841 ; was reappointed by Polk in 
1845, only to be again removed by Taylor in 1849 
and reappointed by Pierce in 1853. He held the 
oflSce from that date until it was abolished. He 
was a Democratic Presidential Elector in 1844; 
served in three Constitutional Conventions (1847, 
'62, and '70), being Temporary President of the 
two bodies last named. He was the father of 
Hon. Denry D. Dement, Secretary of State of Illi- 
nois from 1884 to 1888. He died at his home at 
Dixon, Jan. 16, 1883. 

DENT, Thomas, lawyer, was born in Putnam 
County, 111., Nov. 14, 1831; in his youth was 
employed in the Clerk's office of Putnam County, 
meanwhile studying law; was admitted to the 
bar in 1854, and, in 1856, opened an office in Chi- 
cago; is still in practice and has served as 
President, both of the Chicago Law Institute and 
the State Bar Association. 

DES PLAINES, a village of Cook County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago & Northwestern and 
the Wisconsin Central Railroads, 17 miles north- 
west from Chicago ; is a dairying region. Popu- 
lation (1880), 818; (1890), 986; (1900), 1,666. 

DES PLAINES RIVER, a branch of the Illinois 
River, which rises in Racine County, Wis., and, 
after passing through Kenosha County, in that 
State, and Lake County, 111., running nearly 
parallel to the west shore of Lake Michigan 
through Cook Count}-, finally unites with the 
Kankakee, about 13 miles southwest of Joliet, by 



its confluence with the latter forming the Illinois 
River. Its length is about 150 miles. The 
Chicago Drainage Canal is constructed in the 
valley of the Des Plaines for a considerable por- 
tion of the distance between Chicago and Joliet. 

DEWEY, (Dr.) Richard S., physician, alienist, 
was born at Forestville, N. Y., Dec. 6, 1845; after 
receiving his primary education took a two years' 
course in the literary and a three years' course in 
the medical department of the Michigan Univer- 
sit}' at Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1869. He then began practice as House Physician 
and Surgeon in the City Hospital at Brooklyn, 
N. Y., remaining for a year, after which he 
visited Europe inspecting hospitals and sanitary 
methods, meanwhile spending six months in the 
Prussian military service as Surgeon during the 
Franco-Prussian War. After the close of the 
war he took a brief course in the University of 
Berlin, when, returning to the United States, he 
was employed for seven years as Assistant Physi- 
cian in the Northern Hospital for the Insane at 
Elgin. In 1879 he was appointed Medical Super- 
intendent of the Eastern Hospital for the Insane 
at Kankakee, remaining until the accession of 
John P. Altgeld to the Governorship in 1893. 
Dr. Dewey's reputation as a specialist in the 
treatment of the insane has stood among the 
highest of his class. 

DE WITT COUNTY, situated in the central 
portion of the State ; has an area of 405 square 
miles and a population (1900) of 18,972. The land 
was originally owned by the Kickapoos and Potta- 
watomies, and not until 1820 did the first perma- 
nent white settlers occupy this region. Tlie first 
to come were Felix Jones, Prettyman Marvel, 
William Cottrell, Samuel Glenn, and the families 
of Scott, Lundy and Coaps. Previously, how- 
ever, the first cabin had been built on the site of 
the present Farmer City by Nathan Clearwater. 
Zion Shugest erected the earliest grist-mill and 
Burrell Post the first saw-mill in the coimty. 
Kentuckians and Tennesseeans were the first im- 
migrants, but not until the advent of settlers from 
Ohio did permanent improvements begin to be 
made. In 1835 a school house and Presbyterian 
church were built at Waynesville. The count.v 
was organized in 1839, and — with its capital 
(Clinton) — was named after one of New York's 
most distinguished Governors. It lies within the 
great "corn belt," and is well watered by Salt 
Creek and its branches. Most of the surface is 
rolling prairie, interspersed with woodland. 
Several lines of railway (among them the Illinois 
Central) cross the county. Clinton had a popu- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



133 



lation of 2,598 in 1890, and Farmer City, 1,367. 
Both are railroad centers and have considerable 
trade. 

DE WOLF. Calvin, pioneer and philanthropist, 
was born in Luzerne County, Pa., Feb. 18, ISl.'j; 
taken early in life to Vermont, and, at 19 years of 
age, commenced teaching at Orwell, in that 
State; spent one year at a manual labor school 
in Ashtabula County, Oliio, and, in 1837, came to 
Chicago, and soon after began teaching in Will 
County, still later engaging in the same vocation 
in Chicago. In 1839 he commenced the study of 
law with Messrs. Spring & Goodrich and, in 1843, 
was admitted to practice. In 1854 he was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, retaining the 
position for a quarter of a century, winning for 
himself the reputation of a sagacious and incor- 
ruptible public officer. Mr. De Wolf was an 
original abolitionist and his home is said to have 
been one of the stations on the "underground 
railroad" in the days of slavery. Died Nov. 28, '99. 

DEXTER, Wirt, lawyer, born at Dexter, Mich., 
Oct. 25, 1831 ; was educated in the schools of his 
native State and at Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y. 
He was descended from a family of lawyers, his 
grandfather, Samuel Dexter, having been Secre- 
tary of War, and afterwards Secretary of the 
Treasury, in the cabinet of the elder Adams. 
Coming to Chicago at the beginning of his profes- 
sional career, Mr. Dexter gave considerable 
attention at first to his father's extensive lumber 
trade. He was a zealous and eloquent supporter 
of the Government during the Civil War, and 
was an active member of the Relief and Aid 
Society after the fire of 1871. His entire profes- 
sional life was spent in Chicago, for several years 
before his death being in tlie service of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company as 
its general solicitor and member of the executive 
committee of the Board of Directors. Died in 
Chicago, May 20, 1890. 

DICKEY, Hugh Thompson, jurist, was born in 
New York City, May 30, 1811; graduated from 
Columbia College, read law and was admitted to 
the bar. He visited Chicago in 1836, and four 
years later settled there, becoming one of its 
most influential citizens. Upon the organization 
of the County Court of Cook County in 1845, 
Mr. Dickey was appointed its Judge. In Septem- 
ber, 1848, he was elected Judge of the Seventh 
Judicial Circuit, practically without partisan 
opposition, serving until the expiration of his 
term in 1853. He was prominently identified 
with several important commercial enterprises, 
was one of the founders of the Chicago Library 



Association, and one of the first Trustees of the 
Illinois General Hospital of the Liikes, now Mercy 
Hospital. In 1885 he left Chicago to take up his 
residence in his native city, New York, where he 
died, June 2, 1892. 

DICKEY, Theophilus Lyle, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 12, 1812, 
the grandson of a Revolutionary soldier, gradu- 
ated at tlie Miami (Ohio) University, and re- 
moved to Illinois in 1834, settling at Macomb, 
McDonough County, where he was admitted to 
the bar in 1835. In 1836 he moved to Rushville, 
where he resided three years, a part of the time 
editing a Whig newspaper. Later he became a 
resident of Ottawa, and, at the opening of the 
Mexican V/ar, organized a company of volun- 
teers, of which he was chosen Captain. In 1861 
he raised a regiment of cavalry which was 
mustered into service as the Fourth Illinois 
Cavalry, and of which he was commissioned 
Colonel, taking an active part in Grant's cam- 
paigns in the West. In 1865 he resigned his 
commission and resumed the practice of his 
profession at Ottawa. In 1866 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Congressman for the 
State-at-large in opposition to John A. Logan, 
and, in 1868, was tendered and accepted the posi- 
tion of Assistant Attorney-General of the United 
States, resigning after eighteen months' service. 
In 1873 he removed to Chicago, and, in 1874, was 
made Corporation Counsel. In December, 1875, 
he was elected to the Supreme Court, vice W. K. 
McAllister, deceased; was re-elected in 1879, and 
died at Atlantic City, July 22, 1885. 

DISCIPLES OF CHRIST, THE, known also as 
the Christian Church and as "Campbellites," 
having been founded by Alexander CampbelL 
Many members settled in Illinois in the early 
30's, and, in the central portion of the State, the 
denomination soon began to flourish greatly. 
Any one was admitted to membership who made 
what is termed a scriptural confession of faith 
and was baptized by immersion. Alexander 
Campbell was an eloquent preacher and a man of 
much native ability, as well as a born conver- 
sationalist. The sect has steadily grown in 
numbers and influence in the State. The United 
States Census of 1890 showed 641 churches in the 
State, with 368 ministers and an aggregate mem- 
bership of 61,587, having 550 Sunday schools, with 
50,000 pupils in attendance. The value of the 
real property, which included 552 church edifices 
(with a seating capacity of 155,000) and 30 parson- 
ages, was $1,167,675. The denomination supports 
Eureka College, with an attendance of between 



134 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



400 and 500 students, while its assets are valued 
at $150,000. Total membership in the United 
States, estimated at 750,000. 

DIXOX, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Lee County. It lies on both sides of Rock 
River and is the point of intersection of the Illi- 
nois Central and the Chicago it Northwestern 
Railroads; is 98 miles west of Chicago. Rock 
River furnishes abundant water power and the 
manufacturing interests of the city are very ex- 
tensive, including large plow works, wire-cloth 
factory, wagon factory ; also has electric light 
and power plant, three shoe factories, planing 
mills, and a condensed milk factory. There are 
two National and one State bank, eleven 
churches, a hospital, and three newspapers, In 
schools the city particularly excels, having sev- 
eral graded (grammar) schools and two colleges. 
The Chautauqvia Assembly holds its meeting here 
annually. Population (1890), 5,161; (1900), 7,917. 

DIXOX, John, pioneer — the first white settler 
in Lee County, 111., was born at Rye, West- 
chester County, N. Y., Oct. 9, 1784; at 21 removed 
to New York City, where he was in business some 
fifteen years. In 1820 he set out with his family 
for the West, traveling by land to Pittsburg, 
and thence by flat-boat to Shawneetown. Having 
disembarked his horses and goods here, he pushed 
out towards the northwest, passing the vicinity 
of Springfield, and finally locating on Fancy 
Creek, some nine miles north of the present site 
of that city. Here he remained some five years, 
in that time serving as foreman of the first Sanga- 
mon County Grand Jury. The new county of 
Peoria having been established in 1825, he was 
offered and accepted the appointment of Circuit 
Clerk, removing to Fort Clark, as Peoria was 
then called. Later he became contractor for 
carrying the mail on the newly established route 
between Peoria and Galena. Compelled to pro- 
vide means of crossing Rock River, he induced a 
French and Indian half-breed, named Ogee, to 
take charge of a ferry at a point afterwards 
known as Ogee's Ferry. The tide of travel to the 
lead-mine region caused both the mail-route and 
the ferry to prove profitable, and, as the half- 
breed ferryman could not endure prosperity, Mr. 
Dixon was forced to buy him out, removing his 
family to this point in April, 1830. Here he 
established friendly relations with the Indians, 
and, during the Black Hawk War ,two years later, 
was enabled to render valuable service to the 
State. His station was for many years one of 
the most important points in Northern Illinois, 
and among the men of national reputation who 



were entertained at different times at his home 
may be named Gen. Zachary Taylor, Albert Sid' 
ney Johnston, Gen. Winfield Scott, Jefferson 
Davis, Col. Robert Anderson, Abraham Lincoln, 
Col. E. D. Baker and many more. He bought the 
land where Dixon now stands in 1835 and laid off 
the town ; in 1838 was elected by the Legislature 
a member of the Board of Public Works, and, in 
1840, secured the removal of the land office from 
Galena to Dixon. Colonel Dixon was a delegate 
from Lee County to the Republican State Con- 
vention at Bloomington, in May, 1856, and, 
although then considerably over 70 years of age, 
spoke from the same stand with Abraham Lin- 
coln, his presence producing much enthusiasm. 
His death occurred, July 6, 1876. 

DOAXE, John Wesley, merchant and banker, 
was born at Thompson, Windham County, Conn., 
March 23, 1833; was educated in the common 
schools, and, at 22 years of age, came to Chicago 
and opened a small grocery store which, by 1870, 
had become one of the most extensive concerns 
of its kind in the Northwest. It was swept out 
of existence by the fire of 1871, but was re-estab- 
lished and, in 1872. transferred to other parties, 
although Mr. Doane continued to conduct an 
importing business in many lines of goods used in 
the grocery trade. Having become interested in 
the Merchants' Loan & Trust Company, he was 
elected its President and has continued to act in 
that capacity. He is also a stockholder and a 
Director of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
the Allen Paper Car Wheel Company and the 
Illinois Central Railroad, and was a leading 
promoter of the World's Columbian Exposition of 
1893 — being one of those wlio guaranteed the 
$5,000,000 to be raised by the citizens of Chicago 
to assure the success of the enterprise. 

DOLTON STATION, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois, the Chicago & 
Western Indiana, and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, 16 miles south of 
Chicago ; has a carriage factory, a weekly paper, 
churches and a graded school. Population (1880) 
448; (1890), 1,110; (1900), 1,229. 

DONdiOLA, a village in Union County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 27 miles north of Cairo. 
Population (1880), 599; (1890), 733; (1900), 681. 

DOOLITTLE, James Rood, United States 
Senator, was born in Hami)ton, Wasliington 
County, N. Y., Jan 3, 1815; educated at Middle- 
bury and Geneva (now Hobart) Colleges, admitted 
to the bar in 1837 and practiced at Rochester and 
Warsaw, N. Y. ; was elected District Attorney of 
Wyoming County, N. Y.. in 1845. and. in 1851 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



135 



removed to Wisconsin; two years later was 
elected Circuit Judge, but resigned in 1856, and 
the following year was elected as a Democratic- 
Republican to the United States Senate, being 
re-elected as a Republican in ISfiS. Retiring 
from public life in 1869, he afterwards resided 
chiefly at Racine, Wis., though practicing in the 
courts of Chicago. He was President of the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866, and of the National Democratic Convention 
of 1873 in Baltiinore, which endorsed Horace 
Greeley for President. Died, at Edgewood, R. I., 
July 27, 1897. 

DORE, John Clark, first Superintendent of 
Chicago City Schools, was born at Ossipee, N. H., 
March 22, 1822; began teaching at 17 3-ears of age 
and graduated at Dartmouth College in 1847; 
then taught several years and, in 1854, was 
offered and accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of City Schools of Chicago, but resigned two 
years later. Afterwards engaging in busine.ss, 
he served as Vice-President and President of 
the Board of Trade, President of the Com- 
mercial Insurance Company and of the State 
Savings Institution ; was a member of the State 
Senate, 1868-72, and has been identified with 
various benevolent organizations of the city of 
Chicago. Died in Boston, Mass., Deo., 1-t, 1900. 

DOrClHERTY, John, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at Marietta, Ohio, May 6, 
1806; brought by his parents, in 1808, to Cape 
Girardeau, Mo. , where they remained until after 
the disastrous earthquakes in that region in 
1811-12, when, his father having died, his mother 
removed to Jonesboro, 111. Here he finally read 
law with Col. A. P. Field, afterwards Secretary 
of State, being admitted to the bar in 1831 and 
early attaining prominence as a successful 
criminal lawyer. He soon became a recognized 
political leader, was elected as a member of the 
House to the Eighth General Assembly (1832) 
and re-elected in 1834, '36 and '40, and again in 
1856, and to the Senate in 1842, serving in the 
latter body until the adoption of the Constitution 
of 1848. Originally a Democrat, he was, in 1858, 
the Administration (Buchanan) candidate for 
State Treasurer, as opposed to the Douglas wing 
of the party, but, in 1861, became a strong sup- 
porter of Abraham Lincoln. He served as Presi- 
dential Elector on the Republican ticket in 1864 
and in 1872 (the fonner year for the State- at- 
large), in 1868 was elected Lieutenant-Governor 
and, in 1877, to a seat on the criminal bench, 
serving until June, 1879. Died, at Jonesboro, 
Sept. 7, 1879. 



DOUGLAS, John M., lawyer and Railway 
President, was born at Plattsburg, Clinton 
County, N. Y., August 22, 1819; read law three 
years in his native city, then came west and 
settled at Galena, 111., where he was admitted to 
the bar in 1841 and began practice. In 1856 he 
removed to Chicago, and, the following year, 
became one of the solicitors of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, with which he had been associated as 
an attorney at Galena. Between 1861 and 1876 
he was a Director of the Company over twelve 
years ; from 1865 to 1871 its President, and again 
for eighteen months in 1875-76, when he retired 
permanently. Mr. Douglas' contemporaries speak 
of him as a lawyer of great ability, as well 
as a capable executive officer. Died, in Cliicago, 
March 25, 1891. 

DOUGLAS, Steplien Arnold, statesman, was 
born at Brandon, Vt., April 23, 1813. In conse- 
quence of the death of his father in infancy, 
his early educational advantages were limited. 
When fifteen he applied himself to the cabinet- 
maker's trade, and, in 1830, accompanied his 
mother and step-father to Ontario County, N. Y. 
In 1832 he began the study of law, but started for 
the West in 1833. He taught school at Win- 
chester, 111., reading law at night and practicing 
before a Justice of the Peace on Saturdays. He 
was soon admitted to the bar and took a deep 
interest in politics. In 1835 he was elected Prose- 
cuting Attorney for Morgan County, but a few 
months later resigned this office to enter the 
lower house of the Legislature, to which he was 
elected in 1836. In 1838 he was a candidate for 
Congress, but was defeated by John T. Stuart, his 
Whig opponent; was appointed Secretary of 
State in December, 1840, and, in February, 1841, 
elected Judge of the Supreme Court. He was 
elected to Congress in 1842, '44 and '46, and, in 
the latter year, was chosen United States Sena- 
tor, taking his seat March 4, 1847, and being 
re-elected in 1853 and '59. His last canvass was 
rendered memorable through his joint debate, in 
1858, before the people of the State with Abraham 
Lincoln, whom he defeated before the Legisla- 
ture. He was a candidate for the presidential 
nomination before the Democratic National 
Conventions of 1852 and '56. In 18C0, after having 
failed of a nomination for the Presidency at 
Charleston, S. C, through the operation of the 
"two thirds rule," he received the nomination 
from the adjourned convention held at Baltimore 
six weeks later— though not until the delegates 
from nearly all the Southern States had with- 
drawn, the seceding delegates afterwards nomi- 



136 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nating John C. Breckenridge. Although defeated 
for the Presidency by Lincoln, his old-time 
antagonist, Douglas yielded a cordial support to 
the incoming administration in its attitude 
toward the seceded States, occupying a place of 
honor beside Mr. Lincoln on the portico of the 
capitol during tlie inauguration ceremonies. As 
politician, orator and statesman, Douglas had 
few superiors. Quick in perception, facile in 
expedients, ready in resources, earnest and 
fearless in utterance, he was a born "leader of 
men." His shortness of stature, considered in 
relation to his extraordinary mental acumen, 
gained for him the sobriquet of the "Little 
Giant." He died in Chicago, June 3, 1861. 

DOUGLAS COUNTY, lying a little east of the 
center of the State, embracing an area of 410 
square miles and liaving a population (1900) of 
19,097. The earliest land entry was made by 
Harrison Gill, of Kentucky, whose patent was 
.signed by Andrew Jackson. Anotlier early 
settler was John A. Richman, a West Virginian, 
who erected one of tlie first frame hou.ses in 
the county in 1839. The Embarras and Kas- 
kaskia Rivers flow through the county, which is 
also crossed by the Wabash and Illinois Central 
Railways. Douglas County was organized in 
1857 (being set off from Coles) and named in 
honor of Stephen A. Douglas, then United States 
Senator from Illinois. After a sharp struggle Tus- 
cola was made the county-seat. It has been 
visited by several disastroas conflagrations, but 
is a thriving town, credited, in 1890, with a 
population of 1.897. Other important towns are 
Areola (population, 1,733), and Camargo, which 
was originally known as New Salem. 

DOWNERS GROVE, village, Du Page County, 
on C. B. & Q. R. R., 21 miles south-,southwest from 
Chicago, incorporated 1873 ; has water- works, elec- 
tric lights, telephone system, good .schools, bank 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 960; (1900), 2,103. 

DOWNING, Finis Ewing, ex-Congressman and 
lawyer, was born at Virginia, 111., August 24, 
1846 ; reared on a farm and educated in the public 
and private schools of his native town ; from 1865 
was engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1880, 
when he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cass County, serving three successive terms ; 
read law and was admitted to the bar in Decem- 
ber, 1887. In August, 1891, he became interested 
in "The Virginia Enquirer" (a Democratic 
paper), which he has since conducted; was 
elected Secretary of the State Senate in 1893, 
and, in 1894, was returned as elected to the Fifty- 
fourth Congress from the Sixteenth District by a 



plurality of forty votes over Gen. John I. Rinaker, 
the Republican nominee. A contest and recount 
of the ballots resulted, however, in awarding the 
seat to General Rinaker. In 1896 Mr. Downing 
was the nominee of his party for Secretary of 
State, but was defeated with the rest of his ticket. 

DRAKE, Francis Marion, soldier and Governor, 
was born at Rushville, Schuyler County, 111., 
Dec. 30, 1830; early taken to Drakesville, Iowa, 
which his father founded; entered mercantile 
life at 16 years of age ; crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia in 1852, had experience in Indian warfare 
and, in 1859, established himself in business at 
Unionville, Io%va; served through the Civil War, 
becoming Lieutenant-Colonel and retiring in 
1865 with the rank of Brigadier-General by 
brevet. He re-entered mercantile life after the 
war, was admitted to the bar in 1806, subsequently 
engaged in railroad building and, in 1881, contrib- 
buted the bulk of the funds for founding Drake 
University; was elected Governor of Iowa in 
1895, serving until January, 1898. 

DRAPER, Andrew Sloan, LL.D., lawyer and 
educator, was born in Otsego County, N. Y., 
June 21, 1848 — being a descendant, in the eighth 
generation, from the "Puritan," James Draper, 
who settled in Boston in 1647. In 1855 Mr. 
Draper's parents settled in Albany, N. Y., where 
he attended school, winning a scholarship in the 
Albany Academy in 1863, and graduating from 
that institution in 1866. During the next four 
years he was employed in teaching, part of the 
time as an instructor at his ahna mater; but, in 
1871, graduated from the Union College Law 
Department, when he began practice. The rank 
he attained in the profession was indicated by 
his appointment by President Arthur, in 1884, 
one of the Judges of the Alabama Claims Com- 
mission, upon which he .served until the conclu- 
sion of its labors in 1886. He had previously 
served in the New York State Senate (1880) and, 
ill 1884, was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention, also serving as Chairman of the 
Republican State Central Committee the same 
year. After his return from Europe in 1886, he 
.served as State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion of New York until 1892, and, in 1889, and 
again in 1890, was President of the National 
Association of School Superintendents. Soon 
after retiring from the State Superintendencj- in 
New York, he was chosen Superintendent of 
Public Schools for the city of Cleveland, Ohio, 
remaining in that position until 1894. when he 
was elected President of the University of Illinois 
at Champaign, where he now is. His adminis- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



137 



tration has been characterized by enterprise and 
sagacity, and has tended to promote the popular- 
ity and prosperity of the institution. 

DRESSER, Charles, clergyman, was born at 
Pomfret, Conn., Feb. 24, 1800; graduated from 
Brown University in 1833, went to Virginia, 
where lie studied theologj- and was ordained a 
minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church. In 
1838 he removed to Springfield, and became rector 
of St. Paul's Episcopal Church there, retiring in 
1858. On Nov. 4, 1842, Mr. Dresser performed the 
ceremony uniting Abraham Lincoln and Mary 
Todd in marriage. He died, March 25, ISB."). 

DRUMMOND, Thomas, jurist, was born at 
Bristol Mills, Lincoln County, Maine, Oct. 16, 
1809. After graduating from Bowdoin College, in 
1830, he studied law at Philadelphia, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1833. He settled at 
Galena, 111., in 183.5, and was a member of the 
General Assembly in 1840-41. In 1850 he was 
appointed United States District Judge for the 
District of Illinois as successor to Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, and four years later removed to Chicago. 
Upon the division of the State into two judicial 
districts, in 1855, he was assigned to the North- 
ern. In 1869 he was elevated to the bench of the 
United States Circuit Court, and presided over 
the Seventh Circuit, which at that time included 
the States of Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. In 
1884 — at the age of 75 — he resigned, living in 
retirement imtil his death, which occurred at 
Wheaton, 111., May 15, 1890. 

DUBOIS, Jesse Kilgore, State Auditor, was 
born, Jan. 14, 1811. in Lawrence County, 111., 
near Vincennes, Ind., where his father, Capt. 
Toussaint Dubois, had settled about 1780. The 
latter was a native of Canada, of French descent, 
and, after settling in the Northwest Territory, 
had been a personal friend of General Harrison, 
under whom he served in the Indian wars, 
including tlie battle of Tippecanoe. The son 
received a partial collegiate education at Blooni- 
ington, Ind., but, at 24 years of age (1834), was 
elected to the General Assembly, serving in the 
same House with Abraham Lincoln, and being 
re-elected in 1836, '38, and "43. In 1841 he was 
appointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Palestine, 111., but soon resigned, 
giving his attention to mercantile pursuits until 
1849, when he was appointed Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Palestine, but was removed by Pierce 
in 1853. He was a Delegate to the first Repub- 
lican State Convention, at Bloomington, in 1856, 
and, on tlie recommendation of Mr. Lincoln, was 
nominated for Auditor of Public Accounts, 



renominated in 1860, and elected both times. In 
1864 he was a candidate for the nomination of 
his party for Governor, but was defeated by 
General Oglesby, serving, however, on the 
National Executive Committee of that year, and 
as a delegate to the National Convention of 1868. 
Died, at liis home near Springfield, Nov. 22, 1876. 
— Fred T. (Dubois), son of the preceding, was 
born in Crawford County, 111., May 29, 1851; 
received a common-school and classical educa- 
tion, graduating from Yale College in 1872 ; was 
Secretary of the Illinois Railway and Warehouse 
Commission in 1875-76 ; went to Idaho Territory 
and engaged in business in 1880, was appointed 
United States Marshal there in 1882, serving until 
1886; elected as a Republican Delegate to the 
Fiftieth and Fifty-first Congresses, and, on the 
admission of Idaho as a State (1890), became 
one of the first United States Senators, his term 
extending to 1897. He was Chairman of the 
Idaho delegation in the National Republican 
Convention at Minneapolis in 1892, and was a 
member of the National Republican Convention 
at St. Louis in 1896, but seceded from that body 
with Senator Teller of Colorado, and has since 
cooperated with the Populists and Free Silver 
Democrats. 

DUCAT, Arthur Charles, soldier and civil 
engineer, was born in Dublin, Ireland, Feb. 24, 
1830, received a liberal education and became a 
civil engineer. He settled in Chicago in 1851, 
and six years later was made Secretary and Chief 
Surveyor of the Board of Underwriters of that 
city. While acting in this capacity, he virtually 
revised the schedule system of rating fire-risks. 
In 1861 he raised a company of 300 engineers, 
sappers and miners, but neither the State nor 
Federal authorities would accept it. Thereupon 
he enlisted as a private in the Twelfth Illinois 
Volunteers, but his ability earned him rapid 
promotion. He rose through the grades of Cap- 
tain, Major and Lieutenant-Colonel, to that of 
Colonel, and was brevetted Brigadier-General in 
February, 1864. Compelled by sickness to leave the 
army. General Ducat returned to Cliicago, 
re-entering the insurance field and finally, after 
holding various responsible positions, engaging 
in general business in that line. In 1875 he was 
entrusted with the task of reorganizing the State 
militia, which he performed with signal success. 
Died, at Downer's Grove, 111.. Jan. 29. 1896. 

DUELS AJfD AiVTI-DUELOG LAWS. Al- 
though a majority of the population of Illinois, 
in Territorial days, came from Southern States 
where the duel was widely regarded as the proper 



138 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mode for settling "difficulties" of a personal 
character, it is a curious fact that so few "affairs 
of honor" (so-called) should have occurred on 
Illinois soil. The first "affair" of this sort of 
which either history or tradition has handed 
down any account, is said to have occurred 
between an English and a French officer at the 
time of the surrender of Fort Chartres to the 
British in 176.5, and in connection with that 
event. The officers are said to have fought with 
small swords one Sunday morning near the Fort, 
when one of them was killed, but the name of 
neither the victor nor the vanquished has come 
down to the present time. Gov. John Reynolds, 
who is the authority for the story in his "Pioneer 
History of Illinois," claimed to have received it 
in his boyhood from an aged Frenchman who 
represented that he had seen the combat. 

An affair of less doubtful authenticity has come 
down to us in tlie history of the Territorial 
period, and, although it was at first bloodless, it 
finally ended in a tragedy. This was the Jones- 
Bond affair, which originated at Kaskaskia in 
1808. Rice Jones was the son of John Rice Jones, 
the first EngUsh-speaking lawyer in the "Illinois 
Country." The younger Jones is described as an 
exceptionally brilliant yoving man who, having 
studied law, located at Kaskaskia in 1806. Two 
years later he became a candidate for Represent- 
ative from Randolph County in the Legislature 
of Indiana Territory, of which Illinois was a part. 
In the course of the canvass which resulted in 
Jones" election, he became involved in a quarrel 
with Shadrach Bond, who was then a member of 
the Territorial Council from the same county, 
and afterwards became Delegate in Congress 
from Illinois and the first Governor of the State. 
Bond challenged Jones and the meeting took 
place on an island in the Mississippi between 
Kaskaskia and St. Genevieve. Bond's second 
was a Dr. James Dunlap of Kaskaskia, who 
appears also to have been a bitter enemy of Jones. 
The discharge of a pistol in the hand of Jones 
after the combatants had taken their places 
preliminary to the order to "fire," raised the 
question whether it was accidental or to be 
regarded as Jones' fire. Dunlap maintained the 
latter, but Bond accepted the explanation of his 
adversary that the discharge was accidental, and 
the generosity which he displayed led to expla- 
nations that averted a final exchange of shots. 
The feud thus started between Jones and Dimlap 
grew until it involved a large part of the com- 
mrmity. On Dec. 7, 1808, Dunlap shot down 
Jones in cold blood and without warning in 



the streets of Kaskaskia, killing him instantly. 
The murderer fled to Texas and was never heard 
of about Kaskaskia afterwards. This incident 
furnishes the basis of the most graphic chapter 
in Mrs. Catherwood's story of "Old Kaskaskia." 
Prompted by this tragical affair, no doubt, the 
Governor and Territorial Judges, in 1810, framed a 
stringent law for the suppression of dueling, in 
which, in case of a fatal result, all parties con- 
nected with the affair, as principals or seconds, 
were held to be guilty of murder. 

Governor Reynolds furnishes the record of a 
duel between Thomas Rector, the member of a 
noted family of that name at Kaskaskia, and one 
Joshua Barton, supposed to have occurred some- 
time during the War of 1813, though no exact 
dates are given. This affair took place on the 
favorite dueling ground known as "Bloods' 
Island," opposite St. Louis, so often resorted to 
at a later day, by devotees of "the code" in Mis- 
souri. Reynolds says that "Barton fell in the 
conflict." 

The next affair of which history makes men- 
tion grew out of a drunken carousel at Belleville, 
in February, 1819, which ended in a duel between 
two men named Alonzo Stuart and William 
Bennett, and the killing of Stuart by Bennett. 
The managers of the affair for the principals are 
said to liave agreed that the guns should be loaded 
with blank cartridges, and Stuart was let into the 
secret but Bennett was not. When the order to 
fire came, Bennett's gun proved to have been 
loaded with ball. Stuart fell mortally wounded, 
expiring ahnost immediately. One report says 
that the duel was intended as a sham, and was so 
understood by Bennett, who was horrified by the 
result. He and his two seconds were arrested for 
murder, but Bennett broke jail and fled to 
Arkansas. The seconds were tried, Daniel P. 
Cook conducting the prosecution and Thomas H. 
Benton defending, the trial resulting in their 
acquittal. Two years later, Bennett was appre- 
hended by some sort of artifice, put on his trial, 
convicted and executed — Judge John Reynolds 
(afterwards Governor) presiding and pronoimcing 
sentence. 

In a footnote to "The Edwards Papers." 
edited by the late E. B. Washburue, and printed 
under the auspices of the Chicago Historical 
Society, a few j-ears ago, Mr. Washburne relates 
an incident occurring in Galena about 1838, while 
"The Northwestern Gazette and Galena Adver- 
tiser" was under the charge of Sj^lvester M. 
Bartlett, who was afterwards one of the founders 
of "The Quincy Whig." The story, as told by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



139 



Ti, Washburne, is as follows; "David G. Bates 
(a Galena business man and captain of a packet 
plying between St. Louis and Galena) wrote a 
short communication for the paper reflecting on 
tlie character of John Tiirney, a prominent law- 
j'er wlio had been a member of the House of 
Representatives in 1828-30, from the District 
composed of Pike, Adams, Fulton, Schuyler, 
Peoria and Jo Daviess Counties. Turney de- 
manded tlie name of the author and Bartlett gave 
up the name of Bates. Turney refused to take 
any notice of Bates and then challenged Bartlett 
to a duel, which was promptly accepted by Bart- 
lett. The second of Turney was the Hon. Joseph 
P. Hoge, afterward a member of Congress from 
the Galena District. Bartletfs second was 
William A. "Warren, now of Bellevue, Iowa."' 
(Warren was a prominent Union officer during 
the Civil War.) "The parties went out to the 
ground selected for the duel, in what was then 
Wisconsin Territory, seven miles north of Galena, 
and, after one ineffectual fire, the matter was 
compromised. Subsequently, Bartlett removed 
to Quincy, and was for a long time connected 
with the publication of 'The Quincy Whig.'"' 

During the session of the Twelfth General 
Assembly (1841), A. R. Dodge, a Democratic 
Representative from Peoria Countj', feeling liim- 
self aggrieved by some reflections indulged bj- Gen. 
Jolin J. Hardin (then a Whig Representative 
from Morgan County) upon the Democratic party 
in connection with the partisan reorganization 
of the Supreme Coiu-t, threatened to "call out" 
Hardin. The affair was referred to W. L. D. 
Ewing and W. A. Richardson for Dodge, and 
J. J. Brown and E. B. Webb for Hardin, with 
the result that it was amicably adjusted "honor- 
ably to both parties." 

It was during the same session that Jolm A. 
McClernand, then a yoimg and fierj' member 
from Gallatin County — who had, two years 
before, been appointed Secretary of State by 
Governor Carlin, but had been debarred from 
taking the office by an adverse decision of the 
Supreme Court — indulged in a violent attack 
upon the Whig members of the Court based upon 
allegations afterwards shown to have been fur- 
nished bj- Theophilus W. Smith, a Democratic 
member of the same covirt. Smith having joined 
his associates in a card denying the truth of the 
charges, McClernand responded with the publi- 
cation of the cards of persons tracing the allega- 
tions directly to Smith himself. This brought a 
note from Smith which McClernand construed into 
a challenge and answered with a prompt accept- 



ance. Attorney-General Lamborn, having got 
wind of the affair, lodged a complaint with a 
Springfield Justice of the Peace, wliich resulted 
in placing the pugnacious jurist under bonds to 
keep the peace, when he took liis departure lor 
Cliicago, and the "affair" ended. 

An incident of greater historical interest than 
all the others yet mentioned, was the affair in 
which James Shields and Abraham Lincoln — the 
former the State Auditor and the latter at that 
time a young attorney at Springfield — were con- 
cerned. A communication in doggerel verse had 
appeared in "Tlie Springfield Journal" ridicuUng 
the Auditor. Shields made demand upon the 
editor (Mr. Simeon Francis) for the name of the 
author, and, in accordance with previous under- 
standing, the name of Lincoln was given. (Evi- 
dence, later coming to light, showed that the real 
authors were Miss Mary Todd — who, a few months 
later, became Mrs. Lincoln — and Jliss Julia Jayne, 
afterwards the wife of Senator Trnmbull. ) 
Shields, through John D. Whiteside, a former 
State Treasurer, demanded a retraction of the 
offensive matter — the demand being presented to 
Lincoln at Tremont, in Tazewell County, where 
Lincoln was attending court. Without attempt- 
ing to follow the affair through all its complicated 
details — Shields having assumed that Lincoln was 
the author without further investigation, and 
Lincoln refusing to make any explanation unless 
the first demand was withdrawn — Lincoln named 
Dr. E. H. Merriman as his second and accepted 
Shield"s challenge, naming cavalry broadswords 
as the weapons and the Missouri shore, within 
three miles of the city of Alton, as the place. 
The principals, with their "friends," met at the 
appointed time and place (Sept. 22, 1842, opposite 
the city of Alton); but, in the meantime, mutual 
friends, having been apprised of what was going 
on. also appeared on the ground and brought 
about explanations which averted an actual con- 
flict. Those especially instrumental in bringing 
about this result were Gen. Jolm J. Hardin of 
Jacksonville, and Dr. R. W. English of Greene 
County, while John D. Whiteside, W. L. D. 
Ewing and Dr. T. M. Hope acted as represent- 
atives of Shields, and Dr. E. H. Merriman, 
Dr. A. T. Bledsoe and William Butler for Lincoln. 

Out of this affair, within the next few days, 
. followed challenges from Shields to Butler and 
Whiteside to Merriman ; but, although these were 
accepted, yet owing to some objection on the part 
of the challenging party to the conditions named 
by the party challenged, thereby resulting in de- 
lay, no meeting actually took place. 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Another affair which bore important results 
without ending in a tragedy, occurred during the 
session of tlie Constitutional Convention in 1847. 
The parties to it were O. C. Pratt and Thompson 
Campbell — both Delegates from Jo Daviess 
County, and both Democrats. Some sparring 
between them over the question of suffrage for 
naturalized foreigners resulted in an invitation 
from Pratt to Campbell to meet him at the 
Planters' House in St. Louis, with an intimation 
that this was for the purpose of arranging the 
preliminaries of a duel. Both parties were on 
hand before the appointed time, but their arrest 
by the St. Louis authorities and putting them 
under heavy bonds to keep the peace, gave them 
an excuse for returning to their convention 
duties without coming to actual hostilities — if 
they had such intention. This was promptly 
followed by the adoption in Convention of the 
provision of the Constitution of 1848, disqualify- 
ing any person engaged in a dueling affair, either 
as principal or second, from holding any office of 
honor or profit in the State. 

The last and principal affair of this kind of 
historic significance, in which a citizen of Illinois 
was engaged, though not on Illinois soil, was that 
in which Congressman William H. Bissell, after- 
wards Governor of Illinois, and Jefferson Davis 
were concerned in February, IS.'jO. During the 
debate on the "Compromise Measures"' of that 
year, Congressman Seddon of Virginia went out 
of his way to indulge in implied reflections upon 
the courage of Northern soldiers as displayed on 
the battle-field of Buena Vista, and to claim for 
the Mississippi regiment commanded by Davis 
the credit of saving the day. Replying to these 
claims Colonel Bissell took occasion to correct the 
Virginia Congressman's statements, and especi- 
ally to vindicate the good name of the Illinois and 
Kentucky troops. In doing so he declared that, 
at the critical moment alluded to by Seddon, 
when the Indiana regiment gave way, Davis's 
regiment was not within a mile and a half of the 
scene of action. This was construed by Davis as 
a reflection upon his troops, and led to a challenge 
which was promptly accepted by Bissell, who 
named the soldier's weapon (the common army 
musket), loaded with ball and buckshot, vrith 
forty paces as the distance, with liberty to 
advance up to ten — otherwise leaving the pre- 
liminaries to be settled by his friends. The evi- 
dence manifested by Bissell that he was not to be 
intimidated, but was prepared to face death 
itself to vindicate his own honor and that of his 
comrades in the field, was a surprise to the South- 



ern leaders, and they soon found a way for Davis 
to withdraw his challenge on condition that 
Bissell should add to his letter of acceptance a 
clause awarding credit to the Mississippi regi- 
ment for what they actually did, but without dis- 
avowing or retracting a single word he had 
uttered in his speech. In the meantime, it is said 
that President Taylor, who was the father-in-law 
of Davis, having been apprised of what was on 
foot, had taken precautions to prevent a meeting 
by instituting legal proceedings the night before 
it was to take place, though this was rendered 
unnecessary by the act of Davis himself. Thus. 
Colonel Bissell's position was virtually (though 
indirectly) justified by his enemies. It is true, 
he was violently assailed by his political opponents 
for alleged violation of the inhibition in the State 
Constitution against dueling, especially when he 
came to take the oath of office as Governor of 
Illinois, seven years later; but his course in "turn- 
ing the tables" against his fire-eating opponents 
aroused the enthusiasm of the North, while his 
friends maintained that the act having been 
performed beyond the jurisdiction of the State, 
he was technically not guilty of any violation of 
the laws. 

While the provision in the Constitution of 1848, 
against dueling, was not reincorporated in that 
of 1870, the laws on the subject are very strin- 
gent. Besides imposing a penalty of not less than 
one nor more than five years' imprisonment, or a 
fine not exceeding $3,000, upon any one who, as 
principal or second, participates in a duel with a 
deadly weapon, whether such duel proves fatal 
or not, or who sends, carries or accepts a chal- 
lenge: the law also provides that any one con- 
victed of such offense shall be disqualified for 
holding "any office of profit, trust or emolument, 
either civil or military, under the Constitution or 
laws of this State." Any person lea%'ing the 
State to send or receive a challenge is subject to 
the same penalties as if the offense had been 
committed within the State ; and any person who 
may inflict upon his antagonist a fatal wound, as 
the result of an engagement made in this State to 
fight a duel beyond its jurisdiction — when the 
person so wounded dies within this State — is held 
to be guilty of murder and subject to punislmient 
for the same. The publishing of any person as a 
coward, or the applying to him of opprobrious or 
abusive language, for refusing to accept a chal- 
lenge, is declared to be a crime punishable by 
fine or imprisonment. 

DDFF, Andrew D., lawyer and Judge, was 
born of a family of pioneer settlers in Bond 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



141 



County, 111., Jan. 24, 1820; was educated in the 
country schools, and, from 1842 to 1847, spent his 
time in teaching and as a farmer. The latter 
year he removed to Benton, Franklin County, 
where he began reading law, but suspended his 
studies to enlist in the Mexican War. serving as a 
private; in 1849 was elected County Judge of 
Franklin County, and, in the following year, was 
admitted to the bar. In 1861 he was elected 
Judge for the Twentj'-sixth Circuit and re- 
elected in 186T, serving until 1873. He aLso 
served as a Delegate in the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1862 from the district composed of 
Franklin and Jackson Counties, and, being a 
zealous Democrat, was one of the leaders in 
calling the mass meeting . held at Peoria, in 
August, 1864, to protest against the policy of the 
Government in the prosecution of the war. 
About the close of his last term upon the bench 
(1873), he removed to Carbondale, where he con- 
tinued to reside. In his later years he be- 
came an Independent in politics, acting for 
a time in cooperation with the friends of 
temperance. In 1885 he was appointed by joint 
resolution of the Legislature on a commission to 
revise the revenue code of the State. Died, at 
Tucson. Ariz., June 25, 1889. 

DU>'CAX, Joseph, Congressman and Gov- 
ernor, was born at Paris, Ky. , Feb. 22, 1794; 
emigrated to Illinois in 1818, having previously 
ser\-ed with distinction in the War of 1812, and 
been presented with a sword, by vote of Congress, 
for gallant conduct in the defense of Fort Stephen- 
son. He was commissioned Major-General of 
Illinois militia in 1823 and elected State Senator 
from Jackson County in 1824. He served in the 
lower house of Congress from 1827 to 1834, when 
he resigned his seat to occupy the gubernatorial 
chair, to which he was elected the latter year. He 
was the author of the first free-school law, 
adopted in 1825. His executive policy was con- 
servative and consistent, and his administration 
successful. He erected the first frame building 
at Jacksonville, in 1834, and was a liberal friend 
of Illinois College at that place. In his personal 
character he was kindly, genial and unassuming, 
although fearless in the expression of his convic- 
tions. He wEis the Whig candidate for Governor 
in 1842. when he met with his first political 
defeat. Died, at Jacksonville, Jan. 15, 1844, 
mourned by men of all parties. 

DUNCAN, Thomas, soldier, was born in Kas- 
kaskia. 111., April 14, 1809; served as a private in 
the Illinois mounted volunteers during the Black 
Hawk War of 1832 ; also as First Lieutenant of 



cavalry in the regular army in the Mexican War 
(1846), and as Major and Lieutenant-Colonel 
during the War of the Rebellion, still later doing 
duty upon the frontier keeping the Indians in 
check. He was retired from active service in 
1873, and died in Washington, Jan. 7, 1887. 

DUNDEE, a town on Fox River, in Kane 
County. 5 miles (by rail) north of Elgin and 47 
miles west-northwest of Chicago. It has two 
distinct corporations — East and West Dundee — 
but is progressive and united in action. Dairy 
farming is the principal industry of the adjacent 
region, and the town lias two large milk-con- 
densing plants, a cheese factory, etc. It has good 
water power and there are flour and saw-mills, 
besides brick and tile-works, an.extensive nursery, 
two banks, six churches, a handsome high school 
building, a public library and one weekly paper. 
Population (1890). 2,023; (1900), 2,765. 

DUNHAM, John Hi^h, banker and Board of 
Trade operator, was born in Seneca County, 
N. Y., 1817; came to Chicago in 1844, engaged in 
the wholesale grocery trade, and, a few years 
later, took a prominent part in solving the ques- 
tion of a water supply for the city ; was elected to 
the Twentieth General Assembly (1856) and the 
next year assisted in organizing the Merchants' 
Loan & Trust Company, of which he became the 
first President, retiring five years later and re- 
engaging in the mercantile business. While 
Hon. Hugh McCullough was Secretary of the 
Treasury, he was appointed National Bank 
Examiner for Illinois, serving until 1866. He 
was a member of the Chicago Historical Society, 
the Academy of Sciences, and an early member 
of the Board of Trade. Died, April 28, 1893, 
leaving a large estate. 

DUNHAM, Ransom W., merchant and Con- 
gressman, was born at Savoy, Mass., JIarch 21, 
1838; after graduating from the High School at 
Springfield, Mass., in 1855, was connected with 
the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Com- 
pany until August, 1860. In 1857 he removed 
from Springfield to Chicago, and at the termina- 
tion of his connection with the Insurance Com- 
pany, embarked in the grain and provision 
commission business in that city, and, in 1882, 
was President of the Chicago Board of Trade. 
From 1883 to 1«89 he represented the First lUinois 
District in Congress, after the expiration of his 
last term devoting his attention to his large 
private business. His death took place suddenly 
at Springfield, Mass.. August 19, 1896. 

DUNLAP, George Lincoln, civil engineer and 
Railway Sui^eriatendent, was born at Brunswick, 



142 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Maine, in 1828 ; studied mathematics and engineer- 
ing at Gorham Academj", and, after several 
years' experience on the Boston & Maine and the 
New York & Erie Raihvaj's, came west in 1855 
and accepted a position as assistant engineer on 
what is now the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
road, finally becoming its General Superintend- 
ent, and, in fourteen 3-ears of his connection with 
that road, vastly extending its lines. Between 
1872 and '79 he was connected with the Montreal 
& Quebec Railway, but the latter year returned 
to Illinois and was actively connected with the 
extension of the Wabash system imtil his retire- 
ment a few years ago. 

DUNLAP, Henry M., horticulturist and legis- 
lator, was born in Cook Countj', 111., Nov. 14, 
1853 — the son of M. L. Dunlap (the well-known 
"Rural"), who became a prominent horticulturist 
In Champaign County and was one of the found- 
ers of the State Agricultural Society. The family 
having located at Savoy, Champaign County, 
about 1857, the younger Dunlap was educated in 
the University of Illinois, graduating in the 
scientific department in 1875. Following in the 
footsteps of his father, he engaged extensively 
in fruit-growing, and has served in the office of 
both President and Secretary of tlie State Horti- 
cultural Society, besides local offices. In 1892 he 
was elected as a Republican to the State Senate 
for the Thirtieth District, was re-elected in 1896, 
and has been prominent in State legislation. 

DUNLAP, Mathias Lane, horticulturist, was 
born at Cherry Valley, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1814; 
coming to La Salle County, 111., in 1835, he 
taught school the following winter ; then secured 
a clerkship in Chicago, and later became book- 
keeper for a firm of contractors on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, remaining two years. Having 
entered a body of Government land in the western 
part of Cook County, he turned his attention to 
farming, giving a portion of his time to survey- 
ing. In 1845 he became interested in horticulture 
and, in a few years, built up one of the most 
extensive nurseries in the West. In 1854 he was 
chosen a Representative in the Nineteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly from Cook County, and, at the 
following session, jsresided over the caucus which 
resulted in the nomination and final election of 
Lyman Trumbull to the United States Senate for 
the first time. Politically an anti-slavery Demo- 
crat, he espoused the cause of freedom in the 
Territories, while his house was one of the depots 
of the "underground railroad." In 1855 he pur- 
chased a half-section of land near Champaign, 
whither he removed, two vears later, for the 



prosecution of his nurserj' business. He was an 
active member, for many years, of the State Agri- 
cultural Society and an earnest supporter of the 
scheme for the establishment of an "Industrial 
University," which finally took form in the Uni- 
versity of Illinois at Champaign. From 1853 to 
his death he was the agricultural correspondent, 
first of "The Chicago Democratic Press," and 
later of "The Tribune," writing over the nom de 
plume of "Riu-al." Died, Feb. 14, 1875. 

DU PAGE COUXTT, organized in 1839, named 
for a river which flows through it. It adjoins 
Cook County on the west and contains 340 square 
miles. In 1900 its population was 28,196. The 
county-seat was originally at Naperville, which 
was platted in 1842 and named in honor of Capt. 
Joseph Naper, who settled upon the site in 1831. 
In 1869 the county government was removed to 
Wheaton, the location of Wheaton College, 
where it yet remains. Besides Captain Naper, 
early settlers of prominence were Bailey Hobson 
(the pioneer in the township of Lisle), and Pierce 
Downer (in Downer's Grove). The chief towns 
are Wheaton (population, 1,622), Naperville 
(2,216), Hinsdale (1,584), Downer's Grove (960), 
and Roselle (450). Hinsdale and Roselle are 
largely populated by persons doing business in 
Chicago. 

DC i^UOIN, a city and railway junction in 
Perry County, 76 miles north of Cairo; has a 
foundry, machine shops, planing-mill, flour mills, 
salt works, ice factory, soda-water factory, 
creamery, coal mines, graded school, public 
library and four newspapers. Population (1890), 
4,052; (1900), 4,353; (1903, school census), 5,207. 

DURBOROW, Allan Cathcart, ex-Congress- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Nov. 20, 1857. 
When five years old he accompanied his parents 
to Williamsport, Ind., where he received his 
early edvication. He entered the preparatory 
department of Wabash College in 1872, and 
graduated from the University of Indiana, at 
Bloomington, in 1877. After two years' residence 
in Indianapolis, he removed to Chicago, where he 
engaged in business. Always active in local 
politics, he was elected by the Democrats in 1890, 
and again in 1892, Representative in Congress 
from the Second District, retiring with the close 
of the Fifty-third Congress. Mr. Durborow is 
Treasurer of the Chicago Air-Line Express Com- 
pany. 

DUSTIN, (Gen.) Daniel, soldier, was born in 
Topsham, Orange County, Vt., Oct. 5, 1820; 
received a common-school and academic educa- 
tion, graduating in medicine at Dartmouth Col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



143 



lege in 1846. After practicing tliree years at 
Corinth, Vt., he went to California in 1830 and 
engaged in mining, but three yeare later resumed 
the practice of his profession while conducting a 
mercantile business. He was subsequently chosen 
to the California Legislature from Nevada 
County, but coming to Illinois in 1858, he 
engaged in the drug business at Sycamore, De 
Kalb County, in connection with J. E. Elwood. 
On the breaking out of the war in 1861, he sold 
out his drug business and assisted in raising the 
Eighth Regiment Illinois Cavaliy, and was com- 
missioned Captain of Company L. The regiment 
was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and, 
in January, 1862, he was promoted to the position 
of Major, afterwards taking part in the battle of 
Manassas, and the great "seven days' fight" 
before Eichmond. In September, 1863, the One 
Hundred and Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry was mustered in at Dixon, and Major 
Dustin was conunissioned its Colonel, soon after 
joining the Army of the Cumberland. After the 
Atlanta campaign lie was assigned to the com- 
mand of a brigade in the Third Division of the 
Twelfth Army Corps, remaining in this position 
to the close of the war. meanwhile having been 
brevetted Brigadier-General for bravery displayed 
on the battle-field at Averysboro, N. C. He was 
mustered out at Washington, June 7, 1865, and 
took part in the grand review of the armies in 
that city wliich marked the close of the war. 
Returning to his home in De Kalb County, he 
was elected County Clerk in the following 
November, remaining in office four j-ears. Sub- 
sequently he was chosen Circuit Clerk and ex- 
officio Recorder, and was twice thereafter 
re-elected — in 1884 and 1888. On the organization 
of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, in 
1885, he was appointed by Governor Oglesbj- one 
of the Trustees, retaining the position until his 
death. In May, 1890, he was appointed by 
President Harrison Assistant United States 
Treasurer at Chicago, but died in office while on 
a visit with his daughter at Carthage, Mo. , March 
30, 1892. General Dustin was a Mason of high 
degree, and, in 1872, was chosen Right Eminent 
Commander of the Grand Commandery of the 
State. 

DWIGHT, a prosperous city in Livingston 
County, 74 miles, by rail, south-southwest of Chi- 
cago, 52 miles northeast of Bloomington, and 23 
miles east of Streator; has two banks, two weekly 
papers, six churches, five large warehouses, two 
electric light plants, complete water-works sys- 
tem, and four hotels. The citj' is the center of a 



rich farming and stock-raising district. Dwight 
has attained celebrity as the location of the first 
of "Keeley Institutes," founded for the cure of 
the drink and morphine habit. Population 
(1890). 1,354; (1900), 2,015. These figures do not 
include the floating population, which is 
augmented by patients who receive treatment 
at the "Keeley Institute." 

I)YER, Charles Tolney, M.D., pioneer physi- 
cian, was bom at Clarendon, Vt., June 12, 1808; 
graduated in medicine at Middlebury College, in 
1830; began practice at Newark, N. J., in 1831, 
and in Chicago in 1835. He was an uncomprom- 
ising opponent of slavery and an avowed sup- 
porter of the "underground railroad," and, in 
1848, received the support of the Free-Soil party 
of Illinois for Governor. Dr. Dyer was also one 
of the original incorporators of the North Chicago 
Street Railway Company, and his name was 
prominently identified with many local benevo- 
lent enterprises. Died, in Lake View (then a 
suburb of Chicago), April 24, 1878. 

EARLVILLE, a city and railway junction in 
La Salle County, 52 miles northeast of Princeton, 
at the intersecting point of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. It is in the center of an agricultural 
and stock-raising district, and is an important 
shipping-point. It has seven churches, a graded 
school, one bank, two weekly newspapers and 
manufactories of plows, wagons and carriages. 
Population (1880), 963; (1890), 1,058; (1900), 1,122. 

EARLY, John, legislator and Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born of American parentage and Irish 
ancestry in Essex County, Canada West, March 
17, 1828, and accompanied his parents to Cale- 
donia, Boone County, 111., in 1846. His boyhood 
was passed upon his father's farm, and in youth 
he learned the trade (his father's) of carpenter 
and joiner. In 1852 he removed to Rockford, 
Winnebago County, and, in 1865, became State 
Agent of the New England Mutual Life Insur- 
ance Company. Between 1863 and 1866 he held 
sundry local oflSces, and, in 1869, was appointed 
by Governor Palmer a Trustee of the State 
Reform School. In 1870 he was elected State 
Senator and re-elected in 1874, serving in the 
Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth 
and Thirtieth General Assemblies. In 1873 he 
was elected President protem. of the Senate, and, 
Lieut-Gov. BeveriJge succeeding to the executive 
chair, he became ex-officio Lieutenant-Governor. 
In 1875 he was again the Republican nominee for 
the Presidency of the Senate, but was defeated 



144 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by a coalition of Democrats and Independents. 
He died while a member of the Senate, Sept. 3, 
1877. 

EARTHCJUAKE OF 1811. A series of the 
most remarkable earthquakes in the history of 
the Mississippi Valley began on the night of 
November 16, 1811, continuing for several months 
and finally ending with the destruction of Carac- 
cas, Venezuela, in March following. While the 
center of the earlier disturbance appears to have 
been in the vicinity of New Madrid, in Southeast- 
ern Missouri, its minor effects were felt through 
a wide extent of country, especially in the 
settled portions of Illinois. Contemporaneous 
history states that, in the American Bottom, then 
the most densely settled portion of Illinois, the 
results were very perceptible. The walls of a 
brick house belonging to Mr. Samuel Judy, a 
pioneer settler in the eastern edge of the bottom, 
near Edwardsville, Madison County, were cracked 
by the convulsion, the effects being seen for more 
than two generations. Gov. Jolm Reynolds, then 
a young man of 23, living with his father's 
family in what was called the "Goshen Settle- 
ment," near Edwardsville, in his history of "My 
Own Times," says of it: "Our family were all 
sleeping in a log-cabin, and my father leaped out 
of bed, crying out, 'The Indians are on the house. 
The battle of Tippecanoe had been recently 
fought, and it was supposed the Indians would 
attack the settlements. Not one in the family 
knew at that time it was an earthquake. The 
next morning another shock made us acquainted 
with it. . . . The cattle came running home 
bellowing with fear, and all animals were terribly 
alarmed. Our house cracked and quivered so we 
were fearful it would fall to the ground. In the 
American Bottom many chimneys were thrown 
down, and the church bell at Cahokia was 
sounded by the agitation of the building. It is 
said a shock of an earthquake was felt in Kaskas- 
kia in 1804, but I did not perceive it." Owing to 
the sparseness of the population in Illinois at that 
time, but little is known of the effect of the con- 
vulsion of 1811 elsewhere, but there are numerous 
"sink-holes" in Union and adjacent counties, 
between the forks of the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers, which probably owe their origin to this or 
some similar disturbance. "On the Kaskaskia 
River below Athens," says Governor Reynolds in 
his "Pioneer History," "the water and white sand 
were thrown up through a fissure of the earth." 
EAST DUBUQUE, an incorporated city of Jo 
Daviess County, on the east bank of the Missis- 
sippi, 17 miles (by rail) northeast of Galena. It 



is connected with Dubuque, Iowa, by a railroad 
and a wagon bridge two miles in length. It has 
a grain elevator, a box factory, a planing mill 
and manufactories of cultivators and sand drills. 
It has also a bank, two churches, good public 
schools and a weekly newspaper. Population 
(1880), 1,037; (1890), 1,069; (1900), 1,146. 

EASTON, (Col.) Rnfas, pioneer, founder of the 
city of Alton; was born at Litchfield, Conn., 
May 4, 1774; studied law and practiced two 
years in Oneida County, N. Y. ; emigrated to St. 
Louis in 1804, and was commissioned by President 
Jefferson Judge of the Territory of Louisiana, 
and also became the first Postmaster of St. Louis, 
in 1808. From 1814 to 1818 he served as Delegate 
in Congress from Missouri Territory, and, on the 
organization of the State of Missouri (1821), was 
appointed Attorney -General for the State, serving 
until 1826. His death occurred at St. Charles, 
Mo., July 5, 1834. Colonel Easton's connection 
with Illinois history is based chiefly upon the 
fact that he was the founder of the present city 
of Alton, which he laid out, in 1817, on a tract of 
land of which he had obtained possession at the 
mouth of the Little Piasa Creek, naming the 
town for his son. Rev. Thomas Lippincott, 
prominently identified with the early history of 
that portion of the State, kept a store for Easton 
at Milton, on Wood River, about two miles from 
Alton, in the early " '20's." 

EAST ST. LOUIS, a flourishing city in St. Clair 
County, on the east bank of the Mississippi di- 
rectly opposite St. Louis; is the terminus of 
twenty-two railroads and several electric lines, 
and the leading commercial and manufacturing 
point in Southern Illinois. Its industries include 
rolling mills, steel, brass, malleable iron and 
glass works, grain elevators and flour mills, 
breweries, stockyards and packing houses. The 
city has eleven public and five parochial schools, 
one high school, and two colleges; is well sup- 
plied with banks and has one daily and four 
weekly papers. Population (1890), 15,169; (1900), 
29,6,5.5; (1903. est.), 40.000. 

EASTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE IIVSANE. 
The act for the establishment of this institution 
passed the General Assembly in 1877. Many 
cities offered inducements, bj- way of donations, 
for the location of the new hospital, but the site 
finally selected was a farm of 250 acres near Blan- 
kakee, and this was subsequently enlarged by the 
purchase of 327 additional acres in 1881. Work 
was begun in 1878 and the first patients received 
in December, 1879. The plan of the institution 
is. in many respects, unique. It comprises a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



145 



general buildiner. three stories high, capable of 
accommodating 300 to 400 patients, and a number 
or detached buildings, technically termed cot- 
tages, where various classes of insane patients may 
be grouped and receive the particular treatment 
best adapted to ensure their recover}'. The plans 
were mainly worked out from suggestions by 
Frederick Howard Wines, LL.D., then Secretary 
of the Board of Public Charities, and have 
attracted generally favorable comment both in 
this country and abroad. The seventy-five build- 
ings occupied for the various purposes of the 
institution, cover a quarter-section of land laid off 
in regular streets, beautified with trees, plants 
and flowers, and presenting all the appearance of 
a flourishing village with numerous small parks 
adorned with walks and drives. The counties 
from which patients are received include Cook, 
Champaign, Coles, Cumberland, De Witt. Doug- 
las, Edgar, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, Kankakee, 
La Salle, Livingston, Macon, McLean, Moultrie 
Piatt, Shelby, Vermilion and Will. The whole 
number of patients in 1898 was 2,200, while the 
employes of all classes numbered .500. 

EASTERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution designed to qualify teachers for giving 
instruction in the public schools, located at 
Charleston, Coles County, under an act of the 
Legislature passed at the session of 1895. The 
act appropriated ?.50,000 for the erection of build- 
ings, to which additional appropriations were 
added in 1897 and 1898, of §25,000 and §50,000, 
respectively, with §56,216.72 contributed by the 
city of Charleston, making a total of §181,216.72. 
The building was begun in 1896, the corner-stone 
being laid on May 27 of that year. There was 
delay in the progress of the work in consequence 
of the failure of the contractors in December, 
1896, but the work was resumed in 1897 and 
practically completed early in 1899, with the 
expectation that the institution would be opened 
for the reception of students in September fol- 
lowing. 

EASTMAN, Zebina, anti-slaverj' journalist, 
was born at North Amherst, Mass., Sept. 8, 1815; 
became a printer's apprentice at 14, but later 
spent a short time in an academy at Hadley. 
Then, after a brief experience as an employe in 
the office of "The Hartford Pearl," at the age of 
18 he invested his patrimony of some §2,000 in 
the establishment of "The Free Press" at Fayette- 
ville, Vt. This venture proving unsuccessful, in 
1837 he came west, stopping a year or two at 
Ann Arbor, Mich. In 1839 he visited Peoria by 
way of Chicago, working for a time on "The 



Peoria Register," but soon after joined Benjamin 
Lundy, who was preparing to revive his paper, 
"The Genius of Universal Emancipation," at 
Lowell, La Salle County. This scheme was 
partially defeated by Lundy's early death, but, 
after a few months' delay, Eastman, in conjunc- 
tion with Hooper Warren, began the publication 
of "The Genius of Liberty" as the successor of 
Lundy 's paper, using the printing press which 
Warren had used in the office of "The Commer 
cial Advertiser," in Chicago, a year or so before. In 
1842, at the invitation of prominent Abolitionists, 
the paper was removed to Chicago, where it was 
issued under the name of "The Western Citizen," 
in 1853 becoming "The Free West," and finally, 
in 1856, being merged in "The Chicago Tribune." 
After the suspension of "The Free West," Mr. 
Eastman began the publication of "The Chicago 
Magazine," a literary and historical monthly, 
but it reached only its fifth number when it was 
discontinued for want of financial •iiupport. In 
1861 he was appointed by President Lincoln 
United States Consul at Bristol, England, where 
he remained eight years. On his return from 
Europe, he took up his residence at Elgin, later 
removing to Maywood, a suburb of Chicago, 
where he died, June 14, 1883. During the latter 
years of his life Mr. Eastman contributed many 
articles of great historical interest to the Chi- 
cago press. (See Lundy, Benjamin, and Warren, 
Hooper. ) 

EBERHART, John Trederick, educator and 
real-estate operator, was born in Mercer County, 
Pa., Jan. 21, 1829; commenced teaching at 16 
years of age, and, in 1853, graduated from Alle- 
gheny College, at Meadville, soon after becoming 
Principal of Albright Seminary at Berlin, in the 
same State ; in 1855 came west by way of Chicago, 
locating at Dixon and engaging in editorial work ; 
a year later established "The Northwestern 
Home and School Journal," which he published 
three years, in the meantime establishing and 
conducting teachers' institutes in Illinois, Iowa 
and Wisconsin. In 1859 he was elected School 
Commissioner of Cook County — a position which 
was afterwards changed to County Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and which he held ten years. Mr. 
Eberhart was largely instrumental in the estab- 
lishment of the Cook County Normal School. 
Since retiring from office he has been engaged in 
the real-estate business in Chicago. 

ECKHART, Bernard A., manufacturer and 
President of the Chicago Drainage Board, was 
born in Alsace, France (now Germany), brought 
to America in infancy and reared on a farm in 



146 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Vernon County, Wis. ; was educated at Milwau- 
kee, and, in 1868, became clerk in the office of the 
Eagle Milling Company of that city, afterwards 
.serving as its Eastern agent in various seaboard 
cities. He finally established an extensive mill- 
ing business in Chicago, in which he is now 
engaged. In 1884 he served as a delegate to the 
National Waterway Convention at St. Paul and, 
in 1886, was elected to the State Senate, serving 
four years and taking a prominent part in draft- 
ing the Sanitary Drainage Bill passed by the 
Thirty-sixth General Assembly. He has also been 
prominent in connection with various financial 
institutions, and, in 1891, was elected one of the 
Trustees of the Sanitary District of Chicago, was 
re-elected in 189.5 and chosen President of the 
Board for the following year, and re-elected Pres- 
ident in December, 1898. 

EDBROOKE, Willoiiarhby J., Supervising 
Architect, was born at Deerfield, Lake County, 
III., Sept. 3, 1843; brought up to the architectural 
profession by his father and under the instruc- 
tion of Chicago architects. During Mayor 
Roche's administration he held the position of 
Commissioner of Public Works, and, in April, 
1891, was appointed Supervising Architect of the 
Treasury Department at Washington, in that 
capacity supervising the congtruction of Govern- 
ment buildings at the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. Died, in Chicago, March 26, 1896. 

EDDY, Henry, pioneer lawyer and editor, 
was born in Vermont, in 1798, reared in New 
York, learned the printer's trade at Pittsburg, 
served in the War of 1812, and was wounded in 
the battle of Black Rock, near Buffalo ; came to 
Shawneetown, 111., in 1818, where he edited "The 
Illinois Emigrant," the earliest paper in that 
part of the State ; was a Presidential Elector in 
1824, a Representative in the Second and Fif- 
teenth General Assemblies, and elected a Circuit 
Judge in 1835, but resigned a few weeks later. 
He was a Whig in politics. Usher F. Linder, in 
his "Reminiscences of the Early Bench and Bar 
of Illinois," says of Mr. Eddy: "When he 
addressed the court, he elicited the mast profound 
attention. He was a sort of walking law library. 
He never forgot anything that he ever knew, 
whether law, poetry or belles lettres." Died, 
June 29, 1849. 

EDDY, Thomas Hears, clergyman and author, 
was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 
1823; educated at Greensborough, Ind., and, from 
1842 to 18.53, was a Methodist circuit preacher 
in that State, becoming Agent of the American 
Bible Society the latter year, and Presiding 



Elder of the Indianapolis district until 18.56, when 
he was appointed editor of "The Nortliwestern 
Christian Advocate," in Chicago, retiring from 
that position in 1868. Later, he held pastorates 
in Baltimore and Washington, and was chosen 
one of the Corresponding Secretaries of the Mis- 
sionary Society by the General Conference of 
1872. Dr. Eddy was a copious writer for the 
press, and, besides occasional sermons, pulilished 
two volumes of reminiscences and personal 
sketches of prominent Illinoisans in the War of 
the Rebellion under the title of "Patriotism of 
Illinois" (186.5). Died, in New York City, Oct. 
7, 1874. 

EDGAR, John, early settler at Kaskaskia, was 
born in Ireland and, during the American Revo- 
lution, served as an officer in the British navy, 
but married an American woman of great force 
of character wlio sympathized strongly with the 
patriot cause. Having become involved in the 
desertion of three British soldiers whom his wife 
had promised to assist in reaching the American 
camp, he was compelled to flee. A f ter remaining 
for a while in the American army, during which 
he became the friend of General La Faj'ette, he 
sought safety by coming west, arriving at Kas- 
kaskia in 1784. His property was confiscated, but 
his wife succeeded in saving some 512,000 from 
the wreck, with which she joined him two years 
later. He engaged in business and became an 
extensive land-owner, being credited, during 
Territorial days, with the ownership of nearly 
50,000 acres situated in Randolpli, Monroe, St. 
Clair, Madison, Clinton, Washington, Perry and 
Jackson Counties, and long known as the "Edgar 
lands." He also purchased and rebuilt a mill 
near Kaskaskia wliich had belonged to a French- 
man named Paget, and became a large shipper of 
flour at an early day to the Southern markets. 
When St. Clair County was organized, in 1790, he 
was appointed one of the Judges of the Common 
Pleas Court, and so appears to have continued 
for more than a quarter of a century. On the 
establishment of a Territorial Legislature for the 
Northwest Territory, he was chosen, in 1799, one 
of the members for St. Clair County — the Legis- 
lature holding its session at Chillicothe, in the 
present State of Ohio, under the administration 
of Governor St. Clair. He was also appointed a 
Major-General of militia, retaining the office for 
many years. General and Mrs. Edgar were 
leaders of society at the old Territorial capital, 
and, on the visit of La Fayette to Kaskaskia in 
1825. a reception was given at their house to the 
distinguished Frenchman, whose acquaintance 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



147 



they had made more than forty years before. He 
died at Kaskaskia, in 1832. Edgar County, in the 
eastern part of the State, was named in honor of 
General Edgar. He was Worshipful Master of 
the first Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted 
Masons in Illinois, constituted at Kaskaskia in 
1806. 

EDOAR COUiXTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties from north to south, lying on the east- 
ern border of the State ; was organized in 1823, 
and named for General Edgar, an early citizen of 
Kaskaskia. It contains 630 square miles, with 
a population (1900) of 28,273. The county is 
nearlj- square, well watered and wooded. Most 
of the acreage is under cultivation, grain-growing 
and stock-raising being the principal industries. 
Generally, the soil is black to a considerable 
depth, though at some points — especially adjoin- 
ing the timber lands in the east — the soft, brown 
clay of the subsoil comes to the surface. Beds of 
the drift period, one hundred feet deep, are found 
in the northern portion, and some twenty-five 
years ago a nearly perfect skeleton of a mastodon 
was exhumed. A bed of limestone, twenty-five 
feet thick, crops out near Baldwinsville and runs 
along Brouillet's creek to the State line. Paris, tlie 
county-seat, is a railroad center, and has a popu- 
lation of over 6,000. Vermilion and Dudley are 
prominent shipping points, while Chrisman, 
which was an unbroken prairie in 1872, was 
credited with a population of 900 in 1900. 

EDINBURG, a village of Christian County, on 
the Baltimore ct Ohio Soutliwestern Railway, 18 
miles southeast of Springfield; has two banks 
and one newspaper. The region is agricultural, 
though some coal is mined here. Population 
(1880), .5.51; (1890), 806; (1900), 1.071. 

EDSALL, James Eirtland, former Attorney 
General, was born at Windham, Greene County, 
N. Y., May 10, 1831. After passing through the 
common-schools, he attended an academy at 
Prattsville, N.Y., supporting himself , meanwhile, 
by working upon a farm. He read law at Pratts- 
ville and Catskill, and was admitted to the bar at 
Albany in 1852. The next two years he spent in 
Wisconsin and Miimesota, and, in 1854, removed 
to Leavenworth, Kan. He was elected to the 
Legislature of that State in 1835, being a member 
of the Topeka (free-soil) body when it was broken 
up by United States troops in 1856. In August, 
1856, he settled at Dixon, 111., and at once 
engaged in practice. In 1863 he was elected 
Mayor of that city, and, in 1870, was chosen State 
Senator, serving on tlie Committees on Munic- 
ipalities and Judiciary in the Twenty-seventh 



General Assembly. In 1873 he was elected 
Attorney-General on the Republican ticket and 
re-elected in 1876. At the expiration of his 
second term he took up his residence in Chicago, 
where he afterwards devoted himself to the prac- 
tice of his profession, until his death, which 
occurred, June 20, 1892. 

EDUCATION. 

The first step in the direction of the establish- 
ment of a system of free schools for the region 
now comprised within the State of Illinois was 
taken in the enactment by Congress, on May 20, 
1785, of "An Ordinance for Ascertaining the 
mode of disposing of lands in the Western Terri- 
tory. " This applied specifically to the region 
northwest of the Ohio River, which had been 
acquired through the conquest of the "Illinois 
Country" bj' Col. George Rogers Clark, acting 
under the auspices of the State of Virginia and 
by authority received from its Governor, the 
patriotic Patrick Henry. This act for the first 
time established the present sj'stem of township 
(or as it was then called, "rectangular") surveys, 
devised by Capt. Thomas Hutcliins, who became 
the first Surveyor-General (or "Geographer," as 
the oflBce was stjded) of the United States under 
the same act. Its important feature, in this con- 
nection, was the provision "that there shall be 
reserved the lot No. 16 of every township, for the 
maintenance of public schools within the town- 
ship. " The same reservation (the term "section" 
being substituted for "lot" in tlie act of May 18, 
1796) was made in all subsequent acts for the sale 
of public lands — the acts of July 23, 1787, and 
June 20, 1788, declaring that "the lot No. 16 in 
each to^vnship, or fractional part of a township," 
shall be "given perpetually for the purpose con- 
tained in said ordinance" (i. e., the act of 1785). 
The next step was taken in the Ordinance of 1787 
(Art. III.), in the declaration that, "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary for the 
hajipiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged." The 
reservation referred to in the act of 1785 (and 
subsequent acts) was reiterated in the "enabling 
act" passed by Congress, April 18, 1818, authoriz- 
ing the people of Illinois Territory to organize a 
State Government, and was formally accepted by 
the Convention which formed the first State 
Constitution. The enabling act also set apart one 
entire townsliip (in addition to one previously 
donated for the same purpose by act of Congress 
in 1804) for the use of a seminary of learning, 



148 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



together with three per cent of the net proceeds 
of the sales of public lands within the State, "to 
be appropriated by the Legislature of the State 
for the encouragement of learning, of which one- 
sixth part" (or one-half of one per cent) "shall 
be exclusively bestowed on a college or univer- 
sity." Thus, the plan for the establishment of a 
system of free public education in Illinois had its 
inception in the first steps for the organization of 
the Northwest Territory, was recognized in the 
Ordinance of 1787 which reserved that Territory 
forever to freedom, and was again reiterated in 
the preliminary steps for the organization of the 
State Government. These several acts became 
the basis of that permanent provision for the 
encouragement of education known as the "town- 
ship," "seminary" and "college or university" 
funds. 

Early Schools. — Previous to tliis, however, a 
beginning had been made in the attempt to estab- 
lish schools for the benefit of the children of the 
pioneers. One John Seeley is said to have taught 
the first American school within the territory of 
Illinois, in a log-cabin in Monroe Coimty, in 1783, 
followed by others in the next twenty years in 
Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair and Madison Coun- 
ties. Seeley's earliest successor was Francis 
Clark, who, in turn, was followed by a man 
named Halfpenny, who afterwards built a mill 
near the present town of Waterloo in Monroe 
County. Among the teachers of a still later period 
were John Boyle, a soldier in Col. George Rogers 
Clark's army, who taught in Randolph County 
between 1790 and 1800; John Atwater, near 
Edwardsville, in 1807, and John Messinger, a sur- 
veyor, who was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818 and Speaker of the first House 
of Representatives. The latter taught in the 
vicinity of Shiloh in St. Clair County, afterwards 
the site of Rev. John M. Peck's Rock Spring 
Seminary. The schools which existed during 
this period, and for many years after the organi- 
zation of the State Government, were necessarily 
few, widely scattered and of a very primitive 
character, receiving their support entirely by 
subscription from their patrons. 

First Free School Law and Sales of 
School Lands. — It has been stated that the first 
free school in the State was established at Upper 
Alton, in 1821, but there is good reason for believ- 
ing this claim was based upon the power granted 
by the Legislature, in an act passed that year, to 
establish such schools there, which power was 
never carried into effect. The first attempt to 
establish a free-school system for the whole State 



was made in January, 1825, in the passage of a 
bill introduced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards a 
Congressman and Governor of the State. Ii 
nominally appropriated two dollars out of each one 
hundred dollars received in the State Treasurj-, 
to be distributed to those who had paid taxes or 
subscriptions for the support of schools. So 
small was the aggregate revenue of the State at 
that time (only a little over §GO,000), that the 
sum realized from this law would have been but 
little more than §1,000 per year. It remained 
practically a dead letter and was repealed in 1829, 
when the State inaugurated the policy of selling 
the seminary lands and borrowing the proceeds 
for the payment of current expenses. In this 
way 43,200 acres (or all but four and a half sec- 
tions) of the seminary lands were disposed of, 
realizing less than §60,000. The first sale of 
township school lands took place in Greene 
County in 1831, and, two years later, the greater 
part of the school section in the heart of the 
present city of Chicago was sold, producing 
about §39,000. The average rate at which these 
sales were made, up to 1882, was §3.78 per acre^ 
and the minimum, 70 cents per acre. That 
these lands have, in very few instances, produced 
the results expected of them, was not so much 
the fault of tlie system as of those selected to 
administer it — whose bad judgment in premature 
sales, or whose complicity with the schemes of 
speculators, were the means, in many cases, of 
squandering what might otherwise have furnished 
a liberal provision for the support of public 
schools in many sections of the State. Mr. W. L. 
Pillsbury, at present Secretary of the University 
of Illinois, in a paper printed in the report of the 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
1885-86 — to which the writer is indebted for many 
of the facts presented in this article — gives to 
Chicago the credit of establishing the first free 
schools in the State in 1834, while Alton followed 
in 1837, and Springfield and Jacksonville in 1840. 
Early Higher Institutions. — A movement 
looking to the establishment of a higher institu- 
tion of learning in Indiana Territorj' (of which 
Illinois then formed a part), was inaugurated by 
the passage, through the Territorial Legislature at 
Vincennes, in November, 1806, of an act incorpo- 
rating the University of Indiana Territory to be 
located at Vincennes. One provision of the act 
authorized the raising of §20,000 for the institu- 
tion by means of a lottery. A Board of Trustees 
was promptly organized, with Gen. William 
Henry Harrison, then the Territorial Governor, 
at its head ; but, beyond the erection of a building, 



HISTOKICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



149 



little progress was made. Twenty-one years 
later (1827) the first successful attempt to found 
an advanced scliool was made by the indomitable 
Rev. John M. Peck, resulting in the establish- 
ment of his Theological Seminary and High 
School at Rock Springs, St. Clair County, which, 
in 1831, became the nucleus of Shurtleff College at 
Upper Alton. In like manner, Lebanon Semi- 
nary, established in 18'38, two years later 
expanded into McKendree College, while instruc- 
tion began to be given at Illinois College, Jack- 
sonville, in December, 1829, as the outcome of a 
movement started by a band of young men at 
Yale College in 1827 — these several institutions 
being formally incorporated by the same act of 
the Legislature, passed in 1835. (See sketches of 
these Institutions.) 

EDuc.iTiox.\L Conventions. — In 1833 there 
was held at Vandalia (then the State capital) the 
first of a series of educational conventions, which 
were continued somewhat irregularly for twenty 
years, and whose history is remarkable for the 
number of those participating in them who after- 
wards gained distinction in State and National 
history. At first these conventions were held at 
the State capital during the sessions of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, when the chief actors in them 
were members of that body and State officers, 
with a few other friends of education from the 
ranks of professional or business men. At the 
convention of 1833, we find, among those partici- 
pating, the names of Sidney Breese, afterwards a 
United States Senator and Justice of the Supreme 
Court; Judge S. D. Lock wood, then of the Supreme 
Court; W. L. D. Ewing, afterwards acting Gov- 
ernor and United States Senator ; O. H. Browning, 
afterwards t^nited States Senator and Secretary 
of the Interior; James Hall and John Russell, 
the most notable writers in the State in their day, 
besides Dr. J. M. Peck, Archibald Williams, 
Benjamin Mills, Jesse B. Thomas, Henry Eddy 
and others, all prominent in their several depart- 
ments. In a second convention at the same 
place, nearlj- two years later, Abraham Lincoln, 
Stephen A. Douglas and Col. John J. Hardin 
were participants. At Springfield, in 1840, pro- 
fessional and literary men began to take a more 
prominent part, althougli the members of the 
Legislature were present i^i considerable force. 
A convention held at Peoria, in 1844, was made 
up largely of professional teachers and school 
officers, with a few citizens of local prominence; 
and tlie same may be said of those held at Jack- 
sonville in 1845, and later at Chicago and other 
IX'ints. Various attempts were made to form 



permanent educational societies, finally result- 
ing, in December, 1854, in the organization of the 
"State Teachers' Institute," which, three years 
later, took the name of the "State Teachers' 
Association" — though an association of the same 
name was organized in 1836 and continued in 
existence several years. 

State Superintendent and School Jour- 
nals. — The appointment of a State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction began to be agitated as 
early as 1837, and was urged from time to time in 
memorials and resolutions by educational conven- 
tions, by the educational jiress, and in the State 
Legislature; but it was not until February, 1854, 
that an act was passed creating the office, when 
the Hon. Ninian W. Edwards was appointed by 
Gov. Joel A. Matteson, continuing in office until 
his successor was elected in 1856. "The Common 
School Advocate" was published for a year at 
Jacksonville, beginning with January, 1837; in 
1841 "The Illinois Common School Advocate'' 
began publication at Springfield, but was discon- 
tinued after the issue of a few numbers. In 1855 
was established "The Illinois Teacher." This 
was merged, in 1873, in "The Illinois School- 
master," which became the organ of the State 
Teachers' Association, so remaining several years. 
The State Teachers' Association has no official 
organ now, but the "Public School Journal" is 
the chief educational publication of the State. 

Industrial Education. — In 1851 was insti- 
tuted a movement which, although obstructed for 
some time by partisan opposition, has been 
followed by more far-reaching results, for the 
countrj" at large, than any single measure in the 
history of education since the act of 1785 setting 
apart one section in each township for the support 
of public schools. Tliis was the scheme formu- 
lated by the late Prof. Jonathan B. Turner, of 
Jacksonville, for a system of practical scientific 
education for the agricultural, mechanical and 
other industrial classes, at a Farmers' Convention 
lield under the aiLspices of tlie Buel Institute (an 
Agricultural Societj), at GranviUe, Putnam 
County, Nov. 18, 1851. While "proposing a plan 
for a "State University" for Illinois, it also advo- 
cated, from the outset, a "University for the 
industrial classes in each of the States," by way 
of supplementing tlie work which a "National 
Institute of Science," such as the Smithsonian 
Institute at Washington, was expected to accom- 
plish. The proposition attracted the attention 
of persons interested in the cause of industrial 
education in other States, especially in New 
York and some of the New England States, and 



150 



IIISTOKICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



received their hearty endorsement and cooper- 
ation. The Granville meeting was followed by a 
series of similar conventions held at Springfield, 
June 8, 18.52 ; Chicago, Nov. 24, 18.52 ; Springfield, 
Jan. 4, 1833, and Springfield, Jan. 1, 18.55, at 
which tlie scheme was still further elaborated. 
At the Springfield meeting of January, 18.53, an 
organization was formed under the title of the 
"Industrial League of the State of Illinois," with 
a view to disseminating information, securing 
more thorough organization on tlie part of friends 
of the measure, and the employment of lecturers 
to address the people of tlie State on the subject. 
At the same time, it was resolved that "this Con- 
vention memorialize Congress for the purpose of 
obtaining a grant of public lands to establish and 
endow industrial institutions in each and every 
State in the Union." It is worthy of note that 
this resolution contains the central idea of the 
act pas.sed by Congress nearly ten j-ears after- 
ward, making appropriations of jjublic lands for 
the establishment and support of industrial 
colleges in the several States, which act received 
the approval of President Lincoln, July 2, 1862 — 
a similar measure liaving been vetoed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan in February, 1859. The State 
was extensively canvassed by Professor Turner, 
Mr. Bronson Murray (now of New York), the late 
Dr. R. C. Rutherford and others, in belialf of the 
objects of the League, and tlie Legislature, at its 
session of 1853, by unanimous vote in both houses, 
adopted the resolutions commending the measure 
and instructing the United States Senators from 
Illinois, and requesting its Representatives, to 
give it their support. Though not specifically 
contemplated at the outset of the movement, the 
Convention at Springfield, in January, 1855, pro- 
posed, as a part of the scheme, the establishment 
of a "Teachers' Seminary or Normal School 
Department," which took form in the act passed 
at the session of 1857, for tlie establishment of 
the State Normal School at Normal. Although 
delayed, as already stated, the advocates of indus- 
trial education in Illinois, aided by those of other 
States, finallj' triumphed in 1862. The lands 
received by the State as the result of this act 
amounted to 480.000 acres, besides subsequent do- 
nations. (See University of Illinois; also TiiDier, 
Jonathan Baldwin.) On the foundation thus 
furnished was established, by act of the Legisla- 
ture in 1867, the "Illinois Industrial Universitj'" 
■ — now the University of Illinois — at Champaign, 
to say nothing of more than forty similar insti- 
tutions in as many States and Territories, based 
upon the same general act of Congress. 



Free-School System. — While there may be 
said to have been a sort of free-school system in 
existence in Illinois previous to 1855, it was 
limited to a few fortunate districts possessing 
funds derived from the sale of school-lands situ- 
ated within their respective limits. The system 
of free schools, as it now exists, based upon 
general taxation for the creation of a permanent 
school fund, had its origin in tlie act of that 
year. As already shown, the office of State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction had been 
created by act of the Legislature in February, 
1854, and the act of 1855 was but a natural corol- 
lary of the previous measure, giving to the people 
a uniform system, as the earlier one had provided 
an oflScial for its administration. Since then 
there have been many amendments of the school 
law, but tliese have been generally in the direc- 
tion of securing greater efficiency, but with- 
out departure from the principle of securing 
to all the children of the State the equal 
privileges of a common-school education. The 
development of the system began practically 
about 1857, and, in the next quarter of a 
century, the laws on the subject had grown 
into a considerable volume, while the number- 
less decisions, emanating from the office of the 
State Superintendent in construction of these 
laws, made up a volume of still larger proportions. 

The following comparative table of school 
statistics, for 1860 and 1896, compiled from the 
Reports of the State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, will illustrate the growth of the 
system in some of its more important features : 

I8G0. 1896. 

Population 1.711,951 (est.) 4,250,000 

No. of PersoiM of School Age t be- 
tween 6 and 21 ) •.549.604 1,384.367 

No. of Pupils enrolled ^^TZ:M7 898,619 

School Districts 8,956 11,615 

Public Schools .. 9,1S2 12,623 

Graded •• 294 1,S87 

Public High Schools 272 

■' .Schnol Houses buUt during 

ilievear 557 267 

Whole No. of School Houses 8.2-.:l 12.6:12 

No. of Male Teachers 8.223 7.0.57 

Female Teachers 6,485 18,359 

Whole No. of Teachers in Public 

Schools 14.708 26.416 

Highest Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers $180.00 1300.00 

Highest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers 75.00 280.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 8.00 14.00 

Lowest Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers... 4.00 10.00 

Average Monthly Wages paid Male 

Teachers 28.82 67.76 

Average Monthly Wages paid 

Female Teachers 18.80 60,63 

No. of Private Schools 500 2,619 

No. of Pupils in Private Schools.... 29,264 139,969 
Interest on State and County Funds 

received $73,450.36 865,583.63 

Amount of Income from Township 

Funds 322,852.00 889,614.20 

•Only white children were included In these statistics for 
1360. 




o 

z 

J 

b 
O 



O 






HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



151 



ISfiO. ls%. 
Amount received from State Tai.. ? 690,0lio.liu J I.ouu.ouO.ilo 
" '• " Special Dis- 
trict Taxes 1,365.137.011 IS.IM.Sua.fil 

A.niuuiu received I'roiu Bunds dur- 
ing tlie year 617,960.93 

Total Amount received during tlie 

year by Wcliool Districts 2,193,455.00 19,607.172.50 

Amount paid MaleTeacberB 2.7r2.829.:i2 

■• Fen. ale ■■ 7.186.1U5.f.7 

Wholeamount paid Teachers .... 1,542,211.00 9,95Jj,934.a9 
Amount paid for new School 

Houses 848,728.00 1,873,757.25 

Amount paid for repairs and im- 
provements 1,070,755.09 

Amount paid for School Furniture. 24,837.00 154,836.64 

Apparatus 8,563.00 164,298.92 

" " " Books for Dis- 
trict Libraries 30.12400 13,664.97 

Total Kxpeiiditures 2.259,868.00 14,614,627.31 

Estimated valueotSchool Property 13,304,892.00 42,780.2ii7.00 

•• Libraries.. 377,819.00 

" " " Apparatus 607,.'iS9.00 

Tlie sums annuallj' disbursed for incidental 
expenses on account of superintendence and the 
cost of maintaining the higher institutions estab- 
lished, and partially or wholly supported by the 
State, increase the total expenditures by some 
$600,000 per annum. These higher institutions 
include the Illinois State Xoriual University at 
Normal, the Southern Illinois Normal at Carbon- 
dale and tlie University of Illinois at Urbana; to 
which were added by the Legislature, at its ses- 
sion of 189.3, the Eastern Illinois Normal School, 
afterwards established at Charleston, and tlie 
Northern Illinois Normal at De Kalb. These 
institutions, although under supervision of the 
State, are partly supported bj- tuition fees. (See 
description of these institutions under their 
several titles.) The normal schools — as their 
names indicate — are primarily designed for the 
training of teachers, although other classes of 
pupils are admitted under certain conditions, 
including the payment of tuition. At the Uni- 
versity of Illinois instruction is given in the clas- 
sics, the sciences, agriculture and the mechanic 
arts. In addition to these the State supports four 
other institutions of an educational rather than a 
custodial character — viz. : the Institution for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Insti- 
tution for the Blind, at Jacksonville; the A.sylum 
for the Feeble-Minded at Lincoln, and the Sol- 
diers' Orphans' Home at Normal. The estimated 
value of the property connected with these 
several institutions, in addition to the value of 
school property given in the preceding table, will 
increase the total (exclusive of permanent funds) 
to $17, l.').^, 374. 9.5, of which §4,37.5,107.9.5 repre- 
sents property belonging to the institutions above 
mentioned. 

Powers and Duties of Superintendents 
AND Other School Officers.— Each county 
elects a County Superintendent of Schools, whose 
duty it is to visit schools, conduct teachers" insti- 
tutes, advise with teachers and school ofBcers and 



instruct them in their respective duties, conduct 
examinations of persons desiring to become 
teachers, and exercise general supervision over 
school affairs within his county. The subordi- 
nate officers are Township Trustees, a Township 
Treasurer, and a Board of District Directors or — 
ill place of the latter in cities and villages — Boards 
of Education. The two last named Boards have 
power to employ teachers and, generally, to super- 
vise the management of schools in districts. The 
State Superintendent is entrusted with general 
supervision of the common-school system of the 
State, and it is his duty to advise and assist 
County Superintendents, to visit State Charitable 
institutions, to issue official circulars to teachers, 
school officers and others in regard to their rights 
and duties under the general school code; to 
decide controverted questions of school law, com- 
ing to him by appeal from County Superintend- 
ents and others, and to make full and detailed 
reports of the operations of his office to the 
Governor, biennially. He is also made ex-officio 
a member of the Board of Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois and of the several Normal Schools, 
and is empowered to grant certificates of two 
different grades to teachers — the higher grade to 
be valid during the lifetime of the holder, and 
the lower for two years. Certificates granted by 
County Superintendents are also of two grades 
and have a tenure of one and two years, respec- 
tively, in the county where given. The conditions 
for securing a certificate of the first (or two- 
years") grade, require that the candidate shall be 
of good moral character and qualified to teach 
orthography, reading in English, penmanship, 
arithmetic, modern geography, English grammar, 
the elements of the natural sciences, the history 
of the United States, physiology and the laws of 
health. The second grade (or one-year) certifi- 
cate calls for examination in the branches just 
enumerated, except the natural sciences, physi- 
ologj' and laws of health ; but teachers employed 
exclusiveh' in giving instruction in music, draw- 
ing, penmanship or other special branches, may 
take examinations in these branches alone, but 
are restricted, in teaching, to those in which they 
have been examined. — County Boards are 
empowered to establish County Normal Schools 
for the education of teachers for the common 
schools, and the management of such normal 
schools is placed in the hands of a County Board 
of Education, to consist of not less than five nor 
more than eight persons, of whom the Chairman 
of the County Board and the County Superin- 
tendent of Schools shall be ex-oflScio members. 



152 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Boards of Education and Directors may establish 
kindergartens (when authorized to do so by vote 
of a majority of the voters of their districts), for 
children between the ages of four and six years, 
but the cost of supporting the same must be 
defrayed by a special tax. — A compulsory pro- 
vision of the School Law requires tliat each child, 
between the ages of seven and fourteen years, 
shall be sent to school at least sixteen weeks of 
each 3'ear, unless otherwise instructed in the 
elementary branches, or disqualified by physical 
or mental disability. — Under the provisions of an 
act, passed in 1891, women are made eligible to 
any office created by the general or special school 
laws of the State, when twenty -one years of age 
or upwards, and otherwise possessing the same 
qualifications for the office as are prescribed for 
men. (For list of incumbents in the office of 
State Superintendent, see Superintendents of 
Public Instruction. ) 

EDWARDS, Arthur, D.D., clergj-man, soldier 
and editor, was born at Norwalk, Ohio, Nov. 23, 
1834; educated at Albion, Mich., and the Wes- 
leyan University of Ohio, graduating from the 
latter in 18.58 ; entered the Detroit Conference of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church the same year, 
was ordained in 1860 and, from 18G1 until after 
the battle of Gettysburg, served as Chaplain of 
the First Michigan Cavalry, when he resigned to 
accept the colonelcy of a cavalry regiment. In 
1864, he was elected assistant editor of "The 
Northwestern Christian Advocate" at Chicago, 
and, on the retirement of Dr. Eddy in 1872, 
became Editor-in-chief, being re-elected every 
four j-ears thereafter to the present time. He 
has also been a member of each General Confer- 
ence since 1872, was a member of the Ecumenical 
Conference at London in 1881, and has held other 
positions of prominence within the church. 

EDWARDS, Cyrus, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Montgomery County, Md., Jan. 17, 1793; at the 
age of seven accompanied his parents to Ken- 
tucky, where he received his primary education, 
and studied law ; was admitted to the bar at Kas- 
kaskia. 111., in 1815, Ninian Edwards (of whom he 
was the youngest brother) being then Territorial 
Governor. During the next fourteen years he 
resided alternately in Missouri and Kentuckj', 
and, in 1829, took up his residence at Edwards- 
ville. Owing to impaired health he decided to 
abandon his profession and engage in general 
business, later becoming a resident of L'pper 
Alton. In 1832 he was elected to the lower house 
of the Legislature as a Whig, and again, in 1840 
and '60. the last time as a Republican ; was State 



.Senator from 183.5 to '39, and was also the Whig 
candidate for Governor, in 1838, in opposition to 
Thomas C'arlin (Democrat), who was elected. He 
served in the Black Hawk War, was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1847, and espe- 
cially interested in education and in public chari- 
ties, being, for thirty-five years, a Trustee of 
Shurtleff College, to which he was a most 
munificent benefactor, and which conferred on 
him the degree of LL.D. in 1852. Died at Upper 
Alton, September, 1877. 

EDWARDS, >'lnian, Territorial Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Montgomery 
County, Md., March 17, 1775; for a time had the 
celebrated William Wirt as a tutor, completing 
his course at Dickinson College. At the age of 19 
he emigrated to Kentucky, where, after .squander- 
ing considerable money, he studied law and, step 
by step, rose to be Chief Justice of the Court of 
Appeals. In 1809 President Madison appointed 
him the first Territorial Governor of Illinois. 
This office he held until the admission of Illinois 
as a State in 1818, when he was elected United 
Sates Senator and re-elected on the completion of 
his first (the short) term. In 1826 he was elected 
Governor of the State, his successful administra- 
tion terminating in 1830. In 1832 he became a 
candidate for Congress, but was defeated by 
Charles Slade. He was able, magnanimous and 
incorruptible, although charged with aristocratic 
tendencies which were largely hereditary. Died, 
at his home at Belleville, on July 20, 1833, of 
cholera, the disease having been contracted 
througli self-sacrificing efforts to assist sufferers 
from the epidemic. His demise cast a gloom 
over the entire State. Two valuable volumes 
bearing upon State history, comprising his cor- 
respondence with many public men of his time, 
have been published ; the first under the title of 
"History of Illinois and Life of Ninian Edwards, " 
by his son, the late Ninian Wirt Edwards, and 
the other "The Edwards Papers," edited bj' the 
late Elihu B. Washburne, and printed under the 
auspices of the Chicago Historical Society. — 
Ninian Wirt (Edwards), son of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards, was born at Frankfort, Ky. , April 15, 
1809, the year his father became Territorial 
Governor of Illinois ; spent his boyhood at Kas- 
kaskia, EdwardsviUe and Belleville, and was 
educated at Transj'lvania University, graduating 
in 1833. He married Elizabeth P. Todd, a sister 
of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln, was appointed Attor- 
ney-General in 1834. but resigned in 1835, when 
he removed to Springfield. In 1836 he was 
elected to the Legislature from Sangamon 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



153 



County, as the colleague of Abraham Lincoln, 
being one of the celebrated "Long Nine," and 
was influential in securing the removal of the 
State capital to Springfield. He was re-elected 
to the House in 1S38, to tlie State Senate in 1844, 
and again to tlie House in 1S4S ; was also a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1847. 
Again, in 1850, he was elected to the House, but 
resigned on accoimt of liis change of politics 
from Whig to Democratic, and, in the election to 
fill the vacancy, was defeated by James C. Conk- 
ling. He served as Superintendent of Public 
Instruction by appointment of Governor Matte- 
son, 1854-57, and, in 1861, was appointed by 
President Lincoln, Captain Commissary of Sub- 
sistence, which position he filled until Jime, 1865, 
since which time he remained in private life. He 
is the author of the '"Life and Times of Ninian 
Edwards" (1870), which was prepared at the 
request of the State Historical Society. Died, at 
Springfield, Sept. 2, 1889. — Benjamin Stevenson 
(Edwards), lawyer and jurist, another son of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards, was born at Edwardsville, 111., 
June 3, 1818, graduated from Yale College in 
1838, and was admitted to the bar the following 
year. Originally a Whig, he subsequently 
became a Democrat, was a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, and, in 1868, was 
an unsuccessful candidate for Congress in opposi- 
tion to Shelby JI. Cullom. In 1869 he was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Springfield Circuit, but 
within eighteen months resigned the position, 
preferring the excitement and emoluments of 
private practice to the dignity and scanty salary 
attaching to the bench. As a lawyer and as a 
citizen he was imiversally respected. Died, at 
hLs home in Springfield, Feb. 4, 1886, at the time 
of his decease being President of the Illinois 
State Bar Association. 

EDWARDS, Richard, educator, ex-Superin- 
tendent of Public Instruction, was born in Cardi- 
ganshire, Wales, Dec. 23, 1822; emigrated witli 
his parents to Portage County, Ohio, and began 
life on a farm; later graduated at the State 
Normal School, Bridgewater, JIass., and from 
the Polytechnic Institute at Troj-, N. Y., receiv- 
ing the degrees of Bachelor of Science and Civil 
Engineer ; served for a time as a civil engineer 
on the Boston water works, then beginning a 
career as a teacher which continued almost unin- 
terruptedly for thirtj'-five years. During this 
period he was connected with the Normal School 
at Bridgewater; a Boys' High School at Salem, 
and the State Normal at the same place, coming 
west in 1857 to establish the Normal School at St. 



Louis, Mo., still later becoming Principal of the 
St. Louis High School, and, in 1862, accepting the 
Presidencj' of the State Normal University, at 
Normal, 111. It was here wliere Dr. Edwards, 
remaining fourteen years, accomplished his 
greatest work and left his deepest impress upon 
the educational system of the State by personal 
contact with its teachers. The next nine years 
were spent as pastor of the First Congregational 
chui-ch at Princeton, wlien, after eighteen 
months in the service of Knox College as Finan- 
cial Agent, he was again called, in 1886, to a 
closer connection with the educational field by 
his election to the office of State Superintendent 
of Public Instruction, serving until 1891, when, 
having failed of a re-election, he soon after 
assumed the Presidency of Blackburn University 
at CarUnville. Failing liealth, however, com- 
pelled his retirement a year later, when he 
removed to Bloomington, which is now (1898) 
his place of residence. 

EDWARDS COUNTY, situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State, between Richland and 
White on the north and south, and Wabash and 
Wa}"ne on the east and west, and touching the 
Ohio River on its southeastern border. It was 
separated from Gallatin Countj- in 1814, during 
the Territorial period. Its territory was dimin- 
ished in 1824 by the carving out of Wabash 
County. The surface is diversified by prairie 
and timber, the soil fertile and well adapted to 
the raising of both wheat and corn. The princi- 
pal streams, besides the Ohio, are Bonpas Creek, 
on the east, and the Little Wabash River on the 
west. Palmyra (a place no longer on the map) 
was the seat for holding the first county court. 
in 1815, John Mclntosli, Seth Gard and William 
Barney being the Judges. Albion, the present 
county-seat (population, 937), was laid out by 
Morris Birkbeck and George Flower (emigrants 
from England), in 1819, and settled largely by 
their countrymen, but not incorporated until 
1860. The area of the county is 220 square 
miles, and population, in 1900, 10,345. Grayville. 
with a population of 2,000 in 1890, is partly in 
this county, though mostly in White. Edwards 
County was named in honor of Ninian Edwards, 
the Territorial Governor of Illinois. 

EDWARDSVILLE, the county-seat of Madison 
County, settled in 1812 and named in honor of 
Territorial Governor Ninian Edwards; is on four 
lines of railway and contiguous to two others, 18 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Edwardsville was 
the home of some of the most prominent men in 
the history of the State, including Governors Ed- 



154 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wards, Coles, and others. It has pressed and 
shale brickyards, coal mines, flour mills, machine 
shops, banks, electric street railway, water-works, 
schools, and churches. In a suburb of the city 
(LeClaire) is a cooperative manufactory of sani- 
tary supplies, using large shops and doing a large 
business. Edwardsville has three newspapers, 
one issued semi-weekly. Population (1890), 3,561 ; 
(1900), 4,1.57; with suburb (estimated), 5,000, 

EFFINGHAM, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Effingliam County, 9 miles northeast from 
St. Louis and 199 southwest of Chicago ; has four 
papers, creamery, milk condensory, and ice fac- 
tory. Population (1890), 3,260; (1900), 3,774. 

EFFINGHAM COUNTY, cut oflf from Fayette 
(and separately organized) in 1831 — named for 
Gen. Edward Effingham. It is situated in the 
central portion of the State, 62 miles northeast of 
St. Louis ; has an area of 490 square miles and a 
population(l900) of 20,465. T. M. Short, I. Fanchon 
and William I. Hawkins were the first County 
Commissioners. Effingham, the county -seat, was 
platted by Messrs. Alexander and Little in 1854. 
Messrs. Gillenwater, Hawkins and Brown were 
among the earliest settlers. Several lines of rail- 
way cross the county. Agriculture and sheep- 
raising are leading Industries, wool being one of 
the principal products. 

EGAN, William Bradshaw, M.D., pioneer phy- 
sican, was born in Ireland, Sept. 28, 1808; spent 
some time during his youth in the study of sur- 
gery in England, later attending lectmes at Dub- 
lin. About 1828 he went to Canada, taught for 
a time in the schools of Quebec and Montreal 
and, in 1830, was licensed by the Medical Board 
of New Jersey and began practice at Newark in 
that State, later practicing in New York. In 
1883 he removed to Chicago and was early recog- 
nized as a prominent physician ; on July 4, 1836, 
delivered the address at the breaking of ground 
for the Illinois & Michigan Canal. During the 
early years of his residence in Chicago, Dr. Egan 
was owner of the block on which the Tremont 
House stands, and erected a number of houses 
there. He was a zealous Democrat and a delegate 
to the first Convention of that party, held at 
Joliet in 1843; was elected County Recorder in 
1844 and Representative in the Eighteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly (18.53-54). Died, Oct. 27, 1860. 

ELBURN, a village of Kane County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 8 miles west 
of Geneva. It has banks and a weekly news- 
paper Population (1890), 584; (1900), 606. 

ELDORADO, a town in Saline County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis, the 



Louisville & Nashville, and the St. Louis, Alton 
& Terre Haute Railroads; has a bank and one 
newspaper; district argicultural. Population, 
(1900), 1,445. 

ELDRIDGE, Hamilton N., lawyer and soldier, 
was born at South Williamstown, Mass., August, 
1837 ; graduated at Williams College in the class 
with President Garfield, in 1836, and at Albany 
Law School, in 1857; soon afterward came to 
Chicago and began practice; in 1862 assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was elected 
Lieutenant-Colonel, before the end of the year 
being promoted to the position of Colonel; dis- 
tinguished himself at Arkansas Post, Chicka- 
mauga and in the battles before Vicksburg, 
winning the rank of Brevet Brigadier-General, 
but, after two years' service, was compelled to 
retire on accoimt of disability, being carried east 
on a stretcher. Subsequently he recovered suffi- 
ciently to resume his profession, but died in 
Chicago, Dec. 1, 1882, much regretted by a large 
circle of friends, with whom he was exceedingly 
popular. 

ELECTIONS. The elections of public officers 
in Illinois are of two general classes: (I) those 
conducted in accordance with United States 
laws, and (II) those conducted exclusively under 
State laws. 

I. To the first class belong: (1) the election of 
United States Senators; (2) Presidential Elect- 
ors, and (3 ) Representatives in Congress. 1. 
(United States Senators). The election of 
United States Senators, while an act of the State 
Legislature, is conducted solely under forms pre- 
scribed by the laws of the United States. These 
make it the duty of the Legislature, on the second 
Tuesday after convening at the session next pre- 
ceding the expiration of the term for which any 
Senator may have been chosen, to proceed to 
elect his successor in the following manner; 
Each Hou.se is required, on the day designated, in 
open session and by the viva voce vote of each 
member present, to name some person for United 
States Senator, the result of the balloting to be 
entered on the journals of the respective Houses. 
At twelve o'clock (M.) on the day following the 
day of election, the members of the two Houses 
meet in joint assembly, when the journals of both 
Houses are read. If it appears that the same 
person has received a majority of all the votes in 
each House, he is declared elected Senator. If, 
however, no one has received such majority, or 
if either House has failed to take proceedings as 
required on the preceding day, then the members 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



155 



of the two Houses, in joint assembly, proceed to 
ballot for Senator by viva voce vote of members 
present. The person receiving a majority of all 
the votes cast— a majoritj- of tlie members of 
both Houses being present and voting — is declared 
elected; otherwise the joint assembly is renewed 
at noon each legislative day of the session, and at 
least one ballot taken until a Senator is chosen. 
When a vacancy exists in the Senate at the time 
of the assembling of the Legislature, the same 
rule prevails as to the time of holding an election 
to fill it; and, if a vacancy occurs during the 
session, the Legislature is required to proceed to 
an election on the second Tuesdaj' after having 
received official notice of such vacancy. The 
tenure of a L'nited States Senator for a full term 
is six years^the regular term beginning with a 
new Congres.s — the two Senators from each State 
belonging to different "classes," so that their 
terms expire alternately at periods of two and 
four years from each other. — 2. (Presidential 
Electors). The choice of Electors of President 
and Vice-President is made by popular vote 
taken quadrennially on the Tuesday after the 
first Jlonday in November. The date of such 
election is fixed by act of Congress, being the 
same as that for Congressman, although the State 
Legislature prescribes the manner of conducting 
it and making returns of the same. The number 
of Electors chosen equals the number of Senators 
and Representatives taken together (in 1899 it 
was twenty-four), and they are elected on a gen- 
eral ticket, a plurality of votes being sufficient to 
elect. Electors meet at the State capital on the 
second Monday of January after their election 
(Act of Congress, 1887), to cast the vote of the 
State. — 3. (Members of Congress). The elec- 
tion of Representatives in Congress is also held 
imder United States law, occurring biennially 
(on the even years) simultaneously with the gen- 
eral State election in November. Should Congress 
select a different date for such election, it would 
be the duty of the Legislature to recognize it by 
a corresponding change in the State law relating 
to the election of Congressmen. The tenure of a 
Congi'essman is two years, the election being by 
Districts instead of a general ticket, as in the 
case of Presidential Electors— the term of each 
Representative for a full term beginning with a 
new Congress, on the 4th of Marcli of the odd 
years following a general election. (See Con- 
gresnional Apportionment . ) 

II. All officers under the State Government — 
except Boards of Trustees of cliaritable and jienal 
institutions or tlie lieads of certain departments, 



which are made appointive by the Governor — are 
elected by popular vote. Apart from county 
officers the}' consist of three classes; (1) Legisla- 
tive; (3) Executive; (3) Judicial — which are 
chosen at different times and for different periods. 
1. (Legislature). Legislative officers consist of 
Senators and Representatives, chosen at elections 
lield on the Tuesday after the first Monday of 
November, biennially. Tlie regular term of a 
Senator (of whom there are fifty-one under the 
present Constitution) is four years; twenty-five 
(those in Districts bearing even numbers) being 
chosen on the years in which a President and 
Governor are elected, and the other twenty-six at 
the intermediate period two years later. Thus, 
one-half of each State Senate is composed of what 
are called "liold-over" Senators. Representatives 
are elected biennially at the November election, 
and hold office two years. The qualifications as 
to eligibility for a seat in the State Senate require 
that the incumbent shall be 25 years of age, 
while 21 years renders one eligible to a seat in 
the House — the Constitution requiring that each 
shall have been a resident of the State for five 
j-ears, and of the District for which he is chosen, 
two years next preceding his election. (See 
Legislative Apportionment and Minority Rejire- 
sentation.) — 2. (Executive Officers). The 
officers constituting the Executive Department 
include the Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, 
Secretary of State, Auditor of Public Accounts, 
Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and Attorney -General. Each of these, except the 
State Treasurer, holds office four years and — with 
the exception of the Treasurer and Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — are elected at the 
general election at which Presidential Electors 
are chosen. The election of State Superintendent 
occurs on the intermediate (even) years, and that 
of State Treasurer every two years coincidently 
witli the election of Governor and Supei-intendent 
of Public Instruction, respectively. (See Execu- 
tive Officers.) In addition to the State officers 
already named, three Trustees of the Universitv 
of Illinois are elected biennially at the general 
election in November, each holding office for 
six years. These trustees (nine in number), 
with tlie Governor, President of the State Board 
of Agriculture and the Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, constitute the Board of Trustees of 
the University of Illinois. — 3. (Judiciary). The 
Judicial Department embraces Judges of the 
Supreme, Circuit and Coimty Courts, and such 
other subordinate officials as may be connected 
with the administration of justice. For the 



156 



UISTORICxVL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



election of members of the Supreme Coiu't the 
State is divided into seven Districts, each of 
wliich elects a Justice of the Supreme Covu-t for 
a term of nine years. The elections in five of 
these — the First, Second, Third, Sixth and 
Seventh — occur on the first Monday in June every 
ninth year from 1879, the last election having 
occurred in June, 1897. The elections in the 
other t,vo Districts occur at similar periodg of nine 
years from 1876 and 1873, respectively — the last 
election in the Fourth District having occurred 
in June, 1893, and that in the Fifth in 1891.— 
Circuit Judges are chosen on the first Monday in 
June every six years, counting from 1873. Judges 
of the Superior Court of Cook County are elected 
every six years at the November election. — Clerks 
of the Supreme and Appellate Courts are elected 
at the November election for six years, the last 
election having occurred in 1896. Under the act 
of April 3, 1897. con.solidating the Supreme 
Court into one Grand Division, the number of 
Supreme Court Clerks is reduced to one, although 
the Clerks elected in 1896 remain in office and have 
charge of the records of their several Divisions 
until the expiration of their terms in 1902. The 
Supreme Court holds five terms annually at Spring- 
field, beginning, respectively, on the first Tuesday 
of October, December, February, April and June. 

(Other Officers), (a) Members of the State 
Board of Equalization (one for every Congres- 
sional District) are elective every four years at 
the same time as Congressmen, (b) County 
officers (except County Commissioners not under 
township organization) hold office for four years 
and are chosen at the November election as 
follows: (1) At the general election at which 
the Governor is chosen — Clerk of the Circuit 
Court, State's Attorney, Recorder of Deeds (in 
counties having a population of 60,000 or over). 
Coroner and County Survej'or. (3) On inter- 
mediate years— Sheriff, County Judge, Probate 
Judge (in counties having a population of 70,000 
and over), County Clerk, Treasurer, Superintend- 
ent of Schools, and Clerk of Criminal Court of 
Cook County, (c) In counties not under town- 
ship organization a Board of County Commission- 
ers is elected, one being chosen in November of 
each year, and each holding office three years, 
(d) Under the general law the polls open at 8 
a. m., and close at 7 p. m. In cities accepting an 
Act of the Legislatme passed in 1885, the hour of 
opening the polls is 6 a. m., and of closing 4 p. m. 
(See also Australkni Ballot.) 

ELECTORS, qUALIFICATIOJfS OF. (See 
Suffrage.) 



ELGIN, an important city of Northern Illinois, 
in Kane Countj", on Fox River and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee &. St. Paul and Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroads, besides two rural electric lines, 36 
miles northwest of Chicago; has valuable water- 
power and over fifty manufacturing establish- 
ments, including the National Watch Factory and 
the Cook Publishing Compauj-, both among the 
most extensive of their kind in the world; is also 
a great dairy center with extensive creameries 
and milk-condensing works. Tlie quotations of 
its Butter and Cheese Exchange are telegraphed 
to all the great commercial centers and regulate 
the prices of these commodities throughout the 
country. Elgin is the seat of the Northern (Illi- 
nois) Hospital for the Insane, and has a handsome 
Government (postoffice) building, fine public 
library and many handsome residences. It has 
had a rapid growth in the past twenty years. 
Population (1890), 17,833; (1900), 33,433. 

ELGIN, JOLIET & EASTERN RAILWAY. The 
main line of tliis road extends west from Dyer on 
the Indiana State line to Joliet, thence northeast 
to Waukegan. The total length of the line (1898) 
is 192.73 miles, of which 159.93 miles are in IIU- 
nois. The entire capital of the company, includ- 
ing stock and indebtedness, amounted (1898), to 
$13,799,630— more than §71,000 per mile. Its total 
earnings in Illinois for the same year were §1,312,- 
036, and its entire expenditure in the State, 
§1,156,146. The company paid in taxes, the same 
year, $48,876. Branch lines extend southerly 
from Walker Junction to Coster, where connec- 
tion is made with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and northwe.sterly 
from Normantown, on the main line, to Aurora. 
— (History). The Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail- 
way was chartered in 1887 and absorbed the 
Joliet, Aurora & Northern Railway, from Joliet to 
Aurora (21 miles), which had been commenced in 
1886 and was completed in 1888, with extensions 
from Joliet to Spaulding, 111. , and from Joliet to 
McCool, Ind. In January, 1891, the Company 
purchased all the properties and franchises of the 
Gardner, Coal City & Normantown and the 
Waukegan & Southwestern Railway Companies 
(formerly operated under lease). The former of 
these two roads was chartered in 1889 and opened 
in 1890. Tlie system forms a belt line around 
Chicago, intersecting all railroads entering that 
city from every direction. Its traffic is chiefly 
in the transportation of freight. 

ELIZABETHTOTVN, the county-seat of Hardin 
County. It stands on the north bank of the Ohio 
River, 44 miles above Paducah. Kv., and about 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



157 



125 miles southeast of Belleville; has a brick and 
tile factory, large tie trade, two churches, two 
flouring mills, a bank, and one newspaper. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 652; (1900), 668. 

ELKHART, a town of Logan County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Raih-oad, 18 miles northeast of 
Springfield ; is a rich farming section ; has a coal 
shaft. Population (1890), 414; (1900), 553. 

ELKIX, William F., pioneer and early legisla- 
tor, was born in Clark County, Ky., April 13, 
1792, after spending several years in Ohio and 
Indiana, came to Sangamon County, lU., in 1825; 
was elected to the Sixth, Tenth and Eleventli 
General Assemblies, being one of the "Long 
Nine" from Sangamon County and, in 1861, was 
appointed by liis former colleague (Abraham 
Lincoln) Register of the Land Office at Spring- 
field, resigning in 1873. Died, in 1878. 

ELLIS, Edward F. W., soldier, was born at 
Wilton, Maine, April 13, 1819; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in Ohio ; spent three years 
(1849-52) in California, serving in the Legislature 
of that State in 1851, and proving himself an 
earnest opponent of slavery ; returned to Ohio the 
next year, and, in 1854, removed to Rockford, 111., 
where he embarked in the banking business. 
Soon after the firing on Fort Sumter, he organ- 
ized the Ellis Rifles, which having been attached 
to the Fifteenth Illinois, he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the regiment ; was in command at 
the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, and was killed 
while bravely leading on his men. 

ELLIS, (Rev.) John Mlllot, early home mis- 
sionary, was born in Keene, N. H., July 14, 1793; 
came to Illinois as a home missionary of tlie 
Presbyterian Church at an early day, and served 
for a time as pastor of churches at Kaskaskia and 
Jacksonville, and was one of the influential 
factors in securing the location of Illinois Col- 
lege at the latter place. His wife also conducted, 
for some years, a private school for young ladies 
at Jacksonville, which developed into the Jack- 
sonville Female Academy in 1833, and is still 
maintained after a history of over sixty years. 
Mr. Ellis was later associated with the establish- 
ment of Wabasli College, at Crawfordsville, Ind., 
finall}' returning to New Hampshire, where, in 
1840, he was pastor of a church at East Hanover. 
In 1844 he again entered the service of the Soci- 
ety for Promoting Collegiate and Theological 
Education in the West. Died, August 6, 1855. 

ELLSWORTH, Ephraim Elmer, soldier, first 
victim of the Civil War, was born at Mechanics 
ville, Saratoga County, N. Y., April 23, 1837. He 
came to Chicago at an early age, studied law, 



and became a patent solicitor. In 1860 he raised 
a regiment of Zouaves in Chicago, which became 
famous for the perfection of its discipline and 
drill, and of which he was commissioned Colonel. 
In 1861 he accompanied President Lincoln to 
Washington, going from there to New York, 
where he recruited and organized a Zouave 
regiment composed of firemen. He became its 
Colonel and the regiment was ordered to Alexan- 
dria, Va. While stationed there Colonel Ells- 
worth observed that a Confederate flag was 
flying above a hotel owned by one Jackson. 
Rushing to the roof, he tore it down, but before 
he reached the street was shot and killed by 
Jackson, who was in turn shot by Frank H. 
Brownell, one of Ellsworth's men He was the 
first Union soldier killed in the war. Died, May 
24, 1861. 

ELMHURST (formerly Cottage Hill), a village 
of Du Page County, on the Chicago Great Western 
and 111. Cent. Railroads, 15 miles west of Chicago; 
is the seat of the Evangelical Seminary ; has elec- 
tric interurban line, two papers, stone quarry, 
electric light, water and sewerage sj'stems, high 
school, and churclie.s. Pop. (1900). 1.728. 

ELM H 001), a town of Peoria County, on the 
Galesburg and Peoria and Buda and Rushville 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 26 miles west-northwest of Peoria; the 
principal industries are coal-mining and corn and 
tomato canning; has a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890), 1,548; (1900), 1,582. 

EL PASO, a city in Woodford County, 17 miles 
north of Bloomington, 33 miles east of Peoria, at 
the crossing Illinois Central and Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads; in agricultural district; has 
two national banks, three grain elevators, two 
high schools, two newspapers, nine churches. 
Pop. (1890), 1,353; (1900), 1,441; (1903, est.), 1,600. 
EMBARRAS RITER, rises in Champaign 
County and runs southward through the counties 
of Douglas. Coles and Cumberland, to Newton, in 
Jasper County, where it turns to the southeast, 
passing through Lawrence County, and entering 
the Wabash River about seven miles below Vin- 
cennes. It is nearly 150 miles long. 

EMMERSON, Ciiarles, jurist, was bom at North 
Haverhill, Grafton County, N. H., April 1.5, 1811; 
came to Illinois in 183:', first settling at Jackson- 
ville, where he spent one term in Illinois College, 
then studied law at Springfield, and, having been 
admitted to the bar, began practice at Decatur, 
where he spent the remainder of his life except 
three years (1847-50) during which he resided at 
Paris, Edgar County. In 1850 he was elected to 



158 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Legislature, and, in 18.53, to tiie Circuit bencli, 
serving on the latter by re-election till 1867. The 
latter year he was a candidate for Justice of the 
Supreme Court, but was defeated by the late 
Judge Pinliney H. Walker. In 1869 he was 
elected to the State Constitutional Convention, 
but died in April, 1870, while the Convention was 
still in session. 

EXFIELD, a town of White County, at the 
intersection of the Louisville & Nashville with 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 10 
miles west of Carmi; is the seat of Southern Illi- 
nois College. The town also lias a bank and one 
newspaper. Population (1880), 717; (1890), 870; 
(1900), 971; (1903, est), 1.000. 

ENGLISH, Joseph (i., banker, was born at 
Rising Sun, Ind., Dec. 17, 1820; lived for a time 
at Perrysville and La Fayette in that State, finally 
engaging in mercliandising in the former; in 
18.'J3 removed to Danville, 111., where he formed 
a partnership with John L. Tinclier in mercantile 
business ; later conducted a private banking busi- 
ness and, in 1863, established the First National 
Bank, of which he has been President over twenty 
years. He served two terms as Mayor of Dan- 
ville, in 1872 was elected a member of the State 
Board of Equalization, and, for more than twenty 
years, has been one of the Directors of t)ie Chicago 
& Eastern Railroad. At tlie present time Mr. 
English, liaving practically retired from busi- 
ness, is spending most of his time in the West. 

ENOS, Pascal Paoli, pioneer, was born at 
Windsor, Conn., in 1770; graduated at Dartmouth 
College in 1794, studied law, and, after spending 
some years in Vermont, where he served as High 
Sheriff of Windsor County, in September, 181.5, 
removed West, stopping first at Cincinnati. A 
year later he descended the Ohio by flat-boat to 
Shawneetown, 111., crossed the State bj' land, 
finally locating at St. Charles, Mo., and later at 
St. Louis. Then, having purchased a tract of land 
in Madison County, 111., he remained there about 
two years, wlien, in 1823, having received from 
President Monroe the appointment of Receiver of 
the newly established Land Office at Springfield. 
he removed tliither, making it his permanent 
home. He was one of the original purchasers of 
the land on which the city of Springfield now 
stands, and joined with Maj. Elijah lies, John 
Taylor and Tliomas Cox, tlie otiier patentees, in 
laying out the town, to which they first gave the 
name of Calhoun. Mr. Enos remained in office 
through the administration of President John 
Quincy Adams, but was removed by President 
Jackson for political reasons, in 1829. Died, at 



Springfield, April, 1832.— Pascal P. (Enos), Jr.. 
eldest son of Mr. Enos, was born in St. Cliarles, 
Mo., Nov. 28, 1816; was elected Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon County in 
18.52, and served by appointment of Justice 
McLean of the Supreme Court as Clerk of the 
United States Circuit Court, being reappointed 
by Judge David Davis, dying in office, Feb. 17, 
1867. — Zimri A. (Enos), another son, was born 
Sept. 29, 1.821, is a citizen of Springfield — has 
served as County Sifrvej-or and Alderman of the 
city. — Julia R., a daughter, was born in Spring 
field, Dec. 20, 1832, is the widow of the late O. M. 
Hatcli, Secretary of State (1857-6.5). 

EPLER, Cyrus, lawyer and jurist, was born 
at Charleston, Clark County. Ind., Nov. 12, 
1825; graduated at Illinois College, Jackson- 
ville, studied law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1852, being elected State's Attorney 
the same year; also served as a membeir 
of the General As.sembly two terms (1857-61) 
and as Master in Chancery for Morgan Count}', 
1867-73. In 1873 lie was elected Circuit Judge 
for the Seventh Circuit and was re-elected 
successively in 1879, '85 and '91, serving four 
terms, and retiring in 1897. During his entire 
professional and official career his home has been 
in Jacksonville. 

EQUALITY, a village of Gallatin County, on 
the Sliawneetown Division of the Louisville & 
Nashville Railroad, 11 miles west-northwest of 
Sliawneetown. It was for a time, in early days, the 
county-seat of Gallatin County and market for 
the salt manufactured in that vicinity. Some 
coal is mined in the neighborhood. One weekly 
paper is published here. Population (1880), 500; 
(1.S90), 622; (1900), 898. 

ERIE, a village of Whiteside Caimty, on the 
Rock Island and Sterling Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 30 miles north- 
east of Rock Island. Population (1880), 537; 
(1890), .535; (1900), 768. 

EUREKA, tlie county-seat of Woodford County, 
incorporated in 18.56, situated 19 miles east of 
Peoria; is in the heart of a rich stock-raising and 
agricultural district. The principal mechanical 
industry is a large canning factory. Besides 
having good grammar and high schools, it is also 
the seat of Eureka College, under the control of 
the Christian denomination, in connection with 
which are a Normal School and a Biblical Insti- 
tute. The town has a handsome courthouse and 
a jail, two weekly and one monthly paper. 
Eureka became the county-seat of Woodford 
County in 1896, the change from Metamora being 



HISTORICAI ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



159 



due to the central location and more convenient 
accessibility of the former from all parts of the 
county. Population (1880), 1,185; (1890), 1,481; 
(1900), 1,661. 

EUREKA COLLEGE, located at Eureka, Wood- 
ford County, and chartered in 18.").5, distinctively 
under the care and supervision of the '"Christian'" 
or "Campbellite" denomination. The jirimary 
aim of its founders was to prepare young men for 
the ministry, while at the same time affording 
facilities for liberal culture. It was chartei"ed in 
1855, and its gro^-th, while gradual, has been 
steady. Besides a preparatory department and a 
business school, the college maintains a collegiate 
department (with classical and scientific courses) 
and a theological school, the latter being designed 
to tit young men for the ministry of the denomi- 
nation. Both male and female matriculates are 
received. In 1890 there wa,s a faculty of eighteen 
professors and assistants, and an attendance of 
some 3'25 students, nearly one-third of whom 
were females. The total value of the institution's 
property is §144,000, which includes an endow- 
ment of 845,000 an<l real estate valued at §85,000. 
EUSTACE, John V., lawyer and judge, was 
liorn in Philadelphia, Sept. 9, 1821 ; graduated 
from the University of Pennsylvania in 1839, and, 
in 1843, at the age of 21, was admitted to the bar, 
removing the same year to Dixon, 111., where he 
resided until his death. In 1856 he was elected 
to the General Assembly and, in 1857. becanie 
Circuit Judge, serving one term; was chosen 
Presidential Elector in 1864. and. in March, 1878, 
was again elevated to the Circuit Bench, vice 
Judge Heaton, deceased. He was elected to the 
same position in 1879, and re-elected in 1885. but 
died in 1888, three years before the expiration of 
his terra. 

EVANGELICAL SEJIIXARY, an institution 
under the direction of the Lutheran denomina- 
tion, incorporated in 1865 and located at Elm- 
hurst, Du Page County. Instruction is given in 
the classics, theology, oratory and preparatory 
studies, b}- a faculty of eight teachers. The 
number of pupils during the school year (1895-96) 
was 133 — all young men. It has property valued 
at §59,305. 

EVA>'S, Henry H., legislator, was born in 
Toronto, Can., Marcli 9, 1836; brought by his 
father (who was a native of Pennsylvania) to 
Aurora, 111. , where the latter finallj- became fore- 
man of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy ma- 
chine shops at that place. In 1862 young Evans 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, serving until the close of the 



war. Since the war he has become most widely 
known as a member of the General Assembly, hav- 
ing been elected first to tlie House, in 1876, and 
subsequently to the Senate every four years from 
1880 to the year 1898, giving him over twenty 
years of almost continuous service. He is a large 
owner of real estate and has been ijrominently 
connected with financial and other business 
enterprises at Aurora, including the Aurora Gas 
and Street Railway Companies ; also served with 
the rank of Colonel on the staffs of Governors 
CuUom, Hamilton, Fifer and Oglesby. 

EVAXS, (Rev.) Jervice G., educator and re- 
former, was born in Marshall Coimty, 111., Dec. 
19, 1833; entered the ministry of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church in 18.54, and, in 1872, accepted 
tlie presidency of Hedding CoUege at Abingdon, 
which he filled for six years. He then became 
President of Chaddock College at Quincy, but the 
following year retvirned to pastoral work. In 
1889 he again became President of Hedding Col- 
lege, where (1898) he still remains. Dr. Evans is 
a member of the Central Illinois (M. E.) Confer- 
ence and a leader in the proliibition movement; 
has also produced a number of volumes on reli- 
gious and moral questions. 

EVANS, John, M.D., physician and Governor, 
was born at Waynesville, Ohio, of Quaker ances- 
try, March 9, 1814; graduated in medicine at 
Cincinnati and began practice at Ottawa, 111., 
but soon returned to Ohio, finally locating at 
Attica, Ind. Here he became prominent in the 
establishment of the first insane hospital in In- 
diana, at Indianapolis, about 1841-42, becoming a 
resident of that city in 1845. Three years later, 
having accepted a chair in Rush Medical College, 
in Chicago, he removed thither, also serving for 
a time as editor of "The Northwestern Medical 
and Sui"gical Journal." He served as a member 
of the Chicago City Council, became a successful 
operator in real estate and in the promotion of 
various railroad enterprises, and was one of the 
founders of the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston. serving as President of the Board of 
Trustees over iorty years. Dr. Evans was one of 
the founders of the Republican party in Illinois, 
and a stiong personal friend of President Lincoln, 
from whom, in 1862, he received the appointment 
of Governor of the Territory of Colorado, con- 
tinuing in office until displaced by Andrew John- 
son in 1865. In Colorado he became a leading 
factor in the construction of some of the most 
important railroad lines in that section, including 
the Denver, Texas & Gulf Road, of which he was 
for many years the President. He was also 



IGO 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



prominent in connection with educational and 
churcli enterprises at Denver, wliicli was his home 
after leaving Illinois. Died, in Denver, July 3, 1897. 
EVANSTON, a city of Cook County, situated 13 
miles north of Chicago, on the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroads. The original town was incorporated 
Dec. 29, 1863, and, in March, 1869, a special act 
was passed by the Legislature incorporating it as 
a city, but rejected by vote of the people. On 
Oct. 19, 1872, the voters of the corporate town 
adopted village organizations under the General 
Village and City Incorporation Act of the same 
year. Since then annexations of adjacent terri- 
tory to the village of Evanston have taken place 
as follows: In January, 1873, two small districts 
by petition; in April, 1874, the village of North 
Evanston was annexed by a majority vote of the 
electors of both corporations; in April, 1886, 
there was another annexation of a small out-lying 
district by petition; in February, 1892, the ques- 
tion of the annexation of South Evanston was 
submitted to the voters of both corporations and 
adopted. On March 29, 1892, the question of 
organization under a city government was sub- 
mitted to popular vote of the consolidated corpo- 
ration and decided in the affirmative, the first 
city election taking place April 19, following. 
The population of the original corporation of 
Evanston, according to the census of 1890, was 
12,072, and of South Evanston, 3,20.5, making the 
total population of the new city 15,967. Judged 
by the census returns of 1900, the con.solidated 
city has had a healthy growth in the past 
ten years, giving it, at the end of the 
century, a population of 19,259. Evanston is 
one of the most attractive residence cities in 
Northern Illinois and famed for its educational 
advantages. Besides having an admirable system 
of graded and high schools, it is the seat of the 
academic and theological departments of the 
Northwestern University, the latter being known 
as the Garrett Biblical Institute. The city has 
well paved streets, is lighted by both gas and 
electricity, and maintains its own system of 
water works. Prohibition is strictly enforced 
within the corporate limits under stringent 
municipal ordinances, and the charter of the 
Northwestern University forbidding the sale of 
intoxicants within four miles of that institution. 
As a consequence, it is certain to attract the 
most desirable class of people, whether consisting 
of those seeking permanent homes or simply 
contemplating temporary residence for the sake 
of educational advantages. 



EWIXG, William Lee Davidson, early lawj'er 
and politician, was born in Kentucky in 1795, and 
came to Illinois at an early daj-, first settling at 
Shawneetown. As early as 1S20 he appears from 
a letter of Governor Edwards to President Mon- 
roe, to have been holding some Federal appoint- 
ment, presumably that of Receiver of Public 
Moneys in the Land Office at Vandalia, as con- 
temporary history shows that, in 1823, he lost a 
deposit of $1,000 by tlie robbery of the bank there. 
He was also Brigadier-General of the State militia 
at an early day. Colonel of the "Spy Battalion" 
during the Black Hawk War, and, as Indian 
Agent, superintended the removal of the Sacs 
and Foxes west of the Mississippi. Other posi- 
tions held by him included Clerk of the House of 
Representatives two sessions (1826-37 and 1828-29); 
Representative from the counties composing the 
Vandalia District in the Seventh General Assem- 
bly (1830-31), when he also became Speakerof the 
House; Senator from the same District in the 
Eighth and Ninth General Assemblies, of which 
he was chosen President pro tempore. While 
serving in this capacity he became ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor in consequence of the resig- 
nation of Lieut.-Gov. Zadoc Casey to accept a 
seat in Congress, in March, 1833, and, in Novem- 
ber, 1834, assumed the Governorship as successor 
to Governor Reynolds, who had been elected to 
Congress to fill a vacancy. He served only fifteen 
days as Governor, when he gave place to Gov. 
Joseph Dimcan, who had been elected in due 
course at the previous election. A j'ear later 
(December, 1835) he was chosen United States 
Senator to succeed Elias Kent Kane, who had 
died in office. Failing of a re-election to the 
Senatorship in 1837, he was returned to the House 
of Representatives from his old district in 1838, 
as he was again in 1840, at each session being 
chosen Speaker over Abraham Lincoln, who was 
the Whig candidate. Dropping out of the Legis- 
lature at the close of his term, we find him at the 
beginning of the next session (December, 1842) in 
his old place as Clerk of the House, but, before 
the close of the session (in March, 1843), appointed 
Auditor of Public Accounts as successor to James 
Sliields, who had resigned. While occupying the 
office of Auditor, Mr. Ewing died, March 25. 1846. 
His public career was as unique as it was remark- 
able, in the number and character of the official 
positions held by him within a period of twent}'- 
five years. 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. (See State officers 
under heads of "Goivmor," " Lieutenant -Oov- 
ernor," etc.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



161 



EYE AXD EAR INFIRMARY, ILLINOIS 
CHARITABLE. This institution is an outgrowth 
of a private charity founded at Chicago, in 1858, 
by Dr. Edward L. Holmes, a distinguished Chi- 
cago oculist. In 1871 the property of the institu- 
tion was transferred to and accepted b}- the State, 
the title was changed by the substitution of the 
word "Illinois" for "Chicago," and the Infirmary 
became a State institution. The fire of 1871 
destroyed the building, and, in 1873 74, the State 
erected another of brick, four stories in height, 
at the corner of West Adams and Peoria Streets, 
Chicago. The institution receives patients from 
all the counties of the State, the same receiving 
board, lodging, and medical aid, and (when neces- 
sary) surgical treatment, free of charge. The 
number of patients on Dec. 1, 1897, was 160. In 
1877 a free eye and ear dispensary was opened 
under legislative authority, which is under charge 
of some eminent Chicago specialists. 

F.IIRBURY, an incorporated city of Livings- 
ton County, situated ten miles southeast of Pod- 
tiac, in a fertile and thickly -settled region. Coal, 
sandstone, limestone, fire-cla3' and a micaceous 
quartz are found in the neighborhood. The 
town has banks, grain elevators, flouring mills 
and two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 
2,140; (1890), 2,324; (1900), 2,187. 

FAIRFIELD, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Wayne County and a railway junction, 
108 miles southeast of St. Louis. The town has 
an extensive woolen factory and large flouring 
and saw mills. It also has four weekly papers 
and is an important fruit and grain-shipping 
point. Population (1880), 1,391; (1890). 1,881; 
(1900), 2, .3.38. 

FAIRMOUNT, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 13 miles west-southwest 
from Danville; industrial interests chiefly agri- 
cultural ; has brick and tile factory, a coal mine, 
stone quarry, three rural mail routes and one 
weekly paper. Population (1890), 649; (1900), 928. 

FALLOWS, (Rt. Rev.) Samuel, Bishop of Re- 
formed Protestant Episcopal Church, was born at 
Pendleton, near JIanchester, England, Dec. 18, 
183.5; removed with his parents to Wisconsin in 
1848, and graduated from the State University 
there in 18.59, during a part of his university 
course serving as pastor of a Methodist Episcopal 
church at Madison ; was next Vice-President of 
Gainesville University till 1861, when he was 
ordained to the Methodist ministry and became 
pastor of a church at Oshkosh. The following 
year iie was appointed Chaplain of the Thirty- 



second Wisconsin Volunteers, but later assisted 
in organizing the Fortietli Wisconsin, of which 
he became Colonel, in 1865 being brevetted Briga- 
dier-General. On his return to civil life he 
became a pastor in Milwaukee; was appointed 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction for 
Wisconsin to fill a vacancy, in 1871, and was twice 
re-elected. In 1874 he was elected President of 
the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, 
111., remaining two years; in 1875 united with the 
Reformed Episcopal Church, soon after became 
Rector of St. Paul's Church in Chicago, and was 
elected a Bishop in 1876, also assuming the 
editorship of "The Appeal," the organ of the 
church. He served as Regent of the University 
of Wisconsin (1864-74), and for several j'ears has 
been one of the Trustees of the Illinois State 
Reform School at Pontiac. He is the author of 
two or three volumes, one of them being a "Sup- 
plementary Dictionary," published in 1884. 
Bishop Fallows has had supervision of Reformed 
Episcopal Church work in the West and North- 
west for several years ; has also served as Chaplain 
of the Grand Army of the Republic for the 
Department of Illinois and of the Loyal Legion, 
and was Chairman of the General Committee of 
the Educational Congress during the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

FARINA, a town of Fayette County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
29 miles northeast of Centralia. Agriculture and 
fruit-growing constitute the chief business of the 
section; the town has one newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 618; (1900), 693; (1903, est.), 800. 

FARMER CITY, a city of De Witt County, 25 
miles southeast of Bloomington, at the junction 
of the Springfield division of the Illinois Central 
and the Peoria division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railways. It is a 
trading center for a rich agricultural and stock- 
raising district, especially noted for rearing finely 
bred horses. The city has banks, two news- 
papers, churches of four denominations and good 
schools, including a high school. Population 
(1880), 1,289; (1890), 1,367; (1900), 1,664- 

FARMERS' INSTITUTE, an organization 
created by an act, approved June 24, 1895, de- 
signed to encourage practical education among 
farmers, and to assist in developing the agricul- 
tural resources of the State. Its membership 
consists of three delegates from each county in 
the State, elected annually by the Farmers' 
Institute in such county. Its affairs are managed 
by a Board of Directors constituted as follows: 
The Superintendent of Public Instruction, the 



162 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Professor of Agricultvire in the University of Illi- 
nois, and the Presidents of the State Board of 
Agriculture. Dairj-men's Association and Horti- 
cultural Society, ex-ofRcio, with one member from 
each Congressional District, chosen b_v the dele- 
gates from the district at the annual meeting of 
the organization. Annual meetings (between 
Oct. 1 and March 1) are required to be held, 
which shall continue in session for not less than 
three days. The topics for discussion are the 
cultivation of crops, the care and breeding of 
domestic animals, dairy husbandr}-, horticulture, 
farm drainage, improvement of highways and 
general farm management. The reports of the 
annual meetings are printed by the State to the 
number of 10,000, one-half of the edition being 
placed at the disposal of the Institute. Suitable 
quarters for the officers of the organization are 
provided in the State capitol. 

FARMISGTON, a city and railroad center in 
Fulton County. 12 miles north of Canton and 22 
miles west of Peoria. Coal is extensively mined 
here; there are also brick and tile factories, a 
foundry, one steam flour mill, and two cigar 
manufactories. It is a large sliipping-point for 
grain and live-stock. The town has two banks 
and two newspapers, five churches and a graded 
school. Population (1890). 1,375; (1903, est.), 2.103. 

FARNSWOKTH, Elon John, soldier, was born 
at Green Oak, Livingston County, Mich., in 1837. 
After completing a course in the public schools, 
he entered the University of Michigan, but left 
college at the end of his freshman j-ear (1858) to 
serve in the Quartermaster's department of the 
army in the Utah expedition. At the expiration 
of his term of service he became a buffalo hunter 
and a carrier of mails between the haunts of 
civilization and the then newh--discovered mines 
at Pike's Peak. Returning to Illinois, he was 
commissioned (1861) Assistant Quartermaster of 
tlie Eighth Illinois Cavalry, of which his uncle 
was Colonel. (See Farnsworth, Joint Franklin.) 
He soon rose to a captainc}', distinguishing him- 
self in the battles of the Peninsula. In May, 
1863, he was appointed aid-de-camp to General 
Pleasanton, and, on June 29, 1863, was made a 
Brigadier-General. Four days later he was killed, 
while gallantly leading a cliarge at Gettysburg. 

FARNSWORTH, John Franklin, soldier and 
former Congressman, was born at Eaton, Canada 
East, March 27, 1820; removed to Michigan in 
1834, and later to Illinois, settling in Kane 
County, where he practiced law for many years, 
making his home at St. Charles. He was elected 
to Congress in 1856. and re-elected in 1858. In 



September of 1861, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Eighth Illinois Cavalry Volunteers, and 
was brevetted Brigadier-General in November. 
1862, but resigned, March 4. 1863, to take his seat 
in Congress to which he had been elected the 
November previous, by successive re-elections 
serving from 1863 to 1873. The latter years of 
his life were spent in Washington, where he died, 
July 14. 1897. 

FARWELL, Charles Benjamin, merchant and 
United States Senator, was born at Painted Post, 
N. Y., July 1, 1823; removed to Illinois in 18.38. 
and, for six years, was employed in surveying 
and farming. In 1844 he engaged in the real 
estate business and in banking, at Chicago. He 
was elected County Clerk in 1853, and re-elected 
in 1857. Later he entered into commerce, becom- 
ing a partner with his brother, John Villiers, in 
the firm of J. V. Farwell & Co. He was a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Equalization in 1867 ; 
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors of Cook 
County in 1868 ; and National Bank Examiner in 
1869. In 1870 he was elected to Congress as a 
Republican, was re-elected in 1872, but was 
defeated in 1874, after a contest for the seat which 
was carried into tlie House at "Washington. 
Again, in 1880, he was returned to Congress, 
making three full terms in that body. He also 
served for several years as Chairman of the 
Republican .State Central Committee. After the 
death of Gen. John A. Logan he was (1887) 
elected United States Senator, his term expiring 
March 3, 1891. Mr. Farwell has since devoted 
his attention to the immense mercantile busi- 
ness of J. V. Farwell & Co. 

FARWELL, John TllUer.s, merchant, was born 
at Campbelltown. Steuben County, N. Y., July 
29, 1825, the son of a farmer ; received a common- 
school education and, in 1838, removed with his 
father's family to Ogle County, 111. Here he 
attended Mount Morris Seminary for a time. but. 
in 1845, came to Chicago without capital and 
secured employment in the City Clerk's office, 
then became a book-keeper in the dry-goods 
establisliment of Hamilton & White, and. still 
later, with Hamilton & Day. Having thus 
received his bent towards a mercantile career, he 
soon after entered the concern of Wadsworth & 
Phelps as a clerk, at a salary of S600 a year, but 
was admitted to a partnership in 1850, the title of 
the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell & Co., in 1860. 
About tliis time Marshall Field and Levi Z. Leiter 
became associated with the concern and received 
their mercantile training under the supervision 
of Mr. Farwell. In 1865 the title of the firm 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



163 



became J. V. Farwell & Co., but, in 1891, the firm 
was incorporated under tlie name of The J. V. 
Farwell Company, his brother, Charles B. Far- 
well, being a member. The subject of this sketch 
lias long been a prominent factor in religious 
circles, a leading spirit of the Young Men's 
Christian Association, and served as President of 
the Chicago Branch of the United States 
Christian Commission during the Civil War. 
Politically he is a Republican and served as Presi- 
dential Elector at the time of President Lincohi's 
second election in 1864 ; also served by appoint- 
ment of President Grant, in 1869, on the Board of 
Indian Commissioners. He was a member of the 
syndicate which erected the Texas State Capitol, 
at Austin, in that State ; has been, for a number 
of years, Vice-President and Treasurer of the 
J. V. Farwell Company, and President of the 
Colorado Consolidated Land and Water Company. 
He was also prominent in the organization of the 
Chicago Public Library, and a member of the 
Union League, the Chicago Historical Society 
and the Art Institute. 

FARWELL, William Washington, jurist, was 
born at Morrisville, Madison County, N. Y., Jan. 
5, 1817, of old Puritan ancestry; graduated from 
Hamilton College in 1837, and was admitted to 
the bar at Rochester, N. Y., in 1841. In 1848 he 
removed to Chicago, but the following year went 
to California, returning to his birthplace in 18.50. 
In 1834 he again settled at Chicago and soon 
secured a prominent position at the bar. In 1871 
he was elected Circuit Court Judge for Cook 
County, and, in 1873, re-elected for a term of six 
years. During this period he sat chiefly upon 
the chancery side of the court, and, for a time, 
presided as Chief Justice. At the close of his 
second term he was a candidate for re-election as 
a Republican, but was defeated with the re- 
mainder of the ticket. In 1880 he was chosen 
Professor of Equity Jurisprudence in the Union 
College of Law (now the Northwestern Univer- 
sity Law School), serving until June, 1893, when 
he resigned. Died, in Chicago, April 30, 1894. 

FAYETTE COUNTY, situated about 60 miles 
south of the geographical center of the State; 
was organized in 1821, and named for the French 
General La Fayette. It has an area of 720 square 
miles; population (1900), 28,065. The soil is fer- 
tile and a rich vein of bituminous coal underlies 
the county. Agriculture, fruit-growing and 
mining are the chief industries. The old, historic 
"Cumberland Road," the trail for all west-bound 
emigrants, crossed the county at an early date. 
Perry ville was the first county -seat, but this town 



is now extinct. Vandalia, the present seat of 
county government (population, 2,144), stands 
upon a succession of hills upon the west bank of 
the Kaskaskia. From 1820 to 1839 it was the 
State Capital. Besides Vandalia the chief towns 
are Ramsey, noted for its railroad ties and tim- 
ber, and St. Elmo. 

FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN, ASYLUM 
FOR. This institution, originally established as 
a sort of appendage to the Illinois Institution for 
the Deaf and Dumb, was started at Jacksonville, 
in 1865, as an "experimental school, for the 
instruction of idiots and feeble-minded children. '" 
Its success having been assured, the school was 
placed upon an independent basis in 1871, and, 
in 1875, a site at Lincoln, Logan County, covering 
forty acres, was donated, and the erection of 
buildings begim. The original plan provided for 
a center building, with wings and a rear exten- 
sion, to cost .5124.775. Besides a main or adminis- 
tration building, the institution embraces a 
school building and custodial hall, a hospital and 
industrial workshop, and, during the past year, a 
chapel has been added. It has control of 890 
acres, of which 400 are leased for farming pur- 
poses, the rental going to the benefit of the insti- 
tution. The remainder is used for the purposes 
of the institution as farm land, gardens or pas- 
ture, about ninety acres being occupied by the 
institution buildings. The capacity of the insti- 
tution is about 700 inmates, with many applica- 
tions constantly on file for the admission of 
others for whom there is no room. 

FEEHAN, Patrick A., D.D., Archbishop of 
the Roman Catholic archdiocese of Chicago, and 
Metropolitan of Illinois, was born at Tipperarj-, 
Ireland, in 1829, and educated at Maynooth 
College. He emigrated to the United States in 
1852, settling at St. Louis, and was at once 
appointed President of the Seminary of Caronde- 
let. Later he was made pastor of the Church of 
the Immaculate Conception at St. Louis, where 
he achieved marked distinction. In 1865 he was 
consecrated Bishop of Nashville, managing the 
affairs of the diocese with great ability. In 1880 
Chicago was raised to an archiepiscopal see, with 
Suffragan Bishops at Alton and Peoria, and 
Bishop Feehan was consecrated its first Arch- 
bishop. His administration has been conserva- 
tive, yet efficient, and the archdiocese has greatly 
prospered under his rule. 

FELL, Jesse W., lawyer and real-estate opera- 
tor, was born in Chester County, Pa., about 1808; 
started west on foot in 1828, and, after spending 
some years at Steubenville, Ohio, came to Dela- 



164 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



van, III., in 1832, and the next year located at 
Bloomington, being the first lawyer in that new 
town. Later he became agent for school lands 
and the State Bank, but failed financially in 
1837, and returned to practice; resided several 
years at Payson, Adams County, but returning 
to Bloomington in 1855, was instrumental in 
securing the location of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad through that town, and was one of the 
founders of the towns of Clinton, Pontiac, Lex- 
ington and El Paso. He was an intimate personal 
and political friend of Abraham Lincoln, and it 
was to him Mr. Lincoln addressed his celebrated 
personal biography; in the campaign of 1860 he 
served as Secretary of the Republican State Cen- 
tral Committee, and, in 1862, was appointed by 
Mr. Lincoln a Paymaster in the regular army, 
serving some two years. Mr. Fell was also a zeal- 
ous friend of the cause of industrial education, 
and bore an important part in securing the 
location of the State Normal University at Nor- 
mal, of which city he was the founder. Died, at 
Bloomington, Jan. 25, 1887. 

FERGUS, Robert, early printer, was born in 
Glasgow, Scotland, August 4, 1815; learned the 
printer's trade in his native city, assisting in his 
youth in putting in type some of Walter Scott's 
productions and other works which now rank 
among English classics. In 1834 he came to 
America, finally locating in Chicago, where, 
with various partners, he pursued the business of 
a job printer continuously some fifty years — 
being the veteran printer of Chicago. He was 
killed by being run over by a railroad train at 
Evanston, July 23, 1897. The estabUshment of 
which he was so long the head is continued by 
his sons. 

FERNWOOD, a suburban station on the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 12 south of ter- 
minal station ; annexed to. City of Chicago, 1891. 

FERRY, Elisha Peyre, politician, born in 
Monroe, Mich.. August 9, 1825; was educated in 
his native town and admitted to the bar at Fort 
Wayne, Ind., in 1845; removed to Waukegan, 
111., the following year, served as Postmaster and, 
in 1856, was candidate on the Republican ticket 
for Presidential Elector; was elected Mayor of 
Waukegan in 1859, a member of the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1862, State Bank Com- 
missioner in 1861-63, Assistant Adjutant-General 
on the staff of Governor Yates during the war, 
and a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention of 1864. After the war he served as 
direct-tax Commissioner for Tenne.ssee; in 1869 
was appointed Surve3-or-General of Washington 



Territory and, in 1872 and '76, Territorial Got- 
ernor. On the admission of Washington as a 
State, in 1889, he was elected the first Governor. 
Died, at Seattle, Wash., Oct. 14, 1895. 

FEVRE RIVER, a small stream which rises in 
Southern Wisconsin and enters the Mississijipi in 
Jo Daviess County, six miles below Galena, which 
stands upon its banks. It is navigable for steam- 
boats between Galena and its mouth. The name 
originally given to it by early French explorers 
was "Feve" (the French name for "Bean"), 
which has since been corrupted into its present 
form. 

FICKLIX, Orlando B., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Kentucky, Dec. 16, 1808, and 
admitted to the bar at Mount Carmel, Wabash 
County, 111., in March, 1830. In 1834 he was 
elected to the lower house of the Ninth General 
Assembly. After serving a term as State's 
Attorney for Wabash County, in 1837 he removed 
to Charleston, Coles County, where, in 1838, and 
again in '42, he was elected to the Legislature, as 
lie was for the last time in 1878. He was four 
times elected to Congress, serving from 1813 to 
'49, and from 1851 to '53 ; was Presidential Elector 
in 1856. and candidate for the same position on 
the Democratic ticket for the State-at-large in 
1884; was also a delegate to the Democratic 
National Conventions of 1856 and '60. He was 
a member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1862. Died, at Charleston, May 5. 1886. 

FIELD, Alexander Pope, early legislator and 
Secretary of State, came to Illinois about the 
time of its admission into the Union, locating in 
Union County, which he represented in the Third, 
Fifth and Sixth General Assemblies. In the 
first of these he was a prominent factor in the 
ejection of Representative Hansen of Pike County 
and the seating of Shaw in his place, which 
enabled the advocates of slavery to secure the 
passage of a resolution submitting to the people 
the question of calling a State Constitutional 
Convention. In 1828 he was appointed Secretary 
of State by Governor Edwards, remaining in 
office under Governors Reynolds and Dun- 
can and through half the term of Governor 
Carlin, though the latter attempted to secure 
his removal in 1838 by the appointment of 
John A. McClernand — the courts, however, 
declaring against the latter. In November, 1840, 
the Governor's act was made effective by the 
confirmation, by the Senate, of Stephen A. Doug- 
las as Secretary in place of Field. Douglas 
held the oflSce only to the following February, 
when he resigned to take a place on the Supreme 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



165 



bench and Lyman Trumbull was appointed to 
succeed him. Field (who had become a Whig) 
was appointed by President Harrison, in 1841, 
Secretary of Wisconsin Territory, later removed 
to St. Louis and finally to New Orleans, where he 
was at the beginning of the late war. In Decem- 
ber, 1863, he presented himself as a member of 
the Thirty-eiglith Congress for Louisiana, but 
was refused his seat, though claiming in an elo- 
quent speech to have been a loyal man. Died, in 
New Orleans, in 18TT. Mr. Field was a nephew 
of Judge Nathaniel Pope, for over thirty years on 
the bench of tlie United States District Court. 

FIELD, Eua:ene, journalist, liumorist and poet, 
was born in St. Louis, Mo., Sept. 3, 18,50. Left an 
orphan at an early age, he was reared by a rela- 
tive at Amlierst, Mass., and received a portion of 
his literar}' training at Monson and Williamstown ' 
in that State, completing his course at the State 
University of Mis.souri. After an extended tour 
through Europe in 1872-73, he began his journal- 
istic career at St. Louis. Mo., as a reporter on 
"The Evening Journal," later becoming its city 
editor. During the next ten j'ears he was succes- 
sively connected with newspapers at St. Joseph, 
Mo., St. Louis. Kansas Citj-, and at Denver, Colo., 
at the last named city being managing editor of 
"The Tribune." In 1883 he removed to Cliicago, 
becoming a special writer for "The Chicago 
News," his particular department for several 
years being a pungent, witty column with the 
caption, "Sharps and Flats." He wrote con- 
siderable prose fiction and much poetry, among 
the latter being successful translations of several 
of Horace's Odes. As a poet, however, he was 
best known through his short poems relating to 
childhood and home, which strongly appealed to 
the popular heart. Died, in Chicago, deeply 
mourned by a large circle of admirers, Nov. 4, 
1895. 

FIELD, Marshall, merchant and capitalist, was 
born in Conwaj-, Mass., in 183.5, and grew upon 
a farm, receiving a common school and academic 
education. At the age of 17 he entered upon a 
mercantile career as clerk in a dry-goods store at 
Pittsfleld, Mass., but, in 1856, came to Chicago 
and secured employment with Messrs. Cooley, 
Wadsworth & Co. ; in 1860 was admitted into 
partnership, the firm becoming Cooley, Farwell 
& Co., and still later, FarweU, Field & Co. The 
last named firm was dissolved and that of Field, 
Palmer & Leiter organized in 1865. Mr. Palmer 
having retired in 1867. the firm was continued 
under the name of Field. Leiter & Co., xmtil 1881, 
wnen Mr. Leiter retired, the concern being since 



known as Marshall Field & Co. The growth of 
the business of this great establishment is shown 
by the fact that, whereas its sales amounted 
before the fire to some 812.000,000 annually, in 
1895 they aggregated §40,000,000. Mr. Field's 
business career has been remarkable for its suc- 
cess in a city famous for its successful business 
men and the vastness of their commercial oper- 
ations. He has been a generous and discrimi- 
nating patron of important public enterprises, 
some of his more conspicuous donations being the 
gift of a tract of land valued at §300,000 and 
§100,000 in cash, to the Chicago University, and 
§1,000,000 to the endowment of the Field Colum- 
bian Museum, as a sequel to tlie World's Colum- 
bian Exposition. The latter, chiefly through the 
munificence of Mr. Field, promises to become one 
of the leading institutions of its kind in the 
United States. Besides his mercantile interests, 
Mr. Field has extensive interests in various finan- 
cial and manufacturing enterprises, including 
the Pullman Palace Car Company and the Rock 
Island & Pacific Railroad, in each of which he is 
a Director. 

FIFER, Joseph W., born at Stanton, Va., Oct. 
28, 1840; in 1857 he accompanied his fatlier (who 
was a stone-mason) to McLean County, 111., and 
worked at the manufacture and laying of brick. 
At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private in the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, and 
was dangerously wounded at the assault on .Jack- 
son, Miss., in 1863. On the healing of his wound, 
disregarding the advice of family and friends, he 
rejoined his regiment. At the close of the war, 
when about 25 years of age, he entered the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington, wliere, by dint 
of hard work and frugality, while supporting 
himself in part by manual labor, he secured a 
diploma in 1868. He at once began the study of 
law, and, soon after his admission, entered upon a 
practice which subsequently proved both success- 
ful and lucrative. He was elected Corporation 
Counsel of Bloomington in 1871 and State's Attor- 
ney for JIcLean County in 1873, holding the latter 
office, through re-election, until 1880, when he 
was chosen State Senator, serving in the Thirty- 
second and Thirty-third General Assemblies. In 
1888 he was nominated and elected Governor on 
the Republican ticket, but, in 1892, was defeated 
by John P. Altgeld, the Democratic nominee, 
though running in advance of the national and 
the rest of the State ticket. 

FINERTY, John F., ex-Congressman and 
journalist, was born in Galway, Ireland, Sept. 
10. 1846. His studies were mainly prosecuted 



166 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



under private tutors. At the age of 10 he entered 
the profession of journalism, and, in 1864, coming 
to America, soon after enlisted, serving for 100 
days during the Civil War, in the Ninety-ninth 
New York Volunteers. Subsequently, having 
removed to Chicago, he was connected with "The 
Chicago Times" as a special correspondent from 
1876 to 1881, and, in 1882, estabUshed "The Citi- 
zen," a weekly newspaper devoted to the Irish- 
American interest, which he continues to pub- 
lish. In 1883 he was elected, as an Independ- 
ent Democrat, to rejiresent the Second Illinois 
District in the Forty-eighth Congress, but, run- 
Bing as an Independent Republican for re-election 
in 1884, was defeated by Frank Lawler, Democrat. 
In 1887 he was appointed Oil Inspector of Chi- 
cago, and, since 1889, has held no public oflBce, 
giving his attention to editorial work on his 
paper. 

FISHER, (Dr.) George, pioneer physician and 
legislator, was probably a native of Virginia, 
from which State he appears to have come to 
Kaskaskia previous to 1800. He became very 
prominent during the Territorial period; was 
appointed by William Henry Harrison, then 
Governor of Indiana Territorj-, the first Sheriff of 
Randolph County after its organization in 1801 ; 
was elected from that county to the Indiana 
Territorial House of Representatives in 180.5, and 
afterwards promoted to the Territorial Council ; 
was also Representative in the First and Third 
Legislatures of Illinois Territory (1812 and '16), 
serving as Speaker of each. He was a Dele- 
gate to the Constitutional Convention of 1818, but 
died [on his farm near Kaskaskia in 1820. Dr. 
Fisher participated in the organization of the 
first Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in Illi- 
nois at Kaskaskia, in 1806, and was elected one 
of its officers. 

FISHERIES. The fisheries of Illinois center 
chiefly at Chicago, the catch being taken from 
Lake Michigan, and including salmon trout, 
white fish (the latter species including a lake 
herring), wall-eyed pike, three kinds of bass, 
three varieties of sucker, carp and sturgeon. The 
"fishing fleet" of Lake Michigan, properly so 
called, (according to the census of 1890) con- 
sisted of forty-seven steamers and one schooner, 
of which only one — a steamer of twenty-six tons 
burthen — was credited to Illinois. The same 
report showed a capital of 836,105 invested in 
land, buildings, wharves, vessels, boats and 
apparatus. In addition to the "fishing fleet" 
mentioned, nearly 1,100 sail-boats and other vari- 
eties of craft ai'e employed in the industry, 



sailing from ports between Chicago and Macki 
nac, of which, in 1890, Illinois furnished 94, or 
about nine per cent. All sorts of apparatus are 
used, but the principal are gill, fyke and pound 
nets, and seines. The total value of these minor 
Illinois craft, with their equipment, for 1890, was 
nearly §18,000, the catch aggregating 722,830 
pounds, valued at between §24,000 and .§25,000. 
Of tliis draught, the entire quantity was either 
sold fresh in Chicago and adjacent markets, or 
shipped, either in ice or frozen. The Mississippi 
and its tributaries yield wall-eyed pike, pike 
perch, buffalo fish, stm-geon, paddle fish, and 
other species available for food. 

FITHIAX, George W., ex-Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Willow HiU, 111., July 4, 1854. 
His early education was obtained in the common 
schools, and he learned tlie trade of a printer at 
Mount Carmel. Wliile employed at the case he 
found time to studj- law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1875. In 1876 he was elected State's 
Attorney for Jasper County, and reelected in 
1880. He was prominent in JDemocratic politics, 
and, in 1888, was elected on tlie ticket of that 
party to represent the Sixteenth Illinois District 
in Congress. He was re-elected in 1890 and 
again in 1892, but, in 1894, was defeated by 'his 
Republican opponent. 

FITHIAN, (Dr.) William, pioneer physician, 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1800; built the 
first houses in Springfield and Urbana in that 
State; in 1822 began the study of medicine at 
Urbana ; later practiced two years at Mechanics- 
burgh, and four years at L^rbana, as partner of 
his preceptor; in 1830 came west, locating at 
Danville, Vermilion Count}', where he became a 
large land-owner; in 1832 served witli the Ver- 
milion County militia in the Black Hawk War, 
and, in 1834, was elected Representative in the 
Ninth General Assembly, the first of which 
Abraham Lincoln was a member; afterwards 
served two terms in the State Senate from the 
Danville District (1838-46). Dr. Fithian was 
active in promoting the railroad interests of 
Danville, giving the right of way for railroad 
purposes through a large body of land belonging 
to him, in Vermilion County. He was also a 
member of various medical associations, and, 
during his later years, was tlie oldest practicing 
physician in the State. Died, in Danville, 111., 
April 5, 1890. 

FLAGG, Gersliom, pioneer, was born in Rich- 
mond, Vt., in 1792, came west in 1816, settling in 
Madison County, 111., in 1818, where he was 
known as an enterprising fanner and a prominent 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



167 



and influential citizen. Originally a Whig, he 
became a zealous Republican on the organization 
of that pai-ty, dying in 1857. — Willard Cutting 
(Flagg), son of the preceding, was born in Madi- 
son County, 111., Sept 16, 1829, spent his early life 
on his father's farm and in the common schools; 
from 1844 to '50 was a pupil in the celebrated 
high school of Edward Wyman in St. Louis, 
finally graduating with honors at Yale College, 
in 1854. During his college course he took a 
number of literary prizes, and, in his senior year, 
served as one of the editors of "The Yale Literary 
Magazine." Returning to Illinois after gradu- 
ation, he took charge of his father's farm, engaged 
extensively in fruit-culture and stock-raising, 
being the first to introduce the Devon breed of 
cattle in Madison County in 1859. He was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1860 ; in 1863, by appointment of Gov. 
Yates, became Enrolling Officer for Madison 
County ; served as Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Twelfth District, 1864-69, and, in 1868, 
was elected to the State Senate for a term of four 
years, and, during the last session of his term 
(187'2), took a prominent part in the revision of 
the school law ; was appointed a member of the 
first Board of Trustees of the Industrial Univer- 
sity (now the University of Illinois) at Cham- 
paign, and reappointed in 1875. Mr. Flagg was 
also prominent in agricultural and horticultural 
organizations, serving as Secretary of the State 
Horticultural Society from 1861 to '69, when he 
became its President. He was one of the origi- 
nators of the "farmers' movement," served for 
some time as President of "The State Farmers' 
Association," wrote voluminously, and delivered 
addresses in various States on agricultural and 
horticultural topics, and, in 1875, was elected 
President of the National Agricultural Congress. 
In his later j'ears he was a recognized leader in 
the Granger movement. Died, at Mora, Madison 
County, 111., April 5, 1878. 

FLEJIIXO, Robert K., pioneer printer, was 
born in Erie County, Pa., learned the printers' 
trade in Pittsburg, and, coming west while quite 
young, worked at his trade in St. Louis, finally 
removing to Kaskaskia, where he was placed in 
control of the office of "The Republican Advo- 
cate," which had been established in 1823, by 
EUas Kent Kane. The publication of "The 
Advocate" having been suspended, he revived it 
in May, 1825, under the name of "The Kaskaskia 
Recorder," but soon removed it to VandaUa (then 
the State capital), and, in 1827, began the publi- 
cation of "The Illinois Corrector," at Edwards- 



ville. Two years later he rettxrned to Kaskaskia 
and resumed the publication of "The Recorder," 
but, in 1833, was induced to remove his office to 
Belleville, where he commenced the publication 
of "The St. Clair Gazette," followed by "Tlie St. 
Clair Mercury," both of which Iiad a brief exist- 
ence. About 1843 he returned to the newspaper 
business as publisher of "The Belleville Advo- 
cate," which he continued for a number of years. 
He died, at Belleville, in 1874, leaving two sons 
who have been prominently identified with the 
history of journalism in Southern Illinois, at 
Belleville and elsewhere. 

FLETCHER, Job, pioneer and early legislator, 
was born in Virginia, in 1793, removed to Sanga- 
mon County. 111., in 1819; was elected Represent- 
ative in 1826, and, in 1834, to the State Senate, 
serving in the latter body six years. He was one 
of the famous "Long Nine'' which represented 
Sangamon County in the Tenth General Assem- 
bly. Mr. Fletcher was again a member of the 
House in 1844-45. Died, in Sangamon County, 
in 1873. 

FLORA, a city in Harter Township, Clay 
County, on the Baltimore & Ohio Soutliwestern 
Railroad, 95 miles east of St. Louis, and 108 miles 
south-southeast of Springfield; has barrel factory, 
flouring mills, cold storage and ice plant, three 
fruit-working factories, two banks, six churches ^ 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1890), 
1,695; (1900), 3,311 ; (1903, est.), 3,000. 

FLOWER, Georg'e, early English colonist, was 
born in Hertfordshire, England, about 1780; 
came to the United States in 1817, and was associ- 
ated with Morris Birkbeck in founding the 
"English Settlement" at Albion, Edwards 
County, 111. Being in affluent circumstances, he 
built an elegant mansion and stocked an exten- 
sive farm with blooded animals from England 
and other parts of Europe, but met with reverses 
which dissipated his wealth. In common with 
Mr. Birkbeck, he was one of the determined 
opponents of the attempt to establish slavery in 
Illinois in 1834, and did much to defeat that 
measure. He and his wife died on the same day 
(Jan. 15, 1863), while on a visit to a daughter at 
Grayville, 111. A book written bj^ him — "Historj- 
of the English Settlement in Edwards Coimty, 
111." — and published in 1882, is a valuable contri- 
bution to the early history of that portion of the 
State. — Edward Fordhams (Flower), son of the 
preceding, was born in England, Jan. 31, 1805, 
but came with lii.s father to Illinois in early life ; 
later he returned to England and spent nearly 
half a century at Stratford-on-Avon, where he 



168 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was four times chosen Mayor of that borough 
and entertained many visitors from the United 
States to Shakespeare's birthplace. Died, March 
36, 1883. 

FOBES, Philena, educator, born in Onondaga 
County, N. Y., Sept. 10, 1811; was educated at 
Albany and at Cortland Seminary, Rochester, 
N. Y. ; in 1838 became a teacher in Monticello 
Female Seminary, then newly established at 
Godfrey, 111., under Rev. Theron Baldwin, Prin- 
cipal. On the retirement of Mr. Baldwin in 1843, 
Miss Fobes succeeded to the principalship, 
remaining until 1866, when she retired. For 
some years she re.sided at Rochester, N. Y., and 
New Haven, Conn., but, in 1886, she removed to 
Philadelphia, where she afterwards made her 
home, notwithstanding her advanced age, main- 
taining a lively interest in educational and 
benevolent enterprises. Miss Fobes died at Phila- 
delphia, Nov. 8, 1898, and was buried at New 
Haven, Conn. 

FOLEY, Thomas, Roman CathoUc Bishop, born 
in Baltimore, Md., in 1833; was ordained a priest 
in 1846, and, two years later, was appointed Chan- 
cellor of the Diocese, being made Vicar-General 
in 1867. He was nominated Coadjutor Bishop of 
the Cliicago Diocese in 1869 (Bisliop Duggan hav- 
ing become insane), and, in 1870, was consecrated 
Bishop, His administration of diocesan work was 
prudent and eminently successful. As a man 
and citizen he won the respect of all creeds and 
classes alike, the State Legislature adopting 
re.solutions of respect and regret upon learning 
of his death, which occurred at Baltimore, in 
1879. 

FORBES, Stephen Van Rensselaer, pioneer 
teacher, was born at Windham, Vt., July 26, 1797; 
in his youth acquired a knowledge of surveying, 
and, having removed to Newburg (now South 
Cleveland), Ohio, began teaching. In 1829 he 
came west to Chicago, and having joined a sur- 
veying party, went to Louisiana, returning in 
the following year to Chicago, which then con- 
tained only three white families outside of Fort 
Dearborn. Having been joined by his wife, he 
took up his abode in what was called the "sut- 
ler's house" connected with Fort Dearborn; was 
appointed one of the first Justices of the Peace, 
and opened the first school ever taught in Chi- 
cago, all but three of his pupils being either 
half-breeds or Indians. In 1832 he was elected, as 
a Whig, the lirst Sheriff of Cook County ; later 
preempted 160 acres of land where Riverside 
now stands, subsequently becoming owner of 
some 1,800 acres, much of which he sold, about 



18.53, to Dr. W. B. Egan at §20 per acre. In 
1849, having been .seized with the "gold fever," 
Mr. Forbes joined in the overland migration to 
California, but, not ' being successful, returned 
two years later by way of the Isthmus, and, hav- 
ing sold his pos.sessions in Cook County, took up 
his abode at Newburg, Ohio, and resumed his 
occupation as a smweyor. About 1878 he again 
returned to Chicago, but survived only a short 
time, dying Feb. 17, 1879. 

FORD, Thomas, early lawyer, jurist and Gov- 
ernor, was born in Uniontown, Pa., and, in boy- 
hood, accompanied his mother (then a widow) to 
Missouri, in 1804. The family soon after located 
in Monroe County, 111. Largely through the 
efforts and aid of liis half-brother, George 
Forquer, he obtained a professional education, 
became a successful lawyer, and, early in life, 
entered the field of politics. He served as a 
Judge of the Circuit Court for the northern part 
of the State from 183.5 to 1837, and was again 
commissioned a Circuit Judge for the Galena 
circuit in 1839; in 1841 was elevated to the bench 
of tlie State Supreme Court, but resigned the 
following year to accept the nomination of his 
party (the Democratic) for Governor. He was 
regarded as upright in his general policy, but he 
had a number of embarrassing questions to deal 
with during his administration, one of these 
being the Mormon troubles, in which he failed to 
receive the support of his own party. He was 
author of a valuable ' History of Illinois," (pub- 
lished posthumously). He died, at Peoria, in 
greatly reduced circumstances, Nov. 3, 1850. The 
State Legislature of 1895 took steps to erect a 
monument over his grave. 

FORD COUNTY, lies northeast of Springfield, 
was organized in 1859, being cut off from Vermil- 
ion. It is shaped like an inverted "T, " and has 
an area of 490 square miles;- population (1900), 
18,359. The first County Judge was David Pat- 
ton, and David Davis (afterwards of the United 
States Supreme Court) presided over the first 
Circuit Court. The surface of the couut3- is level 
and the soil fertile, consisting of a loam from one 
to five feet in deptli. There is little timber, nor 
is tliere any out-cropping of stone. The county 
is named in honor of Governor Ford. The county- 
seat is Paxton, which had a population, in 1890, of 
2, 187. Gibson City is a railroad center, and has a 
population of 1,800. 

FORMAN, (Col.) Ferris, lawyer and soldier, 
was born in Tioga County, N. Y., August 25, 
1811 ; graduated at Union College in 1833, studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in New York in 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



16i) 



1835, and in the United States Supreme Court in 
1836; the latter year came west and settled at 
Vandalia, III., where he began practice; in 1844 
was elected to the State Senate for the district 
composed of Fayette, Effingham, Clay and Ricli- 
land Counties, serving two years; before the 
expiration of his term (1846) enlisted for the 
Mexican War, and was commissioned Colonel of 
the Third Regiment Illinois Volunteers, and, 
after participating in a number of the most 
important engagements of the campaign, was 
mustered out at New Orleans, in ilas', 184T. Re- 
turning from the Me.xican War, he brought with 
him and presented to the State of Illinois a 
six-pound cannon, which had been captured by 
Illinois troops on the battlefield of Cerro Gordo, 
and is now in the State Arsenal at Springfield. 
In 1848 Colonel Forman was chosen Presidential 
Elector for the State-at- large on the Democratic 
ticket; in 1849 went to California, where he prac- 
ticed his profession until 1853, meanwhile serving 
as Postmaster of Sacramento City by appointment 
of President Pierce, and later as Secretarj' of 
State during the administration of Gov. John B. 
"Weller (1858-60); in 18G1 officiated, by appoint- 
ment of tlie California Legislature, as Commis- 
sioner on the part of the State in fixing the 
boundarj' between California and the Territory 
of Utah. After the discharge of this duty, he 
was offered the colonelcy of the Fourth California 
Volunteer Infantry, which he accepted, serving 
about twenty months, when he resigned. In 
1866 he resumed his residence at Vandalia, and 
served as a Delegate for Fayette and Effingham 
Counties in the Constitutional Convention of 
1869-70, also for several j-ears thereafter held the 
office of State's Attorney for Fayette Coiinty. 
Later he returned to California, and, at the 
latest date, was a resident of Stockton, in tliat 
State. 

FORMAJf, WilUam S., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Natchez, Miss., Jan. 20, 1847. When he 
was four years old, his father's family removed to 
Illinois, settling in Washington County, where 
he has lived ever since. By profession he is a 
lawyer, and he takes a deep interest in politics, 
local. State and National. He represented his 
Senatorial District in the State Senate in the 
Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1888, was elected, as a Democrat, to 
repre.sent the Eighteenth Illinois District in the 
Fifty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1890, and 
again in '92, but was defeated in 1894 for renomi- 
nation by John J. Higgins, who was defeated at 
the election of the same year by Everett J. Mur- 



phy. In 1896 Mr. Forman was candidate of the 
"Gold Democracy" for Governor of Illinois, 
receiving 8. 100 votes. 

FORQUER, George, early State officer, was 
born near Brownsville, Pa., in 1794 — was the son 
of a Revolutionary soldier, and older half-brother 
of Gov. Thomas Ford. He settled, with his 
mother (then a widow), at New Design, 111., in 
1804. After learning, and, for several years, 
following the carpenter's trade at St. Louis, he 
returned to Illinois and purchased the tract 
whereon Waterloo now stands. Subsequently he 
projected the town of Bridge water, on the Mis- 
sissippi. For a time he was a partner in trade of 
Daniel P. Cook. Being unsuccessful in business, 
he took up the study of law, in whicli he attained 
marked success. In 1824 he was elected to repre- 
sent Monroe County in the House of Represent- 
atives, but resigned in January of the following 
year to accept the position of Seci-etary of State, 
to which he was appointed by Governor Coles, 
as successor to Morris Birkbeck, whom the 
Senate liad refused to confirm. One ground for 
the friendship between him and Coles, no doubt, 
was the fact that they had been united in their 
opposition to the scheme to make Illinois a slave 
State. In 1828 he was a candidate for Congress, 
but was defeated by Joseph Duncan, afterwards 
Governor. At the close of the year he resigned 
the office of Secretary of State, but, a few weeks 
later (.January, 1829), he was elected by the 
Legislature Attorney-General. This position he 
held until January, 1838, when he resigned, hav- 
ing, as it appears, at the previous election, been 
chosen State Senator from Sangamon County, 
serving in the Eighth and Ninth General Assem- 
blies. Before the close of his term as Senator 
(1835), he received the appointment of Register 
of the Land Office at Springfield, which appears 
to have been the last office held by him, as he 
died, at Cincinnati, in 1837. Mr. Forquer was a 
man of recognized ability and influence, an elo- 
quent orator and capable writer, but, in common 
with some of the ablest lawyers of that time, 
seems to have been much embarrassed by the 
smallness of his income, in spite of his ability 
and the fact that he was almost continually in 
office. 

FORREST, a village in Livingston County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
and the Wabash Railways, 75 miles east of Peoria 
and 16 miles southeast of Pontiac. Considerable 
grain is shipped from this point to the Chicago 
market. The village has several churches and a 
gradedschool. Population (1880), 375; (1900), 952. 



170 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



FORREST, Joseph K. C, journalist, was born 
in Cork, Ireland, Nov. 26, 1820 ; came to Chicago 
in 1840, soon after securing employment as a 
writer on "The Evening Journal," and, later on, 
"The Gem of the Prairies," the predecessor of 
"The Tribune," being associated with the latter 
at the date of its establishment, in June, 1847. 
During the early years of his residence in Chi- 
cago, Mr. Forrest spent some time as a teacher. 
On retiring from "The Tribune," he became the 
associate of John Wentworth in the management 
of "The Chicago Democrat," a relation which 
was broken up by the consolidation of the latter 
with "The Tribime," in 1861. He then became 
the Springfield correspondent of "The Tribune," 
also holding a position on the staff of Governor 
Yates, and still later represented "The St. Louis 
Democrat" and "Chicago Times, " as Washington 
correspondent; assisted iu founding "The Chicago 
Republican" {now "Inter Ocean"), in 1865, and, 
some years later, became a leading writer upon 
the same. He served one term as Clerk of the 
city of Chicago, but, in his later years, and up to 
the period of his death, was a leading contributor 
to the columns of "The Chicago Evening News" 
over the signatures of "An Old Timer" and "Now 
or Never." Died, in Chicago, June 23, 1896. 

FOBRESTON, a village in Ogle County, the 
terminus of tlie Chicago .and Iowa branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and 
point of intersection of the Illinois Central and 
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways; 107 
miles west by north from Chicago, and 12 miles 
south of Freeport ; founded in 1854, incorporated 
by special charter in 1868. and, under the general 
law, in 1888. Farming and stock-raising are the 
principal industries. The village has a bank, 
water-works, electric light plant, creamery, vil- 
lage hall, seven churches, a graded .school, and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,118; (1900), 1,047. 

FORSYTHE, Albert P., ex-Congressman, was 
born at New Richmond, Ohio, May 24, 1830; 
received his early education in the common 
schools, and at Asbury University. He was 
reared upon a farm and followed farming as his 
life-work. During the War of the Rebellion he 
served in the Union army as Lieutenant. In 
politics he early became an ardent Nationalist, 
and was chosen President of the Illinois State 
Grange of the Patrons of Industry, in December, 
1875, and again in January, 1878. In 1878 he was 
elected to Congress as a Nationalist, but, in 1880, 
though receiving the nominations of the com- 
bined Republican and Greenback parties, was 
defeated by Samuel W. Moulton, Democrat. 



FORT, fJreenbury L., soldier and Congress- 
man, was born in Ohio, Oct. 17, 1825, and, in 1834, 
removed with his parents to Illinois. In 1850 he 
was elected Sheriff of Putnam County ; in 1852, 
Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, having mean- 
while been admitted to the bar at Lacon, became 
County Judge in 1857, serving until 1861. In 
April of the latter year he enlisted under the first 
call for troops, by re-enlistments serving till 
March 24, 1866. Beginning as Quartermaster of 
his regiment, he served as Chief Quartermaster of 
the Fifteenth Army Corps on the "March to the 
Sea," and was mustered out with the rank ol 
Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General. On his 
return from the field, he was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Twenty-fifth and Twenty- 
sixth General Assemblies, and, from 1873 to 1881, 
as Representative in Congress. He died, at 
Lacon, June 13. 1883. 

FORT CHARTRES, a strong fortification 
erected by the French in 1718, on the American 
Bottom, 16 miles northwest from Kaskaskia. 
The soil on which it stood was alluvial, and the 
limestone of which its walls were built was 
quarried from an adjacent bluff. In form it was 
an irregular quadrangle, surroimded on three 
sides by a wall two feet two inches thick, and on 
the fourth by a ravine, which, during the spring- 
time, was full of water. During the period of 
French ascendency in Illinois, Fort Chartres was 
the seat of government. About four miles east 
soon sprang up the village of Prairie du Rocher 
(or Rock Prairie). (See Prairie du Roclier.) At 
the outbreak of the French and Indian War 
(1756), the original fortification was repaired and 
virtually rebuilt. Its cost at that time is esti- 
mated to have amounted to 1,000,000 French 
crowns. After the occupation of Illinois by the 
British, Fort Chartres still remained the seat of 
government until 1772, when one side of the 
fortification was washed away by a freshet, and 
headquarters were transferred to Kaskaskia. 
The first common law court ever held in tlie Mis- 
sissippi Valley was established here, in 1768, by 
the order of Colonel Wilkins of the English 
army. The ruins of the old fort, situated in tlie 
northwest corner of Randolph Countj', once con- 
stituted an object of no little interest to anti- 
quarians, but the site has disappeared during the 
past generation by the encroachments of the 
Mississippi. 

FORT DEARBORN, the name of a United 
States military post, established at the mouth of 
the Chicago River in 1803 or 1804, on a tract of 
land six miles square conveyed by the Indians in 




EARLY IIISTOKIC SCENES. CHICAGO. 







R«^ublicai\ Wigwdit^, 



EARLY HISTUKJC SCENES. CHICAGO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOrEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



171 



the treaty of Greenville, concluded by General 
AVavne in 1795. It originally consisted of two 
block houses located at opposite angles (north- 
west and southeast) of a strong wooden stockade, 
with the Commandant's quarters on the east side 
of the quadrangle, soldiers' barracks on the south, 
officers" barracks on the west, and magazine, 
contractor's (sutler's) store and general store- 
house on the north — all the buildings being con- 
structed of logs, and all, except the block-houses, 
being entirely within the enclosure. Its arma- 
ment consisted of three light pieces of artillery. 
Its builder and first commander was Capt. John 
"Whistler, a native of Ireland who had surrendered 
with Burgoyne, at Saratoga,, N. Y., and who 
subsequently became an American citizen, and 
served with distinction throughout the War of 
1812. He was succeeded, in 1810, by Capt. 
Xathan Heald. As early as 1806 the Indians 
around the fort manifested signs of disquietude, 
Tecumseh, a few years later, heading an open 
armed revolt. In 1810 a council of Pottawato- 
niies, Ottawas and Chippewas was held at St. 
Joseph, Mich., at which it was decided not to 
join the confederacy proposed by Chief Tecumseh. 
In 1811 hostilities were precipitated by an attack 
upon the United States troops under Gen. 
William Henry Harrison at Tippecanoe. In 
April, 1812, hostile bands of Winnebagos appeared 
in the vicinity of Fort Dearborn, terrifying the 
settlers by their atrocities. Many of the -whites 
sought refuge within the stockade. Within two 
months after the declaration of war against 
England, in 1812, orders were issued for the 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn .and the transfer of 
the garrison to Detroit. The garrison at that 
t'me numbered about 70, including officers, a 
large number of the troops being ill. Almost 
simultaneously with the order for evacuation 
appeared bands of Indians clamoring for a dis- 
tribution of the goods, to which they claimed 
they were entitled under treaty stipulations. 
Knowing that he had but about forty men able 
to fight and that his march w-ould be sadly 
hindered bj- the care of about a dozen women and 
twenty children, the commandant hesitated. 
The Pottawatoniies, through whose country he 
would have to pass, had always been friendlj-, and 
he waited. Within six days a force of .")00 or 600 
savage warriors had as.sembled around the fort. 
Among the leaders were the Pottawatomie chiefs, 
Black Partridge, Winnemeg and Topenebe. Of 
these, Winnemeg was friendly. It was he who 
had brouglit General Hull's orders to evacuate, 
and, as the crisis grew more a.nd more dangerous, ' 



he offered sound advice. He urged instantaneous 
departure before the Indians had time to agree 
upon a line of action. But Captain Heald 
decided to distribute the stores among the sav- 
ages, and thereby secure from them a friendly 
escort to Fort Wayne. To this the aborigines 
readily assented, believing that thereby all the 
whisky and ammunition which they knew to be 
within the enclosure, would fall into their hands. 
Meanwhile Capt. AVilliam Wells, Indian Agent at 
Fort Wayne, had arrived at Fort Dearborn with 
a friendly force of Miamis to act as an escort. 
He convinced Captain Heald that it would be the 
height of folly to give the Indians liquor and gun- 
powder. Accordingly the commandant emptied 
the former into the lake and destroj-ed the latter. 
This was the signal for war. Black Partridge 
claimed he could no longer restrain his young 
braves, and at a council of the aborigines it was 
resolved to massacre the garrison and settlers. 
On the fifteenth of August the gates of the fort 
were opened and the evacuation began. A band 
of Pottawatomies accompanied the whites under 
the guise of a friendly escort. The}' soon deserted 
and, within a mile and a half from the fort, 
began the sickening scene of carnage known as 
the "Fort Dearborn Massacre." Nearly 500 
Indians participated, their loss being less than 
twenty. The Miami escort fled at the first 
exchange of shots. With but four exceptions 
the wounded white prisoners were dispatched 
with savage ferocity and promptitude. Those 
not woimded were scattered among various tribes. 
The next day the fort with its stockade was 
burned. In 1816 (after the treaty of St. Louis) 
the fort was rebuilt upon a more elaborate scale. 
The second Fort Dearborn contained, besides bar- 
racks and officers' quarters, a magazine and 
provision-store, was enclosed by a square stock- 
ade, and protected by bastions at two of its 
angles. It was again evacuated in 1823 and 
re-garrisoned in 1828. The troops were once 
more withdrawn in 1831, to return the following 
year during the Black Hawk War. Tlie final 
evacuation occuiTed in 1836. 

FORT (iAGE, situated on the eastern bluflfs of 
the Kaskaskia River, opposite the village of Kas- 
kaskia. It was erected and occupied by the 
British in 1772. It was built of heavy, square 
timbers and oblong in shape, its dimensions being 
290x251 feet. On the night of July 4, 1778, it was 
captured by a detachment of American troops 
commanded by Col. George Rogers Clark. wh(? 
held a commission from Virginia. The soldiers, 
with Simon Kenton at tlieir Iiead. were secretly 



172 



IITSTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



admitted to the fort by a Pennsylvanian who 
happened to be within, and the comniaudant, 
Rocheblave, was surprised in bed, while sleeping 
with his wife by his side. 

FORT JEFFERSON. I. A fort erected by Col. 
George Rogers Clark, under instructions from 
the Governor of Virginia, at the Iron Banks on 
the east bank of the Jlississippi, below the mouth 
of the Ohio River. He promised lands to all 
adult, able-bodied white males who would emi- 
grate thither and settle, either with or without 
their families. Many accepted the offer, and 
a considerable colony was established there. 
Toward the close of the Revolutionary War, Vir- 
ginia being unable longer to sustain the garrison, 
the colony was scattered, many families going to 
Kaskaskia. II. A fort in the Miami valley, 
erected by Governor St. Clair and General Butler, 
in October, 1791. Within thirty miles of the 
post St. Clair's arm}^ which liad been badly 
weakened through desertions, was cut to pieces 
by the enemy, and the fortification was aban- 
doned. 

FORT MASSAC, an early French fortification, 
erected about 1711 on the Ohio River, 40 miles 
from its mouth, in what is now Massac County. 
It was the first fortification (except Fort St. 
Louis) in the "Illinois Country," antedating 
Fort Chartres by several years. The origin of 
the name is uncertain. The best authorities are 
of the opinion that it was so called in honor of 
the engineer who superintended its construction ; 
by others it has been traced to the name of the 
French Minister of Marine ; others assert that it 
is a corruption of the word "Massacre," a name 
given to the locality because of the massacre 
there of a large number of French soldiers by the 
Indians. The Virginians sometimes spoke of it 
as the "Cherokee fort." It was garrisoned by 
the French until after the evacuation of the 
country under the terms of the Treaty of Paris. 
It later became a sort of depot for American 
settlers, a few families constantly residing within 
and around the fortification. At a very early 
day a military road was laid out from the fort to 
Kaskaskia, the trees alongside being utilized as 
milestones, the number of miles being cut with 
irons and painted red. After the close of the 
Revolutionary War, the United States Govern- 
ment strengthened and garrisoned the fort by 
way of defense against inroads by the Spaniards. 
With the cession of Louisiana to the United 
States, in 1803, the fort was evacuated and never 
re-garrisoned. According to the "American 
State Papers," during the period of the French 



occupation, it was both a Jesuit missionary 
station and a trading post. 

FORT SACKVILLE, a British fortification, 
erected in 1769, on the Wabash River a short 
distance below Vincennes. It was a stockade, 
with bastions and a few pieces of cannon. In 
1778 it fell into the hands of the Americans, and 
was for a time commanded by Captain Helm, 
with a garrison of a few Americans and Illinois 
French. In December, 1778, Helm and one 
private alone occupied the fort and surrendered 
to Hamilton, British Governor of Detroit, who 
led a force into the country around Vincennes. 

FORT SHERIDAIV, United States Military 
Post, in Lake County, on the Milwaukee Division 
of the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, 24 miles 
north of Cliicago. (Highwood village adjacent 
onthesouth.) Population (1890), 4.51 ; (1900). l,.-)75. 

FORT ST. LOUIS, a French fortification on a 
rook (widely known as "Starved Rock"), which 
consists of an isolated cliff on the south side of 
the Illinois River nearly opposite Utica, in La 
Salle County. Its height is between 130 and 140 
feet, and its nearly round summit contains an 
area of about three- fourths of an acre. The side 
facing the river is nearly perpendicular and, in 
natural advantages, it is well-nigh impregnable. 
Here, in the fall of 1683, La Salle and Tonty 
began the erection of a fort, consisting of earth- 
works, palisades, store-houses and a block house, 
which also served as a dwelling and trading post. 
A windlass drew water from the river, and two 
small brass cannon, mounted on a parapet, com- 
prised the armament. It was solemnly dedicated 
by Father Membre.-and soon became a gathering 
place for the surrounding tribes, especially the 
Illinois. But Frontenac having been succeeded 
as Governor of New France by De la Barre, who 
was unfriendly to La Salle, the latter was dis- 
placed as Commandant at Fort St. Louis, while 
plots were laid to secure his downfall by cutting 
off his supplies and inciting the Iroquois to attack 
him. La Salle left the fort in 1683, to return to 
France, and, in 1702, it was abandoned as a 
military post, though it continued to be a trad- 
ing post until 1718, when it was raided by the 
Indians and burned. (See La Salle.) 

FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 
(See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway.) 

FORT WAYNE & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
Neio York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway.) 

FORTIFICATIONS, PREHISTORIC. Closely 
related in interest to the works of the moimd- 
builders in Illinois — though, probably, owing their 
origin to another era and an entirely different 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



173 



race — are those works which bear evidence of 
having been constructed for purposes of defense 
at some period anterior to the arrival of white 
nieu in the country. Wliile tliere are no works 
in Illinois so elaborate in construction as those to 
which have been given the names of "'Fort 
Ancient" on the Maumee in Ohio, "Fort Azatlan" 
on the Wabash in Indiana, and "Fort Aztalan" 
on Rock River in Southern Wisconsin, there are 
a number whose form of construction shows that 
they must have been intended for warlike pur- 
poses, and that they were formidable of their 
kind and for the period in which they were con- 
structed. It is a somewhat curious fact that, 
while La Salle County is the seat of the first 
fortification constructed by the French in Illinois 
that can be said to have had a sort of permanent 
character ( see Fort St. Louis and Starved Rock), 
it is also the site of a larger number of prehistoric 
fortifications, whose remains are in such a state 
of preservation as to be clearly discernible, than 
any other section of the State of equal area. One 
of the most formidable of these fortifications is 
on the east side of Fox River, opposite the mouth 
of Indian Creek and some six miles northeast of 
Ottawa. Tliis occupies a position of decided 
natm-al strength, and is surrounded by three lines 
of circumvallation, showing evidence of consider- 
able engineering skill. From the size of the trees 
within this work and other evidences, its age has 
been estimated at not less than 1.200 years. On 
the present site of the town of Marseilles, at the 
rapids of the Illinois, seven miles east of Ottawa, 
another work of considerable strength existed. 
It is also said that the American Fur Company 
had an earthwork here for the protection of its 
trading station, erected about 1816 or '18, and 
consequently belonging to the present century. 
Besides Fort St. Louis on Starved Rock, the out- 
line of another fort, or outwork, whose era has 
not been positively determined, about half a mile 
south of the former, has been traced in recent 
times. De Baugis, sent by Governor La Barre, of 
Canada, to succeed Tonty at Fort St. Louis, is said 
to have erected a fort on Buffalo Rock, on the 
opposite side of the river from Fort St. Louis, 
which belonged practically to the same era as the 
latter. — There are two points in Southern Illinois 
where the aborigines had constructed fortifica- 
tions to which the name "Stone Fort" has been 
given. One of these is a hill overlooking the 
Saline River in the southern part of Saline 
County, where there is a wall or breastwork five 
feet in height enclosing an area of less than an 
acre in extent. The other is on the west side of 



Lusk's Creek, in Pope County, where a breast- 
work has been constructed by loosely piling up 
the stones across a ridge, or tongue of land, with 
vertical sides and surrounded by a bend of the 
creek. Water is easily obtainable from the creek 
below the fortified ridge. — The remains of an old 
Indian fortification were found by early settlers 
of McLean County, at a point called "Old Town 
Timber," about 1833 to 1835. It was believed 
then that it had been occupied by the Indians 
during the War of 1812. The story of the Indians 
was, that it was burned by General Harrison in 
1813; though this is improbable in view of the 
absence of any historical mention of the fact. 
Judge H. W. Beckwith, who examined its site in 
1880, is of the opinion that its history goes back 
as far as 1752, and that it was erected by tlie 
Indians as a defense against the French at Kas- 
kaskia. There was also a tradition that there 
had been a French mission at this point. — One of 
the most interesting stories of early fortifications 
in the State, is that of Dr. V. A. Boyer, an old 
citizen of Chicago, in a paper contributed to the 
Chicago Historical Society. Although the work 
alluded to by him was evidently constructed after 
the arrival of the French in the country, the 
exact period to which it belongs is in doubt. 
According to Dr. Boyer, it was on an elevated 
ridge of timber land in Palos Township, in the 
western part of Cook Count}'. He says: "I first 
saw it in 1833, and since then have visited it in 
company with other persons, some of whom are 
still living. I feel sure that it was not built dur- 
ing the Sac War from its appearance. ... It 
seems probable that it was the work of French 
traders or explorers, as there were trees a century 
old growing in its environs. It was evidently 
the work of an enlightened people, skilled in the 
science of warfare. ... As a strategic point it 
most completely commanded the surrounding 
country and the crossing of the swamp or 'Sag"." 
Is it improbable that this was the fort occupied 
by Colonel Durantye in 1695? The remains of a 
small fort, supposed to have been a French trad- 
ing post, were found by the pioneer settlers of 
Lake County, where the present city of Waukegan 
stands, giving to that place its first name of 
"Little Fort." This structure was seen in 1825 
by Col. William S. Hamilton (a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, first Secretary of the Treasury), who 
had served in the session of the General Assembly 
of that year as a Representative from Sangamon 
County, and was then on his way to Green Bay, 
and the remains of the pickets or i)ali.sades were 
visible as late as 1835. While the date of its 



174 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



erection is unknown, it probably belonged to the 
latter part of the eighteenth century. There is 
also a tradition tliat a fort or trading post, erected 
by a Frenchman named Garay (or Guariej stood 
on the North Branch of the Chicago River prior 
to the erection of the first Fort Dearborn in 1803. 

FOSS, Georire Edmund, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Franklin County, Vt., July 3, 
1863; graduated from Harvard University, in 
1885; attended the Columbia Law School and 
School of Political Science in New York City, 
finally graduating from the Union College of Law 
in Chicago, in 1889, when he was admitted to the 
bar and began practice. He never held any 
political office until elected as a Republican to 
the Fift}'- fourth Congress (1894), from the 
Seventh Illinois District, receiving a majority of 
more than 8,000 votes over his Democratic and 
Populist competitors. In 1896 he was again the 
candidate of his party, and was re-elected by a 
majority of over 20,000, as he was a third time, 
in 1898, by more than 12,000 majority. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress Mr. Foss was a member of tlie 
Committees on Naval Affairs and Expenditures in 
the Department of Agriculture. 

FOSTER, (Dr.) John Herbert, physician and 
educator, was born of Quaker ancestry at Hills- 
borough, N. H., March 8, 1T96. His early years 
were spent on his father's farm, but at the age 
of 16 he entered an academy at Meriden, N. H., 
and, three years later, began teaching with an 
older brother at Schoharie, N. Y. Having spent 
some sixteen years teaching and practicing 
medicine at various places in his native State, in 
1832 he came west, first locating in Morgan 
County, 111. While there he took part in the 
Black Hawk War, serving as a Surgeon. Before 
the close of the j'ear he was compelled to come to 
Chicago to look after the estate of a brother who 
was an officer in the army and had been killed by 
an insubordinate soldier at Green Bay. Having 
thus fallen heir to a considerable amount of real 
estate, which, in subsequent years, largely 
appreciated in value, he became identified with 
. early Chicago and ultimately one of the largest 
real-estate o^iiers of his time in the cit}-. He 
was an active promoter of education during this 
period, serving on both City and State Boards. 
His death occurred, Maj- IS, 1874, in consequence 
of injuries sustained by being thrown from a 
vehicle in which he was riding nine days pi'evious. 

FOSTER, John Wells, author and scientist, 
was born at Brimfield, Mass., in 1815, and edu- 
cated at Wesleyan University. Conn ; later studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Ohio, but 



soon turned his attention to scientific pursuits, 
being emploN'ed for several years in the geological 
survej' of Ohio, during which he investigated tlie 
coal-beds of the State. Having incidentally 
devoted considerable attention to the study of 
metallurg}-, he was employed about 1844 by 
mining capitalists to make the first systematic 
surve}- of the Lake Superior copper region, upon 
which, in conjunction witli J. D. Whitney, he 
made a report whicli was published in two vol- 
umes in 1850-51. Returning to Massachusetts, he 
participated in the organization of the "American 
Party"" there, though we find him soon after 
breaking with it on the slavery question. In 
1855 he was a candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield (Mass.) Di.strict. but was beaten by a 
small majority. In 1858 he removed to Cliicago 
and, for some time, was Land Commissioner of 
the Illinois Central Railroad. The latter years of 
his life were devoted chiefly to arohteological 
researches and writings, also serving for some 
years as Professor of Natural History in the (old) 
University of Chicago. His works include "The 
Mississippi Valley ; its Physical Geography, Min- 
eral Re.sources," etc. (Chicago, 1869); "Mineral 
Wealth and Railroad Development,'" (New York, 
18T2) ; "'Prehistoric Races of the L^nited States," 
(Chicago, 1873), besides contributions to numer- 
ous scientific periodicals. He was a member of 
several scientific associations and. in 1869, Presi- 
dent of the American Association for the Ad- 
vancement of Science. He died in Hyde Park, 
now a part of Chicago. June 29, 1873. 

FOl'KE, Philip B., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Kaskaskia, 111., Jan. 23, 1818; was 
cliiefly self-educated and began his career as a 
clerk, afterwards acting as a civil engineer; about 
1841-42 was associated with the publication of 
"The Belleville Advocate," later studied law, 
and, after being admitted to the bar, served as 
Prosecuting Attorney, being re-elected to tliat 
oflice in 1856. Previous to this, however, he had 
been elected to the lower branch of the Seven- 
teenth General Assembly (1850), and, in 1858, 
was elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-sixth 
Congress and re-elected two years later. While 
still in Congress he assisted in organizing the 
Thirtieth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of which 
he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned on 
account of ill-health soon after the battle of Shiloh. 
After leaving the army he removed to New 
Orleans, where he was appointed Public Adminis- 
trator and practiced law for some time. He then 
took up the prosecution of the cotton-claims 
against the Mexican Government, ia wl\ich he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



175 



was engaged some seven years, finally removing 
to Wasliington City and making several trips to 
Europe in the interest of tliese suits. He won 
his cases, but died soon after a decision in his 
favor, largely in consequence of overtaxing his 
brain in tiieir prosecution. His death occurred 
in Washington, Oct. 3, 1876, when he was buried 
in the Congressional Cemetery, President Grant 
and a number of Senators and Congressmen acting 
as pall-bearers at his funeral. 

FOWLER, Charles Henry, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born in Burford. Conn.. Avigust 11, 1837; 
was partially educated at Rock River Seminaiw, 
Mount Jlorris. liually graduating at Genesee 
College. N. Y.. in 18.59. He then be.gan the study 
of law in Chicago, but, changing his purpose, 
entered Garrett Biblical Institute, at Evanston, 
graduating in 1801. Having been admitted to 
the Rock River Methodist Episcopal Conference 
he was appointed successively to Chicago churches 
till 1872; then became President of the North- 
western University, holding this office four }-ears, 
when he was elected to the editorship of "The 
Christian Advocate" of New York. In 1884 he 
was elected and ordained Bishop. His residence 
is in .San Fi-ancisco, his labors as Bishop being 
devoted largely to the Pacific .States. 

FOX RIVER (of Illinois)— called Pislitaka liy 
the Indians — rises in Waukesha Count}'. Wis., 
and, after running southward through Kenosha 
and Racine Counties in that State, passes into 
Illinois. It intersects McHeury and Kane Coun- 
ties and runs soutliward to the city of Aurora, 
below which point it flows southwestward, until 
it empties into the Illinois River at Ottawa. Its 
length is estimated at 220 miles. The chief 
towns on its banks are Elgin, Aurora and Ottawa. 
It affords abundant water power. 

FOXES, an Indian tribe. (See Sacs and 
Foxes. ) 

FRANCIS, Simeon, pioneer journalist, was 
born at Wethersfield, Conn., May 14, 1796, 
learned the printer's trade at New Haven, and, in 
connection with a partner, published a paper at 
Buffalo, N. Y. In consequence of the excitement 
growing out of the abduction of Morgan in 1828, 
(being a Slason) he was compelled to suspend, 
and, coming to Illinois in the fall of 1831, com- 
menced the publication of "The Sangamo" (now 
"The Illinois State") "Journal" at Springfield, 
continuing his connection therewith until 185.5, 
when be sold out to Messrs. Bailliaehe & Baker. 
Abraham Lincoln was his close friend and often 
wrote editorials for his paper. Mr. Francis was 
active in the organization of the State Agricul- 



tural Society (1833). serving as its Recording 
Secretary for several years. In 1859 he moved to 
Portland, Ore., wliere he published "The Oregon 
Farmer," and served as President of the Oregon 
State Agricultural Society; in 1861 was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln, Paymaster in the 
regular army, serving until 1870, when he retired 
on half-pay. Died, at Portland, Ore., Oct. 25, 
1872. — Allen (Francis), brother of the preceding, 
was born at Wethersfield, Conn., April 14, 1815; 
in 1834, joined his brother at Springfield, 111. . and 
became a partner in the publication of "Tlie 
Journal" until its sale, in 18.55. In 1861 he was 
appointed United States Consul at Victoria, B. C. 
serving until 1871. when he engaged in the fur 
trade. Later he was United States Consul at 
Port Stanley. Can., dying therei, about 1887. — 
Josiah (Francis), cousin of the preceding, born 
at Wethersfield, Conn., Jan. 17, 1804; was early 
connected with "The Springfield Journal"; in 
1836 engaged in merchandising at Atliens. Menard 
County ; returning to Springfield, was elected to 
the Legislature in 1840, and served one term as 
Mayor of Springfield. Died in 1867. 

FRANKLIX, a village of Morgan County, on 
the Jacksonville & St. Louis Railroad, 12 miles 
southeast of Jacksonville. The place has a news- 
paper and two banks ; the surrounding country 
is agricultural. Population (1880), 316; (1890), 
578; (1900), 687. 

FRANKLIN COUNTY, located in the south- 
central part of the State; was organized in 1818, 
and has an area of 430 square miles. Population 
(1900), 19,675. The covmty is well timbered and 
is drained by the Big Muddj' River. The soil is 
fertile and the products include cereals, potatoes, 
sorghum, wool, pork and fruit. The county-seat 
is Benton, with a population (1890) of 939, The 
county contains no large towns, although large, 
well-cultivated farms are numerous. The earli- 
est white settlers came from Kentucky and Ten- 
nessee, and the hereditary traditions of generous, 
southwestern hospitality are preserved among 
the residents of today. 

FRANKLIX GROTE, a town of Lee County, on 
Council Bluffs Division of the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 88 miles west of Chicago. 
Grain, poultry, and live-stock are shipped from 
here. It lias banks, water-works, liigh school, 
and a weekly paper. Population (1890), 736; 
(1900), 6S1. 

FRAZIER, Robert, a native of Kentucky, who 
came to Southern Illinois at an early daj' and 
serveil as State .Senator from Edwards County, in 
the Second and Tliird General Assemblies, in the 



176 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



latter being an opponent of the scheme to make 
Illinois a slave State. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and, at tlie time he was a member of the 
Legislature, resided in what afterwards became 
Wabasli County. Subsequently he removed to 
Edwards Count3', near Albion, where he died. 
"Frazier's Prairie," in Edwards County, was 
named for him. 

FREEBURG, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad, 8 
miles southeast of Belleville. Population (1880), 
1,038; (18<J0). 8-18; (1900), 1,214. 

FREEMAN, Norman L., lawyer and Supreme 
Court Reporter, was born in Caledonia, Living- 
ston County, N. Y., May 9, 1823; in 1831 accom- 
panied his widowed mother to Ann Arbor, Mich., 
removing six years afterward to Detroit ; was edu- 
cated at Cleveland and Ohio University, taught 
school at Lexington, Ky., while stud5-ing law, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1846; removed to 
Shawneetown, IU.,in 1851, was admitted to the 
Illinois bar and practiced some eight years. He 
then began farming in Marion County, Mo., but, 
in 18G2, returned to Shawneetown and, in 1863, 
was appointed Reporter of Decisions by the 
Supreme Court of Illinois, serving until his 
death, which occurred at Springfield near the 
beginning of his sixtli term in office, August 23, 
1894. 

FREE M.iSONS, the oldest secret fraternity in 
the State — known as the "Ancient Order of Free 
and Accepted Masons'" — the first Lodge being 
instituted at Kaskaskia, June, 3. 1806, with Gen. 
John Edgar, Worshipful Master; Michael Jones, 
Senior Warden; James Galbraith, Junior War- 
den ; William Arundel, Secretary ; Robert Robin- 
son, Senior Deacon. These are names of persons 
who were, without exception, prominent in the 
early history of Illinois. A Grand Lodge was 
organized at Vandalia in 1832, with Gov. Shad- 
rach Bond as first Grand Master, but the organi- 
zation of the Grand Lodge, as it now exists, took 
place at Jacksonville in 1840. The number of 
Lodges constituting the Grand Lodge of Illinois 
in 1840 was six, with 157 members; tlie number 
of Lodges within the same jurisdiction in 1895 
was T13, with a membership of 50,727, of which 
47,335 resided in Illinois. Tlie dues for 1895 
were §37,834.50; the contributions to members, 
their widows and orphans. §25,038.41; to non- 
members, §6,306.38, and to the Illinois Masonic 
Orphans' Home, §1.315.80.— Apollo Commandery 
No. 1 of Knights Templar — the pioneer organi- 
zation of its kind in this or any neigliboring 
State — was organized in Chicago, May 20, 1845, 



and the Grand Commandery of the order in Illi- 
nois in 1857, with James V. Z. Blaney, Grand 
Commander. In 1895 it was made up of sixty- 
five subordinate commanderies, with a total 
membership of 9,355, and dues amounting to 
§7,7.54.75. The principal officers in 1895-96 were 
Henry Hunter Montgomery, Grand Commander ; 
John Henry Witbeck. Grand Treasurer, and Gil- 
bert W. Barnard, Grand Recorder. — The Spring- 
field Cliapter of Royal Arch-Masons was organized 
in Springfield, Sept. 17, 1841, and the Royal Arch 
Chapter of the State at Jacksonville, April 9, 
1850, the nine existing Chapters being formally 
chartered Oct. 14. of the same year. The number 
of subordinate Chapters, in 1895, was 186, with a 
total membership of 16,414. — The Grand Council 
of Royal and Select Masters, in 1894, embraced 32 
subordinate Councils, with a membership of 
2,318. 

FREEPORT, a city and railway center, the 
county-seat of Stephenson County, 121 miles west 
of Chicago ; has good water-power from the Peca- 
tonica River, with several manufacturing estab- 
lishments, the output including carriages, 
wagon -wheels, wind-mills, coffee-mills, organs, 
piano-stools, leather, mineral paint, foundry pro- 
ducts, chicken incubators and vinegar. The Illi- 
nois Central Railroad lias shops here and the city 
has a Government postoflSce building. Popula- 
tion (1890), 10,189; (1900), 13,258. 

FREEPORT COLLEGE, an institution at Free- 
port, 111., incorporated in 1895; is co-educational ; 
had a faculty of six instructors in 1896. with 116 
pupils. 

FREER, Lemnel CoTell Paine, early lawjer, 
was born in Dutohe.ss County, N. Y., Sept. 18, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1836, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar in 1840 ; was a zealous 
anti-slavery man and an active supporter of the 
Government during the War of the Rebellion; 
for many years was President of the Board of 
Trustees of Rush Medical College. Died, in 
Chicago, April 14, 1892. 

FRENCH, Augustus C, ninth Governor of 
Illinois (1846-52), was born in New Hampshire, 
August 2, 1808. After coming to Illinois, he 
became a resident of Crawford County, and a 
lawyer by profession. He was a member of the 
Tenth and Eleventh General Assemblies, and 
Receiver, for a time, of the Land Office at Pales- 
tine. He served as Presidential Elector in 1844, 
was elected to the office of Governor as a Demo- 
crat in 1846 by a majority of nearly 17,000 over 
two competitors, and was tlie unanimous choice of 
his party for a second term in 1848 Ilis adiiiinis- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



177 



tration was free from scandals. He was appointed 
Bank Commissioner by Governor Matteson, and 
later accepted the chair of Law in McKendreo 
College at Lebanon. In 1858 he was the nominee 
of the Douglas wing of the Heniocratic partj' for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
ex-Gov. John Reynolds being the candidate of 
the Buchanan branch of the party. Both were 
defeated. His last public service was as a mem- 
ber from St. Clair County of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1863. Died, at Lebanon, Sept. 4, 
1804. 

FBENCH AXD INDIAN WAR. The first 
premonition of this struggle in the West was 
given in 1698, wlien two English vessels entered 
the mouth of the Mississippi, to take possession 
of the French Territory of Louisiana, which tlien 
included what afterward became the State of 
Illinois. This expedition, however, returned 
without result. Great Britain was anxious to 
have a colorable pretext for attempting to evict 
the French, and began negotiation of treaties 
with the Indian tribes as early as 1724, expecting 
thereby to fortify her original claim, which was 
based on the right of iirior discovery. The 
numerous shiftings of the political kaleidoscope in 
Europe prevented any further steps in this direc- 
tion on the part of England until 1748-49, when 
the Ohio Land Company received a royal grant 
of 500,000 acres along the Ohio River, with exclu- 
sive trading privileges. The Company proceeded 
to explore and survey and, about 1750, established 
a trading post on Loramie Creek, 47 miles north 
of Dayton. The French foresaw that hostilities 
were probable, and advanced their posts as far 
east as the Allegheny River. Complaints by the 
Ohio Company induced an ineffectual remon- 
strance on the part of Virginia. Among the 
ambassadors sent to the French by the Governor 
of Virginia was George Washington, who thus, 
in early manhood, became identified with Illinois 
history. His report was of such a nature as to 
induce the erection of counter fortifications by 
the British, one of which (at the junction of the 
Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers) was seized 
and occupied by the French before its completion. 
Then ensued a series of engagements which, 
while not involving large forces of men, were 
fraught with grave consequences, and in which 
the French were generally successful. In 1755 
occurred "Braddock's defeat" in an expedition to 
recover Fort Duquesne (where Pittsburg now 
stands), which had been captured by the French 
the previous year, and the Government of Great 
Britain determined to redouble its efforts. The 



final result was the termination of French domi- 
nation in the Ohio Valley. Later came the down- 
fall of French ascendency in Canada as the result 
of the battle of Quebec : but the vanquished yet 
hoped to be able to retain Louisiana and Illinois. 
But France was forced to indemnify Spain for tlie 
loss of Florida, which it did by the cession of all 
of Louisiana lying west of the Mississippi (includ- 
ing the city of New Orleans), and this virtually 
ended French hopes in Illinois. The last military 
post in North America to be garrisoned by French 
troops was Fort Chartres, in Illinois Territory, 
where St. Ange remained in command until its 
evacuation was demanded by the English. 

FRENCH GOVERNORS OF ILLINOIS. French 
Governors began to be appointed by the Company 
of the Indies (which see) in 1723, the "Illinois 
Country" having previouslj' been treated as a 
dependency of Canada. The first Governor ( or 
"commandant") was Pierre Duque de Boisbriant, 
who was commandant for only three years, when 
he was summoned to New Orleans (1725) to suc- 
ceed de Bienville as Governor of Louisiana. Capt. 
du Tisne was in command for a sliort time after 
his departure, but was succeeded by another 
Captain in the ro3'al arm}-, whose name is vari- 
ou.sly spelled de Liette, de Lielte, De Siette and 
Delietto. He was followed in turn by St. Ange 
(the father of St. Ange de Bellerive), who died in 
1743. In 1732 the Company of the Indies surren- 
dered its charter to the crown, and the Governors 
of the Illinois Country were thereafter apijointed 
directl}' by royal authority. Under the earlier 
Governors justice had been administered under 
the civil law ; with the change in the method of 
appointment the code known as the "Common 
Law of Paris" came into effect, although not 
rigidly enforced because found in many particu- 
lars to be ill-suited to the needs of a new country. 
The first of the Royal Governors was Pierre 
d' Artaguiette, who was appointed in 1734, but vvas 
captured while engaged in an expedition against 
the Chickasaws, in 1736, and burned at the stake. 
(See D' Artaguiette.) He was followed by 
Alphonse de la Buis.soniere, who was succeeded, 
in 1740, by Capt. Benoi.st de St. Claire. In 1742 
he gave way to the Chevalier Bertel or Bertliet. 
but was reinstated about 1748. The last of the 
French Governors of the "Illinois Country" was 
Louis St. Ange de Bellerive, who retired to St. 
Louis, after turning over the command to Cap- 
tain Stirling, the English officer sent to supersede 
him, in 1765. (St. Ange de Bellerive died, Dec. 
27, 1774.) The administration of the French 
commandants, wliile firm, was usually conserva- 



178 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tive and benevolent. Local self-government was 
encouraged as far as practicable, and, while the 
Governors' power over commerce was virtually 
unrestricted, they interfered but little with the 
ordinary life of the people. 

FREW, Calvin Hamill, lawyer and State Sena- 
tor, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, educated at 
Finley (Ohio) High School, Beaver (Pa.) Academy 
and Vermilion Institute at Hayesville, Ohio. ; in 
1863 was Principal of the High School at Kalida, 
Ohio, where he began the study of law, which he 
continued the next two 3-ears with Messrs. Strain 
& Kidder, at Monmouth, III, meanwhile acting 
as Principal of a high school at Young America ; 
in 1865 removed to Paxton, Ford County, which 
has since been his home, and the same year was 
admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Illi- 
nois. Mr. Frew served as Assistant Superintend- 
ent of Schools for Ford County (1865-68) ; in 1868 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-sixth 
General Assembly, re-elected in 1870, and again 
in '78. While practicing law he has been con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
before the courts in that section of the State, and 
his fidelity and skill in their management are 
testified by members of the bar, as well as 
Judges upon the bench. Of late years he has 
devoted his attention to breeding trotting horses, 
with a view to the improvement of his health 
but not with the intention of permanently 
abandoning his profession. 

FKY, Jacob, pioneer and soldier, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky., Sept. 20, 1799; learned the 
trade of a carpenter and came to Illinois in 1819, 
working first at Alton, but, in 1820, took up his 
residence near the present town of Carrollton, in 
which he built the first house. Greene County 
was not organized until two years later, and this 
border settlement was, at that time, the extreme 
northern white settlement in IlUnois. He served 
as Constable and Deputy Sheriff (simultaneously) 
for six years, and was then elected Sheriff, being 
five times re-elected. He served through the 
Black Hawk War (first as Lieutenant-Colonel and 
afterwards as Colonel), having in his regiment 
Abraham Lincoln, O. H. Browning, John Wood 
(afterwards Governor) and Robert Anderson, of 
Fort Sumter fame. In 1837 he was appointed 
Commissioner of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
and re-appointed in 1839 and "41, later becoming 
Acting Commissioner, with authority to settle up 
the business of the former commission, which 
was that year legislated out of office. He was 
afterwards appointed Canal Trustee by Governor 
Ford, and, in 1847, retired from connection with 



canal management. In 1850 he went to Cali- 
fornia, where he engaged in mining and trade 
for three years, meanwhile serving one term in 
the State Senate. In 1857 he was appointed Col- 
lector of the Port at Chicago by President Buch- 
anan, but was removed in 1859 because of his 
friendship for Senator Douglas. In 1860 he 
returned to Greene County ; in 1861, in spite of his 
advanced age, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers, and later partici- 
pated in numerous engagements (among tliem the 
battle of Shiloh), was captured by Forrest, and 
ultimately compelled to resign because of im- 
paired health and failing eyesight, finally becom- 
ing totally blind. He died, June 27, 1881, and 
was buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery, near Spring- 
field. Two of Colonel Fry's sons achieved dis- 
tinction during the Civil War. — James Barnet 
(Fry), son of the preceding, was born at Car- 
rollton, 111.. Feb. 22. 1827; graduated at West 
Point Militarj- Academj-, in 1847, and was 
assigned to artillery service ; after a short experi- 
ence as Assistant Instructor, joined his regiment, 
the Third United States Artiller}-, in Mexico, 
remaining there through 1847-48. Later, he was 
emploj'ed on frontier and garrison duty, and 
again as Instructor in 1853-54, and as Adjutant of 
the Academy during 1854-59; became Assistant 
Adjutant-General. March 16, 1861, then served as 
Chief of Staff to General McDowell and General 
Buell (1861-62), taking part in the battles of Bull 
Run, Shiloh and Corinth, and in the campaign in 
Kentucky; was made Provost-Marshal-General 
of the United States, in March, 1863, and con- 
ducted the drafts of that year, receiving the rank 
of Brigadier-General, April 21, 1864. He con- 
tinued in this office until August 30, 1866, during 
which time he put in the army 1,130,621 men, 
arrested 76.562 deserters, collected 826.366,316.78 
and made an exact enrollment of the National 
forces. After the war he served as Adjutant- 
General with the rank of Colonel, till June 1^ 
1881, when he was retired at his own request. 
Besides his various official reports, he pubUshed a 
"Sketch of the Adjutant-General's Department, 
United States Army, from 1775 to 1875." and "His- 
tory and Legal Effects of Brevets in the Armies of 
Great Britain and the United States, from their 
origin in 1692 to the Present Time, ' ' (1877). Died, 
in Newport, R. I., July 11, 1894.— ■William M. 
(Fry), another son, was Provost Marshal of the 
North Illinois District during the Civil War, and 
rendered valuable service to the Government. 

FULLER, Allen Curtis, la^^-yer, jurist and 
Adjutant-General, was born in Farmington, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



179 



Conn., Sept. 24, 1822; studied law at Warsaw, 
N. Y., was admitted to practice, in 1846 came to 
Belvidere, Boone County, 111., and, after practic- 
ing there some j'ears, was elected Circuit Judge 
in 1861. A few months afterward he was induced 
to accept the office of Adjutant-General by 
appointment of Governor Yates, entering upon 
tlie duties of the office in November, 1861. At 
first it was understood that his acceptance was 
only temporary, so that he did not formally 
resign his place upon the bench until July, 1862. 
He continued to discharge the duties of Adjutant- 
General until January, 186.'*, when, having been 
elected Representative in the General Assemblj-, 
he was succeeded in the Adjutant-General's office 
b}' General Ishani N. Haynie. He served as 
Speaker of the House during the following ses- 
sion, and as State Senator from 1867 to 1873 — 
in tlie Twenty-fifth, Twenty -sixth and Twenty- 
seventh General Assemblies. He was also elected 
a Republican Presidential Elector in 1860, and 
again in 1876. Since retiring from office. General 
Fuller has devoted his attention to the practice of 
his profession and l6oking after a large private 
business at Belvidere. 

FULLER, Charles E., lawyer and legislator. 
was born at Flora, Boone County, III, March 31, 
1849; attended the district school until 12 years 
of age, and, between 1861 and '67, served as clerk 
in stores at Belvidere and Cherry Valley. He 
then spent a couple of years in the book business 
in Iowa, when 1^1869) lie began the study of law 
with Hon. Jesse S. Hildrup, at Belvidere, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1870. Since tlien 
Mr. Fuller has practiced his profession at Belvi- 
dere, was Corporation Attornej' for that city in 
1875-76, the latter year being elected State's 
Attorney for Boone County. From 1879 to 1891 
he served continuously in the Legislature, first 
as State Senator in the Thirty-first and Thirty- 
second General Assemblies, then as a member of 
the House for three sessions, in 1888 being 
returned to the Senate, where he served the 
next two sessions. Mr. Fuller established a high 
reputation in the Legislature as a debater, and 
was the candidate of his party (the Republican) 
for .Speaker of the House in 1885. He was also a 
delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1884. Mr. Fuller was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court for the Seventeenth Circuit at the 
judicial election of June, 1897. 

FULLER, Melville Weston, eighth Chief Jus- 
tice of the United States Supreme Court, was 
born at Augusta, Maine, Feb. 11. 1883, graduated 
from Bowdoin College in 1858, was admitted to 



the bar in 1855, and became City Attorney of his 
native city, but resigned and removed to Chicago 
the following year. Through his mother's 
family he traces liis descent back to the Pilgrims 
of the Mayflower. His literary and legal attain- 
ments are of a high order. In politics he has 
always been a strong Democrat. He served as a 
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 
1862 and as a member of the Legislature in 1863, 
after that time devoting his attention to the 
practice of his profession in Chicago. In 1888 
President Cleveland appointed him Chief Justice 
of the Supreme Court, since which time he has 
resided at Washington, although still claiming a 
residence in Chicago, where he has considerable 
property- interests. 

FULLERTON, Alexander N., pioneer settler 
and lawyer, born in Chester, Vt., in 1804, was 
educated at Middlebury College and Litchfield 
Law School, and, coming to Chicago in 1833, 
finally engaged in real-estate and mercantile 
business, in which he was very successful. His 
name has been given to one of the avenues of 
Chicago, as well as associated with one of the 
prominent business blocks. He was one of the 
original members of the Second Presbyterian 
Church of that city. Died, Sept. 29, 1880. 

FULTOJf, a city and railway center in White- 
side County, 135 miles west of Cliicago, located 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy, and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 
Railways. It was formerly the terminus of a 
line of steamers which annually brought millions 
of bushels of grain down the Mississippi from 
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois, returning 
with merchandise, agricultural implements, etc., 
but this river trade gradually died out, having 
been usurped by the various railroads. Fulton 
has extensive factories for the making of stoves, 
besides some important lumber industries. The 
Northern Illinois College is located here. Popu- 
lation (1890), 2,099; (1900), 2,68.5. 

FULTON COUNTY, situated west of and bor- 
dering on the Illinois River ; was originally a part 
of Pike County, but separately organized in 1828 
— named for Robert Fulton. It has an area of 870 
square miles with a population (1900) of 46,201. 
The soil is rich, well watered and wooded. Drain- 
age is effected bj- the Illinois and Spoon Rivers 
(the former constituting its eastern boundary) 
and by Copperas Creek. Lewistown became the 
county-seat immediately after county organi- 
zation, and so remains to the present time (1899). 
The surface of the county at a distance from the 



180 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



river is generally flat, although along the Illinois 
there are blufifs rising to the height of 125 feet. 
The soil is rich, and underlying it are rich, work- 
able seams of coal. A thin seam of cannel coal 
has been mined near Avon, with a contiguous 
vein of fire-clay. Some of the earliest settlers were 
Messrs. Craig and Savage, who, in 1818, built a 
saw mill on Otter Creek; Ossian M. Ross and 
Stephen Dewey, who laid off Lewistown on his 
own land in 1822. The first hotel in tlie entire 
military tract was opened at Lewistown by Tru- 
man Phelps, in 1827. A flat-boat ferry across the 
Illinois was established at Havana, in 1823. The 
principal towns are Canton(pop.6,564),Lewistown 
(2,166), Farmington (1,375), and Vermont (1,158). 

FULTON COUNTY NARROW-GAUGE RAIL- 
WAY, a line extending from the west bank of the 
Illinois River, opposite Havana, to Galesburg, 
61 miles. It is a single-track, narrow-gauge 
(3-foot) road, although the excavations and 
embankments are being widened to accommodate 
a track of standard gauge. The grades are few, 
and, as a rule, are light, although, in one instance, 
the gradient is eighty-four feet to the mile. 
There are more than 19 miles of curves, the maxi- 
mum being sixteen degrees. The rails are of 
iron, thirty-five pounds to the yard, road not 
ballasted. Capital stock outstanding (1895), 
$636,794; bonded debt, §484,000; miscellaneous 
obligations, $462,362; total capitalization, $1,583,- 
156. The line from Havana to Fairview (31 miles) 
was chartered in 1 878 and opened in 1880 and the 
extension from Fairview to Galesburg chartered 
in 1881 and opened in 1882. 

FUNK, Isaac, pioneer, was born in Clark 
County, Ky., Nov. 17, 1797; grew up with meager 
educational advantages and, in 1823, came to Illi- 
nois, finally settling at what afterwards became 
known as Funk's Grove in McLean County. 
Here, with no other capital than industry, per- 
severance, and integrity, Mr. Funk began laying 
the foundation of one of the most ample fortunes 
ever acquired in Illinois outside the domain of 
trade or speculation. By agriculture and dealing 
in live-stock, he became the possessor of a large 
area of the finest farming lands in the State, 
which he brought to a high state of cultivation, 
leaving an estate valued at his death at not less 
than 82.000,000. Mr. Funk served three sessions 
in the General Assembly, first as Representative 
in the Twelfth (1840-42), and as Senator in the 
Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth (1862-66), dying 
before the close of his last term. Jan. 29, 1865. 
Originally a Whig in politics, he became a Repub- 
lican on the organization of that party, and gave 



a liberal and patriotic support to the Government 
during the war for the preservation of the Union. 
During the session of the Twenty -third General 
Assembly, in February, 1863, he delivered a 
speech in the Senate in indignant condemnation 
of the policy of the anti-war factionists, which, 
although couched in homely language, aroused 
the enthusiasm of the friends of the Government 
throughout the State and won for its author a 
prominent place in State history. — Benjamin F. 
(Funk), son of the preceding, was born in Funk's 
Grove Township, McLean County, 111., Oct. 17, 
1838. After leaving the district schools, he 
entered the Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, but suspended his studies to enter the army 
in 1862, enlisting as a private in the Sixty-eighth 
Illinois 'Volunteers. After five months' service 
he was honorably discharged, and reentered the 
University, completing a three-years' course. 
For three years after graduation he followed 
farming as an avocation, and, in 1869, took up 
his residence at Bloomington. In 1871 he was 
chosen Mayor, and served seven consecutive 
terms. He was a delegate to the National 
Republican Convention of 1888, and was the suc- 
cessful candidate of that party, in 1892, for Repre- 
sentative in Congress from the Fourteenth Illinois 
District. — Lafayette (Funk), another son of Isaac 
Funk, was a Representative from McLean County 
in the Thirty -third General Assembly and Sena- 
tor in the Thirty-fourth and Thirty -fifth. Other 
sons who have occupied seats in the same body 
include George W., Representative in the Twenty- 
seventh, and Duncan M.. Representative in the 
Fortieth and Forty-first Assemblies The Funk 
family have been conspicuous in the affairs of 
McLean County for a generation, and its mem- 
bers have occupied many other positions of im- 
portance and influence, besides those named, under 
the State, County and municipal governments. 

GAGE, Lyman J., Secretary of the Treasury, 
was born in De Ruyter, Madison County, N. Y., 
June 28, 1836 ; received a common school educa- 
tion in his native county, and, on the removal of 
his parents, in 1848. to Rome, N. Y., enjoyed the 
advantages of instruction in an academy. At 
the age of 17 he entered the employment of the 
Oneida Central Bank as ofliceboy and general 
utility clerk, but. two years afterwards, came to 
Chicago, first securing employment in a planing 
mill, and, in 1858, obtaining a position as book- 
keeper of the Merchants' Loan and Trust Com- 
pany, at a salary of $500 a year. By 1861 he had 
been advanced to the position of cashier of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



181 



concern, but, in 1868, he accepted the cashiership 
of the First National Bank of Chicago, of which 
he became the Vice-President in 1881 and, in 
1891, the President. Mr. Gage was also one of the 
prominent factors in securing the location of the 
World's Fair at Chicago, becoming one of the 
guarantors of the 810,000,000 promised to be raised 
by the city of Chicago, and being finally chosen 
the first President of the Exposition Company. 
He also presided over the bankers' section of the 
AVorld's Congress Auxiliary in 1893, and, for a 
number of years, was President of the Civic Feder- 
ation of Chicago. On the assumption of the 
Presidency by President McKinley, in March, 
1897, Mr. Gage was selected for the position of 
Secretary of the Treasury, which he has con- 
tinued to occupy up to the present time (1899). 

GALATf A, a village of Saline County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 40 miles southeast of 
Duquoin; has a bank; leading indu.stry is coal- 
mining. Population (1890), .519; (1900), 642. 

(J ALE, Georare Washington, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Dutchess 
County, N. Y., Dec. 3, 1789. Left an orphan at 
eight years of age, he fell to the care of older 
sisters who inherited the vigorous character of 
their father, which they instilled into the son. 
He graduated at Union College in 1814, and. hav- 
ing taken a course in the Theological Seminary 
at Princeton, in 1816 was licensed by the Hudson 
Presbytery and assumed the charge of building 
up new churches in Jefferson County, N. Y., 
serving also for six years as pastor of the Presby- 
terian church at Adams. Here his labors were 
attended by a revival in which Charles G. Fin- 
ney, the eloquent evangelist, and other eminent 
men were converts. Having resigned his charge 
at Adams on account of illness, he spent the 
winter of 1823-24 in Virginia, where his views 
were enlarged by contact with a new class of 
people. Later, removing to Oneida County, 
N. Y., by his marriage with Harriet Selden he 
acquired a considerable property, insuring an 
income which enabled him to extend the field of 
his labors. The result was the establishment of 
the Oneida Institute, a manual labor school, at 
Whitesboro, with which he remained from 1827 
to 1834, and out of which grew Lane Seminary 
and Oberlin and Knox Colleges. In 183.5 he con- 
ceived the idea of establishing a colony and an 
institution of learning in the West, and a com- 
mittee representing a party of proposed colonists 
was appointed to make a selection of a site, which 
resulted, in the following year, in the choice of 
a location in Knox County. 111., including the 



site of the present city of Galesburg, which was 
named in honor of Mr. Gule, as the head of the 
enterprise. Here, in 1837, were taken the first 
practical steps in carrying out plans which had 
been previouslj' matured in New York, for the 
establishment of an institution which first 
received the name of Knox Manual Labor Col- 
lege. The manual labor feature having been 
finallj- discarded, the institution took the name 
of Knox College in 1857. Mr. Gale was the lead- 
ing promoter of the enterprise, by a liberal dona- 
tion of lands contributing to its first endowment, 
and, for nearly a quarter of a century, being 
intimately identified with its history. From 
1840 to '42 he served in the capacity of acting 
Professor of Ancient Languages, and. for fifteen 
years thereafter, as Professor of Moral Philosophy 
and Rhetoric. Died, at Galesburg, Sept. 31, 1861. 
— William Selden (Gale), oldest son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Jefferson County, N. Y., Feb. 
15, 1822, came with his father to Galesburg, 111., 
in 1836, and was educated there. Having read 
law with the Hon. James Knox, he was admitted 
to the bar in 1845, but practiced only a few years, 
as he began to turn his attention to measures for 
the development of the country. One of these 
was the Central Military Tract Railroad (now the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy), of which he was 
the most active promoter and a Director. He 
was also a member of the Board of Supervisors of 
Knox County, from the adoption of township 
organization in 1853 to 1895, with the exception 
of four years, and. during the long controversy 
which resulted in the location of the county-seat 
at Galesburg, was the leader of the Galesburg 
party, and subsequently took a prominent part 
in the erection of public buildings there. Other 
positions held by him include the office of Post- 
master of the cit}' of Galesburg. 1849-53 ; member 
of the State Constitutional Convention of 1862, 
and Representative in the Twenty-sixth General 
Assembly (1870-72); Presidential Elector in 1872; 
Delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1880; City Alderman, 1872-82 and 1891-95; 
member of the Commission appointed by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby in 1885 to revise the State Revenue 
Laws; by appointment of President Harrison. 
Superintendent of the Galesburg Government 
Building, and a long term Trustee of the Illinois 
Hospital for the Insane at Rock Island, by 
appointment of Governor Altgeld. He has also 
been a frequent representative of his party 
(the Republican) in State and District Conven- 
tion.?, and, since 1861, has been an active and 
leading member of the Board of Trustees of 



182 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Knox College. Mr. Gale was married, Oct. 6, 
1845, to Miss Caroline Ferris, granddaughter of 
the financial representative of the Galesburg 
Colony of 1836, and lias had eight children, of 
whom four are living. Died Sep. 1, 1900. 

GALEXA/the county-seat of Jo Daviess County, 
a city and port of entry, 1.50 miles in a direct line 
west by nortliwest of Chicago; is located on 
Galena River, about 4^2 niiles above its junction 
with the Mississippi, and is an intersecting point 
for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, the North- 
western, and the Illinois Central Railroads, with 
connections by stub with the Chicago Great 
Western. It is built partially in a valley and 
partially on the bluffs which overlook the river, 
the Galena River being made navigable for ves- 
sels of deep draught by a system of lockage. The 
vicinity abounds in rich mines of sulphide of lead 
'galena), from which the city takes its name. 
Galena is adorned by handsome public and priv- 
ate buildings and a beautiful park, in which 
stands a fine bronze statue of General Grant, and 
a symmetrical monument dedicated to the sol- 
diers and sailors of Jo Daviess County who lost 
their lives during the Civil War. Its industries 
include a furniture factory, a table factory, two 
foundries, a tub factory and a carriage factor}-. 
Zinc ore is now being produced in and near the 
city in large quantities, and its mining interests 
will become vast at no distant day. It owns an 
electric light plant, and water is furnished from 
an artesian well 1.700 feet deep. Galena was one 
of the earliest towns in Northern Illinois to be 
settled, its mines having been worked in the lat- 
ter part of the seventeenth century. Many men 
of distinction in State and National affairs came 
from Galena, among whom were Gen. U. S. 
Grant, Gen. John A. Rawlins, Gen. John E. 
Smith, Gen. John C. Smith, Gen. A. L. Chetlain, 
Gen. John O. Duer, Gen. W. R. Rowley, Gen. E. 
D. Baker, Hon. E. B. Washburne, Secretary of 
State under Grant, Hon. Thompson Campbell, 
Secretary of State of Illinois, and Judge Drum- 
mond. Population (1890), ,5,635; (1900). 5,005. 

GALENA & CHICAGO UNION RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago & I^^orihiccsfern Raihvay.) 

GALESBURGj the county-seat of Knox County 
and an important educational center. The first 
settlers were emigrants from the East, a large pro- 
portion of them being members of a colony organ- 
ized by Rev. George W. Gale, of Whitesboro, 
N. Y., in whose honor the original village was 
named. It is situated in the heart of a rich 
agricultural district 53 miles northwest of Peoria, 
99 miles northeast of Quincy and 163 miles south- 



west of Chicago; is an important raihvay center, 
being at the junction of the main line with two 
branch lines of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
and the Atchison, Topeka et Santa Fe Railroads. 
It was incorporated as a village in 1841, and as a 
city by special charter in 1857. There are beauti- 
ful parks and the residence streets are well 
shaded, while 35 miles of street are paved with 
vitrified brick. The city o%vns a system of water- 
works receiving its supply from artesian wells 
and artificial lakes, has an efficient and well- 
equipped paid fire-department, an electric street 
car system with three suburban lines, gas and 
electric lighting systems, steam-heating plant, 
etc. It also has a number of flourishing mechan- 
ical industries, including two iron foundries, agri- 
cultural implement works, flouring mills, carriage 
and wagon works and a broom factory, besides 
other industrial enterprises of minor importance. 
The manufacture of vitrified paving brick is quite 
extensively carried on at plants near the city 
limits, the city itself being the shipping-point 
as well as the point of administrative control. 
The Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad 
Company has shops and stockyards here, while 
considerable coal is mined in the vicinity. The 
public buildings include a courthouse. Govern- 
ment postofHce building, an opera house, nine- 
teen churches, ten public schools with a high 
school and free kindergarten, and a handsome 
public library building erected at a cost of §100,. 
000, of which one-half was contributed by Mr. 
Carnegie. Galesburg enjoys its chief distinction 
as the seat of a large number of high class liter- 
ary institutions, including Knox College (non- 
sectarian), Lombard University (Universalist), 
and Corpus Christi Lyceum and University, and 
St. Joseph's Academy (Isoth Roman Catholic). 
Three interurban electric railroad lines connect 
Galesburg with neighboring towns. Pop. (1890), 
15,364; (1900). 18,607. 

GALLATIN COUNTY, one of three counties 
organized in Illinois Territory in 1813 — the others 
being Madison and Johnson. Previous to that 
date the Territory had consisted of only two coun- 
ties, St. Clair and Randolph. The new county 
was named in honor of Albert Gallatin, then 
Secretary of the Treasury. It is situated on the 
Ohio and Wabash Rivers, in the extreme south- 
eastern part of the State, and has an area of 349 
square miles; population (1900), 'T.5,836. The first 
cabin erected by an American settler was the 
home of Michael Sprinkle, who .settled at Shaw- 
neetown in 1800. The place early became an 
important trading post and distributing point. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



183 



A ferry across the Wabash was established in 
1803, by Alexander Wilson, whose descendants 
conducted it for more than seventy-five years. 
Although Stephen Rector made a Government 
survey as early as 1807, the public lands were not 
placed on the market until 1818. Shawneetown, 
the county-seat, is the most important town, 
having a population of some 2,300. Bituminous 
coal is found in large quantities, and mining is 
an important industry. The prosperity of the 
county has been much retarded by floods, particu- 
larly at Shawneetown and Equality. At the 
former point the difference between high and 
low water mark in the Ohio River has been as 
much as fifty-two feet. 

GALLOWAY, Andrew Jackson, civil engineer, 
was born of Scotch ancestry in Butler County, 
Pa., Dec. 21, 1814; came with his father to Cory- 
don, Ind., in 1820, took a course in Hanover Col- 
lege, graduating as a civil engineer in 1837 ; then 
came to Mount Carmel, White County, 111. , with 
a view to employment on projected Illinois rail- 
roads, but engaged in teaching for a year, having 
among his pupils a number who have since been 
prominent in State affairs. Later, he obtained 
employment as an assistant engineer, serving for 
a, time under William Gooding, Chief Engineer of 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal ; was also Assistant 
Enrolling and Engrossing Clerk of the State 
Senate in 1840-41, and held the same position in 
the House in 1846-47, and again in 1848-49. in the 
meantime having located a farm in La Salle 
County, where the present city of Streator stands. 
In 1849 he was appointed Secretary of the Canal 
Trustees, and, in 1851, became assistant engineer 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, later superin- 
tending its construction, and finally being trans- 
ferred to the land department, but retiring in 
1855 to engage in real-estate business in Chicago, 
dealing largely in railroad lands. Mr. Galloway 
was elected a County Commissioner for Cook 
County, and has since been connected with many 
measures of local importance. 

GALTA, a town in Henry County, 45 miles 
southeast of Rock Island and 48 miles north- 
northwest of Peoria; the point of intersection of 
the Rock Island & Peoria and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railways. It stands at the 
summit of the dividing ridge between the Missis- 
sippi and the Illinois Rivers, and is a manufac- 
turing and coal-mining town. It has eight 
churches, three banks, good schools, and two 
weekly newspapers. The surrounding country 
is agricultural and wealthy, and is rich in coal. 
Population (1890), 2,409; (1900), 2,682. 



GARDNER, a village in Garfield Township, 
Grundy County, on the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, 65 miles south-southwest of Chicago and 26 
miles north-northeast of Pontiac ; on the Kanka- 
kee and Seneca branch of the "Big Four," and 
the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern R. R. Coal-mining 
is the principal industry. Gardner has two 
banks, four churches, a high school, and a weekly 
paper. Population (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,036. 

GARDNER, COAL CITY & NORMANTOWN 
RAILWAY. (See Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Rail 
way. ) 

GARY, Joseph Easton, lawyer and jurist, was 
born of Puritan ancestry, at Potsdam, St. Law- 
rence County, N. Y., July 9, 1821. His early 
educational advantages were such as were fur- 
nished by district schools and a village academy, 
and, until he was 22 years old, he worked at the 
carpenter's bench. In 1843 he removed to St. 
Louis, Mo. , where he studied law. After admis- 
sion to the bar, he practiced for five years in 
Southwest Missouri, thence going to Las Vegas, 
N. M., in 1849, and to San Francisco, Cal, in 
1853. In 1856 he settled in Chicago, where he 
has since resided. After seven years of active 
practice he was elected to the bench of the 
Superior Court of Cook Coimty, where he has sat 
for thirty years, being four times nominated by 
both political parties, and his last re-election — for 
a term of six years, occurring in 1893. He pre- 
sided at the trial of the Chicago anarchists in 
1886 — one of the causes celebres of Illinois. Some 
of his rulings therein were sharply criticised, but 
he was upheld by the courts of appellate jurisdic- 
tion, and his connection with the case has given 
him world-wide fame. In November, 1888, the 
Supreme Court of Illinois transferred him to the 
bench of the Appellate Court, of which tribunal 
he has been three times Chief Justice. 

GASSETTE, Norman Theodore, real estate 
operator, wasbornatTownsend,Vt., April 21, 1839, 
came to Chicago at ten years of age, and, after 
spending a year at Shurtleff College, took a prepar- 
atory collegiate course at the Atwater Institute, 
Rochester, N. Y. In June, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Nineteenth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, rising in the second year to the rank 
of First Lieutenant, and, at the battle of Chicka- 
mauga, by gallantry displayed while serving as 
an Aid-de-Camp, winning a recommendation 
for a brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy. The war 
over, he served one term as Clerk of the Circuit 
Court and Recorder, but later engaged in the real- 
estate and loan business as the head of the exten- 
sive firm of Norman T. Gassette & Co. He was t 



184 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



Republican in politics, active in Grand Army 
circles and prominent as a Mason, holding the 
position of Eminent Grand Commander of 
Knights Templar of Illinois on occasion of the 
Triennial Conclave in Washington in 1889. He 
also had charge, as President of the Masonic 
Fraternity Temple Association of Chicago, for 
some time prior to his decease, of the erection of 
the Masonic Temple of Chicago. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 26, 1891. 

GATEWOOD, WilUam Jefferson, early lawyer, 
was born in Warren County, Ky., came to 
Franklin County, 111., in boyhood, removed to 
Shawneetown in 1823, where he taught school 
two or three years while studying law; was 
admitted to the bar in 1828, and served in five 
General Assemblies — as Representative in 1830-32, 
and as Senator, 1834-42. He is described as a man 
of fine education and brilliant talents. Died, 
Jan. 8, 1843. 

GAULT, John C, railway manager, was born 
at Hooksett, N. H., May 1, 1829; in 1850 entered 
the local freight office of the Manchester & Law- 
rence Railroad, later becoming General Freight 
Agent of the Vermont Central. Coming to Chi- 
cago in 1859, he successively filled the positions 
of Superintendent of Transportation on the 
Galena & Chicago Union, and (after the consoli- 
dation of the latter with the Chicago & North- 
western), that of Division Superintendent, 
General Freight Agent and Assistant General 
Manager; Assistant General Manager of the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul; General Mana- 
ger of the Wabash (1879-83) ; Arbitrator for the 
trunk Lines (1883-85), and General Manager of 
the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific 
(1885-90), when he retired. Died, in Chicago, 
August 29, 1891. 

GENERAL ASSEMBLIES. The following is a 
list of tlie General Assemblies which have met 
since the admission of Illinois as a State up to 
1898 — from the First to the Fortieth inclusive — 
with the more important acts passed by each and 
the duration of their respective sessions: 

First General Assembly held two sessions, 
the first convening at Kaskaskia, the State Capi- 
tal, Oct. 5, and adjourning Oct. 13, 1818. The 
second met, Jan. 4, 1819, continuing to March 31. 
Lieut-Gov. Pierre Menard presided over the Sen- 
ate, consisting of thirteen members, while John 
Messinger was chosen Speaker of the House, 
containing twenty-seven members. The most 
important business transacted at the first session 
was the election of two United States Senators— 
Ninian Edwards and Jesse B. Thomas, Sr.— and 



the filling of minor State and judicial offices. At 
the second session a code of laws was enacted, 
copied chiefly from the Virginia and Kentucky 
statutes, including the law concerning "negroes 
and mulattoes, " which long remained on the 
statute book. An act was also passed appointing 
Commissioners to select a site for a new State 
Capital, which resulted in its location at Van- 
dalia. The sessions were held in a stone building 
with gambrel-roof pierced by dormer-windows, 
the Senate occupying the lower floor and the 
House the upper. The length of the first session 
was nine daj's, and of the second eighty-seven — 
total, ninety -six days. 

Second General Assembly convened at Van- 
dalia, Dec. 4, 1820. It consisted of fourteen 
Senators and twenty-nine Representatives. John 
McLean, of Gallatin County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. A leading topic of discussion was 
the incorporation of a State Bank. Money was 
scarce and there was a strong popular demand 
for an increase of circulating medium. To 
appease this clamor, no less than to relieve traders 
and agriculturists, this General Assembly estab- 
lished a State Bank (see State Bank), despite 
the earnest protest of McLean and the executive 
veto. A stay-law was also enacted at this session 
for the benefit of the debtor class. The number 
of members of the next Legislature was fixed at 
eighteen Senators and thirty -six Representatives 
— this provision remaining in force until 1831. 
The session ended Feb. 15, having lasted seventy- 
four days. 

Third General Assembly convened, Dec. 2, 

1822. Lieutenant-Governor Hubbard presided in 
the Senate, while in the organization of the 
lower house, William M. Alexander was chosen 
Speaker. Governor Coles, in his inaugural, 
called attention to the existence of slavery in 
Illinois despite the Ordinance of 1787, and urged 
the adoption of repressive measures. Both 
branches of the Legislature being pro-slavery in 
sympathy, the Governor's address provoked 
bitter and determined opposition. On Jan. 9, 

1823, Jesse B. Thomas was re-elected United 
States Senator, defeating John Reynolds, Leonard 
White and Samuel D. Lockwood. After electing 
Mr. Thomas and choosing State officers, the 
General Assembly proceeded to discuss the major- 
ity and minority reports of the committee to 
which had been referred the Governor's address. 
The minority report recommended the abolition 
of slavery, while tliat of the majority favored 
the adoption of a resolution calling a convention 
to amend the Constitution, the avowed object 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



185 



being to make Illinois a slave State. The latter 
report was adopted, but the pro-slavery party in 
the Hou.se lacked one vote of the number neces- 
sary to carry the resolution by the constitutional 
two-thirds majority. What followed has always 
been regarded as a blot upon the record of the 
Third General A.ssemblj-. Nicholas Hansen, who 
had been awarded tlie seat from Pike County 
at the beginning of the session after a contest 
brought by his opponent, John Shaw, was \in- 
seated after the adoption of a resolution to 
reconsider the vote by which he had been several 
weeks before declared elected. Shaw having 
thus been seated, the resolution was carried by 
the necessary twenty-four votes. Mr. Hansen, 
although previously regarded as a pro-slavery 
man, had voted with the minority when the 
resolution was first put upon its passage. Hence 
followed his deprivation of his seat. The triumph 
of the friends of the convention was celebrated 
by what Gov. John Reynolds (himself a conven- 
tionist) characterized as "a wild and indecorous 
procession by torchlight and liquor." (See 
Slavery and Slave Laics. ) The session adjourned 
Feb. 18, having continued seventy-nine days. 

Fourth General Assembly. This body held 
two sessions, the first being convened, Nov. 15, 
1824, by proclamation of the Executive, some 
three weeks before the date for the regular 
session, in order to correct a defect in the law 
relative to counting the returns for Presidential 
Electors. Thomas Mather was elected Speaker 
of the House, while Lieutenant-Governor Hub- 
bard presided in the Senate. Having amended 
the law concerning the election returns for Presi- 
dential Electors, the Assembly proceeded to the 
election of two United States Senators — one to 
fill the unexpired term of ex-Senator Edwards 
(resigned) and the other for the full term begin- 
ning March 4, 1825. John McLean was chosen 
for the first and Elias Kent Kane for the second. 
Five circuit judgeships were created, and it was 
provided that the bench of the Supreme Court 
should consist of four Judges, and that semi- 
annual sessions of that tribunal should be held at 
the State capital. (See Judicial Department.) 
The regular session came to an end, Jan. 18, 1825, 
but at its own request, the Lieutenant-Governor 
and acting Governor Hubbard re-convened the 
body in special session on Jan. 2, 1826, to enact a 
new apportionment law under the census of 1825. 
A sine die adjournment was taken, Jan. 28, 1826. 
One of the important acts of the regular session 
of 1825 was the adoption of the first free-school 
law in Illinois, the measure having been intro- 



duced by Joseph Duncan, afterwards Governor of 
the State. This Legislature was in session a total 
of ninety-two days, of which sixty-five were 
during the first session and twenty-seven during 
the second. 

Fifth General Assembly convened, Dec. 4, 
1826, Lieutenant-Governor Kinney presiding in 
the Senate and John McLean in the House. At 
the request of the Governor an investigation into 
the management of the bank at Edwardsville was 
had, resulting, however, in the exoneration of its 
officers. The circuit judgeships created by the 
preceding Legislature were abrogated and their 
incumbents legislated out of office. The State 
was divided into four circuits, one Justice of the 
Supreme Court being assigned to each. (See 
Judicial Department.) This General Assembly 
also elected a State Treasurer to succeed Abner 
Field, James Hall being chosen on the ninth 
ballot. The Supreme Court Judges, as directed 
by the preceding Legislature, presented a well 
digested report on the revision of the laws, which 
was adopted without material alteration. One of 
the important measures enacted at this session 
was an act establishing a State penitentiary, the 
funds for its erection being obtained by the 
sale of saline lands in Gallatin County. (See 
Alton Penitentiary; also Salt Manufacture.) 
The session ended Feb. 19 — having continued 
seventy-eight days. 

Sixth General Assembly convened, Dec. 1, 
1828. The Jackson Democrats had a large major- 
ity in both houses. John McLean was, for the 
third time, elected Speaker of the House, and, 
later in the session, was elected United States 
Senator by a unanimous vote. A Secretary of 
State, Treasurer and Attorney-General were also 
appointed or elected. The most important legis- 
lation of the session was as follows : Authorizing 
the sale of school lands and the borrowing of the 
proceeds from the school fund for the ordinary 
governmental expenses; providing for a return 
to the viva voce method of voting; creating a 
fifth judicial circuit and appointing a Judge 
therefor ; providing for the appointment of Com- 
missioners to determine upon the route of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, to sell lands and com- 
mence its construction. The Assembly adjourned, 
Jan. 23, 1829, having been in session fifty- four days. 

Seventh General Assembly met, Dec. 6, 1830. 
The newly-elected Lieutenant-Governor, Zadoc 
Casey, and William L. D, Ewing presided 
over the two houses, respectively. John Rey- 
nolds was Governor, and, the majority of the 
Senate being made up of his political adversaries, 



186 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



experienced no little difBciUty in securing the 
confirmation of his nominees. Two United 
States Senators were elected; Elias K. Kane 
being chosen to succeed himself and John M. 
Robinson to serve the unexpired term of John 
McLean, deceased. The United States census of 
1830 gave Illinois three Representatives in Con- 
gress instead of one, and this General Assembly 
passed a re-apportionment law accordingly. The 
number of State Senators was increased to 
twenty-six, and of members of the lower house 
to fifty-five. The criminal code was amended by 
the substitution of imprisonment in the peni- 
tentiary as a penalty in lieu of the stocks and 
public flogging. This Legislature also authorized 
the borrowing of §100,000 to redeem the notes of 
the State Bank which were to mature the follow- 
ing year. The Assembly adjourned, Feb. 16, 1831, 
the session having lasted seventy-three days. 

Eighth General Assembly. The session 
began Dec. 3, 1832, and ended March 3, 1833. 
William L. D. Ewing was chosen President pro 
tempore of the Senate, and succeeded Zadoc 
Casey as Lieutenant-Governor, the latter having 
been elected a Representative in Congress. 
Alexander M. Jenkins presided over the House as 
Speaker. This Legislature enacted the first gen- 
eral incorporation laws of Illinois, their provisions 
being applicable to towns and public libraries. 
It also incorporated several railroad companies, 
— one line from Lake Michigan to the Illinois 
River (projected as a substitute for the canal), 
one from Peru to Cairo, and another to cross the 
State, running through Springfield. Other char- 
ters were granted for shorter lines, but the incor- 
porators generally failed to organize under them. 
A notable inci dent in connection with this session 
was the attempt to impeach Theophilus W. .Smith, 
a Justice of the Supreme Court. This was the first 
and last trial of this character in the State's his- 
tory, between 1818 and 1899. Failing to secure a 
conviction in the Senate (where the vote stood 
twelve for conviction and ten for acquittal, with 
four Senators excused from voting), the House 
attempted to remove him by address, but in this 
the Senate refused to concur. The first mechan- 
ics' lien law was enacted by this Legislature, 
as also a law relating to the "right of way" for 
"public roads, canals, or other public works."' 
The length of the session was ninety days. 

Ninth General Assembly. This Legislature 
held two sessions. The first began Dec. 1, 1834, 
and lasted to Feb. 13, 1835. Lieutenant-Governor 
Jenkins presided in the Senate and James Semple 
was elected Speaker of the House without oppo- 



sition. On Dec. 20, John M. Robinson was re- 
elected United States Senator Abraham Lincoln 
was among the new members, but took no con- 
spicuous part in the discussions of the body. The 
principal public laws passed at this session were; 
Providing for the borrowing of $500,000 to be 
used in the construction of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal and the appointment of a Board of 
Commissioners to supervise its expenditure: 
incorporating the Bank of the State of Illinois; 
and authorizing a loan of 812,000 by Cook County, 
at 10 per cent interest per annum from the 
county school fund, for the erection of a court 
house in that county. The second session of this 
Assembl}' convened, Dec. 7, 1835, adjourning, Jan. 
18, 1836. A new canal act was passed, enlarging 
the Commissioners' powers and pledging the faith 
of the State for the repayment of money bor- 
rowed to aid in its construction. A new appor- 
tionment law was also passed providing for the 
election of forty-one Senators and ninety-one 
Representatives, and W. L. D. Ewing was elected 
United States Senator, to succeed Elias K. Kane, 
deceased. The length of the first session was 
seventy-five days, and of the second forty -three 
days — total, 118. 

Tenth General Assembly, like its predeces- 
sor, held two sessions. The first convened Dec. 5, 
1836, and adjourned March 6, 1837. The Whigs 
controlled the Senate by a large majoritj-, and 
elected William H. Davidson, of White County, 
President, to succeed Alexander M. Jenkins, who 
had resigned the Lieutenant-Governorship. (See 
Jenkins, Alexander M. ) James Semple was 
re-elected Speaker of the House, which was 
fully two-thirds Democratic. This Legislature 
was remarkable for the number of its members 
who afterwards attained National prominence. 
Lincoln and Douglas sat in the lower house, both 
voting for the same candidate for Speaker— New- 
ton Cloud, an independent Democrat. Besides 
these, the rolls of this Assembly included the 
names of a future Governor, six future United 
States Senators, eight Congressmen, three Illinois 
Supreme Court Judges, seven State officers, and 
a Cabinet officer. The two absorbing topics for 
legislative discussion and action were the system 
of internal improvements and the removal of the 
State capital. (See Internal Improvement Policy 
and State Capitals. ) The friends of Springfield 
finally effected such a combination that that city 
was selected as the seat of the State government, 
while the Internal Improvement Act was passed 
over the veto of Governor Duncan. A second 
session of this Legislature met on the call of the 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



187 



Governor, July 10, 1837, and adjourned July 22. 
An act legalizing the suspension of State banks 
was adopted, but the recommendation of the Gov- 
ernor for the repeal of the internal improvement 
legislation was ignored. The length of the first 
session was ninety-two days and of the second 
thirteen — total 105. 

Eleventh Gener.a^l Assembly. This body 
held both a regular and a special session. The 
former met Dec. 3, 1838, and adjourned March 4, 
1839. The Whigs were in a majority in both 
houses, and controlled the organization of the 
Senate. In the House, however, their candidate 
for Speaker— Abraham Lincoln — failing to secure 
his full party vote, was defeated by W. L. D. 
Ewing. At this session 8800,000 more was appro- 
priated for the "improvement of water-ways and 
the construction of railroads, " all efforts to put an 
end to, or even curtail, further expenditures on 
account of internal improvements meeting with 
defeat. An appropriation (the first) was made 
for a library for the Supreme Court ; the Illinois 
Institution for the Education of the Deaf and 
Dumb was established, and the furtlier issuance 
of bank notes of a smaller denomination than §5 
was prohibited. By this time the State debt had 
increased to over §13,000,000, and both the people 
and the Governor were becoming apprehensive as 
to ultimate results of this prodigal outlay. A 
crisis appeared imminent, and the Governor, on 
Dec. 9, 1839, convened the Legislature in special 
session to consider the situation. (This was the 
first session ever held at Sprmgfield ; and, the new 
State House not being completed, the Senate, the 
House and the Supreme Court found accommo- 
dation in three of the principal church edifices.) 
The struggle for a change of State policy at this 
session was long and hard fought, no heed being 
given to party lines. The outcome was the vir- 
tual abrogation of the entire internal improve- 
ment system. Provision was made for the calling 
in and destruction of all unsold bonds and the 
speedy adjustment of all unsettled accounts of 
the old Board of Public Works, which was legis- 
lated out of office. The special session adjourned 
Feb. 3, 1840. Length of regular session ninety- 
two days, of the special, fifty-seven — total, 149. 

Twelfth General Assembly. This Legisla- 
ture was strongly Democratic in both branches. 
It first convened, by executive proclamation, 
Nov. 33, 1840, the object being to provide for pay- 
ment of interest on the public debt. In reference 
to this matter the following enactments were 
made: Authorizing the hypothecation of $300,000 
internal improvement bonds, to meet the interest 



due Jan. 1, 1841 ; directing the issue of bonds to 
be sold in the open market and the proceeds 
applied toward discharging all amounts due on 
interest account for which no other provision was 
made ; levj^ing a special tax of ten cents on the 
§100 to meet the interest on the last mentioned 
class of bonds, as it matured. For the comple- 
tion of the Northern Cross Railroad (from Spring- 
field to Jacksonville) another appropriation of 
§100,000 was made. The called session adjourned, 
sine die, on Dec. 5, and the regular session began 
two days later. The Senate was presided over by 
the Lieutenant-Governor (Stinson H. Anderson), 
and William L. D. Ewing was chosen Speaker of 
the House. The most vital issue was the propri- 
ety of demanding the surrender of the charter of 
the State Bank, with its branches, and here 
party lines were drawn. The Whigs finally 
succeeded in averting the closing of the institu- 
tions which had suspended specie payments, and 
in securing for those institutions the privilege of 
issuing small bills. A law reorganizing the judi- 
ciary was passed by the majority over tlie execu- 
tive veto, and in face of tlie defection of some of 
its members. On a partisan issue all the Circuit 
Judges were legislated out of office and five Jus- 
tices added to the bench of the Supreme Court. 
The session was stormy, and the Assembly ad- 
journed March 1, 1841. This Legislature was in 
session ninety-eight days — thirteen during the 
special session and eighty-five during t)ie regular. 
Thirteenth General Assembly consisted of 
forty-one Senators and 121 Representatives; con- 
vened, Dec. 5, 1842. The Senate and House were 
Democratic by two-thirds majority in each. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Moore was presiding officer of 
the Senate and Samuel Hackelton Speaker of the 
House, with W. L. D. Ewing, who had been 
acting Governor and United States Senator, as 
Clerk of the latter. Richard Yates, Isaac N. 
Arnold, Stephen T. Logan and Gustavus Koerner, 
were among the new members. The existing 
situation seemed fraught with peril. The State 
debt was nearly §14,000,000; immigration had 
been checked ; the State and Shawneetown banks 
had gone down and their currency was not worth 
fifty cents on the dollar; Auditor's warrants were 
worth no more, and Illinois State bonds were 
quoted at fourteen cents. On Dec. 18, Judge 
Sidney Breese was elected United States Senator, 
having defeated Stephen A. Douglas for the 
Democratic caucus nomination, on the nineteenth 
ballot, by a majority of one vote. The State 
Bank (in which the State had been a large share- 
holder) was jjermitted to go into liquidation upon 



188 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the surrender of State bonds in exchange for a 
like amount of bank stock owned by the State. 
The same conditional release was granted to the 
bank at Shawneetown. The net result was a 
reduction of the State debt by about §3,000,000. 
The Governor was authorized to negotiate a 
loan of $1,600,000 on the credit of the State, for 
the purpose of prosecuting the work on the canal 
and meeting the indebtedness already incurred. 
The E.xecutive was also made sole "Fund Com- 
missioner"" and, in that capacity, was empowered 
(in connection with the Auditor) to sell the 
railroads, etc., belonging to the State at public 
auction. Provision was also made for the redemp- 
tion of the bonds hypothecated with Macalister 
and Stebbins. (See Macalister and Stebbiyis 
Bonds.) The Congressional distribution of the 
moneys arising from the sale of public lands was 
acquiesced in, and the revenues and resources of 
the State were pledged to the redemption "of 
every debt contracted bj- an authorized agent for a 
good and valuable consideration."" To establish 
a sinking fund to meet such obligation, a tax of 
twenty cents on every SlOO, payable in coin, was 
levied. This Legislature also made a re-appor- 
tionment of the State into Seven Congressional 
Districts. The Legislature adjourned, March 6, 
1843, after a session of ninety-two days. 

Fourteenth General Assembly convened 
Dec. 3, 1844, and adjourned March 3, 1845, the ses- 
sion lasting ninety-two days. The Senate was 
composed of twenty-six Democrats and fifteen 
Whigs; the House of eighty Democrats and 
thirty-nine Whigs. David Davis was among the 
new members. William A. Richardson defeated 
Stephen T. Logan for the Speakership, and James 
Semple was elected United States Senator to suc- 
ceed Samuel McRoberts, deceased. The canal 
law was amended by the passage of a supple- 
mental act, transferring the property to Trustees 
and empowering the Governor to complete the 
negotiations for the borrowing of $1,600,000 for 
its construction. The State revenue being in- 
sufficient to meet the ordinary expenses of tlie 
government, to say nothing of the arrears of 
interest on the State debt, a tax of three mills on 
each dollar's worth of property was imposed for 
1845 and of three and one-half mills thereafter. 
Of the revenue thus raised in 1845, one mill was 
set apart to pay the interest on the State debt 
and one and one-half mills for the same purpose 
from the taxes collected in 1846 "and forever 
thereafter. ' " 

Fifteenth Gener.\l Assembly convened Dec. 
7, 1846. The farewell message of Governor Ford 



and the inaugural of Governor French were lead- 
ing incidents. The Democrats had a two-thirds 
majority in each house. Lieut. -Gov. Joseph B. 
Wells presided in the Senate, and Newton Cloud 
was elected Speaker of the House, the compli- 
mentary vote of the Whigs being given to Stephen 
T. Logan. Stephen A. Douglas was elected 
United States Senator, the whigs voting for Cyrus 
Edwards. State officers were elected as follows : 
Auditor, Thomas H. Campbell; State Treasurer, 
Milton Carpenter — both by acclamation; and 
Horace S Cooley was nominated and confirmed 
Secretary of State. A new school law was 
enacted ; the sale of the Gallatin County salines 
was authorized ; the University of Chicago was 
incorporated, and the Hospital for the Insane at 
Jacksonville established; the sale of the Xorth- 
ern Cross Railroad was authorized; District 
Courts were established ; and provision was made 
for refunding the State debt. The Assembly 
adjourned, March 1, 1847, after a session of 
eighty-five days. 

Sixteenth General Assembly. This was the 
first Legislature to convene under the Constitu- 
tion of 1847. There were tnenty-five members 
in the Senate and seventy-five in the House. 
Tlie body assembled on Jan. 1, 1849, continu- 
ing in session until Feb. 12 — the session being 
limited by the Constitution to six weeks. Zadoc 
Casey was chosen Speaker, defeating Richard 
Yates by a vote of forty-six to nineteen. After 
endorsing the policy of the administration in 
reference to the Me.xican War and thanking the 
soldiers, the Assembly proceeded to the election 
of United States Senator to succeed Sidney 
Breese. The choice fell upon Gen. James Shields, 
the other caucus candidates being Breese and 
McClernand, while Gen. William F. Thornton led 
the forlorn hope for the Whigs. The principle of 
the Wilmot proviso was endorsed. The Governor 
convened the Legislature in special session on 
Oct. 33. A question as to the eligibility of Gen. 
Shields having arisen (growing out of his nativity 
and naturalization), and the legal obstacles hav- 
ing been removed by the lapse of time, he was 
re-elected Senator at the special session. Outside 
of the passage of a general law authorizing the 
incorporation of railroads, little general legisla- 
tion was enacted. The special session adjourned 
Nov. 7. Length of regular session forty-three 
days ; special, seventeen — total sixty. 

Seventeenth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 6, 1851, adjourned Feb. 17 — length of 
session forty-three days. Sidney Breese (ex- 
Senator) was chosen Speaker. The session was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



189 



characterized by a vast amount of legislation, not 
all of which was well considered. By joint reso- 
lution of both houses the endorsement of the 
Wilmot proviso at the previous session was 
rescinded. The first homestead exemption act 
was passed, and a stringent liquor law adopted, 
the sale of liquor in quantities less than one quart 
being prohibited. Township organization was 
authorized and what was virtually free-banking 
was sanctioned. The latter law was ratified by 
popular vote in November, 1851. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad was also 
passed at tliis session, the measure being drafted 
by James L. D. Morrison. A special session of 
this Assembly was held in 1852 under a call by 
the Governor, lasting from June 7 to the 23d — 
seventeen days. The most important general 
legislation of the special session was the reappor- 
tionment of the State into nine Congressional 
Districts. This Legislature was in session a total 
of sixty days. 

Eighteenth General Assembly. The first 
(or regular) session convened Jan. 3, 1853, and 
adjourned Feb. 14. The Senate was composed of 
twenty Democrats and five Whigs; the House, of 
fifty-nine Democrats, sixteen Whigs and one 
"Free-Soiler. ■' Lieutenant-Governor Koerner 
presided in the upper, and ex-Gov. John Reynolds 
in the lower house. Governor Matteson was 
inaugurated on the 16th ; Stephen A. Douglas was 
re-elected L^nited States Senator, Jan. 5. the 
Whigs casting a complimentary vote for Joseph 
Gillespie. More than 450 laws were enacted, the 
majority being "private acts." The prohibitory 
temperance legislation of the preceding General 
Assembly was repealed and the license system 
re enacted. This body also passed the famous 
"black laws" designed to prevent the immigration 
of free negroes into the State. The sum of 
$18,000 was appropriated for the erection and 
furnishing of an executive mansion ; the State 
Agricultural Society was incorporated; the re- 
mainder of the State lands was ordered sold, and 
any surplus funds in the treasury appropriated 
toward reducing the State debt. A special session 
was convened on Feb. 9, 1854, and adjourned 
March 4 The most important measures adopted 
were: a legislative re-apportionment, an act pro- 
viding for the election of a Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, and a charter for the Missis- 
sippi & Atlantic Railroad. The regular session 
lasted forty-three days, the special twenty-four 
— total, sixty-seven. 

Nlveteenth General Assembly met Jan. 1, 
1855, and adjourned Feb. 15 — the session lasting 



forty-six days. Thomas J. Turner was elected 
Speaker of the House. The political complexion 
of the Legislature was much mixed, among the 
members being old-line Whigs, Abolitionists, 
Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, Pro-slavery Demo- 
crats and Anti-Nebraska Democrats. The 
Nebraska question was the leading issue, and in 
reference thereto the Senate stood fourteen 
Nebraska members and eleven anti-Nebraska ; the 
House, thirty-four straight-out Democrats, while 
the entire strength of the opposition was forty- 
one. A United States Senator was to be chosen 
to succeed Gen. James Shields, and the friends of 
free-soil had a clear majority of four on joint 
ballot. Abraham Lincoln was the caucus nomi- 
nee of the Whigs, and General Shields of the Demo- 
crats. The two houses met in joint session Feb. 8. 
The result of the first ballot was, Lincoln, forty- 
five; Shields, forty -one; scattering, thirteen; 
present, but not voting, one. Mr. Lincoln's 
strength steadily waned, then rallied slightly on 
the sixth and seventh ballots, but again declined. 
Shields' forty-one votes rising on tlie fifth ballot 
to forty-two, but having dropped on the next 
ballot to forty-one, his name was withdrawn and 
that of Gov. Joel A. Matteson substituted. Mat- 
teson gained until he received forty-seven votes, 
which was the limit of his strength. On the 
ninth ballot, Loncoln's vote having dropped to 
fifteen, his name was withdrawn at his own 
request, his support going, on the next ballot, to 
Lyman Trumbull, an anti-Nebraska Democrat, 
who received fifty-one votes to forty-seven for 
Matteson and one for Archibald Williams — one 
member not voting. Trumbull, having received 
a majority, was elected. Five members had 
voted for him from the start. These were Sena- 
tors John M. Palmer, Norman B. Judd and Burton 
C. Cook, and Representatives Henry S. Baker and 
George T. Allen. It had been hoped that they 
would, in time, come to the support of Mr. Lin- 
coln, but they explained that they had been 
instructed by their constituents to vote only for 
an anti-Nebraska Democrat. They were all sub- 
sequently prominent leaders in the Republican 
party. Having inaugurated its work by accom- 
plishing a political revolution, this Legislature 
proceeded to adopt several measures more or less 
radical in their tendency. One of these was the 
Maine liquor law, with the condition that it bo 
submitted to popular vote. It failed of ratifica- 
tion by vote of the people at an election held in 
the following June. A new common school law 
was enacted, and railroads were required to fence 
their tracks. The Assembly also adopted a reso- 



190 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lution calling for a Convention to amend the Con- 
stitution, but tills was defeated at the polls. 

Twentieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
5, 1857, and adjourned, sine die. Feb. 19. A 
Republican State administration, with Governor 
Bissell at its head, bad just been elected, but the 
Legislature was Democratic in both branches. 
Lieut. -Gov. John Wood presided over the Senate, 
and Samuel Holmes, of Adams County, defeated 
Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook, for the Speakership of 
the House. Among the prominent members were 
Norman B. Judd, of Cook; A. J. Kuykendall, of 
Johnson ; Shelby M. Cullom, of Sangamon ; John 
A. Logan, of Jackson; William R. Morrison, of 
Monroe ; Isaac N. Arnold, of Cook ; Joseph Gilles- 
pie, of Madison, and S. W. Moulton, of Shelby. 
Among the important measures enacted by this 
General Assemblj' were the following: Acts 
establishing and maintaining free schools; estab- 
lishing a Normal University at Normal ; amending 
the banking law ; providing for the general incor- 
poration of railroads; providing for the building 
of a new penitentiary ; and funding the accrued 
arrears of interest on the public debt. Length of 
session, forty-six days. 

Twenty-first General Assembly* convened 
Jan. 3, 1859, and was in session for fifty-three 
days, adjourning Feb. 24. The Senate consisted 
of twenty-five, and the House of seventy-five 
members. The presiding officers were: — of the 
Senate, Lieut. -Gov. Wood; of the House, W. R. 
Morrison, of Monroe County, who defeated his 
Republican opponent. Vital Jarrot, of St. Clair, 
on a viva voce vote. Tlie Governor's message 
showed a reduction of 81, 166,877 in the State debt 
during two years preceding, leaving a balance of 
principal and arrears of interest amounting to 
$11,138,454. On Jan. 6, 1859, the Assembly, in 
joint session, elected Stephen A. Douglas to suc- 
ceed himself as United States Senator, by a vote 
of fifty-four to forty-six for Abraham Lincoln. 
The Legislature was thrown into great disorder 
in consequence of an attempt to prevent the 
receipt from the Governor of a veto of a legisla- 
tive apportionment bill which had been passed by 
the Democratic majority in the face of bitter 
opposition on the part of the Republicans, who 
denounced it as partisan and unjust. 

Twenty-second General Assembly convened 
in regular session on Jan. 7, 1861, consisting of 
twenty-five Senators and seventy-five Represent- 
atives. For the first time in the State's history, 
the Democrats failed to control the organization 
of either house. Lieut. -Gov. Francis A. Hoffman 
presided over the Senate, and S. M. Cullom, of 



Sangamon, was chosen Speaker of the House, the 
Democratic candidate being James W. Singleton. 
Thomas A. Marshall, of Coles County, was elected 
President pro tem. of the Senate over A. J. Kuy- 
kendall, of Johnson. The message of the retiring 
Governor (John Wood) reported a reduction of 
the State debt, during four years of Republican 
administration, of 82,860,402, and showed the 
number of banks to be 110, whose aggregate cir- 
culation was 813,320,964. Lyman Trumbull was 
re-elected United States Senator on January 10, 
receiving fifty-four votes, to forty-six cast for 
Samuel S. Marshall. Governor Yates was inau- 
gurated, Jan. 14. The most important legislation 
of this session related to the following subjects: 
the separate property rights of married women ; 
the encouragement of mining and the support of 
public schools ; the payment of certain evidences 
of State indebtedness ; protection of the purity of 
the ballot-box, and a resolution submitting to the 
people the question of the calling of a Convention 
to amend the Constitution. Joint resolutions were 
passed relative to the death of Governor Bissell ; 
to the appointment of Commissioners to attend a 
Peace Conference in Washington, and referring 
to federal relations. The latter deprecated 
amendments to the United States Constitution, but 
expressed a willingness to unite with any States 
which might consider themselves aggrieved, 
in petitioning Congress to call a convention 
for the consideration of such amendments, at the 
same time pledging the entire resources of Illi- 
nois to the National Government for the preser- 
vation of the Union and the enforcement of the 
laws. The regular session ended Feb. 22, having 
lasted forty-seven daj-s. — Immediately following 
President Lincoln's first call for volunteers to 
suppress the rebellion, ' Governor Yates recon- 
vened the General Assembly in special session to 
consider and adopt methods to aid and support 
the Federal authority in preserving the Union and 
protecting the rights and property of the people. 
The two houses assembled on April 23. On April 
25 Senator Douglas addressed the members on the 
issues of the day, in response to an invitation con- 
veyed in a joint resolution. The special session 
closed May 3, 1861, and not a few of the legislators 
promptly volunteered in the Union army. 
Length of the regular session, forty-seven days; 
of the special, eleven — total fifty-eight. 

Twenty-third General Assembly^ was com- 
posed of twenty-five Senators and eighty-eight 
Representatives. It convened Jan. 5, 1863, and 
was Democratic in both branches. The presiding 
officer of the Senate was Lieutenant-Governor 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



191 



Hoffman; Samuel A. Buckmaster was elected 
Speaker of the House by a vote of fifty-three to 
twenty-five. On Jan. 12, William A. Richardson 
was elected United States Senator to succeed 
S. A. Douglas, deceiised, the Republican nominee 
being Governor Yates, who received thirty-eight 
votes out of a total of 103 cast. Much of the time 
of the session was devoted to angry discu.ssion of 
the policy of the National Government in the 
prosecution of the war. Tlie views of the oppos- 
ing parties were expressed in majority and minor- 
ity reports from the Committee on Federal 
Relations — the former condemning andthe latter 
upholding the Federal administration. The 
majority report was adopted in the House on 
Feb. 12, by a vote of fifty-two to twenty-eight, 
and the resolutions which it embodied were at 
once sent to the Senate for concui'rence. Before 
they could be acted upon in that bod}- a Demo- 
cratic Senator — J. M. Rodgers, of Clinton County 
— died. This left the Senate politically tied, a 
Republican presiding oflicer having the deciding 
vote. Consequently no action was taken at the 
time, and, on Feb. 14, the Legislature adjourned 
till June 2. Immediately upon re-assembling, 
joint resolutions relating to a sine die adjourn- 
ment were introduced in both houses. A disagree- 
ment regarding the date of such adjournment 
ensued, when Governor Yates, exercising the 
power conferred upon him by the Constitution in 
such cases, sent in a message (June 10, 1863) 
prorogmng the General Assembly until "the 
Saturday next preceding the first Monday in 
January, 1865." The members of the Republican 
minority at once left the hall. The members of 
the majority convened and adjourned from day 
to day until June 24, when, having adopted an 
address to the people setting forth their grievance 
and denouncing the State executive, they took a 
recess until the Tuesday after the first Monday of 
January, 1864. The action of the Governor, hav- 
ing been submitted to the Supreme Court, was 
sustained, and no further session of this General 
Assembly was held. Owing to the prominence 
of political issues, no important legislation was 
effected at this session, even the ordinary appro- 
priations for the State institutions failing. This 
caused much embarrassment to the State Govern- 
ment in meeting current expenses, but banks and 
capitalists came to its aid, and no important 
interest was permitted to suffer. The total 
length of the session was fifty days — forty-one 
days before the recess and nine days after. 

Twenty-fourth Geser.\l Assembly convened 
Jan. 3, 1865, and remained in session forty-six 



days. It consisted of twenty-five Senators and 
eighty-five Representatives. The Republicans 
had a majority in both houses. Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor Bross presided over the Senate, and Allen 
C. Fuller, of Boone County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House, over Ambrose M. Miller, Democrat, 
the vote standing 48 to 23. Governor Yates, in 
his valedictory message, reported that, notwith- 
standing the heavy expenditure attendant upon 
the enlistment and maintenance of troops, etc., 
the State debt had been reduced $987,786 in four 
years. On Jan. 4, 1865, Governor Yates was 
elected to the United States Senate, receiving 
sixty-four votes to forty three cast for James C. 
Robinson. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
16. The Thirteenth Amendment to the United 
States Constitution was ratified by this Legisla- 
ture, and sundry special appropriations made. 
Among the latter was one of $3,000 toward the 
State's proportion for the establishment of a 
National Cemetery at Gettysburg; §25,000 for 
the purchase of the land on which is the tomb 
of the deceased Senator Douglas: be.sides sums 
for establishing a home for Soldiers' Orphans and 
an experimental school for the training of idiots 
and feeble-minded children. The first act for 
the registry of legal voters was passed at this 
^session. 

• Twenty-fifth General Assembly. This 
body held one regular and two special sessions. 
It first convened and organized on Jan. 7, 1867. 
Lieutenant-Governor Bross presided over the 
upper, and Franklin Corwin, of La Salle Count}', 
over the lower house. The Governor (Oglesby), 
in his message, reported a reduction of 82,607,958 
in the State debt during the two years preceding, 
and recommended various appropriations for pub- 
lic purposes. He also urged the calling of a Con- 
vention to amend the Constitution. On Jan. 15, 
Lyman Trumbull was chosen L^nited States Sena- 
tor, the complimentary Democratic vote being 
given to T. Lyle Dickey, who received thirty- 
three votes out of 109. The regular session lasted 
fifty-three days, adjourning Feb. 28. The Four- 
teenth Amendment to the United States Constitu- 
tion was ratified and important legislation enacted 
relative to State taxation and the regulation of 
public warehouses ; a State Board of Equalization 
of Assessments was established, and the office of 
Attorney-General created. (Under this law 
Robert G. IngersoU was the first appointee.) 
Provision was made for the erection of a new 
State House, to establish a Reform School for 
Juvenile Offenders, and for the support of other 
State institutions. The first special session con- 



192 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



vened on June 11, 1867, having been summoned 
to consider questions relating to internal revenue. 
The lessee of the penitentiary having surrendered 
his lease without notice, the Governor found it 
necessary to make immediate provision for the 
management of that institution. Not having 
included this matter in his original call, no ne- 
cessity then existing, he at once summoned a 
second special session, before the adjournment 
of the first. This convened on June 14, remained 
in session until June 28, and adopted what is 
substantially the present penitentiary law of the 
State. This General Assembly was in session 
seventy-one days — fifty-three at the regular, 
three at the first special session and fifteen at the 
second. 

Twenty-sixth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 4, 18G9. The Republicans had a majority in 
each house. The newly elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, John Dougherty, presided in the Senate, 
and Franklin Corwin. of Peru, was again chosen 
Speaker of the House. Governor Oglesby sub- 
mitted his final message at the opening of the 
session, showing a total reduction in the State 
debt during his term of §4,743,821. Governor 
John M. Palmer was inaugurated Jan. 11. The 
most important acts passed by this Legislature 
were the following: Calling the Constitutional 
Convention of 1869; ratifying the Fifteenth 
Amendment to the United States Constitution ; 
granting well behaved convicts a reduction in 
their terms of imprisonment ; for the prevention 
of cruelty to animals ; providing for the regula- 
tion of freights and fares on railroads; estab- 
lishing the Southern Normal University; pro- 
viding for the erection of the Northern Insane 
Hospital ; and establishing a Board of Com- 
missioners of Public Charities. The celebrated 
"Lake Front Bill," especially affecting the 
interests of the city of Chicago, occupied a 
great deal of time during this session, and 
though finally passed over the Governor's veto, 
was repealed in 1873. This session was inter- 
rupted by a recess which extended from March 
12 to April 13. The Legislature re-assem- 
bled April 14, and adjourned, sine die, April 20, 
liaving been in actual session seventy-four days. 

Twenty-seventh General Assembly had 
four sessions, one regular, two special and one 
adjourned. The first convened Jan. 4, 1871, and 
adjourned on April 17, having lasted 104 days, 
when a recess was taken to Nov. 15 following. 
The body was made up of fifty Senators and 177 
Representatives. The Republicans again con- 
trolled both Iiouses. electing William M. Smith, 



Speaker (over William R. Morrison, Democrat), 
while Lieutenant-Governor Doughertj' presided in 
the Senate. The latter occupied the Hall of Rep- 
resentatives in the old State Capitol, while the 
House held its sessions in a new church edifice 
erected by the Second Presbyterian Church. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Sena- 
tor, defeating Tliomas J. Turner (Democrat) by a 
vote, on joint ballot, of 131 to 89. This was the 
first Illinois Legislature to meet after the adoption 
of the Constitution of 1870, and its time was 
mainly devoted to framing, discussing and pass- 
ing laws required by the changes in the organic 
law of the State. The first special session opened 
on May 24 and closed on June 22, 1871, continu- 
ing thirty days. It was convened by Governor 
Palmer to make additional appropriations for the 
necessary expenses of the State Government and 
for the continuance of work on tlie new State 
House. The purpose of the Governor in sum- 
moning the second special session was to provide 
financial reUef for the citj' of Chicago after the 
great fire of Oct. 9-11, 1871. Members were sum- 
moned by special telegrams and were in their 
seats Oct. 13, continuing in session to Oct. 24 
— twelve days. Governor Palmer had already 
suggested a plan by which the State might 
aid the stricken city without doing violence 
to either the spirit or letter of the new Con- 
stitution, which expressly prohibited special 
legislation. Chicago had advanced §2,500,000 
toward the completion of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, under the pledge of the State that this 
outlay should be made good. The Legislature 
voted an appropriation suflicient to pay both 
principal and interest of this loan, amounting, in 
round numbers, to about §3,000,000. The ad- 
journed session opened on Nov. 15, 1871. and came 
to an end on April 9, 1872 — having continued 147 
days. It was entirely devoted to considering and 
adopting legislation germane to the new Consti- 
tution. The total length of all sessions of this 
General Assembly was 293 days. 

Twenty-eighth General Assembly- convened 
Jan. 8, 1878. It was composed of fifty-one Sena- 
tors and 153 Representatives; the upper house 
standing thirty-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats, and the lower, eighty-six Republicans 
to sixty-seven Democrats. The Senate chose 
John Early, of Winnebago, President pro tempore, 
and Shelby M. CuUom was elected Speaker of the 
House. Governor Oglesby was inaugurated Jan. 
13, but, eight days later, was elected to the United 
States Senate, being succeeded in the Governor- 
sliip by Lieut. -Gov. John L. Beveridge. An 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



103 



appropriation of $1,000,000 was made for carrying 
on the work on the new capitol and various other 
acts of a public character passed, the most impor- 
tant being an amendment of the railroad law of 
the previous session. On May 6, the Legislature 
adjourned until Jan. 8, 1874. The purpose of the 
recess was to enable a Commission on the Revision 
of the Laws to complete a report. Tlie work was 
duly completed and nearly all the titles reported 
by the Commissioners were adopted at the 
adjourned session. An adjournment, sine die, 
was taken March 31, 1874 — the two sessions 
having lasted, respectively, 119 and 83 days — 
total 202. 

Twenty-ninth General Assembly convened 
Jan 6, 1875. While the Republicans had a plu- 
rality in both houses, they were defeated in an 
effort to secure their organization through a 
fusion of Democrats and Independents. A. A. 
Glenn (Democrat) was elected President pro tem- 
pore of the Senate (becoming acting Lieutenant- 
Governor), and Elijah M. Haines was chosen 
presiding ofEcer of the lower house. The leaders 
on both sides of the Chamber were aggressive, 
and the session, as a whole, was one of the most 
turbulent and disorderly in the history of the 
State. Little legislation of vital importance 
(outside of regular appropriation bills) was 
enacted. This Legislature adjourned, April 15, 
having been in session 100 days. 

Thirtieth General Assembly convened Jan. 
3 ; 1877, and adjourned, sine die, on May 24. The 
Democrats and Independents in the Senate united 
in securing control of that body, although the 
House was Republican. Fawcett Plumb, of La 
Salle County, was chosen President pro tempore 
of the upper, and James Shaw Speaker of the 
lower, house. The inauguration of State officers 
took place Jan. 8, Shelby M. Cullom becoming 
Governor and Andrew Shuman, Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor. This was one of the most exciting years 
in American political history Both of the domi- 
nant parties claimed to have elected the President, 
and the respective votes in the Electoral College 
were so close as to excite grave apprehension in 
many minds. It was also the year for the choice 
of a Senator by the Illinois Legislature, and the 
attention of the entire country was directed 
toward this State. Gen. John M. Palmer was 
the nominee of the Democratic caucus and John 
A. Logan of the Republicans. On the twenty- 
fourth ballot the name of General Logan was 
withdrawn, most of the Republican vote going 
to Charles B. La^vrence, and the Democrats going 
over to David Davis, who, although an original 



Republican and friend of Lincoln, and Justice of 
the Supreme Court bj- appointment of Mr. Lin- 
coln, had become an Independent Democrat. On 
the fortieth ballot (taken Jan. 25), Judge Davis 
received 101 votes, to 94 for Judge Lawrenic 
(Republican) and five scattering, thus securing 
Davis" election. Not many acts of vital impor- 
tance were passed by this Legislature. Appellate 
Courts were established and new judicial districts 
created; the original jurisdiction of county 
courts was enlarged; better safeguards were 
thrown about miners ; measures looking at once 
to the supervision and protection of railroads were 
passed, as well as various laws relating chiefly to 
the police administration of the State and of 
municipalities. The length of the session was 
143 days. 

Thirty-first General Assembly convened 
Jan. 8, 1879, with a Republican majoritj- in each 
house. Andrew Shuman, the newly elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor, presided in the Senate, and 
William A. James of Lake County was chosen 
Speaker of the House. John M. Hamilton of 
McLean Coimty (afterwards Governor), was 
chosen President pro tempore of the Senate. 
John A. Logan was elected United States Senator 
on Jan. 21, the complimentary Democratic vote 
being given to Gen. John C. Black. Various 
laws of public importance were enacted by this 
Legislature, among them being one creating the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics ; the first oleomargar- 
ine law; a drainage and levee act; a law for the 
reorganization of the militia; an act for the 
regulation of pawnbrokers; a law limiting the 
pardoning power, and various laws looking 
toward the supervision and control of railways. 
The session lasted 144 days, and the Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, Maj' 31, 1879. 

Thirty SECOND General Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1881, the Republicans having a majority 
in both branches. Lieutenant-Governor Hamil- 
ton presided in the Senate, William J. Campbell 
of Cook County being elected President pro tem- 
pore. Horace H. Thomas, also of Cook, was 
chosen Speaker of the House. Besides the rou- 
tine legislation, the most important measures 
enacted by this Assembly were laws to prevent 
the spread of pleuro-pneumonia among cattle: 
regulating the sale of firearms; providing more 
stringent penalties for the adulteration of food, 
drink or medicine; regulating the practice of 
pharmacy and dentistry ; amending the revenue 
and school laws : and requiring annual statements 
from official custodians of public moneys. The 
Legislature adjourned May 30, after having been 



194 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in session 146 daj's, but was called together again 
in special session by the Governor on March 23, 
1882, to pass new Legislative and Congressional 
Apportionment Laws, and for the consideration 
of other subjects. The special session lasted 
forty-four days, adjourning May 5— both sessions 
occupying a total of 190 days. 

Thirty-third General Assembly convened 
Jan. 2, 1883, with the Republicans again in the 
majority in both houses. William J. Campbell 
was re-elected President pro tempore of tlie 
Senate, but not until the sixty-first ballot, six 
Republicans refusing to be bound by the nomina- 
tion of a caucus held prior to their arrival at 
Springfield. Loren C. Collins, also of Cook, was 
elected Speaker of the House. The compliment- 
ary Democratic vote was given to Thomas M. Shaw 
in the Senate, and to Austin O. Sexton in the 
House. Governor CuUom, the Republican caucus 
nominee, was elected United States Senator, Jan. 
16, receiving a majority in each branch of the 
General Assembly. The celebrated "Harper 
H'gh-License Bill," and the first "Compulsory 
School Law" were passed at this session, the 
other acts being of ordinary character. The 
Legislature adjourned June 18, having been in 
session 168 days. 

Thirty-fourth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1885. The Senate was Republican by a 
majority of one, there being twenty-six members 
of that party, twenty-four Democrats and one 
greenback Democrat. William J. Campbell, of 
Cook County, was for the third time chosen 
President pro tempore. The House stood seventy- 
six Republicans and seventy-six Democrats, witli 
one member — Elijah M. Haines of Lake County — 
calling himself an "Independent." The contest 
for the Speakership continued until Jan. 39, 
when, neither jmrty being able to elect its nomi- 
nee, the Democrats took up Haines as a candidate 
and placed him in the chair, with Haines' assist- 
ance, filling the minor offices with their own 
men. After the inauguration of Governor 
Oglesby, Jan. 80, the first business was the elec- 
tion of a United States Senator. The balloting 
proceeded until May 18, when John A. Logan re- 
ceived 103 votes to ninety-six for Lambert Tree and 
five scattering. Three members— one Republican 
and two Democrats — had died .since the opening 
of the session ; and it was through the election of 
a Republican in place of one of the deceased 
Democrats, that the Republicans succeeded in 
electing their candidate. The session was a 
stormy one throughout, the Speaker being, much 
of the time, at odds with the House, and an 



unsuccessful effort was made to depose him. 
Charges of bribery against certain members were 
preferred and investigated, but no definite result 
was reached. Among the important measures 
passed by this Legislature were the following : A 
joint resolution providing for submission of an 
amendment to the Constitution prohibiting con- 
tract labor in penal institutions; providing by 
resolution for the appointment of a non-partisan 
Commission of twelve to draft a new revenue 
code ; the Crawford primary election law ; an act 
amending the code of criminal procedure ; estab- 
lishing a Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, subse- 
quently located at Quincy ; creating a Live-Stock 
Commission and appropriating §531,712 for the 
completion of the State House. The Assembly 
adjourned, sine die, June 26, 1885, after a session 
of 171 days. 

Thirty-fifth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 5, 1887. Tlie Republicans had a majority of 
twelve in the Senate and three in the House. 
For President pro tempore of the Senate, August 
W. Berggren was chosen; for Speaker of the 
House, Dr. William F. Calhoun, of De Witt 
County. The death of General Logan, which 
had occurred Dec. 26, 1886, was officially an- 
nounced by Governor Oglesby and, on Jan. 18, 
Charles B. Farwell was elected to succeed him as 
United States Senator. William R. Morrison and 
Benjamin W. Goodhue were the candidates of 
the Democratic and Labor parties, respectively. 
Some of the most important laws passed by this 
General Assembly were the following: Amend 
ing the law relating to the spread of contagious 
diseases among cattle, etc. ; the Chase bill to 
prohibit book-making and pool-selling; regulat- 
ing trust companies; making the Trustees of 
the University of Illinois elective; inhibiting 
aliens from holding real estate, and forbidding 
the marriage of first cousins. An act virtually 
creating a new State banking system was also 
passed, subject to ratification by popular vote. 
Other acts, having more particular reference to 
Chicago and Cook County, were: a law making 
cities and counties responsible for three-fourths 
of the damage resulting from mobs and riots ; the 
Merritt conspiracy law; the Gibbs Jury Commis- 
sion law, and an act for the suppression of 
bucket-shop gambling. The session ended June 
15, 1887. having continued 162 days. 

Thirty-sixth General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1889, in its first (or regular) session, the 
Republicans being largely in the majority. The 
Senate elected Theodore S. Chapman of Jersey 
County, President pro tempore, and the House 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



195 



Asa C. Matthews of Pike County, Speaker. Mr. 
Matthews was appointed First Comptroller of the 
Treasury by President Harrison, on May 9 (see 
Matthews, Asa C. ), and resigned the Speakership 
on the following day. He was succeeded by 
James H. Miller of Stark County. Shelby M. 
CuUom was re-elected to the United States Senate 
on January 22, the Democrats again voting for 
ex-Gov. John M. Palmer. The "Sanitary Drain- 
age District Law," designed for the benefit of the 
city of Chicago, was enacted at this session ; an 
asylum for insane criminals was established at 
Chester; the annexation of cities, towns, villages, 
etc., under certain conditions, was authorized; 
more stringent legislation was enacted relative to 
the circulation of obscene literature ; a new com- 
pulsory education law was passed, and the em- 
ployment on public works of aliens who had not 
declared their intention of becoming citizens was 
prohibited. This session ended, May 28. A 
special session was convened by Governor Fifer 
on July 24, 1890, to frame and adopt legislation 
rendered necessary by the Act of Congress locat- 
ing the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago. 
Mr. Miller having died in the interim. William G. 
Cochran, of Moultrie County, was chosen Speaker 
of the House. The special session concluded 
Aug. 1, 1890, having enacted the following meas- 
ures ; An Act granting the use of all State lands, 
(submerged or other) in or adjacent to Chicago, to 
the World's Columbian Exposition for a period to 
extend one year after the closing of the Exposi- 
tion; authorizing the Chicago Boards of Park 
Commissioners to grant the use of the public 
parks, or any part thereof, to promote the objects 
of such Exposition; a joint resolution providing 
for the submission to the people of a Constitu- 
tional Amendment granting to the city of Chicago 
the power (provided a majority of the qualified 
voters desired it) to issue bonds to an amount not 
exceeding $5,000,000, the same to bear interest 
and the proceeds of their sale to be turned over 
to the Exposition Managers to be devoted to the 
use and for the benefit of the Exposition. (See 
also World's Columbian Exposition.) The total 
length of the two sessions was 150 days. 

Thirty-seventh General Assembly convened 
Jan. 7, 1891, and adjourned June 12 following. 
Lieut. -Gov. Ray presided in the Senate, Milton 
W. Matthews (Republican), of Urbana, being 
elected President pro tem. The Democrats had 
control in the House and elected Clayton E. 
Crafts, of Cook Count}', Speaker. The most 
exciting feature of the session was the election of 
a United States Senator to succeed Charles B. 



Farwell. Neither of the two leading parties had 
a majority on joint ballot, the balance of power 
being held by three "Independent" members of 
the House, who had been elected as represent- 
atives of the Farmers" Mutual Benevolent Alli- 
ance. Richard J. Oglesby was the caucus 
nominee of the Republicans and John M. Palmer 
of the Democrats. For a time the Independents 
stood as a unit for A. J. Streeter, but later two of 
the three voted for ex-Governor Palmer, finally, 
on March 11, securing his election on the 154th 
ballot in joint session. Meanwhile, the Repub- 
licans had cast tentative ballots for Alson J. 
Streeter and Cicero J. Lindley, in hope of draw- 
ing the Independents to their support, but without 
effective result. The final ballot stood — Palmer, 
103 ; Lindley, 101, Streeter 1. Of 1,296 bills intro- 
duced in both Houses at this session, only 151 
became laws, the most important being: The 
Atistralian ballot law, and acts regulating build- 
ing and loan associations; prohibiting the employ- 
ment of children under thirteen at manual labor ; 
fixing the legal rate of interest at seven per cent ; 
prohibiting the "truck system" of paying em- 
ployes, and granting the right of suffrage to 
women in the election of school officers. Au 
amendment of the State Constitution permitting 
the submission of two Constitutional Amend- 
ments to the people at the same time, was sub- 
mitted by this Legislature and ratified at the 
election of 1892. The session covered a period of 
157 days. 

Thirty-eighth General Assembly. This 
body convened Jan, 4, 1893. The Democrats were 
in the ascendency in both houses, having a 
majority of seven in the Senate and of three in 
the lower house. Joseph R. Gill, the Lieutenant- 
Governor, was ex-officio President of the Senate, 
and John W. Coppinger, of Alton, was chosen 
President pro tem. Clayton E. Crafts of Cook 
County was again chosen Speaker of the House. 
The inauguration of the new State officers took 
place on the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 10. This 
Legislature was in session 164 days, adjourning 
June 16, 1893. Not very much legislation of a 
general character was enacted. New Congres- 
sional and Legislative apportionments were 
passed, the former dividing the State into twenty- 
two districts; an Insurance Department was 
created; a naval militia was established; the 
scope of the juvenile reformatory was enlarged 
and the compulsory education law was amended. 

Thirty-ninth General Assembly. This 
Legislature held two sessions — a regular and a 
special. The former opened Jan. 9, 1895, and 



196 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



closed June 14, following. The political com- 
plexion of the Senate was — RepubUcans, thirty- 
three; Democrats, eighteen; of the House, 
ninety-two RepubUcans and sixty-one Democrats. 
John Meyer, of Cook County, was elected Speaker 
of the House, and Charles Bogardus of Piatt 
County, President pro tem. of the Senate. Acts 
were passed making appropriations for improve- 
ment of the State Fair Grounds at Springfield ; 
authorizing the establishment of a Western Hos- 
pital for the Insane (8100,000); appropriating 
§100,000 for a Western Hospital for the Insane; 
$65,000 for an Asylum for Incurable Insane; §50,- 
000, each, for two additional Normal Schools — one 
in Northern and the other in Eastern Illinois; 
$25,000 for a Soldiers' Widows' Home— aU being 
new institutions — besides 815,000 for a State 
exhibition at the Atlanta Exposition; §65,000 to 
mark, by monuments, the position of Illinois 
troops on the battlefields of Chickamauga, Look- 
out Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Other acts 
passed fixed the salaries of members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly at §1,000 each for each regular 
session ; accepted the custody of the Lincoln 
monimient at Springfield, authorized provision 
for the retirement and pensioning of teachers in 
pubhc schools, and authorized the adoption of 
civil service rules for cities. The special session 
convened, pursuant to a call by the Governor, on 
June 25, 1895, took a recess, June 28 to July 9, 
re-assembled on the latter date, and adjourned, 
sine die, August 3. Outside of routine legisla- 
tion, no laws were passed except one providing 
additional necessary revenue for State pm-poses 
and one creating a State Board of Arbitration. 
The regular session continued 157 days and the 
special twenty-nine — total 186. 

Fortieth General Assembly met in regular 
session at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1897, and adjourned, 
sine die, June 4. The Republicans had a major- 
ity in both branches, the House standing eighty- 
eight Republicans to sixty-three Democrats and 
two Populists, and the Senate, thirty-nine Repub- 
licans to eleven Democrats and one Populist, 
giving the RepubUcans a majority on joint ballot 
of fifty votes. Both houses were promptly organ- 
ized by the election of Republican officers, Edward 
C. Curtis of Kankakee County being chosen 
Speaker of the House, and Hendrick V. Fisher, 
of Henry County, President pro tem. of the Sen- 
ate. Governor Tanner and the other Republican 
State officers were formally inaugurated on 
Jan. 11, and, on Jan. 20, William E. Mason 
(Republican) was chosen United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Palmer, receiving in joint 



session 125 votes to seventy-seven for John P. 
Altgeld (Democrat). Among the principal laws 
enacted at this session were the following : An 
act concerning aUens and to regulate the right to 
hold real estate, and prescribing the terms and 
conditions for the conveyance of the same; 
empowering the Commissioners who were ap- 
pointed at the previous session to ascertain and 
mark the positions occupied by IlUnois Volunteers 
in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Moun- 
tain and Missionary Ridge, to expend the remain- 
ing appropriations in their hands for the erection 
of monuments on the battle-grounds ; authorizing 
the appointment of a similar Commission to 
ascertain and mark the positions held by Illinois 
troops in the battle of Shiloh ; to reimburse the 
University of Illinois for the loss of funds result- 
ing from the Spaulding defalcation and affirming 
the liabiUty of the State for "the endowment 
fund of the University, amounting to §456,712.91, 
and for so much in addition as may be received 
in future from the sale of lands"; authorizing 
the adoption of the "Torrens land-title system'' in 
the conveyance and registration of land titles by 
vote of the people in any county; the consolida- 
tion of the three Supreme Court Districts of the 
State into one and locating the Court at Spring- 
field; creating a State Board of Pardons, and 
prescribing the manner of applying for pardons 
and commutations. An act of this session, which 
produced much agitation and led to a great deal 
of discussion in the press and elsewliere, was the 
street railroad law empowering the City Council, 
or other corporate authority of any city, to grant 
franchises to street railway companies extending 
to fifty years. This act was repealed by the 
General Assembly of 1899 before any street rail- 
way corporation had secured a f rancliise under it. 
A special session was called by Governor Tanner 
to meet Dec. 7, 1897, the proclamation naming 
five topics for legislative action. The session 
continued to Feb. 24, 1898, only two of the meas- 
ures named by the Governor in his call being 
aflirmatively acted upon. These included: (1) an 
elaborate act prescribing the manner of conduct- 
ing primary elections of delegates to nominating 
conventions, and (2) a new revenue law regulat- 
ing the manner of assessing and collecting taxes. 
One provision of the latter law limits the valuation 
of property for assessment purposes to one-fifth 
its cash value. The length of the regular session 
was 150 days, and that of the special session 
eighty days — total, 230 days. 

GENESEO, a city in Henry County, about two 
miles south of the Green River. It is on the Chi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



197 



cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 23 miles 
east of Rock Island and 75 miles west of Ottawa. 
It is in the heart of a grain-growing region, and 
has two large grain elevators. Slanufacturing is 
also carried on to a considerable extent here, 
furniture, wagons and farming implements con- 
stituting the chief output. Geneseo has eleven 
churches, a graded and a high school, a col- 
legiate institute, two banks, and two newspapers, 
one issuing a daily edition. Population (1890), 
3,182; (1900), 3,356. 

GENEVA, a city and railway junction on Fox 
River, and the county-seat of Kane County ; 35 
miles west of Chicago. It has a fine courthouse, 
completed in 1892 at a cost of 5250,000, and 
numerous handsome churches and school build- 
ings. A State Reformatory for juvenile female 
offenders has been located here. There is an ex- 
cellent water-power, operating six manufac- 
tories, including extensive glucose wcrks. The 
town has a bank, creamery, water-works, gas 
and electric light plant, and two weekly news- 
papers. The surrounding country is devoted to 
agriculture and dairy farming. Population 
(1880), 1.239; (1890), 1,693; (1900). 2.446. 

GENOA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
Omaha Division of the Chi., Mil. & St. Paul, the 
III. Cent, and Chi. & N. W. Raib-oads, 59 miles west 
of Chicago. Dairying is a leading industry ; has 
two banks, shoe and telephone factories, and two 
newspapers. Population (1890), 634; (1900), 1.140. 

GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS. The geological 
structure of Illinois embraces a representation, 
more or less complete, of the whole paleonic 
series of formations, from the calciferous group 
of the Lower Silurian to the top of the coal meas- 
ures. In addition to these older rocks there is a 
limited area in the extreme southern end of the 
State covered with Tertiary deposits. Over- 
spreading these formations are beds of more 
recent age, comprising sands, clays and gravel, 
varying in thickness from ten to more than two 
hundred feet. These superficial deposits may be 
divided into Alluvium, Loess and Drift, and con- 
stitute the Quaternary system of modern geolo- 
gists. 

Lower Silurian System. — Under this heading 
may be noted three distinct groups; the Calcifer- 
ous, the Trenton and the Cincinnati. The first 
mentioned group comprises the St. Peter's Sand- 
stone and the Lower Magnesian Limestone. The 
former outcrops only at a single locality, in La 
Salle County, extending about two miles along 
the valley of the Illinois River in the vicinity of 
Utica. The thickness of the strata appearing 



above the surface is about 80 feet, thin bands of 
Magnesian limestone alternating with layers of 
Calciferous sandstone. Many of the layers con- 
tain good hydraulic rook, which is utilized in the 
manufacture of cement. The entire thickness of 
the rock below the surface has not been ascer- 
tained, but is estimated at about 400 feet. The 
St. Peter's Sandstone outcrops in the valley of 
the Illinois, constituting the main portion of the 
bluffs from Utica to a point beyond Ottawa, and 
forms the "bed rock" in most of the northern 
townships of La Salle County. It also outcrops 
on the Rock River in the vicinity of Oregon City, 
and forms a conspicuous bluff on the Mississippi 
in Calhoun County. Its maximum thickness in 
the State may be estimated at about 200 feet. It 
is too incoherent in its texture to be valuable as 
a building stone, though some of the upper strata 
in Lee Count}' have been utilized for caps and 
sills. It affords, however, a fine quality of sand 
for the manufacture of glass. The Trenton 
group, which immediately overlies the St. Peter's 
Sandstone, consists of three divisions. The low- 
est is a brown Magnesian Limestone, or Dolomite, 
usually found in regular beds, or strata, varying 
from four inches to two feet in thickness. The 
aggregate thickness varies from twenty feet, in 
the northern portion of the State, to sixty or 
seventy feet at the bluff in Calhoun County. At 
the quarries in La Salle County, it abounds in 
fossils, including a large Lituites and several 
specimens of Orthoceras, Maclurea, etc. The 
middle division of the Trenton group consists of 
light gray, compact limestones in the southern 
and western parts of the State, and of light blue, 
thin-bedded, shaly limestone in the northern por- 
tions. The upper division is the well-known 
Galena limestone, the lead-bearing rock of the 
Northwest. It is a buff colored, porous Dolomite, 
sometimes arenaceous and unevenly textured, 
giving origin to a ferruginous, sandy clay when 
decomposed. The lead ores occur in crevices, 
caverns and horizontal seams. These crevices were 
probably formed by shrinkage of the strata from 
crystallization or by some disturbing force from 
beneath, and have been enlarged by decomposi- 
tion of the exposed surface. Fossils belonging to 
a lower order of marine animal than the coral are 
found in this rock, as are also marine shells, 
corals and crustaceans. Although this limestone 
crops out over a considerable portion of the terri- 
tory between the Mississippi and the Rock River, 
the productive lead mines are chiefly confined to 
Jo Daviess and Stephenson Counties. All the 
divisions of the Trenton group afford good build- 



198 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing material, some of the rock being susceptible 
of a high polish and making a handsome, durable 
marble. About seventy feet are exposed near 
Thebes, in Alexander County. All through the 
Southwest this stone is known as Cape Girardeau 
marble, from its being extensively quarried at 
Cape Girardeau, Mo. The Cincinnati group 
immediately succeeds the Trenton in the ascend- 
ing scale, and forms the uppermost member of 
the Lower Silurian system. It usually consists of 
argillaceous and sandy shales, although, in the 
northwest portion of the State, Magnesian lime- 
stone is found with the shales. The prevailing 
colors of the beds are light blue and drab, 
weathering to a light ashen gray. This group is 
found well exposed in the vicinity of Thebes, 
Alexander Count}', furnishing a durable building 
stone extensively used for foundation walls. 
Fossils are found in profusion in all the beds, 
many fine specimens, in a perfect state of preser- 
vation, having been exhumed. 

Upper Silurian System. — The Niagara group 
in Northern Illinois consists of brown, gray and 
buff magnesian limestones, sometimes evenly 
bedded, as at Joliet and Athens, and sometimes 
concretionary and brecciated, as at Bridgeport and 
Port Byron. Near Chicago the cells and pockets 
of this rock are filled with petroleum, but it has 
been ascertained that only the thirty upper feet 
of the rock contain bituminous matter. The 
quarries in Will and Jersey Counties furnish fine 
building and flagging stone. The rock is of a 
light gray color, changing to buff on exposure. 
In Pike and Calhoun Counties, also, there are out- 
croppings of this rock and quarries are numerous. 
It is usually evenly bedded, the strata varying in 
thickness from two inches to two feet, and break- 
ing evenly. Its aggregate thickness in Western 
and Northern Illinois ranges from fifty to 150 
feet. In Union and Alexander Counties, in the 
southern part of the State, the Upper Silurian 
series consists chiefly of thin bedded gray or 
buff -colored limestone, silicious and cherty, flinty 
material largely preponderating over the lime- 
stone. Fossils are not abundant in this formation, 
although the quarries at Bridgeport, in Cook 
County, have afforded casts of nearly 100 species 
of marine organisms, the calcareous portion hav- 
ing been washed away, 

Devonian System.— This system is represented 
in Illinois by three well marked divisions, cor- 
responding to the Oriskany sandstone, the Onon- 
daga limestone and the Hamilton and Corniferous 
beds of New York. To these the late Professor 
Worthen, for many years State Geologist, added, 



although with some hesitancy, the black shale 
formation of Illinois. Although these comprise 
an aggregate thickness of over 500 feet, their 
exposure is limited to a few isolated outcroppings 
along the bluffs of the Illinois, Mississippi and 
Rock Rivers. The lower division, called "Clear 
Creek Limestone," is about 250 feet thick, and is 
only found in the extreme southern end of the 
State. It consists of chert, or impure flint, and 
thin-bedded silico-magnesian limestones, rather 
compact in texture, and of buff or light gray 
to nearly white colors. When decomposed by 
atmospheric influences, it forms a fine white clay, 
resembling common chalk in appearance. Some 
of the cherty beds resemble burr stones in poros- 
ity, and good mill-stones are made therefrom in 
Union County. Some of the stone is bluish-gray, 
or mottled and crystalline, capable of receiving 
a high polish, and making an elegant and durable 
building stone. The Onondaga group comprises 
some sixty feet of quartzose sandstone and 
striped silicious shales. The structure of the 
rock is almost identical with that of St. Peter's 
Sandstone. In the vicinity of its outcrop in 
Union County are found fine beds of potter's clay, 
also variegated in color. The rock strata are 
about twentj' feet thick, evenly bedded and of a 
coarse, granular structure, which renders the 
stone valuable for heavy masonry. The group 
has not been found north of Jackson County. 
Large quantities of characteristic fossils abound. 
Tlie rocks composing the Hamilton group are the 
most valuable of all the divisions of the Devonian 
system, and the outcrops can be identified only by 
their fossils. In Union and Jackson Counties it is 
found from eighty to 100 feet in thickness, two 
beds of bluish gray, fetid limestone being sepa- 
rated by about twenty feet of calcareous shales. 
The limestones are highly bituminous. In Jersey 
and Calhoun Counties the group is only six to 
ten feet thick, and consists of a hard, silicious 
limestone, passing at some points into a quartzose 
sandstone, and at others becoming argillaceous, 
as at Grafton. The most northern outcrop is in 
Rock Island County, where the rock is concretion- 
ary in structure and is utilized for building pur- 
poses and in the manufacture of quicklime. 
Fossils are numerous, among them being a few 
fragments of fishes, which are the oldest remains 
of vertebrate animals yet found in the State. 
The black shale probably attains its maximum 
development in Union County, where it ranges 
from fifty to seventy-five feet in thickness. Its 
lower portion is a fine, black, laminated slate, 
sometimes closely resembling the bitvmiinous 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



199 



shales associated with the coal seams, which cir- 
cumstance has led to the fruitless expenditure of 
much time and money. The bituminous portion 
nf the mass, on distillation, yields an oil closely 
resembling petroleum. Crystals of iron pyrites 
are abundant in the argillaceous portion of the 
group, which does not extend north of the coun- 
ties of Calhoun, Jersey and Pike. 

Lower Carboniferous System. — This is di- 
visible into five groups, as follows: The Kinder- 
hook group, the Burlington limestone, and the 
Keokuk, St. Louis and Chester groups. Its 
greatest development is in the southern portion 
of the State, where it has a thickness of 1.400 or 
1 , 500 feet. It thins out to the northward so rapidly 
that, in the vicinity of the Lower Rapids on the 
Mississippi, it is only 300 feet thick, while it 
wholly disappears below Rock Island. The Kinder- 
hook group is variable in its lithological charac- 
ter, consisting of argillaceous and sandy shales, 
with thin beds of compact and oolitic limestone, 
jiassing locally into calcareous shales or impure 
limestone. The entire formation is mainlj- a 
mechanical sediment, with but a very small por- 
tion of organic matter. The Burlington lime- 
stone, on the other hand, is composed almost 
entirely of the fossilized remains of organic 
beings, with liarelj' enough sedimentary material 
to act as a cement. Its maximum thickness 
scarcely exceeds 200 feet, and its principal out- 
crops are in the counties of Jersey, Greene, Scott, 
Calhoun, Pike, Adams, Warren and Henderson. 
The rock is usually a light gray, buff or brown 
limestone, either coarsely granular or crystalline 
in structure. The Keokuk group immediatelj' 
.succeeds the Burlington in the ascending order, 
with no well defined line of demarcation, the 
chief points of difference between the two being 
in color and in the character of fossils found. At 
the upper part of this group is found a bed of 
calcareo-argillaceous shale, containing a great 
variety of geodes, which furnish beautiful cabinet 
specimens of crj'stallized quartz, chalcedony, 
dolomite and iron pj-rites. In Jersey and Monroe 
Counties a bed of hydraulic limestone, adapted to 
the manufacture of cement, is found at the top of 
this formation. The St. Louis group is partly 
a fine-grained or semi-crystallized bluish-gray 
limestone, and partly concretionary, as around 
Alton. In the extreme southern part of the State 
the rock is highly bituminous and susceptible of 
receiving a high polish, being used as a black 
marble. Beds of magnesian limestone are found 
here and there, which furnish a good stone for 
foundation walls. In Hardin County, the rock 



is traversed by veins of fluor spar, carrying 
galena and zinc blonde. The Chester group is 
only found in the southern part of the State, 
thinning out from a thickness of eight hundred 
feet in Jackson and Randolph Counties, to about 
twenty feet at Alton. It consists of hard, gray, 
crystalline, argillaceous limestones, alternating 
with sandy and argillaceous sliales and sandstones, 
which locally replace each other. A few species 
of true carboniferous flora are found in the are- 
naceous shales and sandstones of this group, the 
earliest traces of pre-historic land plants found in 
the State. Outcrops extend in a narrow belt 
from the southern part of Hardin County to the 
southern line of St. Clair County, passing around 
the southwest border of the coal field. 

Upper Carboniferous System. — This includes 
the Conglomerate, or "'Mill Stone Grit'" of Euro- 
pean authors, and the true coal measures. In the 
southern portion of the State its greatest thick- 
ness is about 1,200 feet. It becomes thinner 
toward the north, scarcely exceeding 400 or 500 
feet in the vicinity of La Salle. The word "con- 
glomerate" designates a thick bed of sandstone 
that lies at the base of the coal measures, and 
appears to have resulted from the culmination of 
the arenaceous sedimentary accumulations. It 
consists of massive quartzose sandstone, some- 
times nearly white, but more frequently stained 
red or brown by the ferruginous matter which 
it contains, and is frequently composed in 
part of* rounded quartz pebbles, from the size 
of a pea to several inches in diameter. When 
highly ferruginous, the oxide of iron cements 
the sand into a hard crust on the surface 
of the rock, which successfully resists the de- 
nuding influence of the atmosphere, so that the 
rock forms towering cliffs on the banks of the 
stream along which are its outcrops. Its thickness 
varies from 200 feet in the southern part of the 
State to twenty-five feet in the nortliern. It has 
afforded a few species of fossil plants, but no 
animal remains. The coal measures of Illinois 
are at least 1,000 feet thick and cover nearly 
three-fourths of its entire area. The strata are 
horizontal, the dip rarely exceeding six to ten 
feet to the mile. The formation is made up of 
sandstone, shales, thin beds of limestone, coal, 
and its associated fire clays. The thickness of 
the workable beds is from six to twenty-four 
inches in the upper measures, and from two to 
five feet in the lower measures. The fire clays, 
on which the coal seams usually rest, probably 
represent the ancient soil on which grew the 
trees and plants from which the coal is formed. 



200 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



When pure, these clays are valuable for the 
manufacture of fire brick, tile and common 
pottery. Illinois coal is wholly of the bitumi- 
nous variety, the metamorphic conditions which 
resulted in the production of anthracite coal in 
Pennsylvania not having extended to this State. 
Fossils, both vegetable and animal, abound in 
the coal measures. 

Tertiary System. — This system is represented 
only in the southern end of the State, where cer- 
tain deposits of stratified sands, shales and con- 
glomerate are found, which appear to mark the 
northern boundary of the great Tertiary forma- 
tion of the Gulf States. Potter's clay, lignite and 
silioious woods are found in the formation. 

Quaternary System. — This system embraces 
all the superficial material, including sands, clay, 
gravel and soil which over.spreads the older for- 
mations in all portions of the State. It gives 
origin to the soil from which the agricultural 
wealth of Illinois is derived. It may be properly 
separated into four divisions: Post-tertiary 
sands, Drift. Loess and Alluvium. The first- 
named occupies the lowest position in the series, 
and consists of stratified beds of yellow sand and 
blue clay, of variable thickness, overlaid by a 
black or deep brown, loamy soil, in which are 
found leaves, branches and trunks of trees in a 
good state of preservation. Next above lie the 
drift deposits, consisting of blue, yellow and 
brown clays, containing gravel and boulders of 
various sizes, the latter the water-worn frag- 
ments of rooks, many of which have been washed 
down from the northern shores of the great 
lakes. This drift formation varies in thickness 
from twenty to 120 feet, and its accumulations 
are probably due to the combined influence of 
water currents and moving ice. The subsoil 
over a large part of the northern and central 
portions of the State is composed of fine brown 
clay. Prof. Desquereux (Illinois Geological Sur- 
vey, Vol. I. ) accounts for the origin of this claj' 
and of the black prairie soil above it, by attribut- 
ing it to the growth and decomposition of a 
peculiar vegetation. The Loess is a fine mechan- 
ical sediment that appears to have accumulated in 
some body of fresh water. It consists of marly 
sands and clays, of a thickness varying from five to 
sixty feet. Its greatest development is along the 
bluffs of the principal rivers. The fossils found 
in this formation consist chiefly of the bones and 
teeth of extinct mammalia, such as the mam- 
moth, mastodon, etc. Stone implements of 
primeval man are also discovered. The term 
alluvium is usually restricted to the deposits 



forming the bottom lands of the rivers and 
smaller streams. They consist of irregularly 
stratified sand, clay and loam, which are fre- 
quently found in alternate layers, and contain 
more or less organic matter from decomposed 
animal and vegetable substances. When suffi- 
ciently elevated, they constitute the richest and 
most productive farming lands in the State. 

GEORGETOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles south of Danville. It has a 
bank, telegraph and express office and a news- 
paper. Population (1890), 662; (1900), 988. 

GERMAN EVANGELICAL SCHOOL, located at 
Addison, Du Page County ; incorporated in 1852 ; 
has a faculty of three instructors and reports 187 
pupils for 1897 98, with a property valuation of 
§9,600. 

GERMANTOWN, a village of Vermilion County, 
and suburb of Danville ; is the center of a coal- 
mining district. Population (1880), 540; (1890), 
1,178; (1900), 1,782. 

GEST, William H., lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was born at Jacksonville, 111., Jan. 7, 1838. 
When but four years old his parents removed to 
Rock Island, where he has since resided. He 
graduated from Williams College in 1860, was 
admitted to the bar in 1862, and has always been 
actively engaged in practice. In 1886 he was 
elected to Congress by the Republicans of the 
Eleventh Illinois District, and was re-elected in 
1888, but in 1890 was defeated by Benjamin T. 
Cable, Democrat. 

GIBAULT, Pierre, a French priest, supposed to 
have been born at New Madrid in what is now 
Southeastern Missouri, early in the eighteenth 
century; was Vicar-General at Kaskaskia, with 
ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the churches at 
Cahokia, St. Genevieve and adjacent points, at 
the time of the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. 
George Rogers Clark in 1778, and rendered Clark 
important aid in conciliating the French citizens 
of Illinois. He also made a visit to Vincennes and 
induced the people there to take the oath of allegi- 
ance to the new government. He even advanced 
means to aid Clark's destitute troops, but beyond 
a formal vote of thanks by the Virginia Legisla- 
ture, he does not appear to have received any 
recompense. Governor St. Clair, in a report to 
Thomas Jefferson, then Secretary of State, dwelt 
impressively upon the value of Father Gibault's 
services and sacrifices, and Judge Law said of 
him, "Next to Clark and (Francis) Vigo, the 
United States are indebted more to Father 
Gibault for the accession of the States comprised 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



201 



in what was the original Northwest Territory 
than to any other man." The date and place of 
his death are unknown. 

GIBSON CITY, a town in Ford County, situ- 
ated on the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, 34 
miles east of Bloomington, and at the intersec- 
tion of the Wabash Railroad and the Springfield 
Division of the Illinois Central. The principal 
mechanical industries are iron works, canning 
works, a shoe factory, and a tile factory. It has 
two banks, two newspapers, nine churches and 
an academy. A college is projected. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,803: (1900), 2,054; (1903, est), 8,165. 

GIIX, Joseph B., Lieutenant-Governor (1893- 
97), was born on a farm near Marion, Williamson 
County, 111., Feb. 17, 1862. In 1868 his father 
settled at Murphysboro, where Mr. Gill still 
makes his home. His academic education was 
received at the school of the Christian Brothers, 
in St. Louis, and at the Southern Illinois Normal 
University, Carbondale. In 1886 he graduated 
from the Law Department of the Michigan State 
University, at Ann Arbor. Returning home he 
purchased an interest in "The Murphysboro Inde- 
pendent," which paper he conducted and edited 
up to January, 1893. In 1888 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature and re-elected 
in 1890. As a legislator he was prominent as a 
champion of the labor interest. In 1892 he was 
nominated and elected Lieutenant-Governor on 
the Democratic ticket, serving from January, 
1893, to '97. 

GILLESPIE, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles southwest of Litchfield. This 
is an agricultural, coal-mining and stock-raising 
region ; the town has a bank and a newspaper. 
Population (1890), 948; (1900), 873. 

GILLESPIE, Joseph, lawyer and Judge, was 
born in New York City, August 22, 1809, of Irish 
parents, who removed to Illinois in 1819, settling 
on a farm near Edwardsville. After coming to 
Illinois, at 10 years, he did not attend school over 
two months. In 1827 he went to the lead mines 
at Galena, remaining until 1829. In 1831, at the 
invitation of Cyrus Edwards, he began the study 
of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1837, 
having been elected Probate Judge in 1836. He 
also served during two campaigns (1831 and '32) 
in the Black Hawk War. He was a Whig in 
politics and a warm personal friend of Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1840 he was elected to the lower 
house of the Legislature, serving one term, and 
was a member of the State Senate from 1847 to 
1859. In 1853 he received the few votes of the 



Whig members of the Legislature for United States 
Senator, in opposition to Stephen A. Douglas, 
and, in 1860, presided over the second Republican 
State Convention at Decatur, at which elements 
were set in motion which resulted in the nomi- 
nation of Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency 
for the first time, a week later. In 1861 he was 
elected Judge of the Twenty-fourth Judicial 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1867 for a second term, 
serving until 1873. Died, at his home at Edwards- 
ville, Jan. 7, 1885. 

GILIETT, John Dean, agriculturist and stock- 
man, was born in Connecticut, April 28, 1819; 
spent several years of his youth in Georgia, but, 
in 1838, came to IlUnois by way of St. Louis, 
finally reaching "Bald Knob," in Logan County, 
where an uncle of the same name resided. Here 
he went to work, and, by frugality and judicious 
investments, finally acquired a large body of 
choice lands, adding to his agricultural operations 
the rearing and feeding of stock for the Chicago 
and foreign markets. In this he was remarkably 
successful. In his later years he was President 
of a National Bank at Lincoln. At the time of 
his death, August 27, 1888, he was the owner of 
16,500 acres of improved lands in the vicinity of 
Elkhart, Logan County, besides large herds of 
fine stock, both cattle and horses. He left a large 
family, one of his daughters being the wife of 
the late Senator Richard J. Oglesby. 

GILLETT, Philip Goode, specialist and edu- 
cator, born in Madison, Ind., March 24, 1833; was 
educated at Asbury University, Greencastle, Ind., 
graduating in 1852, and the same year became an 
instructor in the Institution for the Education of 
the Deaf and Dumb in that State. In 1856 he 
became Principal of the Illinois Institution for 
the Education of the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville, remaining there until 1893, when he 
resigned. Thereafter, for some years, he was 
President of the Association for the Promotion of 
Speech by the Deaf, with headquarters in Wash- 
ington, D. C, but later returned to Jacksonville, 
where he has since been living in retirement. 

GILLHAM, Daniel B., agriculturist and legis- 
lator, was born at a place now called Wanda, in 
Madison County, 111., April 39, 1836— his father 
being a farmer and itinerant Methodist preacher, 
who belonged to one of the pioneer families in 
the American Bottom at an early day. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was educated in the common 
schools and at McKendree College, but did not 
graduate from the latter. In his early life he 
followed the vocation of a farmer and stock- 
grower in one of the most prosperous and higlily 



202 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cultivated portions of the American Bottom, a 
few miles below Alton, but, in 1873, removed to 
Alton, where he spent the remainder of his life. 
He became a member of the State Board of Agri- 
culture in 1866, serving eight years as Superin- 
tendent and later as its President; was also a 
Trustee of Shurtleff College some twenty-five 
years, and for a time President of the Board. In 
1870 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and to the 
State Senate in 1882, serving a term of four years 
in the latter. On the night of March 17, 1890, he 
was assaulted by a burglar in his house, receiving 
a wound from a pistol-shot in consequence of 
which he died, April 6, following. The identity 
of his assailant was never discovered, and the 
crime con.sequentlj' went unpunished. 

GILMAN, a city in Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the To- 
ledo, Peoria & Western Railways, 81 miles south 
by west from Chicago and 208 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. It is in the heart of one of the 
richest corn districts of the State and has large 
stock-raising and fruit-growing interests. It has 
an opera house, a public library, an extensive 
nursery, brick and tile works, a linseed oil mill, 
two banks and two weekly newspapers. Arte- 
sian well water is obtained by boring from 90 to 
200 feet Population (1890), 1,112; (1900), 1,441. 

GILMAN, Arthur, was born at Alton, 111., June 
22, 1837, the son of Winthrop S. Gilman, of the 
firm of Gilman & Godfrey, in whose warehouse 
the printing press of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy was 
stored at the time of its destruction by a mob in 
1837; was educated in St. Louis and New York, 
began business as a banker in 1857, but, in 1870, 
removed to Cambridge, Mass., and connected 
himself with "The Riverside Press." Mr. Gilman 
was one of the prime movers in what is known as 
"The Harvard Annex" in the interest of equal 
collegiate advantages for women, and has written 
much for the periodical press, besides publishing 
a number of volumes in the line of history and 
English literature. 

GILMAN, CLINTON & SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad. ) 

GIRARD, a city in Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 25 miles south by west 
from Springfield and 13 miles north-northeast of 
Carlinville. Coal-mining is carried on extensively 
here. The city also has a bank, five churches 
and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1,024; (1890). 1,524; (1900), 1,661. 

GLENCOE, a village of Cook County, on the 
Milwaukee Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 



ern Railway, 19 miles north of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 387; (1890), 569; (1900), 1,020. 

GLENN, Archibald A., ex-Lieutenant-Governor, 
was born in Nicholas County. Ky., Jan. 30. 1819. 
In 1828 his father's family removed to Illinois, 
settling first in Vermilion, and later in Schuyler 
County. At the age of 13, being forced to 
abandon school, for six years he worked upon the 
farm of his widowed mother, and, at 19, entered 
a printing oflice at Rushville, where he learned 
the trade of compositor. In 1844 he published a 
Wliig campaign paper, which was discontinued 
after the defeat of Henry Clay. For eleven 
years he was Circuit Clerk of Brown County, 
during which period he was admitted to the bar; 
was a member of the Constitutional Convention 
o' 1862, and of the State Board of Equalization 
from 1868 to 1872. The latter year he was elected 
to the State Senate for four years, and, in 1875, 
chosen its President, thus becoming ex-oflScio 
Lieutenant-Governor. He early abandoned legal 
practice to engage in banking and in mercan- 
tile investment. After the expiration of his term 
in the Senate, he removed to Kansas, where, at 
latest advices, he still resided. 

GLENN, John J., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Ashland County, Ohio, March 2, 1831 ; gradu- 
ated from Miami University in 1856 and, in 1858, 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. 
Removing to Illinois in 1860, he settled in Mercer 
County, a year later removing to Monmouth in 
Warren County, where he still resides. In 1877 
he was elected Judge of the Tenth Judicial Cir- 
cuit and re-elected in 1879, '85, "91, and "97. 
After his last election he served for some time, 
by appointment of the Supreme Court, as a mem- 
ber of the Appellate Court for the Springfield 
District, but ultimately resigned and returned to 
Circuit Court duty. His reputation as a cool- 
headed, impartial Judge stands very high, and his 
name has been favorably regarded for a place on 
the Supreme Bench. 

GLOVER, Joseph Otis, lawyer, was born in 
Cayuga County, N. Y., April 13, 1810, and edu- 
cated in the high-school at Aurora in that State. 
In 1835 he came west to attend to a land case at 
Galena for his father, and, although not then a 
lawyer, he managed the case so successfully that 
he was asked to take charge of two others. This 
determined the bent of his mind towards the law, 
to the study of which he turned his attention 
under the preceptorship of the late Judge The- 
ophilus L. Dickey, then of Ottawa. Soon after 
being admitted to the bar in 1840, he formed a 
partnership with the late Burton C. Cook, which 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



203 



lasted over thirty years. In 1846 he was elected 
as a Democrat to the lower branch of the Fif- 
teenth General Assembly, but, on the repeal of 
the Missouri Compromise, he became one of the 
founders of the Republican party and a close 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he entertained, 
at the time of his (Lincoln's) debate with Senator 
Douglas, at Ottawa, in 1858. In 1868 he served 
as Presidential Elector at the time of General 
Grant's first election to the Presidency, and the 
following year was appointed United States Dis- 
trict Attorney for the Northern District, serving 
until 1875. In 1877 he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Cullom a memjjer of the Board of Railway 
and Canal Commissioners, of which he afterwards 
became Presfdent, serving six years. Died, in 
Chicago, Dec. 10, 1892. 

tJODFREY, a village of Madison County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 5 miles north of Alton. 
It is the seat of Monticello Female Seminary, and 
named for Capt. Benjamin Godfrey, an early 
settler who was chieflj' instrumental in founding 
that institution. Population (1890), 228. 

GODFREY, (Capt.) Benjamin, sea captain and 
philanthropist, was born at Chatham, Mass., Dec.' 
4, 1794 ; at nine years of age he ran away from 
home and went to sea, his first voyage being to 
Ireland, where he spent nine years. The War of 
1812 coming on, he returned home, spending a 
part of the next three years in the naval service, 
also gaining a knowledge of the science of navi- 
gation. Later, he became master of a merchant- 
vessel making voyages to Italy, Spain, the West 
Indies and other countries, finally, by shipwreck 
in Cuban waters, losing the bulk of his fortune. 
In 1824 he engaged in mercantile business at 
Matamoras, Mex., where he accumulated a hand- 
some fortune ; but, in transferring it (amounting 
to some $200,000 in silver) across the country on 
pack-animals, he was attacked and robbed by 
brigands, with which that country was then 
infested. Resuming business at New Orleans, he 
was again successful, and, in 1833, came north, 
locating near Alton. 111., the next year engaging 
in the warehou.se and commission business as the 
partner of Winthrop S. Gilman, under the name 
of Godfrey & Gilman. It was in the warehouse 
of this firm at Alton that the printing-press of 
Elijah P. Lovejoy was stored when it was seized 
and "destroy ed by a mob, and Lovejoy was killed, 
in October, 1837. (See Lin-ejoy. Elijah P. ) Soon 
after establishing himself at Alton, Captain God- 
frey made a donation of land and money for the 
erection of a young ladies" seminary at the village 
of Godfrey, four miles from Alton. (See Monti- 



cello Female Seminary.) The first cost of the 
erection of buildings, borne by him, was $53,000. 
The institution was opened, April 11, 1838, and 
Captain Godfrey continued to be one of its Trustees 
as long as he lived. He was also one of the lead- 
ing spirits in the construction of the Alton & 
Springfield Railroad (now a part of the Chicago 
& Alton), in which he invested heavily and un- 
profitably. Died, at Godfrey, April 13, 1862. 

G0LC0ND.4, a village and county seat of Pope 
County, on the Ohio River. 80 miles northeast 
of Cairo; located in agricultural and mining dis- 
trict; zinc, lead and kaolin mined in the vicinity; 
has a courthouse, eight churches, schools, one 
bank, a newspaper, a box factory, flour and saw 
mills, and a fluor-spar factory. It is the termi- 
nus of a branch of the Illinois Central Railroad. 
Population (1890), 1,174; (1900), 1,140. 

GOLDZIEB, Julius, ex- Congressman, was 
born at Vienna, Austria, Jan. 20, 1854, and 
emigrated to New York in 1866. In 1872 he 
settled in Chicago, where he was admitted 
to the bar in 1877, and where he has practiced 
law ever since. From 1890 to 1892 he was a 
member of the Chicago City Council, and, in 
1892, was the successful Democratic candidate 
in the Fourth District, for Congress, but was 
defeated in 1894 by Edward D. Cooke. At the 
Chicago city election of 1899 he was again re- 
turned to the Council as Alderman for the Thirty- 
second Ward. 

GOODING, James, pioneer, was born about 
1767, and, in 1832, was residing at Bristol, Ontario 
County, N. Y., when he removed to Cook County, 
111., settling in what was later called "Gooding's 
Grove," now a part of Will County. The Grove 
was also called the "Yankee Settlement," from 
the Eastern origin of the principal settlers. Mr. 
Gooding was accompanied, or soon after joined, by 
three sons — James, Jr., William and Jasper — and 
a nephew, Charles Gooding, all of whom became 
prominent citizens. The senior Gooding died in 
1849, at the age of 83 years.— William (Gooding), 
civil engineer, son of the preceding, was born at 
Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., April 1, 1803; 
educated in the common schools and by private 
tuition, after which he divided his time chiefly 
between teaching and working on the farm of 
his father, James Gooding. Having devoted 
considerable attention to surveying and civil 
engineering, he obtained employment in 1826 on 
the Welland Canal, where he remained three years. 
He then engaged in mercantile pursuits at Lock- 
port, N. Y., but sold out at the end of the first 
year and went to Ohio to engage in his profession. 



204 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Being unsuccessful in this, he accepted employ- 
ment for a time as a rodman, but later secured a 
position as Assistant Engineer on the Ohio Canal. 
After a brief visit to his father's in 1832, he 
returned to Ohio and engaged in business there 
for a short time, but the following year joined 
his father, who had previously settled in a portion 
of what is now Will County, but then Cook, mak- 
ing the trip by the first mail steamer around the 
lakes. He at first settled at "Gooding's Grove" 
and engaged in farming. In 1836 he was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, but, in 1843, became Chief Engi- 
neer, continuing in that position until the com- 
pletion of the canal in 1848, when he became 
Secretary of the Canal Board. Died, at Lockport, 
Will County, in May, 1878. 

GOODRICH, Grant, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Milton, Saratoga, County, N. Y. , August 
7, 1811 ; grew up in Western New York, studied 
law and came to Chicago in 1834, becoming one 
of the most prominent and reputable members of 
his profession, as well as a leader in many of the 
movements for the educational, moral and reli- 
gious advancement of the community. He was 
one of the founders of the First Methodist Epis- 
copal Church of Chicago, an active member of 
the Union Defense Committee during the war, an 
incorporator and life-long Trustee of the North- 
western University, and President of the Board 
of Trustees of Garrett Biblical Institute, besides 
being identified with many organizations of a 
strictly benevolent character. In 1839 Judge 
Goodrich was elected a Judge of the newly organ- 
ized Superior Court, but, at the end of his term, 
resumed the practice of his profession. Died, 
March 15, 1889. 

GORE, David, ex-State Auditor, was born in 
Trigg County, Ky., Aprils, 1827; came with his 
parents to Madison County, 111. , in 1834, and served 
in the Mexican War as a Quartermaster, afterwards 
locating in Macoupin County, where he has been 
extensively engaged in farming. In 1874 he was 
an unsuccessful Greenback-Labor candidate for 
State Treasurer, in 1884 was elected to the State 
Senate from the Macoupin-Morgan District, and, 
in 1892, nominated and elected, as a Democrat, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, serving until 1897. 
For some sixteen years he was a member of the 
State Board of Agriculture, the last two j'ears of 
that period being its President. His home is at 
CarlinviUe. 

GOUDT, Calvin, early printer and physician, 
was born in Ohio, June 2, 1814; removed with 
his parents, in childhood, to Indianapolis, and 



in 1832 to Vandalia, 111., where he worked in the 
State printing office and bindery. In the fall of 
1833 the family removed to Jacksonville, and the 
following year he entered Illinois College, being 
for a time a college-mate of Richard Yates, after- 
wards Governor. Here he continued his vocation 
as a printer, working for a time on "Peck's 
Gazetteer of Illinois" and "Goudy's Almanac," 
of which his father was publislier. In association 
with a brother while in Jacksonville, he began 
the publication of "The Common School Advo- 
cate," the pioneer publication of its kind in the 
Northwest, wliich was continued for about a 
year. Later he studied medicine with Drs. Henry 
and Merriman in Springfield, finally graduating 
at the St. Louis Medical College and, in 1844, 
began practice at Taylorville ; in 1847 was elected 
Probate Judge of Christian County for a term of 
foiu: years; in 1851 engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, which he continued nineteen years. In 1856 
he was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly and, in the session of the following 
year, was a leading supporter of the act estab- 
lishing the State Normal Scliool at Normal, still 
later serving for some sixteen years on the State 
Board of Education. Died, at Taylorville, in 
1877. Dr. Goudy was an older brother of the late 
William C. Goudy of Chicago. 

GOUDY, William C, lawyer, was born in 
Indiana, May 15, 1824; came to Illinois, with his 
father, first to Vandalia and afterwards to Jack- 
sonville, previous to 1833, where the latter began 
the publication of "The Farmer's Almanac" — a 
well-known publication of tliat time. At Jack- 
sonville young Goudy entered Illinois College, 
graduating in 1845, when he began the study of 
law with Judge Stephen T. Logan, of Springfield; 
was admitted to the bar in 1847, and the next year 
began practice at Lewistown, Fulton County; 
served as State's Attorney (1852-55) and as State 
Senator (1856-60) ; at the close of his term re- 
moved to Chicago, where he became prominent 
as a corporation and railroad lawyer, in 1886 be- 
coming General Solicitor of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad. During President Cleveland's 
first term, Mr. Goudy was believed to exert a 
large influence with the administration, and was 
credited with having been largely instrumental 
in securing the appointment of his partner, Mel- 
ville W. Fuller, Chief Justice of the Supreme 
Court. Died, April 27, 1893. 

GRAFF, Joseph V., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born at Terre Haute, Ind., July 1, 1854; after 
graduating from the Terre Haute high-school, 
spent on6 year in Wabash College at Crawfords- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



205 



ville, but did not graduate ; studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Delavan, 111., in 1879; in 
1892 was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention at Minneapolis, but, with the excep- 
tion of President of the Board of Education, 
never held any public office until elected to Con- 
gress from the FourteeiJth Illinois District, as a 
Republican, in November, 1894. Mr. Graflf was a 
successful candidate for re-election in 1896, and 
again in '98. 

GRAFTON, a town in Jersey County, situated 
on the Mississippi one and a half miles below the 
mouth of the Illinois River. The bluffs are high 
and fine river views are obtainable. A fine 
quality of fossiliferous limestone is quarried here 
and exported by the river. The town has a 
bank, three churches and a graded school. Pop- 
ulation (1880). 807, (1890), 927; (1900), 988. 

«RAI\ INSPECTION, a mode of regulating 
the grain-trade in accordance with State law, and 
vmder the general supervision of the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission. The principal exec- 
utive oflScer of the department is the Chief 
Inspector of Grain, the expenses of whose adminis- 
tration are borne by fees. The chief business of 
the inspection department is transacted in Chi- 
cago, where the principal oflBces are located. (See 
Railroad and Warehoiise Commission.) 

GRAMMAR, John, pioneer and early legislator, 
came to Southern Illinois at a very early date and 
served as a member of the Third Territorial 
Council for Johnson County (1816-18); was a 
citizen of Union County when it was organized 
in 1818, and served as State Senator from that 
county in the Third and Fourth General Assem- 
blies (1822-26), and again in the Seventh and 
Eighth General Assemblies (1830-34), for the Dis- 
trict composed of Union, Jolmson and Alexander 
Counties. He is described as having been very 
illiterate, but a man of mucli shrewdness and 
considerable influence. 

GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, a fra- 
ternal, charitable and patriotic association, 
limited to men who served in the Union army or 
navy during the Civil War, and received hon- 
orable discharge. Its founder was Dr. B. F. 
Stephenson, who served as Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry. In this task he had 
the cooperation of Rev. William J. Rutledge, 
Chaplain of the same regiment. Col. John M. 
Snyder, Dr. James Hamilton, Maj. Robert M. 
Woods, Maj. Robert Allen, Col. Martin Flood, 
Col. Daniel Grass, Col. Edward Prince, Capt. 
John S. Phelps, Capt. John A. Lightfoot, Col. 
B. F. Smith, Maj. A. A. North, Capt. Henry E. 



Howe, and Col. B. F. Hawkes, all Illinois veter- 
ans. Numerous conferences were held at Spring- 
field, in this State, a ritual was prepared, and the 
first post was chartered at Decatur, 111., April 6, 
1866. The charter members were Col. I. C. Pugh, 
George R. Steele, J. W. Routh, Joseph Prior, 
J. H. Nale, J. T. Bishop, G. H. Dunning, B. F. 
Sibley, M. F. Kanan, C. Reibsame, I. N. Coltrin, 
and Aquila Toland. All but one of these had 
served in Illinois regiments. At first, the work 
of organization proceeded slowly, the ex-soldiers 
generally being somewhat doubtful of the result 
of the project; but, before July 12, 1866, the date 
fixed for the assembling of a State Convention to 
form the Department of Illinois, thirty-nine posts 
had been chartered, and, by 1869, there were 330 
reported in Illinois. By October, 1866, Depart- 
ments had been formed in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, 
Wisconsin and Minnesota, and posts established 
in Ohio, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, Massa- 
chussetts. New York, Pennsylvania, and the 
District of Columbia, and the first National 
Encampment was held at Indianapolis, November 
20 of that year. In 1894 there were 7,500 posts, 
located in every State and Territory of the Union, 
with a membership of 450,000. The scheme of 
organization provides for precinct, State and 
National bodies. The first are known as posts, 
each having a number, to which the name of 
some battle or locality, or of some deceased soldier 
may be prefixed; the .second (State organizations) 
are known as Departments; and the supreme 
power of the Order is vested in the National En- 
campment, which meets annually. As has been 
said, the G. A. R. had its inception in Illinois. 
The aim and dream of Dr. Stephenson and his 
associates was to create a grand organization of 
veterans which, through its cohesion, no less than 
its incisiveness, should constitute a potential fac- 
tor in the inculcation and development of patriot- 
ism as well as mutual support. While he died 
sorrowing that he had not seen the fruition of 
his hopes, the present has witnessed the fullest 
realization of his dream. (See Stephenson, B. F. ) 
The constitution of the order expressly prohibits 
any attempt to use the organization for partisan 
purposes, or even the discussion, at any meeting, 
of partisan questions. Its aims are to foster and 
strengthen fraternal feelings among members; to 
assist comrades needing help or protection and 
aid comrades' widows and orphans, and to incul- 
cate unswerving loyalty. The "Woman's Relief 
Corps" is an auxiliary organization, originating 
at Portland. Maine, in 1869. The following is a list 
of Illinois Department Commanders, chronolog- 



200 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ically arranged: B. F. Stephenson (Provisional, 
1866), John M. Palmer (1866-68), Thomas O. 
Osborne (1869-70), Charles E. Lippincott (1871), 
Hubert Dilger (1872), Guy T. Gould (1873), Hiram 
Hilliard (1874-76), Joseph S. Reynolds (1877), 
T. B. Coulter (1878), Edgar D. Swain (1879-80), 
J. W. Burst (1881), Thomas G. Lawler (1882), 
S. A. Harper (1883), L. T. Dickason (1884), 
William W. Berry (1885), Philip Sidney Post 
(1886), A. C. Sweetser (1887), James A. Sexton 
(1888), James S. Martin (1889), William L. Distin 
(1890), Horace S. Clark (1891), Edwin Harlan 
(1892), Edward A. Blodgett (1893), H. H. 
McDowell (1894), W. H. Powell (189.5), William 
G. Cochran (1896), A. L. Scliimpff (1897), John 
C. Black (1898), John B. Inman (1899). The fol- 
lowing Illinoisans have held the position of Com- 
mander-in-Chief: S. A. Hurlbut, (two terms) 
1866-67; John A. Logan, (three terms) 1868-70; 
Thomas G. Lawler, 1894; James A. Sexton, 1898. 

«RA1VD PRAIRIE SEMINARY, a co-educa- 
tional institution at Onarga, Iroquois County, in- 
corporated in 1863; had a faculty of eleven teach- 
ers in 1897-98, with 28.5 pupils— 145 male and 140 
female. It reports an endowment of 510,000 and 
property valued at §50,000. Besides the usual 
classical and scientific departments, instruction 
is given in music, oratory, fine arts and prepara- 
tory studies. 

GRAND TOWER, a town in Jackson County, 
situated on the Mississippi River, 27 miles south- 
west of Carbondale; the western terminus of the 
Grand Tower & Carbondale Railroad. It received 
its name from a high, rocky island, lying in the 
river opposite the village. It has four churches, 
a weekly newspaper, and two blast furnaces for 
iron. Population (1890), 624, (1900), 881. 

GRAND TOWER & CAPE GIRARDEAU 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Texas Railroad.) 

GRAND TOWER & CARBONDALE RAIL- 
ROAD, (See CJiicago <& Texas Railroad.) 

GRANGER, Flavel K., lawyer, farmer and 
legislator, was born in Wayne County, N. Y. , 
May 16, 1832, educated in public schools at Sodus 
in the same State, and settled at Waukegan, 111., 
in 1853. Here, having studied law, he was 
admitted to the bar in 1855, removing to McHenry 
County the same year, and soon after engaging in 
the live-stock and vrool business. In 1873 he was 
elected as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly, being succes- 
sively re-elected to the Twenty-ninth, Thirtieth 
and Thirty-first, and being chosen Temporary 
Speaker of the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth. He 
is now a member of the State Senate for the 



Eighth District, having been elected in 1896. His 
home is at West McHenry. 

GR.\NT, Alexander Fraeser, early lawyer and 
jurist, was born at Inverness, Scotland, in 1804; 
came to Illinois at an early day and located at 
Shawneetown, where he studied law with Henry 
Eddy, the pioneer lawyer and editor of that place. 
Mr. Grant is described as a man of marked ability, 
as were many of the early settlers of that region. 
In February, 1835, he was elected by the General 
Assembly Judge for the Third Circuit, as succes- 
sor to his preceptor, Mr. Eddy, but served only a 
few months, dying at Vandalia the same year. 

GRANT, Ulysses Simpson, (originally Hiram 
Ulysses), Lieutenant - General and President, 
was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, 
Ohio, April 27, 1822 ; graduated from West 
Point Military Academy, in 1843, and served 
through the Mexican War. After a short resi- 
dence at St. Louis, he became a resident of Galena 
in 1860. His war-record is a glorious part of the 
Nation's history. Entering the service of the 
State as a clerk in the office of the Quartermaster- 
General at Springfield, soon after the breaking out 
of the war in 1861, and still later serving as a 
drill-master at Camp Yates, in June following he 
was commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of 
the Twentj'-first Illinois Volunteers, which he 
immediately led into the field in the State of 
Missouri ; was soon after promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship and became a full Major-General of 
Volunteers on the fall of Forts Donelson and 
Henry, in February following. His successes at 
Fort Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hill, and Big 
Black River, ending with the capture of Vicks- 
burg. were the leading victories of the Union 
armies in 1863. His successful defense of Chat- 
tanooga was also one of his victories in the West 
in the same year. Commissioned a Major-General 
of the Regular Army after the fall of Vicksburg, 
he became Lieutenant-General in 1864, and, in 
March of that year, assumed command of all the 
Northern armies. Taking personal command of 
the Army of the Potomac, he directed the cam- 
paign against Richmond, which resulted in the 
final evacuation and downfall of the Confederate 
capital and the surrender of General Lee at 
Appomattox on April 8, 1865. In July, 1866, he 
was made General — the oflSce being created for 
him. He also served as Secretary of War, ad 
interim, under President Johnson, from Au- 
gust, 1867, to January, 1868. In 18R8 he was 
elected President of the United States and re- 
elected in 1872. His administration may not 
have been free from mistakes, but it was cliarac- 



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HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



207 



terized by patriotism and integrity of purpose. 
During 1877-79 he made a tour of the world, being 
received every wliere with the liighest honors. In 
1880 his friends made an unsuccessful effort to 
secure his renomination as a Presidential candi- 
date on the Republican ticket. Died, at Mount 
McGregor. X. Y., July 23, 1885. His chief literary 
work was his "Memoirs" (two volumes, 1885-86), 
which was very extensively sold. 

GRAPE CREEK, a surburban mining village in 
Vermilion County, on the Big Vermilion River 
and the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, six 
miles south of Danville. The chief industry is 
coal mining, which is extensively carried on. 
Population (ISOO). 778; (1900). 610 

GRATIOT, Cliarles, of Huguenot parentage, 
bom at Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1752. After 
receiving a mercantile training in the counting 
house of an uncle in London, he emigrated to 
Canada, entering the emploj' of another uncle at 
Montreal. He first came to the "Illinois Coun- 
try"' in 1775, as an Indian trader, remaining one 
year. In 1777 he returned ana formed a partner- 
ship with David McRae and John Kay, two young 
Scotchmen from Montreal. He established depots 
at Cahokia and Kaskaskia. Upon the arrival of 
Col. George Rogers Clark, in 1778, he rendered 
that commander material financial assistance, 
becoming personallj- responsible for the supplies 
needed by the penniless American army. When 
the transfer of sovereignty took place at St. 
Louis, on March 10, 1804, and Louisiana Territory 
became a part of the United States, it was from 
the balcony of his house that the first American 
flag was unfurled in Upper Louisiana. In recom- 
pense for his liberal expenditure, he was promised 
30,000 acres of land near the present site of 
Louisville, but this he never received. Died, at 
St. Louis, April 21, 1817. 

GRAVIER, Father Jacques, a Jesuit mission- 
ary, born in France, but at what date cannot be 
stated with certainty. After some years spent in 
Canada he n-as sent by his ecclesiastical superiors 
to the Illinois Mission (1688), succeeding Allouez 
as Superior two years later, and being made 
Vicar-General in 1691. He labored among the 
Miamis, Peorias and Kaskaskias — his most numer- 
ous conversions being among the latter tribe — as 
also among the Cahokias, Osages, Tamaroas and 
Missouris. It is said to have been largely through 
his influence that the Illinois were induced to 
settle at Kaskaskia instead of going south. In 
1705 he received a severe wound during an attack 
by the Illinois Indians, incited, if not actually 
led, by one of their medicine men. It is said 



that he visited Paris for treatment, but failed 
to find a cure. Accounts of his death vary as 
to time and place, but all agree that it resulted 
from the wound above menticued. Some of his 
biographers assert that he died at sea; others 
that he returned from France, yet suffering from 
the Indian poison, to Louisiana in February, 
1708, and died near Mobile, Ala., the same yeat 

GRAY, Elisha, electrician and inventor, was 
born at Barnesville, Ohio, August 2, 1835; after 
serving as an apprentice at various trades, took a 
course at OberUn College, devoting especial 
attention to the physical sciences, meanwhile 
supporting Iiimself by manual labor. In 1865 he 
began his career as an electrician and, in 1867, 
received his first patent ; de%'ised a method of 
transmitting telephone signals, and, in 1875, suc- 
ceeded in transmitting four messages simultane- 
ously on one wire to New York and Boston, a 
year later accomplishing the .same with eight 
messages to New York and Philadelpliia. Pro- 
fessor Gray has invented a telegraph switch, a 
repeater, enunciator and type-writing telegraph. 
From 1869 to '73 he was employed in the manu- 
facture of telegraph apparatus at Cleveland and 
Chicago, but has since been electrician of the 
Western Electric Company of Chicago. His latest 
invention, the "telautograph" — for reproducing 
by telegraph the handwriting of the sender 
of a telegram — attracted great interest at the 
World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. He is 
author of "Telegraphy and Telephony" and 
"Experimental Researches in Electro-Harmonic 
Telegraphy and Telephony. " ' 

GRAY, IVilliam C, Ph.D., editor, was born in 
Butler County, Ohio, in 1830; graduated from 
the Farmers' (now Belmont) College in 1850, 
read law and began secular editorial work in 
1852. being connected, in the next fourteen years, 
with "The Tiffin Tribune," "Cleveland Herald" 
and "Newark American." Then, after several 
years spent in general publishing business in 
Cincinnati, after the great fire of 1871 he came to 
Chicago, to take charge of "The Interior," the 
organ of the Presbyterian Church, which he has 
since conducted. The success of the paper under 
his management affords the best evidence of his 
practical good sense. He holds the degree of 
Ph.D., received from Wooster University in 1881. 

GR.VYTILLE, a city situated on the border of 
White and Edwards Counties, lying chiefly in 
the former, on the Wabash River, 35 miles north- 
west of EvansviUe, Ind., 16 miles northeast of 
Carmi, and forty miles southwest of Vincennes. 
It is located in the heart of a heavily timbered 



208 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



region and is an important hard-wood market. 
"Valuable coal deposits exist. The industries in- 
clude flour, saw and planing mills, stave factories 
and creamery. The city has an electric light 
and water plant, two banks, eight churches, and 
two weekly papers. Papulation O^OO), 1,948. 

GRAYTILLE & MATTOON RAILROAD. (See 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railway. ) 

GREATHOUSE, Lucien, soldier, was born at 
Carlinville, 111., in 1843; graduated at Illinois 
Wesleyan University, Bloomington, and studied 
law ; enlisted as a private at the beginning of the 
War of the Rebellion and rose to the rank of 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteers; 
bore a conspicuous part in the movements of the 
Army of the Tennessee ; was killed in battle near 
Atlanta, Ga., June 21, 1864. 

GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD (of 1843 and 
'49). (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

GREAT WESTERN RAILROAD (3). (See 
Wabash Raihvay. ) 

GREEN RIVER, rises in Lee County, and, 
after draining part of Bureau County, flows west- 
ward through Henry County, and enters Rock 
River about 10 miles east by south from Rock 
Island. It is nearly 120 miles long. 

GREEN, William H., State Senator and Judge, 
was born at Danville, Ky., Dec. 8, 1830. In 1847 
he accompanied his father's family to Illinois, 
and, for three years following, taught school, at 
the same time reading law. He was admitted to 
the bar in 1852 and began practice at Mount 
Vernon, removing to Metropolis the next year, 
and to Cairo in 1863. In 1858 he was elected to 
the lower house of the General Assembly, was 
re-elected in 1860 and, two years later, was 
elected to the State Senate for four years. In 
December, 1865, he was elected Judge of the 
Third Judicial Circuit, to fill the unexpired term 
of Judge Mulkey, retiring with the expiration of 
nis term in 1867. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1860, "64, 
'68, '80, '84 and '88, besides being for many years 
a member of the State Central Committee of that 
party, and also, for four terms, a member of the 
State Board of Education, of which he has been 
for several years the President. He is at present 
(1899) engaged in the practice of his profession at 
Cairo. 

GREENE, Henry Sacheveral, attorney, was 
born in the North of Ireland, July, 1833, brought 
to Canada at five years of age, and from nine com- 
pelled to support himself, sometimes as a clerk 
and at others setting type in a printing ofiice. 
After spending some time in Western New York, 



in 1853 he commenced the study of law at Dan- 
ville, Ind.. with Hugh Crea, now of Decatur, 111. ; 
four years later settled at Clinton, DeWitt 
County, where he taught and studied law with 
Lawrence Weldon, now of the Coui't of Claims, 
Washington. In 1859 he was admitted to the bar 
at Springfield, on the motion of Abraham Lin- 
coln, and was associated in practice, for a time, 
with Hon. Clifton H. Moore of Clinton; later 
served as Prosecuting Attorney and one term 
(1867-69) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. At the close of his term in the Legislature 
he removed to Springfield, forming a law partner- 
ship with Milton Hay and David T. Littler, under 
the firm name of Hay, Greene & Littler, still later 
becoming the head of the firm of Greene & 
Humphrey. From the date of his removal to 
Springfield, for some thirty years his chief employ- 
ment was as a corporation lawyer, for the most 
part in the service of the Chicago & Alton and 
the Wabash Railways. His death occurred at his 
home in Springfield, after a protracted illness, 
Feb. 25, 1899. Of recognized ability, thoroughly 
devoted to his profession, high minded and honor- 
able in all his dealings, he commanded respect 
wherever he was known. 

GREENE, William G., pioneer, was born in 
Tennessee in 1813; came to Illinois in 1822 with 
his father (Bowling Greene), who settled in the 
vicinity of New Salem, now in Menard County. 
The younger Greene was an intimate friend and 
fellow-student, at Illinois College, of Richard 
Yates (afterwards Governor), and also an early 
friend and admirer of Abraham Lincoln, under 
whom he held an appointment in Utah for some 
years. He died at Tallula, Menard County, in 
1894. 

GREENFIELD, a city in the eastern part of 
Greene County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy and the Quincy, Carrollton & St. Louis 
Railways, 12 miles east of Carrollton and 55 miles 
north of St. Louis ; is an agricultural, coal-mining 
and stock-raising region. The city has several 
churches, public schools, a seminary, electric 
light plant, steam flouring mill, and one weekly 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
cattle, horses, swine, corn, grain and produce. 
Population (1890), 1,131; (1900), 1,085. 

GREENE COUNTY, cut off from Madison and 
separately organized in 1821 ; has an area of 544 
square miles; population (1900). 23,402; named 
for Gen. Nathaniel Greene, a Revolutionary sol- 
dier. The soil and climate are varied and adapted 
to a diversity of products, wheat and fruit being 
among the principal. Building stone and clay 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



209 



are abundant. Probably the first English-speak- 
ing settlers were David Stockton and James 
Whiteside, who located south of Macoupin Creek 
in June, 1817. Samuel Thomas and others 
(among them Gen. Jacob Fry) followed soon 
afterward. The Indians were numerous and 
aggressive, and had destroyed not a few of the 
monuments of the Government surveys, erected 
some years before. Immigration of the whites, 
however, was rapid, and it was not long before 
the nucleus of a village was established at Car- 
roUton, where General Fry erected the first house 
and made the first coffin needed in the settle- 
ment. This town, the county-seat and most 
important place in the county, was laid off by 
Thomas Carlin in 1821. Other flourishing towns 
are Whitehall (population, 1,961), and Roodhouse 
(an important railroad center) with a population 
of 3,360. 

GREENUP, village of Cumberland County, at 
intersection of the Vandalia Line and Evansville 
branch 111. Cent. Ry. ; in farming and fruit- 
growing region; has powder mill, bank, broom 
factor}', five churches, public library and good 
schools. Population (1890), 858; (1900). 1,085. 

GREENVIEW, a village in Menard County, on 
the Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 
Railroad, 23 miles north-northwest of Springfield 
and 36 miles northeast of Jacksonville. It has a 
coal mine, bank, two weekly papers, seven 
churches, and a graded and high school. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,106; (1900), 1,019; (1903), 1,245. 

GREETiVILlE, an incorporated city, the 
county-seat of Bond County, on the East Fork of 
Big Shoal Creek and the St. Louis, Vandalia & 
Terre Haute Railroad, 50 miles east-northeast of 
St. Louis ; is in a rich agricultural and coal-min- 
ing region. Corn and wheat are raised exten- 
sively in the surrounding country, and there are 
extensive coal mines adjacent to the city. The 
leading manufacturing product is in the line of 
wagons. It is the seat of Greenville College (a 
coeducational institution) ; has several banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Population (1890), 
1,868; (1900), 2,504. 

GREENVILLE, TREATY OF, a treaty negoti- 
ated by Gen. Anthony Wayne with a number of 
Indian tribes (see Indian Treaties), at Green- 
ville, after his victory over the savages at the 
battle of Maumee Rapids, in August, 1795. This 
was the first treaty relating to Illinois lands in 
which a number of tribes united. The lands con- 
veyed within the present limits of the State 
of Illinois were as follows: A tract six miles 
ifquare at the mouth of the Chicago River; 



another, twelve miles square, near the mouth of 
the Illinois River; another, six miles square, 
around the old fort at Peoria ; the post of Fort 
Massac; the 150,000 acres set apart as bounty 
lands for the army of Gen. George Rogers Clark, 
and "the lands at all other places in the posses- 
sion of the French people and other white set- 
tlers among them, the Indian title to which has 
been thus extinguished. " On the other hand, the 
United States relinquished all claim to all other 
Indian lands north of the Ohio, east of tne Mis- 
sissippi and south of the great lakes. The cash 
consideration paid by the Government was 
.$210,000. 

GREGG, David L., lawyer and Secretary of 
State, emigrated from Albany, N. Y., and began 
the practice of law at Joliet, 111., where, in 1889, 
he also edited "The Juliet Courier," the first 
paper estabhshed in Will County. From 1842 to 
1846, he represented Will, Du Page and Iroquois 
Counties in the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Gen- 
eral Assemblies ; later removed to Chicago, after 
which he served for a time as United States Dis- 
trict Attorney; in 1847 %vas chosen one of the 
Delegates from Cook County to the State Consti- 
tutional Convention of that year, and served as 
Secretary of State from 1850 to 1853, as successor 
to Horace S. Cooley, who died in office the former 
year. In the Democratic State Convention of 
1853, Mr. Gregg was a leading candidate for the 
nomination for Governor, though finally defeated 
by Joel A. Matteson; served as Presidential 
Elector for that year, and, in 1853, was appointed 
by President Pierce Commissioner to the Sandwich 
Islands, still later for a time acting as the minis- 
ter or adviser of King Kamehamaha IV, who died 
in 1863. Returning to California he was ap- 
pointed by President Lincoln Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Carson City, Nev., where he died, Dec. 
23, 1868. 

GREGORY, Johfc Milton, olergyman and edu- 
cator, was born at Sand Lake, Rensselaer Co., 
N. Y., July 6, 1822; graduated from Union Col- 
lege in 1846 and, after devoting two years to the 
study of law, studied theology and entered the 
Baptist ministry. After a brief pastorate in the 
East he came West, becoming Principal of a 
classical school at Detroit. His ability as an 
educator was soon recognized, and, in 1858, he 
was elected State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction in Michigan, but declined a re-elec- 
tion in 1863. In 1854, he assisted in founding 
"The Michigan Journal of Education," of which 
he was editor-in-chief. In 1863 he accepted the 
Presidency of Kalamazoo College, and four years 



210 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later was called to that of the newly founded 
University of Illinois, at Champaign, where he 
remained until 1880. He was United States 
Commissioner to the Vienna Exposition in 1873, 
Illinois State Commissioner to the Paris Exposi- 
tion of 1878, also serving as one of the judges in 
the educational department of the Philadelphia 
Centennial of 1876. From 1882 to '85 he was a 
member of the United States Civil Service Com- 
mission. The degree of LL.D. was conferred 
upon him by Madison University (Hamilton. 
N. Y.) in 1866. AVhile State Superintendent he 
published a "Compend of School Laws" of Michi- 
gan, besides numerous addresses on educational 
subjects. Other works of his are "Handbook of 
History" and "Map of Time" (Chicago, 1866) ; "A 
New Political Economy" (Cincinnati, 1882); and 
"Seven Laws of Teaching" (Chicago, 1883). 
While holding a chair as Professor Emeritus of 
Political Economy in the University of Illinois 
during the latter j-ears of his life, he resided in 
Washington, D. C, where he died, Oct. 20, 1898. 
By his special request he was buried on the 
grounds of the University at Champaign. 

GRESHAM, Walter Quinton, soldier, jurist 
and statesman, was born near Lanesville, Harri- 
son County, Ind., March 17, 1832. Two years at 
a seminary at Corydon, followed by one year at 
Bloomington University, completed his early 
education, which was commenced at the common 
schools. He read law at Corydon, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. In 1860 he was 
elected to the Indiana Legislature, but resigned 
to become Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
eighth Indiana Volunteers, and was almost 
immediately commissioned Colonel of the Fifty- 
third Regiment. After the fall of Vicksburg he 
was promoted to a Brigadier-Generalship, and was 
brevetted Major-General on March 13, 1865. At 
Atlanta he was severely wounded, and disabled 
from service for a year. After the war he re- 
sumed practice at New Albany, Ind. His polit- 
ical career began in 1856, when he stumped his 
county for Fremont. From that time until 1892 
he was always prominently identified with the 
Republican party. In 1866 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress, and, in 
1867-68, was the financial agent of his State 
(Indiana) in New York. In 1869 President Grant 
appointed him Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court for Indiana. In 1883 he resigned this 
position to accept the portfolio of Postmaster-Gen- 
eral in the Cabinet of President Arthur. In July, 
1884, upon the death of Secretary Folger, he was 
made Secretary of the Treasury. In Oct. 1884, 



he was appointed United States Judge of the 
Seventh Judicial Circuit, and thereafter made 
his home in Chicago. He was an earnest advo- 
cate of the renomination of Grant in that year, 
but subsequently took no active personal part in 
politics. In 1888 he was the substantially unani- 
mous choice of Illinois Republicans for the Presi- 
dency, but was defeated in convention. In 1892 
he was tendered the Populist nomination for 
President, but declined. In 1893 President Cleve- 
land offered him the portfolio of Secretary of 
State, which he accepted, dj'ing in ofiice at 
Washington, D. C, May 28, 1895. 

GREUSEL, Nicholas, soldier, was born in Ger- 
many, July 4, 1817, the son of a soldier of Murat ; 
came to New York in 1833 and to Detroit, Jlich., 
in 1835; served as a Captain of the First Michigan 
Volunteers in the Mexican War ; in 1857, came to 
Chicago and was employed on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, until the firing on 
Fort Sumter, when he promptly enrolled himself 
as a private in a company organized at Aurora, 
of which he was elected Captain and attached to 
the Seventh Illinois (three-months" men), later 
being advanced to the rank of Major. Re-enlisting 
for three years, he was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, but, in August following, was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Thirty-sixth Illinois; took 
part in the battles of Pea Ridge and Perryville 
and the campaign against Corinth ; compelled to 
resign on account of failing health, in February, 
1863, he removed to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, 
whence he returned to Aurora in 1893. Died at 
Aurora, April 25, 1896. 

GRIDLEY, Asahel, lawyer and banker, was 
born at Cazenovia, N. Y., April 21, 1810; was 
educated at Pompey Academy and, at the age of 
21, came to Illinois, locating at Bloomington and 
engaging in the mercantile business, which he 
carried on quite extensively some eight years. 
He served as First Lieutenant of a cavalry com- 
pany during the Black Hawk War of 1832, and 
soon after was elected a Brigadier-General of 
militia, thereby acquiring the title of "General" 
In 1840 he was elected to the lower branch of the 
Twelfth General Assembly, and soon after began 
to turn his attention to the study of law, subse- 
quently forming a partnership with Col. J. H. 
Wickizer, which continued for a number of years. 
Having been elected to the State Senate in 1850, 
he took a conspicuous part in the two succeeding 
sessions of the General Assembly in securing the 
location of the Chicago & Alton and the Illinois 
Central Railroads by way of Bloomington; was 
also, at a later period, a leading promoter of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



2J1 



Indiana, Bloomington & Western and other lines. 
In 1858 he joined J. Y. Scammon and J. H. Bnrch 
of Chicago, in the establishment of the McLean 
County Bank at Bloomington, of which he became 
President and ultimately sole proprietor ; also be- 
came proprietor, in 1857, of the Bloomington Gas- 
Light & Coke Company, which he managed some 
twenty-five years. Originally a Whig, he identi- 
fied himself with tlie Republican cause in 1856, 
serving upon the State Central Committee during 
the campaign of that year, but, in 1872, took 
part in the Liberal Republican movement, serv- 
ing as a delegate to the Cincinnati Convention, 
where he was a zealous supporter of David Davis 
for the Presidency. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 
20, 1881. 

6RIER, (Col.) Darld Perkins, soldier and mer- 
chant, was born near Wilkesbarre, Pa., in 1837; 
received a common school education and, in 
1852, came to Peoria, 111., where he engaged in 
the grain business, subsequently, in partnership 
with his brother, erecting the first grain-elevator 
in Peoria, with three or four at other points. 
Early in the war he recruited a company of which 
he was elected Captain, but, as the State quota 
was already full, it was not accepted in Illinois, 
but was mustered in, in June, as a part of the 
Eighth Missouri Volunteers. With this organi- 
zation he took part in the capture of Forts Henry 
and Donelson, the battle of Shiloh and the siege 
and capture of Corinth. In August, 1862, he was 
ordered to report to Governor Yates at Spring- 
field, and, on his arrival, was presented with a 
commission as Colonel of the Seventy-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, of which he retained 
command up to the siege of Vicksburg. During 
that siege he commanded a brigade and, in sub- 
sequent operations in Louisiana, was in command 
of the Second Brigade, Fourth Division of the 
Thirteenth Army Corps. Later he had command 
of all the troops on Dauphin Island, and took a 
conspicuous part in the capture of Fort Morgan 
and Mobile, as well as other operations in Ala- 
bama. He subsequently had command of a 
division until his muster-out, July 10, 1865, with 
the rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After the 
war, General Grier resumed his business as a 
grain merchant at Peoria, but, in 1879, removed to 
East St. Louis, where he had charge of the erection 
and management of the Union Elevator there — 
was also Vice-President and Director of the St. 
Louis Merchants' Exchange. Died, April 22, 
1891. 

GRIERSOJf, Benjamin H., soldier, was born in 
Pittsburg, Pa., July 8, 1826; removed in boyhood 



to Trumbull County, Ohio, and, about 1850, to 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was engaged for a 
time in teaching music, later embarking in the 
grain and produce business at Meredosia He 
enlisted promptly at the beginning of the Civil 
War, becoming Aid-de-camp to General Prentiss 
at Cairo during the three-months' service, later 
being commissioned Major of the Sixth Illinois 
Cavalry. From this time his promotion was 
rapid. He was commissioned Colonel of the same 
regiment in March, 1862, and was commander of a 
brigade in December following. He was promi- 
nent in nearly all the cavalry skirmishes between 
Memphis and the Tennessee river, and, in April 
and May, 1863, led the famous raid from La 
Grange, Tenn., through the States of Mississippi 
and Louisiana to Baton Rouge in the latter— for 
the first time penetrating the heart of the Con- 
federacy and causing consternation among the 
rebel leaders, while materially aiding General 
Grant's movement against Vicksburg. This dem- 
onstration was generally regarded as one of the 
most brilliant events of the war, and attracted 
the attention of tlie whole country. In recog- 
nition of this service he was, on June 3, 1863. 
made a Brigadier-General, and May 27, 1865, a 
full Slajor-General of Volunteers. Soon after the 
close of the war he entered the regular army as 
Colonel of the Tenth United States Cavalry and 
was successively brevetted Brigadier- and JIajor 
General for bravery shown in a raid in Arkansas 
during December, 1864. His subsequent service 
was in the West and Southwest conducting cam- 
paigns against the Indians, in the meanwhile 
being in command at Santa Fe, San Antonio and 
elsewhere. On the promotion of General Miles 
to a Major-Generalship following the death of 
Maj.-Gen. George Crook in Chicago, March 19, 
1890, General Grierson, who had been the senior 
Colonel for some years, was promoted Brigadier- 
General and retired with that rank in July fol- 
lowing. His home is at Jacksonville. 

tJRIGGS, Samnel Chapman, publisher, was 
born in Tolland, Conn., July 20, 1819; began 
business as a bookseller at Hamilton, N Y., but 
removed to Chicago, where he established the 
largest bookselling trade in the Northwest. Mr. 
Griggs was a heavy loser by the fire of 1871, and 
the following year, having sold out to his part- 
ners, established himself in the publishing busi- 
ness, which he conducted until 1896, when he 
retired. The class of books published by him 
include many educational and classical, with 
others of a high order of merit. Died in Chi- 
cago, April 5, 1897. 



212 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



GRIGOSYILLE, a city in Pike County, on the 
Wabash Railroad, 4 miles west of the Illinois 
River, and 50 miles east of Quincy. Flour, camp 
stoves, and brooms are manufactured here. The 
city has churches, graded schools, a public 
library, fair grounds, opera house, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 1,400; (1900), 
1.404. 

GRIMSHAW, Jackson, lawyer and politician, 
was bom in Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 1820, of Anglo- 
Irish and Revolutionary ancestry. He was par- 
tially educated at Bristol College, Pa., and began 
the study of law %vith his father, who was a lawyer 
and an author of repute. His professional studies 
were interrupted for a few years, during which he 
was employed at surveying and civil engineering, 
but he was admitted to the bar at Harrisburg, in 
1843. The same year he settled at Pittsfield, 111. , 
where he formed a partnership with his brother, 
"William A. Grimshaw. In 1857 he removed to 
Quincy, where he resided for the remainder of his 
life. He was a member of the first Republican 
Convention, at Bloomington, in 1856, and was 
twice an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
(1856 and '58) in a strongly Democratic District. 
He was a warm personal friend and trusted coun- 
sellor of Governor Yates, on whose staff he served 
as Colonel. During 1861 the latter sent Mr. 
Grimshaw to Washington with dispatches an- 
nouncing the capture of Jefferson Barracks, Mo. 
On arriving at Annapolis, learning that the rail- 
roads had been torn up by rebel sympathizers, he 
walked from that city to the capital, and was 
summoned into the presence of the President and 
General Scott with his feet protruding from his 
boots. In 1865 Sir. Lincoln appointed him Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for the Quincy Dis- 
trict, which office he held \mtil 1869. Died, at 
Quincy, Dec. 13, 1875. 

GRIMSHAW, William A., early lawyer, was 
born in Philadelphia and admitted to the bar 
in his native city at the age of 19 ; in 1833 came 
to Pike County, 111., where he continued to prac- 
tice until his death. He served in the State Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847, and had the credit 
of preparing the article in the second Constitution 
prohibiting dueling. In 1864 he was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention which 
nominated Mr. Lincoln for President a second 
time; also served as Presidential Elector in 1880. 
He was, for a time, one of the Trustees of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dvunb at Jackson- 
ville, and, from 1877 to 1882, a member of the State 
Board of Public Charities, being for a time Presi- 
dent of the Board. Died, at Pittsfield, Jan. 7, 1895. 



GRINJfELL, Jnlins S., lawyer and ei-Judge, 
was bom in St. Lawrence County, N. Y., in 1842, 
of New England parents, who were of French 
descent. He graduated from Middlebury College 
in 1866, and, two years later, was admitted to the 
bar at Ogdensburg, N. Y. In 1870 he removed to 
Chicago, where he soon attained a prominent 
position at the bar; was elected City Attorney in 
1879, and re-elected in 1881 and 1883. In 1884 he 
was elected State's Attorney for Cook County, in 
which capacity he successfully conducted some 
of the most celebrated criminal prosecutions in 
the history of Illinois. Among these may be 
mentioned the cases against Joseph T. Mackin 
and William J. Gallagher, growing out of an 
election conspiracy in Chicago in 1884; the 
conviction of a number of Cook County Commis- 
sioners for accepting bribes in 1885, and the con- 
viction of seven anarchistic leaders charged with 
complicity in the Haymarket riot and massacre 
in Chicago, in May, 1886 — the latter trial being 
held in 1887. The same year (1887) he was 
elected to the Circuit bench of Cook County, but 
resigned his seat in 1890 to become counsel for 
the Chicago City Railway. Died, in Chicago, 
June 8, 1898. 

GROSS, Jacob, ex-State Treasurer and banker, 
was bom in Germany, Feb. 11, 1840; having lost 
his father by death at 13, came to the United 
States two years later, spent a year in Chicago 
schools, learned the trade of a tinsmith and 
clerked in a store until August, 1863, when he 
enlisted in the Eighty-Second Illinois Volunteers 
(the second "Hecker Regiment"); afterwards par- 
ticipated in some of the most important battles 
of the war, including Chancellorsville, Gettys- 
burg, Lookout Jlountain, Resaca and others. At 
Dallas, Ga., he had his right leg badlj' shattered 
by a bullet-wound above the knee, four successive 
amputations being found nece.ssary in order to 
save his life. Having been discharged from the 
service in February, 1865, he took a course in a 
commercial college, became deputy clerk of the 
Police Court, served three terms as Collector of 
the West Town of Chicago, and an equal number 
of terms (12 years) as Clerk of the Circuit Court 
of Cook County, and, in 1884, was elected State 
Treasurer. Since retiring from the latter office, 
Mr. Gross has been engaged in the banking busi- 
ness, being President, for several years, of the 
Commercial Bank of Chicago. 

GROSS, WiUiam L., lawyer, was born in Her- 
kimer County, N. Y., Feb. 21, 1839, came with 
his father to Illinois in 1844, was admitted to the 
bar at Springfield in 1863, but almost immediately 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



213 



entered the service of the Government, and, a 
year later, was appointed by President Lincoln 
Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and, under 
command of General Stager, assigned to the 
Department of the Ohio as Military Superintend- 
ent of Telegraphs. At the close of the war he 
was transferred to the Department of the Gulf, 
taking control of military telegraphs in that 
Department with headquarters at New Orleans, 
remaining until August, 1866, meanwhile being 
brevetted Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. For 
the next two years he occupied various positions 
in the civil telegraph sersace, but, in 1868, resumed 
tlie practice of law at Springfield, in conjunction 
with his brother (Eugene L. ) issuing the first 
volume of "Gross' Statutes of Illinois," followed 
in subsequent years by two additional volumes, 
besides an Index to all the Laws of the State. In 
1878 he was elected as a Republican to the General 
Assembly from Sangamon County, and, in 1884, 
was appointed by Governor Hamilton Circuit 
Judge to succeed Judge C. S. Zane, who had been 
appointed Chief Justice of Utah, L^pon the organi- 
zation of the Illinois State Bar Association, Judge 
Gross became its first Secretarj-, serving vmtil 
1883, when he was elected President, again serv- 
ing as Secretary and Treasurer in 1893-94. 

GKOSSCUP, Peter Stenger, jurist, bom in 
Ashland, Ohio, Feb. 15, 1852 ; was educated in the 
local schools and Wittenberg College, graduating 
from the latter in 1872 ; read law in Boston, Mass., 
and settled down to practice in his native town, 
in 1874: He was a candidate for Congress in a 
Democratic District before he was 25 years old, 
but, being a Republican, was defeated. Two 
years later, being thrown by a reapportionment 
into the same district with William McKinley, 
he put that gentleman in nomination for the seat 
in Congress to which he was elected. He re- 
moved to Chicago in 1883, and, for several years, 
was the partner of the late Leonard Swett; in 
December, 1892, was appointed by President 
Harrison Judge of the United States District 
Court for the Northern District of Illinois as suc- 
cessor to Judge Henry W. Blodgett. On the 
death of Judge Showalter, in December, 1898, 
Judge Grosscup was appointed his successor as 
Judge of the United States Circuit Court for the 
Seventh Judicial District. Although one of the 
youngest incumbents upon the bench of the 
United States Court, Judge Grosscup has given 
ample evidence of his ability as a jurist, besides 
proving himself in harmony with the progressive 
spirit of the time on questions of national and 
internationa\ interest. 



GRUNDY COUNTY, situated in the northeast- 
ern quarter of the State, having an area of 440 
square miles and a population (1900) of 24,136. 
The surface is mainly rolling prairie, beneath 
which is a continuous coal seam, three feet thick. 
Building stone is abundant (particularly near 
Morris), and there are considerable beds of pot- 
ter's clay. The county is crossed by the Illinois 
River and the Illinois & Michigan Canal, also by the 
Rock Island and the Chicago & Alton Railways. 
The chief occupation of the people is agriculture, 
although there are several manufacturing estab- 
lishments. The first white settler of whom any 
record has been preserved, was William Marquis, 
who arrived at the mouth of the Mazon in a 
"prairie schooner" in 1828. Other pioneers 
were Colonel Sayers, W. A. Holloway, Alex- 
ander K. Owen, John Taylor, James McCartney 
and Joab Chappell. The first public land sale 
was made in 1835, and, in 1841, the county was 
organized out of a part of La Salle, and named 
after Felix Grundy, the eminent Tennesseean. 
The first poUbook showed 148 voters. Morris 
was chosen the county-seat and has so re- 
mained. Its present population is 3,653. Another 
prosperous town is Gardner, with 1,100 inhab- 
itants. 

GULLIVER, John Putnam, D.D., LL.D., 
clergyman and educator, was born in Boston, 
Mass., May 12, 1819; graduated at Yale College, 
in 1840, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 
1845, meanwhile serving two years as Principal 
of Randolph Academy. From 1845 to 1865 he 
was pastor of a church at Norwich, Conn., in 
1865-68, of the New England Church, of Chicago, 
and, 1868-72, President of Knox College at Gales- 
burg, 111. The latter year he became pastor of 
the First Presbyterian Church in Binghamton, 
N. Y., remaining until 1878, when he was elected 
Professor of the "Relations of Christianity and 
Secular Science" at Andover, holding this posi- 
tion actively until 1891, and then, as Professor 
Emeritus, until his death, Jan. 25, 1894. He was 
a member of the Corporation of Yale College 
and had been honored with the degrees of D.D. 
and LL.D. 

GURLEY, WilUam F. E., State Geologist, was 
born at Oswego, N. Y., June 5, 1854; brought by 
his parents to Danville, 111. , in 1864, and educated 
in the public schools of that city and Cornell 
L'niversity, N. Y. ; served as city engineer of 
Danville in 1885-87, and again in 1891-93. In 
July of the latter year he was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Altgeld State Geologist as successor to Prof. 
Joshua Lindahl. 



214 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



HACKER, John S., pioneer and soldier of the 
Mexican War, was bom at Owensburg, Ky., 
November, 1797; in early life removed to Mis- 
souri, where he was employed in the stock and 
produce trade with New Orleans. Having married 
in 1817, he settled at Jonesboro, Union County, 
111., where he kept a tavern for a number of 
years, and was also engaged some thirty years in 
mercantile business. It is said that he was 
unable to read until taught after marriage by his 
wife, who appears to have been a woman of 
intelligence and many graces. In 1824 he was 
elected Representative in the Fourth General 
Assembly and, in 1834, to the State Senate, serv- 
ing by re-election in 1838 until 1842, and being a 
supporter of the internal improvement scheme. 
In 1837 he voted for the removal of the State 
capital from Vandalia to Springfield, and, though 
differing from Abraham Lincoln politically, was 
one of his warm personal friends. He served in 
the War of 1812 as a private in the Missouri 
militia, and, in the Mexican War, as Captain of a 
company in the Second Regiment, Illinois Volun- 
teers—Col. W, H. Bissell's. By service on the 
staff of Governor Duncan, he had already obtained 
the title of Colonel. He received the nomination 
for Lieutenant-Governor from the first formal 
State Convention of the Democratic party in 
December, 1837, but the head of the ticket (Col. 
J. W. Stephenson) having withdrawn on account 
of charges connected with his administration of 
the Land Office at Dixon, Colonel Hacker also 
declined, and a new ticket was put in the field 
headed by Col. Thomas L. Carlin, which was 
elected in 1838. In 1849 Colonel Hacker made 
the overland journey to California, but returning 
with impaired health in 1852, located in Cairo, 
where he held the position of Surveyor of the 
Port for three years, when he was removed by 
President Buchanan on account of his friendship 
for Senator Douglas. He also served, from 1854 
to '56, as Secretary of the Senate Committee on 
Territories under the Chairmanship of Senator 
Douglas, and, in 1856, as Assistant Doorkeeper of 
the House of Representatives in Washington. In 
1857 he returned to Jonesboro and spent the 
remainder of his life in practical retirement, 
dying at the home of his daughter, in Anna, May 
18, 1878. 

HADLEY, William F. L., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was bom near CoUinsville, 111., June 
15, 1847; grew up on a farm, receiving his educa- 
tion in the common schools and at McKendree 
College, where he graduated in 1867. In 1871 he 
graduated from the Law Department of the 



University of Michigan, and established him 
self in the practice of his profession at 
Edwardsville. He was elected to the State Sen- 
ate from Madison County in 1886, serving four 
years, and was nominated for a second term, but 
declined ; was a delegate-at-large to the Repub- 
lican National Convention of 1888, and, in 1895, 
was nominated and elected, in the Eighteenth 
District, as a Republican, to the Fifty-fourth Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caxised by the death of 
Hon. Frederick Remann, who had been elected 
in 1894, but died before taking his seat. Mr. 
Hadley was a candidate for re-election in 1896, 
but was prevented by protracted illness from 
making a canvEiss, and suffered a defeat. He 
is a son-in-law of the late Edward M. West, 
long a prominent business man of Edwards- 
ville, and since his retirement from Congress, haa 
devoted his attention to his profession and the 
banking business. 

HAHNEMANN HOSPITAL, a homeopathic hos- 
pital located in Chicago. It was first opened with 
twenty beds, in November, 1870, in a block of 
wooden buildings, the use of which was given 
rent free by Mr. J. Young Scammon, and was 
known as the Scammon Hospital. After the fire 
of October, 1871, Mr. Scammon deeded the prop- 
erty to the Trustees of the Hahnemann Medical 
College, and the hospital was placed on the list 
of public charities. It also received a donation 
of $10,000 from the Relief and Aid Society, 
besides numerous private benefactions. In 
April, 1873, at the suggestion of Mr. Scammon, 
the name of the institution was changed to the 
Hahnemann Hospital, by which designation it 
has since been known. In 1893 the corner-stone 
of a new hospital was laid and the building com- 
pleted in 1894. It is seven stories in height, with 
a capacity for 225 beds, and is equipped with all 
the improved appliances and facilities for the 
care and protection of the sick. It has also about 
sixty private rooms for paying patients. 

HAHNEMANN MEDICAL COLLEGE, located 
in Chicago, chartered in 1834-35, but not organ- 
ized until 1860, when temporary quarters were 
secured over a drug-store, and the first college 
term opened, with a teaching faculty numbering 
nine professors, besides clinical lecturers, demon- 
strators, etc. In 1866-67 the institution moved 
into larger quarters and, in 1870, the comer-stone 
of a new college building w£is laid. The six suc- 
ceeding years were marked by internal dissen- 
sion, ten of the professors withdrawing to 
establish a rival school. The faculty was cur- 
tailed in numbers and re-organized. In Aug^ust, 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



215 



1892, the oomer-stone of a second building was 
laid with appropriate Masonic ceremonies, the 
new structure occupying the site of the old, but 
being larger, better arranged and better equipped. 
Women were admitted as students in 18"0-71 and 
co-education of the sexes has ever since continued 
an established feature of the institution. For 
more than thirty-five years a free dispensary has 
been in operation in connection with the college. 
HAINES, John Charles, Mayor of Chicago and 
legislator, was born in Oneida County, N. Y., 
May 26, 1818 ; came to Chicago in 1835, and, for 
the next eleven years, was employed in various 
pursuits; served three terms (184:8-.')1) in the City 
Council; was twice elected Water Commissioner 
(1853 and '56), and, iu 1838, was chosen Mayor, 
serving two terms. lie also served as Delegate 
from Cook County in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1874, was elected to the 
State Senate from the First District, serving in 
the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth General Assem- 
blies. At the session of 1877 he received sixty- 
nine votes for the seat in the United States 
Senate to which Judge David Davis was after- 
wards elected. Mr. Haines was a member of the 
Chicago Historical Societj-, was interested in the 
old Chicago West Division Railway and President 
of the Savings Institute. During his later years 
he was a resident of Waukegau, djing there, 
July 4, 1896. — Elijah Middlebrook (Haines), 
brother of the preceding, lawyer, politician 
and legislator, was born in Oneida Coxinty, N. Y., 
April 21, 1822 ; came to Illinois in bo3-hood, locat- 
ing first at Chicago, but, a year later, went to 
Lake County, where he resided until his death. 
His education, rudimentary, classical and profes- 
sional, was self-acquired. He began to occupy 
and cultivate a farm for himself before attaining 
his majority ; studied law, and, in 1851, was 
admitted to the bar, beginning practice at Wau- 
kegan ; in 1860 opened an office in Chicago, still, 
however, making his home at Waukegan. In 
1855 he published a compilation of the Illinois 
township laws, followed by a "Treatise on the 
Powers and Duties of Justices of the Peace. " He 
made similar compilations of the township laws 
of Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Missouri. 
By nature Mr. Haines was an agitator, and his 
career as a politician both checkered and unique. 
Originally a Democrat, he abandoned that or- 
ganization upon the formation of the Republican 
party, and was elected by the latter to the Legis- 
lature from Lake County in 1858, '60 and "62. In 
1867 he came into prominence as an anti-monopo- 
list, and on this issue was elected to the Consti- 



tutional Convention of 1869-70. In 1870 he was 
again chosen to the Legislature as an ' 'independ- 
ent, ' ' and, as such, re-elected in '74, '82, '84, '86 and 
'88, receiving the support, however, of the Demo- 
crats in a District normally Republican. He 
served as Speaker during the sessions of 1875 and 
'85, the party strength in each of these Assemblies 
being so equally divided that he either held, or 
was able to control, the balance of power. He 
was an adroit parliamentarian, but his decisions 
were the cause of much severe criticism, being 
regarded by both Democrats and Republicans as 
often arbitrary and unjust. The two sessions 
over which he presided were among the stormiest 
in the State's history. Died, at Waukegan, April 
25, 1889. 

HALE, Albert, pioneer clergyman, was born 
at Glastonbury, Conn., Nov. 29, 1799; after some 
years spent as a clerk in a country store at 
Wethersfield, completed a course in the theolog- 
ical department of Yale College, later serving as a 
home missionary, in Georgia; came to Illinois in 
1831, doing home missionary work in Bond 
County, and. in 1833, was sent to Chicago, where 
his open candor, benignity and blameless conduct 
enabled him to e.xert a powerful influence over 
the drunken aborigines who constituted a large 
and menacing class of the population of what 
was then a frontier town. In 1839 he assumed 
the pastorate of the Second Presbyterian Church 
in Springfield, continuing that connection until 
1865. From that time until his death, his life 
was largely devoted to missionary work among 
the extremely poor and the pariahs of society. 
Among these he wielded a large influence and 
alwajs commanded genuine respect from all 
denominations. His forte was love rather than 
argument, and in this lay the secret of his suc- 
cess. Died, in Springfield, Jan. 30, 1891. 

HALE, (Dr.) Edwin M., physician, was born 
in Newport, N. H., in 1829, commenced the study 
of medicine in 1848 and, in 1850, entered the 
Cleveland Homeopathic College, at the end of the 
session locating at Jonesville, Mich. From 1855 
he labored in the interest of a representation of 
homeopathy in the University of Michigan. 
When this was finally accomplished, he was 
offered the chair of Materia Medica and Thera- 
peutics, but was compelled to decline in conse- 
quence of having been elected to the same position 
in the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. 
In 1876 he made a visit to Europe, and, on his 
return, severed his connection with the Hahne- 
mann and accepted a similar position in the Chi- 
cago Homeopathic College, where he remained 



216 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



five yearsi when he retired with the rank of Pro- 
fessor Emeritus. Dr. Hale was the author of 
several volumes held in high esteem by members 
of the profession, and maintained a high reputa- 
tion for professional skill and benevolence of 
character. He was a member of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and an honorary member of 
various home and foreign associations. Died, in 
Chicago, Jan. 18, 1899. 

HALL, (Col.) Cyru8, soldier, was born in Fay- 
ette County, 111., August 29, 1823— the son of a 
pioneer who came to Illinois about the time of 
its admission as a State. He served as Second 
Lieutenant in the Third Illinois Volunteers (Col. 
Foreman's regiment), during the Mexican War, 
and, in 1860, removed to Shelbyville to engage in 
hotel-keeping. The Civil War coming on, he 
raised the first company for the war in Shelby 
County, which was attached to the Fourteenth 
Illinois (Col. John M. Palmer's regiment) ; was 
promptly promoted from Captain to Major and 
finally to Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion 
of Palmer to Brigadier-General, succeeding to 
command of the regiment. The Fourteenth 
Regiment having been finally consolidated with 
the Fifteenth, Lieutenant-Colonel Hall was 
transferred, with the rank of Colonel, to the 
command of the One Hundred and Forty-fourth 
Illinois, which he resigned in March, 1864, was 
brevetted Brigadier-General for gallant and 
meritorious service in the field, in March, 1865, 
and mustered out Sept. 16, 1865. Returning to 
Shelbyville, he engaged in the furniture trade, 
later was appointed Postmaster, serving some ten 
years and until his death, Sept. 6, 1878. 

HALL, James, legislator, jurist. State Treasurer 
and author, was born in Philadelphia, August 
19, 1793; after serving in the War of 1812 and 
spending some time with Com. Stephen Decatur 
in the Mediterranean, in 1815, he studied law, 
beginning practice at Shawneetown, in 1820. 
He at once assumed prominence as a citizen, was 
appointed State's Attorney in 1821, and elevated 
to the bench of the Circuit Court in 1825. He 
was legislated out of ofiBce two years later and 
resumed private practice, making his home at 
Vandalia, where he was associated with Robert 
Blackwell in the publication of "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." The same year (1827) he was 
elected by the Legislature State Treasurer, con- 
tinuing in office four years. Later he removed to 
Cincinnati, where he died, July 5, 1868. He con- 
ducted "The Western Monthly Magazine," the 
fir.st periodical published in Illinois. Among his 
published volumes may be mentioned "Tales of 



the Border," "Notes on the Western States," 
"Sketches of the West," "Romance of Western 
History," and "History of the Indian Tribes." 

HAMEE, Thomas, soldier and legislator, was 
born in Union County, Pa., June 1, 1818; came 
to Illinois in 1846 and began business as a mer- 
chant at Vermont, Fulton County; in 1862 
assisted in recruiting the Eighty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteers and was elected Lieutenant-Colonel; 
was wounded in the battle of Stone River, re- 
turned to duty after partial recovery, but was 
finally compelled to retire on account of disabil- 
ity. Returning home he resumed business, but 
retired in 1878 ; was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly in 1886 and to the Senate in 
1888, and re-elected to the latter in 1892, making 
ten years of continuous service. 

HAMILTON, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite Keokuk, Iowa ; at junc- 
tion of the Toledo, Peoria & Western and Keokuk 
branch of the Wabash Railway. Its position at 
the foot of the lower rapids insures abundant 
water power for manufacturing purposes. An 
iron railroad and wagon bridge connects the Illi- 
nois city with Keokuk. It has two banks, elec- 
tric lights, one newspaper, six churches, a high 
school, and an apiary. The surrounding country 
is a farming and fruit district. A sanitarium 
is located here. Population (1890), 1,301; (1900), 
1,344. 

HAMILTON, John B., M.D, LL.D,, surgeon, 
was born of a pioneer family in Jersey County, 
111., Dec. 1, 1847, his grandfather, Thomas M. 
Hamilton, having removed from Ohio in 1818 to 
Monroe County, 111., where the father of the sub- 
ject of this sketch was born. The latter (Elder 
Benjamin B. Hamilton) was for fifty years a 
Baptist preacher, chiefly in Greene County, and, 
from 1862 to '63, Chaplain of the Sixty-first Illi- 
nois Volunteers. Young Hamilton, having re- 
ceived his literary education at home and with a 
classical teacher at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1863 
began the study of medicine, and the following 
year attempted to enlist as a soldier, but was 
rejected on account of being a minor. In 1869 he 
graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
and, for the next five years, was engaged in gen- 
eral practice. Then, having passed an examina- 
tion before an Army Examining Board, he was 
appointed Assistant Surgeon in the regular army 
with the rank of First Lieutenant, serving suc- 
cessively at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis; Fort 
Colville. Washington, and in the Marine Hospital 
at Boston; in 1879 became Supervising Surgeon- 
General as successor to Gen. John M. Woodworth 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



217 



and, diiring the yellow-fever epidemic in the 
South, a few years later, rendered efficient service 
in checking the spread of the disease by taking 
charge of the camp of refugees from Jacksonville 
and other stricken points. Resigning the position 
of Surgeon-General in 1891, he took charge of the 
Marine Hospital at Chicago and became Pro- 
fessor of Surgery in Rush Medical College, besides 
holding other allied positions; was also editor of 
"The Journal of the American Medical Associ- 
ation." In 1896 he resigned his position in the 
Medical Department of the United States Army, 
in 1897 was appointed Superintendent for the 
Northern Hospital for the Insane at Elgin, but 
died. Dec. 24. 1898. 

HAMILTON, John L., farmer and legislator, 
was born at Newry, Ireland, Nov. 9, 1829; emi- 
grated to Jersey County, 111., in 1851, where he 
began life working on a farm. Later, he followed 
the occupation of a farmer in Mason and Macou- 
pin Counties, finally locating, in 1864, in Iroquois 
County, which has since been his home. After 
filling various local offices, in 1875 he was elected 
County Treasurer of Iroquois County as a Repub- 
lican, and twice re-elected (1877 and '79), also, in 
1880, being Chairman of the Republican County 
Central Committee. In 1884 he was elected to 
the House of Representatives, being one of the 
"103" who stood by General Logan in the mem- 
orable Senatorial contest of 1885; was re-elected 
in 1886, and again returned to the same body in 
1890 and '98. 

HAMILTON, John Marshall, lawyer and ex- 
Governor, was born in Union County, Ohio, May 
28, 1847; when 7 years of age, was brought to 
Illinois by his father, who settled on a farm in 
Marshall County. In 1864 (at the age of 17) he 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-first Illi- 
nois Volunteers — a 100-day regiment. After 
being mustered out, lie matriculated at tlie Wes- 
leyan (Ohio) University, from which lie gradu- 
ated in 1868. For a year he taught school at 
Henry, and later became Professor of Languages 
at the Wesleyan (111.) University at Blooming- 
ton. He was admitted to the bar in 1870, and has 
been a successful practitioner at the bar. In 
1876 he was elected State Senator from McLean 
County, and, in 1880, Lieutenant-Governor on the 
ticket with Gov. Shelby M. Cullom. On Feb. 6, 
1883, he was inaugurated Governor, to succeed 
Governor Cullom, who had been chosen United 
States Senator. In 1884 he was a candidate for 
the gubernatorial nomination before the Repub- 
lican State Convention at Peoria, but that body 
selected ,ex-Gov. and ex-Senator Richard J. 



Oglesby to head the State ticket. Since then 
Governor Hamilton has been a prominent practi- 
tioner at the Chicago bar. 

HAMILTON, Richard Jones, pioneer lawyer, 
was born near Danville, Ky., August 31, 1799; 
studied law and, about 1830, came to Jonesboro, 
Union County, 111., in company with Abner Field, 
afterwards State Treasurer; in 1831 was appointed 
cashier of the newly established Branch State 
Bank at Brownsville, Jackson County, but, in 
1831, removed to Chicago, Governor Reynolds 
having appointed him the first Probate Judge of 
Cook County. At the same time he also held the 
offices of Circuit and County Clerk, Recorder and 
Commissioner of School lands — the sale of the 
Chicago school section being made under his 
administration. He was a Colonel of State militia 
and, in 1833, took an active part in raising volun- 
ters for defense during the Black Hawk War ; 
also was a candidate for the colonelcy Gf the 
Fifth Regiment for the Mexican War (1847), 
but was defeated by Colonel Newby. In 1856 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor on the Democratic ticket. Died, 
Dec. 36. 1860. 

HAMILTON, William Stephen, pioneer — son 
of Alexander Hamilton, first United States Secre- 
tary of the Treasury — was born in New York 
City, August 4, 1797; spent three years (1814-17), 
at West Point ; came west and located at an early 
day at Springfield, 111. ; was a deputy surveyor of 
public lands, elected Representative from Sanga- 
mon County, in the Fourth General Assembly 
(1834-36); in 1827 removed to the Lead Mine 
region and engaged in mining at "Hamilton's 
Diggings" (now Wiota) in southwest Wisconsin, 
and occasionally practiced law at Galena ; was a 
member of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature 
of 1843-43. emigrated to California in 1849, and 
died in Sacramento, Oct. 9, 18.50, where, some 
twenty years later, a monument was erected to 
his memory. Colonel Hamilton was an aid-de- 
camp of Governor Coles, who sent him forward 
to meet General La Fayette on his way from New 
Orleans, on occasion of La Fayette's visit to Illi- 
nois in 1835. 

HAMILTON COUNTY, situated in the south- 
eastern part of the State; has an area of 440 
square miles, and population (1900) of 20,197 — 
named for Alexander Hamilton. It was organ- 
ized in 1831, with McLeansboro as the county- 
seat. The surface of the county is rolling and 
the fertile soil well watered and drained by 
numerous creeks, flowing east and south into the 
Wabash, which constitutes its southeastern 



218 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



boundary. Coal crops out at various points in 
the southwestern portion. Originally Hamilton 
County was a dense forest, and timber is still 
abundant and saw-mills numerous. Among the 
hard woods found are black and white oak, black 
walnut, ash and hickory. The softer woods are 
in unusual variety. Corn and tobacco are the 
principal crops, although considerable fruit is 
cultivated, besides oats, winter wheat and pota- 
toes. Sorghum is also extensively produced. 
Among the pioneer settlers was a Mr. Auxier (for 
whom a water course was named), in 1815; Adam 
Crouch, the Biggerstafifs and T. Stelle, in 1818, 
and W. T. Golson and Louis Baxter, in 1821. 
The most important town is McLeansboro, whose 
population in 1890 was 1,355. 

HAMMOND, Charles Goodrich, Railway Mana- 
ger, was born at Bolton, Conn., June 4, 1804, 
spent his youth in Chenango County, N. Y., 
wherd he became Principal of the Whitesbcro 
Seminary (in which he was partiall}' educated), 
and entered mercantile life at Canandaigua; 
in 1834 removed to Michigan, where he held 
various offices, including member of the Legisla- 
ture and Auditor; in 18.52 completed the con- 
struction of the Michigan Central Railroad (the 
first line from the East) to Chicago, and took up 
his residence in that city. In 1855 he became 
Superintendent of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, but soon resigned to take a 
trip to Europe for the benefit of his health. 
Returning from Europe in 1869, he accepted the 
Superintendency of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
but was compelled to resign by failing health, later 
becoming Vice-President of the Pullman Palace 
Car Company. He was Treasurer of the Chicago 
Relief & Aid Society after the fire of 1871, and 
one of the founders of the Chicago Theological 
Seminary (Congregational) ; also President, for 
several years, of the Chicago Home for the Friend- 
less. Died, April 15, 1884. 

HAMPSHIRE, a village of Kane County, on 
the Omaha Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway, 51 miles west-northwest from 
Chicago. There are brick and tile works, a large 
canning factory, pickle factory, and machine 
shop ; dairy and stock interests are large. The 
place has a bank, electric lights and water-works, 
and a weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 096; (1900), 760. 

HANCOCK COUNTY, on the western border of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River ; was organized in 1825 and named for John 
Hancock ; has an area of 769 square miles ; popu- 
lation (1900), 32,215. Its early settlers were 
chiefly from the Middle and Southern States, 



among them being I. J. Waggen, for nearly sixty 
years a resident of Montebello Township. Black 
Hawk, the famous Indian Chief, is reputed to 
have been born within the limits of Camp Creek 
Township, in this county. Fort Edwards was 
erected on the present site of Warsaw, soon after 
the War of 1812, but was shortly afterwards evac- 
uated. Abraham Lincoln, a cousin of the Presi- 
dent of that name, was one of the early settlers. 
Among the earliest were John Day, Abraham 
Brewer, Jacob Compton, D. F. Parker, the Dixons, 
MendenhalLs, IjOgans, and Luther Whitney. 
James White, George Y. Cutler and Henry Nich-- 
ols were the first Commissioners. In 1839 the 
Mormons crossed the Mississippi, after being 
expelled from Missouri, and founded the city of 
Nauvoo in this county. (See Mormons, Nauvoo. ) 
Carthage and Appanoose were surveyed and laid 
out in 1835 and 1836. A ferry across the Missis- 
sippi was established at Montebello (near the 
present site of Hamilton) in 1829, and another, 
two years later, near the site of old Fort Edwards. 
The county is crossed by six lines of railway, has 
a fine public school system, numerous thriving 
towns, and is among the wealthy counties of the 
State. 

HANDY, Moses Pnrnell, journalist, was born 
at Warsaw, Mo., April 14, 1847; before he was 
one year old was taken back to Maryland, his 
parents' native State. He was educated at Ports- 
mouth, Va. , and was a student at the Virginia 
Collegiate Institute at the breaking out of the 
Civil War, when he joined the Confederate army 
at the age of seventeen. When the war ended 
Handy found himself penniless. He was school- 
teacher and book-canvasser by turns, meantime 
writing some for a New York paper. Later he 
became a clerk in the office of "The Christian 
Observer" in Richmond. In 1867, by some clever 
reporting for "The Richmond Dispatch," he was 
able to secure a regular position on the local staff 
of that paper, quickly gaining a reputation as a 
successful reporter, and, in 1869, becoming city 
editor. From this time until 1887 his promotion 
was rapid, being employed at different times upon 
many of the most prominent and influential 
papers in the East, including "The New York 
Tribune," "Richmond Enquirer," and, in Phila- 
delphia, upon "The Times," "The Press" and 
"Daily News. " In 1893, at the request of Director- 
General Davis of the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion, Mr. Handy accepted the position of Chief of 
the Department of Publicity and Promotion, pre- 
ferring this to the Consul-Generalship to Egypt, 
tendered him about the same time by President 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



319 



Harrison. Later, as a member of the National 
Commission to Europe, he did much to arouse the 
interest of foreign countries in the Exposition. 
For some time after the World's Fair, he was 
associate editor of "The Chicago Times-Herald." 
In 1897, having been appointed by President 
McKinley United States Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1900, he visited Paris. Upon 
his return to this country he found himself in 
very poor health, and went South in a vain 
attempt to regain liis lost strength and vigor, but 
died, at Augusta, Ga., Jan. 8, 1898. 

HANKS; Dennis, pioneer, born in Hardin 
County, Ky., May 1,5, 1799; was a cousin of the 
mother of Abraham Lincoln and, although ten 
years the senior of the latter, was his intimate 
friend in boyhood. Being of a sportive disposi- 
tion, he often led the future President in boyish 
pranks. About 1818, he joined the Lincoln house- 
hold in Spencer County, Ind., and finally married 
Sarah Johnston, the step-sister of Mr. Lincoln, 
tlie families removing to Macon County, 111., 
together, in 1830. A year or so later, Mr. Hanks 
removed to Coles County, where he remained 
until some three years before his death, when he 
went to reside with a daughter at Paris, Edgar 
County. It has been claimed that he first taught 
the youthful Abraham to read and write, and 
this has secured for him the title of Mr. Lincoln's 
teacher. He has also been credited with having 
once saved Lincoln from death by drowning while 
crossing a swollen stream. Austin GoUaher, a 
school- and play-mate of Lincoln's, has aLso made 
the same claim for himself — the two stories pre- 
sumably referring to the same event After the 
riot at Charleston, 111,, in March, 1863, in which 
several persons were killed. Hanks made a visit 
to President Lincoln in Washington in the inter- 
est of some of the arrested rioters, and, although 
they were not immediately released, the fact that 
they were ordered returned to Charleston for 
trial and finally escaped punishment, has been 
attributed to Hanks' influence with the President. 
He died at Paris, Edgar County, Oct. 31. 1893, in 
the 94th year of his age, as the result of injuries 
received from being run over by a buggy while 
returning from an Emancipation-Day celebra- 
tion, near that city, on the 22d day of September 
previous. 

HANKS, John, pioneer, a cousin of the mother 
of Abraham Lincoln, was born near Bardstown, 
Ky., Feb. 9, 1802; joined the Lincolns in Spencer 
County, Ind., in 1822, and made his home with 
them two years; engaged in flat-boating, making 
numerous trips to New Orleans, in one of them 



being accompanied by Abraham Lincoln, then 
about 19 years of age, who then had his feelings 
aroused against slavery by his first sight of a 
slave-mart. In 1828 Mr. Hanks removed to 
Macon County, 111., locating about four miles 
west of Decatur, and it was partly through his 
influence that the Lincolns were induced to emi- 
grate to the same locality in 1830. Hanks liad 
cut enough logs to build the Lincolns a house 
when they arrived, and these were hauled by 
Abraham Lincoln to the site of the house, which 
was erected on the north bank of the Sangamon 
River, near the present site of Harristown. Dur- 
ing the following summer he and Abraham Lin- 
coln worked together splitting rails to fence a 
portion of the land taken up by the elder Lincoln 
— some of these rails being the ones displayed 
during the campaign of 1860. In 1831 Hanks and 
Lincoln worked together in the construction of a 
flat-boat on the Sangamon River, near Spring- 
field, for a man named Off utt, which Lincoln took 
to New Orleans — Hanks only going as far as 
St. Louis, when he returned home. In 1832, 
Hanks served as a soldier of the Mexican War in 
the company commanded by Capt. I. C. Pugh. 
afterwards Colonel of the Forty-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He 
followed the occupation of a farmer until 1850, 
when he went to California, where he spent three 
years, returning in 1853. In 1861 he enlisted as 
a soldier in tlie Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry (afterwards commanded by General 
Grant), but being already 59 years of age, was 
placed by Grant in charge of the baggage-train, 
in which capacity he remained two years, serving 
in Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky. 
Alabama and Mississippi. While Grant was with 
the regiment, Hanks had charge of the staff team. 
Being disabled by rheumatism, he was finally 
discharged at Winchester. Tenn. He made 
three trips to California after the war. Died, 
July 1, 1891. 

HANNIIUL & NAPLES RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

HANON, Martin, pioneer, was born near Nash- 
ville, Tenn., April, 1799; came with his father to 
Gallatin County, Illinois Territory, in 1812, and, 
in 1818. to what is now a portion of Christian 
County, being the first white settler in that 
region. Died, near Sharpsburg. Christian County, 
April 5, 1879. 

HANOVER, a vilUige in Jo Daviess County, on 
Apple River, 14 miles south-southeast of Galena. 
It has a woolen factory, besides five churches and 
a graded school. The Township (also called Han- 



220 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over) extends to the Mississippi, and has a popu- 
lation of about 1.700. Population of the village 
(1890). 743; (1900), 786. 

HAKDIN, the county-seat of Calhoun County, 
situated in Hardin Township, on the west bank 
of the Illinois River, some 30 miles northwest of 
Alton. It has two churches, a graded school and 
two newspaper oflSces. Population (1880), 500; 
(1890). 311; (1900). 494. 

HARDIN, John J., lawyer, Congressman and 
soldier, was born at Frankfort, Ky., Jan. 6, 1810. 
After graduating from Transylvania University 
and being admitted to the bar, he began practice 
at Jacksonville, 111., in 1830; for several years he 
was Prosecuting Attorney of Morgan County, 
later being elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature, where he served from 1836 to '42. 
The latter year he was elected to Congress, his 
term expiring in 1845. During the later period 
of his professional career at Jacksonville he was 
the partner of David A. Smith, a prominent law- 
yer of that city, and had Richard Yates for a 
pupil. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he 
was commissioned Colonel of the First Illinois 
Volunteers (June 30, 1846) and was killed on the 
second day of the battle of Buena Vista (Feb. 27, 
1847) while leading the final charge. His remains 
were brought to Jacksonville and buried with 
distinguished honors in the cemetery there, his 
former pupil, Richard Yates, delivering the fu- 
neral oration. — Gen. Martin D. (Hardin), soldier, 
son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, 111., 
June 26, 1837 ; graduated at West Point Military 
Academy; in 1859, and entered the service as 
brevet Second Lieutenant of the Third Artillery, 
a few months later becoming full Second Lieu- 
tenant, and, in May, 1861, First Lieutenant. 
Being assigned to the command of volunteer 
troops, he passed through various grades until 
May, 1864, when he was brevetted Colonel of 
Volunteers for meritorious conduct at North 
River, Va. , became Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, July 2, 1864, was brevetted Brigadier- 
Genial of the regular army in Marcli, 1865, 
for service during the war, and was finally mus- 
tered out of the volunteer service in January, 
1866. He continued in the regular service, how- 
ever, until December 15, 1870, when he was 
retired with the rank of Brigadier-General. 
General Hardin lost an arm and suffered other 
wounds during the war. His home is in Chicago. 
— Ellen Hardin (Walworth), author, daughter of 
Col. John J. Hardin, was born in Jacksonville, 
111., Oct. 20, 1832, and educated at the Female 
Seminary in that place; was married about 1854 



to Mansfield Tracy Walworth (son of Chancellor 
R. H. Walworth of New York). Her husband 
became an author of considerable repute, chiefly in 
the line of fiction, but was assassinated in 1873 by 
a son who was acquitted of the cliarge of murder 
on the ground of insanity. Mrs. Walworth is a 
leader of the Daughters of the Revolution, and 
has given much attention, of late years, to literary 
pursuits. Among her works are accounts of the 
Burgoyne Campaign and of the battle of Buena 
Vista — the latter contributed to "The Magazine 
of American History"; a "Life of Col. John J. 
Hardin and History of the Hardin Family," 
besides a number of patriotic and miscellaneous 
poems and essays. She served for several years 
as a member of the Board of Education, and was 
for six years principal of a young ladies' school 
at Saratoga Springs, N. Y. 

HARDIN COUNTY, situated on the southeast 
border of the State, and bounded on the east and 
south by the Ohio River. It has an area of 194 
square miles, and was named for a county in 
Kentucky. The surface is broken by ridges and 
deep gorges, or ravines, and well timbered with 
oak, hickory, elm, maple, locust and cotton- 
wood. Corn, wheat and oats are the staple 
agricultural products. The minerals found are 
iron, coal and lead, besides carboniferous lime- 
stone of the Keokuk group. Elizabethtown is 
the county-seat. Population (1880), 6,024; (1890), 
7,234; (1900). 7,448. 

HARDING, Abner Clark, soldier and Member 
of Congress, born in East Hampton, Middlesex 
County, Conn., Feb. 10, 1807; was educated chiefly 
at Hamilton Academy, N. Y., and, after practic- 
ing law for a time, in Oneida County, removed to 
Illinois, resuming practice and managing several 
farms for twenty-five years. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847 from Warren County, and of the lower 
branch of the Sixteenth General Assembly 
(1848-50). Between 1850 and 1860 he was engaged 
in railroad enterprises. In 1862 he enlisted as a 
private in tlie Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, was commissioned Colonel and, in less 
than a year, was promoted to Brigadier-General. 
In 1864 he was elected to Congress and re-elected 
in 1866. He did much for the development of the 
western part of the State in the construction of 
railroads, the Peoria & Oquawka (now a part of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) being one of 
the lines constructed by him. He left a fortune 
of about §2,000,000, and, before his death, en- 
dowed a professorship in Monmouth College. 
Died, July 19, 1874. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



221 



HARGRAVE, Willis, pioneer, came from Ken- 
tucky to Illinois in 1816. settling near Carmi in 
White County; served in the Third Territorial 
Legislature (1817-18j and in the First General 
Assembly of the State (1818-20). His business- 
life in Illinois was devoted to farming and salt- 
manufacture. 

HARLAX, James, statesman, was born in Clark 
County, 111., August 25, 1820; graduated at Asbury 
University, Ind. ; was State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction in Iowa (1847), President of 
Iowa Wesleyan University (1853), United States 
Senator (1855-65), Secretary of the Interior 
(1865-66), but re-elected to the Senate the latter 
year, and, in 1869, chosen President of Iowa Uni- 
versity. He was also a member of the Peace 
Conference of 1861, and a delegate to the Phila- 
delphia Loyalists' Convention of 1866; in 1873, 
after leaving the Senate, was editor of "Tlie 
Washington Chronicle," and, from 1882 to 1885, 
presiding Judge of the Court of Commissioners of 
the Alabama Claims. A daughter of ex-Senator 
Harlan married Hon. Robert. T. Lincoln, son of 
President Lincoln, and (1889-98) United States 
Minister to England. Mr. Harlan's home is at 
Mount Pleasant, Iowa. Died, Oct. 5, 1899. 

HARLAN, Justin, jurist, was born in Ohio 
about 1801 and. at the age of 25, settled in Clark 
County, 111. ; served in the Black Hawk War of 
1832 and, in 1885, was appointed a Justice of the 
Circuit Court; was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and the following j'ear 
was elected to the Circuit bench under the new 
Constitution, being re-elected in 1855. In 1862 
he was appointed by President Lincoln Indian 
Agent, continuing in office until 1865; in 1872 
was elected County Judge of Clark County. 
Died, while on a visit in Kentucky, in March, 
1879. 

HARLOW, George H., ex-Secretary of State, 
born at Sackett's Harbor. N. Y., in 1880, removed 
to Tazewell County, 111., in 1854, and engaged in 
business as a commission merchant ; also served 
a term as Mayor of Pekin. For many years he 
took a prominent part in the history of the State. 
Early in the '60's he was one of seven to organize, 
at Pekin, the "Union League of America," a 
patriotic secret organization sworn to preserve 
the Union, working in harmony with the war 
party and against the "Sons of Liberty." In 
1862 he enlisted, and was about to go to the front, 
when Governor Yates requested him to remain at 
home and continue his effective work in the 
Union League, saying that he could accomplish 
more for the cause in this way than in the field. 



Accordingly Mr. Harlow continued to labor as an 
organizer, and the League became a powerful 
factor in State politics. In 1865 he was made 
First Assistant Secretary of the State Senate, 
but soon after became Governor Oglesby's private 
secretary. For a time he also served as Inspector- 
General on the Governor's staff, and had charge 
of the troops as they were mustered out. During 
a portion of Mr. Rummel's term (1809-78) as Secre- 
tary of State, he served as Assistant Secretary, 
and, in 1872, was elected as successor to Secretary 
Rummel and re-elected in 1876. While in Spring- 
field he acted as correspondent for several news- 
papers, and, for a year, was city editor of "The 
Illinois State Journal." In 1881 he took up his 
residence in Chicago, where he was engaged at 
different periods in tlie commission and real 
estate business, but has been retired of late years 
on account of ill health. Died May 16, 1900. 

HARPER, William H., legislator and commis- 
sion merchant, born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., 
May 4, 1845 ; was brought by his parents in boy- 
hood to Woodford County, 111., and served in the 
One Hundred and Fortj'-fifth Illinois Volunteers; 
took a course in a commercial college and engaged 
in the stock and grain-shipping business in W^ood- 
ford County until 1868, when he entered upon the 
commission business in Cliicago. From 1872 to 
'75 he served, by appointment of the Governor, 
as Chief of the Grain Inspection Department of 
the city of Chicago ; in 1882 was elected to the 
Thirty -third General Assembly and re-elected in 
1884. During his first term in the Legislature, 
Mr. Harper introduced and secured the passage 
of the "High License Law," which has received 
his name. Of late years he has been engaged in 
the grain commission business in Chicago. 

HARPER, William Rainejr, clergyman and 
educator, was born at New Concord, Ohio, July 
26, 1856 ; graduated at Sluskingum College at the 
age of 14, delivering the Hebrew oration, this 
being one of the principal commencement honors 
in that institution. After three years' private 
study he took a post-graduate course in philology 
at Yale, receiving the degree of Ph. D. , at the age 
of 19. For several years he was engaged in 
teaching, at Macon, Tenn., and Denison Uni- 
versity, Ohio, meanwhile continuing his philo- 
logical studies and devoting special attention to 
Hebrew. In 1879 he accepted the chair of 
Hebrew in the. Baptist Union Theological Semi- 
nary at Morgan Park, a suburb of Chicago. Here 
he laid the foundation of the "inductive method" 
of Hebraic study, which rapidly grew in favor. 
The school by correspondence was known as the 



222 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"American Institute of Hebrew," and increased 
so rapidly that, by 1885, it had enrolled 800 stu- 
dents, from all parts of the world, many leading 
professors co-operating. In 1886 he accepted the 
professorship of Semitic Language and Literature 
at Yale University, having in the previous year 
become Principal of the Chautauqua College of 
Liberal Arts, and, in 1891, Principal of the 
entire Chautauqua system. During the winters 
of 1889-91, Dr. Harper delivered courses of lec- 
tures on the Bible in various cities and before 
several universities and colleges, having been, 
in 1889, made Woolsey Professor of Biblical 
Literature at Yale, although still filling his 
former chair. In 1891 he accepted an invitation 
to the Presidency of the then incipient new Chi- 
cago University, which has rapidly increased in 
wealth, extent and influence. (See University 
of Chicago.) He is also at present (1899) a mem- 
ber of the Chicago Board of Education. Dr. 
Harper is the author of numerous philological 
text-books, relating chiefly to Hebrew, but ap- 
plying the "inductive method" to the studj- of 
Latin and Greek, and has also sought to improve 
the study of EngUsh along these same lines. In 
addition, he has edited two scientific periodicals, 
and published numerous monographs. 

HARRIS, Thomas L., lawyer, soldier and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was born at Norwich, Conn., 
Oct. 29, i816; graduated at Trinity College, Hart- 
ford, in 1841, studied law with Gov. Isaac Toucey, 
and was admitted to the bar in Virginia in 1843, 
the same year removing to Petersburg, Menard 
County, 111. Here, in 1845, he was elected School 
Commissioner, in 1846 raised a company for the 
Mexican War, joined the Fourth Regiment (Col. 
E. D. Baker's) and was elected Major. He was 
present at the capture of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo, after the wounding of 
General Shields at the latter, taking command of 
the regiment in place of Colonel Baker, who had 
assumed command of the brigade. During his 
absence in the army (1846) he was chosen 
to the State Senate; in 1848 was elected to 
the Thirty-first Congress, but was defeated by 
Richard Yates in 1850; was re-elected in 1854, 
'56, and '58, but died Nov. 24, 1858, a few days after 
his fourth election and before completing his 
preceding term. 

HARRIS, William Logan, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, born near Mansfield, Ohio, Nov. 14, 1817; 
was educated at Norwalk Seminary, licensed to 
preach in 1836 and soon after admitted to the 
Michigan Conference, being transferred to the 
Ohio Conference in 1840. In 1845-46 he was a 



tutor in the Ohio Wesleyan University; then, 
after two years' pastoral work and some three 
years as Principal of Baldwin Seminary, in 1851 
returned to the Wesleyan, filling the position 
first of Principal of the Academic Department 
and then a professorsTiip ; was Secretary of the 
General Conferences (1806-72) and, during 1860-72, 
Secretary of the Church Missionary Society ; in 
1872 was elected Bishop, and visited the Methodist 
Mission stations in China, Japan and Europe; 
joined the Illinois Conference in 1874. remaining 
until his death, which occurred in New York, 
Sept. 2, 1887. Bishop Harris was a recognized au- 
thority on Methodist Church law, and published 
a small work entitled "Powers of the General 
Conference" (1859), and, in connection with 
Judge William J. Henry, of this State, a treatise 
on "Ecclesiastical Law," having special refer- 
ence to the Methodist Church. 

HARRISBURG, county-seat of Saline County, 
on tlie Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, 70 miles northeast of Cairo The 
region is devoted to agriculture and fruit-grow- 
ing, and valuable deposits of salt, coal and iron 
are found. The town has flour and saw mills, 
coal mines, dairy, brick and tile works, carriage 
and other wood-working establishments, two 
banks and three weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 1,7'33; (1900), •2,'202. 

HARRISON, Carter Henry, politician. Con- 
gressman and JIayor of Chicago, was born in 
Fayette County, Ky., Feb. 15. 1825; at the age of 
20 years graduated from Yale College and began 
reading law, but later engaged in farming. After 
spending two years in foreign travel, he entered 
the Law Department of Transylvania Universitj-, 
at Lexington, Ky., and, after graduation, settled 
at Chicago, where he soon became an operator in 
real estate. In 1871 he was elected a Commis- 
sioner of Cook County, serving three years. In 
1874 he again visited Europe, and, on his return, 
was elected to Congress as a Democrat, being 
re-elected in 1876. In 1879 he was chosen Mayor 
of Chicago, filling that oflice for four succee-sive 
biennial terms, but was defeated for re-election 
in 1887 by his Republican competitor, John A. 
Roche. He was the Democratic candidate for 
Governor in 1888, but failed of election. He 
thereafter made a trip around the world, and, on 
his return, published an entertaining account of 
his journey under the title, "A Race with the 
Sun." In 1891 he was an Independent Demo- 
cratic candidate for the Chicago mayoralty, but 
was defeated by Hempstead Washburne, Repub- 
lican. In 1893 he received the regular nomina- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



223 



tion of hie party for the oflSce. and was elected 
In 1892, in connection with a few associates, he 
purchased the plant of ' 'The Chicago Times, ' ' plac- 
ing his sons in charge. He was a man of strong 
character and intense personality, making warm 
friends and bitter enemies ; genial, generous and 
kindly, and accessible to any one at all times, at 
either his office or his home. Taking advantage 
of this latter trait, one Prendergast. on the night 
of Oct. 28, 1893— immediately following the clos- 
ing exercises of the World's Columbian Exposition 
— gained admission to his residence, and, without 
the slightest provocation, shot him down in his 
library. He lived but a few hours. The assassin 
was subsequently tried, convicted and hung. 

Harrison, carter Henry, Jr., son of the 
preceding, was born in Chicago, April 23, 1860, 
being a lineal descendant of Benjamin Harrison, 
an early Colonial Governor of Virginia, and lat- 
erally related to the signer of the Declaration 
of Independence of that name, and to President 
William Henry Harrison. Mr. Harrison was 
educated in the public schools of Chicago, at the 
Gymna.sium, Altenburg, Germany, and St. Igna- 
tius College, Chicago, graduating from the latter 
in 1881. Having taken a course in Yale Law 
School, he began practice in Chicago in 1883, 
remaining until 1889, when he turned his atten- 
tion to real estate. His father having purchased 
the "Chicago Times" about 1892, he became 
associated with the editorship of that paper and, 
for a time, had charge of its publication until its 
consolidation with "The Herald" in 1895. In 
1897, he received the Democratic nomination for 
Mayor of Chicago, his popularity being shown by 
receiving a majority of the total vote. Again 
in 1899, he was re-elected to the same office, 
receiving a plurality over his Republican com- 
petitor of over 40.000. Mayor Harrison is one of 
the youngest men who ever held the office 

HARRISON, William Henry, first Governor of 
Indiana Territory ( including the present State of 
Illinois), was born at Berkeley, Va. , Feb 9. 1773, 
being the son of Benjamin Harrison, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence ; was educated 
at Hampden Sidney College, and began the study 
of medicine, but never finished it. In 1791 he 
was commissioned an Ensign in the First U. S. 
Infantry at Fort Washington (the present site of 
Cincinnati), was promoted a Lieutenant a year 
later, and, in 1797, assigned to command of the 
Fort with the rank of Captain. He had pre- 
viously served as Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Wayne, 
by whom he was complimented for gallantry at 
the battle of Miami. In 1798 he was appointed by 



President Adams Secretary of the Northwest 
Territory, but resigned in 1799 to become Dele- 
gate in Congress; in 1800 he was appointed Gov- 
ernor of the newly created Territory of Indiana. 
serving by reappointment some 12 years. During 
his incumbency and as Commissioner, a few years 
later, he negotiated many important treaties 
with the Indians. In 1811 he won the decisive 
victory over Chief Tecumseh and his followers 
at Tippecanoe. Having been made a Brigadier- 
General in the War of 1812, he was promoted to 
Major-General in 1813 and, as Commander of the 
Army of the Northwest, he won the important 
battle of the Thames. Resigning his commission 
in 1814, he afterwards served as Representative 
in Congress from Ohio (1816-1819) ; Presidential 
Elector in 1820 and 1824; United States Senator 
(1824-1828), and Minister to the United States of 
Colombia (1828-29). Returning to the United 
States, he was elected Clerk of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas of Hamilton County, serving twelve 
years. In 1836 he was an unsuccessful Whig 
candidate for President, but was elected in 1840, 
dying in Washington City, April 4, 1841, just one 
month after his inauguration. 

HARTZELL, William, Congressman, was born 
in Stark County, Ohio, Feb. 20, 1837. When he 
was three years old his parents removed to Illi 
nois, and. four years later (1844) to Texas. In 
1853 he returned to Illinois, settling in Randolph 
County, which became his permanent home. He 
was brought up on a farm, but graduated at Mc- 
Kendree College, Lebanon, in June, 1859. Five 
years later he was admitted to the bar, and began 
practice. He was Representative in Congress for 
two terms, being elected as a Democrat, in 1874, 
and again in 1876. 

HARVARD, an incorporated city in McHenry 
County, 63 miles northwest of Chicago on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway. It has elec- 
tric light plant, artesian water system, hardware 
and bicycle factories, malt house, cold storage 
and packing plant, a flouring mill, a carriage- 
wheel factory and two weekly papers. The 
region is agricultural. Population (1890), 1,9«7; 
(1900), 2,602. 

HASKELL, Harriet Newell, educator and third 
Principal of Monticello Female Seminary, wa.s 
born at Waldboro, Lincoln County, Maine, Jan. 14, 
1835; educated at Castleton Seminary, Vt., and 
Mount Holyoke Seminary, Mass., graduating 
from the latter in 1855. Later, she served as 
Principal of high schools in Maine and Boston 
until 1862, when she was called to the principal- 
sliip of Castleton Seminary. She resigned this 



224 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



position in 1867 to assume a similar one at Monti- 
cello Female Seminary, at Godfrey, 111., where 
she has since remained. The main building of 
this institution having been burned in Novem- 
ber, 1889, it was rebuilt on an enlarged and 
improved plan, largely through the earnest efforts 
of Miss Haskell. (See Monticello Female Semi- 
nary. ) 

HATCH, Ozias Mather, Secretary of the State 
of Illinois (1857-'65), was born at Hillsborough 
Center, N. H., April 11, 1814, and removed to 
Griggsville, 111., in 1836. In 1829 he began life as 
a clerk for a wholesale and retail grocer in Bos- 
ton. From 1836 to 1841 he was engaged in store- 
keeping at Griggsville. In the latter year he was 
appointed Circuit Court Clerk of Pike County, 
holding the ofBce seven years. In 1858 he again 
embarked in business at Meredosia, 111. In 1850 
he was elected to the Legislature, serving one 
term. An earnest anti-slavery man, he was, in 
1856, nominated by the newly organized Repub- 
lican party for Secretary of State and elected, 
being re-elected in 1860, on the same ticket with 
Mr. Lincoln, of whom he was a warm personal 
friend and admirer. During the war he gave a 
zealous and effective support to Governor Yates' 
administration. In 1864 he declined a renomi- 
nation and retired from political life. He was an 
original and active member of the Lincoln Monu- 
ment Association from its organization in 1865 to 
his death, and, in company with Gov. R. J. 
Oglesby, made a canvass of Eastern cities to col- 
lect funds for statuary to be placed on the monu- 
ment. After retiring from office he was interested 
to some extent in the banking business at Griggs- 
ville, and was influential in securing the con- 
struction of the branch of the Wabash Railway 
from Naples to Hannibal, Mo. He was, for over 
thirty -five years, a resident of Springfield, dying 
tnere, March 12, 1893. 

HATFIELD, (Rev.) Robert Miller, clergy 
man, was born at Mount Pleasant, Westchester 
County, N. Y., Feb. 19, 1819; in early life enjoyed 
only such educational advantages as could be 
obtained while living on a farm ; later, was em 
ployed as a clerk at White Plains and in New 
York City, but, in 1841, was admitted to the 
Providence Methodist Episcopal Conference, dur- 
ing the next eleven years supplying churches in 
Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In 1853 he 
went to Brooklyn and occupied pulpits in that 
vicinity until 1865, when he assumed the pastor- 
ship of the Wabash Avenue Methodist Episcopal 
Church in Chicago, two years later going to the 
Centenary Church in the same city. He subse- 



quently had charge of chiirches in Cincinnati and 
Philadelphia, but, returning to Illinois in 1877. 
he occupied pulpits for the next nine years in 
Evanston and Chicago. In 1886 he went to Sum- 
merfield Methodist Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, 
which was his last regular charge, as, in 1889, hfe 
became Financial Agent of the Northwestern 
University at Evanston, of which he had been a 
Trustee from 1878. As a temporary supply for 
pulpits or as a speaker in popular assemblies, his 
services were in constant demand during this 
period. Dr. Hatfield served as a Delegate to the 
General Conferences of 1860, '64, '76, '80 and '84, 
and was a leader in some of the most important 
debates in those bodies. Died, at Evanston, 
March 81, 1891. 

HATTON, Frank, journalist and Postmaster- 
General, was born at Cambridge, Ohio, April 28, 
1846; entered his father's newspaper office at 
Cadiz, as an apprentice, at 11 years of age, be- 
coming foreman and local editor ; in 1862, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted in the Ninety-eighth Ohio 
Infantry, but, in 1864, was transferred to the One 
Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio and commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant — his service being 
chiefly in the Army of the Cumberland, but par- 
ticipating in Sherman's March to the Sea. After 
the war he went to Iowa, whither his father had 
preceded him, and where he edited "The Mount 
Pleasant Journal" (1869-74) ; then removed to Bur- 
lington, where he secured a controlling interest 
in "The Hawkeye, " which he brought to a point 
of great prosperity ; was Postmaster of that city 
under President Grant, and, in 1881, became 
First Assistant Postmaster-General. On the 
retirement of Postmaster-General Gresham in 
1884, he was appointed successor to the latter, 
serving to the end of President Arthur's adminis- 
tration, being the youngest man who ever held 
a cabinet position, except Alexander Hamilton. 
From 1882 to 1884, Mr. Hatton managed "The 
National Republican" in Washington; in 1885 
removed to Chicago, where he became one of the 
proprietors and editor-in-chief of "The Evening 
Mail" ; retired from the latter in 1887, and, pur- 
chasing the plant of "The National Republican" 
in Washington, commenced the publication of 
"The Washington Post," with which he was con- 
nected until his death, April 30, 1894. 

HAVANA, the county -seat of Mason County, an 
incorporated city founded in 1837 on the Illinois 
River, opposite the mouth of Spoon River, and a 
point of junction for three railways. It is a ship- 
ping-point for corn and osage orange hedge 
plants. A number of manufactories are located 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



225 



hera The city has several churches, three pub- 
lic schools and three newspapers. Population 
(1890). 2,525; (1900), 3,268. 

HAYAXA, RAMOUL & EASTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Illinois Central Railroad. ) 

HAVEN, Erastas Otis, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Boston, Mass., Nov. 1, 1820; 
graduated at the Wesleyan University in 1842, 
and taught in various institutions in Massachu- 
setts and New York, meanwhile studying theol- 
ogy. In 1848 he entered the Methodist ministry 
as a member of the New York Conference ; five 
years later accepted a professorship in Michigan 
University, but resigned in 1856 to become editor 
of "Zion's Herald," Boston, for seven years — in 
that time serving two terms in the State Senate 
and a part of the time being an Overseer of Har- 
vard University. In 1863 he accepted the Presi- 
dency of Northwestern University at Evanston, 
111. ; in 1872 became Secretary of the Methodist 
Board of Education, but resigned in 1874 to 
become Chancellor of Syracuse University. N.Y. 
In 1880 he was elected a Bishop of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Died, in Salem. Oregon, in 
August, 1881. Bishop Haven was a man of great 
versatility and power as an orator, wrote much 
for the periodical press and published several 
volumes on religious topics, besides a treatise on 
rhetoric. 

HAVEN, Lnther, educator, was born near 
Framingham, Mass., August 6, 1806. With a 
meager country-school education, at the age of 
17 he began teaching, continuing in this occupa- 
tion six or seven years, after which he spent 
three years in a more liberal course of study in a 
private academy at Ellington, Conn. He was 
next employed at Leicester Academy, first as a 
teacher, and, for eleven years, as Principal. He 
then engaged in mercantile pursuits until 1849, 
when he removed to Chicago. After several 
years spent in manufacturing and real-estate 
business, in 1854 he became proprietor of "The 
Prairie Farmer," of which he remained in con- 
trol until 1858. Mr. Haven took an active interest 
in public affairs, and was an untiring worker for 
the promotion of popular education. For ten 
years following 1853, he was oflScially connected 
with the Chicago Board of Education, being for 
four years its President. The comptroUership of 
the city was offered him in 1860, but declined. 
During the war he was a zealous supporter of the 
Union cause. In October, 1861, he was appointed 
by President Lincoln Collector for the Port of 
Chicago, and Sub-Treasurer of the United States 
for the Department of the Northwest, serving in 



this capacity during a part of President Johnson's 
administration. In 1866 he was attacked with 
congestion of the lungs, dying on March 6, of 
that year. 

HAWK, Robert M. A., Congressman, was born 
in Hancock County, Ind., April 23, 1839; came to 
Carroll County, 111., in boyhood, where he attended 
the common schools and later graduated from Eu- 
reka College. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union 
army, was commissioned First Lieutenant, next 
promoted to a Captaincy and, finally, brevetted 
Major for soldierly conduct in the field. In 1865 
he was elected County Clerk of Carroll County, 
and three times re-elected, serving from 1865 to 
1879. The latter year he resigned, having been 
elected to Congress on the Republican ticket in 
1878. In 1880 he was re-elected, but died before 
the expiration of his term, his successor being 
Robert R. Hitt, of Mount Morris, who was chosen 
at a special election to fill the vacancy. 

HAWLEY, John B., Congressman and First 
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, was born in 
Fairfield County, Conn., Feb. 9, 1831; accompa- 
nied his parents to Illinois in childhood, residing 
in his early manhood at Carthage, Hancock 
County. At the age of 23 (1854) he was admitted 
to the bar and began practice at Rock Island. 
From 1856 to 1860 he was State's Attorney of 
Rock Island Coimty. In 1861 he entered the 
Union army as Captain, but was so severely 
wounded at Fort Donelson (1862) that he was 
obliged to quit the service. In 1865 President 
Lincoln appointed him Postmaster at Rock Island, 
but one year afterward he was removed by Presi- 
dent Johnson. In 1868 he was elected to Congress 
as a Republican, being twice re-elected, and, in 
1876, was Presidential Elector on the Hayes- 
Wheeler ticket. In the following year he was 
appointed by President Hayes First Assistant 
Secretary of the Treasury, serving until 1880, 
when he resigned. During the last six years of 
his life he was Solicitor for the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, with headquarters at Omaha, 
Neb. Died, at Hot Springs, South Dakota, May 
24, 1895. 

HAT, John, author, diplomatist and Secretary 
of State, was born in Salem. Ind., Oct. 8, 1838, of 
Scottish ancestry; graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, 1858, and studied law at Springfield, 111., his 
father, in the meantime, having become a resi- 
dent of Warsaw, 111. ; was admitted to practice 
in 1861, but immediately went to Washington as 
assistant private secretary of President Lincoln, 
acting part of the time as the President's aid-de- 
camp, also serving for some time under Greneral 



226 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Hunter and Gilmore, with the rank of Major and 
Adjutant-General. After President Lincoln's 
assassination he served as Secretary of Legation 
at Paris and Madrid, and as Charge d" Affaires at 
Vienna; was also editor for a time of "The Illi- 
nois State Journal" at Springfield, and a leading 
editorial writer on "The New York Triljune. '" 
Colonel Hay's more important literary works 
include "Castilian Days," "Pike County- Ballads," 
and the ten-volume "History of the Life and 
Times of Abraham Lincoln." written in collabo- 
ration with John G. Nicolay. In 187.5 he settled 
at Cleveland, Ohio, but, after retiring from "The 
New York Tribune," made Washington his home. 
In 1897 President McKinley appointed him Am- 
bassador to England, where, by his tact, good 
judgment and sound discretion manifested as a 
diplomatist and speaker on public occasions, he 
won a reputation as one of the most able and ac- 
complished foreign representatives America has 
produced. His promotion to the position of 
Secretary of State on the retirement of Secretary 
William R. Day, at the close of the Spanish - 
American War, in September, 1898, followed 
naturally as a just tribute to the rank which he 
had won as a diplomatist, and was universally 
approved throughout the np,tion. 

HAY, John B., ex-Congressman, was born at 
Belleville, III, Jan. 8, 1834; attended the com- 
mon schools and worked on a farm until he was 
16 years of age, when he learned the printer's 
trade. Subsequently he studied law, and won 
considerable local prominence in his profession, 
being for eight years State's Attorney for the 
Twenty-fourth Judicial Circuit. He served in 
the Union army during the War of the Reliellion, 
and, in 1868, was elected a Representative in the 
Forty-first Congress, being re-elected in 1870. 

HAY, Milton, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Fayette County, Ky., July 3, 1817; removed 
with his father's family to Springfield, 111 , in 
1832 ; in 1838 became a student in the law office 
of Stuart & Lincoln; was admitted to the 
bar in 1840, and began practice at Pittsfield, 
Pike County. In 1858 he returned to Springfield 
and formed a partnership with Judge Stephen 
T. Logan (afterwards his father-in-law), which 
ended by the retirement of the latter from prao 
tice in 1861. Others who were associated with 
him as partners, at a later date, were Hon. Shelby 
M. Cullom, Gen. John M. Palmer, Henry S. 
Greene and D. T. Littler. In 1869 he was elected 
a Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
and, as Chairman of the Committee on Revenue 
and member of the Judiciary Committee, was 



prominent in shaping the Constitution of 1870. 
Again, as a member of the lower branch of the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly (1873-74), he 
assisted in revising and adapting the laws to the 
new order of things under the new Constitution. 
The estimate in which he was held by his associ- 
ates is shown in the fact that he was a member 
of the Joint Committee of five appointed by the 
Legislature to revise the revenue laws of the 
State, which was especially complimented for 
the manner in which it performed its work by 
concurrent resolution of the two houses. A con- 
servative Republican in politics, gentle and unob- 
trusive in manner, and of calm, dispassionate 
judgment and unimpeachable integrity, no man 
was more frequently consulted by State execu- 
tives on questions of great delicacy and public 
importance, during the last thirty years of his 
life, than Mr. Hay. In 1881 he retired from the 
active prosecution of his profession, devoting his 
time to the care of a handsome estate. Died, 
Sept. 1.5, 1893. 

HAYES, Philip C, ex-Congressman, was born 
at Granby, Conn., Feb. 3, 1833. Before he was a 
year old his parents removed to La Salle County, 
111., where the fir.st twenty years of his life were 
spent upon a farm. In 1860 he graduated from 
Oberlin College, Ohio, and, in April, 1861, en- 
listed in the Union army, being commissioned 
successively. Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel and 
Colonel, and finally brevetted Brigadier-General. 
After the war he engaged in journalism, becom- 
ing the publisher and senior editor of "The Morris 
Herald," a weekly periodical issued at Morris, 
Grundy County. In 1872 he was a delegate to tlie 
National Republican Convention at Philadelphia 
which renominated Grant, and represented his 
district in Congress from 1877 to 1881. Later he 
became editor and part proprietor of "The Repub- 
lican" at Joliet, 111., but retired some years since. 

HAYES, Samuel Snowden, lawyer and politi- 
cian, was born at Nashville. Tenn., Dec. 2.5, 1820; 
settled at Shawneetown in 1838, and engaged in 
the drug business for two years ; then began the 
study of law and was admitted to practice in 
1842, settling first at Mount Vernon and later at 
Carmi. He early took an interest in poUtics, 
stumping the southern counties for the Demo- 
cratic party in 1843 and '44. In 1845 he was a 
delegate to the Memphis Commercial Convention 
and, in 1846. was elected to the lower House of 
the State Legislature, being re-elected in '48. In 
1847 he raised a company for service in the 
Mexican War, but, owing to its distance from 
the seat of government, its muster rolls were not 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



227 



received imtil the quota of the State had been 
filled. The same j-ear he was chosen a Delegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention for White 
County, and, in 1848, was a Democratic Presi- 
dential Elector. About 18.53 he removed to Chi- 
cago, where he was afterwards City Solicitor and 
(1862-65) City Comptroller. He was a delegate 
to the National Democratic Conventions at 
Charleston and Baltimore in 1860, and an earne.st 
worker for Douglas in the campaign which fol- 
lowed. While in favor of tlie Union, he was 
strongly opposed to tlie policy of the administra- 
tion, particularly in its attitude on the question 
of slavery. His last public service was as a Dele- 
gate from Cook County to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. His talents as an 
orator, displayed botli at the bar and before popu- 
lar assemblies, were of a very high order. 

HATMARKET RIOT, THE, an anarchistic 
outbreak which occurred in Chicago on the 
evening of May 4, 1886. For several days prior, 
meetings of dissatisfied workingmen had been 
addressed by orators who sought to inflame the 
worst passions of tlieir hearers. The excitement 
(previously more or less under restraint) culmi- 
nated on the date mentioned. Haymarket 
Square, in Chicago, is a broad, open space formed 
by the widening of West Randolph Street for an 
open-air produce-market. An immense concourse 
assembled there on the evening named ; inflam- 
matory speeches were made from a cart, which 
was used as a sort of improvised platform. Dur- 
ing the earlier part of the meeting the Mayor 
(Carter H. Harrison) was present, but upon his 
withdrawal, the oratory became more impassioned 
and incendiarj'. Towards midnight, some one 
whose identitj' has never been thoroughly proved, 
threw a dynamite bomb into the ranks of the 
police, who, under command of Inspector John 
Bonfield, had ordered the dispersal of the crowd 
and were endeavoring to enforce the command. 
Simultaneously a score of men lay dead or bleed- 
ing in the street. The majority of the crowd 
fled, pursued by the officers. Numerous arrests 
followed during the night and the succeeding 
morning, and search was made in the oflSce of 
the principal Anarchistic organ, which resulted 
in the discovery of considerable evidence of an 
incriminating character. A Grand Jury of Cook 
County found indictments for murder against 
eight of the suspected leaders, all of whom were 
convicted after a trial extending over several 
months, botli the State and the defense being 
represented by some of the ablest counsel at the 
Cliicago bar. Seven of the accused %vere con- 



demned to death, and one (Oscar Nee be) was 
given twenty years' imprisonment. The death 
sentence of two — Samuel Fielden and Justus 
Schwab — was subsequently commuted by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby to life-imprisonment, but executive 
clemency was extended in 1893 by Governor 
Altgeld to all three of those serving terms in the 
penitentiary. Of those condemned to execution, 
one (Louis Linng) committed suicide in the 
county-jail by exploding, between his teeth, a 
small dynamite bomb which he had surrepti- 
tiously obtained; the remaining four (August 
Spies, Albert D. Parsons, Louis Engel and Adolph 
Fischer) were hanged in the county-jail at 
Chicago, on November 14, 1887. The affair 
attracted wide attention, not only throughout the 
United States but in other countries also. 

HAYXIE, Isham Nicolas, soldier and Adju- 
tant-General, was born at Dover, Tenn., Nov. 18, 
1824; came to Illinois in boyhood and received 
but little education at school, but worked on a 
farm to obtain means to study law, and was 
licensed to practice in 1846. Throughout the 
Mexican War he served as a Lieutenant in the 
Sixth Illinois Volunteers, but, on his return, 
resumed practice in 1849, and, in 18,50, was 
elected to the Legislature from Marion County. 
He graduated from the Kentucky Law School in 
1852 and, in 1856, was appointed Judge of the 
Court of Common Pleas at Cairo. In 1860 he was a 
candidate for Presidential Elector on the Doug- 
las ticket. In 1861 he entered the army as 
Colonel of the Forty-eighth Illinois Infantry, 
which he had assisted in organizing. He partici- 
pated in the battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, 
and was severely wounded at the latter. In 1868 
he was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress as 
a War Democrat, being defeated by W. J. Allen, 
and the same year was commissioned Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers. He resumed practice at 
Cairo in 1864, and, in 1865, was appointed by 
Governor Oglesby Adjutant-General as successor 
to Adjutant-General Fuller, but died in oflSce, at 
Springfield, November. 1868. 

HATWARD COLLEGE AXD COMMERCIAL 
SCHOOL, at Fairfield, Wayne County ; incoi-po- 
rated in 1886; is co-educational; had 160 pupils in 
1898, with a faculty of nine instructors. 

HEACOCK, Russell E., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Litchfield, Conn., in 1770; having lost his 
father at 7 years of age, learned the carpenter's 
trade and came west early in life; in 1806 was 
studying law in Missouri, and, two years later, 
was licensed to practice in Indiana Territory, of 
which Illinois then formed a part, locating first 



328 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



at Kaskaskia and afterwards at Jonesboro, in 
Union Countj'; in 1833 went to Buffalo, N. Y., 
but returned west in 1827, arriving where Chi- 
cago now stands on July 4; in 1828 was living 
inside Fort Dearborn, but subsequently located 
several miles up the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, where he opened a small farm at a place 
which went by the name of "Heacock's Point." 
In 1831 he obtained a license to keep a tavern, in 
1833 became a Justice of the Peace, and, in 1835, 
had a law office in the village of Chicago. He 
took a prominent part in the organization of Cook 
County, invested liberally in real estate, but lost 
it in the crash of 1837. He was disabled by par- 
alysis in 1843 and died of cholera, June 28, 1849. 
— Reuben E. (Heacock), a son of Mr. Heacock, 
was member of the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, from Cook County. 

HEALTH, BOARD OF, a bureau of the State 
Government, created by act of May 25, 1877. It 
consists of seven members, named by the Gov- 
ernor, who hold office for seven years. It is 
charged with "general supervision of the inter- 
ests connected with the health and life of the 
citizens of the State." All matters pertaining to 
quarantine fall within its purview, and in this 
respect it is invested with a power which, while 
discretionary, is well-nigh autocratic. The same 
standard holds good, although to a far less ex- 
tent, as to its supervisory power over conta- 
gious diseases, of man or beast. The Board also 
has a modified control over medical practitioners, 
under the terms of the statute popularly known 
as the "Medical Practice Act." Through its 
powers thereunder, it has kept out or expelled 
from the State an army of irregular practition- 
ers, and has done much toward raising the stand- 
ard of professional qualification. 

HEALY, George P. A., artist, was born in 
Boston. July 15, 1808, and early manifested a 
predilection for art, in which he was encoirraged 
by the painter Scully. He struggled in the face 
of difficulties until 1836, when, having earned 
some money by his art, he went to Europe to 
study, spending two years in Paris and a like 
period in London. In 1855 he came to Chicago, 
contemplating a stay of three weeks, but re- 
mained until 1867. During this time he is said 
to have painted 575 portraits, many of them 
being likenesses of prominent citizens of Chicago 
and of the State. Many of his pictures, dei)osited 
in the rooms of the Chicago Historical Society 
for safe-keeping, were destroyed by the fire of 
1871. From 1869 to '91 his time was spent chiefly 
in Rome. During his several visits to Europe he 



painted the portraits of a large number of royal 
personages, including Louis Phillippe of France, 
as also, in this country, the portraits of Presidents 
and other distinguished persons. One of his his- 
torical pictures was "Webster Replying to 
Hayne," in which 150 figures are introduced. A 
few years before his death, Mr. Healy donated a 
large number of his pictures to the Newberry 
Library of Cliicago. He died in Chicago, June 
24, 1894. 

HE.iTON, William Weed, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at AVestern, Oneida County, N. Y., 
April 18, 1814. After completing his academic 
studies he engaged, for a short time, in teaching, 
but soon began the study of law, and, in 1838, 
was admitted to the bar at Terre Haute, Ind. In 
1840 he removed to Dixon, 111., where he resided 
until his death. In 1861 he was elected Judge of 
the Circuit Court for the Twenty-second Circuit, 
and occupied a seat upon the bench, through 
repeated re-elections, until his death, ■which 
occurred Dec. 26, 1877, while serving as a mem- 
ber of the Appellate Court for the First District. 

HECKER, Frledrich Karl Franz, German pa- 
triot and soldier, was born at Baden, Germany, 
Sept. 28, 1811. He attained eminence in his 
native country as a lawyer and politician ; was a 
member of the Baden Assembly of 1843 and a 
leader in the Diet of 1846-47, but, in 1848, was 
forced, with many of his compatriots, to find a 
refuge in the United States. In 1849 he settled 
as a farmer at Summerfield, in St. Clair County, 
111. He took a deep interest in politics and, being 
earnestly opposed to slavery, ultimately joined 
the Republican party, and took an active part in 
the campaigns of 1856 and '60. In 1861 he was 
commissioned Colonel of the Twenty-fourth Illi- 
nois "V^olunteers, and was later transferred to the 
command of the Eighty-second. He was a brave 
soldier, and actively participated in the battles 
of Missionary Ridge and Chancellorsville. In 
1864 he resigned his commission and returned to 
his farm in St. Clair County. Died, at St. Louis, 
Mo., March 24, 1881. 

HEDDI>'G COLLEGE, an institution inooi-po- 
rated in 1875 and conducted under the auspices of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church, at Abingdon, 
Knox County, 111. ; has a faculty of seventeen 
instructors, and reports (1895-96), 403 students, 
of whom 213 were male and 181 female. The 
branches taught include the sciences, the classics, 
music, fine arts, oratorj- and preparatory courses. 
The institution has funds and endowment 
amounting to |55,000, and property valued At 
1158,000. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



229 



HEMPSTEAD, Charles S., pioneer lawyer and 
first Mayor of Galena, was born at Hebron, Tol- 
land County, Conn., Sept. 10, 1794 — the son of 
Stephen Hempstead, a patriot of the Revolution. 
In 1809 he came west in company with a brother, 
descending the Ohio River in a canoe from Mari- 
etta to Shawneetown, and making his way across 
the "Illinois Country" on foot to Kaskaskia and 
finally to St. Louis, where he joined another 
brother (Edward), witli wliom he soon began the 
study of law. Having been admitted to the bar 
in both Missouri Territory and Illinois, he re- 
moved to St. Genevieve, where he held the office 
of Prosecuting Attorney by appointment of the 
Governor, but returned to St. Louis in 1818-19 
and later became a member of the Missouri Legis- 
lature. In 1829 Mr. Hempstead located at Galena, 
111., which continued to be his home for the re- 
mainder of his life, and where he was one of the 
earliest and best known lawyers. The late Minis- 
ter E. B. Washburne became a clerk in Mr. 
Hempstead's law office in 1840, and, in 1845, a 
partner, ilr. Hempstead was one of the pro- 
moters of the old Chicago & Galena Union Rail- 
road (now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern), 
serving upon the first Board of Directors; was 
elected the first Mayor of Galena in 1841, and, in 
the early days of the Civil War, was appointed 
by President Lincoln a Paymaster in the Army. 
Died, in Galena, Dec. 10, 1874.— Edward (Hemp- 
stead), an older brother of the preceding, already 
mentioned, came west in 1804, and, after holding 
variovis positions at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 
under Gov. William Henry Harrison, located at 
St Louis and became the first Territorial 
Delegate in Congress from Missouri Territory 
(1811-14). His death occurred as the result of an 
accident, August 10, 1817.— Stephen (Hemp- 
stead), another member of this historic family, 
was Governor of Iowa from 1850 to "54. Died, 
Feb. 16, 1883. 

HENDERSON, Thomas J., ex-Congressman, 
was born at Brownsville, Tenn., Nov. 19, 1824; 
came to Illinois in 1837, and was reared upon a 
farm, but received an academic education. In 
1847 he was elected Clerk of the Count}' Com- 
missioners' Court of Stark County, and, in 1849, 
Clerk of tlie County Court of the same county, 
serving in that capacity for four years. Mean- 
while he had studied law and had been admitted 
to the bar in 1853. In 1855 and '56 he was a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
and State Senator from 1857 to '60. He entered 
the Union army, in 1862, as Colonel of the One 
Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and 



served until the close of the war, being brevetted 
Brigadier-General in January, 1865. He was a 
Republican Presidential Elector for the State at- 
large in 1868, and, in 1874, was elected to Congress 
from the Seventh Illinois District, serving con- 
tinuously until March, 1895. His home is at 
Princeton. 

HENDERSON, William H., poUtician and legis- 
lator, was born in Garrard County, Ky., Nov. 16, 
1793. After serving in the War of 1812, he settled 
in Tennessee, where he held many positions of 
public trust, including that of State Senator. In 
1836 he removed to Illinois, and, two years later, 
was elected to the General Assembly as Repre- 
sentative from Bureau and Putnam Counties, 
being re-elected in 1840. In 1842 he was the 
unsuccessful Whig candidate for Lieutenant- 
Governor, being defeated by John Moore. In 
1845 he migrated to Iowa, where he died in 1864. 

HENDERSON COUNTY, a county comprising 
380 square miles of territory, located in the west- 
ern section of the State and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. The first settlements were made 
about 1837-28 at Yellow Banks, now Oquawka. 
Immigration was checked by the Black Hawk 
War, but revived after the removal of the Indians 
across the Mississippi. The county was set off 
from Warren in 1841, with Oquawka as the 
county-seat. Population (1880), 10,722; (1890), 
9,876. The soil is fertile, and underlaid by lime- 
stone. The surface is undulating, and well tim- 
bered. Population (1900), 10.836. 

HENNEPIN, the county-seat of Putnam 
County, situated on the left bank of the Illinois 
River, about 28 miles below Ottawa, 100 miles 
southwest of Chicago, and 3 miles southeast of 
Bureau Junction. It has a courthouse, a bank, 
two grain elevators, three churches, a graded 
school, a newspaper. It is a prominent shipping 
point for produce by the river. The Hennepin 
Canal, now in process of construction from the 
Illinois River to the Mississippi at the mouth of 
Rock River, leaves the Illinois about two miles 
above Hennepin. Population (1880), 623; (1890), 
574; (1900), .^23. 

HENNEPIN, Louis, a Franciscan (Recollect) 
friar and explorer, born at Ath, Belgium, about 
1640. After several years of clerical service in 
Belgium and Holland, he was ordered (1675) by 
his ecclesiastical superiors to proceed to Canada. 
In 1679 he accompanied La Salle on his explo- 
rations of the great lakes and the upper Missis- 
sippi. Having reached the Illinois by way of 
Lake Michigan, early in the following year (1680), 
La Salle proceeded to construct a fort on the east 



230 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



side of the Illinois River, a little below the 
present site of Peoria, which afterwards received 
the name of Fort Creve-Coeur. In February, 
1680, Father Hennepin was dispatched by La 
Salle, with two companions, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, to explore the iipper Mis- 
sissippi. Ascending the latter stream, his party 
was captured by the Sioux and carried to tlie 
villages of that tribe among the Minnesota lakes, 
but finally rescued. During his captivity he 
discovered the Falls of St. Anthony, which he 
named. After his rescue Hennepin returned to 
Quebec, and thence sailed to France. There he 
published a work describing La Salle's first 
expedition and his own explorations. Although 
egotistical and necessarily incorrect, this work 
was a valuable contribution to history. Because 
of ecclesiastical insubordination he left France 
for Holland. In 1697 he published an extraordi- 
nary volume, in which he set forth claims as a 
discoverer which have been wholly discredited. 
His third and last work, published at Utrecht, in 
1698, was entitled a "New Voyage in a Country 
Larger than Europe." It was a compilation 
describing La Salle's voyage to the mouth of the 
Mississippi. His three works have been trans- 
lated into twenty-four different languages. He 
died, at Utrecht, between 1702 and 1705. 

HENNEPIN CANAL. (See nUnoi.i & Missis- 
sippi Canal.) 

HENKY, a city in Marshall County, situated on 
the west bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Peoria branch of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway, 33 miles north-northeast of 
Peoria. There is a combination railroad and 
wagon bridge, lock and dam across the river at 
this point. The city is a thriving commercial 
center, among its industries being grain eleva- 
tors, flour mills, and a windmill factory ; has 
two national banks, eight churches and two 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1,728; (1890) 
1..512; (1900), 1,637. 

HENRY, James D., pioneer and soldier, was born 
in Pennsylvania, came to Illinois in 1822, locating 
at Edwardsville, where, being of limited educa- 
tion, he labored as a mechanic during the day 
and attended school at night ; engaged in mer- 
chandising, removed to Springfield in 1826, and 
was soon after elected Sheriff ; served in the Win- 
nebago "War (1827) as Adjutant, and. in the 
Black Hawk War (1831-32) as Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel, finally being placed in command of 
a brigade at the battle of Wisconsin and the Bad 
Axe, his success in both winning for him great 
popularity. His exposures brought on disease of 



the lungs, and. going South, he died at New 
Orleans, March 4, 1834. 

HENRY COUNTY, one of the middle tier of 
counties of Northern Illinois, near the western 
border of the State, having an area of 830 square 
miles, — named for Patrick Henry. The Ameri- 
can pioneer of the region was Dr. Baker, who 
located in 1835 on what afterwards became the 
town of Colona. During the two years following 
several colonies from the eastern States settled at 
different points (Geneseo, Wethersfleld, etc.;. 
The act creating it was passed in 1825, though 
organization was not completed until 1837. The 
first county court was held at Dayton. Subse- 
quent county-seats have been Richmond (1837) ; 
Geneseo (18-40); Morristown (1842); and Cam- 
bridge (1843). Population (1870), 36,597; (1890), 
33,338; (1900), 40,049. 

HERNDON, Archer G., one of the celebrated 
"Long Nine" members of the General Assembly 
of 1836-37, was born in Culpepper County, Va., 
Feb. 13, 1795; spent his youth in Green County, 
Ky., came to Madison County, 111., 1820, and to 
Sangamon in 1821, becoming a citizen of Spring- 
field in 1835, where he engaged in mercantile 
business ; served eight years in the State Senate 
(1834-42), and as Receiver of the Land Office 
1842-49. Died, Jan. 3, 1867. Mr. Herndon was 
the father of William H. Herndon, the law part- 
ner of Abraham Lincoln. 

HERNDON, WiUiam H., lawyer, was born at 
Greensburg, Ky., Dec. 25, 1818; brought to Illi- 
nois by his father. Archer G. Herndon, in 1820, 
and to Sangamon County in 1821 ; entered Illinois 
College in 1836, but remained only one year on 
account of his father's hostility to the supposed 
abolition influences prevailing at that institution; 
spent several years as clerk in a store at Spring- 
field, studied law two years with the firm of lAn- 
coln & Logan (1842-44), was admitted to the bai 
and became the partner of Mr. Lincoln, so con- 
tinuing until the election of the latter to the 
Presidency. Mr. Herndon was a radical oppo- 
nent of slavery and labored zealously to promote 
the advancement of his distinguished partner. 
The offices he held were those of City Attorney, 
Mayor and Bank Commissioner under three Gov- 
ernors. Some years before his death he wrote, 
and, in conjunction with Jesse W. Weik, published 
a Life of Abraham Lincoln in three volumes — 
afterwards revised and issued in a two-volume 
edition by the Messrs. Appleton, New York. 
Died, near Springfield, March 18, 1891. 

HERRINGTON, Aiiarustus M., lawyer and poli- 
tician, was born at or near Meadville, Pa,, in 1833; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



231 



when ten years of age was brought by his father 
to Chicago, the family removing two j-ears later 
(1835) to Geneva, Kane County, where the elder 
Herrington opened tlie first store. Augustus was 
admitted to the bar in 1844 ; obtained great promi- 
nence as a Democratic politician, serving as 
Presidential Elector for the Stateat-large in 
1856, and as a delegate to Democratic National 
Conventions in 1860, '64, '68, '76 and "80, and was 
almost invariably a member of the State Conven- 
tions of his party during the same period. He 
also served for many years as Solicitor of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. Died, at Ge- 
neva, Kane County, August 14, 1883. — James 
(Herrington) , brother of the preceding, was born 
in Mercer County, Pa., June 6, 1824; came to 
Chicago in 1833, but, two years later, was taken 
by his parents to Geneva, Kane County. In 1843 
he was apprenticed to the printing business on 
the old "Chicago Democrat" (John "Wentworth, 
publisher), remaining until 1848, when he returned 
to Geneva, where he engaged in farming, being 
also connected for a year or two with a local 
paper. In 1849 he was elected County Clerk, re- 
maining in office eight years; also served three 
terms on the Board of Supervisors, later serving 
continuously in the lower branch of the General 
Assembly from 1872 to 1886. He was also a mem- 
ber of the State Board of Agriculture and a fre- 
quent delegate to Democratic State Conventions. 
Died, July 7, 1890.— James Herrington, St., 
father of the two preceding, was a Representative 
in the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48) for 
the District embracing the counties of Kane, 
McHenry, Boone and De Kalb. 

HERTZ, Henry L., ex-State Treasurer, was 
born at Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1847; gradu- 
ated from the University of Copenhagen in 1866, 
and after pursuing the study of medicine for two 
years, emigrated to this country in 1869. After 
various experiences in selling sewing-machines, 
as bank-clerk, and as a farm-hand, in 1876 Mr. 
Hertz was emploj'ed in the Recorder's office of 
Cook County; in 1878 was record-writer in the 
Criminal Court Clerk's office; in 1884 was elected 
Coroner of Cook County, and re-elected in 1888. 
In 1892, as Republican candidate for State Treas- 
urer, he was defeated, but, in 1896. again a 
candidate for the same office, was elected by a 
majority of 115,000, serving until 1899. He is 
now a resident of Chicago. 

HESITTG, Antone Caspar, journalist and politi- 
cian, was born in Prussia in 1823; left an orphan at 
the age of 15, he soon after emigrated to America, 
landing at Baltimore and going thence to Cin- 



cinnati. From 1840 to 1842 he worked in a gro- 
cery store in Cincinnati, and later opened a small 
hotel. In 1854 he removed to Chicago, where he 
was for a time engaged in the manufacture of 
brick. In 1860 he was elected Slieriff of Cook 
County, as a Republican. In 1862 he purchased 
an interest in "Tlie Chicago Staats Zeitung, "' 
and in 1867 became sole proprietor. In 1871 iie 
admitted his son, Washington Hesing, to a part- 
nership, installing him as general manager. 
Died, in Chicago, March 31, 1895.— Washington 
(Hesing), son of the preceding, was born in Cin- 
cinnati, Ohio. May 14, 1849, educated at Chicago 
and Yale College, graduating from the latter in 
1870. After a year spent in study abroad, he 
returned to Chicago and began work upon "The 
Staats Zeitung, " later becoming managing editor, 
and finally editor-in-chief. While yet a young 
man he was made a member of the Chicago 
Board of Education, but declined to serve a 
second term. In 1872 he entered actively into 
politics, making speeches in both English and 
German in support of General Grant's Presi- 
dential candidacy. Later he affiliated with the 
Democratic part}-, as did his father, and, in 1893, 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Democratic 
nomination for the Chicago mayoralty, being 
defeated by Carter H. Harrison. In December, 
1893, he was appointed by President Cleveland 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving four 
years. His administration was characterized by 
a high degree of efficiency and many improve- 
ments in the service were adopted, one of the 
most important being the introduction of postal 
cars on the street-railroads for the collection of 
mail matter. In April. 1897. he became an Inde- 
pendent candidate for Mayor, but was defeated 
by Carter H. Harrison, the regular Democratic 
nominee. Died, Dec. 18. 1897. 

HEYWORTH, a village of McLean County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles south of 
Bloomington ; has a bank, churches, gas wells, 
and a newspaper. Pop (1890), .566; (1900). 683. 
HIBB.IRD, Homer Nash, lawyer, was born at 
Bethel, Wind.sor County, Yt., Nov. 7, 1824, his 
early life being spent upon a farm and in attend- 
ance upon the common schools. After a short 
term in an academy at Randolph, Yt. , at the age 
of 18 he began the study of law at Rutland— also 
fitting himself for coUege with a private tutor. 
Later, having obtained means by teaching, he 
took a course in Castleton Academy and Ver- 
mont University, graduating from the latter in 
1850. Then, having spent some years in teach- 
ing, he entered the Dane Law School at Harvard, 



232 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later continuing his studies at Burlington and 
finally, in the fall of 1853, removing to Chicago. 
Here he opened a law office in connection with 
his old classmate, the late Judge John A. Jame- 
son, but early in the following year removed to 
Freeport, wliere he subsequently served as City 
Attornej', Master in Chancery and President of 
the Citj' School Board. Returning to Chicago in 
1860, he became a member of the law firm of 
Cornell, Jameson & Hibbard, and still later the 
head of the firm of Hibbard, Rich & Noble. In 
1870 lie was appointed by Judge Drummond 
Register in Bankruptcy for the Chicago District, 
serving during the life of the law. He was also, 
for some time, a Director of the National Bank 
of Illinois, and Vice-President of the American 
Insurance Company. Died, Nov. 14, 1897. 

HICKS, Stephen G., lawyer and soldier of 
three wars, was born in Jackson County, Ga., 
Feb. 23, 1807— the son of John Hicks, one of the 
seven soldiers killed at the battle of N^ew Orleans, 
Jan. 8, 181.5. Leaving the roof of a stepfather 
at an early age, he found his way to Illinois, 
working for a time in the lead mines near Galena, 
and later at the carpenter's trade with an uncle ; 
served as a Sergeant in the Black Hawk War, 
finally locating in Jefferson County, where he 
studied law and was admitted to the bar. Here 
he was elected to the lower branch of the Twelfth 
General Assembly (1840) and re-elected succes- 
sively to tlie Thirteenth and Fourteenth. Early 
in the Mexican War (1846) he recruited a com- 
pany for the Tliird Regiment, of which he was 
chosen Captain, a year later becoming Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Sixth. At the beginning of 
the Civil War Colonel Hicks was practicing his 
profession at Salem, Marion County. He 
promptly raised a company which became a jmrt 
of the Fortieth Regiment Volunteer Infantry, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel. The regi- 
ment save active service in the campaign in West- 
ern Tennessee, including the battle of Shiloh, 
where Colonel Hicks was dangerously wounded 
through the lungs, only recovering after some 
months in hospital and at his home. He rejoined 
his regiment in July following, but found him- 
self compelled to accept an honorable discharge, 
a few months later, on account of di.sabilit^-. 
Having finally recovered, he was restored to his 
old command, and served to the close of the war. 
In October, 1863, he w,is placed in command at 
Paducali, Ky., where he remained eighteen 
months, after whicli he was transferred to Colum- 
bus, Ky. While in command at Paducah, tlie 
place was desperately assaulted by the rebel 



Colonel Forrest, but successfully defended, the 
rebel assailants sustaining a loss of some 1,200 
killed and wounded. After tlie war Colonel 
Hicks returned tu Salem, where he died, Dec. 14, 
1869, and was buried, in accordance with his 
request, in the folds of the American flag. Born 
on Washington's birthday, it is a somewhat 
curious coincidence that the death of this brave 
soldier should have occurred on the anniversary 
of that of the "Father of His Country." 

HIGBEE, Chaiincey L., lawyer and Judge, was 
born in Clermont County, Ohio, Sept. 7, 1821, 
and settled in Pike County, 111., in 1844. He 
early took an interest in politics, being elected to 
the lower house of the Legislature in 1854, and 
tvs'o years later to the State Senate. In 1861 he 
was elected Judge of the Fifth Circuit Court, and 
was re-elected in 1867, '73, and '79. In 1877, and 
again in '79, he was assigned to the bench of the 
Appellate Court. Died, at Pittsfield, Dec. 7, 1884. 

HIGGIXS, Van Hollis, lawyer, was born in 
Genessee Count}-, N. Y., and received his early 
education at Auburn and Seneca Falls; came to 
Chicago in 1837 and, after spending some time as 
clerk iu liis brother's store, taught some months 
in Vermilion County: then went to St. Louis, 
where he spent a year or two as reporter on ' 'The 
Missouri Argus." later engaging in commercial 
pursuits; in 1842 removed to Iroquois County, 
111., where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar; in 1845, established liimself in practice in 
Galena, served two years as City Attorney there, 
but returned to Chicago in 1852, where lie contin- 
ued to reside for the remainder of his life. In 1858 
he was elected as a Republican Representative in 
the Twenty -first General Assembly; served sev- 
eral years as Judge of the Chicago City Court, 
and was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the War of the Rebellion. Judge Higgins 
was successful as a lawyer and business man, and 
was connected with a number of important busi- 
ness enterprises, especially in connection with 
real-estate operations ; was also a member of sev- 
eral local societies of a professional, social and 
patriotic character. Died, at Darien, Wis. , April 
17, 1893. 

HIGGINSON, Charles M., civil engineer and 
Assistant Railway President, was born in Cliica- 
go, July 11, 1840 — the son of George M.IIigginson, 
who located in Chicago about 1843 and engaged 
in the real-estate business; was educated at the 
Lawrence Scientific School, Cambridge, Mass., 
and entered the engineering department of tlie 
Burlington & Missouri River Railroad in 1807, 
remaining until 1875. He then became the pur- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



333 



chasing agent of the Toledo. Peoria & Warsaw 
Railroad, but. a year later, returned to Chicago, 
and soon after assumed the same position in con- 
nection with the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 
being transferred to the Auditorship of the 
latter road in 1879. Later, he became assistant 
to President Rij^ley of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Line, where he remained until his 
death, which occurred at Riverside, 111., May 6, 
1899. Mr. Higginson was. for several years, 
President of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 
and a member of the Board of Managers of the 
Young Men's Chri.stian Association of Chicago. 

HIGH, James L., lawyer and author, was born 
at Belleville. Ohio, Oct. fi, 1844; in boyhood came 
to Wisconsin, and graduated at Wisconsin State 
University, at Madison, in 1804, also serving for 
a time as Adjutant of the Forty-ninth Regiment 
Wisconsin Volimteers ; studied law at the Michi- 
gan University Law School and, in 1867, came to 
Chicago, where he began practice. He spent the 
winter of 1871-72 in Salt Lake City and, in the 
absence of the United States District Attorney, 
conducted the trial of certain Mormon leaders for 
connection with the celebrated Mountain Meadow 
Massacre, also acting as correspondent of "The 
New York Times." his letters lieing widely 
copied. Returning to Chicago he took a high 
rank in his profession. He was the author of 
several volumes, including treatises on "The Law 
of Injunctions as administered in the Courts of 
England and America, ' ' and "Extraordinary Legal 
Remedies, Mandamus, Quo Warranto and Prohibi- 
tions," which are accepted as high authority with 
the profession. In 1870 he published a revised 
edition of Lord Erskine"s Works, including all 
his legal arguments, together with a memoir of 
his hfe. Died, Oct. 3, 1898. 

HIGHLAND, a city in the southeastern part of 
Madison County, founded in 1836 and located on 
the Vandalia line, 32 miles east of St. Louis. Its 
manufacturing industries include a milk-con- 
densing plant, creamery, flour and planing mills, 
breweries, embroidery works, etc. It contains 
several churches and schools, a Roman Catholic 
Seminary, a hospital, and has three newspapers — 
one German. The early settlers were Germans 
of the most thrifty and enterprising classes. 
The surrounding country is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,960; (1890), 1,8.57; (1900, decennial 
census), 1,970. 

HIGHLAIVD PARK, an incorporated city of 
Lake County, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, 23 miles north-nortliwest of Chicago. 
It has a salubrious site on a bluff 100 feet above 



Lake Michigan, and is a favorite residence and . 
health resort. It has a large hotel, several 
churches, a military academy, and a weekly 
paper. Two Waukegan papers issue editions 
here. Population (1890), 2,163; (1900), 2,806. 

HILDKUP, Jesse S., lawyer and legislator. 
was bom in Middletown, Conn., March 14, 1883 . at 
15 removed to the State of New York and after- 
wards to Harrisburg, Pa. ; in 1860 came to Belvi- 
dere, III., where he began the practice of lavs-, 
also serving as Corporation Trustee and Township 
Supervisor, and, during the latter years of the 
war, as Deputy Provost Marshal. His first im- 
portant elective office was that of Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1870, but he 
was elected Representative in the General Assem- 
bly the same year, and again in 1872. While in 
the House he took a prominent part in the legis- 
lation which resulted in the organization of the 
Railroad and Warehouse Board. Mr. Hildrup 
was also a Republican Presidential Elector in 
1808, and United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois from 1877 to 1881. During 
the last few years much of his time has been 
spent in California for the benefit of the health 
of some members of his familj'. 

HILL, Charles Augustus, ex-Congressman, 
was born at Truxton. Cortland County, N. Y., 
August 23, 1833. He acquired his early education 
by dint of hard labor, and much privation. In 
18.54 he removed to Illinois, settling in Will 
County, where, for several years, he taught 
school, as he had done while in New York. 
Meanwhile he read law, his last instructor being 
Hon. H. C. Newcomb, of Indianapolis, where he 
was admitted to the bar. He returned to Will 
County in 1860, and, in 1802, enlisted in the 
Eiglith Illinois Cavalry, participating in the 
battle of Antietam. Later he was commissioned 
First Lieutenant in the First United States Regi- 
ment of Colored Troops, with which he remained 
until the close of the war, rising to the rank of 
Captain. In 186.5 he returned to Joliet and to the 
practice of his profession. In 1868 lie was elected 
State's Attorney for the district comprising Will 
and Grundy Counties, but declined a renomina- 
tion. In 1888 he was the successful Republican 
candidate for Congress from the Eighth Illinois 
District, but was defeated for re-election in 1890 
by Lewis Steward. Democrat. 

HILLSBORO, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Montgomery County, on the Cleveland. 
Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis Railway, 67 
miles northeast of St. Louis. Its manufactures 
are Hour, brick and tile, carriages and harness. 



234 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



furniture and woolen gootis. It has a high 
school, banks and two weekly newspapers. The 
surrounding region is agricultural, though con- 
siderable coal is mined in the vicinity. Popula- 
tion (18S0), 2,858; (1890), 2,.')00; (1900), 1,937. 

HINCKLEY, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Rochelle Division of tlie Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 18 miles west of Aurora; in 
rich agricultural and dairying region ; has grain 
elevators, brick and tile works, water system and 
electric Ught plant. Pep. (1890), 496; (1900), 587. 

HINRICHSEN, William H., ex-Secretary of 
State and ex-Congressman, was tjorn at Franklin, 
Morgan County, 111., May 27, 1850; educated at 
the University of Illinois, spent four years in the 
office of his father, who was stock-agent of the 
Wabash Railroad, and six years (1874-80) as 
Deputy Sheriff of Slorgan County ; then went 
into the newspaper busine.ss, editing the Jackson- 
ville "Evening Courier," until 1886, after which 
he was connected with "The Quincy Herald," to 
1890, when he returned to Jacksonville and re- 
sumed his place on "The Courier. " He was Clerk 
of the House of Representatives in 1891, and 
elected Secretary of State in 1892, serving until 
January, 1897. Mr. Hinrichsen has been a mem- 
ber of the Democratic State Central Committee 
since 1890, and was Chairman of that body dur- 
ing 1894-96. In 1896 Mr. Hinrichsen was the 
nominee of his party for Congress in the Six- 
teenth District and was elected by over 6,000 
majority, but failed to secure a renomination in 
1898. 

HINSDALE, a village in Du Page County and 
popular residence suburb, on the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 17 miles west-south- 
west of Chicago. It has four churches, a graded 
school, an academy, electric liglit plant, water- 
works, sewerage system, and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,584; (1900), 2,578. 

HITCHCOCK, Charles, lawyer, was born at 
Hanson, Plymouth County, Mass., April 4, 1827; 
studied at Dartmouth College and at Harvard 
Law School, and was admitted to the bar in 1854, 
soon afterward establishing himself for the prac- 
tice of his profession in Chicago. In 1869 Mr. 
Hitchcock was elected to the State Constitutional 
Convention, which was the only important pub- 
lic office that he held, though his capacity was 
recognized by his election to the Presidency of 
that body. Died, May 6, 1881. 

HITCHCOCK, Luke, clergyman, was born 
April 13, 1813, at Lebanon, N. Y., entered the 
ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 
1834, and, after supplying various charges in 



that State during the next five years, in 1839 
came to Chicago, becoming one of the most 
influential factors in the Methodist denomination 
in Northern Illinois. Between that date and 
1860 he was identified, as regular pastor or Pre- 
siding Elder, with churches at Dixon, Ottawa, 
Belvidere, Rockford, Mount Morris, St. Charles 
and Chicago (the old Clark Street church), with 
two years' service (1841-43) as agent of Rock 
River Seminary at Mount Morris — his itinerant 
labors being interrupted at two or three periods 
by ill-health, compelling him to assume a super- 
annuated relation. From 1852 to '80, inclusive, 
he was a delegate every four years to the General 
Conference. In 1860 he was appointed Agent of 
the Western Book Concern, and, as the junior 
representative, was placed in charge of the 
depository at Chicago — in 1868 becoming the 
Senior Agent, and so remaining until 1880. His 
subsequent service included two terms as Presid- 
ing Elder for the Dixon and Chicago Districts; 
the position of Superintendent of the Chicago 
Home Jlissionary and Church Extension Society ; 
Superintendent of the Wesley Hospital (which he 
assisted to organize), his last position being that 
of Corresponding Secretary of the Superannu- 
ates" Relief Association. He was also influential 
in securing the establishment of a church paper 
in Chicago and the founding of the Northwestern 
University and Garrett Biblical Institute. Died, 
while on a visit to a daughter at East Orange, 
N. J., Nov. 12, 1898. 

HITT, Daniel F., civil engineer and soldier, 
was born in Bourbon County, Ky., June 13, 1810 
— the son of a Methodist preacher who freed his 
slaves and removed to Urbana, Ohio, in 1814. In 
1829 the son began the study of engineering and, 
removing to Illinois the following year, was ap- 
pointed Assistant Engineer on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, later being employed in survey- 
ing some sixteen years. Being stationed at 
Prairie du Chien at the time of the Black Hawk 
War (1832), he was attached to the Stephenson 
Rangers for a year, but at the end of that period 
resumed surve3'ing and, having settled in La 
Salle County, became the first Survej-or of that 
county. In 1861 he joined Colonel Cushman, of 
Ottawa, in the organization of the Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, was mustered into the service 
in March, 1862, and commissioned its Lieutenant- 
Colonel. The regiment took part in various 
battles, including those of Shiloh, Corinth and 
La Grange, Tenn. In the latter Colonel Hitt 
received an injury by being thrown from his 
horse which compelled his resignation and from 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



235 



which he never fully recovered. Returning to 
Ottawa, he continued to reside there until his 
death, May 11, 1899. Colonel Hitt was father of 
Andrew J. Hitt, General Superintendent of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and 
uncle of Congressman Robert R. Hitt of Mount 
Morris. Originally a Democrat, he allied himself 
with the Republican party on the breaking out 
of the Civil War. He was a thirty-second degree 
Mason and prominent in Grand Army circles. 

HITT, Isaac R., real-estate operator, was born 
at Boonsboro, Md., June 2, 1828; in 1845 entered 
the freshman class at Asbury University, Ind., 
graduating in 1849. Then, removing to Ottawa, 
111., he was engaged for a time in farming, but, 
in 1852, entered into the forwarding and com- 
mission business at La Salle. Having meanwhile 
devoted some attention to real-estate law, in 1853 
he began buying and selling real estate while 
continuing his farming operations, adding thereto 
coal-mining. In May, 1856, he was a delegate 
from La Salle County to the State Convention at 
Bloomington which resulted in the organization 
of the Republican party in Illinois. Removing 
to Chicago in 1860, he engaged in the real-estate 
business there ; in 1862 was appointed on a com- 
mittee of citizens to look after the interests of 
wounded Illinois soldiers after the battle of Fort 
Donelson, in that capacity visiting hospitals at 
Cairo, Evansville, Paducah and Nashville. Dur- 
ing the war he engaged to some extent in the 
business of prosecuting soldiers' claims. Mr. 
Hitt has been a member of both the Chicago and 
the National Academy of Sciences, and, in 1869, 
was appointed by Governor Palmer on the Com- 
mission to lay out the park system of Chicago. 
Since 1871 he has resided at Evanston, where he 
aided in the erection of the Woman's College in 
connection with the Northwestern University. 
In 1876 he was appointed by the Governor agent 
to prosecute the claims of the State for swamp 
lands within its limits, and has given much of 
his attention to that business since. 

HITT, Robert Roberts, Congressman, was born 
at Urbana, Olno, Jan. 16, 1834. When he was 
three years old his parents removed to Illinois, 
settling in Ogle County. His education was 
acquired at Rock River Seminary (now Mount 
Morris College), and at De Pauw University, Ind. 
In 1858 Mr. Hitt was one of the reporters who 
reported the celebrated debate of that year 
between Lincoln and Douglas. From December, 
1874, until March, '81, he was connected with the 
United States embassy at Paris, serving as First 
Secretary of Legation and Charge d'Affaires ad 



interim. He was Assistant Secretary of State in 
1881, but resigned the post in 1882, having been 
elected to Congress from the Sixth Illinois Dis- 
trict to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death 
of R. M. A. Hawk. By eight successive re-elec- 
tions he has represented the District continuously 
since, his career being conspicuous for long serv- 
ice. In that time he has taken an important 
part in the deliberations of the House, serving as 
Chairman of many important committees, not- 
ably that on Foreign Affairs, of which he has 
been Chairman for several terms, and for which 
his diplomatic experience well qualifies him. In 
1898 he was appointed by President McKinley a 
member of the Committee to visit Hawaii and 
report upon a form of government for that por- 
tion of the newly acquired national domain. Mr. 
Hitt was strongly supported as a candidate for 
the United States Senate in 1895, and favorably 
considered for the position of Minister to Eng- 
land after the retirement of Secretary Day in 
1898. 

HOBART, Horace R., was born in Wisconsin 
in 1839; graduated at Beloit College and, after a 
brief experience in newspaper work, enlisted, in 
1861, in tlie First Wisconsin Cavalry and was 
assigned to duty as Battalion Quartermaster. 
Being wounded at Helena, Ark., he was com- 
pelled to resign, but afterwards served as Deputy 
Provost Marshal of the Second Wisconsin Dis- 
trict. In 1866 he re-entered newspaper work as 
reporter on "The Chicago Tribune," and later 
was associated, as city editor, with "The Chicago 
E%-ening Post" and "Evening Mail"; later was 
editor of "The Jacksonville Daily Journal" and 
"The Chicago Morning Courier, " also being, for 
some years from 1869, Western Manager of the 
American Press Association. In 1876, Mr. Hobart 
became one of the editors of "The Railway Age" 
(Chicago), with which he remained until the 
close of the year 1898, when he retired to give his 
attention to real-estate matters. 

HOFFMAN, Francis A., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1861-65), was born at Ilerford, Prussia, in 1822, 
and emigrated to America in 1839, reaching Chica- 
go the same year. There he became a boot-black in 
a leading hotel, but within a month was teaching 
a small German school at Dunkley's Grove (now 
Addison), Du Page County, and later officiating 
as a Lutheran minister. In 1847 he represented 
that county in the River and Harbor Convention 
at Chicago. In 1852 he removed to Chicago, and, 
the following year, entered the City Council. 
Later, he embarked in the real-estate business, 
and, in 1854, opened a banking house, but was 



236 



IIISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



forced to assign in 1861. He early became a 
recognized anti-slavery leader and a contributor 
to the German press, and, in 1856, was nominated 
for Lieutenant-Governor on the first Republican 
State ticket with William H. Bissell, but was 
found ineligible by reason of his short residence 
in the United States, and withdrew, giving place 
to John AVood of Quincy. In 1860 he was again 
nominated, and having in the meantime become 
eligible, was elected. In 1864 he was a Repub- 
lican candidate for Presidential Elector, and 
assisted in Mr. Lincoln's second election. He 
was at one time Foreign Land Commissioner for 
the Illinois Central Railroad, and acted as Consul 
at Chicago for several German States. For a 
number of years past Mr. Hoffman has been 
editor of an agricultural paper in Southern 
Wisconsin. 

HOCrAX, John, clergyman and early politician, 
was born in the city of Mallow, County of Cork, 
Ireland, Jan. 3, 1805; brought in childhood to 
Baltimore, Md., and having been left an orphan at 
eight years of age, learned the trade of a shoe- 
maker. In 1826 he became an itinerant Metho- 
dist preacher, and, coming west the same year, 
preached at various points in Indiana, Illinois 
and Missouri. In 1830 he was married to Miss 
Mary Mitchell West, of Belleville, 111., and soon 
after, having retired from the itinerancy, engaged 
in mercantile business at Edwardsville and Alton. 
In 1836 be was elected Representative in the 
Tenth General Assembly from Madison Connty, 
two years later was appointed a Commissioner of 
Public Works and, being re-elected in 1840, was 
made President of the Board; in 1841 was ap- 
pointed by President Harrison Register of the 
Land Office at Dixon, where he remained until 
1845. During the anti-slavery excitement which 
attended the assassination of Elijah P. Lovejoy 
in 1837, he was a resident of Alton and was re- 
garded by the friends of Lovejoy as favoring the 
pro slavery faction. After retiring from the 
Land Office at Dixon, he removed to St. Louis, 
where he engaged in the wholesale grocery busi- 
ness. In his early political life he was a Whig, 
but later co-opei-ated with the Democratic party ; 
in 1857 he was appointed bj' President Buchanan 
Postmaster of the city of St. Louis, serving until 
the accession of Lincoln in 1861 ; in 1864 was 
elected as a Democrat to the Thirty-ninth Con- 
gress, serving two years. He was also a delegate 
to the National Union (Democratic) Convention 
at Philadelphia in 1866. After his retirement 
from the Methodist itinerancy he continued to 
officiate as a "local" preacher and was esteemed 



a speaker of unusual eloquence and ability. His 
death occurred, Feb. 5, 18U2. He is author of sev- 
eral volumes, including "The Resources of Mis- 
souri," "Commerce and Manufactures of St. 
Louis," ami a "Historv of Methodism." 

HO(jiE, Joseph P., Congressman, was born in 
Ohio early in the century and came to Galena, 
111., in 1836, where he attained prominence as a 
lawjer. In 1843 he was elected Representative 
in Congress, as claimed at the time by the aid of 
the Mormon vote at Xauvoo, serving one term. 
In 1853 he went to San Francisco, Cal., and be- 
came a Judge in that State, dying a few years 
since at the age of over 80 years. He is repre- 
sented to have been a man of much ability and a 
graceful and eloquent orator. Mr. Hoge was a 
son-in-law of Thomas C. Browne, one of the Jus- 
tices of the first Supreme Court of Illinois who 
lield office until 1848. 

HOLLISTTR, (Dr.) John Hamilton, physi- 
cian, was born at Riga, N. Y., in 1824; was 
brought to Romeo, Jlicli., by liis parents in in- 
fancy, but his father having died, at the age of 17 
went to Rochester, N. Y., to be educated, finallj' 
graduating in medicine at Berkshire College, 
Mass., in 1847, and beginning practice at Otisco, 
Mich. Two years later he removed to Grand 
Rapids and, in 1855, to Chicago, where he held, 
for a time, the position of demonstrator of anat- 
omy in Rush Medical College, and, in 1856, be- 
came one of the founders of the Chicago Medical 
College, in which he has held various chairs. He 
also served as Surgeon of Mercy Hospital and 
was, for twenty years. Clinical Professor in the 
same institution; was President of the State 
Medical Society, and, for twenty years, its Treas- 
urer. Other positions held by him have been 
those of Trustee of the American Medical Associ- 
ation and editor of its journal, President of the 
Young Men's Christian Association and of the 
Chicago Congregational Club. He has also been 
prominent in Sunday School and church work in 
connection with the Armour Mission, with which 
he has been associated for manv vears. 

HOME FOR JUVENILE OFFEXDERS, (FE- 
MALE). The establishment of this institution 
was authorized by act of June 22, 1893, which 
appropriated 875,000 towards its erection and 
maintenance, not more than §15,000 to be ex- 
pended for a site. (See also State Guardians for 
Girls.) It is designed to receive girls between the 
ages of 10 and 16 committed thereto by any court 
of record upon conviction of a misdemeanor, the 
term of commitment not to be less than one 
vear. or to exceed minority. Justices of the 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



337 



Peace, however, may send giris for a term not 
less than three months. The act of incorporation 
provides for a commutation of sentence to be 
earned by good conduct and a prolongation of 
the sentence by bad behavior. The Trustees are 
empowered, in their discretion, either to appren- 
tice tlie girls or to adopt them out during their 
minority. Temporary quarters were furnished 
for the Home during the first two years of its 
existence in Chicago, but permanent buildings 
for the institution have been erected on the 
banks of Fox River, near Geneva, in Kane County. 

HOMER, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Wabash Railway, 20 miles west-.soutliwest 
from Danville and about 18 miles east-southeast 
from Champaign. It supports a carriage factory ; 
also has two banks several churches, a seminary, 
an opera house, and one weekly paper. The 
region is chiefly agricultural. Population (1880), 
924: (1890), 917; (1900), 1,080. 

HOMESTEAD LAWS. In general such laws 
have been defined to be "legislation enacted to 
secure, to some extent, the enjoyment of a home 
and shelter for a family or individual by exempt- 
ing, under certain conditions, the residence occu- 
pied by the family or individual, from liability to 
be sold for the payment of the debts of its owner, 
and by restricting his rights of free alienation." 
In Illinois, this exemption extends to the farm 
and dwelling thereon of every householder hav- 
ing a family, and occupied as a residence, 
whether owned or possessed under a lease, to the 
value of §1,000. The exemption continues after 
death, for the benefit of decedenfs wife or hus- 
band occupying the homestead, and also of the 
children, if any, until the youngest attain the 
age of 21 years. Husband and wife must join in 
releasing the exemption, but the property is 
always liable for improvements thereon. — In 1862 
Congress passed an act known as the "Homestead 
Law" for the protection of the rights of settlers 
on public lands under certain restrictions as to 
active occupanc}-, under which most of that 
class of lands since taken for settlement have 
been purchased. 

HOMEWOOD, a village of Cook County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 2.3 miles south of Chi- 
cago. Population, (1900), 3.52. 

HOOLEY, Richard M., theatrical manager, 
was born in Ireland. April 13, 1832 ; at the age of 
18 entered the theater as a musician and, four 
years later, came to America, soon after forming 
an a,ssociation with E. P. Christy, the originator 
of negro minstrelsy entertainments which went 
under his name. In 1848 Mr. Hooley conducted 



a company of minstrels through the principal 
towns of England, Scotland and Ireland, and to 
some of the chief cities on the continent; re- 
turned to America five years later, and subse- 
quently managed houses in San Francisco, 
Philadelphia, Brooklyn and New York, finally 
locating in Chicago in 1869, where he remained 
the rest of his life, — his theater becoming one of 
the most widely known and popular in the city. 
Died, Sept. 8. 1893. 

HOOPESTON, a prosperous city in Vermilion 
County at the intersection of the Chicago & East- 
ern Illinois and the Lake Erie & Western Rail- 
roads, 99 miles south of Chicago. It has grain 
elevators, a nail factory, brick and tile works, 
carriage and machme shops, and two large can- 
ning factories, besides two banks and one dailj' 
and three weekly newspapers, several churches, 
a high school and a business college. Population 
(1890), 1.911; (190U). 3,823; (1904), about 4,500. 

HOPKINS, Albert J., Congressman, was born 
in De Kalb County, 111. , August 15, 1846. After 
graduating from Hillsdale College, Mich., in 1870, 
he studied law and began practice at Auroia. 
He rapidly attained prominence at the bar, and. 
in 1872, was elected .State's Attorney for Kane 
Count}', serving in that capacity for four years. 
He is an ardent Republican and high in the 
party's councils, having been Chairman of the 
State Central Committee from 1878 to 1880, and a 
Presidential Elector on the Blaine & Logan 
ticket in 1884. The same year he was elected to 
the Forty-ninth Congress from the Fifth District 
(now the Eighth) and has been continuously re- 
elected ever since, receiving a clear majority in 
1898 of more than 18,000 votes over two competi- 
tors. At present (1898) he is Chairman of the 
Select House Committee on Census and a member 
of the Committees on Ways and Means, and Mer- 
chant Marine and Fisheries. In 1896 he was 
strongly supported for the Republican nomina- 
tion for Governor. 

HOUGHTON, Horace Hocking, pioneer printer 
and journalist, was born at Springfield, Vt. , Oct. 
26, 1806, spent his youth on a farm, and at eight- 
een began learning the printer's trade in the office 
of "The Woodstock Overseer" ; on arriving at his 
majority became a journeyman printer and, in 
1828, went to New York, spending some time in 
the employment of the Harper Brothers. After 
a brief season spent in Boston, he took charge of 
"The Statesman" at Castleton, Vt., but, in 1834, 
again went to New York, taking with him a 
device for throwing the printed sheet off the 
press, which was afterwards adopted on the 



238 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Adams and Hoe printing presses. His next 
move was to Marietta, Ohio, in 1834, thence by 
■way of Cincinnati and Louisville to St. Louis, 
working for a time in the office of the old "St. 
Louis Republican." He soon after went to 
Galena and engaged in lead-mining, but later 
became associated with Sylvester M. Bartlett in 
the management of "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser," finally becoming sole 
proprietor. In 1842 he sold out the paper, but 
resumed his connection with it the following 
year, remaining until 18G3, when he finally sold 
out. He afterwards spent some time on the 
Pacific slope, was for a time American Consul to 
the Sandwich Islands, but finally returned to 
Galena and, during the later years of his life, 
was Postmaster there, dying April 30, 1879. 

HOVEY, Charles Edward, educator, soldier 
and lawyer, was born in Orange County, Vt., 
April 26, 1827; graduated at Dartmouth College in 
1852, and became successively Principal of high 
schools at Farmington, Mass., and Peoria, 111. 
Later, he assisted in organizing the Illinois State 
Normal School at Normal, of which he was 
President from 1857 to 1861 — being also President 
of the State Teachers' Association (1856), mem- 
ber of the State Board of Education, and, for some 
years, editor of "The Illinois Teacher." In Au- 
gust, 1861, he assisted in organizing, and was com- 
missioned Colonel of, the Thirty-third Illinois 
Volunteers, known as the "Normal" or "School- 
Masters' Regiment," from the fact that it was 
composed largely of teachers and young men 
from the State colleges. In 1862 he was promoted 
to the rank of Brigadier-General and, a few 
months later, to brevet Major-General for gallant 
and meritorious conduct. Leaving the military 
service in May, 1863, he engaged in the practice 
of law in Washington, D. C. Died, in Washing- 
ton, Nov. 17, 1897. 

HOWLAND, George, educator and author, was 
born (of Pilgrim ancestry) at Conway, Mass., 
July 30, 1824. After graduating from Amherst 
College in 1850, he devoted two years to teaching 
in the public schools, and three years to a tutor- 
ship in his Alma Mater, giving instruction in 
Latin, Greek and French. He began the study 
of law, but, after a year's reading, he abandoned 
it, removing to Chicago, where he became Assist- 
ant Principal of the city's one high school, in 
1858. He became its Principal in 1860, and, in 
1880, was elected Superintendent of Chicago City 
Schools. This position he filled until August, 
1891, when he resigned. He also served as Trus- 
tee of Amherst College for several years, and as a 



member of the Illinois State Board of Education, 
being President of that body in 1883. As an 
author he was of some note; his work being 
chiefly on educational lines. He published a 
translation of the ^neid adapted to the use of 
schools, besides translations of some of Horace's 
Odes and portions of the Iliad and Odyssey. He 
was also the author of an English grammar. 
Died, in Chicago, Oct. 21, 1892. 

HOTXE, PhiHp A., lawyer and United States 
Commissioner, was born in New York City, Nov. 
20, 1824; came to Chicago in 1841, and, after 
spending eleven years alternately in Galena and 
Chicago, finally located permanently in Chicago, 
in 1852; in 1853 was elected Clerk of the Record- 
er's Court of Chicago, retaining the position five 
years ; was admitted to the bar in March, 1856, 
and appointed United States Commissioner the 
same year, remaining in oflice until his death, 
Nov. 3, 1894. Mr. Hoyne was an ofiicer of the 
Chicago Pioneers and one of the founders of the 
Union League Club. 

HUBBARD, Gurdou Saltonstall, pioneer and 
Indian trader, was born at Windsor, Vt., August 
22, 1803. His early youth was passed in Canada, 
chiefly in the employ of the American Fur Com- 
pany. In 1818 he first visited Fort Dearborn, and 
for nine years traveled back and forth in the 
interest of his employers. In 1827, having em- 
barked in business on his own account, he estab- 
lished several trading posts in Illinois, becoming 
a resident of Chicago in 1832. From this time 
forward he became identified with the history 
and development of the State. He served with 
distinction during the Black Hawk and Winne- 
bago Wars, was enterprising and public-spirited, 
and did much to promote the early development 
of Chicago. He was elected to the Legislature 
from Vermilion Coimty in 1832, and, in 1835, 
was appointed by Governor Duncan one of the 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
Died, at Chicago, Sept. 14, 1886. From the time 
he became a citizen of Chicago, for fifty years, 
no man was more active or public-spirited 
in promoting its commercial development and 
general prosperity. He was identified with 
almost every branch of business upon wliich its 
growth as a commercial city depended, from that 
of an early Indian trader to that of a real-estate 
operator, being manager of one of the largest pack- 
ing houses of his time, as well as promoter of 
early railroad enterprises. A zealous Republican, 
he was one of the most earnest supporters of 
Abraham Lincoln in the campaign of 1860, was 
prominently identified with every local measure 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



239 



for the maintenance of the Union cause, and, for 
a year, held a commission as Captain in the 
Eighty-eightli Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
known as the "Second Board of Trade Regiment. " 

HUGHITT, Marvin, Railway President, was 
born, August, 1837, and, in 1856, began his rail- 
road experience on the Chicago & Alton Railway 
as Superintendent of Telegraph and Train-de- 
spatcher. In 1862 he entered the service of the 
Illinois Central Company in a similar capacity, 
still later occupying the positions of Assistant 
Superintendent and General Superintendent, re- 
maining in the latter from 1865 to 1870, when he 
resigned to become Assistant General Manager 
of the Chicago, Jlilwaukee & St. Paul. In 1872 
he became associated with the Chicago & North- 
■western Railroad, in connection with which he 
has held the positions of Superintendent, General 
Manager, Second Vice-President and President — 
the last of which (1899) he still occupies. 

HULETT, Alta M., lawyer, was born near 
Rockford, 111., June 4, 1854; early learned teleg- 
raphy and became a successful operator, but sub- 
sequently engaged in teaching and the study of 
law. In 1872, having passed the required exami- 
nation, she applied for admission to the bar, but 
was rejected on account of sex. She then, in 
conjunction with Mrs. Bradwell and others, 
interested herself in securing the passage of an 
act by the Legislature giving women the right 
that had been denied her, which having been 
accomplished, she went to Chicago, was admitted 
to the bar and began practice. Died, in Cali- 
fornia, March 27, 1877. 

HUNT, Daniel D., legislator, was bom in 
"Wyoming County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1835, came to 
De Kalb County, 111., in 1857, and has since been 
engaged in hotel, mercantile and farming busi- 
ness. He was elected as a Republican Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-fifth General Assembly in 
1886, and re elected in 1888. Two years later he 
was elected to the State Senate, re-elected in 
1894, and again in 1898 — giving him a continuous 
service in one or the other branch of the General 
Assembly of sixteen years. During the session 
of 1895, Senator Hunt was especially active in 
the legislation which resulted in the location of 
the Northern Illinois Normal Institute at De 
Kalb. 

HUNT, Georgre, lawyer and ex- Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was born in Knox County, Ohio, in 1841; 
having lost both parents in childhood, came, 
with an uncle, to Edgar County, 111., in 1855. In 
July, 1861, at the age of 20, he enlisted in the 
Twelfth Illinois Infantry, re-enlisting as a veteran 



in 1864, and rising from the ranks to a captaincy. 
After the close of the war, he studied law, was 
admitted to the bar, and, locating at Paris, Edgar 
County, soon acquired a large practice. He was 
elected State Senator on the Republican ticket in 
1874, and re-elected in 1878 and '82. In 1884 he 
received his first nomination for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, was renominated in 1888, and elected both 
times, serving eight years. Among the im- 
portant questions with which General Hunt had 
to deal during his two terms were the celebrated 
"anarchist cases" of 1887 and of 1890-92. In the 
former the condemned Chicago anarchists applied 
through their counsel to the Supreme Court of 
the United States, for a writ of error to the Su- 
preme Court of Illinois to compel the latter to 
grant them a new trial, which was refused. The 
case, on the part of the State, was conducted by 
General Hunt, while Gen. B. F. Butler of Massa- 
chusetts, John Randolph Tucker of Virginia. 
Roger A. Pryor of New York, and Messrs. W. P. 
Black and Solomon of Chicago appeared for the 
plaintiffs. Again, in 1890, Fielden and Schwab, 
who had been condemned to life imprisonment, 
attempted to secure their release — the former by 
an application similar to that of 1887, and the 
latter by appeal from a decision of Judge Gresham 
of the United States Circuit Court refusing a 
writ of habeas corpus. The final hearing of 
these cases was had before the Supreme Court of 
the United States in January, 1892, General 
Butler again appearing as leading counsel for the 
plaintiffs — but with the same result as in 1887. 
General Hunt's management of these cases won 
for him much deserved commendation both at 
home and abroad. 

HUNTER, Andrew J., was born in Greencastle, 
Ind., Deo. 17, 1831, and removed in infancy by 
his parents, to Edgar County, this State. His 
early education was received in the common 
schools and at Edgar Academy. He coromenced 
his business life as a civil engineer, but, after 
three years spent in that profession, began the 
study of law and was admitted to the bar. He 
has since been activel}' engaged in practice at 
Paris, Edgar County. From 1864 to 1868 he repre- 
sented that county in the State Senate, and, in 
1870, led the Democratic forlorn hope in the Fif- 
teenth Congressional District against General 
Jesse H. Moore, and rendered a like service to his 
party in 1882, when Joseph G. Cannon was his 
Republican antagonist. In 1886 he was elected 
Judge of the Edgar County Court, and, in 1890, 
was re-elected, but resigned this office in 1892, 
having been elected Congressman for the State- 



240 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



atlarge ou tlie Democratic ticket. He was a can- 
didate for Congress from the Nineteenth District 
again in 1896, and was again elected, receiving a 
majority of 1,200 over Hon. Benson Wood, his 
Republican opponent and immediate predecessor. 
HUNTER, (Gen.) David, soldier, was born in 
Washington, D. C, July 21, 1802; graduated at 
the United States Military Academy in 1823, 
and assigned to the Fifth Infantry with the rank 
of Second Lieutenant, becoming Fir.st Lieutenant 
in 1828 and Captain of Dragoons in 1833. During 
this period he twice crossed tlie plains to the 
Rooky Mountains, but, in 1836, resigned his com- 
mission and engaged in business in Chicago, 
Re-entering the service as Paymaster in 1842, he 
was Chief Paymaster of General Wool's command 
in the Mexican War, and was afterwards stationed 
at New Orleans. Washington, Detroit, St. Louis 
and on the frontier. He was a personal friend of 
President Lincoln, whom he accompanied when 
the latter set out for Washington in February, 
1861, but was disabled at Buffalo, having his 
collar-bone dislocated by the crowd. He was 
appointed Colonel of the Sixth United States 
Cavalry, May 14, 1861, three days later commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General and, in August, made 
Major-General. In the Manassas campaign he 
commanded the main column of McDowell's 
army and was severely wounded at Bull Run ; 
served under Fremont in Missouri and succeeded 
him in command in November, 1861, remaining 
until March, 1862. Being transferred to the 
Department of the South in Slay following, he 
issued an order declaring the persons held as 
slaves in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina 
free, which order was revoked by President Lin- 
coln ten days later. On account of the steps 
taken by him for the organization of colored 
troops. Jefferson Davis issued an order declaring 
him, in case of capture, subject to execution as 
a felon. In May, 1864, he was placed in com- 
mand of the Department of the West, and, in 

1865, served on various courts-martial, being 
President of the commission that tried Mr. Lin- 
coln's assassins ; was brevetted Major-General in 
March, 186.5, retired from active service July, 

1866, and died in Washington, Feb. 2, 1886. Gen- 
eral Hunter married a daughter of John Kinzie, 
the first permanent citizen of Chicago. 

HURD, Harvey B., lawyer, was born in Fair- 
field County, Conn., Feb. 24, 1827. At the age of 
1.5 he walked to Bridgeport, where he began life 
as office-boy in "The Bridgeport Standard," a 
journal of pronounced Whig proclivities. In 
1844 he came to Illinois, entering Jubilee College, 



but, after a brief attendance, came to Chicago in 
1846. There he found temporary employment 
as a compositor, later commencing tlie study of 
law, and being admitted to the bar in 1848. A 
portion of the present city of Evanston is built 
upon a 248-acre tract owned and subdivided by Mr. 
Hurd and liis partner. Alwaj-s in sympathy 
with the old school and most radical t3'pe of 
Abolitionists, he took a deep interest in the Kan- 
sas-Missouri troubles of 1856. and became a mem- 
ber of the "National Kansas Committee" 
appointed by the Buffalo (N. Y. ) Convention, of 
which body he was a member. He was cliosen 
Secretary of the executive committee, and it is 
not too much to say that, largely through his 
earnest and poorly requited labors, Kansas was 
finallj' admitted into the L^nion as a free State. 
It was mainly through his efforts that seed for 
planting was gratuitously distributed among the 
free-soil settlers. In 1869 he was appointed a 
member of the Commission to revise the statutes 
of Illinois, a large part of the work devolving 
upon him in consequence of the withdrawal of 
his colleagues. The revision was completed In 
1874, in conjunction with a Joint Committee of 
Revision of both Houses appointed by the Legis- 
lature of 1873. While no statutory revision has 
been ordered by subsequent Legislatures, Mr. 
Hurd has carried on the same character of work 
on independent lines, issuing new editions of the 
statutes from time to time, which are regarded as 
standard works by the bar. In 1875 he was 
nominated by the Republican party for a seat on 
the Supreme bench, but was defeated by the late 
Judge T. Lyle Dickey. For several years he 
filled a chair in the faculty of the Union College 
of Law. His home is in Evanston. 

HURLBUT, Stephen A., soldier. Congressman 
and Foreign Minister, was born at Charleston, 
S. C, Nov. 29, 1815, received a thorough liberal 
education, and was admitted to the bar in 1837. 
Soon afterwards he removed to Illinois, making 
his home at Belvidere. He was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847. in 1848 was an 
unsuccessful candidate for Presidential Elector 
on the Whig ticket, but, on the organization of 
the Republican party in 1856, promptly identified 
himself with that party and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly as a 
Republican in 1858 and again in 1860. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served with distinc- 
tion from May, 1861, to July, 1865. He entered 
the .service as Brigadier-General, commanding 
the Fourth Division of Grant's army at Pittsburg 
Landing ; was made a Major-General in Septeni- 




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03 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



241 



ber, 1862, and later assigned to the command of 
the Sixteenth Army Corps, at Memphis, and sub- 
sequently to the command of the Department of 
the Gulf ( 1864-65). After the close of the war he 
served another term in the General Assembly 
(1867), was chosen Presidential Elector for the 
Stateat-large in 1868, and, in 1869, was appointed 
by President Grant Minister Resident to the 
United States of Colombia, serving until 1872. 
The latter year he was elected Representative to 
Congress, and re-elected two years later. In 
1876 he was a candidate for re-election as an 
independent Republican, but was defeated by 
William Lathrop, the regular nominee. In 1881 
he was appointed Minister Resident to Peru, and 
died at Lima, March 27, 1882. 

HUTCHIXS, Thomas, was born in Monmouth, 
N. J., in 1730, died in Pittsburg, Pa., April 28, 
1789. He was the first Government Surveyor, fre- 
quently called the "Geographer"; was also an 



officer of the Sixtieth Royal (British) regiment, 
and assistant engineer under Bouquet. At the 
outbreak of the Revolution, wliile stationed at 
Fort Chartres, he resigned his commission be- 
cause of his sympathy with the patriots. Three 
years later he was charged with being in treason- 
able correspondence with Franklin, and im- 
prisoned in the Tower of London. He is said to 
have devised the present system of Government 
surveys in this country, and his services in carry- 
ing it into effect were certainly of great value. 
He was the author of several valuable works, the 
best known being a "Topographical Description 
of Virginia." 

HUTSONVILLE, a village of Crawford County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railway, and the Wabash River, 34 miles 
south of Paris. The district is agricultural. The 
town has a bank and a weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 583; (1900), 743. 



ILLINOIS. 

(general history.) 



Illinois is the twenty-first State of the Federal 
Union in the order of its admission, the twentieth 
in present area and the third in point of popula- 
tion. A concise history of the region, of which it 
constituted the central portion at an early period, 
will be found in the following pages: 

The greater part of the territory now comprised 
within the State of Illinois was known and at- 
tracted eager attention from the nations of the 
old world — especially in France, Germany and 
England — before the close of the third quarter of 
the seventeenth century. More than one hun- 
dred years before the struggle for American Inde- 
pendence began, or the geographical division 
known as the "Territory of the Northwest" had 
an existence; before the names of Kentucky, 
Tennessee, Vermont or Ohio had been heard of, 
and while the early settlers of New England and 
Virginia were still struggling for a foothold 
among the Indian tribes on the Atlantic coast, 
the "Illinois Country" occupied a place on the 
miaps of North America as distinct and definite 
as New York or Pennsylvania. And from that 
time forward, until it assumed its position in the 
Union witli the rank of a State, no other pection 
has been the theater of more momentous and 
stirring events or has contributed more material, 
affording interest and instruction to the archaeol- 
ogist, the ethnologist and the historian, than 



that portion of the American Continent now 
known as the "State of Illinois." 

The "Illinois Country. "—What was known 
to the early French explorers and their followers 
and descendants, for the ninety years which 
intervened between the discoveries of Joliet and 
La Salle, down to the surrender of this region to 
the English, as the "Illinois Country," is de- 
scribed with great clearness and definiteness by 
Capt. Philip Pittman, an English engineer who 
made the first survey of the Mississippi River 
soon after the transfer of the French possessions 
east of the Mississippi to the British, and who 
published the result of his observations in London 
in 1770. In this report, which is evidently a 
work of the highest authenticity, and is the more 
valuable because written at a transition period 
when it was of the first importance to preserve 
and hand down the facts of early French history 
to the new occupants of the soil, the boundaries 
of tlie "Illinois Country" are defined as follows: 
"The Country of the Illinois is bounded by the 
Mississippi on the west, by tlie river Illinois on 
the north, by the Ouabache and Miamis on the 
east and the Ohio on the south." 

From this it would appear that the country lying 
between the Illinois and the Mississippi Rivers to 
the west and northwest of the former, was not 
considered a part of the "Illinois Country," and 



242 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



this agjees generally with the records of the 
early Frencli explorers, except that they regarded 
the region which comprehends the site of the 
present city of Chicago — the importance of which 
appears to have been appreciated from the first 
as a connecting link between the Lakes and the 
upper tributaries of the rivers falling into the 
Gulf of Mexico — as belonging thereto 

Origin of the Name. — The "Country" appears 
to have derived its name from Inini, a word of 
Algonquin origin, signifying "the men," eu- 
phemized by the French into lUiui with the 
suffix ois, signifying "tribe." The root of the 
term, applied both to the country and the Indians 
occupying it, has been still further defined as "a 
perfect man" (Haines on "Indian Names"), and 
the derivative has been used by the French 
chroniclers in various forms though always with 
the same signification — a signification of which 
the earliest claimants of the appellation, as well 
as their successors of a different race, have not 
failed to be duly proud. 

Boundaries and Area. — It is this region 
which gave the name to the State of which it 
constituted so large and important a part. Its 
boundaries, so far as the Wabash and the Ohio 
Eivers (as well as the Mississippi from the mouth 
of the Ohio to the mouth of the Illinois) are con- 
cerned, are identical with those given to the 
"Illinois Country" by Pittman. The State is 
bounded on the north by Wisconsin ; on the east 
by Lake Michigan, the State of Indiana and the 
Wabash River; southeast by the Ohio, flowing 
between it and tlie State of Kentucky ; and west 
and southwest by the Mississippi, which sepa- 
rates it from the States of Iowa and Missouri. A 
pecuUarity of the Act of Congress defining the 
boundaries of the State, is the fact that, while 
the jurisdiction of Illinois extends to the middle 
of Lake Michigan and also of the channels of the 
Wabash and the Mississippi, it stops at the north 
bank of the Ohio River; this seems to have been 
a sort of concession on the part of the framers of 
the Act to our proud neighbors of the "Dark and 
Bloody Ground." Geographically, the State lies 
between the parallels of 36' .59' and 43° 30' north 
latitude, and the meridian of 10° 30' and 14° of 
longitude west from the city of Washington. 
From its extreme southern limit at the mouth of 
the Ohio to the Wisconsin boundary on the north, 
its estimated length is 385 miles, with an extreme 
breadth, from the Indiana State line to the Mis- 
sissippi River at a point between Quincy and 
Warsaw, of 218 miles. Owing to the tortuous 
course of its river and lake boundaries, which 



comprise about three-fourths of the whole, its 
physical outline is extremely irregular. Between 
the limits described, it has an estimated area of 
56,650 square miles, of which 650 square miles is 
water — the latter being chiefly in Lake Michigan. 
This area is more than one and one-half times 
that of all New England (Maine being excepted), 
and is greater than that of any other State east 
of the Mississippi, except Michigan, Georgia and 
Florida — Wisconsin lacking only a few hundred 
square miles of the same. 

When these figures are taken into account 
some idea may be formed of the magnificence of 
tlie domain comprised within the limits of the 
State of Illinois — a domain larger in extent than 
that of England, more than one-fourth of that of 
all France and nearly half that of the British 
Islands, including Scotland and Ireland. The 
possibilities of such a country, possessing a soil 
unequaled in fertility, in proportion to its area, 
by any other State of the Union and with re- 
sources in agriculture, manufactures and com- 
merce unsurpassed in any country on the face of 
the globe, transcend all human conception. 

Streams and Navigation. — Lying between 
the Mississippi and its chief eastern tributary, the 
Ohio, with the Wabash on the east, and inter- 
sected from northeast to southwest by the Illinois 
and its numerous aflluents, and with no motin- 
tainous region within its limits, Illinois is at once 
one of the best watered, as well as one of the most 
level States in the Union. Besides the Sanga- 
mon, Kankakee, Fox and Des Plaines Rivers, 
chief tributaries of the Illinois, and the Kaskaskia 
draining the region between the Illinois and the 
Wabash, Rook River, in tlie northwestern portion 
of the State, is most important on account of its 
valuable %vater-power. All of these streams were 
regarded as navigable for some sort of craft, dur- 
ing at least a portion of the year, in the early 
history of the country, and with the magnificent 
Mississippi along the whole western border, gave 
to Illinois a larger extent of navigable waters 
than that of any other single State. Although 
practical navigation, apart from the lake and by 
natural water courses, is now limited to the Mis- 
sissippi. Illinois and Ohio — making an aggregate 
of about 1,000 miles — the importance of the 
smaller streams, when the people were dependent 
almost wholly upon some means of water com- 
munication for the transportation of heavy com- 
modities as well as for travel, could not be 
over-estimated, and it is not without its effect 
upon the productiveness of the soil, now that 
water transportation has given place to railroads. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



243 



The whole number of streams shown upon the 
best maps exceeds 280. 

Topography. — In physical conformation the 
surface of the State presents the aspect of an 
inclined plane with a moderate descent in the 
general direction of the streams toward the south 
and southwest. Cairo, at the extreme southern 
end of the State and the point of lowest depres- 
sion, has an elevation above sea-level of about 
300 feet, while the altitude of Lake Michigan at 
Chicago is 583 feet. The greatest elevation is 
reached near Scale's Moimd in the northwestern 
part of the State — 1.257 feet^ — while a spur from 
the Ozark Mountains of Missouri, projected across 
the southern part of the State, rises in Jackson 
and Union Counties to a height of over 900 feet. 
The eastern end of this spur, in the northeast 
corner of Pope County, reaches an elevation of 
1,046 feet. South of this ridge, the surface of 
the country between the Ohio and Mississippi 
Rivers was originally covered with dense forests. 
These included some of the most valuable species 
of timber for limiber manufacture, such as the 
different varieties of oak, walnut, poplar, ash, 
sugar-maple and cypress, besides elm, linden, 
hickory, honey-locust, pecan, hack-berry, cotton- 
wood, sycamore, sassafras, black-gum and beech. 
The native fruits included the persimmon, wild 
plum grape and pawpaw, with various kinds of 
berries, such as blackberries, raspberries, straw- 
berries (in the prairie districts) and some others. 
Most of the native growths of woods common to 
the south were found along the streams farther 
north, except the cypress beech, pecan and a few 
others. 

PkaIRIES. — A peculiar feature of the country, 
in the middle and northern portion of the State, 
wliich excited the amazement of early explorers, 
was the vast extent of the prairies or natural 
meadows. The origin of these has been attrib- 
uted to various causes, such as some peculiarity of 
the soil, absence or excess of moisture, recent 
upheaval of the surface from lakes or some other 
bodies of water, the action of fires, etc. In many 
sections there appears little to distinguish the 
soil of the prairies from that of the adjacent 
woodlands, that may not be accounted for by the 
character of their vegetation and other causes, 
for the luxuriant growth of native grasses and 
other productions has demonstrated that they do 
not lack in fertility, and the readiness with 
which trees take root when artificially propa- 
gated and protected, has shown that there is 
nothing in the soil itself unfavorable to their 
growth. Whatever may have been the original 



cause of the prairies, however, there is no doubt 
that annually recurring fires have had much to 
do in perpetuating their existence, and even 
extending their limits, as the absence of the same 
agent has tended to favor the encroachments of 
the -forests. While originally regarded as an 
obstacle to the occupation of the country by a 
dense population, there is no doubt that their 
existence has contributed to its rapid develop- 
ment when it was discovered with what ease 
these apparent wastes could be subdued, and how 
productive they were capable of becoming when 
once brought under cultivation. 

In spite of the uniformity in altitude of the 
State as a whole, many sections present a variety 
of surface and a mingling of plain and woodland 
of the most pleasing character. This is espe- 
cially the case in some of the prairie districts 
where the undulating landscape covered with 
rich herbage and brilliant flowers must have 
presented to the first explorers a scene of ravish- 
ing beauty, which has been enhanced rather than 
diminished in recent times by the hand of culti- 
vation. Along some of the streams also, espe- 
cially on the upper Mississippi and Illinois, and 
at some points on the Ohio, is found scenery of 
a most picturesque variety. 

Animals, etc. — From this description of the 
country it will be easy to infer what must have 
been the varieties of the animal kingdom which 
here found a home. These included the buffalo, 
various kinds of deer, the bear, panther, fox, 
wolf, and wild-cat, while swans, geese and ducks 
covered the lakes and streams. It was a veritable 
paradise for game, both large and small, as well 
as for their native hunters. "One can scarcely 
travel," wrote one of the earliest priestly explor- 
ers, "without finding a prodigious multitude of 
turkeys, that keep together in flocks often to the 
number of ten hundred." Beaver, otter, and 
mink were found along the streams. Most of 
these, especially the larger species of game, have 
disappeared before the tide of civilization, but the 
smaller, such as quail, prairie chicken, duck and 
the different varieties of fish in the streams, pro- 
tected by law during certain seasons of the year, 
continue to exist in considerable numbers. 

Soil and Climate.— The capabilities of the 
soil in a region thus situated can be readily under- 
stood. In proportion to the extent of its surface, 
Illinois has a larger area of cultivable land than 
any other State in the Union, with a soil of supe- 
rior quality, much of it unsurpassed in natural 
fertility. This is especially true of the "American 
Bottom," a region extending a distance of ninety 



244 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



miles along the east bank of the Mississippi, from 
a few miles below Alton nearly to Chester, and 
of an average width of five to eight miles. This 
was the seat of the first permanent white settle- 
ment in the Mississippi Valley, and portions of it 
have been under cultivation from one himdred to 
one hundred and fifty years without exhaustion. 
Other smaller areas of scarcely less fertility are 
found both upon the bottom-lands and in the 
prairies in the central portions of the State. 

Extending through five and one-half degrees of 
latitude, Illinois has a great variety of climate. 
Though subject at times to sudden alternations 
of temperature, these occasions have been rare 
since the country has been thoroughly settled. 
Its mean average for a series of years has been 48° 
in the northern part of the State and 56° in the 
southern, differing little from other States upon 
the same latitude. The mean winter temper- 
ature has ranged from 25° in the north to 34' in 
the south, and the summer mean from 67° in the 
north to 78° in the south. The extreme winter 
temperature has seldom fallen below 20° below 
zero in the northern portion, while the highest 
summer temperature ranges from 95° to 102°. 
The average difference in temperature between 
the northern and southern portions of the State 
is about 10°, and the difference in the progress of 
the seasons for the same sections, from four to six 
weeks. Such a wide variety of climate is favor- 
able to the production of nearly all the grains 
and fruits peculiar to the temperate zone. 

Contest for Occupation. — Three powers 
early became contestants for the supremacy on 
the North American Continent. The first of 
these was Spain, claiming possession on the 
ground of the discovery by Columbus ; England, 
basing her claim upon the discoveries of the 
Cabots, and France, maintaining her right to a 
considerable part of the continent by virtue of 
the discovery and exploration by Jacques Cartier 
of the Gulf and River St. Lawrence, in 1534-35, 
and the settlement of Quebec by Champlain 
seventy-four years later. The claim of Spain 
was general, extending to both North and South 
America; and, while she early established her 
colonies in Mexico, the West Indies and Peru, 
the country was too vast and her agents too busy 
seeking for gold to interfere materially with her 
competitors. The Dutch, Swedes and Germans 
established small, though flourishing colonies, but 
they were not colonizers nor were they numeric- 
ally as strong as their neighbors, and their settle- 
ments were ultimately absorbed by the latter. 
Both the Spaniards and the French were zealous 



in proselyting the aborigines, but while the 
former did not hesitate to torture their victims 
in order to extort their gold while claiming to 
save their souls, the latter were more gentle and 
beneficent in their policy, and, by their kindness, 
succeeded in winning and retaining the friend- 
ship of the Indians in a remarkable degree. They 
were traders as well as missionaries, and this fact 
and the readiness with which they adapted them- 
selves to the habits of those whom they found in 
possession of the soil, enabled them to make tlie 
most extensive explorations in small numbers 
and at little cost, and even to remain for un- 
limited periods among their aboriginal friends. 
On the other hand, the English were artisans and 
tillers of the soil with a due proportion engaged 
in commerce or upon the sea; and, while they 
were later in planting their colonies in Virginia 
and New England, and less aggressive in the 
work of exploration, they maintained a surer 
foothold on the soil when they had once estab- 
lished themselves. To this fact is due the per- 
manence and steady growth of the English 
colonies in the New World, and the virtual domi- 
nance of the Anglo-Saxon race over more than 
five-sevenths of the North American Continent — 
a result which has been illustrated in the history 
of every people that has made agriculture, manu- 
factures and legitimate commerce the basis of 
their prosperity. 

Early Explor.vtions. — The French explorers 
were the first Europeans to visit the "Country of 
the Illinois," and, for nearly a century, they and 
their successors and descendants held undisputed 
possession of the country, as well as the greater 
part of the Mississippi Valley. It is true that 
Spain put in a feeble and indefinite claim to this 
whole region, but she was kept too busy else- 
where to make her claim good, and, in 1763, she 
relinquished it entirely as to the Mississippi 
Valley and west to the Pacific Ocean, in order to 
strengthen herself elsewhere. 

There is a peculiar coincidence in the fact that, 
while the English colonists who settled about 
IMassachusetts Bay named that region "New 
England," the French gave to tlieir possessions, 
from the St. Lawrence to the mouth of the Mis- 
sissippi, the name of "New France." and the 
Spaniards called all the region claimed by them, 
extending from Panama to Puget Sound, "New 
Spain. ' ' The boundaries of each were very indefi- 
nite and often confiicting, but were settled by the 
treaty of 1763. 

As early as 1634, Jean Nicolet, coming by way 
of Canada, discovered Lake Michigan — then 



UISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEIJIA OF ILLINOIS. 



345 



called by the French, "Lao des Illinois" — entered 
Green Bay and visited some of the tribes of 
Indians in that region. In 1641 zealous mission- 
aries had reached the Falls of St. Mary (called by 
the French "Sault Ste. Marie"), and, in 1658, two 
French fur-traders are alleged to have penetrated 
as far west as "La Pointe"' on Lake Superior, 
where they opened up a trade with the Sioux 
Indians and wintered in the neighborhood of the 
Apostle Islands near wliere the towns of Ashland 
and Bayfield, Wis., now stand. A few years later 
(1665), Fathers Allouez and Dablon, French mis- 
sionaries, visited the Cliippewas on the southern 
shore of Lake Superior, and missions were estab- 
lished at Green Bay, Ste. Marie and La Pointe. 
About the same time the mission of St. Ignace 
was established on the north shore of the Straits 
of Mackinaw (spelled by the French "Michilli- 
macinao"). It is also claimed that the French 
traveler, Radisson, during the year of 1658-59, 
reached the upper Mississippi, antedating the 
claims of Joliet and Marquette as its discoverers 
by fourteen years. Nicholas Perrot, an intelli- 
gent chronicler who left a manuscript account of 
his travels, is said to have made extensive explor- 
ations about the head of the great lakes as far 
south as the Fox River of Wisconsin, between 
1670 and 1690. and to have held an important 
conference with representatives of numerous 
tribes of Indians at Sault Ste. Marie in June, 
1671. Perrot is also said to have made the first 
discovery of lead mines in the West. 

Up to this time, however, no white man appears 
to have reached the "Illinois Country," though 
much had been heard of its beauty and its wealth 
in game. On May 17, 1673, Louis Joliet, an enter- 
prising explorer who had already visited the Lake 
Superior region in searcii of copper mines, under 
a commission from the Governor of Canada, in 
company with Father Jacques Marquette and 
five voyageurs, with a meager stock of provisions 
and a few trinkets for trading with the natives, 
set out in two birch-bark canoes from St. Ignace 
on a tour of exploration southward. Coasting 
along the west shore of Lake Michigan and Green 
Bay and through Lake Winnebago, they reached 
the country of the Slascoutins on Fox River, 
ascended that stream to the portage to the Wis- 
consin, then descended the latter to the Mis- 
sissippi, which they discovered on June 17. 
Descending the Jlississippi, which they named 
"Rio de la Conception," they passed the mouth of 
the Des Moines, where they are supposed to have 
encountered the first Indians of the Illinois 
tribes, by whom they were hospitably enter- 



tained. Later they discovered a rude painting 
upon the rocks on the east side of the river, 
which, from the description, is supposed to have 
been the famous "Piasa Bird," which was still to 
be seen, a short distance above Alton, within the 
present generation. (See Piasa Bird, Tlie 
Legend of.) Passing the mouth of the Missotiri 
River and the present site of the city of St. 
Louis, and continuing past the mouth of the 
Ohio, they finally reached what Marquette called 
the village of the Akanseas, which has been 
assumed to be identical with the mouth of the 
Arkansas, though it has been questioned whether 
they proceeded so far south. Convinced that the 
Mississippi "had its moutli in Florida or the Gulf 
of Mexico," and fearing capture by the Spaniards, 
they started on their return. Reaching the 
mouth of the Illinois, thej' entered that stream 
and ascended past the village of the Peorias and 
the "Illinois town of the Kaskaskias" — the 
latter being about where the town of Utica, La 
Salle County, now stands — at each of which they 
made a brief stay. Escorted by guides from the 
Kaskaskias, they crossed the portage to Lake 
Michigan where Chicago now stands, and re- 
turned to Green Bay, which they reached in the 
latter part of September. (See Joliet and Mar- 
quette. ) 

The next and most important expedition to Illi- 
nois — important because it led to the first per- 
manent settlements — was undertaken by Robert 
Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, in 1679. This eager 
and intelligent, but finally unfortunate, discov- 
erer had spent several years in exploration in 
the lake region and among the streams south of 
the lakes and west of the AUeghenies. It has 
been claimed that, during this tour, he descended 
the Ohio to its junction with the Mississippi; 
also that he reached the Illinois bj' way of the 
head of Lake Michigan and the Chicago portage, 
and even descended the Mississippi to the 36th 
parallel, antedating Marquette's first visit to 
that stream bj- two years. The cldef authority 
for this claim is La Salle's biographer, Pierre 
Margry, who bases his statement on alleged con- 
versations with La Salle and letters of his friends. 
The absence of any allusion to these discoveries 
in La Salle's own papers, of a later date, addressed 
to the King, is regarded as fatal to this claim. 
However this may have been, there is conclusive 
evidence that, during this period, he met with 
Joliet while the latter was returning "rom one of 
his trips to the Lake Superior country. With an 
imagination fired by what he then leavned, he 
made a visit to his native country, receiving a 



246 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



liberal grant from the French Government which 
enabled him to carry out liis plans. With the 
aid of Henry de Tonty, an Italian who afterward 
accompanied him in his most important expedi- 
tions, and who proved a most valuable and effi- 
cient CO- laborer, under the auspices of Frontenac, 
then Governor of Canada, he constructed a small 
vessel at the foot of Lake Erie, in which, with a 
company of thirty-four persons, he set sail on 
the seventh of August, 1679, for the West. This 
vessel (named the "Griffon") is believed to have 
been the first sailing-vessel that ever navigated 
the lakes. His object was to reach the Illinois, 
and he carried with him material for a boat 
which he intended to put together on that 
stream. Arriving in Green Bay early in Septem- 
ber, by way of Lake Huron and the straits of 
Mackinaw, he disembarked his stores, and, load- 
ing the Griffon with furs, started it on its return 
with instructions, after discharging its cargo at 
the starting point, to join him at the head of 
Lake Michigan. With a force of seventeen men 
and three missionaries in four canoes, he started 
southward, following the western shore of Lake 
Michigan past the mouth of the Chicago River, 
on Nov. 1, 1679, and reached the mouth of 
the St. Joseph River, at the southeast corner of 
the lake, which had been selected as a rendez- 
vous. Here he was joined by Touty, three weeks 
later, with a force of twenty Frenchmen who 
had come by the eastern shore, but the Griffon 
never was heard from again, and is supposed to 
have been lost on the return voyage. While 
waiting for Tonty he erected a fort, afterward 
called Fort Miami. The two parties here united, 
and, leaving four men in charge of the fort, with 
the remaining thirty-three, he resumed his 
journey on the third of December. Ascending 
the St. Joseph to about where South Bend, Ind., 
now stands, he made a portage with his canoes 
and stores across to the headwaters of the Kan- 
kakee, which he descended to the Illinois. On 
the first of January he arrived at the great Indian 
town of the Kaskaskias, which Marquette had 
left for the last time nearly five years before, but 
found it deserted, the Indians being absent on a 
hunting expedition. Proceeding down the Illi- 
nois, on Jan. 4, 1680, he passed through Peoria 
Lake and the next morning reached the Indian 
village of that name at the foot of the lake, and 
established friendly relations with its people 
Having determined to set up his vessel here, he 
constructed a rude fort on the eastern bank of 
the river about four miles south of the village. 
With the exception of the cabin built for Mar- 



quette on the South Branch of the Chicago River 
in the winter of 1674-75, this was probably the 
first structure erected by white men in Illinois. 
This received the name "Creve-Cceur— "Broken 
Heart" — which, from its subsequent history, 
proved exceedingly appropriate. Having dis- 
patched Father Louis Hennepin with two com- 
panions to the Upper Mississippi, by way of the 
mouth of the Illinois, on an expedition which 
resulted in the discovery of the Falls of St. 
Anthony, La Salle started on his return to 
Canada for additional assistance and the stores 
which he had failed to receive in consequence of 
the loss of the Griffon. Soon after his depar- 
ture, a majority of the men left with Tonty at 
Fort Creve-Coeur mutinied, and, having plundered 
the fort, partially destroyed it. This compelled 
Tonty and five companions who had remained 
true, to retreat to the Indian village of the Illi- 
nois near "Starved Rock," between where the 
cities of Ottawa and La Salle now stand, where 
he spent the summer awaiting the return of La 
Salle. In September, Tonty"s Indian allies hav- 
ing been attacked and defeated by the Iroquois, 
he and his companions were again compelled to 
flee, reaching Green Bay the next spring, after 
having spent the winter among the Pottawato- 
mies in the present State of Wisconsin. 

During the next three years (1681-83) La Salle 
made two other visits to Illinois, encountering 
and partially overcoming formidable obstacles at 
each end of the journey. At the last visit, in 
company with the faithful Tonty, whom he had 
met at Mackinaw in the spring of 1681, after a 
separation of more than a year, he extended his 
exploration to the mouth of the Mississippi, of 
which he took formal possession on April 9, 1682, 
in the name of "Louis the Grand, King of France 
and Navarre." This was the first expedition of 
white men to pass down the river and determine 
the problem of its discharge into the Gulf of 
Mexico. 

Returning to Mackinaw, and again to Illinois, 
in the fall of 1682, Tonty set about carrying into 
effect La Salle's scheme of fortifying "The Rock, " 
to which reference has been made under the 
name of "Starved Rock." The buildings are said 
to have included store-houses (it was intended as 
a trading post), dwellings and a block-house 
erected on the summit of the rock, and to which 
the name of "Fort St. Louis" was given, while a 
village of confederated Indian tribes gathered 
about its base on the south which bore the name 
of La Vantum. According to the historian, 
Parkmau, the population of this colony, in the 




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FORT DEARBORN 2D. IN 1S53, FROM THE SOUTHWEST. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



247 



(lays of its greatest prosperity, was not less than 
20, 000. Tonty retained his headquarters at Fort 
St. Louis for eighteen years, during which he 
made extensive excursions throughout the West. 
The proprietorship of the fort was granted to 
him in 1690, but, in 1703, it was ordered by the 
Governor of Canada to be discontinued on the 
plea that the charter had been violated. It con- 
tinued to be used as a trading post, however, as 
late as 1718, when it was raided by the Indians 
and burned. (See La Salle; Tonty; Hennepin, 
and Stan'ed Hock. ) 

Other explorers who were the contemporaries 
or early successors of Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, 
Tonty, Hennepin and their companions in the 
Korthwest, and many of whom are known to have 
visited the "Illinois Country," and probably all 
of whom did so, were Daniel Greysolon du Lhut 
(called by La Salle, du Luth), a cousin of Tonty, 
who was the first to reach the Mississippi directly 
from Lake Superior, and from whom the city of 
Duluth has been named ; Henry Joutel, a towns- 
man of La Salle, who was one of the survivors of 
the ill-fated Matagorda Bay colony; Pierre Le 
Sueur, the discoverer of the Minnesota River, 
and Baron la Hontan, who made a tour through 
Illinois in 1688-89, of which he published an 
account in 1703. 

Chicago River early became a prominent point 
in the estimation of the French explorers and 
was a favorite line of travel in reaching the Illi- 
nois by way of the Des Plaines, though probably 
sometimes confounded with other streams about 
the head of the lake. The Calumet and Grand 
Calumet, allowing easy portage to the Des Plaines, 
were also used, while the St. Joseph, from which 
portage was had into the Kankakee, seems to 
have been a part of the route first used by La 
Salle. 

Aborigines and Early Missions. — When the 
early French explorers arrived in the "Illinois 
Country" they found it occupied by a number of 
tribes of Indians, the most numerous being the 
"Illinois," which consisted of several families or 
bands that spread themselves over the country on 
both sides of the Illinois River, extending even 
west of the Mississippi ; the Piankeshaws on the 
east, extending beyond the present western 
boundary of Indiana, and the Miamis in the 
northeast, with whom a weaker tribe called the 
Weas were allied. The Illinois confederation 
included the Kaskaskias, Peorias, Cahokias, 
Tamaroas and Mitchigamies — the last being the 
tribe from which Lake Michigan took its name. 
(See TlHnois Indians. ) There seems to have been 



a general drift of some of the stronger tribes 
toward the south and east about this time, as 
AUouez represents that he found the Miamis and 
their neighbors, the Mascoutins, about Green Bay 
when he arrived there in 1670. At the same 
time, there is evidence that the Pottawatomies 
were located along the southern shore of Lake 
Superior and about the Sault Ste. Marie (now 
known as "The Soo"), though within the next 
fifty years they had advanced southward along 
the western shore of Lake Michigan until they 
reached where Chicago now stands. Other tribes 
from the north were the Kickapoos, Sacs and 
Foxes, and Winnebagoes, while the Shawnees 
were a branch of a stronger tribe from the south- 
east Charlevoix, who wrote an account of his 
visit to the "Illinois Country" in 1721, says: 
"Fifty years ago the Miamis %vere settled on the 
southern extremity of Lake Michigan, in a place 
called Cliicago from the name of a small river 
which runs into the lake, the source of which is 
not far distant from that of the River Illinois." 
It does not follow necessarily that this was the 
Chicago River of to-day, as the name appears to 
have been applied somewhat indefinitely, by the 
early explorers, both to a region of country 
between the head of the lake and the Illinois 
River, and to more than one stream emptying 
into the lake in that vicinity. It has been con- 
jectured that the river meant by Charlevoix 
was the Calumet, as his description would apply 
as well to that as to the Chicago, and there is 
other evidence that the Miamis, who were found 
about the mouth of the St. Joseph River during 
the eighteenth century, occupied a portion of 
Southern Michigan and Northern Indiana, ex- 
tending as far east as the Scioto River in Ohio. 

From the first, the Illinois seem to have con- 
ceived a strong liking for the French, and being 
pressed by the Iroquois on the east, the Sacs and 
Foxes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos on the 
north and the Sioux on the west, by the begin- 
ning of the eighteenth century we find them, 
much reduced in numbers, gathered about the 
French settlements near the mouth of the Kas- 
kaskia (or Okaw) River, in the western part of 
the present counties of Randolph, Monroe and St. 
Clair. In spite of the zealous efforts of the mis- 
sionaries, the contact of these tribes with the 
whites was attended with the usual results — 
demoralization, degradation and gradual extermi- 
nation. The latter result was hastened by the 
frequent attacks to which they were exposed 
from their more warlike enemies, so that by the 
latter part of the eighteenth century, they were 



348 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



reduced to a few hundred dissolute and depraved 
survivors of a once vigorous and warlike race. 

During the early part of the French occupation, 
there arose a chief named Chicagou (from whom 
the city of Chicago received its name) who ap- 
pears, like Red Jacket, Tecumseh and Logan, to 
have been a man of unusual intelligence and 
vigor of character, and to have exercised great 
influence with his people. In 1735 he was sent to 
Paris, where he received the attentions due to a 
foreign potentate, and, on his return, was given a 
command in an expedition against the Cliicka- 
saws, who had been making incursions from the 
south. 

Such was the general distribution of the Indians 
in the northern and central portions of the State, 
within the first fifty years after the arrival of the 
French. At a later period the Kickapoos ad- 
vanced farther south and occupied a considerable 
share of the central portion of the State, and even 
extended to the mouth of the "Wabash. The 
southern part was roamed over by bands from 
beyond the Ohio and the Mississippi, including 
the Cherokees and Chickasaws, and the Arkansas 
tribes, some of whom were very powerful and 
ranged over a vast extent of country. 

The earliest civilized dwellings in Illinois, after 
the forts erected for purposes of defense, were 
undoubtedly the posts of the fur-traders and the 
missionary stations. Fort Miami, the first mili- 
tary post, established by La Salle in the winter 
of 1679-80, was at the mouth of the St. Joseph 
River within the boundaries of what is now the 
State of Michigan. Fort Creve-Coeur, partially 
erected a few months later on the east side of the 
Illinois a few miles below where the city of 
Peoria now stands, was never occupied. Sir. 
Charles Ballance, the historian of Peoria, locates 
this fort at the present village of Wesley, in 
Tazewell County, nearly opposite Lower Peoria. 
Fort St. Louis, built by Tonty on the summit of 
"Starved Rock," in the fall and winter of 1682, 
was the second erected in the "Illinois Country," 
but the first occupied. It has been claimed that 
Marquette established a mission among the Kas- 
kaskias, opposite "The Rock," on occasion of his 
first visit, in September, 1673, and that he re- 
newed it in the spring of 1675, when he visited 
it for the last time. It is doubtful if this mission 
was more than a season of preaching to the 
natives, celebrating mass, administering baptism, 
etc. ; at least the story of an established mission 
has been denied. That this devoted and zealous 
propagandist regarded it as a mission, however, 
is evident from his owti journal. He gave to it 



the name of the "Mission of the Immaculate 
Conception," and, although he was compelled by 
failing health to abandon it almost immediately, 
it is claimed that it was renewed in 1677 by 
Father Allouez, who had been active in founding 
missions in the Lake Superior region, and that it 
was maintained until the arrival of La Salle in 
1680. The hostility of La Salle to the Jesuits led 
to Allouez' withdrawal, but he subsequently 
returned and was succeeded in 1688 by Father 
Gravier, whose labors extended from Mackinaw 
to Biloxi on the Gulf of Mexico. 

There is evidence that a mission had been 
established among the Miamis as early as 1698, 
under the name "Chicago." as it is mentioned by 
St. Cosme in the report of his visit in 1699-1700. 
This, for the reasons already given showing the 
indefinite use made of the name Chicago as 
applied to streams about the head of Lake Michi- 
gan, probably referred to some other locality in 
the vicinity, and not to the site of the present 
city of Chicago. Even at an earlier date there 
appears, from a statement in Tonty's Memoirs, to 
have been a fort at Chicago — probably about the 
same locality as the mission. Speaking of his 
return from Canada to the "Illinois Country" in 
1685, he says: "I embarked for the Illinois 
Oct. 30, 1685, but being stopped by the ice, I 
was obliged to leave my canoe and proceed by 
land. After going 120 leagues, I arrived at Fort 
Chicagou, where M. de la Durantaye com- 
manded." 

According to the best authorities it was during 
the year 1700 that a mission and permanent settle- 
ment was established by Father Jacques Pinet 
among the Tamaroas at a village called Cahokia 
(or "Sainte Famille de Caoquias"), a few miles 
south of the present site of the city of East St. 
Louis. This was the first permanent settlement 
by Europeans in Illinois, as that at Kaskaskia on 
the Illinois was broken up the same year. 

A few months after the establishment of the 
mission at Cahokia (which received the name of 
"St. Sulpice"), but during the .same year, the 
Kaskaskias, having abandoned their village on 
the upper Illinois, were induced to settle near the 
mouth of the river which bears their name, and 
the mission and village — the latter afterward 
becoming the first capital of the Territory and 
State of Illinois — came into being. This identity 
of names has led to some confusion in determin- 
ing the date and place of the first permanent 
settlement in Illinois, the date of Marquette's 
first arrival at Kaskaskia on the Illinois being 
given by some authors as that of the settlement 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



249 



at Kaskaskia on the Mississippi, twenty-seven 
years later. 

Period of French Occtjpation.— As may be 
readily inferred from the methods of French 
colonization, the first permanent settlements 
gathered about the missions at Cahokia and Kas- 
kaskia, or rather were parts of them. At later 
periods, but during the French occupation of the 
country, other villages were established, the 
most important being St. Philip and Prairie du 
Rocher ; all of these being located in the fertile 
valley now known as the "American Bottom," 
between the older towns of Cahokia and Kaskas- 
kia. There were several Indian villages in the 
vicinity of the French settlements, and this 
became, for a time, the most populous locality in 
the Mississippi Valley and the center of an active 
trade carried on with the settlements near the 
mouth of the Mississippi. Large quantities of 
the products of the country, such as flour, bacon, 
pork, tallow, lumber, lead, peltries, and even 
wine, were transported in keel-boats or batteaus 
to New Orleans; rice, manufactured tobacco, 
cotton goods and such other fabrics as the simple 
wants of the people required, being brought back 
in return. Tliese boats went in convoys of seven 
to twelve in number for mutual protection, thi'ee 
months being required to make a trip, of which 
two were made annually — one in the spring and 
the other in the autumn. 

The French possessions in North America went 
under tlie general name of "New France, " but their 
boundaries were never clearly defined, though an 
attempt was made to do so through Commission- 
ers who met at Paris, in 17.52. They were under- 
stood by the French to include the valley of the 
St. Lawrence, with Labrador and Nova Scotia, to 
the northern boundaries of the British colonies ; 
the region of the Great Lakes ; and the Valley of 
the Mississippi from the headwaters of the Ohio 
westward to the Pacific Ocean and south to the 
Gulf of Mexico. While these claims were con- 
tested by England on the east and Spain on the 
southwest, they comprehended the very heart of 
the North American continent, a region unsur- 
passed in fertility and natural resources and 
now the home of more than half of the entire 
population of the American Republic. That 
the French should have reluctantly yielded 
up so magnificent a domain is natural. And 
yet they did this by the treaty of 1763, sur- 
rendering the region east of the Mississippi 
(except a comparatively small district near 
the mouth of that stream) to England, and the 
remainder to Spain — an evidence of the straits to 



which they had been reduced by a long series of 
devastating wars. (See French and Indian 
Wars.) 

In 1712 Antoine Crozat, under royal letters- 
patent, obtained from Louis XIV. of France a 
monopoly of the commerce, with control of the 
country, "from the edge of the sea (Gulf of 
Mexico) as far as the Illinois." This grant hav- 
ing been surrendered a few years later, was re- 
newed in 1717 to the "Company of the West," of 
which the celebrated John Law was the head, 
and under it jurisdiction was exercised over the 
trade of Illinois. On September 27 of the same 
year (1717), the "Illinois Country," which had 
been a dependency of Canada, was incorporated 
with Louisiana and became part of that province. 
Law's company received enlarged powers under 
the name of the "East Indies Company," and 
although it went out of existence in 1721 with 
the opprobrious title of the "South Sea Bubble," 
leaving in its wake hundreds of ruined private 
fortunes in France and England, it did much to 
stimulate the population and development of the 
Mississippi Valley. During its existence (in 1718) 
New Orleans was founded and Fort Chartres 
erected, being named after the Due de Chartres, 
son of the Regent of France. Pierre Duque Bois- 
briant was the first commandant of Illinois and 
superintended the erection of the fort. (See Fort 
Chartres.) 

One of the privileges granted to Law's com- 
pany was the importation of slaves ; and under 
it, in 1721, Philip F. Renault brought to the 
country five hundred slaves, besides two hundred 
artisans, mechanics and laborers. Two years 
later he received a large grant of land, and 
founded the village of St. Philip, a few miles 
north of Fort Chartres. Thus Illinois became 
slave territory before a white settlement of any 
sort existed in what afterward became the slave 
State of Missouri. 

During 1721 the country under control of the 
East Indies Company was divided into nine civil 
and military districts, each presided over by a 
commandant and a judge, with a superior coun- 
cil at New Orleans. Of these, Illinois, the largest 
and, next to New Orleans, the most populous, 
was the seventh. It embraced over one-half the 
present State, with the country west of the Mis- 
ssisippi, between the Arkansas and the 43d degree 
of latitude, to the Rocky Mountains, and included 
the present States of Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, 
Kansas and parts of Arkansas and Colorado. In 
1732, the Indies Company surrendered its charter, 
and Louisiana, including the District of Illinois, 



250 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was afterwards governed by officers appointed 
directly by the crown. (See French Oovernors.) 

As early as September, 1699, an attempt was 
made by an expedition fitted out by the English 
Government, under command of Captains Barr 
and Clements, to take possession of the country 
about the mouth of the Mississippi on the ground 
of prior discovery; but they found the French 
under Bienville already in possession at Biloxi, 
and they sailed away without making any further 
effort to carry the scheme into effect. Mean- 
while, in the early part of the next century, the 
English were successful in attaching to their 
interests the Iroquois, who were the deadly foes 
of the French, and held possession of Western 
New York and the region around the headwaters 
of the Ohio River, extending their incursions 
against the Indian allies of the French as far west 
as IlUnois. The real struggle for territory be- 
tween the English and French began with the 
formation of the Ohio Land Company in 1748-49, 
and the grant to it by the English Government 
of half a million acres of land along the Ohio 
River, with the exclusive right of trading with 
the Indian tribes in that region. Out of this 
grew tlie establishment, in the next two years, of 
trading posts and forts on the Miami and Maumee 
in Western Ohio, followed by the protracted 
French and Indian War, which was prosecuted 
with varied fortunes until the final defeat of the 
French at Quebec, on the thirteenth of Septem- 
ber, 1759, which broke their power on the Ameri- 
can continent Among those who took part in 
this struggle, was a contingent from the French 
garrison of Fort Chartres. Neyon de Villiers, 
commandant of the fort, was one of these, being 
the only survivor of seven brothers who partici- 
pated in the defense of Canada. Still hopeful of 
saving Louisiana and Illinois, he departed with 
a few followers for New Orleans, but the treaty 
of Paris, Feb. 10, 1763, destroyed all hope, for by 
its terms Canada, and all other territory east of 
the Mississippi as far south as the northern 
boundary of Florida, was surrendered to Great 
Britain, while the remainder, including the vast 
territory between the Mississippi and the Rocky 
Mountains, was given up to Spain. 

Thus the "Illinois Country'" fell into the hands 
of the British, although the actual transfer of 
Fort Chartres and the country dependent upon it 
did not take place until Oct. 10, 1765, when its 
veteran commandant, St. Ange — who had come 
from Vincennes to assume command on the 
retirement of Villiers, and who held it faithfully 
for the conqueror — surrendered it to Capt. 



Thomas Stirling as the representative of the Eng- 
lish Government. It is worthy of note that this 
was the last place on the North American con- 
tinent to lower the French flag. 

British Occupation. — The delay of the British 
in taking possession of the "Illinois Country," 
after the defeat of the French at Quebec and the 
surrender of their possessions in America by the 
treaty of 1763, was due to its isolated position 
and the difficulty of reaching it wath sufficient 
force to establish the British authority. The 
first attempt was made in the spring of 1764, 
when Maj. Arthur Loftus, starting from Pensa- 
cola, attempted to ascend the Mississippi with a 
force of four hundred regulars, but, being met 
by a superior Indian force, was compelled to 
retreat. In August of the same year, Capt 
Thomas Morris was dispatched from Western 
Pennsylvania with a small force "to take posses- 
sion of the Illinois Country." This expedition 
got as far as Fort Miami on the Maumee, when its 
progress was arrested, and its commander nar- 
rowly escaped death. The next attempt was 
made in 1765, when Maj. George Croghan, a Dep- 
uty Superintendent of Indian affairs whose name 
has been made historical by the celebrated speech 
of the Indian Chief Logan, was detailed from 
Fort Pitt, to visit Illinois. Croghan being detained, 
Lieut. Alexander Frazer, who was to accompany 
him, proceeded alone. Frazer reached Kaskas- 
kia, but met with so rough a reception from 
both the French and Indians, that he thought it 
advisable to leave in disguise, and escaped by 
descending the Mississippi to New Orleans. 
Croghan started on his journey on the fifteenth 
of May, proceeding down the Ohio, accompanied 
by a party of friendly Indians, but having been 
captured near the mouth of the Wabash, he 
finally returned to Detroit without reaching his 
destination. The first British official to reach 
Fort Chartres was Capt. Thomas Stirling. De- 
scending the Ohio with a force of one hundred 
men, he reached Fort Chartres, Oct. 10, 1765, and 
received the surrender of the fort from the faith- 
ful and courteous St. Ange. It is estimated that 
at least one-third of the French citizens, includ- 
ing the more wealthy left rather than become 
British subjects. Those about Fort Chartres left 
almost in a body. Some joined the French 
colonies on the lower Mississippi, while others, 
crossing the river, settled in St. Genevieve, then 
in Spanish territory. Much the larger number 
followed St. Ange to St. Louis, which had been 
established as a trading post by Pierre La Clede, 
during the previous year, and which now received 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



251 



what, in these later days, would be called a great 
"boom." 

Captain Stirling was relieved of his command 
at Fort Chartres, Dec. 4, by Maj. Robert Farmer. 
Other British Commandants at Fort Chartres 
were Col. Edward Cole, Col. John Reed, Colonel 
Wilkins, Capt. Hugh Lord and Francois de Ras- 
tel. Chevalier de Rocheblave. The last had been 
an oflBcer in the French army, and, having resided 
at Kaskaskia, transferred his allegiance on occu- 
pation of the country by the British. He was the 
last ofBcial representative of the British Govern- 
ment in Illinois. 

The total population of the French villages in 
Illinois, at the time of their transfer to England, 
has been estimated at about 1,600, of which 700 
were about Kaskaskia and 450 in the vicinity of 
Cahokia. Captain Pittman estimated tlie popu- 
lation of all the French villages in Illinois and on 
the Wabash, at the time of his visit in ITTO, at 
about 2,000. Of St. Louis— or "Paincourt," as it 
was called — Captain Pittman said: "There are 
about forty private houses and as many families." 
Most of these, if not all, had emigrated from the 
French villages. In fact, although nominally in 
Spanish territory, it was essentially a French 
town, protected, as Pittman said, by "a French 
garrison" consisting of "a Captain-Commandant, 
two Lieutenants, a Fort JIajor, one Sergeant 
one Corporal and twenty men." 

Action of Continental Congress. — The first 
official notice taken of the "Illinois Country" by 
the Continental Congress, was the adoption by 
that body, July 13, 1775, of an act creating three 
Indian Departments — a Northern, Middle and 
Southern. Illinois was assigned to the second, 
with Benjamin Franklin and James Wilson, of 
Pennsylvania, and Patrick Henry, of Virginia, 
as Commissioners. In April, 1776, Col. George 
Morgan, who had been a trader at Kaskaskia, was 
appointed agent and successor to these Commis- 
sioners, with headquarters at Fort Pitt. The 
promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, 
on the Fourth of July, 1776, and the events im- 
mediately preceding and following that event, 
directed attention to the colonies on the Atlantic 
coast; yet the frontiersmen of Virginia were 
watching an opportunity to deliver a blow to the 
Government of King George in a quarter where 
it was least expected, and where it was destined 
to have an immense influence upon the future of 
the new nation, as well as that of the American 
continent. 

CoL. George Rogers Clark's Expedition. 
— During the year 1777, Col. George Rogers Clark, 



a native of Virginia, then scarcely twenty-five 
years of age. having conceived a plan of seizing 
tlie settlements in the Mississippi Valley, sent 
trusty spies to learn the sentiments of the people 
and the condition of affairs at Kaskaskia. The 
report brought to him gave him encouragement, 
and, in December of the same year, he laid before 
Gov. Patrick Henry, of Virginia, his plans for 
the reduction of the posts in IlUnois. These were 
approved, and, on Jan. 2, 1778, Clark received 
authority to recruit seven companies of fifty men 
each for three months' service, and Governor 
Henry gave him §6,000 for expenses. Proceeding 
to Fort Pitt, he succeeded in recruiting three 
companies, who were directed to rendezvous at 
Corn Island, opposite the present city of Lotiis- 
ville. It has been claimed that, in order to 
deceive the British as to his real destination, 
Clark authorized the announcement that the 
object of the expedition was to protect the settle- 
ments in Kentucky from the Indians. At Corn 
Island another company was organized, making 
four in all, under the command of Captains Bow- 
man, Montgomery, Helm and Harrod, and having 
embarked on keel-boats, they passed the Falls of 
the Ohio, June 24. Reaching the island at the 
mouth of the Tennessee on the 28th, he was met 
by a party of eight American himters, who had 
left Kaskaskia a few days before, and who, join- 
ing his command, rendered good service as 
guides. He disembarked his force at the mouth 
of a small creek one mile above Fort Massac. 
June 29, and, directing his course across the 
country, on the evening of the sixth day (July 4, 
1778) arrived within three miles of Kaskaskia. 
The surprise of the unsuspecting citizens of Kas- 
kaskia and its small garrison was complete. His 
force having, under cover of darkness, been 
ferried across the Kaskaskia River, about a mile 
above the town, one detachment surrounded the 
town, while the other seized the fort, capturing 
Rocheblave and his little command without fir- 
ing a gun. The famous Indian fighter and 
hunter, Simon Kenton, led the way to the fort. 
This is supposed to have been what Captain Pitt- 
man called the "Jesuits' house," which had been 
sold by the French Government after the country 
was ceded to England, the Jesuit order having 
lieen suppressed. A wooden fort, erected in 1736, 
and known afterward by the British as Fort 
Gage, had stood on the bluff opposite the town, 
but, according to Pittman, this was burnt in 1766, 
and there is no evidence that it was ever rebuilt. 
Clark's expedition was thus far a complete suc- 
cess. Rocheblave, proving recalcitrant, was 



252 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



placed in irons and sent as a prisoner of war to 
Williamsburg, while his slaves were confiscated, 
the proceeds of their sale being divided among 
Clark's troops. The inhabitants were easily 
conciliated, and Cahokia having been captured 
without bloodshed, Clark turned his attention to 
Vincennes. Through the influence of Pierre 
Gibault — the Vicar-General in charge at Kaskas- 
kia — the people of Vincennes were induced to 
swear allegiance to the United States, and, 
although the place was afterward captured by a 
British force from Detroit, it was, on Feb. 
24, 1779, recaptured by Colonel Clark, together 
with a body of prisoners but little smaller than 
the attacking force, and $50,000 worth of prop- 
erty. (See Clark, Col. George Rogers.) 

Under Goteknment of Vieginia.— Seldom 
in the history of the world have such important 
results been achieved by such insignificant instru- 
mentalities and with so little sacrifice of life, as 
in this almost bloodless campaign of the youthful 
conqueror of Illinois. Having been won largely 
through Virginia enterprise and valor and by 
material aid furnished through Governor Henry, 
the Virginia House of Delegates, in October, 
1778, proceeded to assert the jurisdiction of that 
commonwealth over the settlements of the North- 
west, by organizing all the country west and 
north of the Ohio River into a county to be called 
"Illinois," (see Illinois County), and empowering 
the Governor to appoint a "Coxmty-Lieutenant or 
Commandant-in-Chief" to exercise civil author- 
ity during the pleasure of the appointing power. 
Thus "Illinois County" was older than the States 
of Ohio or Indiana, while Patrick Henry, the elo- 
quent orator of the Revolution, became ex-officio 
its first Governor. Col. John Todd, a citizen of 
Kentucky, was appointed "County-Lieutenant," 
Dec. 12, 1778, entering upon his duties in 
May following. The militia was organized, 
Deputy-Commandants for Kaskaskia and Cahokia 
appointed, and the first election of civil officers 
ever had in Illinois, was held under Colonel 
Todd's direction. His record-book, now in posses- 
sion of the Chicago Historical Society, shows 
that he was accustomed to exercise powers 
scarcely inferior to those of a State Executive. 
(See Todd, Col. John.) 

In 1782 one "Thimothe Demunbrunt" sub- 
scribed himself as "Lt. comd'g par interim, etc." 
^but the origin of his authority is not clearly 
understood. He assumed to act as Commandant 
until the arrival of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, first 
Territorial Governor of the Northwest Territory, 
in 1790. After the close of the Revolution, courts 



ceased to be held and civil affairs fell into great 
disorder. "In effect, there was neither law nor 
order in the 'Illinois Country' for the seven 
years from 1783 to 1790." 

During the progress of the Revolution, there 
were the usual rumors and alarms in the "Illinois 
Country" peculiar to frontier life in time of war. 
Tlie country, however, was singularly exempt 
from any serious calamity such as a general 
massacre. One reason for this was the friendly 
relations which had existed between the French 
and their Indian neighbors previous to the con- 
quest, &nd which the new masters, after the cap- 
ture of Kaskaskia, took pains to perpetuate. 
Several movements were projected by the British 
and their Indian allies about Detroit and in Can- 
ada, but they were kept so busj' elsewhere that 
they had little time to put their plans into execu- 
tion. One of these was a proposed movement 
from Pensacola against the Spanish posts on the 
lower Mississippi, to punish Spain for having 
engaged in the war of 1779, but the promptness 
with which the Spanish Governor of New Orleans 
proceeded to capture Fort Manchac, Baton Rouge 
and Natchez from their British possessors, con- 
vinced the latter that this was a "game at which 
two could play." In ignorance of these results, 
an expedition, 750 strong, composed largely of 
Indians, fitted out at Mackinaw under command 
of Capt. Patrick St. Clair, started in the early 
part of May, 1780, to co-operate with the expedition 
on the lower Mississippi, but intending to deal a 
destructive blow to the Illinois villages and the 
Spanish towns of St. Louis and St. Genevieve on 
the way. This expedition reached St. Louis, May 
26, but Col. George Rogers Clark, having arrived 
at Cahokia with a small force twenty-four hours 
earlier, prepared to co-operate with the Spaniards 
on the western shore of the Mississippi, and tlie 
invading force confined their depredations to kill- 
ing seven or eight villagers, and then beat a 
hasty retreat in the direction they had come. 
These were the last expeditions organized to 
regain the "Country of the Illinois" or capture 
Spanish posts on the Mississippi. 

Expeditions Aoainst Fort St. Joseph. — An 
expedition of a different sort is worthy of mention 
in this connection, as it originated in Illinois. 
This consisted of a company of seventeen men, 
led by one Thomas Brady, a citizen of Cahokia, 
who, marching across the countrj', in the month 
of October, 1780, after the retreat of Sinclair, 
from St. Louis, succeeded in surprising and cap 
turing Fort St. Joseph about where La Salle had 
erected Fort Miami, near the mouth of the St. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



253 



Joseph River, a hundred years before. Brady 
and his party captured a few British prisoners, 
and a large quantity of goods. On their return, 
while encamped on the Calumet, they were 
attacked by a band of Pottawatomies. and all 
were killed, wounded or taken prisoners except 
Brady and two others, who escaped. Early in 
January, 1781. a party consisting of sixty-five 
whites, organized from St. Louis and Cahokia, 
with some 200 Indians, and headed by Don 
Eugenio Pourre, a Spaniard, started on a second 
expedition against Fort St. Joseph. By silencing 
the Indians, whom they met on their way, with 
promises of plunder, they were able to reach the 
fort without discovery, captured it and, raising 
the Spanish flag, formally took possession in the 
name of the King of Spain. After retaining pos- 
session for a few days, the party returned to St. 
Louis, but in negotiating the treaty of peace at 
Paris, in 1783, this incident was made the basis 
of a claim put forth by Spain to ownership of 
the "Illinois Country" "by right of conquest." 

The Territorial Period. — At the very outset 
of its existence, the new Government of the 
United States was confronted with an embarrass- 
ing question which deeply affected the interests 
of the territory of which Illinois formed a part. 
This was the claim of certain States to lands 
lying between their western boundaries and the 
Mississippi River, then the western boundary of 
the Republic. These claims were based either 
upon the terms of their original charters or upon 
the cession of lands by the Indians, and it was 
under a claim of the former character, as well as 
by right of conquest, that Virginia assumed to ex- 
ercise authority over the "Illinois Country" after 
its capture by the Clark expedition. This con- 
struction was opposed by the States which, from 
their geographical position or other cause, had 
no claim to lands beyond their own boundaries, 
and the controversy was waged with considerable 
bitterness for several years, proving a formidable 
obstacle to the ratification of the Articles of Con- 
federation. As early as 1779 the subject received 
the attention of Congress in the adoption of a 
resolution requesting the States having such 
claims to "forbear settling or issuing warrants 
for unappropriated lands or granting the same 
during the continuance of the present (Revolu- 
tionary) "War." In the following year, New York 
authorized her Delegates in Congress to limit its 
boundaries in such manner as they might think 
expedient: and to cede to the Government its 
claim to western lands. The case was further com- 
plicated by the claims of certain land companies 



which had been previously organized. New York 
filed her cession to the General Government of 
lands claimed by her in October, 1782, followed 
by Virginia nearly a year later, and by Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut in 1785 and 1786. Other 
States followed somewhat tardily, Georgia being 
the last, in 1802. The only claims of this charac- 
ter affecting lands in Illinois were those of Vir- 
ginia covering the southern part of the State, and 
Connecticut and Massachusetts applying to the 
northern portion. It was from the splendid 
domain north and west of the Ohio thus acquired 
from Virginia and other States, that the North- 
west Territory was finally organized. 

Ordinance of 1787. — The first step was taken in 
the passage by Congress, in 1784, of a resolution 
providing for the temporary government of the 
Western Tenitory, and this was followed three 
years later by tlie enactment of the celebrated 
Ordinance of 1787. While this latter document 
contained numerous provisions which marked a 
new departure in the science of free government 
— as, for instance, that declaring that "religion, 
morality and knowledge being necessary to good 
government and the happiness of mankind, 
schools and the means of education shall forever 
be encouraged" — its crowning feature was the 
sixth article, as follows: "There shall be neither 
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said 
Territory, otherwise than in the punishment of 
crime, whereof the party shall have been duly 
convicted." 

Although there has been considerable contro- 
vecsy as to the authorship of the above and other 
provisions of this immortal document, it is 
worthy of note that substantially the same lan- 
guage was introduced in the resolutions of 1784, 
by a Delegate from a slave State — Thomas Jeffer- 
son, of Virginia— though not, at that time, 
adopted. Jefferson was not a member of the 
Congress of 1787 (being then Minister to France), 
and could have had nothing directly to do vrfth 
the later Ordinance; yet it is evident that the 
principle which he had advocated finally received 
the approval of eight out of the thirteen States, — 
all that were represented in that Congress — includ- 
ing the slave States of Virginia, Delaware, North 
Carolina. South Carolina and Georgia. (See 
Ordinance of 17S7.) 

Northwest Territory Organized. — Under 
the Ordinance of 1787. organizing the Northwest 
Territory, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who had been a 
soldier of the Revolution, was appointed the 
first Governor on Feb. 1, 1788, with Winthrop 
Sargent, Secretary, and Samuel Holden Parsons, 



254 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



James Mitchell Varnum and John Cleves 
Symmes, Judges. All these were reappointed by 
President Washington in 1789. The new Terri- 
torial Government was organized at Marietta, a 
settlement on the Ohio, July 15, 1788, but it was 
nearly two years later before Governor St. Clair 
visited Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia, March 5, 
1790. The County of St. Clair (named after him) 
was organized at this time, embracing all the 
settlements between the Wabash and the Missis- 
sippi. (See St. Clair County.) He found the 
inhabitants generally in a deplorable condition, 
neglected by the Government, the courts of jus- 
tice practically abolished and many of the citizens 
sadly in need of the obligations due them from 
the Government for supplies furnished to Colonel 
Clark twelve years before. After a stay of three 
months, the Governor returned east. In 1795, 
Judge Turner held the first court in St. Clair 
County, at Cahokia, as the county-seat, although 
both Cahokia and Kaskaskia had been named as 
county-seats by Governor St. Clair. Out of the 
disposition of the local authorities to retain tlie 
official records at Cahokia, and consequent dis- 
agreement over the county-seat question, at least 
in part, grew the order of 1795 organizing the 
second county (Randolph), and Kaskaskia became 
its county-seat. In 1796 Governor St. Clair paid 
a second visit to Illinois, accompanied by Judge 
Symmes, who held court at both county-seats. 
On Nov. 4, 1791, occurred the defeat of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair, in the western part of the present 
State of Ohio, by a force of Indians under com- 
mand of Little Turtle, in which the whites sus- 
tained a heavy loss of both men and property— 
an event which had an unfavorable effect upon 
conditions throughout the Northwest Territory 
generally. St. Clair, having resigned his com- 
mand of the army, was succeeded by Gen. 
Anthony Wayne, who, in a vigorous campaign, 
overwhelmed the Indians with defeat. This 
resulted in the treaty with the W^estern tribes at 
Greenville, August 3, 1795, which was tlie begin- 
ning of a period of comparative peace with the 
Indians all over the Western Country. (See 
Wayne, (Oen.) Anthony.) 

FiKST Territorial Legislation.— In 1798. the 
Territory having gained the requisite population, 
an election of members of a Legislative Council 
and House of Representatives was held in accord- 
ance with the provisions of the Ordinance of 1787. 
This was the first Territorial Legislature organized 
in the history of the Republic. It met at Cincin- 
nati, Feb. 4, 1799, Shadrach Bond being the 
Delegate from St. Clair County and John Edgar 



from Randolph. Gen. William Henry Harrison, 
who had succeeded Sargent as Secretary of the 
Territory, June 26, 1798, was elected Delegate to 
Congress, receiving a majority of one vote over 
Arthur St. Clair, Jr., son of the Governor. 

Ohio and Indiana Territories. — By act of 
Congress, May 7, 18U0, the Northwest Territory 
was divided into Ohio and Indiana Territories ; 
the latter embracing the region west of the pres- 
ent State of Ohio, and having its capital at "Saint 
Vincent" (Vincennes). May 13, William Henry 
Harrison, who had been the first Delegate in Con- 
gress from the Northwest Territory, was ap- 
pointed Governor of Indiana Territory, which at 
first consisted of three counties : Knox, St. Clair 
<and Randolph — the two latter being within the 
boundaries of the present State of Illinois. Their 
aggregate population at this time was estimated 
at less than 5,000. During his administration 
Governor Harrison concluded thirteen treaties 
with the Indians, of which six related to the ces- 
sion of lands in Illinois. The first treaty relating 
to lands in Illinois was that of Greenville, con- 
cluded by General Wayne in 1795. By this the 
Government acquired six miles square at the 
mouth of the Chicago River ; twelve miles square 
at the mouth of the Illinois ; six miles square at 
the old Peoria fort ; the post of Fort Massac ; and 
150,000 acres assigned to General Clark and his 
soldiers, besides all other lands "in possession of 
the French people and all other white settlers 
among them, the Indian title to which had been 
thus extinguished." (See Indian Treaties; also, 
Greenville, Treaty of .) 

During the year 1803, the treaty with France 
for the purchase of Louisiana and West Florida 
was concluded, and on March 26, 1804, an act was 
passed by Congress attaching all that portion of 
Louisiana lying north of the thirty-third parallel 
of latitude and west of the Mississippi to Indiana 
Territory for governmental purposes. Tliis in- 
cluded the present States of Arkansas, Missouri, 
Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, the two 
Dakotas and parts of Colorado, Wyoming and Mon- 
tana. This arrangement continued only until 
the following March, when Louisiana was placed 
under a separate Territorial organization. 

For four years Indiana Territory was governed 
under laws framed by the Governor and Judges, 
but. the population having increased to the re- 
quired number, an election was held. Sept. 
11, 1804, on the proposition to advance the gov- 
ernment to the "second grade" by the election of 
a Territorial Legislature. The smallness of the 
vote indicated the indifference of the people ou 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



255 



the subject Out of 400 votes cast, the proposition 
received a majority of 138. The two Illinois 
counties cast a total of 143 votes, of which St. 
Clair furnished 81 and Randolph 61. The former 
gave a majority of 37 against the measure and 
the latter 19 in its favor, showing a net negative 
majority of 18. Tlie adoption of the proposition 
was due, therefore, to the affirmative vote in the 
otlier counties. Tliere were in the Territory at 
tliis time six counties; one of these (Wayne) was 
"in Michigan, wliich was set off, in 180.5, as a sep- 
arate Territory. At the election of Delegates to 
a Territorial Legislature, held Jan. 3, ISCJ, Shad- 
racli Bond, Sr., and William Biggs were elected 
for St. Clair County and George Fisher for Ran- 
dolph. Bond having meanwhile become a mem- 
ber of the Legislative Council, Shadrach Bond, 
Jr., was chosen his successor. The Legislature 
convened at Vincennes, Feb. 7, 180.5, but only 
to recommend a list of persons from whom 
it was the duty of Congress to select a Legislative 
Council. In addition to Bond, Pierre Menard 
was chosen for Randolph and John Hay for St. 
Clair. 

Illinois Territory Organized.— The Illinois 
counties were represented in two regular and one 
special session of the Territorial Legislature dur- 
ing the time they were a part of Indiana Terri- 
tory, By act of Congress, which became a law 
Feb. 3, 1809, the Territory was divided, tlie west- 
ern part being named Illinois. 

At this point the history of Illinois, as a sepa- 
rate political division, begins. While its bounda- 
ries in all other directions were as now, on the 
north it extended to the Canada line. From 
what has already been said, it appears that the 
earliest white settlements were established by 
French Canadians, chieflj- at Kaskaskia, Cahokia 
and the other villages in the southern part of the 
American Bottom. At the time of Clark's in- 
vasion, there were not known to have been more 
tlian two Americans among these people, except 
such hunters and trappers as paid them occasional 
visits. One of the earliest American settlers in 
Southern Illinois was Capt. Nathan Hull, who 
came from Massachusetts and settled at an early 
day on the Ohio, ne.ar where Golconda now 
stands, afterward removing to the vicinity of 
Kaskaskia, where he died in 1806. In 1781, a 
company of immigrants, consisting (with one or 
two exceptions) of members of Clark's command 
in 1778, arrived with their families from Mary- 
land and Virginia and established themselves on 
the American Bottom The "New Design" set- 
tlement, on the boundary line between St. Clair 



and Monroe Counties, and the first distinctively 
American colony in tlie "Illinois Countrj-," was 
established by this party. Some of its members 
afterward became prominent in the history of the 
Territory and the State. William Biggs, a mem- 
ber of the first Territorial Legislature, with 
others, settled in or near Kaskaskia about 1783, 
and William Arundel, the first American mer- 
chant at Cahokia, came there from Peoria during 
the same year. Gen. John Edgar, for many years 
a leading citizen and merchant at the capital, 
arrived at Kaskaskia in 1784, and William Mor- 
rison, Kaskaskia's principal merchant, came from 
Philadelphia as early as 1790, followed some years 
afterward by several brothers. James Lemen 
came before the beginning of the present cen- 
tury, and was the founder of a large and influ- 
ential family in the vicinity of Shiloh, St. Clair 
County, and Rev. David Badgley headed a colony 
of 154 from Virginia, who arrived in 1797. 
Among other prominent arrivals of this period 
were John Rice Jones, Pierre Menard (first 
Lieutenant-Governor of the State), Shadrach 
Bond, Jr. (first Governor), John Hay, John 
Messinger, William Kinney, Capt. Joseph Ogle; 
and of a later date, Nathaniel Pope (afterward 
Secretary of the Territory, Delegate to Congress, 
Justice of the United States Court and father of 
the late 3Iaj.-Gen. John Pope), Elias Kent Kane 
(first Secretary of State and afterward United 
States Senator), Daniel P. Cook (first Attorney- 
General and second Representative in Congress), 
George Forquer (at one time Secretary of State), 
and Dr. George Fisher — all prominent in Terri- 
torial or State history. (See biographical 
sketches of these early settlers under their re- 
spective names.) 

The government of the new Territory was 
organized by the appointment of Ninian Ed- 
wards, Governor; Nathaniel Pope, Secretary, 
and Alexander Stuart, Obadiah Jones and Jesse 
B. Thomas, Territorial Judges. (See Edicards. 
Ninian.) Stuart having been transferred to 
Missouri, Stanley Griswold was appointed in 
his stead. Governor' Edwards arrived at Kas- 
kaskia, the capital, in June, 1809. At that 
time the two counties of St. Clair and Randolph 
comprised the settled portion of the Territory, 
with a white population e.stimated at about 9,000. 
The Goveinor and Judges inimediatelj- proceeded 
to formulate a code of laws, and the appoint- 
ments made by Secretary Pope, who had preceded 
the Governor in his arrival in the Territory, were 
confirmed. Benjamin H. Doyle was the first 
Attorney-General, but he resigned in a few 



356 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



months, when the place was offered to John J. 
Crittenden — the well-known United States Sen- 
ator from Kentucky at the beginning of the 
Civil War — but by him declined. Thomas T. 
Crittenden was then appointed. 

An incident of the year 1811 was the battle of 
Tippecanoe, resulting in the defeat of Tecumseh, 
the great chief of the Shawnees, by Gen. William 
Henry Harrison. Four companies Of mounted 
rangers were raised in Illinois this year under 
directipn of Col. William Russell, of Kentucky, 
who built Camp Russell near Edwardsville the 
following year. They were commanded by Cap- 
tains Samuel Whiteside, William B. Whiteside, 
James B. Moore and Jacob Short. The memo- 
rable earthquake which had its center about New 
Madrid, Mo., occurred in December of this 
year, and was quite violent in some portions of 
Southern Illinois. (See Earthquake of ISll.) 

War of 1813. — During the following year the 
second war with England began, but no serious 
outbreak occurred in Illinois until August, 1813, 
when the massacre at Fort Dearborn, where 
Chicago now stands, took place. This had long 
been a favorite trading post of the Indians, at 
first under French occupation and afterward 
under the Americans. Sometime during 1803-04, 
a fort had been built near the mouth of Chicago 
River on the south side, on land acquired from the 
Indians by the treaty of Greenville in 179.5. (See 
Fort Dearborn.) In the spring of 1812 some 
alarm had been caused by outrages committed by 
Indians in the vicinity, and in the early part of 
August, Capt. Nathan Heald, commanding the 
garrison of less than seventy-five men, received 
instructions from General Hull, in command at 
Detroit, to evacuate the fort, disposing of the 
public property as he might see fit. Friendlj' 
Indians advised Heald either to make prepara- 
tions for a vigorous defense, or evacuate at once. 
Instead of this, he notified the Indians of his in- 
tention to retire and divide the stores among 
them, with the conditions subsequently agreed 
upon in council, that his garrison should be 
afforded an escort and s^e passage to Fort 
AVayne. On the 14tli of August he proceeded to 
distribute the bulk of the goods as promised, but 
the ammunition, gims and liquors were de- 
stroyed. This he justified on the ground that a 
bad use would be made of them, while the 
Indians construed it as a violation of the agree- 
ment. The tragedy which followed, is thus de- 
scribed in Moses' "History of Illinois:" 

"Black Partridge, a Pottawatomie Chief, who 
had been on terms of friendship with the whites, 



appeared before Captain Heald and informed 
him plainly that his young men intended to 
imbrue their hands iu the blood of the whites ; 
that he was no longer able to restrain them, and, 
surrendering a medal he had worn in token of 
amity, closed by saying: 'I will not wear a 
token of peace while I am compelled to act as an 
enemy. ' In the meantime the Indians were riot- 
ing upon the provisions, and becoming so aggres- 
sive in their bearing that it was resohed to march 
out the next day. The fatal fifteenth arrived. 
To each soldier was distributed twenty-five 
rounds of reserved ammunition. The baggage 
and ambulance wagons were laden, and the gar- 
rison slowl}- wended its way outside the protect- 
ing walls of the fort — the Indian escort of 500 
following in the rear. What next occurred in 
this disastrous movement is narrated by Captain 
Heald in his report, as follows: 'The situation of 
the countrj' rendered it necessary for us to take 
the beach, with the lake on our left, and a high 
sand bank on our right at about three hundred 
yards distance. We had proceeded about a mile 
and a half, when it was discovered (by Captain 
Wells) that the Indians were prepared to attack 
us from behind the bank. I immediately marched 
up with the company to the top of the bank, 
when the action commenced ; after firing one 
round, we charged, and the Indians gave way in 
front and joined those on our flanks. In about fif- 
teen minutes they got possession of all our horses, 
provisions and baggage of every description, and 
finding the Miamis (who had come from Fort 
Waj-ne with Captain Wells to act as an escort) 
did not assist us, I drew off the few men I had 
left and took possession of a small elevation in 
the open prairie out of shot of the bank, or any 
other cover. The Indians did not follow me but 
assembled in a body on top of the bank, and after 
some consultation among themselves, made signs 
for me to approach them. I advanced toward 
them alone, and was met bj' one of the Potta- 
watomie chiefs called Black Bird, with an inter- 
preter. After shaking hands, he requested me to 
surrender, promising to spare the lives of all the 
prisoners. On a few moments' consideration I 
concluded it would be most prudent to comply 
with this request, although I did not put entire 
confidence in his promise. The troops had made 
a brave defense, but what could so small a force 
do against such overwhelming numbers? It was 
evident with over half their number dead upon 
the field, or wounded, further resistance would 
be hopeless. Twenty-six regulars and twelve 
militia, with two women and twelve children, 
were killed. Among the slain were Captain 
Wells, Dr. Van Voorhis and Ensign George 
Ronan. (Captain Wells, wlien young, had been 
captured by Indians and had married among 
them.) He (Wells) was familiar with all the 
wiles, stratagems, as well as the vindictiveness 
of the Indian character, and when the conflict 
began, he said to his niece (Mrs. Heald), by 
whose side he was standing, 'We have not the 
slightest chance for life; we must part to meet 
no more in this world. God bless you." With 
these words he dashed forward into the thickest 
of the fight. He refused to be taken prisoner, 
knowing what his fate would be, when a young 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



257 



red-skin cut him down with his tomahawk, 
jumi^ed upon his body, cut out his heart and ate 
a portion of it with savage delight. 

"The prisoners taken were Captain Heald and 
wife, both wounded. Lieutenant Helm, also 
wounded, and wife, with twenty-five non-com- 
missioned officers and privates, and eleven women 
and children. The loss of the Indians was fifteen 
killed. Mr. Kinzie's family had been entrusted 
to the care of some friendly Indians and were not 
with the retiring garrison. The Indians engaged 
in this outrage were principally Pottawatomies, 
with a few Chippewas. Ottawas, Winnebagoes, 
and Kickapoos. Fort Dearborn was plundered 
and burned on the next morning.'' (See Fori 
Dearborn: also War of IS 1^.) 

Thus ended the most bloody tragedy that ever 
occurred on the soil of Illinois with Americans as 
victims. The place where this affair occurred, 
as described by Captain Heald, was on the lake 
shore about the foot of Eighteenth Street in 
the present cit)- of Chicago. After the destruction 
of the fort, the site of the present city of Chicago 
remained unoccupied until 1816, when the fort 
was rebuilt. At that time the bones of the vic- 
tims of the massacre of 1812 still lay bleaching 
upon the sands near the lake shore, but thej- 
were gathered up a few years later and buried. 
The new fort continued to be occupied somewhat 
irregularly until 1837, when it was finally aban- 
doned, there being no longer any reason for 
maintaining it as a defense against the Indians. 

Other Events of the War.— The part played 
by Illinois in the War of 1812, consisted chiefly 
in looking after the large Indian population 
within and near its borders. Two expeditions 
were undertaken to Peoria Lake in the Fall of 
1812; the first of these, under the direction of 
Governor Edwards, burned two Kickapoo vil- 
lages, one of them being that of "Black Part- 
ridge," who had befriended the whites at Fort 
Dearborn. A few weeks later Capt. Thomas E. 
Craig, at the head of a company of miUtia, made a 
descent upon the ancient French village of Peoria, 
on the pretext that the inhabitants had liar- 
bored hostile Indians and fired on his boats. He 
burned a part of the town and, taking the people 
as prisoners down the river, put them ashore 
below Alton, in the beginning of winter. Both 
these affairs were severely censured. 

There were expeditions against the Indians on 
the Illinois and Upper Jlississippi in 1813 and 
1814. In the latter year, Illinois troops took part 
with credit in two engagements at Rock Island — 
the last of these being in co-operation with regu- 
lars, under command of Maj. Zachary Taylor, 
afterwards President, against a force of Indians 
supported by the British. Fort Clark at Peoria 



was erected in 1813, and Fort Edwards at War- 
saw, opposite the mouth of the Des Moines, at 
the close of the campaign of 1814. A council 
with the Indians, conducted by Governors 
Edwards of Illinois and Clarke of Missouri, and 
Auguste Chouteau, a merchant of St. Louis, as 
Government Commissioners, on the Mississippi 
just below Alton, in July, 1815, concluded a 
treaty of peace with the principal Northwestern 
tribes, thus ending the war. 

First Territorial Legislature.— By act of 
Congress, adopted May 21, 1812, the Territory of 
Illinois was raised to the second grade— i. e., em- 
powered to elect a Territorial Legislature. In 
September, three additional' counties — Madison, 
Gallatin and Johnson — were organized, making 
five in all, and, in October, an election for the 
choice of five members of the Council and seven 
Representatives was held, resulting as follows: 
Councilmen— Pierre Menard of Randolph County; 
William Biggs of St. Clair; Samuel Judy of 
Madison: Tliomas Ferguson of Johnson, and 
Benjamin Talbot of Gallatin. Representatives- 
George Fisher of Randolph ; Joshua Oglesby and 
Jacob Short of St. Clair; William Jones of Madi- 
son; Philip Trammel and Alexander Wilson of 
Gallatin, and John Grammar of Johnson. The 
Legislature met at Kaskaskia, Nov. 25, the Coun- 
cil organizing with Pierre Menard as President 
and John Thomas, Secretar}-; and the House, 
with George Fisher as Speaker and William C. 
Greenup, Clerk. Shadrach Bond was elected the 
first Delegate to Congress. 

A second Legislature was elected in 1814, con- 
vening at Kaskaskia, Nov. 14. Menard was con- 
tinued President of the Council during the whole 
Territorial period; while George Fisher was 
Speaker of each House, except the Second. The 
county of Edwards was organized in 1814, and 
White in 1815. Other counties organized under 
the Territorial Government were Jackson, Mon- 
roe, Crawford and Pope in 1816; Bond in 1817, 
and Franklin, Union and Washington in 1818, 
making fifteen in all. Of these all but the 
three last-named were organized previous to the 
passage by Congress of the enabling act author- 
izing the Territory of Illinois to organize a State 
government. In 181G the Bank of Illinois was 
established at Shawneetown, with branches at 
Edwardsville and Kaskaskia. 

Early Towns.— Besides the French villages in 
the American Bottom, there is said to have been 
a French and Indian village on the west bank of 
Peoria Lake, as early as 1711. This site appears 
to have been abandoned about 1775 and a ne-w 



258 



HISTOrJCAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



village established on the present site of Peoria 
soon after, which was maintained until 1812, 
when it was broken up by Captain Craig. Other 
early towns were Shawneetown, laid out in 1808 ; 
Belleville, established as the county-seat of St. 
Clair County, in 1814; Edwardsville. founded in 
1815; Upper Alton, in 1816, and Alton, in 1818. 
Carmi, Fairfield, Waterloo, Golconda, Lawrence- 
ville. Mount Carmel and Vienna also belonged to 
this period; while Jacksonville, Springfield and 
Galena were settled a few years later. Chicago 
is mentioned in "Beck's Gazetteer" of 1823, as "a 
village of Pike County." 

Admission as a State.— The preliminary steps 
for the admission of Illinois as a State, were taken 
in the passage of an Enabling Act by Congress, 
April 13, 1818. An important incident in this 
connection was the amendment of the act, mak- 
ing the parallel of 42' 30' from Lake Jlichigan to 
the Mississippi River the northern boundary, 
instead of a line extending from the southern 
extremity of the Lake. This was obtained 
through the influence of Hon. Nathaniel Pope, 
then Delegate from Illinois, and by it the State 
secured a strip of country fifty-one miles in 
width, from the Lake to the Mississippi, embrac- 
ing what have since become fourteen of the most 
populous counties of the State, including the city 
of Chicago. The political, material and moral 
results which have followed this important act, 
have been the subject of much interesting dis- 
cussion and cannot be easily over-estimated. 
(See Northern Bmindary Question: also Pope, 
Nathaniel. ) 

Another measure of great importance, which Mr. 
Pope secured, was a modification of the provision 
of the Enabling Act requiring the appropriation of 
five per cent of the proceeds from the sale of pub- 
lic lands within the State, to the construction of 
roads and canals. The amendment which he 
secured authorizes the application of two-fifths 
of this fund to the making of roads leading to the 
State, but requires "the residue to be appropri- 
ated by the Legislature of the State for the 
encouragement of learning, of which one-sixth 
part shall be exclusively bestowed on a college or 
university." This was the beginning of that 
system of liberal encouragement of education by 
the General Government, which has been at- 
tended with such beneficent results in the younger 
States, and has reflected so much honor upon the 
Nation. (See Education; Railroads, and Illinois 
& Michigan Canal.) 

Tlie Enabling Act required as a precedent con- 
dition that a census of the Territory, to be taken 



that year, should show a population of 40,000. 
Such a result was shown, but it is now confessed 
that the number was greatly exaggerated, the 
true population, as afterwards given, being 34,020. 
According to the decennial census of 1820, the 
population of the State at that time was 55,162. 
If there was any short-coming in this respect in 
1818, the State has fully compensated for it by 
its unexampled growth in later years. 

An election of Delegates to a Convention to 
frame a State Constitution was held July 6 to 8, 
1818 (extending through three days), thirtj'-three 
Delegates being chosen from the fifteen counties 
of the State. The Convention met at Kaskaskia, 
August 3, and organized by the election of Jes.se 
B. Thomas, President, and William C. Greenup, 
Secretary, closing its labors, August 36. The 
Constitution, which was modeled largely upon 
the Constitutions of Kentucky. Ohio and Indiana, 
was not submitted to a vote of the people. (See 
Constitutional Conventions, especially Conven- 
tion of ISIS. ) Objection was made to its accept- 
ance by Congress on the ground that the 
population of the Territory was insufficient and 
that the prohibition of slavery was not as ex- 
plicit as required by the Ordinance of 1787 ; but 
these arguments were overcome and the docu- 
ment accepted by a vote of 117 yeas to 34 nays. 
The only officers whose election was provided for 
by popular vote, were the Governor, Lieutenant- 
Governor, Sheriffs, Coroners and County Commis- 
sioners. The Secretary of State, State Treasurer, 
Auditor of Public Accounts, Public Printer and 
Supreme and Circuit Judges were all appointive 
either by the Governor or General Assembly. 
The elet'tive franchise was granted to all white 
male inhabitants, above the age of 21 years, who 
had resided in the State six months. 

The first State election was held Sept. 17, 
1818, resulting in the choice of Shadracli Bond 
for Governor, and Pierre Menard, Lieutenant- 
Governor. The Legislature, chosen at the same 
time, consisted of thirteen Senators and twenty- 
seven Representatives. It commenced its session 
at Kaskaskia, Oct. 5, 1818. and adjourned after a 
session of ten days, awaiting the formal admis- 
sion of the State, which took place Dec. 3. A 
second session of the same Legislature was held. 
extending from Jan. 4 to March 31, 1819. 
Risdon Moore was Speaker of the first House. 
The other State officers elected at the first ses- 
sion were Elijah C. Berry, Auditor ; John Thomas, 
Treasurer, and Daniel P, Cook, Attorney-General. 
Elias Kent Kane, having been appointed Secre- 
tary of State by the Governor, was confirmed by 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



259 



the Senate. Ex-Gk>vemor Edwards and Jesse B. 
Thomas were elected United States Senators, the 
former drawing the short term and serving one 
year, when he was re-elected. Thomas served 
two terms, retiring in 1839. The first Supreme 
Court consisted of Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice, 
with Thomas C. Browne, William P. Foster and 
John Reynolds, Associate Justices. Foster, who 
was a mere adventiirer without any legal knowl- 
edge, left the State in a few months and was 
succeeded by William Wilson. {See State Officers. 
United States Senators, and Judiciary.) 

Menard, who served as Lieutenant-Governor 
four years, was a noteworthy man. A native of 
Canada and of French descent, he came to Kas- 
kaskia in 1790, at the age of 24 years, and 
engaged in mercantile pursuits. He was hos- 
pitable, frank, liberal and enterprising. The fol- 
lowing story related of him illustrates a pleas- 
ant feature of his character: "At one time there 
was a scarcity of salt in the country, and Menard 
held the only supply outside of St. Louis. A 
number of his neighbors called upon him for 
what they wanted ; he declined to let them know 
whether he could supply them or not, but told 
them to come to his store on a certain day, when 
he would inform them. They came at the time 
appointed, and were seated. Menard passed 
around among them and inquired of each, 'You 
got money?' Some said they had and some that 
they had not, but would pay as soon as they 
killed their hogs. Those who had money he 
directed to range themselves on one side of the 
room and those who had none, on the other. Of 
course, those who had the means expected to get 
the salt and the others looked very much dis- 
tressed and crestfallen. Menard then spoke up 
in his brusque way, and said, 'You men who got 
de money, can go to St. Louis for your salt. 
Dese poor men who got no money shall have my 
salt, by gar.' Such was the man — noble liearted 
and large-minded, if unpolished and uncouth." 
(See Menard, Pierre.) 

Removal of the Capital to Vandalia. — 
At the second session of the General Assembly, 
five Commissioners were appointed to select a 
new site for the State Capital. What is now the 
city of Vandalia was selected, and, in December, 
1830, the entire archives of the State were re- 
moved to the new capital, being transported in 
one small wagon, at a cost of $'35.00, under the 
supervision of the late Sidney Breese, who after- 
wards became United States Senator and Justice 
of the Supreme Court. {See State Capitals.) 

During the session of the Second General 



Assembly, which met at Vandalia, Dec. 4, 
1820, a bill was passed establishing a State Bank 
at Vandalia, with branches at Shawneetown, 
Edwardsville and Brownsville. John McLean, 
who had been the first Representative in Con- 
gress, was Speaker of the House at this session. 
He was twice elected to the United States Senate, 
though he served only about two years, dying in 
1830. (See State Bank.) 

Introduction of the Slavery Question. — 
The second State election, which occurred in 
August, 1822, proved the beginning of a turbu- 
lent period through the introduction of some 
exciting questions into State politics. There 
were four candidates for gubernatorial honors in 
the field: Chief-Justice Phillips, of the Sujireme 
Court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Bond; Associate- Justice Browne, of the same 
court, supported by the friends of Governor 
Edwards; Gen. James B. Moore, a noted Indian 
fighter and the candidate of the "Old Rangers," 
and Edward Coles. The latter was a native of 
Virginia, who had served as private secretary of 
President Monroe, and had been employed as a 
special messenger to Russia. He had made two 
visits to Illinois, the first in 1815 and the second 
in 1818. The Convention to form a State Constit u- 
tion being in session at the date of the latter 
visit, he took a deep interest in the discussion of 
the slavery question and exerted his influence in 
securing the adoption of the prohibitory article 
in the organic law. On April 1, 1819, he started 
from his home in Virginia to remove to Edwards- 
ville, 111., taking with him his ten slaves. The 
journey from Brownsville, Pa., was made in 
two flat-boats to a point below Louisville, where 
he disembarked, traveling by land to Edwards- 
ville. While descending the Ohio River he sur- 
prised his slaves by announcing that they were 
free. The scene, as described by himself, was 
most dramatic. Having declined to avail them- 
selves of the privilege of leaving him, he took 
them with him to his destination, where he 
eventually gave each head of a family IGO acres 
of laud. Arrived at Edwardsville, he assumed 
the position of Register of the Land Ofiice, to 
which he had been appointed by President Mon- 
roe, before leaving Virginia. 

The act of Coles with reference to his slaves 
established his reputation as an opponent of 
slavery, and it was in this attitude that he stood 
as a candidate for Governor — both Phillips and 
Browne being friendly to "the institution," 
which had had a virtual existence in the "Illinois 
Country" from the time Renault brought 500 



260 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



slaves to the vicinity of Kaskaskia, one hun- 
dred years before. Although the Constitution 
declared that ''neither slavery nor involuntary 
servitude shall hereafter be introduced into the 
State," this had not been effectual in eliminating 
it. In fact, while this language was construed, 
so long as it remained in the Constitution, as 
prohibiting legislation authorizing the admission 
of slaves from without, it was not regarded as 
inimical to the institution as it already existed ; 
and, as the population came largely from the 
slave States, there had been a rapidly growing 
sentiment in favor of removing the inhibitory 
clause. Although the pro-slavery party was 
divided between two candidates for Governor, 
it had hardly contemplated the possibility of 
defeat, and it was consequently a surprise when 
the returns showed that Coles was elected, receiv- 
ing 2,854 votes to 2,687 for Phillips, 2,443 for 
Browne and 633 for Moore — Coles' plurality 
being 167 in a total of 8,606. Coles thus became 
Governor on less than one-third of the popular 
vote. Daniel P. Cook, who had made the race 
for Congress at the same election against 
McLean, as an avowed opponent of slavery, was 
successful by a majority of 876. (See Coles, 
Edward; also Cook, Daniel Pope. ) 

The real struggle was now to occur in the Legis- 
lature, which met Dec. 2, 1833. The House 
organized with William M. Alexander as Speaker, 
while the Senate elected Thomas Lippincott 
(afterwards a prominent Presbyterian minister 
and the father of the late Gen. Charles E. Lippin- 
cott), Secretary, and Henry S. Dodge, Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk. The other State olBcers 
appointed by the Governor, or elected by the 
Legislature, were Samuel D. Lookwood, Secretary 
of State; Elijah C. Berry, Auditor; Abner Field, 
Treasurer, and James Turney, Attorney General. 
Lockwood had served nearly two years previously 
as Attorney-General, but remained in the office 
of Secretary of State only three months, when he 
resigned to accept the position of Receiver for 
the Land Office. (See Lockwood, Samuel Drake.) 

The slavery question came up in the Legisla- 
ture on the reference to a special committee of a 
portion of the Governor's message, calling atten- 
tion to the continued existence of slavery in spite 
of the ordinance of 1787, and recommending that 
steps be taken for its extinction. Majority and 
minority reports were submitted, the former 
claiming the right of the State to amend its Con- 
stitution and thereby make such disposition of 
the slaves as it saw proper. Out of this grew a 
resolution submitting to the electors at the next 



election a proposition for a convention to revise 
the Constitution. This passed the Senate by the 
necessary two-thirds vote, and, having come up 
in the House (Feb. 11, 1823), it failed by a single 
vote — Nicholas Hansen, a Representative from 
Pike County, whose seat had been unsuccessfully 
contested by John Shaw at the beginning of the 
session, being one of those voting in the negative. 
The next day, without further investigation, the 
majority proceeded to reconsider its action in 
seating Hansen two and a half months previ- 
ously, and Shaw was seated in his place; though, 
in order to do this, some crooked work was nec- 
essary to evade the rules. Shaw being seated, 
the submission resolution was then passed. No 
more exciting campaign was ever had in Illinois. 
Of five papers then published in the State, "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," edited by Hooper 
Warren, opposed the measure, being finally rein- 
forced by "The Illinois Intelligencer," which had 
been removed to Vandalia; "The Illinois Gaz- 
ette," at Shawneetown, published articles on 
both sides of the question, though rather favoring 
the anti-slavery cause, while "The Republican 
Advocate," at Kaskaskia, the organ of Senator 
Elias Kent Kane, and "The Republican," at 
Edwardsville, under direction of Judge Theophi- 
lus W. Smith, Emanuel J. West and Judge 
Samuel McRoberts (afterwards United States 
Senator), favored the Convention. The latter 
paper was established for the especial purpose of 
supporting the Convention scheme and was 
promptly discontinued on the defeat of the meas- 
ure. (See Newspapers, Early.) Among other 
supporters of the Convention proposition were 
Senator Jesse B. Thomas, John McLean, Richard 
M. Yovmg, Judges Phillips, Browne and Reynolds, 
of the Supreme Court, and many more; while 
among the leading champions of the opposition, 
were Judge Lockwood, George Forquer (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Morris Birkbeck, George 
Churchill, Thomas Mather and Rev. Thomas Lip- 
pincott. Daniel P Cook, then Representative in 
Congress, was the leading champion of freedom 
on the stump, while Governor Coles contributed 
the salary of his entire term (84,000), as well as 
his influence, to the support of the cause. Gov- 
ernor Edwards (then in the Senate) was the owner 
of slaves and occupied a non-committal position. 
The election was held August 3, 1834, resulting in 
4,973 votes for a Convention, to 6,640 against it, 
defeating the proposition by a majority of 1,668. 
Considering the size of the aggregate vote 
(11,613), the result was a decisive one. By it 
Illinois escaped the greatest danger it ever en- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



261 



countered previous to the War of the Rebellion. 
(See Slavery and Slave Laics.) 

At the same election Cook was re-elected to 
Congress by 3,016 majority over Shadraoh Bond. 
The vote for President was divided between John 
Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay 
and William H. Crawford — Adama receiving a 
plurality, but much below a majority. The Elect- 
oral College failing to elect a President, the 
decision of the question passed into the hands of 
the Congressional House of Representatives, 
when Adams was elected, receiving the vote of 
Illinois through its only Representative, Mr. Cook. 

During the remainder of his term, Governor 
Coles was, made the victim of much vexatious 
litigation at the hands of his enemies, a verdict 
being rendered against him in the sum of $2,000 
for bringing his emancipated negroes into the 
State, in violation of the law of 1819. The Legis- 
lature having passed an act releasing him from 
the penalty, it was declared unconstitutional by 
a malicious Circuit Judge, though his decision 
was promptly reversed by the Supreme Court. 
Having lived a few years on his farm near 
Edwardsville, in 1833 he removed to Philadelphia, 
where he spent the remainder of his days, his 
death occurring there, July 7, 1868. In the face 
of opprobrium and defamation, and sometimes in 
danger of mob violence, Governor Coles per- 
formed a service to the State which has scarcely 
yet been fully recognized. (See Coles, Edward.) 

A ridiculous incident of the closing year of 
Coles' administration was the attempt of Lieut. - 
Gov. Frederick Adolphus Hubbard, after having 
tasted the sweets of executive power during the 
Governor's temporary absence from the State, to 
usurp the position after the Governor's return. 
The ambitious aspirations of the would-be usurper 
were suppressed by the Supreme Court. 

An interesting event of the year 1825, was the 
visit of General La Fayette to Kaskaskia. He 
was welcomed in an address by Governor Coles, 
and the event was made the occasion of much 
festivity by the French citizens of the ancient 
capital. (See La Fayette, Visit of. ) 

The first State House at Vandalia having been 
destroyed by fire, Dec. 9, 1823, a new one was 
erected during the following year at a cost of 
$12,381.50, toward which the people of Vandalia 
contributed §5,000. 

Edwards' Administration. — The State elec- 
tion of 1826 resulted in again calling Ninian 
Edwards to the gubernatorial chair, which he 
had filled during nearly the whole of the exist- 
ence of Illinois as a Territory. Elected one of the 



first United States Senators, and re-elected for a 
second term in 1819, he had resigned this office in 
1824 to accept the position of Minister to Mexico, 
by appointment of President Monroe. Having 
become involved in a controversy with William 
H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury, he 
resigned the Mexican mission, and, after a period 
of retirement to private Life for the first time 
after he came to Illinois, he appealed to the 
people of the State for endorsement, with the 
result stated. His administration was unevent- 
ful except for the "Winnebago War," which 
caused considerable commotion on the frontier, 
without resulting in much bloodshed. Governor 
Edwards was a fine specimen of the "old school 
gentleman" of that period — dignified and pohshed 
in his manners, courtly and precise in his address, 
proud and ambitious, with a tendency to the 
despotic in his bearing in consequence of having 
been reared in a slave State and his long connec- 
tion with the executive office. His early educa- 
tion had been under the direction of the 
celebrated William Wirt, between whom and 
himself a close friendship existed. He was 
wealthy for the time, being an extensive land- 
owner as well as slave-holder and the proprietor of 
stores and mills, which were managed by agents, 
but he lost heavily by bad debts. He was for 
many years a close friend of Hooper Warren, the 
pioneer printer, furnishing the material with 
which the latter published his papers at Spring- 
field and Galena. At the expiration of his term 
of office near the close of 1830, he retired to his 
home at Belleville, where, after making an un- 
successful campaign for Congress in 1832, in 
which he was defeated by Charles Slade, he 
died of cholera, July 20, 1833. (See Edicards, 
Ninian.) 

William Kinney, of Belleville, who was a can- 
didate for Lieutenant-Governor on the ticket 
opposed to Edwards, was elected over Samuel M. 
Thompson. In 1830, Kinney became a candidate 
for Governor but was defeated by John Reynolds, 
known as the "Old Ranger." One of the argu- 
ments used against Kinney in this campaign was 
that, in the Legislature of 1823, ha was one of 
three members who voted against the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, on the ground that "it (the 
canal) would make an opening for the Yankees 
to come to the country." 

During Edwards' administration the first steps 
were taken towards the erection of a State peni- 
tentiary at Alton, fvmds therefor being secured 
by the sale of a portion of the saline lands in Gal- 
latin County. (See Alton Penitentiary.) The first 



262 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Commissioners having charge of its construction 
were Shadrach Bond, William P. McKee and 
Dr. Gershom Jayne — the last-named the father of 
Or. William Jayne of Springfield, and father-in- 
law of the late Senator Lyman Trumbull. 

Governor Reynolds — Black Hawk War. — 
The election of 1830 resulted in the choice of John 
Reynolds for Governor over William Kinney, by 
a majority of 3,899, in a total vote of 49,051, 
while Zadoc Casey, the candidate on the Kinney 
ticket, was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See 
Reynolds, John.) 

The most important event of Reynolds' admin- 
istration was the "Black-Hawk War." Eight 
thousand militia were called out during this war 
to reinforce L.'JOO regular troops, the final result 
being the driving of 400 Indians west of the Mis- 
sissippi. Rock Island, which had been the favor- 
ite rallying point of the Indians for generations, 
was the central point at the beginning of this 
war. It is impossible to gii'e the details of this 
complicated struggle, which was protracted 
through two campaigns (1831 and 1832), though 
there was no fighting worth speaking of except 
in the last, and no serious loss to the whites in 
that, except the surprise and defeat of Stillman's 
command. Beardstown was the base of opera- 
tions in each of these campaigns, and that city 
has probably never witnessed such scenes of 
bustle and excitement since. The Indian village 
at Rock Island was destroyed, and the fugitives, 
after being pursued through Northern Illinois 
and Southwestern Wisconsin without being 
allowed to surrender, were driven beyond the 
Mississippi in a famishing condition and with 
spirits completely broken. Galena, at that time 
the emporium of the "Lead Mine Region," and 
the largest town in the State north of Springfield, 
was the center of great excitement, as the war 
was waged in the region surrounding it. (See 
Black Hawk War. ) Although cool judges have 
not regarded this campaign as reflecting honor 
upon either the prowess or the magnanimity of 
the whites, it was remarkable for the number of 
those connected with it whose names afterwards 
became famous in the history of the State and 
the Nation. Among them were two who after- 
wards became Presidents of the United States — 
Col. Zachary Taylor of the regular army, and 
Abraham Lincoln, a Captain in the State militia 
— besides Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant in 
the regular army and afterwards head of the 
Southern Confederacy; three subsequent Gov- 
ernors — Duncan, Carlin and Ford — besides Gov- 
ernor Reynolds, who at that time occupied the 



gubernatorial chair; James Semple, afterwards 
United States Senator ; John T. Stuart, Lincoln's 
law preceptor and partner, and later a Member 
of Congress, to say nothing of many others, who, in 
after years, occupied prominent positions as mem- 
bers of Congress, the Legislature or otherwise. 
Among the latter were Gen. John J. Hardiu; 
the late Joseph Gillespie, of Edwardsville; Col. 
John Dement; William Thomas of Jackson- 
ville; Lieut. -Col. Jacob Fry; Henry Dodge and 
others. 

Under the census of 1830, Illinois became 
entitled to three Representatives in Congress 
instead of one, by whom it had been represented 
from the date of its admission as a State. Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Casey, having been elected to 
the Twenty-third Congress for the Second Dis- 
trict under the new apportionment, on March 1, 
1833, tendered his resignation of the Lieutenant- 
Governorship, and was succeeded by William L. 
D. Ewing, Temporary President of the Senate. 
(Bee Apportionment , Congressional; Casey. Zadoc, 
and Representatives in Congress.) Within two 
weeks of the close of his term (Nov. 17, 1834), 
Governor Reynolds followed the example of his 
associate in office by resigning the Governorship 
to accept the seat in Congress for the First (or 
Southern) District, which had been rendered 
vacant by the death of Hon. Charles Slade, the 
incumbent in office, in July previous. This 
opened the way for a new promotion of acting 
Lieutenant-Governor Ewing, who thus had the 
distinction of occupying the gubernatorial office 
for the brief space of two weeks. (See Reynolds, 
John, and Sladc, Charles.) 

Ewing probably held a greater variety of 
offices under the State, than any other man who 
ever lived in it. Repeatedly elected to each 
branch of the General Assembly, he more than 
once filled the chair of Speaker of the House and 
President of the Senate ; served as Acting Lieu- 
tenant-Governor and Governor by virtue of the 
resignation of his superiors; was United States 
Senator from 1835 to 1837; still later became 
Clerk of the House where he had presided as 
Speaker, finally, in 1843, being elected Auditor of 
Public Accounts, and dying in that office three 
years later. In less than twenty years, he held 
eight or ten different offices, including the high- 
est in the State. (See Ewing, William Lee David- 
son. ) 

Duncan's Administration.— Joseph Duncan, 
who had served the State as its only Represent- 
ative in three Congresses, was elected Governor, 
August, 1834, over four competitors — William 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



263 



Kinney, Robert K. JIcLaughlin, James Evans 
and W. B. Archer. (See Duncan, Joseph. ) 

His administration was made memorable by 
the large number of distinguished men who 
either entered public life at this period or gained 
additional prominence by their connection with 
public affairs. Among these were Abraham Lin- 
coln and Stephen A. Douglas; Col. E. D. Baker, 
who afterward and at different times represented 
Illinois and Oregon in the councils of the Nation, 
and who fell at Ball's Blufif in 1862 ; Orville H. 
Browning, a prospective United States Senator 
and future cabinet officer; Lieut. -Gov. John 
Dougherty; Gen. James .Shields, Col. John J. 
Hardin, Archibald Williams, Cj-rus and Ninian 
W. Edwards; Dr. John Logan, father of Gen. 
John A. Logan; Stephen T. Logan, and many 
more. 

During this administration was begun that 
gigantic scheme of "internal improvements," 
which proved so disastrous to the financial inter- 
ests of the State. The estimated cost of the 
various works undertaken, was over §11,000,000, 
and though little of substantial value was real- 
ized, yet, ill 1853, the debt (principal and inter- 
est) thereby incurred (including that of the 
canal), aggregated nearly §17,000,000. The col- 
lapse of the scheme was, no doubt, hastened by 
the unexpected suspension of specie payments 
by the banks all over the country, which followed 
soon after its adoption. (See Internal Improve- 
ment Policy; also State Debt.) 

Capital Removed to Springfield. — At the 
session of the General Assembly of 1836-37, an act 
was passed removing the State capital to Spring- 
field, and an appropriation of §50,000 was made to 
erect a building ; to this amount the cit}' of Spring- 
field added a like sum, besides donating a site. In 
securing the passage of these acts, the famous 
"Long Nine," consisting of A. G. Herndon and 
Job Fletcher, in the Senate ; and Abraham Lin- 
coln, Ninian W. Edwards, John Dawson, Andrew 
McCormick, Dan Stone, William F. Elkin and 
Robert L. Wilson, in the House — all Representa- 
tives from Sangamon County — played a leading 
part. 

The Murder of Lovejoy. — An event occurred 
near the close of Governor Duncan's term, which 
left a stain upon the locality, but for wliich his 
administration had no direct responsibility; to- 
wit, the murder of Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, by a 
pro-slavery mob at Alton. Lovejoy was a native 
of Maine, who, coming to St. Louis in 1827, had 
been employed upon various papers, the last 
being "The St. Louis Observer. " The outspoken 



hostility of this paper to slavery aroused a bitter 
local opposition which led to its removal to 
Alton, where the first number of "The Alton 
Observer" was issued, Sept. 8, 1836, though not 
until one press and a considerable portion of the 
material had been destroyed by a mob. On the 
night of August 21, 1837, there was a second 
destruction of the material, when a third press 
having been procured, it was taken from the 
warehouse and thrown into the Mississippi. A 
fourth press was ordered, and, pending its 
arrival, Lovejoy appeared before a public meet- 
ing of his opponents and, in an impassioned 
address, maintained his right to freedom of 
speech, declaring in conclusion: "If the civil 
authorities refuse to protect me, I must look to 
God ; a^id if I die, I have determined to make my 
grave in Alton." These words proved prophetic. 
The new press was stored in the warehouse of 
Godfrey, Gillman & Co., on the night of Nov. 6, 
1837. A guard of sixty volunteers remained 
about tlie building the next day, but when night 
came all but nineteen retired to their homes. 
During the night a mob attacked the building, 
when a shot from the inside killed Lyman Bishop. 
An attempt was then made bj' the rioters to fire 
the warehouse by sending a man to the roof. To 
dislodge the incendiary, Lovejoy, with two 
others, emerged from the building, when two or 
three men in concealment fired upon him, the 
shots taking effect in a vital part of his body, 
causing his death almost instantly. He was 
buried the following daj' without an inquest. 
Several of the attacking part\- and the defenders 
of the building were tried for riot and acquitted 
— the former probably on account of popular 
sympathy with the crime, and the latter because 
they were guiltless of any crime except that of 
defending private property and attempting to 
preserve the law. The act of firing the fatal 
shots has been charged upon two men — a Dr. 
Jennings and his comrade. Dr. Beall. The 
former, it is said, was afterwards cut to pieces in 
a bar-room fight in Vicksburg, Mis-s., while the 
latter, having been captured bj- Comanche 
Indians in Texas, was burned alive. On the 
other hand, Lovejoy has been honored as a 
martyr and the sentiments for which lie died 
have triumphed. (See Lovejoy, Elijah Parish; 
also Alton Riots.) 

Carlin Succeeds to the Governorship.— 
Duncan was succeeded by Gov. Thomas Carlin. 
who was chosen at the election of 1838 over 
Cyrus Edwards (a younger brother of Gov. 
Ninian Edwards), who was the Whig candidate. 



S64 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The successful candidate for Lieutenant-Governor 
was Stinson H. Anderson of Jefferson County. 
(See Carlin, (Gov.) Thomas: Anderson, StinsonH.) 

Among the members of the Legislature chosen 
at this time we find the names of Orville H. 
Browning, Robert Blackwell, George Churchill, 
William G. Gatewood, Ebenezer Peck (of Cook 
County), William A. Richardson, Newton Cloud, 
Jfisse K. Dubois, O. B. Ficklin, Vital Jarrot, 
Jolm Logan, William F. Thornton and Archibald 
Williams — all men of prominence in the subse- 
quent history of the State. This was the last 
Legislature that assembled at Vandalia, Spring- 
field becoming the capital, July 4. 1839. The 
comer-stone of the first State capitol at Spring- 
field was laid with imposing ceremonies, July 4, 
1837, Col. E. D. Baker delivering an eloquent 
address. Its estimated cost was §130,000, but 
$240,000 was expended upon it before its com- 
pletion. 

An incident of this campaign was the election 
to Congress, after a bitter struggle, of John T. 
Stuart over Stephen A. Douglas from the Third 
District, by a majority of fourteen votes. Stuart 
was re-elected in 1840, but in 1843 he was suc- 
ceeded, under a new apportionment, by Col. John 
J. Hardin, while Douglas, elected from the 
Quincy District, then entered the National Coun- 
cils for the first time. 

Field-McClernand Contest. — An exciting 
event connected with Carlin's administration was 
the attempt to remove Alexander P. Field from 
the office of Secretary of State, which he had 
held since 1828. Under the Constitution of 1818, 
this office was filled by nomination by the Gov- 
ernor "with the advice and consent of the 
Senate." Carlin nominated John A. McCler- 
nand to supersede Field, but the Senate refused to 
confirm the nomination. After adjournment of 
the Legislature, McClernand attempted to obtain 
possession of the office by writ of quo warranto. 
The Judge of a Circuit Court decided the case in 
his favor, but this decision was overruled by the 
Supreme Court. A special session having been 
called, in November, 1840, Stephen A. Douglas, 
then of Morgan County, was nominated and con- 
firmed Secretary of State, but held tlie position 
only a few months, when lie resigned to accept a 
place on the Supreme bench, being succeeded as 
Secretary by Lyman Trumbull. 

Supreme Court Revolutionized. — Certain 
decisions of some of the lower courts about this 
time, bearing upon the suffrage of aliens, excited 
the apprehension of the Democrats, who had 
heretofore been in political control of the State, 



and a movement was started in the Legislature 
to reorganize the Supreme Court, a majority of 
whom were Whigs. The Democrats were not 
unanimous in favor of the measure, but, after a 
bitter struggle, it was adopted, receiving a bare 
majority of one in the House. Under this act 
five additional Judges were elected, viz. : Thomas 
Ford, Sidney Breese, Walter B. Scates, Samuel 
H. Treat and Stephen A. Douglas — all Demo- 
crats. Mr. Ford, one of the new Judges, and 
afterwards Governor, has characterized this step 
as "a confessedly violent and somewhat revolu- 
tionary measure, which could never have suc- 
ceeded except in times of great party excite- 
ment." 

The great Whig mass-meeting at Springfield, 
in June, 1840, was an incident of the political 
campaign of that year. No such popular assem- 
blage had ever been seen in the State before. It 
is estimated that 20,000 people — nearly five per 
cent of the entire population of the State — were 
present, including a large delegation from Chi- 
cago who marched overland, under command of 
the late Maj.-Gen. David Hunter, bearing with 
them many devices so popular in that memorable 
campaign. 

Ford Elected Governor. — Judge Thomas 
Ford became the Democratic candidate for Gov- 
ernor in 1842, taking the place on the ticket of 
Col. Adam W. Snj-der, who had died after nomi- 
nation. Ford was elected by more tlian 8,000 
majority over ex-Governor Duncan, the Whig 
candidate. John Moore, of McLean County (who 
had been a member of the Legislature for several 
terms and was afterwards State Treasurer), 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor. (See Ford, 
Thomas; Snyder, Adam W., and Moore, John.) 

Emb.^rrassing Questions. — The failure of the 
State and the Shawneetown banks, near the close 
of Carlin's administration, had produced a condi- 
tion of business depression that was felt all over 
the State. At the beginning of Ford's adminis- 
tration, the State debt was estimated at §15, 657,- 
950 — within about one million of the highest 
point it ever reached — while the total population 
was a little over half a million. In addition to 
these drawbacks, the Mormon question became a 
source of embarrassment. This people, after 
having been driven from Missouri, settled at 
Nauvoo, in Hancock County; they increased 
rapidly in numbers, and. by the arrogant course 
of their leaders and their odious doctrines — 
especially with reference to "celestial marriage," 
and their assumptions of authority — aroused the 
bitter hostility of neighboring communities not 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



265 



of their faith. The popular indignation became 
greatly intensified by the course of unscrupulous 
politicians and the granting to the Mormons, by 
the Legislature, of certain charters and special 
privileges. Various charges were made against 
the obnoxious sect, including rioting, kidnap- 
ing, robbery, counterfeiting, etc., and the Gov- 
ernor called out the militia of the neighboring 
counties to preserve the peace. Joseph Smith — 
the founder of the sect — with his brother Hyrum 
and three others, were induced to surrender to 
the authorities at Carthage, on the 23d of June, 
1844, under promise of protection of their per- 
sons. Then tlie charge was changed to treason 
and they were thrown into jail, a guard of eight 
men being placed about the building. A con- 
siderable portion of the militia had disbanded and 
returned home, while others were openly hostile 
to the prisoners. On June 27 a band of 150 
disguised men attacked the jail, finding little 
opposition among those set to guard it. In 
the assault which followed both of the Smiths 
were killed, while John Taylor, another of 
the prisoners, was wounded. The trial of the 
murderers was a farce and they were acquitted. 
A state of virtual war continued for a year, 
in which Governor Ford's authority was openly 
defied or treated with contempt by those whom 
he had called upon to preserve the peace. In 
the fall of 1845 the Mormons agreed to leave 
the State, and the following spring the pilgrim- 
age to Salt Lake began. Gen. John J. Hardin, 
who afterward fell at Buena Vista, was twice 
called on by Governor Ford to head parties of 
militia to restore order, while Gen. Mason Bray- 
man conducted the negotiations which resulted 
in the promise of removal. The great body of 
the refugees spent tlie following winter at Coun- 
cil Bluffs, Iowa, arriving at Salt Lake in June 
following. Another considerable body entered 
the service of the Government to obtain safe con- 
duct and sustenance across the plains. While 
the conduct of the Mormons during their stay 
at Nauvoo was, no doubt, verj- irritating and 
often lawless, it is e(|ually true that the dis- 
ordered condition of affairs was taken advantage 
of by unscrupulous demagogues for dishonest 
purposes, and this episode has left a stigraa 
upon the name of more than one over-zealous anti- 
Mormon hero. (See Mormons: Smith. Joseph.) 

Though Governor Ford's integrity and ability 
in certain directions have not been questioned, 
his administration was not a successful one, 
largely on account of the conditions which pre- 
vailed at the time and the embarrassments which 



he met from his own party. (See Ford, TJiomas.) 
Mexican War. — A still more tragic chapter 
opened during the last year of Ford's administra- 
tion, in the beginning of the war with Mexico. 
Three regiments of twelve months' volunteers, 
called for by the General Government from the 
State of Illinois, were furnished with alacrity, 
and many more men offered their services than 
could be accepted. The names of their respective 
commanders — Cols. John J. Hardin, William H. 
Bissell and Ferris Forman — have been accorded 
a high place in the annals of the State and the 
Nation. Hardin was of an honorable Kentucky 
family ; he had achieved distinction at the bar 
and served in the State Legislature and in Con- 
gress, and his death on the battlefield of Buena 
Vista was universally deplored. (See Hardin, 
John J.) Bissell afterward served with distinc- 
tion in Congress and was the first Republican 
Governor of Illinois, elected in 1856. Edward D. 
Baker, then a Whig member of Congress, re- 
ceived authority to raise an additional regiment, 
and laid the foundation of a reputation as broad 
as the Nation. Two other regiments were raised 
in the State "for the war" during the next year, 
led respectively by Col. Edward W. B. Newby and 
James Collins, beside four independent companies 
of mounted volunteers. The whole number of 
volunteers furnished by Illinois in this conflict 
was 6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 182 
wounded, 12 dying of their wounds. Their loss 
in killed was greater than that of any other 
State, and the number of wounded onlj' exceeded 
by those from South Carolina and Pennsylvania. 
Among other lUinoisans who participated in this 
struggle, were Thomas L. Harris, William A. 
Richardson, J. L. D. Morrison, Slurray F. Tuley 
and Charles C. P. Holden, while still others, 
either in the ranks or in subordinate positions, 
received the "baptism of fire" which prepared 
them to win distinction as commanders of corps, 
divisions, brigades and regiments during the War 
of the Rebellion, including such names as John 
A. Logan, Richard J. Oglesby. Benjamin M. 
Prentiss. James D. Morgan. W. H. L. Wallace 
(who fell at Pittsburg Landing), Stephen G. 
Hicks, Michael K. Lawler. Leonard F. Ross, 
Isham N. Haynie, Theophilus Lyle Dickey, 
Dudley Wickersham. Isaac C. Pugh, Thomas H. 
Flynn, J. P. Post, Nathaniel Niles, W. R. Morri- 
son, and others. (See Mexican War. ) 

French's Administration-Massac Rebellion. 
—Except for the Mexican War. which was still 
in progress, and acts of mob violence in certain 
portionsof the State— especially by a band of self- 



266 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



styled "regulators" in Pope and Massac Counties 
— the administration of Augustus C. French, 
whicli began with the close of the year 1846, was 
a quiet one. French was elected at the previous 
August election by a vote of 58,700 to 36,775 for 
Thomas M. Kilpatrick, the Whig candidate, and 
5,112 for Richard Eels, the Free-Soil (or Aboli- 
tion) candidate. The Whigs held their first State 
Convention this year for the nomination of a 
State ticket, meeting at Peoria. At the same 
election Abraham Lincoln was elected to Con- 
gress, defeating Peter Cartwright, the famous 
pioneer Methodist preacher, who was the Demo- 
cratic candidate. At the session of the Legisla- 
ture which followed, Stephen A. Douglas was 
elected to the United States Senate as successor 
to James Semple. 

New Convention Movement. — Governor 
French was a native of New Hampshire, born 
August 3, 1808; he had practiced his profession 
as a lawyer in Crawford County, had been a 
member of the Tenth and Eleventh General 
Assemblies and Receiver of the Land Office at 
Palestine. The State had now begun to recover 
from the depression caused by the reverses of 
1837 and subsequent years, and for some time its 
growth in population had been satisfactory. The 
old Constitution, however, had been felt to be a 
hampering influence, especially in dealing with 
the State debt, and, as early as 1842, the question 
of a State Convention to frame a new Constitu- 
tion had been submitted to popular vote, but was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 1,039 votes. 
The Legislature of 1844-45 adopted a resolution 
for resubmission, and at the election of 1846 it 
was approved by the people by a majority of 
35,326 in a total vote of 81, .352. The State then 
contained ninety-nine counties, with an aggregate 
population of 662,150. The assessed valuation of 
property one year later was §92,206,493, while 
the State debt was §10,661,795 — or more than 
eighteen per cent of the entire assessed value of 
the property of the State. 

Constitutional Convention of 1847. —The 
election of members of a State Convention to 
form a second Constitution for the State of Illi- 
nois, was held April 19, 1847. Of one hundred 
and sixty-two members chosen, ninety-two were 
Democrats, leaving seventy members to all 
shades of the opposition. The Convention 
assembled at Springfield, June 7, 1847; it was 
organized by the election of Newton Cloud, Per- 
manent President, and concluded its labors after 
a session of nearly three months, adjourning 
August 31. The Constitution was submitted to 



a vote of the people, March 6, 1848, and was rati 
fied by 59,887 votes in its favor to 15,859 against. 
A special article prohibiting free persons of color 
from settling in the State was adopted by 49,060 
votes for, to 20,883 against it: and another, pro- 
viding for a two-mill tax, by 41.017 for, to 30,586 
against. The Constitution went into effect April 
1, 1848. (See Constitutiotxs: also Constituiional 
Convention of 1S47. ) 

The provision imposing a special two-mill tax, 
to be applied to the payment of the State in- 
debtedness, was the means of restoring the State 
credit, while that prohibiting the immigration 
of free persons of color, though in accordance 
with the spirit of the times, brought upon the 
State much opprobrium and was repudiated 
with emphasis during the War of the Rebellion. 
The demand for retrenchment, caused by the 
financial depression following the wild legislation 
of 1837, led to the adoption of many radical pro- 
visions in the new Constitution, some of which 
were afterward found to be serious errors open- 
ing the way for grave abuses. Among these 
was the practical limitation of the biennial ses- 
sions of the General Assembly to forty-two days, 
while the per diem of members was fixed at two 
dollars. The salaries of State officers were also 
fixed at what would now be recognized as an 
absurdly low figiu-e, that of Governor being 
§1,500; Supreme Court Judges, §1,200 each; Cir- 
cuit Judges, §1,000; State Auditor, §1,000; Secre- 
tary of State, and State Treasurer, §800 each. 
Among less objectionable provisions were those 
restricting the right of suffrage to white male 
citizens above the age of 31 years, which excluded 
(except as to residents of the State at the time of 
the adoption of the Constitution) a class of 
imnaturalized foreigners who had exercised the 
privilege as "inhabitants" under the Constitu- 
tion of 1818; providing for the election of all 
State, judicial <ind county officers by popular 
vote; prohibiting the State from incurring in- 
debtedness in excess of §50,000 without a special 
vote of the people, or granting the credit of the 
State in aid of any individual association or cor- 
poration; fixing the date of the State election 
on the Tuesday after the first Monday in Novem- 
ber in every fourth year, instead of the first 
Monday in August, as had been the rule under 
the old Constitution. The tenure of office of all 
State officers was fixed at four years, except that 
of State Treasurer, which was made two years. 
and the Governor alone was made ineligible to 
immediate re-election. The number of members 
of the General Assembly was fixed at twenty-five 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



267 



in the Senate and seventy-five in the House, 
subject to a certain specified ratio of in- 
crease when the population should exceed 
1,000,000. 

As the Constitution of 1818 had been modeled 
upon the form then most popular in the Southern 
States — especially with reference to the large 
number of officers made appointive by the Gov- 
ernor, or elective by the Legislature — so the new 
Constitution was, in some of its features, more in 
harmony with those of other Northern States, 
and indicated the growing influence of New Eng- 
land sentiment. This was especially the case 
%vith reference to the section providing for a sys- 
tem of township organization in the several 
coimties of the State at the pleasure of a majority 
of the voters of each county. 

Elections of 1848. — Besides the election for 
the ratification of the State Constitution, three 
other State elections were held in 1848, viz. : (1) 
for the election of State officers in August ; (3) 
an election of Judges in September, and (3) the 
Presidential election in November. At the first 
of these. Governor French, whose first term had 
been cut short two years by the adoption of the 
new Constitution, was re-elected for a second 
term, practically without opposition, the vote 
against him being divided between Pierre Menard 
and Dr. C. V. Dyer. French thus became his 
own successor, being the first Illinois Governor 
to be re-elected, and, though two years of his 
first term had been cut off by the adoption of the 
Constitution, he served in the gubernatorial 
office six years. The other State officers elected, 
were William McMurtry, of Knox, Lieutenant- 
Governor ; Horace S. Cooley, of Adams, Secretary 
of State; Thomas H. Campbell, of Randolph, 
Auditor; and Milton Carpenter, of Hamilton, 
State Treasurer — all Democrats, and all but 
McJIurtry being their own successors. At the 
Presidential election in November, the electoral 
vote was given to Lewis Cass, the Democratic 
candidate, who received .50.300 votes, to 53,047 
for Taylor, the Whig candidate, and 1,'3,774 for 
Martin Van Buren, the candidate of the Free 
Democracy or Free-Soil party. Thus, for the first 
time in the history of the State after 1834, the 
Democratic candidate for President failed to 
receive an absolute majority of the popular vote, 
being in a minority of 13,521, while having a 
plurality over the Whig candidate of 3,253. The 
only noteworthy results in the election of Con- 
gressmen this year were the election of Col. E. D. 
Baker (Whig), from the Galena District, and 
that of Maj. Thomas L. Harris (Democrat), from 



the Springfield District. Both Baker and Harris 
had been soldiers in the Mexican War, which 
probably accounted for their election in Districts 
usually opposed to them politically. The other 
five Congressmen elected from the State at the 
same time — including John Wentworth, then 
chosen for a fourth term from the Chicago Dis- 
trict — were Democrats. The Judges elected to 
the Supreme bench were Lyman Trumbull, from 
the Southern Division; Samuel H. Treat, from 
the Central, and John Dean Caton, from the 
Northern — all Democrats. 

A leading event of this session was the election 
of a United States Senator in place of Sidney 
Breese. Gen. James Shields, who had been 
severely wounded on the battle-field of Cerro 
Gordo; Sidney Breese, who had been the United 
States Senator for six years, and John A. Mc- 
Clernand, then a member of Congress, were 
arrayed against each other before the Democratic 
caucus. After a bitter contest, Shields was 
declared the choice of his party and was finally 
elected. He did not immediately obtain his seat, 
however. On presentation of his credentials, 
after a heated controversy in Congress and out of 
it, in which he injudiciously assailed his prede- 
cessor in very intemperate language, he was 
declared ineligible on the ground that, being of 
foreign birth, the nine years of citizenship 
required by the Constitution after naturalization 
had not elapsed previous to his election. In 
October, following, the Legislature was called 
together in special session, and. Shields' disabil- 
ity having now been removed by the expiration 
of the constitutional period, he was re-elected, 
though not without a renewal of the bitter con- 
test of the regular session. Another noteworthy 
event of this special session was the adoption of 
a joint resolution favoring the principles of the 
"Wilmot Proviso." Although this was rescinded 
at the next regular session, on the ground that the 
points at issue had been settled in the Compro- 
mise measures of 1850, it indicated the drift of 
sentiment in Illinois toward opposition to the 
spread of the institution of slavery, and this was 
still more strongly emphasized by the election of 
Abraham Lincoln in 1860. 

Illinois Central R.ulroad. — Two important 
measures which passed the General Assembly at 
the session of 1851, were the Free-Banking Law, 
and the act incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. The credit of first suggest- 
ing this great tlioroughfare has been claimed for 
William Smith Waite, a citizen of Bond County, 
111. , as early as 1835, although a special charter 



268 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



for a road over a part of this line liad been passed 
by the Legislature in 183-1. W. K. Aokerman, in 
his "Historical Sketch" of the Illinois Central 
Railroad, awards the credit of originating this 
enterprise to Lieut. -Gov, Alexander M. Jenkins, 
in the Legislature of 1833, of which he was a 
member, and Speaker of the House at the time. 
He afterwards became President of the first Illi- 
nois Central Railroad Company, organized under 
an act passed at the session of 183G, which pro- 
vided for the construction of a line from Cairo to 
Peru, 111., but resigned the next year on the sur- 
render by the road of its charter. The first step 
toward legislation in Congress on this subject 
was taken in the introduction, by Senator Breese, 
of a bill in March, 1843; but it was not until 1850 
that the measure took the form of a direct grant 
of lands to the State, finally passing the Senate 
in May, and the House in September, following. 
The act ceded to the State of Illinois, for the pur- 
pose of aiding in the construction of a line of 
railroad from the junction of the Ohio and Mis- 
sissippi, with branches to Chicago and Dubuque, 
Iowa, respectively, alternate sections of land on 
each side of said railroad, aggregating 2,595,000 
acres, the lengtli of the main line and branches 
exceeding seven hundred miles. An act incorpo- 
rating the Illinois Central Railroad Company 
passed the Illinois Legislature in February, 1851. 
The company was thereupon promptly organized 
with a number of New York capitalists at its 
liead, including Robert Schuyler, George Gris- 
wold and Gouverneur Morris, and the grant was 
placed in the hands of trustees to be used for the 
purpose designated, under the pledge of the 
Company to build the road by July 4, 1854, and 
to pay seven per cent of its gross earnings into 
the State Treasury perpetually. A large propor- 
tion of the line was constructed through sections 
of country either sparsely settled or wholly 
unpopulated, but which have since become 
among the richest and most populous portions of 
the State. The fund already received by the State 
from the road exceeds the amount of the State 
debt incurred under the internal improvement 
scheme of 1837. (See Illinois Central Railroad.) 
Election of 1853.— Joel A. Matteson (Demo- 
crat) was elected Governor at the November 
election, in 1853, receiving 80,645 votes to 04,405 
for Edwin B. Webb, Whig, and 8,809 for Dexter 
A. Knowlton, Free-Soil. The other State officers 
elected, were Gustavus Koerner, Lieutenant- 
Governor ; Alexander Starne, Secretary of State ; 
Thomas H. Campbell, Auditor ; and John Moore, 
Treasurer. The Whig candidates for these 



offices, respectively, were James L. D. Morrison, 
Buckner S. Morris, Charles A. Betts and Francis 
Arenz. John A. Logan appeared among the new 
members of the House chosen at this election as 
a Representative from Jackson County; while 
Henry W. Blodgett, since United States District 
Judge for tlie Northern District of Illinois, and 
late Counsel of the American Arbitrators of the 
Behring Sea Commission, was the onlj' Free-Soil 
member, being the Representative from Lake 
County. John Reynolds, who had been Gov- 
ernor, a Justice of the Supreme Court and Mem- 
ber of Congress, was a member of the House and 
was elected Speaker. * (See Webb, Edwin B.; 
Knowlton, Dexter A.; Koerner, Oustavus; Starne, 
Alexander; Moore, John; Morrison, James L, D.; 
Morris, Buckner S.; Arenz, Francis A. ; Blodgett 
Henry IT'.) 

Reduction of State Debt Begins.— The 
State debt reached its maximum at the beginning 
of Matteson's administration, amounting to 
§16,724,177, of which §7,259,823 was canal debt. 
The State had now entered upon a new and pros- 
perous period, and, in the next four years, the 
debt was reduced by the sum of §4,564,840, 
leaving the amount outstanding, Jan. 1, 1857, 
§12,834,144. The three State institutions at 
Jacksonville — the Asylums for the Deaf and 
Dumb, the Blind and Insane — had been in suc- 
cessful operation several years, but now internal 
dissensions and dissatisfaction with their man- 
agement seriously interfered with their prosperity 
and finally led to revolutions which, for a time, 
impaired their usefulness. 

Kansas-Nebraska Excitement. — During Mat- 
teson's administration a period of political ex- 
citement began, caused by the introduction in 
the United States Senate, in Januarj', 1854, by 
Senator Douglas, of Illinois, of the biU for the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise — otherwise 
known as the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. Although 
this belongs rather to National history, the 
prominent part played in it by an Illinois states- 
man who had won applause three or four years 
before, by the service he had performed in .secur- 
ing the passage of the Illinois Central Railroad 
grant, and the effect which his course had in 
revolutionizing the politics of the State, justifies 
reference to it here. After a debate, almost 
unprecedented in bitterness, it became a law, 
Maj' 30, 1854. The agitation in Illinois was 
intense. At Chicago, Douglas was practically 
denied a hearing. Going to Springfield, where 
the State Fair was in progress, during the first 
week of October, 1804, he made a speech in the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



269 



State Capitol in his defense. This was replied to 
by Abraham Lincoln, then a private citizen, to 
whom Douglas made a rejoinder. Speeches were 
also made in criticism of Douglas' position by 
Judges Breese and Trumbull (both of wliom had 
been prominent Democrats), and other Demo- 
cratic leaders were understood to be ready to 
assail the champion of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, 
though tliey afterwards reversed their position 
under partisan pressure and became supporters of 
the measure. The first State Convention of the 
opponents of the Nebraska Bill was held at the 
same time, but the attendance was small and the 
attempt to effect a permanent organization was 
not successful. At the session of the Nineteenth 
General Assembly, which met in January, fol- 
lowing, Lyman Trumbull was chosen the first 
Republican United States Senator from Illinois, 
in place of General Shields, whose term was about 
to expire. Trumbull was elected on tne tenth 
ballot, receiving fifty-one votes to forty-seven 
for Governor Matteson, though Lincoln had led 
on the Republican side at every previous ballot, 
and on the first had come within six votes of an 
election. Although he was then the choice of a 
large majority of the opposition to the Demo- 
cratic candidate, when Lincoln saw that the 
original supporters of Trumbull would not cast 
their votes for himself, he generously insisted 
that his friends should support his rival, thus 
determining the result. (See Matteson, Joel A.; 
Tinimbtill, Lyman, and Lincoln, Abraham.) 

Decatur Editorial Contention.— On Feb. 
22, 1856, occurred the convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska (Republican) editors at Decatur, which 
proved the first effective step in consolidating 
the opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska Bill into a 
compact political organization. The main busi- 
- ness of this convention consisted in the adoption 
of a series of resolutions defining the position of 
their authors on National questions — especially 
with reference to the institution of slavery — and 
appointing a State Convention to be held at 
Bloomington, May 29, following. A State Cen- 
tral Committee to represent the new party was 
also appointed at this convention. With two or 
three exceptions the Committeemen accepted and 
joined in the call for the State Convention, which 
was held at the time designated, when the first 
Republican State ticket was put in the field. 
Among the distinguished men who participated 
in this Convention were Abraham Lincoln, O. H. 
drowning, Richard Yates, Owen Lovejoj', John 
M. Palmer, Isaac N. Arnold and John Went 
worth. Palmer presided, while Al)raliam Lin 



coin, who was one of the chief speakers, was one 
of the delegates appointed to the National Con- 
vention, held at Philadelphia on the 17th of June, 
The candidates put in nomination for State offices 
were: William H. Bissell for Governor ; Francis 
A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor (afterward 
replaced by John Wood on account of Hoffman's 
ineligibility) ; Ozias 51. Hatch for Secretary of 
State; Jesse K. Dubois for Auditor; James H. 
Miller for State Treasurer, and William H. Powell 
for Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 
Democratic ticket was composed of William A. 
Richardson for Governor; R. J. Hamilton, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; W. H. Snyder, Secretary of 
State; S. K. Casey, Auditor; John Moore, Treas- 
urer, and J. H. St. Matthew, Superintendent of 
Public Instruction. The American organization 
also nominated a ticket headed by Buckner S. 
Morris for Governor. Although the Democrats 
carried the State for Buchanan, their candidate 
for President, by a plurality of 9,159, the entire 
Republican State ticket was elected by pluralities 
ranging from 3,031 to 20.313— the latter bein^ the 
majority for Miller, candidate for State Treas- 
urer, whose name was on both the Republican and 
American tickets. (See Ant i- Nebraska Editorial 
Convention, and Bloomington Convention of 
1856. ) 

Administration of Governor Bissell. — 
With the inauguration of Governor Bissell, the 
Republican party entered upon the control of the 
State Government, which was maintained with- 
out interruption until the close of the administra- 
tion of Governor Fifer, in January, 1893 — a period 
of thirty-six years. On account of physical disa- 
bility Bissell's inauguration took place in the 
executive mansion, Jan, 12, 1857. He was 
immediately made the object of virulent personal 
abuse in the House, being charged with perjury 
in taking the oath of office in face of the fact 
that, while a member of Congress, he had accepted 
a challenge to fight a duel with Jefferson Davis. 
To this, the reply was made that the offense 
charged took place outside of the State and be- 
yond the legal jurisdiction of the Constitution of 
Illinois. (See Bissell. William H.) 

While the State continued to prosper under 
Bissell's administration, the most important 
events of this period related rather to general 
than to State policy. One of these was the deliv- 
ery by Abraham Lincoln, in the Hall of Repre- 
sentatives, on the evening of June 17. 1858, of the 
celebrated speech in which he announced the 
doctrine that "a house divided against itself can- 
not stand." This was followed during the next 



270 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



few montlis by the series of memorable debates 
between those two great champions of their 
respective parties — Lincoln and Douglas — which 
attracted the attention of the whole land. The 
result was the re-election of Douglas to the 
United States Senate for a tliird term, but it 
also made Abraham Lincoln President of the 
United States. (See Lincoln and Doitgla/t 
Debates.) 

About the middle of Bissell's term (February, 
1859), came the discovery of what has since been 
known as "the celebrated "Canal Scrip Fraud." 
This consisted in the fraudulent funding in State 
bonds of a large amount of State scrip which had 
been issued for temporary purposes during the 
construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
but whicli had been subsequently redeemed. A 
legislative investigation proved the amount ille- 
gally funded to have been $223,182, and that the 
bulk of the bonds issued therefor — so far as they 
could be traced— had been delivered to ex-Gov. 
Joel A. Matteson. For this amount, with ac- 
crued interest, he gave to the State an indemnity 
bond, secured by real-estate mortgages, from 
which the State eventually realized S238.000 out 
of 825."), 000 then due. Further investigation 
proved additional frauds of like character, aggre- 
gating 8165,346, which the State never recovered. 
An attempt was made to prosecute Matteson 
criminally in the Sangamon County Circuit 
Court, but the grand jury failed, by a close vote, 
to find an indictment against him. (See Canal 
Scrip Fraxid.) 

An attempt was made during Bissell's adminis- 
tration to secure tlie refimding (at par and in 
violation of an existing law) of one hundred and 
fourteen 81,000 bonds hypothecated with Macalis- 
ter & Stebbins of New York in 1841, and for 
which the State had received an insignificant 
consideration. The error was discovered when 
new bonds for the principal had been issued, but 
the process was immediately stopped and the 
new bonds surrendered — the claimants being 
limited by law to 28.64 cents on the dollar. This 
subject is treated at length elsewhere in this vol- 
ume. (See Macalister & Stebbins Bonds.) Governor 
Bissell's administration was otherwise unevent- 
ful, although the State continued to prosper 
imder it as it had not done since the "internal 
improvement craze" of 1837 had resulted in im- 
posing such a burden of debt upon it. At the 
time of his election Governor Bissell was an 
invalid in consequence of an injury to his spine, 
from whicli he never recovered. He died in 
office. March 18, 1860, a little over two months 



after having entered upon the last year of his 
term of oflice, and was succeeded by Lieut. -Gov. 
John Wood, who served out the unexpired term. 
(See Bissell, William H.: also Wood, John.) 

Political Campaign of 1860. — The political 
campaign of 1860 was one of unparalleled excite- 
ment throughout the nation, but especially in 
Illinois, which became, in a certain sense, the 
chief battle-ground, furnishing the successful 
candidate for the Presidency, as well as being the 
State in which the convention which nominated 
him met. The Republican State Convention, 
held at Decatur, ]May 9, put in nomination 
Richard Yates of Morgan County, for Governor; 
Francis A. Hoffman for Lieutenant-Governor. 
O. M. Hatch for Secretary of State, Jesse K. 
Dubois for Auditor, William Butler for Treasurer, 
and Newton Bateman for Superintendent of Pub- 
lic Instruction. If this campaign was memorable 
for its excitement, it was also memorable for the 
large number of National and State tickets in the 
field. The National Republican Convention 
assembled at Chicago, Maj- 16, and, on the third 
ballot, Abraham Lincoln was nominated for 
President amid a whirlwind of enthusiasm unsur- 
passed in the history of National Conventions, of 
which so many have been held in the "conven- 
tion city" of the Northwest. The campaign was 
wliat might have been expected from such a 
beginning. Lincoln, though receiving consider- 
ably less than one-half the popular vote, had a 
plurality over his highest competitor of nearlj- 
half a million votes, and a niajority in the elect- 
oral colleges of fiftj'-seveu. In Illinois he 
received 172.161 votes to 160,215 for Douglas, his 
leading opponent. The vote for Governor stood : 
Yates (Republican). 172,196; Allen (Douglas- 
Democrat), 159,253; Hope (Breckinridge Demo- 
crat), 2,049; Stuart (American), 1,626. 

Among the prominent men of different parties 
who appeared for the first time in the General 
Assembly chosen at this time, weie William B. 
Ogden, Richard J. Oglesbj-, Washington Bushnell. 
and Henry E. Dummer, of the Senate, and Wil- 
liam R. Archer, J. Russell Jones, Robert H. 
McClellan, J. Young Scammon, William H. 
Brown, Lawrence Weldon, N. M. Broadwell. and 
John Scholfield, in the House. Slielby M. Cul- 
lom, who had entered the Legislature at the 
previous session, was re-elected to this and was 
chosen Speaker of the House over J. W. Single- 
ton. Lyman Trumbull was re-elected to the 
United States Senate by tlie votes of the Repub- 
licans over Samuel S. Marshall, the Democratic 
candidate. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



271 



Begixxi.vg of the Rebellion'. — Almost simul- 
taneously with the accession of the new State 
Government, and before the inauguration of the 
President at Washington, began that series of 
startling events which ultimately culminated iu 
the attempted secession of eleven States of the 
Union — the first acts in the great drama of war 
which occupied the attention of the world for the 
next four years. On Jan. 14, 1S61, the new 
State administration was inaugurated ; on Feb. 2, 
Commissioners to the futile Peace Conven- 
tion held at Wasliington, were appointed from 
Illinois, consisting of Stephen T. Logan, John M. 
Palmer, ex-Gov. John Wood, B. C. Cook and T. J. 
Turner; and on Feb. 11, Abraham Lincoln 
took leave of his friends and neighbors at Spring- 
field on his departvu:e for Washington, in that 
simple, touching speech which has taken a place 
beside his inaugural addresses and his Gettysburg 
speech, as an American classic. The events 
'which followed ; the firing on Fort Sumter on the 
twelfth of April and its surrender; the call for 
75.000 troops and the excitement which prevailed 
all over the country, are matters of National his- 
tory. lUinoisans responded with promptness and 
enthusiasm to the call for six regiments of State 
militia for three months' service, and one week 
later (April 21), Gen. R. K. Swift, of Chicago, at 
the head of seven companies numbering 595 men, 
was en route for Cairo to execute the order of the 
Secretary of War for the occupation of that 
place. The oflfer of military organizations pro- 
ceeded rapidly, and by the eighteenth of April, 
fifty companies had been tendered, while the 
public-spirited and patriotic bankers of the prin- 
cipal cities were offering to supply the State with 
money to arm and equip the hastily organized 
troops. Following in order the six regiments 
which Illinois had sent to the Mexican War, 
those called out for the three months" service in 
1861 were numbered consecutively from seven to 
twelve, and were commanded by the following 
officers, respectively : Cols. John Cook, Richard 
J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, James D. Morgan, 
W. H. L. Wallace and John McArthur, witli 
Gen. Benjamin M. Prentiss as brigade com- 
mander. The rank and file numbered 4,680 men, 
of whom 2,000, at the end of their term of serv- 
ice, re-enlisted for three years. (See War of the 
Rebellion. ) 

Among the many who visited the State Capitol 
in the early months of war to offer their services 
to the Government in suppressing the Rebellion, 
one of the most modest and unassuming was a 
gentleman from Galena who brought a letter of 



introduction to Governor Yates from Congress- 
man E. B. Washburne. Though he had been a 
Captain in the regular army and had seen service 
in the war with Mexico, he set up no pretension 
on that account, but after daj'S of patient wait- 
ing, was given temporary employment as a clerk 
in tlie office of the Adjutant-General, Col. T. S. 
Mather. Finally, an emergency having arisen 
requiring the services of an officer of military 
experience as commandant at Camp Yates (a 
camp of rendezvous and instruction near Spring- 
field), he was assigned to the place, rather as an 
experiment and from necessity than from convic- 
tion of any peculiar fitness for the position. 
Having acquitted himself creditably liere, he was 
assigned, a few weeks later, to the command of a 
regiment (The Twenty-first Illinois Volunteers) 
which, from previous bad management, had 
manifested a mutinous tendency. And thu.s 
L^h'sses S. Grant, the most successful leader of 
the war, the organizer of final victory over the 
Rebellion, the Lieutenant-General of the armies 
of the Union and twice elected President of the 
L^nited States, started upon that career which 
won for him the plaudits of tlie Nation and the 
title of the grandest soldier of his time. (See 
Grant. Ulysses S.) 

The responses of Illinois, under the leadership 
of its patriotic "War Governor," Richard Ya^es, 
to the repeated calls for volunteers through the 
four years of war, were cheerful and prompt. Illi- 
nois troops took part in nearly every important 
battle in the Mississippi Valley and in many of 
those iu the East, besides accompanying Sher- 
man in his triumphal "March to the Sea." Illi- 
nois blood stained the field at Belmont, at 
Wilson's Creek, Lexington. Forts Donelson and 
Henry ; at Shiloh, Corinth, Nashville, Stone River 
and Chiokamauga; at Jackson, during the siege 
of Vicksburg, at Allatoona Pass, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and Atlanta, in 
the South and West; and at Chancellorsville, 
Antietam, Gettysburg, Petersburg and in the 
battles of "the Wilderness" in Virginia. Of all 
the States of the Union. Illinois alone, up to 
Feb. 1, 1864, presented the proud record of hav- 
ing answered every call upon her for troops 
without a draft. The whole number of enlist- 
ments from the State under the various calls from 
1861 to 1865, according to the records of the War 
Department, was 255,057 to meet quotas aggre 
gating 244,496. The ratio of troops furnished to 
population was 15.1 per cent, which was onlj' 
exceeded by the District of Columbia (which 
had a large influx from the States), and Kansas 



272 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Nevada, each of which had a much larger 
proportion of adult male population. The whole 
number of regimental organizations, according 
to the returns in the Adjutant General's office, 
was 151 regiments of infantry (numbered con- 
secutively from the Sixth to tlie One Hundred 
and Fifty-seventh), 17 regiments of cavalry and 2 
regiments of artillery, besides 9 independent bat- 
teries. The total losses of Illinois troops, officially 
reported by the War Department, were 34,834 
(13.G5 per cent), of which 5,874 were killed in 
battle, 4,020 died of wounds, 23,786 died of disease, 
and 2,1.54 from other causes. Besides the great 
Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln, and 
Lieut. -Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, Illinois furnished 
11 full Slajor-Generals of volunteers, viz. : 
Generals John Pope. John A. MoClernand, S. A. 
Hurlbut, B. JI. Prentiss, John M. Palmer, R. J. 
Oglesby, John A. Logan, John M. Schofield, Giles 
A. Smith, Wesley Merritt and Benjamin H. 
Grierson ; 20 Brevet Major-Generals ; 24 Brigadier- 
Generals, and over 120 Brevet Brigadier-Generals. 
(See sketches of these officers under their respec- 
tive names. ) Among the long list of regimental 
officers wlio fell upon the field or died from 
woimds, appear the names of Col. J. R. Scott of 
the Nineteenth ; Col. Thomas D. Williams of the 
Twenty-fifth, and Col. F. A. Harrington of the 
T-^enty -seventh — all killed at Stone River; Col. 
John W. S. Ale-xander of the Twenty-first; Col. 
Daniel Gilmer of the Thirty-eighth; Lieut. -Col. 
Duncan J. Hall of the Eighty-ninth ; Col. Timothy 
O'Meara of the Ninetieth, and Col. Holden Put- 
nam, at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge; 
Col. John B. Wyman of the Thirteenth, at 
Chicka.saw Bayou; Lieut. -Col. Thomas W. Ross, 
of the Thirty -second, at Shiloh; Col. John A. 
Davis of the Forty -sixth, at Hatchie; Col. Wil- 
liam A. Dickerman of the One Hundred and 
Third, at Resaca; Col. Oscar Harmon, at Kene- 
saw; Col. John A. Bross, at Petersburg, besides 
Col. Mihalotzy, Col. Silas Miller, Lieut. -Col. 
Melancthon Smith, Maj. Zenas Applington, Col. 
John J. Mudd, Col. Matthew H. Starr, Maj. Wm. 
H. Medill, Col. Warren Stewart and many more 
on other battle-fields. (Biographical sketches of 
many of these officers will be found under the 
proper heads elsewhere in this volume.) It 
would be a grateful task to record here the names 
of a host of others, who, after acquitting them- 
selves bravely on the field, survived to enjoy the 
plaudits of a grateful people, were this within 
the design and scope of the present work. One 
of the most brilliant exploits of the War was the 
raid from La Grange, Tenn., to Baton Rouge, 



La., m May, 1863, led by Col. B. H. Grierson, of 
the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, in co-operation with 
the Seventh under command of Col. Edward 
Prince. 

Constitutional Convention of 1862. — An 
incident of a different character was the calling 
of a convention to revise the State Constitu- 
tion, which met at Springfield, Jan. 7, 1862. A 
majority of this body was composed of those 
opposed to the war policy of the Government, 
and a disposition to interfere with the afi'airs of 
the State administration and the General Gov- 
ernment was soon manifested, which was resented 
by the executive and many of the soldiers in the 
field. The convention adjourned March 24, and 
its work was submitted to vote of the people, 
June 17, 1862, when it was rejected by a majority 
of more than 16,000, not counting the soldiers in 
the field, who were permitted, as a matter of 
policy, to vote upon it, but who were practically 
unanimous in opposition to it. 

Death of Douglas. — A few days before this 
election (June 3, 1862), United States Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas died, at the Tremont House 
in Chicago, depriving the Democratic party of 
the State of its most sagacious and patriotic 
adviser. (See Douglas, Stephen A.) 

Legislature of 1863. — Another political inci- 
dent of this period grew out of the session of the 
General Assembly of 1863. This body having 
been elected on the tide of the political revulsion 
which followed the issuance of President Lin- 
coln's preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, 
was Democratic in both branches. One of its 
first acts was the election of William A. Richard- 
son United States Senator, in place of O. H. 
Browning, who had been appointed by Governor 
Yates to the vacancy caused by the death of 
Douglas. This Legislature early showed a tend- 
ency to follow in the footsteps of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1862, by attempting to 
cripple the State and General Governments in 
the prosecution of the war. Resolutions on the 
subject of the war, which the friends of the 
Union regarded as of a most mischievous charac- 
ter, were introduced and passed in the House, but 
owing to the death of a member on the majority 
side, they failed to pass the Senate. These 
denounced the suspension of the writ of habeas 
corpus; condemned "the attempted enforcement 
of compensated emancipation" and "the transpor- 
tation of negroes into the State;" accused the 
General Government of "usurpation," of "sub- 
verting the Constitution" and attempting to 
establish a "consolidated military despotism;" 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



273 



charged that the war had been "diverted from its 
first avowed object to that of subjugation and 
tlie abolition of slavery;" declared the belief of 
the authors that its "further prosecution .... 
cannot result in the restoration of the Union 
.... unless the President's Emancipation Proc- 
lamation be withdrawn;" appealed to Congress 
to secure au armistice with the rebel States, and 
closed bj" appointing six Commissioners (who 
were named) to confer with Congress, with a 
view to the holding of a National Convention to 
adjust the differences between the States. These 
measures occupied the attention of the Legisla- 
ture to the exclusion of subjects of State interest, 
so that little legislation was accomplished — not 
even the ordinarj- appropriation bills being passed. 

Legislature Prorogued. — At this juncture, 
the two Houses having disagreed as to the date 
of adjournment, Governor Yates exercised the 
constitutional prerogative of proroguing them, 
which he did in a message on June 10. declaring 
them adjourned to the last day of their constitu- 
tional term. The Republicans accepted the result 
and withdrew, but the Democratic majority in 
the House and a minority in the Senate continued 
in session for some days, without being able to 
transact any business except the filing of an 
empty protest, when they adjourned to the first 
Jlonday of Januarj', 1864. The excitement pro- 
duced by this affair, in the Legislature and 
throughout the State, was intense ; bxit the action 
of Governor Yates was sustained by the Supreme 
Court and the adjourned session was never held. 
The failure of the Legislature to make provision 
for the expenses of the State Government and the 
relief of tlie soldiers in the field, made it neces- 
sary for Governor Yates to accept that aid from 
the public-spirited bankers and capitalists of the 
State which was never wanting when needed 
during this critical period. (See Twenty-Third 
General Assembly. ) 

Peace Conventions.— Largely attended "peace 
conventions" were held during this year, at 
Springfield on June 17, and at Peoria in Septem- 
ber, at which resolutions opposing the "further 
offensive prosecution of the war" were adopted. 
An immense Union mass-meeting was also held 
at Springfield on Sept. -i, which was addressed 
by distinguished speakers, including both Re- 
publicans and War-Democrats. An important 
incident of this meeting was the reading of the 
letter from President Lincoln to Hon. James C. 
Conkling, in which he defended his war policy, 
and especially his Emancipation Proclamation, 
in a characteristically logical manner. 



Political Campaign of 1864.— The year 1864 
was full of exciting political and military events. 
Among the former was the nomination of George 
B. McClellan for President by the Democratic Con- 
vention held at Chicago, August 29, on a platform 
declaring tlie wara "failure" as an "experiment" 
for restoring the Union, and demanding a "cessa- 
tion of hostilities" with a view to a convention for 
the restoration of peace. Sir. Lincoln had been 
renominated by the Republicans at Philadelphia, 
in June previous, with Andrew Johnson as the 
candidate for Vice-President. The leaders of the 
respective State tickets were Gen. Richard J. 
Oglesby, on the part of the Republicans, for Gov- 
ernor, with AVilliam Bross, for Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, and James C. Robinson as the Democratic 
candidate for Governor. 

C.vMP Douglas Conspiracy. — For months 
rumors had been rife concerning a conspiracy of 
rebels from the South and their sympathizers in 
the North, to release the rebel prisoners confined 
in Camp Douglas, Chicago, and at Rock Island, 
Springfield and Alton — aggregating over 25,000 
men. It was charged that the scheme was to be 
put into effect simultaneously with the Novem- 
ber election, but the activity of the militarj' 
authorities in arresting the leaders and seizing 
their arms, defeated it. The investigations of a 
military court before whom a number of the 
arrested parties were tried, proved the existence 
of an extensive organization, calling itself 
"American Knights" or "Sons of Liberty," of 
which a number of well-known politicians in 
Illinois were members. (See Cam}) Douglas 
Consj^iracy.) 

At the November election Illinois gave a major- 
ity for Lincoln of 30,756, and for Oglesby, for 
Governor, of 33,675, with a proportionate major- 
ity for the rest of the ticket. Lincoln's total vote 
in the electoral college was 213, to 21 for McClellan. 

Legislature of 1865. — The Republicans had a 
decided majority in both branches of the Legis- 
lature of 1805, and one of its earliest acts was the 
election of Governor Yates, United States Sena- 
tor, in place of William A. Richardson, who had 
been elected two years before to the seat formerly 
held by Douglas. This was the last public posi- 
tion held by the popular Illinois "War Gov- 
ernor. " During his official term no more popular 
public servant ever occupied the executive chair 
— a fact demonstrated by the promptness with 
which, on retiring from it, he was elected to the 
United States Senate. His personal and political 
integrity was never questioned by his most bitter 
political opponents, Avliile those who had known 



274 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



him longest and most intimately, trusted him 
most implicitly. The service which he performed 
in giving direction to the patriotic sentiment of 
the State and in marshaling its heroic soldiers 
for the defense of the Union can never be over- 
estimated. (See Yates, Ricliard.) 

Oglesby's Adiiinistr.\tion. — Governor Ogles- 
by and the other State officers were inaugu- 
rated Jan. 17, 1865. Entering upon its duties 
with a Legislatm-e in full sympathy with it, the 
new administration was confronted by no such 
difficulties as those with which its predecessor 
had to contend. Its head, who had been identi- 
fied with the war from its beginning, was one of 
the first Illinoisans promoted to the rank of 
Major-General, was personally popular and 
enjoyed the confidence and respect of the people 
of the State. Allen C. Fuller, who had retired 
from a position on the Circuit bench to accept 
that of Adjutant-General, which he held during 
the last three j'ears of the war, was Speaker of 
the House. This Legislature was the first among 
those of all the States to ratify the Thirteenth 
Amendment of the National Constitution, abolish- 
ing slavery, which it did in both Houses, on the 
evening of Feb. 1, 1805 — the same day the resolu- 
tion had been finally acted on by Congress and 
received the sanction of the President. The 
odious "black laws," which had disgraced the 
State for twelve years, were wiped from the 
statute-book at this session. The Legislature 
adjourned after a session of forty-six days, leav- 
ing a record as creditable in the disposal of busi- 
ness as that of its predecessor had been discredit- 
able. (See Oglesby, Richard J.) 

Assassination of Lincoln. — The war was now 
rapidly approaching a successful termination. 
Lee had surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, 
April 9, 1865, and the people were celebrating 
this event with joyful festivities through all the 
loyal States, but nowhere with more enthusiasm 
than in Illinois, the home of the two great 
leaders — Lincoln and Grant. In the midst of 
these jubilations came the assassination of Presi- 
dent Lincoln by Jolin Wilkes Booth, on the 
evening of April 14, 1865, in Ford's Theater, 
Washington. The appalling news was borne on 
the wings of the telegraph to every corner of the 
land, and instantly a nation in rejoicing was 
changed to a nation in mourning. A pall of 
gloom hung over every part of the land. Public 
buildings, business houses and dwellings in every 
city, village and hamlet throughout the loyal 
States were draped with the insignia of a univer- 
sal sorrow. Millions of strong men, and tender, 



patriotic women who had given their husbands, 
sons and brothers for the defense of the Union, 
wept as if overtaken by a great personal calam- 
ity. If the nation mourned, much more did Illi- 
nois, at the taking off of its chief citizen, the 
grandest character of the age, who had served 
both State and Nation with such patriotic fidel- 
ity, and perished in the very zenith of his fame 
and in the hour of his country's triumph. 

The Funeral. — Then came the sorrowful 
march of the funeral cortege from Washington 
to Springfield — the most impressive spectacle 
witnessed since the Daj' of the Crucifixion. In 
all this, Illinois bore a conspicuous part, as on the 
fourth day of May, 1865, amid the most solemn 
ceremonies and in the presence of sorrowing 
thousands, she received to her bosom, near his 
old home at the State Capital, the remains of the 
Great Liberator. 

The part which Illinois played in the great 
struggle has already been dwelt upon as fully as 
the scope of this work will permit. It only 
remains to be said that the patriotic service of 
the men of the State was grandly supplemented 
by the equally patriotic service of its women in 
"Soldiers" Aid Societies," "Sisters of the Good 
Samaritan," "Needle Pickets," and in sanitary 
organizations for the purpose of contributing to 
the comfort and health of the soldiers in camp 
and in hospital, and in giving them generous 
receptions on their return to their homes. The 
work done by these organizations, and by indi- 
vidual nurses in the field, illustrates one of the 
brightest pages in the history of the war. 

Election of 1866.— The administration of Gov- 
ernor Oglesby was as peaceful as it was prosper- 
ous. The chief political events of 1866 were the 
election of Newton Bateman, State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction, and Gen. Geo. W. 
Smith, Treasurer, while Gen. John A. Logan, as 
Representative from the State-at- large, re-entered 
Congress, from which he had retired in 1861 to 
enter the Union army. His majority was un- 
precedented, reaching 55,987. The Legislature 
of 1867 re elected Judge Trumbull to the United 
States Senate for a third term, his chief competi- 
tor in the Republican caucus being Gen. John M. 
Palmer. The Fourteenth Amendment to the 
National Constitution, conferring citizenship 
upon persons of color, was ratified by this Legis- 
lature. 

Election of 1868.— The Republican State Con- 
vention of 1868, held at Peoria, May 6, nominated 
the following ticket : For Governor, John M. 
Palmer, Lieutenant-Governor, John Dougherty; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



275 



Secretary of State, Edward Rummell; Auditor, 
Charles E. Lippincott, State Treasurer, Erastus N. 
Bates; Attorney General. Washington Buslmell. 
John R. Eden, afterward a member of Congress 
for three terms, headed the Democratic ticket as 
candidate for Governor, with William H. Van 
Epps for Lieutenant-Governor. 

The Republican National Convention was held 
at Chicago, May 21, nominating Gen. U. S. Grant 
for President and Schuyler Colfax for Vice- 
President. They were opposed by Horatio 
Seymour for President, and F. P. Blair for Vice- 
President. The result in November was the 
election of Grant and Colfax, who received 214 
electoral votes from 26 States, to 80 electoral 
votes for Seymour and Blair from 8 States — three 
States not voting. Grant's majority in Illinois 
was 51,150. Of course the Republican State 
ticket was elected. The Legislature elected at 
the same time consisted of eighteen Republicans 
to nine Democrats in the Senate and fifty eight 
Republicans to twenty-seven Democrats in the 
House. 

Palmer's Administr.\tion. — Governor Palm- 
er's administration began auspiciously, at a time 
■when the passions aroused by the war were sub- 
siding and the State was recovering its normal 
prosperity. (See Palmer, John M.) Leading 
events of the next four years were the adoption 
of a new State Constitution and the Chicago fire. 
The first steps in legislation looking to the con- 
trol of railroads were taken at the session of 

1869, and although a stringent law on the subject 
passed both Houses, it was vetoed by the Gov- 
ernor. A milder measure was afterward enacted, 
and, although superseded by the Constitution of 

1870, it furnished the key-note for much of the 
legislation since had on the subject. The cele- 
brated "Lake Front Bill," convej'ing to the city 
of Chicago and the Illinois Central Railroad the 
title of the State to certain lands included in 
what was known as the "Lake Front Park," was 
passed, and although vetoed by the Governor, 
was re-enacted over his veto. This act was 
finally repealed by the Legislature of 1873, and 
after many years of litigation, the rights claimed 
under it by the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany have been recently declared void by the 
Supreme Court of the United States. The Fif- 
teenth Amendment of the National Constitution, 
prohibiting the denial of the right of suffrage to 
"citizens of the United States .... on account 
of race, color or previous condition of servitude." 
was ratified by a strictly party vote in each 
House, on March 5. 



The first step toward the erection of a new 
State Capitol at Sprinj;fleU had been taken in an 
appropriation of S4.W.000, at the session of 1867, 
the total cost being limited to §3,000,000. A 
second appropriation of §650,000 was made at the 
session of 1869. The Constitution of 1870 limited 
the cost to $3,500,000, but an act passed by the 
Legislature of 1883, making a final appropriation 
of §531,713 for completing and furnishing the 
building, was ratified by the people in 1884. The 
original cost of the building and its furniture 
exceeded §4,000,000. (See State Houses. ) 

The State Convention for framing a new Con- 
stitution met at Springfield, Dec. 13, 1869. 
It consisted of eighty-five members — forty-four 
Republicans and forty-one Democrats, A num- 
ber classed as Republicans, however, were elected 
as "Independents" and co-operated with the 
Democrats in the organization. Charles Hitch- 
cock was elected President. The Convention 
terminated its labors. May 13, 1870; the Constitu- 
tion was ratified by vote of the people, July 3, 
and went into effect, August 8, 1870. A special 
provision establishing the principle of "minority 
representation" in the election of Representatives 
in the General Assembly, was adopted by a 
smaller vote than the main instrument. A lead- 
ing feature of the latter was the general restric- 
tion upon special legislation and the enumeration 
of a large variet3' of subjects to be provided for 
under general laws. It laid the basis of our 
present railroad and warehouse laws; declared 
the inviolability of the Illinois Central Railroad 
tax; prohibited the sale or lease of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal without a vote of the people ; 
prohibited municipalities from becoming sub- 
scribers to the stock of any railroad or private 
corporation; limited the rate of taxation and 
amount of indebtedness to be incurred ; required 
tlie enactment of laws for the protection of 
miners, etc. The restriction in the old Constitu- 
tion against the re-election of a Governor as his 
own immediate successor was removed, but placed 
upon the ofiice of State Treasurer. The Legisla- 
ture consists of 204 members — 51 Senators and 153 
Representatives — one Senator and three Repre- 
sentatives being chosen from each district. (See 
Constitutional Convention of 1S69-70: also Con- 
stitution of 1S70. ) 

At the election of 1870, General Logan was re- 
elected Congressman-at-large by 24,672 majority; 
Gen. E. N. Bates, Treasurer, and Newton Bate- 
man, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. 

Legislature of 1871. — The Twenty -seventh 
General Assembly (1871), in its various sessions, 



276 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



spent more time in legislation than any other in 
the history of the State — a fact to be accounted 
for, in part, by the Chicago Fire and the exten- 
sive revision of the laws required in consequence 
of the adoption of the new Constitution. Besides 
the regular session, there were two special, or 
called, sessions and an adjourned session, cover- 
ing, in all, a period of 292 days. This Legislature 
adopted the system of "State control" in the 
management of the labor and discipline of the 
convicts of the State penitentiary, which was 
strongly urged by Governor Palmer in a special 
message. General Logan having been elected 
United States Senator at this session, Gen. John 
L. Beveridge was elected to the vacant position 
of Congressman-at- large at a special election held 
Oct. 4. 

Chicago Fire of 1871. — The calamitous fire 
at Chicago, Oct. 8-9, 1871, though belonging 
rather to local than to general State history, 
excited the profound sympathy, not only of the 
people of the State and the Nation, but of the 
civilized world. The area burned over, including 
streets, covered 2,124 acres, with 13,500 buildings 
out of 18,000, leaving 92,000 persons homeless. 
The loss of life is estimated at 250, and of prop- 
erty at §187,927,000. Governor Palmer called the 
Le,gislature together in special session to act upon 
the emergency, Oct. 13, but as the State was pre- 
cluded from affording direct aid, the plan was 
adopted of reimbursing the city for the amount 
it had expended in the enlargement of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, amounting to §2,955,340. 
The unfortunate shooting of a citizen by a cadet 
in a regiment of United States troops organized 
for guard duty, led to some controversy between 
Governor Palmer, on one side, and the Mayor of 
Chicago and the military authorities, including 
President Grant, on the other; but the general 
verdict was, that, while nice distinctions between 
civil and military authority may not have been 
observed, the service rendered by the military, in 
a great emergenc}^ was of the highest value and 
was prompted bj' the best intentions. (See Fire 
o/ 7,?7i under title Chicago.) 

Political Campaign of 1872.— The political 
campaign of 1872 in Illinois resulted in much con- 
fusion and a partial reorganization of parties. 
Dissatisfied with the administration of President 
Grant, a number of the State officers (including 
Governor Palmer) and other prominent Repub- 
licans of the State, joined in what was called the 
"Liberal Republican" movement, and supported 
Horace Greeley for the Presidency. Ex-Gov- 
ernor Oglesby again became the standard-bearer 



of the Republicans for Governor, with Gen. John 
L. Beveridge for Lieutenant-Governor. At the 
November election, the Grant and "Wilson (Repub- 
Hcan) Electors in Illinois received 241,944 votes, 
to 184,938 for Greeley, and 3,188 for ©"Conor. 
The plurality for Oglesby, for Governor, was 
40,690. 

Governor Oglesby's second administration was 
of brief duration. Within a week after his in- 
auguration he was nominated by a legislative 
caucus of his party for United States Senator to 
succeed Judge Trumbull, and was elected, receiv- 
ing an aggregate of 117 votes in the two Houses 
against 78 for Trumbull, who was supported by 
the party whose candidates he had defeated at 
three previous elections. (See Oglesby, Richard J. ) 
Lieutenant-Governor Beveridge thus became 
Governor, filling out the unexpired term of his 
chief. His administration was high-minded, 
clean and honorable. (See Beveridge, John L.) 
Republican Reverse of 1874. — The election 
of 1874 resulted in the first serious reverse the 
Republican party had experienced in Illinois 
since 1862. Although Thomas S. Ridgway, the 
Republican candidate for State Treasurer, was 
elected by a plurality of nearly 35,000, by a com- 
bination of the opposition, S. M. Etter (Fusion) 
was at the same time elected State Superintend- 
ent, while the Fusionists secured a majority in 
each House of the General Assembly. After a 
protracted contest, E. M. Haines — who had been 
a Democrat, a Republican, and had been elected 
to this Legislature as an "Independent" — was 
elected Speaker of the House over Shelby M. Cul- 
lom, and A. A. Glenn (Democrat) was chosen 
President of the Senate, thus becoming ex-officio 
Lieutenant-Governor. The session which fol- 
lowed — especially in the House — was one of the 
most turbulent and disorderly in the history of 
the State, coming to a termination, April 15, 
after having enacted very few laws of any im- 
portance. (See Twenty-ninth General Assembly. ) 
Campaign of 1876. — Shelby M. CuUom was the 
candidate of the Republican party for Governor 
in 1876, with Rutherford B. Hayes heading the 
National ticket. The excitement which attended 
the campaign, the closeness of the vote between 
the two Presidential candidates — Hayes and 
Tilden — and the determination of the result 
through the medium of an Electoral Commission, 
are fresh in the memory of the present gener- 
ation. In Illinois the Republican plxu-ality for 
President was 19,631, but owing to the combina- 
tion of the Democratic and Greenback vote on 
Lewis Steward for Governor, the majority for 



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BOARD OF TRADE BUILDING. CHICAGO. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



277 



Ouilom was reduced to 6,798. The other State 
orticers elected were: Andrew Shumau, Lieu- 
tenant-Governor; George H. Harlow, Secretary 
of State; Thomas B. Needles, Auditor; Edward 
Rutz, Treasurer, and James K. Edsall, Attorney- 
General. Each of these had pluralities exceeding 
20,000, except Needles, who, having a single com- 
petitor, had a smaller majority than Cullom. 
The new State House was occupied for the first 
time by the State officers and the Legislature 
chosen at this time. Although the Republicans 
had a majority in the House, the Independents 
held the "balance of power" in joint session of 
the General Assemblj-. After a stubborn and 
protracted struggle in the effort to choose a 
United States Senator to succeed Senator John A. 
Logan, David Davis, of Bloomington, was 
elected on the fortieth ballot. He had been a 
Whig and a warm personal friend of Lincoln, by 
whom he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court of the United States in 1863. His 
election to the United States Senate by the Demo- 
crats and Independents led to his retirement from 
the Supreme bench, thus preventing his appoint- 
ment on the Electoral Commission of 1877 — a cir- 
cumstance which, in the opinion of many, may 
have had an important bearing upon the decision 
of that tribunal. In the latter part of his term 
he served as President pro tempore of the Senate, 
and more frequently acted with the Republicans 
than with their opponents. He supported Blaine 
and Logan for President and Vice-President, in 
1884. (See Davis, David.) 

Strike op 1877. — The extensive railroad -strike, 
in July, 1877, caused widespread demoralization 
of business, especially in the railroad centers of 
the State and throughout the country generally. 
The newly-organized National Guard was called 
out and rendered efficient service in restoring 
order. Governor Cullom's action in the premises 
was prompt, and has been generally commended 
as eminently wise and discreet. 

Election of 1878. — Four sets of candidates 
were in the field for the offices of State Treasxirer 
and Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1878 
— Republican, Democratic, Greenback and Pro- 
hibition. The Republicans were successful. Gen. 
John C. Smith being elected Treasurer, and 
James P. Slade, Superintendent, b3' pluralities 
averaging about 35,000. The same party also 
elected eleven out of nineteen members of Con- 
gress, and, for the first time in six years, secured 
a majority in each branch of the General Assem- 
bly. At the session of this Legislature, in Janu- 
ary following, John A. Logan was elected to the 



United States Senate as successor to Gen. R. J. 
Oglesby. whose term expired in March following. 
Col. William A. James, of Lake County, served 
as Speaker of the House at this session. ^See 
Smith. John Corson; Slade. James P. ; ^\so Thirty- 
first Oeneral Assembly. ) 

Camp.vign of 1880. — The political campaign 
of 1880 is memorable for the determined struggle 
made by the friends of General Grant to secure 
his nomination for the Presidency for a third 
term. The Republican State Convention, begin- 
ning at Springfield, Jlay 19, lasted three days, 
ending in instructions in favor of General Grant 
by a vote of 399 to 28.5. These were nulUSed, 
however, by the action of the National Conven- 
tion two weeks later. Governor Cullom was 
nominated for re-election ; John M. Hamilton for 
Lieutenant-Governor; Henry D. Dement for Sec- 
retary of State; Charles P. Swigert for Auditor; 
Edward Rutz (for a third term) for Treasurer, 
and James McCartney for Attorney-General. 
(See Dement, Henry D.; Sivigert, Charles P.; 
Putz, Edward, and McCartney , James.) Ex-Sena- 
tor Trumbull headed the Democratic ticket as its 
candidate for Governor, with General L. B. Par- 
sons for Lieutenant-Governor. 

Tlie Republican National Convention met in 
Chicago, June 2. After thirty-six ballots, in 
which 306 delegates stood unwaveringly by Gen- 
eral Grant, James A. Garfield, of Ohio, was 
nominated, -with Chester A. Arthur, of New 
York, for Vice-President. Gen. Winfield Scott 
Hancock was the Democratic candidate and Gen. 
James B. Weaver, the Greenback nominee. In 
Illinois, 622,156 votes were cast, Garfield receiv- 
ing a plurality of 40,716. The entire Republican 
State ticket was elected by nearly the same plu- 
ralities, and the Republicans again had decisive 
majorities in both branches of the Legislature. 

No startling events occurred dui-ing Governor 
Cullom"s second term. The State continued to 
increase in wealth, population and prosperity, 
and the heavy debt, by which it had been bur- 
dened thirty years before, was practically "wiped 
out." 

Election of 1882.— At the election of 1882, 
Gen. John C. Smith, who had been elected State 
Treasurer in 1878, was re-elected for a second 
term, over Alfred Orendorff, while Charles T. 
Strattan, the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, was de- 
feated by Henry Raab. The Republicans again 
had a majority in each House of the General 
Assembly, amounting to twelve on joint ballot. 
Loren C. Collins was elected Speaker of the 



278 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



House. In the election of United States Senator, 
which occurred at tliis session, Governor Cullom 
was chosen as the successor to David Davis, Gen. 
John M. Palmer receiving the Democratic vote. 
Lieut.-Gov. John M. Hamilton thus became Gov- 
ernor, nearly in the middle of his term. (See 
Cullom, Shelby M.: Hamilton, John M.; Collins, 
Loren C, and Raab, Htnry.) 

The "Harper High License Law," enacted by 
the Thirty-third General Assembly (1883), has 
become one of the permanent features of the Illi- 
nois statutes for the control of the liquor traffic, 
and has been more or less closely copied in other 
States. 

Political Campaign of 1884.— In 1884, Gen. 
E. J. Oglesby again became the choice of the 
Republican party for Governor, receiving at 
Peoria the conspicuous compliment of a nomina- 
tion for a third term, by acclamation. Carter H. 
Harrison was the candidate of the Democrats. 
The Republican National Convention was again 
held in Chicago, meeting June 3, 1884; Gen. John 
A. Logan was the choice of the Illinois Repub- 
licans for President, and was put in nomination 
in the Convention by Senator Cullom. The 
choice of the Convention, however, fell upon 
James G. Blaine, on tlie fourth ballot, his leading 
competitor being President Arthur. Logan was 
then nominated for Vice-President by acclama- 
tion. 

At the election in November the Republican 
party met its first reverse on the National battle- 
field since 1856, Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. 
Hendricks, the Democratic candidates, being 
elected President and Vice-PYesident by the nar- 
row margin of less than 1,200 votes in the State 
of New York. The result was in doubt for sev- 
eral days, and the excitement throughout the 
country was scarcely less intense than it had 
been in the close election of 1876. The Green- 
back and Prohibition parties both had tickets in 
Illinois, polling a total of nearly 23,000 votes. 
The plurality in the State for Blaine was 25,118. 
The Republican State officers elected were Richard 
J. Oglesby, Governor; John C. Smith, Lieuten 
ant-Governor; Henry D. Dement, Secretarj' of 
State; Charles P. Swigert, Auditor; Jacob Gross, 
State Treasurer; and George Hunt, Attorney- 
General — receiving pluralities ranging from 14,- 
000 to 25,000. Both Dement and Swigert were 
elected for a second time, while Gross and Hunt 
were chosen for first terms. (See Gross, Jacob. 
and Hunt, George. ) , 

Chicago Election Frauds. — An incident of 
this election was the fraudulent attempt to seat 



Rudolph Brand (Democrat) as Senator in place of 
Henry W. Leman, in the Sixth Senatorial Dis- 
trict of Cook County. The fraud was exposed 
and Joseph C. Mackin, one of its alleged perpe- 
trators, was sentenced to the penitentiary for four 
years for perjury growing out of the investiga- 
tion. A motive for this attempted fraud was 
found in the close vote in the Legislature for 
United States Senator — Senator Logan being a 
candidate for re-election, while the Legislature 
stood 102 Republicans to 100 Demograts and two 
Greenbackers on joint ballot. A tedious contest 
on the election of Speaker of the House finally 
resulted in the success of E. M. Haines. Pending 
the struggle over the Senatorship, two seats in 
the House and one in the Senate were rendered 
vacant b)' death — the deceased Senator and one of 
the Representatives being Democrats, and the 
other Representative a Republican. The special 
election for Senator resulted in filling the vacancj' 
with a new member of the same political faith as 
his predecessor ; but both vacancies in the House 
were filled by Republicans. The gain of a Repub- 
lican member in place of a Democrat in the 
House was brought about by the election of 
Captain William H. Weaver Representative from 
the Tliirtj'-fourth District (composed of Mason, 
Menard, Cass and Schuyler Counties) over the 
Democratic candidate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of Representative J. Henry Shaw, 
Democrat. This was accomplished by what is 
called a "still hunt" on the part of the Repub- 
licans, in which the Democrats, being taken by 
surprise, suffered a defeat. It furnished the sen- 
sation not only of the session, but of special elec- 
tions generally, especially as every county in the 
District was strongly Democratic. This gave the 
Republicans a majority in each House, and the 
re-election of Logan followed, though not until 
two months had been consumed in the contest. 
(See Logan, John A.) 

Oqlesby's Third Term. — The only disturbing 
events during Governor Oglesby 's third term were 
strikes among the quarrjnnen at Joliet and 
Lemont, in May, 1885; by the railroad switchmen 
at East St. Louis, in April, 1886, and among the 
employes at the Union Stock-Yards, in November 
of the same year. In each case troops were called 
out and order finally restored, but not until sev- 
eral persons had been killed in the two former, 
and both strikers and employers had lost heavilj- 
in the interruption of business. 

At the election of 1886, John R. Tanner and 
Dr. Richard Edwards (Republicans) were respec- 
tively elected State Treasurer and State Superin- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



279 



tendent of Public Instruction, by 34,816 plurality 
Tor tlie former and 29,928 for the latter. (See 
Tanner, John R.; Edwards, Richard.) 

In the Thirty-fifth General Assembly, which 
met January, ISST, the Republicans had a major- 
ity in each House, and Charles B. Farwell was 
elected to the United States Senate in place of 
Gen. John A. Logan, deceased. (See Farwell, 
Charles B. ) 

FiFER Elected Governor. — The political 
campaign of 1888 was a spirited one, though less 
bitter than the one of four years previous. Ex- 
Senator Joseph W. Fifer, of McLean County, and 
Ex-Gov. John M. Palmer were pitted against each 
other as opposing candidates for Governor. (See 
Fifer, Joseph W. ) Prohibition and Labor tickets 
were also in the field The Republican National 
Convention was again held in Chicago, June 
20-25, resulting in the nomination of Benjamin 
Harrison for President, on the eighth ballot. The 
delegates from Illinois, with two or three excep- 
tions, voted steadily for Judge Walter Q. 
Gresham. (See Gresham, 'iValter Q.) Grover 
Cleveland headed the Democratic ticket as a 
candidate for re-election. At the November elec- 
tion, 747,683 votes were cast in Illinois, giving 
the Republican Electors a plurality of 23,104. 
Fifer's plurality over Palmer was 12,547, and that 
of the remainder of the Republican State ticket, 
still larger. Those elected were Lyman B. Ray, 
Lieutenant-Governor; Isaac N. Pearson, Secre- 
tary of State ; Gen. Charles W. Pavey, Auditor ; 
Charles Becker, Treasurer, and George Hunt, 
Attorney-General. (See Ray, Lymdn B.; Pear- 
son, Isaac N.; Pavey, Cliarles W; and Becker, 
Charles.) The Republicans secured twenty-six 
majority on joint ballot in the Legislature — the 
largest since 1881. Among the acts of the Legis- 
lature of 1889 were the reelection of Senator 
Cullom to the United States Senate, practically 
w'thout a contest ; the revision of the compulsory 
education law, and the enactment of the Chicago 
drainage law. At a special session held in July, 
1890, the first steps in the preUminary legislation 
looking to the holding of the World's Columbian 
Exposition of 1893 in the city of Chicago, were 
taken. (See World's Columbian Ea-jmsition.) 

Republican Defe.\t of 1890. — The campaign 
of 1890 resulted in a defeat for the Republicans on 
both the State and Legislative tickets. Edward 
S. Wilson was elected Treasurer by a plurality of 
9,847 and Prof. Henry Raab, who had been Super- 
intendent of Public Instruction between 1883 and 
1887, was elected for a second term by 34,042. 
Though lacking two of an absolute majority on 



joint ballot in the Legislature, the Democrats 
were abl&, with the aid of two members belonging 
to the Farmers" Alliance, after a prolonged and 
exciting contest, to elect Ex-Gov. John JI. 
Palmer United States Senator, as successor to 
C. B. Farwell. The election took place on March 
11, resulting, on the 154th ballot, in 103 votes for 
Palmer to 100 for Cicero J. Lindley (Republican) 
and one for A. J. Streeter. (See Palmer, John M. ) 
Elections of 1892.— At the elections of 1892 
the Republicans of Illinois sustained their first 
defeat on both State and National issues since 
1850. The Democratic State Convention was 
held at Springfield, April 27, and that of the 
Republicans on May 4. The Democrats put in 
nomination John P. Altgeld for Governor; 
Joseph B. Gill for Lieutenant-Governor; William 
H. Hiorichsen for Secretary of State; Rufus N. 
Ramsay for State Treasurer; David Gore for 
Auditor ; Maurice T. Moloney for Attorney-Gen- 
eral, with John C. Black and Andrew J. Hunter 
for Congressmen-at-large and three candidates for 
Trustees of the University of Illinois. The can- 
didates on the Republican ticket were : For Gov- 
ernor, Joseph W. Fifer; Lieutenant-Governor, 
Lyman B. Ray ; Secretary of State, Isaac N. Pear- 
son; Auditor, Charles W. Pavey; Attorney-Gen- 
eral, George W. Prince; State Treasurer, Henry 
L. Hertz ; Congressnien-at-large, George S. Willits 
and Richard Yates, with three University Trus- 
tees. The first four were all incumbents nomi- 
nated to succeed themselves. The Republican 
National Convention held its session at Minneapo- 
lis June 7-10, nominating President Harrison for 
re-election, while that of the Democrats met 
in Chicago, on June 21, remaining in session 
until June 24, for the third time choosing, as its 
standard-bearer, Grover Cleveland, with Adlai T. 
Stevenson, of Bloomington, 111., as his running- 
ma.te for Vice-President. The Prohibition and 
People's Party also had complete National and 
State tickets in the field. The State campaign 
was conducted with great vigor on both sides, the 
Democrats, under the leadership of Altgeld, mak- 
ing an especially bitter contest upon some features 
of the compulsory school law, and gaining many 
votes from the ranks of the German-Republicans. 
The result in the State showed a plurality for 
Cleveland of 20,993 votes out of a total 873,646— 
the combined Prohibition and People's Party vote 
amounting to 48,077. The votes for the respec- 
tive heads of the State tickets were: Altgeld 
(Dem.), 42.5,498; Fifer (Rep.), 402,659; Link 
(Pro.), 25,638 ;Bamet (Peo.), 30, 108— plurality for 
Altgeld, 22,808. The vote for Fifer was the high- 



280 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



est given to any Republican candidate on either 
the National or the State ticket, leading that of 
President Harrison by nearly 3,400, while the 
vote for Altgeld, though falling behind that of 
Cleveland, led the votes of all his associates on the 
Democratic State ticket with the single exception 
of Ramsay, the Democratic Candidate for Treas- 
urer. Of the twenty-two Representatives in 
Congress from the State chosen at this time, 
eleven were Republicans and eleven Democrats, 
including among the latter tlie two Congressmen 
from the State-at-large. The Thirty-eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly stood twenty-nine Democrats to 
twenty-two Republicans in the Senate, and 
seventy-eight Democrats to seventy-five Republic- 
ans in the House. 

The administration of Governor Fifer — the last 
in a long and unbroken line under Republican Gov- 
ernors — closed with the financial and industrial 
interests of the State in a prosperous condition, 
the State out of debt with an ample surplus in its 
treasury. Fifer was the first private soldier of 
the Civil War to be elected to the Governorship, 
though the result of the next two elections have 
shown that he was not to be the last — botli of his 
successors belonging to the same class. Governor 
Altgeld was the first foreign-born citizen of tlie 
State to be elected Governor, though the State 
has had four Lieutenant-Governors of foreign 
birth, viz. : Pierre Menard, a French Canadian ; 
John Moore, an Englishman, and Gustavus 
Koerner and Francis A. Hoffman, both Germans. 

Altgeld"s Adjiinistration. — The Thirty- 
eighth General Assembly began its session, Jan. 
4, 1893, the Democrats having a majority in each 
House. (See Thirty-eigltfh General Assembly.) 
The inauguration of the State officers occurred on 
January 10. The most important events con- 
nected with Governor Altgeld's administration 
were the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893, 
and the strike of railway employes in 1894. Both 
of these have been treated in detail under their 
proper heads. (See World's Columbian E.vjwsi- 
tion, and Labor Troubles.) A serious disaster 
befell the State in the destruction by fire, on the 
night of Jan. 3, 189.5, of a portion of the buildings 
connected with the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane at Anna, involving a loss to the State of 
nearly §200,000, and subjecting the inmates and 
officers of the institution to great risk and no 
small amount of suffering, although no lives were 
lost. The Thirty-ninth General Assembly, which 
met a few days after the fire, made an appropri- 
ation of §171,970 for the restoration of the build- 
ings destroyed, and work was begun immediately. 



The defalcation of Charles W. Spalding, Treas- 
urer of the University of Illinois, which came to" 
light near the close of Governor Altgeld's term, 
involved the State in heavy loss (the exact 
amount of which is not even yet fully known), 
and operated unfortunately for the credit of the 
retiring administration, in view of the adoption of 
a policy which made the Governor more directly 
responsible for the management of the State in- 
stitutions than that pur<Jued by most of his prede- 
cessors. The Governor's course in connection 
with the strike of 1894 was also severely criticised 
in some quarters, especially as it brought him in 
opposition to the policy of the National adminis- 
tration, and exposed him to the charge of sjmpa- 
thizing with the strikers at a time when they 
were regarded as acting in open violation of law. 

Election of 1894.— The election of 1894 showed 
as surprising a reaction against the Democratic 
party, as that of 1892 had been in an opposite 
direction. The two State offices to be vacated 
this year — State Treasurer and State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction — were filled by the elec- 
tion of Republicans by unprecedented majorities. 
The plurality for Henry Wulif for State Treas- 
urer, was 133,437, and that in favor of Samuel M. 
luglis for State Superintendent of Public Instruc- 
tion, scarcely 10,000 less. Of twent}'-two Repre- 
sentatives in Congress, all but two returned as 
elected were Republicans, and these two were 
unseated as the result of contests. The Legisla- 
ture stood thirty-three Republicans to eighteen 
Democrats in the Senate, and eighty -eight Repub- 
licans to sixty-one Democrats in the House. 

One of the most important acts of the Thirty- 
ninth General Assembly, at the following session, 
was the enactment of a law fixing the compensa- 
tion of members of the General Assembly at §1,000 
for each regular session, with five dollars per day 
and mileage for called, or extra, sessions. This 
Legislature also passed acts making appropriations 
for the erection of buildings for the use of the 
State Fair, which had been permanently located 
at Springfield ; for the establishment of two ad- 
ditional hospitals for the insane, one near Rock 
Island and the other (for incurables) near Peoria; 
for the Northern and Eastern Illinois Normal 
Schools, and for a Soldiers' Widows' Home at 
Wilmington. 

Permanent Location of the State Fair.— 
In consequence of the absorption of public atten- 
tion — especially among the indu.strial and manu- 
facturing classes — by the World's Columbian 
Exposition, the holding of the Annual Fair of the 
Illinois State Board of Agriculture for 1893 was 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



281 



omitted for the first time since the Civil War. 
•The initial steps were taken by the Board at its 
annual meeting in Springfield, in January of that 
year, looking to the permanent location of the 
Fair; and, at a meeting of the Board held in Clii- 
cago, in October following, formal specifications 
were adopted prescribing the conditions to be met 
in securing the prize. These were sent to cities 
intending to compete for the location as the basis 
of proposals to be submitted by them. Responses 
were received from the cities of Bloomington, 
Decatur, Peoria and Springfield, at the annual 
meeting in January, 1894, with the result that, 
on the eighth ballot, the bid of Springfield was 
accepted and the Fair permanently located at 
that place by a vote of eleven for Springfield to 
ten divided between five other points. The 
Springfield proposal provided for conveyance to 
the State Board of Agriculture of 13.5 acres of 
land — embracing the old Sangamon County Fair 
Grounds immediately north of the city — besides 
a cash contribution of 850,000 voted by the San- 
gamon County Board of Supervisors for the 
erection of permanent buildings. Other contri- 
butions increased the estimated value of the 
donations from Sangamon County (including the 
land) to 8139,800, not including the pledge of the 
city of Springfield to pave two streets to the gates 
of the Fair Groimds and furnish water free, be- 
sides an agreement on the part of the electric 
light company to furnish light for two years free 
of charge. The construction of buildings was 
begun the same year, and the first Fair held on 
the site in September following. Additional 
buildings have been erected and other improve- 
ments introduced each year, until the grounds 
are now regarded as among the best equipped for 
exhibition purposes in the United States. In the 
meantime, the increasing success of the Fair 
from year to year has demonstrated the wisdom 
of the action taken by the Board of Agriculture 
in the matter of location. 

Campaign of 1896. — The political campaign 
of 1896 was one of almost vmprecedented activity 
in Illinois, as well as remarkable for the variety 
and character of the issues involved and the 
number of party candidates in the field. As 
usual, the Democratic and the Republican parties 
were the chief factors in the contest, although 
there was a wide diversity of sentiment in each, 
■which tended to the introduction of new issues 
and the organization of parties on new lines. 
The Republicans took the lead in organizing for 
the canva-ss, holding their State Convention at 
Springfield on April 29 and 30, while the Demo- 



crats followed, at Peoria, on Jime 23. The former 
put in nomination John R. Tanner for Governor; 
William A. Northcott for Lieutenant-Governor; 
James A. Rose for Secretary of State; James S. 
McCuUough for Auditor; Henry L. Hertz for 
Treasurer, and Edward C. Akin for Attorney- 
General, with Mary Turner Carriel, Thomas J. 
Smyth and Francis M. McKay for University 
Trustees. The ticket put in nomination by the 
Democracy for State oflScers embraced John P. 
Altgeld for re-election to the Governorship ; for 
Lieutenant-Governor, Monroe C. Crawford; Sec- 
retary of State, Finis E. Downing: Auditor, 
Andrew L. JIaxwell; Attorney-General, George 
A. Trude, with tliree candidates for Trustees. 

The National Republican Convention met at St. 
Louis on June 16, and, after a three days' session, 
put in nomination William McKinley, of Ohio, 
for President, and Garret A. Hobart, of New 
Jersey, for Vice-President; while their Demo- 
cratic opponents, following a policy which had 
been maintained almost continuously by one or 
the other party since 1860, set in motion its party 
machinery in Chicago — holding its National Con- 
vention in that city, July 7-11, when, for the first 
time in the history of tlie nation, a native of 
Illinois was nominated for the Presidency in the 
person of William J. Bryan of Nebraska, with 
Arthur Sewall, a ship-builder of Maine, for the 
second place on the ticket. The main issues, as 
enunciated in the platforms of the respective 
parties, were industrial and financial, as shown by 
the prominence given to the tariff and monetary 
questions in each. This was tlie natural result of 
the business depression which had prevailed since 
1893. While the Republican platform adhered to 
the traditional position of the party on the tariff 
issue, and declared in favor of maintaining the 
gold standard as the basis of the monetary system 
of the country, that of tlie Democracy took a new 
departure by declaring unreservedly for the "free 
and unlimited coinage of both silver and gold at 
the present legal ratio of 16 to 1;" and this be- 
came the leading issue of the campaign. The 
fact that Thomas E. Watson, of Georgia, who 
had been favored by the Populists as a candidate 
for Vice President, and was afterwards formally 
nominated by a convention of that party, with 
Mr. Bryan at its head, was ignored by the Chi- 
cago Convention, led to much friction between 
the Populist and Democratic wings of the party. 
At the same time a very considerable body — in 
influence and political prestige, if not in numbers 
— in the ranks of the old-line Democratic party, 
refused to accept the doctrine of the free-silver 



3S2 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



section on the monetary question, and, adopting 
the name of "Gold Democrats," put in nomination 
a ticket composed of John M. Palmer, of Illinois, 
for President, and Simon B. Buckner, of Ken- 
tucky, for Vice-President. Besides these, the Pro- 
hibitionists, Nationalists, Socialist-Labor Party 
and "Middle-of-the-Road" (or "straight-out") 
Populists, had more or less complete tickets in the 
field, making a total of seven sets of candidates 
appealing for the votes of the people on issues 
assumed to be of National importance. 

Tlie fact that the two great parties — Democratic 
and Republican — established their principal head- 
quarters for the prosecution of the campaign in 
Chicago, had the effect to make that city and 
the State of Illinois the center of political activ- 
ity for the nation. Demonstrations of an impos- 
ing character were held by both parties. At the 
November election the Republicans carried the 
day bj' a plurality, in Illinois, of 141,517 for their 
national ticket out of a total of 1,090,869 votes, 
while the leading candidates on the State ticket 
received the following pluralities; John R. Tan- 
ner (for Governor), 113,381; Northcott (for Lieu- 
tenant-Governor), 137,354; Rose (for Secretary of 
State), 136,611; McCuUough (for Auditor), 188,- 
013; Hertz (for Treasurer), 116,064; Akin (for 
Attorney-General), 132,650. The Republicans also 
elected seventeen Representatives in Congress to 
three Democrats and two People's Party men. 
The total vote cast, in this campaign, for the "Gold 
Democratic" candidate for Governor was 8,100. 

Gov. Tanner's Administration — The Fortieth 
jeneral Assembly met Jan. 6, 1897, consisting of 
eighty-eight Republicans to sixty-three Demo- 
crats and two Populists in the House, and thirty- 
nine Republicans to eleven Democrats and one 
Populist in the Senate. The Republicans finally 
gained one member in each house hj' contests. 
Edward C. Curtis, of Kankakee County, was 
chosen Speaker of the House and Hendrick V. 
F'sher, of Henry County, President pro tem. of 
the Senate, with a full set of Republican officers 
in the subordinate positions. The inauguration 
of the newly elected State officers took place on 
the 11th, the inaugural address of Governor 
Tanner taking strong ground in favor of main- 
taining the issues indorsed by the people at the 
late election. On Jan. 20, William E, Mason, 
of Chicago, was elected United States Senator, as 
the successor of Senator Palmer, whose term was 
about to expire, Mr. Mason received the full 
Republican strength (125 votes) in the two 
Hou.ses, to the 77 Democratic votes cast for John 
P. Altgeld. (See Fortieth General Assemblij.) 



Among the principal measures enacted by the 
Fortieth General Assembly at its regular session 
were: The "Torrens Land Title System, " regu- 
lating the conveyance and registration of land 
titles (which see) ; the consolidation of the three 
Supreme Court Districts into one and locating the 
Supreme Court at Springfield, and the Allen 
Street-Railroad Law, empowering City Councils 
and other corporate authorities of cities to grant 
street railway franchises for a period of fifty 
years. On Dec. 7, 1897, the Legislature met in 
special session under a call of the Governor, nam- 
ing five subjects upon which legislation was sug- 
gested. Of these only two were acted upon 
affirmatively, viz. : a law prescribing the manner 
of conducting the election of delegates to nomi- 
nating political conventions, and a new revenue 
law regulating the assessment and collection of 
taxes. The main feature of the latter act is the 
requirement that property shall be entered upon 
the books of the assessor at its cash value, subject 
to revision by a Board of Review, the basis of 
valuation for purposes of taxation being one-fifth 
of this amount. 

The Spanish-American War. — The most not- 
able event in the history of Illinois during the 
year 1898 was the Spanish-American War, and 
the part Illinois played in it. In tliis contest 
lUinoisans manifested the same eagerness to 
serve their country as did their fathers and fel- 
low-citizens in the War of the Rebellion, a third 
of a century ago. The first call for volunteers 
was responded to with alacrity by the men com- 
posing the Illinois National Guard, seven regi- 
ments of infantry, from the First to Seventh 
inclusive, besides one regiment of Cavahy and 
one Battery of Artillery — in all about 9.000 men 
— being mustered in between May 7 and May 21. 
Altliougli only one of these — tlie First, under the 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner of Chicago — 
.saw practical service in Cuba before the surrender 
at Santiago, others in camps of instruction in the 
South stood ready to respond to the demand for 
their service in the field. Under the second call 
for troops two other regiments — the Eighth and 
the Ninth — were organized and the former (com- 
posed of Afro-Americans officered by men of 
their own race) relieved the First Illinois on guard 
duty at Santiago after the surrender. A body of 
engineers from Company E of the Second United 
States Engineers, recruited in Chicago, were 
among the first to see service in Cuba, while 
many Illinoi.sans belonging to the Naval Reserve 
were assigned to duty on United States war 
vessels, and rendered most valuable service in the 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



283 



naval engagements in Cuban waters. The Third 
Regiment (Cul. Fred. Befinitt) also took part in 
the movement for the occupation of Porto Rico. 
The several regiments on their return for muster- 
out, after the conclusion of terms of peace with 
Spain, received most enthusiastic ovations from 
their fellow-citizens at home. Besides the regi- 
ments mentioned, several Provisional Regiments 
were organized and stood ready to respond to the 
call of the Government for their services had the 
emergency required. (See ll'ac, Tlie Sjxinish 
American . ) 

Labor Disturbances. — The principal labor 
disturbances in the State, under Governor Tan- 
ner's administration, occurred during the coal- 
miners' strike of 1897, and the lock-out at the 
Pana and Virden mines in 1898. The attempt to 
introduce colored laborers from the South to 
operate these mines led to violence between the 
adherents of the "Miners' Union" and the mine- 
owners and operators, and their employes, at 
these points, during which it was necessary to 
.call out the National Guard, and a number of 
lives were sacrificed on both sides. 

A flood in the Ohio, during the spring of 1898, 
caused the breaking of the levee at Shawneetown, 
111., on the 3d day of April, in consequence of 
which a large proportion of the city was flooded, 
many homes and business houses wrecked or 
greatly injured, and much other property de- 
stroyed. The most serious disaster, however, was 
the loss of some twenty-five lives, for the most 
part of women and children who, being surprised 
in their homes, were unable to escape. Aid was 
promptly furnished by the State Government in 
the form of tents to shelter the survivors and 
rations to feed them ; and contributions of money 
and provisions from the citizens of the State, col- 
lected by relief organizations during the next two 
or three months, were needed to moderate the 
suffering. (See Inundations, Remarkable.) 

Campaign of 1898. — The political campaign of 
1898 was a quiet one, at least nominally conducted 
on the same general issues as that of 1896, al- 
though the gradual return of business prosperity 
had greatly modified the intensity of interest 
with which some of the economic questions of 
the preceding campaign had been regarded. The 
only State officers to be elected were a State- 
Treasurer, a Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and three State Universitj' Trustees — the total 
vote cast for the fornjer being 878,622 against 
1,090,869 for President in 1896. Of the former, 
Floyd K. Whittemore (Republican candidate for 
State Treasurer) received 448,940 to 405,490 for 



M. F. Dunlap (Democrat), with 24,192 divided 
between three other candidates; while Alfred 
Bayliss (Republican) received a plurality of 
68,899 over his Democratic competitor, with 23,- 
190 votes cast for three others. The Republican 
candidates for University Trustees were, of course, 
elected. The Republicans lost heavily in their 
representation in Congress, though electing thir- 
teen out of twenty-two members of the Fiftj'- 
si.xth Congress, leaving nine to their Democratic 
opponents, who were practically consolidated in 
this campaign with the Populists. 

Forty-first General Assembly.— The Forty- 
first General Assembly met, Jan. 4, 1899, and 
adjourned, April 14, after a session of 101 days, 
with one exception (that of 1875), the shortest 
regular session in the hi.story of the State Gov- 
ernment since the adoption of tlie Constitution pf 
1870. The House of Representatives consisted of 
eighty-one Republicans to seventy -one Democrats 
and one Prohibitionist ; and the Senate, of thirty- 
four Republicans to sixteen Democrats and one 
Populist — giving a Republican majority on joint 
ballot of twenty-six. Of 176 bills which passed 
both Houses, received the apjiroval of the Gov- 
ernor and became laws, some of the more impor- 
tant were the following: Amending the State 
Arbitration Law by extending its scope and the 
general powers of the Board ; creating the office 
of State Architect at a salary of §5,000 per annum, 
to furnish plans and specifications for public 
buildings and supervise the construction and 
care of the same ; authorizing the consolidation 
of the territory of cities under township organi- 
zation, and consisting of five or more Congres- 
sional townships, into one township ; empowering 
each Justice of the Supreme Court to employ a 
private secretary at a salary of §2,000 per annum, 
to be paid by the State: amending the State 
Revenue Law of 1898 ; authorizing the establish- 
ment and maintenance of parental or truant 
schools; and empowering the State to establish 
Free Employment Offices, in the proportion of one 
to each city of 50.000 inhabitants, or three in 
cities of 1,000,000 and over. An act was also 
passed requiring the Secretary of State, when an 
amendment of the State Constitution is to be 
voted upon by the electors at any general elec- 
tion, to prepare a statement setting forth the pro- 
visions of the same and furnish copies thereof to 
each County Clerk, whose duty it is to have said 
copies published and posted at the places of voting 
for the information of voters. One of the most 
important acts of this I^egislature was the repeal, 
by a practically unanimous vote, of the Street- 



28i 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



railway Franchise Law of the previous session, 
tlie provisions of which, empowering City Coun- 
cils to grant street-railway franchises extending 
over a period of fifty years, had been severely 
criticised by a portion of the press and excited 
intense hostility, especially in some of the larger 
cities of the State. Although in force nearly two 
years, not a single corporation had succeeded in 
obtaining a franchise under it. 

A Retrospect axd a Look into The Future.— 
The history of Illinois has been traced concisely 
and in outline from the earliest i^eriod to the 
present time. Previous to the visit of Joliet and 
Marquette, in 1673, as unknown as Central Africa, 
for a century it continued the hunting ground of 
savages and the home of wild animals common to 
the plains and forests of the Mississippi Valley. 
The region brought under the influence of civili- 
zation, such as then existed, comprised a small 
area, scarcely larger than two ordinarily sized 
counties of tlie present day. Thirteen years of 
nominal British control ( 1705-78) saw little change, 
except the exodus of a part of tlie old French 
population, who preferred .Spanish to British rule. 
The period of development began with tlie 
occupation of Illinois by Clark in 1778. That 
saw the "Illinois County," created for the gov- 
ernment of the settlements northwest of the 
Ohio, expanded into five States, with an area of 
250,000 square miles and a population, in 1890, of 
13,500,000. In 1880 the population of the State 
equaled that of the Thirteen Colonies at the 
close of the Revolution. The eleventh State in 
the Union in this respect in 1850, in 1890 it had 
advanced to third rank. With its unsurpassed 
fertility of soil, its inexhaustible supplies of fuel 
for manufacturing purposes, its system of rail- 
roads, surpassing in extent that of any other State, 
there is little risk in predicting that the next 
forty years will see it advanced to second, if not 
first rank, in both wealth and population. 

But if the development of Illinois on material 
lines has been marvelous, its contributions to the 
Nation in philanthropists and educators, soldiers 
and statesmen, have rendered it conspicuous. A 
long list of these might be mentioned, but two 
names from the ranks of Illinoisans have been, by 
common consent, assigned a higher place than all 
others, and have left a deeper impress upon the 
history of the Nation than any others since tlie 
days of Washington. These are, Ulysses S. Grant, 
the Organizer of Victory for the Union arms 
and Conqueror of the Rebellion, and Abraham 
Lincoln, the Great Emancipator, the Preserver of 
the Republic, and its Martvred President. 



CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD. 

Important Events in Illinois History. 

1673.— Joliet .ind Marquette reach Illinois from Green Bay by 

way of the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. 
1674-5. — Marquette makes a second visit to Illinois and spends 

the winter on the present site of Chicago. 
1680.-' La Salle and Tonty descend the Illinois to Peoria Lake. 
1681.— Tonty begins the erection of Fort St. Louis on " Starved 

Rock" in La Salle County. 
1682.— La Salle and Toiity descend the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers to the mouth of the latter, and take possession 
i April 9. I68"2) in the name of the King of France 
1700.— First permanent French settlement in Illinois and Mis- 
sion of St. Sulpice established at C'ahokia 
1700.— Kaskaskia Indians remove from the Upper Illinois and 
locate near the mouth of the Kaskaskia River. French 
settlement established here the same year becomes the 
town of Kaskaskia and future capital of Illinois, 
1718.— The first Fort Chartres. erected near Kaskaskia. 
1718.— Fort St. Louis, on the Upper Illinois, burned by Indiana. 
1754.— Fort Chartres rebuilt and strengthened. 
1765.— The Illinois country surrendered by the French to the 

British under the treaty of 17(i:i. 
1778.— I July 4 I Col. Georse Rogers Clark, at the head of an expe- 
dition organized under authority of Gov. Patrick Henry of 
Virginia, arrives at Kaskaskia. The occupation of Illinois 
by the American troops follows. 
1778.— Illinois County created by Act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, for the government of the settlements north- 
west of the Ohio River. 
1787. —Congress adopts the Ordinance of 1787. organizing the 
Northwest Territory, embracing the present States of 
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois. Michigan and Wisconsin. 
1788.— General Arthur St. Clair appointed Governor of North- 

we.st Territory. 
1790.— St Clair County organized. 
1795.- Randolph County organized. 
ISOO.— Northwest Territory divided into Ohio and Indiana Ter- 

ritr)ries. Illinois being embraced in the latter. 
1809.— Illinois Territory set off from Indiana, and Ninian 

Edwards appointed Governor. 
1SI8.— I Dec. 3) Illinois admitted as a State. 
1820. -State capital removed from Kaskaskia to Vandalia. 
1822-24.— Unsuccessful attempt to make Illinois a slave State. 
1825.— i April 30) General La Fayette visits Kaskaskia. 
1832.— Black Hawk War. 
1839.— I July 4 i Springfield becomes the third capital of the State 

under an Act of the Legislature passed m 1S37. 
lS48.—The second Constitution adopted. 
I860. — Abraham Jjincoln is elected President. 
1861.— War of the Rebellion begins. 

1863.— I Jan. 1) Lincoln issues his final Proclamation of Eman- 
cipation. 
1864.— Lincoln's second election to the Presidency. 
1865.-1 April 14 1 Abraham Lincoln assassinated in Washington. 
I860.— I May 4 1 President Lincoln's funeral in Springfield. 
1865.— The War of the Rebellion ends. 
1868.- Gen. U. S. Grant elected to the Presidency. 
1870.— The third State Constitutiou adopted. 



POPULATION OF ILLINOIS 

At Each Decennial Census from isio to 1900. 



1810 (23) 12,282 

1820 (24) 55,162 

1S30 (20) 157,445 

1840 1 14) 476,183 

1850 (11) 851,470 



I860 (4) 1.711,951 

1870 (4) 2,539,891 

1880 (4) 3.077.871 

1890 f3) 3826,351 

1900 1 3 ) 4.821 ,550 



Note.— Figures in parenthesis indicate the rank of the State 
in order of population. 



ILLINOIS CITIES 
Having a Population of 10,000 and Over (woo). 



Name. Population. 

Chicago 1,698.755 

Peoria 56,100 

Quincy 36,252 

Springfield 34.159 

Rock ford 81,051 

Joliet 29,353 

East St Louis 29.655 

Aurora 24.147 

Blooniiiigton 23.286 

Elgin 22.433 

Decatur 20,754 

Rock Island 19,498 

Evausiou 19,259 



Name. Population. 

Galesburg , ... 18,607 

Belleville 17,4St 

Mohne 17,248 

Danville 16,354 

Jacksonville 15.078 

Alton 14,210 

Streator , 14.079 

■Kankakee 13,595 

Freeport 13 258 

Cairo 12,566 

Ottawa 10 588 

La Salle 10,446 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



285 



INDEX. 



This index rolatesexclualvely to matter embraced In the article under the title "Illinois,'* Subjects of general State history 
will be found treated at length, under topical heads, in the body of the Kncyclopedia. 



Admission of Illinois as a State, 258. 
Altgeld, John P.. administration as Gov- 
ernor. 279-SO : defeated for re-election. 281 . 
Anderson, Stinson H..264. 
Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention, 25ti. 
Anti-slavery contest of 1S22-24; defeat of a 

convention scheme. 260. 
Baker, Col. E. D., 2ti:i; orator at laying 

the corner-stone of State capitol,2(i4. 
Bateman, Newton, State Superintendent 

of Public Instruction. 270,271.275, 
Beveridge, John L., Conjjressman and 
Lieuteiiant-Uovernor: becomes Governor 
by resignation of Governor Ugie3by,27(>. 
Birkbeck, Morris. 2G0. 

Bissell, William H., Colonel in Mexican 
War. 265: Governor. 269; death, 270. 

Black Hawk War. 262, 

Blodgett, Henrv W., Free Soil member of 
the Let,'l9iature. 268. 

Bloomington Convention (18561,269, 

Boisbriant, first French Commandant, 249. 

Bond, Shadrach, 265; Delegate in Congress, 
257; first Governor, 258. 

Breese, Sidney, 259, 

Browne, Thomas C, 260. 

Browning. Orville H., in Bloomington 
Convenilon, 269; U. S. Senator, 27;i. 

Cahokift, ttrst French settlement at, 252. 

Camp Douglas conspiracy, 273. 

Canal Scrip Fiaud.270. 

Carliii, Tliotnas, elected Governor, 263, 

Casey, Z;ul"c, elected to Con^res.s; re- 
signs the Lieutenant-Governorship, 262. 

Charlevoix visits Illinois. 247 

Chicago and Calumet Rivers, importance 
of in estimation of early explorers, 247 

Chicago election frauds, 278. 

Chicago, lire of 1871. 276. 

Chicagi)u, Indian Chief for whom Chicago 
was named, 248. 

Clark, Vol. Genrs© Rogers, expedition to 
Illinois; capture of Kaskaskia. 251. 

Coles, Eduanl, emancipates his slaves; 
candl'Uiie inr (iuveriior,259; his election, 
260; persecutoii by his enemies. 261, 

Constitutional Convention of 1318,258. 

Constitutional Convention of 1847,266, 

Constitutional Convention of 18i:,2,^72. 

Constitutional (.'onventionof 1870.2*5. 

Cook, Daniel P.. 255: Attorney-General, 
2-38; elected to C07igress, 260-61. 

Craig, Capt. Tiionias, expedition against 
Indians at Peuria, 257, 

CuUom. sbelhy M.. Speaker of General As- 
sembly, 27u; elected Governur. 276; fea- 
tures of his administration: re-elected, 
277; eleftPd to U. S. Kenate. 278. 

Davis. David. United States Senator, 277. 

Douglas, Stephen A., 263: Justice Supreme 
Court. 264, U.S. Senator, 266; debates 
with Lincoln, 268-70; re-elected U, S, Sen- 
ator. 270: death, 272. 

Duncan, Josepti. Governor; character of 
his administration, 262-63, 

Early towns, 258. 

Earthquake of 1811,256, 

Edwards, Ninlan, Governor Illinois Terri- 
tory. 255, elected U. S. Senator. 259; 
elected Governor; admiuiatratiou and 
death, 261. 

Ewing, William L. D.. becomes acting 
Governor; occupant of many offices, 262, 

Explorers, earlv French, 244-S. 

Farvvell. Charles B,,279 

Field- MrClernand contest, 264. 

Fifer. Joseph W.. elected Governor, 279. 

Fisher, Dr. George, Speaker of Territorial 
Hiiuseof Representatives, 257. 

Ford, Thomas, Governor: embarrassing 
questions of his administration. 264. ' 

Fort Chartres, surrendered to British, 250. 

Fort Dearborn massacre, 256-57. 

Fort Gage burned. 251. 

Fort Massac, startingpoint on the Ohio of 
Clark's expedition, 251. 

Fort St. Louis. 246; raided and burned by 
Indians, 247 

Franklin, Benjamin. Indian Commissioner 
for Illinois in 1775, 251. 

French. Angustus C, Governor. 2G5-7. 

French and Indian War, 250. 



French occupation ; settlement about Ivas 
kaskia and Cahokia. 249. 

French villages, population of in 1765, 251 

Gibault, Pierre, 2^32. 

Grant, Ulyases S,, arrival at Springfield:. 
Colonel of Tweiit.v-iirst Illinois Volun- 
teers, 271 : electe<l President. 275. 

Gresham. Walter Q., supported by IlUnoifl 
Republicans for tlie Presidency, 279. 

Hamilton, John M,, Lieutenant-Governor, 
277; succeeds Gov. Cullora, 278. 

Ilansen-Shaw contest, 260. 

Hardin, John J.. 263; elected to Congress, 
264; killed at Bueua Vista, 265. 

Harrison, William Henry, first Governor 
of Indiana Territory. 254. 

Henry, Patrick. Indian Commissioner for 
Illinois Country; assists in planning 
Clark's expedition, 251; ex-ufflcio Gov- 
ernor of territory northwest of the Ohio 
River 

Illinois, its rank in orderof admission into 
the Union, area and population. 241: In- 
dian originof the name: boundaries and 
area; gtrographical location; navigable 
streams, 242; topography, fauna and 
flora, 243; soil and climate. 243-44; con- 
test for occupation, 244: part of Louisi- 
ana ill 1721, 249; surrendered to the 
British in 1765, 251 ; under government of 
Virginia, 252: jiart of Indiana Territory, 
254; TerriCuiial Government organized; 
Ninian Edwards appointed Governor, 
255; admitted as aSrate. 258 

Ttlinois A; Michit,^an Canal, 261. 

Illinois Central Railroad. 267-68. 

'■Hlinois Conntr.v," boundaries defined by 
Captain Pittman. 241; Patrick Henry, 
first American Governor, 252. 

Illinois County organized by Virginia 
House of Delegates. 252. 

Illinois Territory organized; first Territo- 
rial officers, 255. 

Indiana Territory organized. 254; first 
Territorial Legislature elected. 255. 

Indian tribes; location in Illinois. 247. 

Internal improvement scheme. 263. 

Joliet, Louis, accompanied by Marquette, 
visits Illinois in 1673, 245. 

Kane, Elias Kent. 258. 

Kansas-Nebraska contest. 268. 

Kaskaskia Indians remove from Upper 
Illinois to month of Kaskaskia, 248. 

Kenton, Simon, guide for Clark's expedi- 
tion against Kaskaskia. 2-Jl. 

Labor disturbances, 27o, 280, 233. 

La Fayette, visit of, to Kaskaskia, 261, 

La Salle, expedition to Illinois in 1679-80, 
245; builds Fort Miami, near mouth of 
St, Joseph; disasterof Fort Creve-Cteur; 
erection of Fort St. Louis, 246. 

Lincoln. Abraham. Representative in the 
General Assembly, 263; elected to Con- 
gress, 266; unsuccessful candidate for 
the United States Senate; member of 
Bloomington Convention of l.s56; 
*■ House divided-against-itself" speech. 
269: elected President. 270: departure for 
Washington, 271; elected for a second 
term, 273; assassination and funeral, 274. 

Lincoln-Douglas debates. 270. 

Lockwood, Samuel D,, Attorney-General; 
Secretary of State; opponent of pro- 
slavery convention scheme, 260. 

Logan. Gen. John A., prominent Union 
soldier, 272; Congressman-at-large.274-76; 
elected United States Senator, 276; Re- 
publican nominee for Vice-President; 
third election as Senator, 278. 
"LongNine."263- 

[jouisiana united with Illinois. 254. 

Lovejoy, Elijah P,, murdered at Alton. 263. 

Macalister and Stebbins bonds. 270. 

.Marquette. Father Jacques (see Joliet); 
his mission among the Kaskaskias. 248. 

Mason, William E.. U- S. Senator, 282. 

McLean, John, Speaker: first Representa* 
tivein Congress: U.S Senator; death. 265. 

Menard, Pierre. 255; President of Terri- 
torial Council, 257; elected Lieutenant- 
Governor. 2.J8; anecdote of, 259. 

Mexican War, 265. 



Morgan. Col. George, Indian Agent at Kas- 
kaskia in 1776. 2.51. 
Mormon War. 264-65. 
New Design Settlement, 255. 
New France, 244. 249. 
Nicole t, Jean. French explorei, 244-5. 

Northwest Territory organized: Gen. Ar- 
thur St, Clair appointed Governor, 253; 
first Territorial Legislature; aejiiarated 
into Territorieu of Ohio and Indiana. 254. 

Oglesby, Richard J., soldier in Civil War, 
271; elected Governor, 274; second elec- 
tion; chosen U, S. Senator, 276; third 
election to governorship, 278, 

Ordinance of 1787.253. 

" Paincourt " (early name for St Louis) 
settled by French from Illinois. 251. 

Palmer, John M., member of Peace Con- 
ference of 1861, 271; elected Governor; 
prominent events of his administration, 
-75; unsuccessful Democratic candidate 
fur Governor; elected U. S. Senator, 279; 
candidate for President, 282. 

Peace Conference of 1861,271. 

Peace conventions of 1863,273. 

Perrot. Nicholas, explorer. 245. 

Pittman. Capt, Philip, defines the bounda- 
ries of the 'Illinois Country,'* 241. 

Pope, Nathaniel, Secretary of Illinois Ter- 
ritory. 255; Delegate in Congress; serv- 
ice in rtxins: northern boundary, 258. 

Prairies, origin of, 243. 

Randul[)h County organized. 254. 

Renault, Philip F.. first importer of Afri- 
can slaves to Illinois. 249, 

RepnblicunState Convention of 1856.269 

Reynolds, John, elected Governor; resigns 
to take seat in Congress, 262; Speaker of 
Illinois House of Representatives. 268. 

Richardson, William A., candidate for 
Governor, 270; U.S. Senator, 272. 

Roclieblave, Chevalier de. Last British 
Commandant in Illinois. 251; sent as a 
prisoner of wnr to Williamsburg, 252. 

ISluiwneelown Hank, 257. 

Sliawneetown flood, 283, 

Shields, Gen. James, 263; elected U. S. Sen- 
ator, 267 ; defeated for re-election, 269, 

Southern Hospital for Insane burned, 280. 

Spanish-American War. 281. 

Springfield, third State capital, 263; erec- 
tion of new State capitol at. authorizeu 
275: State Bank, 259. 

St. Clair, Arthur, first Governor of North- 
west Territory, 253; visits Illinois. 254. 

St. Clair County organized, 254. 

state debt reaches its maximum. 268. 

state Fair permanently located, 281. 

Streams and navigation, 242. 

Supreme Court revolutionized, 264. 

Tanner. John R., .State Ti-easurer, 278; 
elected Governor. 281-2, 

Thomas, Jesse B.. 255; President of Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1818, 268; 
elected United States Senator, 259. 

Todd. Cul . John. County-Lieutenant of Illi- 
nois County, 252. 

Tunty. Henry de (see La Salle). 

Treaty witti Indians near Alton. 257. 

Trumbull, Lyman, Secretary of State. 264; 
elected United States Senator. 269-70; 
Democratic candidate for Governor, 277, 

Vandalia. the second State capital, 259. 

War of 1812, 256; expeditions to Peoria 
Lake. 257. 

War of the Rebellion: some prominent 
Illinois actors; number of troops fur- 
nished by Illinois; important battles par- 
ticipated in, 271 72; some officers who 
fell:, Grierson raid. 272. 

Warren, Hooper, editor Ed wards ville 
Spectator. 260. 

Wa.vne, Gen. Anthony. 254. 

Whig mass-meeting at Springfield. 264. 

Wilmot Proviso, action of IlUnoii Legisla- 
ture upon, 267. 

Wood. John. Lieutenant-Governor, fills 
liissell's unexpired term. 270. 

Yates. Richard, at Bloomington Conven- 
tion of 1856. 269; Governor, 270; prorogues 
Legislature of 1863; elected United Stales 
Senator, 273. 



286 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ILES, Elijah, pioneer merchant, was born in 
Kentucky, March 28, 1796; received the rudiments 
of an education in two winters' schooling, and 
began his business career by purchasing 100 head 
of yearling cattle upon whicli, after herding 
them three years in the valleys of Eastern Ken- 
tucky, he realized a profit of nearly $3,000. In 
1818 he went to St. Louis, then a French village 
of 2,500 inhabitants, and, after spending three 
years as clerk in a frontier store at "Old Frank- 
lin," on the Missouri River, nearly opposite the 
present town of Boonville, in 1821 made a horse- 
back tour through Central Illinois, finally locating 
at Springfield, which had just been selected by 
a board of Commissioners as the temporary 
county -seat of Sangamon County. Here he soon 
brought a stock of goods by keel-boat from St. 
Louis and opened the first store in the new town. 
Two years later (1823), in conjunction with 
Pascal P. Enos, Daniel P. Cook and Thomas Cox, 
he entered a section of land comprised within the 
present area of the city of Springfield, which 
later became the permanent county-seat and 
finally the State capital. Mr. lies became the 
first postmaster of Springfield, and, in 1826, was 
elected State Senator, served as Major in the 
Winnebago War (1827), enlisted as a private in 
the Black Hawk War (1831-32), but was soon 
advanced to the rank of Captain. In 1830 he 
sold his store to John Williams, who had been 
his clerk, and, in 1838-39, built the "American 
House, ' ' which afterwards became the temporary 
stopping-place of many of Illinois' most famous 
statesmen. He invested largely in valuable 
farming lands, and, at his death, left a large 
estate. Died, Sept. 4, 1883. 

ILLINOIS ASYLUM FOR INCURABLE IN 
SANE, an institution founded under an act of the 
General Assembl3', passed at the session of 1895, 
making an appropriation of §65,000 for the pur- 
chase of a site and the erection of buildings with 
capacity for the accommodation of 200 patients. 
The institution was located by the Trustees at 
Bartonville, a suburb of the city of Peoria, and 
the erection of buildings begun in 1896. Later 
these were found to be located on ground which 
had been undermined in excavating for coal, and 
their removal to a different location was under- 
taken in 1898. The institution is intended to 
relieve the other hospitals for the Insane by the 
reception of patients deemed incxirable. 

ILLINOIS AND MICHIGAN CANAL, a water- 
way connecting Lake Michigan with the Illinois ' 
River, and forming a connecting link in the 
water-route between the St. Lawrence and the 



Gulf of Mexico. Its summit level is about 580 
feet above tide water. Its point of beginning is 
at the South Branch of the Chicago River, about 
five miles from the lake. Thence it flows some 
eight miles to the valley of the Des Plaines, fol- 
lowing the valley to the mouth of the Kankakee 
(fortj'-two miles), thence to its southwestern 
terminus at La SaUe, the head of navigation on 
the Illinois. Between these points the canal has 
four feeders — the Calumet, Des Plaines, Du Page 
and Kankakee. It passes through Lockport, 
Joliet, Morris, and Ottawa, receiving accessions 
from the waters of the Fox River at the latter 
point. The canal proper is 96 miles long, and it 
has five feeders whose aggregate length is 
twenty-five miles, forty feet wide and four feet 
deep, with four aqueducts and seven dams. The 
difference in level between Lake Michigan and 
the Illinois River at La Salle is one hundred and 
forty-five feet. To permit the ascent of vessels, 
there are seventeen locks, ranging from three 
and one half to twelve and one-half feet in lift, 
their dimensions being 110x18 feet, and admitting 
the passage of boats carrying 150 tons. At Lock- 
port, Joliet, Du Page, Ottawa and La Salle are 
large basins, three of which supply power to fac- 
tories. To increase the water supply, rendered 
necessary by the high summit level, pumping 
works were erected at Bridgeport, having two 
thirty-eight foot independent wheels, each capa- 
ble of delivering (through buckets of ten feet 
length or width) 15,000 cubic feet of water per 
minute. These pumping works were erected in 
1848, at a cost of 815,000, and were in almost con- 
tinuous use until 1870. It was soon found that 
these machines might be utilized for the benefit 
of Chicago, bj- forcing the sewage of the Chicago 
River to the summit level of the canal, and allow- 
ing its place to be filled by pure water from the 
lake. This pumping, however, cost a large sum, 
and to obviate this expense §2,955,340 was ex- 
pended by Chicago in deepening the canal be- 
tween 1865 and 1871, so that the sewage of the 
south division of the city might be carried through 
the canal to the Des Plaines. This sum was 
returned to the City by the State after the great 
fire of 1871. (As to further measures for carrj'- 
ing off Chicago sewage, see Chicago Drainage 
Canal.) 

In connection with the canal three locks and 
dams have been built on the Illinois River, — one 
at Henry, about twenty-eight miles below La 
Salle ; one at the mouth of Copperas Creek, about 
sixty miles Delow Henry; and another at La 
Grange. The object of these works (the first 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



287 



two being practically an extension of the canal) 
is to furnish slack-water navigation through- 
out the year. Tlie cost of that at Henry (S400.000) 
was defrayed by direct appropriation from the 
State treasury. Copperas Creek dam cost $410,831, 
of which amount the United States GoTernment 
paid §62,360. The General Government also con- 
structed a dam at La Grange and appropriated 
funds for the building of another at Kampsville 
Landing, with a view to making the river thor- 
oughly navigable the year round. The beneficial 
results expected from these works have not been 
realized and their demolition is advocated. 

History. — The early missionaries and fur- 
traders first directed attention to the nearness of 
the waters of Lake Michigan and the Illinois. 
Tlie project of the construction of a canal was 
made the subject of a report by Albert Gallatin, 
Secretary of tlie Treasury in 1808, and, in 1811, a 
bill on the subject was introduced in Congress in 
connection with the Erie and other canal enter- 
prises. In 1823 Congress granted the right of 
waj- across the public lands "for the route of a 
canal connecting the Illinois River with the 
south bend of Lake Jlichigan," which was fol- 
lowed five years later by a grant of 300,000 acres 
of land to aid in its construction, which was to 
be undertaken by the State of Illinois. The 
earliest surveys contemplated a channel 100 miles 
long, and the original estimates of cost varied 
between §039,000 and §716,000. Later surveys 
and estimates (1833) placed the cost of a canal 
forty feet wide and four feet deep at §4,040,000. 
In 1836 another Board of Commissioners was 
created and surveys were made looking to the 
construction of a waterway sixt}' feet wide at the 
surface, thirty-six feet at bottom, and six feet in 
depth. Work was begun in June of that year; 
was suspended in 1841 ; and renewed in 1846, 
when a canal loan of §1,000,000 was negotiated. 
The channel was opened for navigation in April, 
1848, by which time the total outlay had reached 
$6,170,226. By 1871, Illinois had liquidated its 
entire indebtedness on account of the canal and 
the latter reverted to the State. The total cost 
up to 1879 — including amount refunded to Chi- 
cago — was §9,513,831, while the sum returned to 
the State from earnings, sale of canal lands, etc., 
amoimted to §8,819,731. In 1882 an offer was 
made to cede the canal to the United States upon 
condition that it should be enlarged and ex- 
tended to the Jlississippi, was repeated in 1887, 
but has been declined. 

ILLINOIS AM) MISSISSIPPI CANAL (gener- 
ally known as "Hennepin Canal"), a projected 



navigable water-way in course of construction 
(1899) by the General Government, designed to 
connect the Upper Illinois with the Mississippi 
River. Its object is to furnish a continuous 
navigable water-channel from Lake Michigan, at 
or near Chicago, by way of the Illinois & Michi- 
gan Canal (or the Sanitary Drainage Canal) and 
the Illinois River, to the Mississippi at the mouth 
of Rock River, and finally to the Gulf of Jlexico. 

The Route. —The canal, at its eastern end, 
leaves the Illinois River one and three-fourths 
miles above the city of Hennepin, where the 
river makes the great bend to the south. Ascend- 
ing the Bureau Creek valley, the route passes 
over the dividing ridge between the Illinois River 
and the Mississippi to Rock River at the mouth 
of Green River; thence by slack- water down 
Rock River, and around the lower rapids in that 
stream at Milan, to the Mississippi. The esti- 
mated length of the main channel between its 
eastern and western termini is seventy-five miles 
— the distance having been reduced by changes 
in the route after the first survey. To this is to 
be added a "feeder" e.xtending from the vicinity 
of Sheffield, on the summit-level (twenty-eight 
miles west of the starting point on the Illinois), 
north to Rock Falls on Rock River opposite the 
city of SterUng in Whiteside County, for the 
purpose of obtaining an adequate supply of water 
for the main canal on its highest level. The 
length of this feeder is twenty-nine miles and, as 
its dimensions are the same as those of the main 
channel, it will be navigable for vessels of the 
same class as the latter. A dam to be constructed 
at Sterling, to turn water into the feeder, will 
furnish slack-water navigation on Rock River to 
Dixon, practically lengthening the entire route 
to that extent. 

History. — The subject of such a work began to 
be actively agitated as early as 1871, and, under 
authority of various acts of Congress, preliminary 
surveys began to be made by Government engi- 
neers that year. In 1890 detailed plans and esti- 
mates, based upon these preliminary surveys, 
were submitted to Congress in accordance with 
the river and harbor act of August, 1888. This 
report became tho basis of an appropriation in 
the river and harbor act of Sept. 19, 1890, for 
carrying the work into practical execution. 
Actual work was begun on the western end of the 
canal in July, 1892, and at the eastern end in the 
spring of 1894. Since then it has been prosecuted 
as continuously as the appropriations made by- 
Congress from year to year would permit. Ac- 
cording to the report of Major Marshall, Chief of 



288 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Engineers in charge of tlie work, for the fiscal 
3'ear ending June 30. 1898, the construction of the 
canal around the lower rapids of Rock River (four 
and one-half miles), with three locks, three 
swing bridges, two dams, besides various build- 
ings, was completed and that portion of the canal 
opened to navigation on April 17. 1895. In the 
early part of 1899, the bulk of the excavation 
and masonry on the eastern section %vas practi- 
cally completed, the feeder line under contract, 
and five out of the eighteen bridges required to 
be constructed in place; and it was estimated 
that the whole line, with locks, bridges, culverts 
and aqueducts, will be completed within two 
years, at the farthest, by 1902. 

Dimensions, Methods of Construction, Cost. 
ETC. — As already stated, the length of the main 
line is seventy-five miles, of which twenty-eight 
miles (the eastern section) is east of the junction 
of the feeder, and forty-seven miles (the western 
section) west of that point — making, with the 
tweutj'-nine miles of feeder, a total of one hun- 
dred and four miles, or seven miles longer than 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The rise from the 
Illinois River datum to the summit-level on the 
eastern section is accomplished by twenty-one 
locks with a lift of six to fourteen feet each, to 
reach an altitude of 196 feet ; while the descent 
of ninety-three feet to the low-water level of the 
Mississippi on the western end is accomplished 
through ten locks, varying from six to fourteen 
feet each. The width of the canal, at the water 
surface, is eighty feet, with a deptli below the 
surface-line of seven feet. The banks are rip- 
rapped with stone the entire length of the canal. 
The locks are one hundred and seventy feet long, 
between the quoins, by thirty-five feet in width, 
admitting the passage of vessels of one hundred 
and forty feet in length and thirty -two feet beam 
and each capable of carrying six hundred tons of 
freight. 

The bulk of the masonry employed in the con- 
struction of locks, as well as abutments for 
bridges and aqueducts, is solid concrete manufac- 
tured in place, while the lock-gates and aque- 
ducts proper are of steel — the use of these 
materials resulting in a large saving in the first 
cost as to the former, and securing greater solid- 
ity and permanence in all. The concrete work, 
already completed, is found to have withstood 
the effects of ice even more suc6essfully than 
natural stone. The smaller culverts are of iron 
piping and the framework of all the bridges of 
steel. 
The earlier estimates placed the entire cost of 



construction of the canal, locks, bridges, build- 
ings, etc., at 55,068,000 for the main channel and 
§1,8.58,000 for the Rock River feeder — a total of 
§6,926,000, This has been reduced, however, by 
changes in the route and unexpected saving in 
the material employed for masonry work. The 
total expenditure, as shown by official reports, 
up to June 30, 1898, was §1,748,905.13. The 
amount expended up to March 1, 1899, approxi- 
mated §2,500,000, while the amount necessary to 
complete the work (exclusive of an unexpended 
balance) was estimated, in round numbers, at 
§3,500,000. 

The completion of this work, it is estimated, 
will result in a saving of over 400 miles in water 
transportation between Chicago and the western 
terminus of tlie canal. In order to make the 
canal available to its full capacity between lake 
points and the Mississippi, the enlargement of 
the IlUnois & Michigan Canal, both as to width 
and depth of channel, will be an indispensable 
necessity ; and it is anticipated that an effort will 
be made to secure action in this direction by the 
Illinois Legislature at its next session. Another 
expedient likely to receive strong support will be, 
to induce the General Government to accept the 
tender of the Illinois & Michigan Canal and, by 
the enlargement of the latter through its whole 
length — or, from Lockport to the Illinois River 
at La Salle, with the utilization of the Chicago 
Drainage Canal — furnish a national water- way 
between the lakes and the Gulf of Mexico of 
8ufl:cient capacity to accommodate steamers and 
other vessels of at least 600 tons burthen. 

ILLINOIS BAND, THE, an association consist- 
ing of seven young men, then students in Yale 
College, who, in the winter of 1828-29, entered 
into a mutual compact to devote their lives to the 
promotion of Christian education in the West, 
especially in Illinois. It was composed of Theron 
Baldwin, John F. Brooks, Mason Grosvenor, 
Elisha Jenney, William Kirby, Julian M. Sturte- 
vant and Asa Turner. All of these came to Illi- 
nois at an early day, and one of the first results 
of their efforts was the founding of Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, in 1829, with which all 
became associated as members of the first Board 
of Trustees, several of them so remaining to the 
close of their lives, while most of them were con- 
nected %vith the institution for a considerable 
period, either as members of the faculty or finan- 
cial agents — Dr. Sturtevant having been Presi- 
dent for thirty-two years and an instructor or 
professor fifty-six years. (See Baldwin, Theron; 
Brooks, John F. ; and Sturtevant, Julian M. ) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



289 



ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD, a corpo 
ration controlling the principal line of railroad 
extending through the entire length of the State 
from north to south, besides numerous side 
branches acquired by lease during the past few 
years. The main lines are made up of three gen- 
eral divisions, extending from Chicago to Cairo. 
111. (36-1.73 miles); from Centralia to Dubuque, 
Iowa, (340.77 miles), and from Cairo to New 
Orleans, La. (547.79 miles) — making a total of 
1,253.29 miles of main line, of which 705.5 miles 
are in Illinois. Besides this the company con- 
trols, through lease and stock ownership, a large 
number of lateral branches which are operated 
by the companj-, making the total mileage 
officially reported up to June 30, 1898. 3,130.21 
miles. — (History.) The Illinois Central Railroad 
is not only one of the lines earliest projected in 
the history of the State, but has been most inti- 
mately connected with its development. The 
project of a road starting from the mouth of the 
Ohio and extending northward through the State 
is said to have been suggested by Lieut. -Gov. 
Alexander M. Jenkins as early as 1833; was 
advocated by the late Judge Sidney Breese and 
others in 1835 under the name of the Wabash & 
Mississippi Railroad, and took the form of a 
charter granted by the Legislature in January, 
1836, to the first "Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany," to construct a road from Cairo to a point 
near the southern terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. Nothing was done under this 
act, although an organization was effected, with 
Governor Jenkins as President of the Company. 
The Company surrendered its cliarter the next 
year and the work was undertaken bj' the State, 
under the internal improvement act of 1887, and 
considerable money expended without complet- 
ing any portion of the line. The State having 
abandoned the enterprise, the Legislature, in 
1843, incorporated the "Great Western Railway 
Company' ' under what came to be known as the 
"Holbrook charter," to be organized under the 
auspices of the Cairo City & Canal Company, 
the line to connect the termini named in the 
charter of 1836, via Vandalia, Shelbyville, 
Decatur and Bloomington. Considerable money 
was expended under this charter, but the scheme 
again failed of completion, and the act was 
repealed in 1845. A charter under the same 
name, with some modification as to organization, 
was renewed in 1849. — In January, 1850, Senator 
Douglas introduced a bill in the United States 
Senate making a grant to the State of Illinois of 
alternate sections of land along the line of a 



proposed road extending from Cairo to Dunleith in 
the northwest corner of the State, with a branch 
to Chicago, which bill passed the Senate in May 
of the same year and the House in September, 
and became the basis of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road Company as it exists to day. Previous to 
the passage of this act, however, the Cairo City 
& Canal Company had been induced to execute a 
full surrender to the State of its rights and privi- 
leges under the "Holbrook charter." This was 
followed in February, 1851, by the act of the 
Legislature incorporating the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, and assigning thereto (under 
specified conditions) the grant of lands received 
from the General Government. This grant 
covered alternate sections within six miles of the 
line, or the equivalent thereof (when such lands 
were not vacant), to be placed on lands within 
fifteen miles of the line. The number of acres 
thus assigned to the Company was 2,595,000, 
(about 3,8iO acres per mile), which were con- 
veyed to Trustees as security for the performance 
of the work. An engineering party, organized 
at Chicago, May 21, 1851, began the prelim- 
inary survey of the Chicago branch, and 
before the end of the year the whole line was 
surveyed and staked out The first contract for 
grading was let on March 15, 1852, being for that 
portion between Chicago and Kensington (then 
known as Caluoiet), 14 miles. This was opened 
for traffic. May 24, 1852, and over it the Michigan 
Central, which had been in course of construction 
from the east, obtained trackage rights to enter 
Chicago. Later, contracts were let for other 
sections, some of them in June, and the last on 
Oct. 14, 1852. In May, 1853, the section from 
La Salle to Bloomington (61 miles) was com- 
pleted and opened for business, a temporary 
bridge being constructed over the Illinois near 
La Salle, and cars hauled to the top of the bluff 
with chains and cable by means of a stationary 
engine. In July, 1854, the Chicago Division was 
put in operation to Urbana, 128 miles; the main 
line from Cairo to La Salle (301 miles), completed 
Jan. 8. 1855, and the line from La Salle to Dunleith 
(now East Dubuque), 146.73 miles, on June 12, 
1855— the entire road (705.5 miles) being com- 
pleted, Sept. 27, 1856.— (Financial Statement.) 
The share capital of the road was originally 
fixed at S17,000,000, but previous to 1869 it had 
been increa,sed to $25,500,000, and during 1873-74 
to $29,000,000. The present capitalization (1898) 
is §168, 352,, 593, of which §52,500,000 is in stock, 
§.52.680.925 in bonds, and .§51,307,000 in miscel- 
laneous obligations. The total cost of the road 



390 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Illinois, as shovm by a report made in 1889, was 
53.5,110,609. By the terms of its charter the 
corporation is exempt from taxation, but in lieu 
thereof is required to pay into the State treasury, 
semi-annually, seven per cent upon the gross 
earnings of the line in Illinois. The sum thus 
paid into the State treasury from Oct. 31, 18.55, 
when the first payment of $29,751.59 was made, 
up to and including Oct. 31, 1898, aggregated 
§17,315,193.24. The last payment (October, 1898). 
amounted to §334, .527. 01 The largest payment 
in the history of the roail was that of October, 
1893, amounting, for the preceding six months, to 
§450,176 34. The net income of the main line in 
Illinois, for the year ending June 30, 1898, was 
§12,299,021, and the total expenditures within the 
State .$12,831, 161. —(Leased Lines) The first 
addition to the Illinois Central System was made 
in 1867 in the acquisition, by lease, of the Dubuque 
& Sioux City Railroad, extending from Dubuque 
to Sioux Falls, Iowa. Since then it has extended 
its Iowa connections, by the construction of new 
lines and the acquisition or extension of others. 
The most important addition to the line outside 
of the State of Illinois was an arrangement 
effected, in 1872, with tlie New Orleans, Jack.son & 
Great Northern, and the Mississippi Central Rail- 
roads — with which it previouslj- had traffic con- 
nections — giving it control of a line from Jackson, 
Tenn., to New Orleans, La. At first, connection 
was had between the Illinois Central at Cairo and 
the Southern Divisions of the system, by means 
of transfer steamers, but subsequently the gap 
was filled in and the through line opened to traffic 
in December, 1873. In 1874 the New Orleans, 
Jackson & Great Northern and the Mississippi 
Central roads were consolidated under the title 
of the New Orleans, St. Louis & Chicago Railroad, 
but the new corporation defaulted on its interest 
in 1876. The Illinois Central, which was tlie 
owner of a majority of the bonds of the constitu- 
ent lines which went to make up the New Orleans, 
St Louis & Chicago Railroad, then acquired 
ownership of the whole line by foreclosure pro- 
ceedings in 1877, and it was reorganized, on Jan. 
1, 1878, under the name of the Chicago, St. Louis 
& New Orleans Railroad, and placed in charge of 
one of the Vice-Presidents of the Illinois Central 
Company. — (Illinois Br.^nches.) The more im- 
portant branches of the Illinois Central within the 
State include: (1) The Springfield Division from 
Chicago to Springfield (111.47 miles), chartered 
in 1867, and opened in 1871 as the Oilman, Clinton 
& Springfield Railroad ; passed into the hands of 
a receiver in 1873. sold under foreclosure in 1876, 



and leased, in 1878, for fifty years, to the Illinois 
Central Railroad : (2) The Rantoul Division from 
Leroy to the Indiana State line (60.21 miles in 
Illinois), chartered in 1876 as the Havana, Ran- 
toul & Eastern Railroad, built as a narrow-gauge 
line and operated in 1881 ; afterwards changed to 
standard-gauge, and controlled by the Wabash, 
St. Louis & Pacific until May, 1884, when it passed 
into the hands of a receiver ; in December of the 
same jear taken in charge by the bondholders ; in 
188.) again placed in the hands of a receiver, and, 
in October, 1886. sold to the Illinois Central: (3) 
The Chicago, Havana & Western Railroad, from 
Havana to Champaign, with a branch from White- 
heath to Decatur (total, 131.62 miles), constructed 
as the western extension of the Indianapolis, 
Bloomington & Western, and opened in 1873 ; sold 
under foreclosure in 1879 and organized as the 
Champaign, Havana & Western: in 1880 pur- 
chased by the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific; in 
1884 taken possession of by the mortgage trustees 
and, in September, 1886, sold under foreclosure to 
the Illinois Central Railroad: (4) The Freeport 
Division, from Chicago by way of Freeport to 
Madison, Wis. (140 miles in Illinois), constructed 
under a charter granted to the Chicago, Madison 
& Northern Railroad (which see), opened for 
traffic in 1888, and transferred to the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company in January, 1889 : (5) 
The Kankakee & Southwestern (131.26 miles), 
constructed from Kankakee to Bloomington 
under tlie charters of the Kankakee & Western 
and the Kankakee & Southwestern Railroads: 
acquired by the Illinois Central in 1878, begun in 
1880, and extended to Bloomington in 1883; and 
(6) The St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute (which 
.see under its old name). Other Illinois branch 
lines of less importance embrace the Blue Island ; 
the Chicago & Texas ; the Mound City ; the South 
Chicago; the St. Louis, Belleville & Southern, 
and the St. Charles Air-Line, wliich furnishes 
an entrance to tlie City of Chicago over an ele- 
vated track. The total length of these Illinois 
branches in 1898 was 919.72 miles, with the main 
lines making the total mileage of the company 
within the State 1 , 624. 22 miles. For several years 
up to 1895 the Illinois Central had a connection 
with St. Louis over the line of the Terre Haute & 
Indianapolis from Effingliam, but this is now 
secured by way of the Springfield Division and 
the main line to Pana, whence its trains pass over 
the old Indianapolis & St. Louis — now the Cleve- 
land, Cinciunati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway. 
Between June 30. 1897 and April 30, 1898, branch 
lines in the Southern States (chiefl}- in Kentucky 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



291 



and Tennessee), to the extent of 670 miles, were 
added to the Illinois Central System. The Cairo 
Bridge, constructed across the Ohio River near 
its mouth, at a cost of §3,000,000, for the purpose of 
connecting the Northern and Southern Divisions 
of the Illinois Central System, and one of the 
most stupendous structures of its kind in the 
world, belongs wholly to the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company. (See Cairo Bridge.) 

ILLINOIS COLLEGE, an institution of learn- 
ing at Jacksonville, 111., which was the first to 
graduate a collegiate class in the history of the 
State. It had its origin in a movement inaugu- 
rated about 1827 or 1838 to secure the location, at 
some point in Illinois, of a seminary or college 
which would give the youth of the State the 
opportunity of acquiring a higher education. 
Some of the most influential factors in this move- 
ment were already citizens of Jacksonville, or 
contemplated becoming such. In January, 1828, 
the outline of a plan for such an institution was 
drawn up by Rev. John M. Ellis, a home missionary 
of the Presbyterian Church, and Hon. Samuel D. 
Lockwood, then a Justice of the Supreme Court 
of the State, as a basis for soliciting subscriptions 
for the organization of a stock-company to carry 
tlie enterprise into execution. The plan, as then 
proposed, contemplated provision for a depart- 
ment of female education, at least until a separate 
institution could be furnished — wliich, if not a 
forerunner of the co-educational system now so 
much in vogue, at least foreshadowed the estab- 
lishment of the Jacksonville Female Seminary, 
which soon followed the founding of the college. 
A few months after these preliminary steps were 
taken, Mr. Ellis was brought into communication 
with a group of young men at Yale College (see 
"Illiyiois Band") who had entered into a com- 
pact to devote their lives to the cause of educa- 
tional and missionary work in the West, and out 
of the union of these two forces, soon afterwards 
effected, grew Illinois College. The organization 
of the "Illinois'" or "Yale Band," was formally 
consummated in February. 1829, and before the 
close of the year a fund of .?10.000 for the purpose 
of laying the foundation of the proposed institu- 
tion in Illinois had been pledged by friends of 
education in the East, a beginning had been made 
in the erection of buildings on the present site of 
IlUnois College at Jacksonville, and. in Decem- 
ber of the same year, the work of instruction of 
a preparatory class had been begun by Rev. Julian 
M. Sturtevant, who had taken the place of "avant- 
courier" of the movement. A year later (1831) 
Rev. Edward Beechsr, the oldest son of the inde- 



fatigable Lyman Beecher, and brother of Henry 
Ward — already then well known as a leader in 
the ranks of those opposed to slavery — had be- 
come identified with the new enterprise and 
assumed the position of its first President. Such 
was the prejudice against "Yankees" in Illinois 
at that time, and the jealousy of theological influ- 
ence in education, that it was not until 1835 that 
tlie friends of the institution were able to secure 
a charter from the Legislature. An ineffectual 
attempt had been made in 1830, and when it was 
finally granted, it was in the form of an "omni- 
bus bill" including three other institutions, but 
with restrictions as to the amount of real estate 
that might be held, and prohibiting the organiza- 
tion of theological departments, both of which 
were subsequently repealed. (See Early Col- 
leges. ) The same year the college graduated its 
first class, consisting of two members — Richard 
Yates, afterwards War Governor and United 
States Senator, and Rev. Jonathan Spillman, the 
composer of "Sweet Aftou." Limited as was this 
first output of alumni, it was politically and 
morally strong. In 1843 a medical department 
was established, but it was abandoned five years 
later for want of adequate support. Dr. Beecher 
retired from the Presidency in 1844, when he was 
succeeded by Dr. Sturtevant, who continued in 
that capacity until 1876 (thirty -two years), when 
he became Professor Emeritus, remaining until 
1885 — his connection with the institution cover- 
ing a period of fifty-six years. Others who have 
occupied the position of President include Rufus 
C. Crampton (acting), 1876-82; Rev. Edward A. 
Tanner, 1882-92; and Dr. John E. Bradley, the 
incumbent from 1892 to 1899. Among the earli- 
est and influential friends of the institution, 
besides Judge Lockwood already mentioned, may 
be enumerated such names as Gov. Joseph Dun- 
can, Thomas Mather, Winthrop S. Oilman, 
Frederick Collins and William H. Brown (of 
Chicago), all of whom were members of the early 
Board of Trustees. It was found necessary to 
maintain a preparatory department for many 
years to fit pupils for the college classes proper, 
and, in 1866. W^hipple Academy was established 
and provided with a separate building for this 
purpose. The standard of admi.ssion to the col- 
lege course has been gradually advanced, keeping 
abreast, in this respect, of other American col- 
leges. At present the institution has a faculty of 
15 members and an endowment of some $150,000, 
with a library (1898) numbering over 15,000 vol- 
umes and property valued at §360,000. Degrees 
are conferred in both classical and scientific 



292 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



courses in the college proper. Tlie list of alumni 
embraces some 750 names, including many who 
have been prominent in State and National 
affairs. 

ILLINOIS COUNTY, the name given to the 
first civil organization of the territory northwest 
of the Ohio River, after its conquest by Col. George 
Rogers Clark in 1778. This was done by act of 
the Virginia House of Delegates, passed in 
October of the same year, which, among other 
things, provided as follows: "The citizens of the 
commonwealth of Virginia, who are already set- 
tled, or shall hereafter settle, on the western side of 
the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county 
which shall be called Illinois County; and the 
Governor of this commonwealth, with the advice 
of the Council, may appoint a County-Lieutenant 
or Commandant in-chief of the county during 
pleasure, who shall take the oath of fidelity to 
this commonwealth and the oath of office accord- 
ing to the form of their own religion. And all 
civil offices to which the inhabitants have been 
accustomed, necessary for the preservation of the 
peace and the administration of justice, shall be 
chosen by a majority of the citizens of their re- 
spective districts, to be convened for that purpose 
by the County-Lieutenant or Commandant, or his 
deputy, and shall be commissioned by said 
County-Lieutenant." As the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, by virtue of Colonel Clark's conquest, 
then claimed jurisdiction over the entire region 
west of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi, 
Illinois County nominally embraced the territory 
comprised within the limits of the present States 
of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin, though the settlements were limited to the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, Vincennes (in the present 
State of Indiana) and Detroit. Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, the first Lieutenant-Commandant under 
this act, holding office two years. Out of Illinois 
County were subsequently organized the follow- 
ing counties by "order" of Gov. Arthur St. Clair, 
after his assumption of the duties of Governor, 
following the passage, by Congress, of the Ordi- 
nance of 1787, creating the Northwest Territory, 



VIZ. : 
Name 
WashingtoQ 
Hamilton 



Knox 
Randolph 



Coumty-Seat 
Marietta 
Cincinnati 
Cahoiiia 

Prairie du Rocher 
KaskasiEia 
Post St. Vlncennea 
Kaakaskia 



Date op Organization 

Jtlly27. 1788 
Jan. 4, 1790 

April 27, 1790 



June 20. 1790 
Oct. 5, 1795 



Washington, originally comprising the State of 
Ohio, was reduced, on the organization of Hamil- 
ton County, to the eastern portion, Hamilton 



County embracing the west, with Cincinnati 
(originally called "Losantiville," near old Fort 
Washington) as the county-seat. St. Clair, the 
third county organized out of this territory, at 
first had virtually three count3'-seats, but divi- 
sions and jealousies among the people and officials 
in reference to the place of deposit for the records, 
resulted in the issue, five years later, of an order 
creating the new county of Randolph, the second 
in the "Illinois Country" — these (St. Clair and 
Randolph) constituting the two counties into 
which it was divided at the date of organization 
of Illinois Territory. Out of these events grew 
the title of "Mother of Counties" given to Illinois 
County as the original of all the counties in the 
five States northwest of the Ohio, while St. Clair 
County inherited the title as to the State of 
Illinois. (See Illinois; also St. Clair, Arthur, 
and Todd. (Col.) John.) 

ILLINOIS FARMERS' RAILROAD. (See 
Jacksonville &• St. Louis Railiray.) 

ILLINOIS FEMALE COLLEGE, a flourishing 
institution for the education of women, located 
at Jack.sonville and incorporated in 1847. While 
essentially unsectarian in teaching, it is con- 
trolled by the Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
Its first charter was granted to the "Illinois Con- 
ference Female Academy" in 1847, but four years 
later the charter was amended and the name 
changed to the present cognomen. The cost of 
building and meager support in early years 
brought on bankruptcy. The friends of the insti- 
tution rallied to its support, however, and the 
purchasers at the foreclosure sale (all of whom 
were friends of Methodist education) donated the 
property to what was technically a new institu- 
tion. A second charter was obtained from the 
State in 1863, and the restrictions imposed upon 
the grant were such as to prevent alienation of 
title, by either conveyance or mortgage. While 
the college has only a small endowment fund 
(S2,000) it owns §60,000 worth of real property, 
besides .59.000 invested in apparatus and library. 
Preparatory and collegiate departments are main- 
tained, both classical and scientific courses being 
established in the latter. Instruction is also 
given in fine arts, elocution and music. The 
faculty (1898) numbers 15. and there are about 170 
students. 

ILLINOIS FEMALE REFORM SCHOOL. (See 
Home for Female Offenders.) 

ILLINOIS INDIANS, a confederation belong- 
ing to the Algonquin family and embracing five 
tribes, viz. : the Cahokias, Kaskaskias, Mitcha- 
gamies, Peorias and Tamaroas. They early occu- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



293 



pied Illinois, witli adjacent portions of Iowa. 
Wisconsin and Missouri. The name is derived 
from mini, "man," the Indian plural "ek" being 
changed by the French to "ois. " They were 
intensely warlike, being almost constantly in 
conflict with the Winnebagoes, the Iroquois, 
Sioux and other tribes. They were migratory 
and depended for subsistence largely on the sum- 
mer and winter hunts. They dwelt in rudely 
constructed cabins, each accommodating about 
eight families. They were always faithful allies 
of the French, whom thej' heartily welcomed in 
1CT3. French missionaries labored earnestly 
among them — notably Fathers Marquette, AUouez 
and Gravier — who reduced their language to 
grammatical rules. Their most distinguished 
Chief was Chicagou, who was sent to France, 
where he was welcomed with the honors accorded 
to a foreign prince. In their wars with the 
Foxes, from 1712 to 1719, they suffered severely, 
their numbers being reduced to 3,000 souls. The 
assassination of Pontiac by a Kaskaskian in 1765, 
was avenged by the lake tribes in a war of ex- 
termination. After taking part with the Miamis 
in a war against the United States, they partici- 
pated in the treaties of Greenville and Vincennes, 
and were gradually removed farther and farther 
toward the West, the small remnant of about 175 
being at present (1896) on the Quapaw reservation 
in Indian Territory. (See also Cahokias; Foxes; 
Iroquois; Kaskaskias; Mitehagamies; Peorias; 
Tamarixts: and Winnebagoes.) 

ILLINOIS IXSTITUTION FOE THE EDU- 
CATION OF THE BLIND, located at Jackson- 
ville. Tlie institution liad its inception in a school 
for the blind, opened in that town in 1847, by 
Samuel Bacon, who was himself blind. The 
State Institution was created by act of the Legis- 
lature, passed Jan. 13, 1849, which was introduced 
by Richard Yates, then a Representative, and 
was first opened in a rented house, early in 1850, 
under the temporary supervision of Mr. Bacon. 
Soon afterward twenty-two acres of ground were 
piu-chased in the eastern part of the city and the 
erection of permanent buildings comftienced. By 
January, 1854, they were ready for use, but fif- 
teen years later were destroyed by fire. Work on 
a new building was begun without unnecessary 
delay and the same was completed by 1874. 
Numerous additions of wings and shops have 
since been made, and the institution, in its build- 
ings and appointments, is now one of the most 
complete in the country. Instruction (as far as 
practicable) is given in rudimentary English 
branches, and in such mechanical trades and 



avocations as may best qualify the inmates to be- 
come self-supporting upon their return to active 
life. 

ILLINOIS MASONIC ORPHANS' HOME, an 
institution established in the city of Chicago 
under the auspices of the Masonic Fraternitj' of 
Illinois, for the purpose of furnishing a home for 
the destitute children of deceased members of the 
Order. The total receipts of the institution, dur- 
ing the year 1895, were 829,204.98, and the 
expenditures, §27,258.70. The number of bene- 
ficiaries in the Home, Dec. 31, 1895, was 61. The 
Institution owns real estate valued at §75,000. 

ILLINOIS MIDLAND RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peuria Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS RITER, the most important stream 
within the State ; has a length of about 500 miles, 
of which about 245 are navigable. It is formed 
by the junction of the Kankakee and Des Plaines 
Rivers at a point in Grundy County, some 45 
miles southwest of Chicago. Its course is west, 
then southwest, and finally south, until it 
empties into the Mississippi about 20 miles north 
of the mouth of the Missouri. The Illinois & 
Michigan Canal connects its waters with Lake 
Michigan. Marquette and JoUet ascended the 
stream in 1673 and were probably its first white 
visitants. Later (1679-82) it was explored by 
La .Salle, Tonty, Hennepin and others. 

ILLINOIS RIVER RAILROAD. (See Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.) 

ILLINOIS SANITARY COMMISSION, a vol 
untary organization formed pursuant to a sug- 
gestion of Governor Yates, shortly after the 
battle of Fort Donelson (1862). Its object was 
the relief of soldiers in actual service, whether on 
the march, in camp, or in hospitals. State Agents 
were appointed for the distribution of relief, for 
which purpose large sums were collected and dis- 
tributed. The work of the Commission was later 
formally recognized by the Legislature in the 
enactment of a law authorizing the Governor to 
appoint "Military State Agents,"' who should 
receive compensation from the State treasury. 
Many of these "agents" were selected from the 
ranks of the workers in the Sanitary Commission, 
and a great impetus was thereby imparted to its 
vohmtary work. Auxiliary associations were 
formed all over the State, and funds were readily 
obtained, a considerable proportion of which was 
derived from "Sanitary Fairs." 

ILLINOIS SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND 
MANUAL TRAINING FOR BOYS, an institution 
for the training of dependent boys, organized 
under the act of March 28, 1895, which was in 



294 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



effect a re-enactment of the statute approved in 
1883 and amended in 1885. Its legally defined 
object is to provide a home and proper training 
for such boys as may be committed to its charge. 
Commitments are made by the County Courts of 
Cook and contiguous counties. The school is 
located at Glenwood, in the county of Cook, and 
was first opened for the reception of inmates in 
1888. Its revenues are derived, in part, from 
voluntary contributions, and in part from pay- 
ments by the counties sending boys to the institu- 
tion, which payments are fixed by law at ten 
dollars per month for each boy, during the time 
lie is actually an inmate. In 1898 nearly one-half 
of the entire income came from the former 
source, but the surplus remaining in the treasury 
at the end of any fiscal year is never large. The 
school is under the inspeotional control of the 
State Commissioners of Public Charities, as 
though it were an institution founded and main- 
tained by the State. The educational curriculum 
closely follows that of the ordinary grammar 
schools, pupils being trained in eight grades, sub- 
stantially along the lines established in the public 
schools. In addition, a military drill is taught, 
with a view to developing physical strength, 
command of limbs, and a graceful, manly car- 
riage. Since the Home was organized there have 
been received (down to 1899), 2,333 boys. The 
industrial training given the inmates is both 
agricultural and mechanical, — the institution 
owning a good, fairly-sized farm, and operating 
well equipped industrial shops for the education 
of pupils. A fair proportion of the boys devote 
themselves to learning trades, and not a 
few develop into excellent workmen. One of the 
purposes of the school is to secure homes for those 
thought likely to prove creditable members of 
respectable households. During the eleven 3'ears 
of its existence nearly 3,800 boys have been placed 
in homes, and usually with the most satisfactory 
results. The legal safeguards thrown around 
the ward are of a comprehensive and binding 
sort, so far as regards the parties who take the 
children for either adoption or apprenticeship — 
the welfare of the ward always being the object 
primarily aimed at. Adoption is preferred to 
institutional life by the administration, and the 
result usually justifies their judgment. Many of 
the pupils are returned to their families or 
friends, after a mild course of correctional treat- 
ment. The system of government adopted is 
analogous to that of the "cottage plan" employed 
in many reformatory institutions throughout the 
country. An "administration building" stands 



in the center of a group of structures, each of 
which has its own individual name: — Clancy 
Hall, Wallace, Plymouth, Beecher, Pope, Windsor, 
Lincoln, Sunnyside and Sheridan. While never 
a suppliant for benefactions, the Home has always 
attracted the attention of philantiu'opists who 
are interested in the care of society's waifs. The 
average annual number of inmates is about ST.'). 

ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UMVERSITY, the 
leading educational institution of the Methodist 
Church in Illinois, south of Chicago; incorpo- 
rated in 1853 and located at Bloomington. It is 
co-educational, has a faculty of 34 instructors, 
and reports 1,106 students in 1896 — 458 male and 
648 female. Besides the usual literary and scien- 
tific departments, instruction is given in theology, 
music and oratory. It also has preparatory and 
business courses. It has a library of 6,000 vol- 
umes and reports funds and endowment aggre- 
gating §187,999, and property to the value of 
$380,999. 

ILLINOIS & INDIANA RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana, Decatur & Western Raihray.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Baltimore & Ohio Southivestern Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & SOUTHERN IOWA RAILROAD. 
(See Wabash Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD & COAL 
COMPANY. (See Louisville, Evansville A St. 
Louis (consolidated) Railroad.) 

ILLINOIS & WISCONSIN RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago <& Northwestern Railivay.) 

ILLIOPOLIS, a village in Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railway, 20 miles east of Spring- 
field. It occupies a position nearly in the geo- 
graphical center of the State and is in tlie heart 
of what is generally termed the corn belt of Cen- 
tral Illinois. It has banks, several churches, a 
graded school and three newspapers. Population 
(1880), 686; (1890), 689; (1900), 744. 

INDIAN MOUNDS. (See Mound- Builders, 
Works of The.) 

INDIAN TREATIES. The various treaties 
made by the General Government with the 
Indians, which affected Illinois, may be summa- 
rized as follows: Treaty of Greenville, August 3, 
179,5_ceded 11,808,409 acres of land for the sum 
of $210,000; negotiated by Gen. Anthony Wayne 
with the Delawares, Ottawas, Miamis, Wyandots, 
Shawnees, Pottawatomies, Chippewas, Kaskas- 
kias, Kickapoos, Piankeshaws and Eel River 
Indians: First Treaty of Fort Wayne, June 7, 
1803— ceded 2,038,400 acres in consideration of 
54,000; negotiated by Governor Harrison with 
the Delawares, Kickapoos, Miamis, Pottawato- 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



295 



mies, and Shawnees : First Treaty of Vincennes, 
August 13, 1803— ceded 8,911,850 acres for $12,000; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Caho- 
kias, Kaskaskias and Mitchagamies . First Treaty 
of St. Louis, Nov. 3, 1804— ceded 14,803,520 acres 
in consideration of $22,234; negotiated by Gov- 
ernor Harrison with the Sacs and Foxes- Second 
Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 30, 180.5— ceded 2,676,150 
acres for S4, 100 ; negotiated by Governor Harrison 
with the Piankeshaws: Second Treaty of Fort 
Wayne, Sept. 30, 1809 — ceded 2,900,000 acres; 
negotiated by Governor Harrison with the Dela- 
wares. Eel River, Miamis, Pottawatomies and 
Weas: Third Treaty of Vincennes, Dec. 9, 1809 
—ceded 138.240 acres for $27,000; negotiated by 
Governor Harrison with the Kickapoos : Second 
Treaty of St. Louis, Aug. 24, 1816— ceded 1,418,400 
acres in consideration of $12,000; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards, William Clark and A. Chou- 
teau with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawato- 
mies: Treaty of Edwardsville, Sept. 30, 1818— 
ceded 6,865,280 acres for .$6,400; negotiated by 
Governor Edwards and A. Chouteau with the 
Illinois and Peorias: Treaty of St. Mary's, Oct. 
2, 1818— ceded 11,000,000 acres for $33,000; nego- 
tiated by Gen. Lewis Cass and others with the 
Weas: Treaty of Fort Harrison, Aug. 30, 1819— 
negotiated by Benjamin Parke with the Kicka- 
poos of the Vermilion, ceding 3,173,120 acres for 
$23,000: Treaty of St. Joseph, Sept. 20, 1828— 
ceded 990,720 acres in consideration of $189,795; 
negotiated by Lewis Cass and Pierre Menard with 
the Pottawatomies ; Treaty of Prairie du Chien, 
Jan. 2, 1830— ceded 4,160,000 acres for $390,601; 
negotiated by Pierre Menard and others with 
the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawatomies: 
First Treaty of Chicago, Oct. 20, 1832— ceded 
1,536,000 acres for $460,348; negotiated with 
the Pottawatomies of the Prairie: Treaty of 
Tippecanoe, Oct. 27, 1832 — by it the Pottawato- 
mies of Indiana ceded 737,000 acres, in consider- 
ation of $400, 121 : Second Treaty of Chicago, Sept. 
26, 1833 — by it the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pot- 
tawatomies ceded 5,104,960 acres for $7,624,289; 
Treaties of Fort Armstrong and Prairie du Chien, 
negotiated 1829 and '32— by which the Winne- 
bagoes ceded 10,346.000 acres in exchange for 
$5,195,252: Second Treaty of St. Louis, Oct. 27, 
1832 — the Kaskaskias and Peorias ceding 1,900 
acres in consideration of $155,7ti0 (See also 
Greenville. Treaty of.) 

IJfDIAX TRIBES. (See Algonquins; niinois 
Indians; Kciskaskia.^: Kickapoo.i: Miamis: Outa- 
gamies: Piankeshaics; Pottawatomies; Sacs and 
Foxes; Weas; Wiyinebagoes.) 



IJfDIANA, BLOOMINOTON & WESTERN 
RAILWAY. (See Peoria & Eastern Railroad.) 
INDIANA, DECATUR & WESTERN RAIL- 

WAY. The entire length of line is 152.5 miles, of 
which 75.75 miles (with yard-tracks and sidings 
amounting to 8 86 miles) lie within Illinois. It 
extends from Decatur almost due east to the 
Indiana State line, and has a single track of 
standard gauge, with a right of way of 100 feet 
The rails are of steel, well adapted to tlie traffic, 
and the ballasting is of gravel, earth and cinders. 
The bridges (chiefly of wood) are of standard 
design and well maintained. The amount of 
capital stock outstanding (1898) is $1,824,000, or 
11,998 per mile; total capitalization (including 
stock and all indebtedness) 8,733,983. The total 
earnings and income in Illinois, $240,850. (His- 
tory.) The first organization of this road em- 
braced two companies — the Indiana & Illinois and 
the Illinois & Indiana — which were consolidated, 
in 1853, under the name of the Indiana & Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. In 1875 the latter 
was sold under foreclosure and organized as the 
Indianapolis, Decatur & Springfield Railway 
Company, at which time the section from Decatur 
to Montezuma, lud., was opened. It was com- 
pleted to Indianapolis in 1880. In 1882 it was 
leased to the Indiana, Bloomington & Western 
Railroad Company, and operated to 1885, when 
it passed into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure in 1887 and reorganized under 
the name of the Indianapolis, Decatur & West- 
ern. Again, in 1889, default was made and the 
property, after being operated by trustees, was 
sold in 1894 to two companies called the Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company (in Indi- 
ana) and the Decatur & Eastern Railway Com- 
pany (in Illinois). These were consolidated in 
July, 1895, under the present name (Indiana, 
Decatur & Western Railway Company). In 
December, 1895, the entire capital stock was 
purchased by the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton 
Railway Company, and the line is now operated 
as a part of that system. 

INDIANA, ILLINOIS & IOWA RAILROAD. 
This line extends from Streator Junction 1,8 
miles south of Streator, on the line of the Streator 
Division of the Wabasli Railroad, easterly to the 
Indiana State Line. The total length of the line 
is 151.78 miles, of which 69.61 miles are in Illi- 
nois. Between Streator Junction and Streator, 
the line is owned by the Wabash Company, but 
this company pays rental for trackage facilities. 
About 75 per cent of the ties are of white-oak, 
the remainder being of cedar ; the rails are 56-lb. 



296 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



steel, and the ballasting is of broken stone, gravel, 
sand, cinders and earth. A policy of permanent 
improvements has been adopted, and is being 
carried forward. The principal traffic is the 
transportation of freight. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock (June 30, 1898) was $3,597,800; bonded 
debt, SI. 800,000; total capitalization, §5,517,739; 
total earnings and income in Illinois for 1898, 
$413,967; total expenditures in the State, S303,- 
344. — (History.) This road was chartered Dec. 
27, 1881, and organized by the consolidation of 
three roads of the same name (Indiana, Illinois & 
Iowa, respectively), opened to Momence, 111., in 
1882, and through its entire length, Sept. 15, 1883. 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur & Westeryi Rail- 
way.) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS RAILROAD. (See 
Indiana, Decatur d: Western Railway.) 

INDIANA & ILLINOIS SOUTHERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis, Indianapolis & Eastern 
Railroad. ) 

INDIANAPOLIS, BLOOMINOTON & WEST- 
ERN RAILROAD. (See Illinois Central Rail- 
road: also Peoria & Eastern Railroad. ) 

INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & SPRING- 
FIELD RAILROAD. (See Indiana, Decatur cfc 
Western Railway.) 

^ INDIANAPOLIS, DECATUR & WESTERN 
RAILWAY. (See Indiana, Decatur <fc Western 
Railway.) 

INDIANAPOLIS & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad.) 

INDUSTRIAL HOME FOR THE BLIND, a 
State Institution designed to furnish the means 
of employment to dependent blind persons of 
both sexes, established imder authority of an act 
of the I^egislature passed at the session of 1893. 
The institution is located at Douglas Park Boule- 
vard and West Nineteenth Street, in the city of 
Chicago. It includes a four-story factory with 
Bteam-plant attached, besides a four-story build- 
ing for residence purposes. It was opened in 
1894, and, in December, 1897, had 62 inmates, of 
whom 12 were females. The Fortieth General 
Assembly appropriated .S13,900 for repairs, appli- 
ances, library, etc., and §8,000 per annum for 
ordinary expenses 

INGERSOLL, Ebon C, Congressman, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Dec. 13, 1831. His first 
remove was to Paducah, Ky., where he com- 
pleted his education. He studied law and was 
admitted to the bar ; removing this time to Illi- 
nois and settling in Gallatin County, in 1842. In 
1856 he was elected to represent Gallatin County 



in the lower house of the General Assembly ; in 
1862 was the RepubUcan candidate for Congress 
for the Stateat-large, but defeated by J. C. 
Allen ; and, in 1864, was chosen to fill the unex- 
pired term of Owen Lovejoy, deceased, as Repre- 
sentative in the Thirty-eighth Congress. He was 
re-elected to the Thirty-ninth, Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses, his term expiring, March 
4, 1871. He was a brother of Col. Robert G. 
Ingersoll, and was, for some years, associated with 
him in the practice of law at Peoria, his home. 
Died, in Washington, May 31, 1879. 

INGERSOLL, Robert Green, lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born at Dresden, Oneida County, N. Y., 
August 11, 1833. His father, a Congregational 
clergyman of pronounced liberal tendencies, 
removed to the West in 1843, and Robert's boy- 
hood was spent in Wisconsin and Illinois. After 
being admitted to the bar, he opened an office at 
Shawneetown, in partnership with his brother 
Ebon, afterwards a Congressman from Illinois. 
In 1857 they removed to Peoria, and, in 1860, 
Robert G. was an unsuccessful Democratic can- 
didate for Congress. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the Eleventh Illinois Cavalry, 
which had been mustered in in December, 1861, 
and, in 1864, identified himself with the Repub- 
lican party. In February, 1867, he was appointed 
by Governor Oglesby the first Attorney-General 
of the State under the new law enacted that year. 
As a lawyer and orator he won great distinction. 
He nominated James G. Blaine for the Presidency 
in the Republican Convention of 1876, at Cincin- 
nati, in a speech that attracted wide attention by 
its eloquence. Other oratorical efforts which 
added greatly to his fame include ' 'The Dream of 
the Union Soldier," delivered at a Soldiers' 
Reunion at Indianapolis, his eulogy at his brother 
Ebon's grave, and his memorial address on occa- 
sion of the death of Roscoe Conkling. For some 
twenty years he was the most popular stump 
orator in the West, and his services in political 
campaigns were in constant request throughout 
the Union. To the country at large, in his later 
years, he was known as an uncompromising 
assailant of revealed religion, by both voice and 
pen. Among his best-known publications are 
"The Gods" (Washington, 1878); "Ghosts" 
(1879); "Mistakes of Moses" (1879); "Prose 
Poems and Selections" (1884); "The Brain and 
the Bible" (Cincinnati, 1882). Colonel IngersoU's 
home for some twenty years, in the later part of 
his life, was in the city of New York. Died, 
suddenly, from heart disease, at his summer 
home at Dobb's Ferry, Long Island, July 21, 1899 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



297 



IXGLIS, Samuel M., Superintendent of Public 
Instruction, born at Marietta, Pa., August 15, 
1838; received his early education in Ohio and, 
in 1856, came to lUinois, graduating with first 
honors from the Mendota CoUegiate Institute in 
1861. The following year he enlisted in the One 
Hundred and Fourth Illinois Infantry, but, hav- 
ing been discharged for disability, his place was 
filled by a brother, who was killed at Knoxville, 
Tenn. In 1865 he took charge of an Academy at 
Hillsboro, meanwhile studying law with the late 
Judge E. Y. Rice; in 1868 he assumed the super- 
intendency of the public schools at Greenville, 
Bond County, remaining until 1883, when he 
became Professor of Mathematics in the Southern 
Normal University at Carbondale, being trans- 
ferred, three years later, to the chair of Literature, 
Rhetoric and Elocution. In 1894 he was nomi- 
nated as the Republican candidate for State 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, receiving 
a plurality at the November election of 123,593 
votes over his Democratic opponent. Died, sud- 
denly, at Kenosha, Wis., June 1, 1898. 

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT POLICY, a 
name given to a scheme or plan of internal im- 
provement adopted by the Tenth General Assem- 
bly (1837), in compliance with a general wish of 
the people voiced at many public gatherings. It 
contemplated the construction of an extensive 
system of public works, chiefly in lines of rail- 
road which were not demanded by the commerce 
or business of the State at the time, but which, it 
was believed, would induce immigration and 
materially aid in the development of the State's 
latent resources. The plan adopted provided for 
the construction of such works by the State, and 
contemplated State ownership and management 
of all the lines of traffic thus constructed. The 
bill passed the Legislature in February, 1887, 
but was disapproved by the Executive and the 
Council of Revision, on the ground that such 
enterprises might be more successfully under- 
taken and conducted by individuals or private 
corporations. It was, however, subsequently 
passed over the veto and became a law, the dis- 
astrous effects of whose enactment were felt for 
many years. The total amount appropriated by 
the act was 810,200,000, of which $400,000 was 
devoted to the improvement of waterways; §250,- 
000 to the improvement of the "Great Western 
Mail Route"; §9.350,000 to the construction of 
railroads, and §200,000 was given outright to 
counties not favored by the location of railroads 
or other improvements within their borders. In 
addition, the sale of $1,000,000 worth of canal 



lands and the issuance of §500,000 in canal bonds 
were authorized, the proceeds to be used in the 
construction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
$500,000 of this amount to be expended in 1838. 
Work began at once. Routes were surveyed and 
contracts for construction let, and an era of reck- 
less speculation began. Large sums were rapidly 
expended and nearly $6,500,000 quickly added to 
the State debt. The system was soon demon- 
strated to be a failure and was abandoned for 
lack of funds, some of the "improvements" 
already made being sold to private parties at a 
heavy loss. This scheme furnished the basis of 
the State debt under which Illinois labored for 
many years, and which, at its maximum, reached 
nearly §17,000,000. (See Macallister & Stebbins 
Bonds; State Debt; Tenth General Assembly; 
Eleventh General Assembly.) 

INUNDATIONS, REMARKABLE. The most 
remarkable freshets (or floods) in Illinois history 
have been those occurring in the Mississippi 
River ; though, of course, the smaller tributaries 
of that stream have been subject to similar con- 
ditions. Probably the best account of early 
floods has been furnished by Gov. John Reynolds 
in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," — he having 
been a witness of a number of them. The first 
of which any historical record has been pre- 
served, occurred in 1770. At that time the only 
white settlements within the present limits of 
the State were in the American Bottom in the 
vicinity of Kaskaskia, and there the most serious 
results were produced. Governor Reynolds says 
the flood of that year (1770) made considerable 
encroachments on the east bank of the river 
adjacent to Fort Chartres, which had originally 
been erected by the French in 1718 at a distance 
of three-quarters of a mile from the main 
channel. The stream continued to advance in 
this direction until 1772, when the whole bottom 
was again inundated, and the west wall of the 
fort, having been undermined, fell into the river. 
The next extraordinary freshet was in 1784, when 
the American Bottom was again submerged and 
the residents of Kaskaskia and the neighboring 
villages were forced to seek a refuge on the bluffs 
— some of the people of Caliokia being driven to 
St. Louis, then a small French village on Spanish 
soil. The most remarkable flood of the present 
century occurred in May and June, 1844, as the 
result of extraordinary rains preceded by heavy 
winter snows in the Rocky Mountains and rapid 
spring thaws. At this time the American Bot- 
tom, opposite St. Louis, was inundated from bluff 
to bluff, and large steamers passed over the sub- 



J98 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



merged lands, gathering up cattle and other kinds 
of property and rescuing the imperiled owners. 
Some of the villages affected by this flood — as 
Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher and Kaskaskia — have 
never fully recovered from the disaster. Another 
considerable flood occurred in 1826, but it was 
inferior to those of 1784 and 1844. A notable 
flood occurred in 1851, when the Mississippi, 
though not so high opposite St. Louis as in 1844, 
is said to have been several feet higher at Quincy 
than in the previous year — the difference being 
due to the fact that the larger portion of the 
flood of 1844 came from the Missouri River, its 
^ects being most noticeable below the mouth of 
that stream. Again, in 1868, a flood did con- 
siderable damage on the Upper Mississippi, reach- 
ing the highest point since 1851. Floods of a more 
or less serious character also occurred in 1876, 
1880 and again in 1893. Although not so high as 
some of those previously named, the loss was pro- 
portionately greater owing to the larger area of 
improved lands. The flood of 1893 did a great 
deal of damage at East St. Louis to buildings and 
railroads, and in the destruction of other classes 
of property. — Floods in the Ohio River have been 
frequent and very disastrous, especially in the 
upper portions of that stream — usually resulting 
from sudden thaws and ice-gorges in the early 
spring. With one exception, the highest flood in 
the Ohio, during the present century, was that of 
February, 1832, wlien the water at Cincinnati 
reached an altitude of sixty-four feet three 
inches. The recorded altitudes of others of more 
recent occurrence have been as follows: Dec. 
17, 1847 — sixty -three feet seven inches; 
1863— fifty-seven feet four inches; 1882— fifty- 
eight feet seven inches. The highest point 
reached at New Albany, Ind., in 1883, was 
seventy-three feet — or four feet higher than the 
flood of 1832, The greatest altitude reached in 
historic times, at Cincinnati, was in 1884 — the re- 
corded height being three-quarters of an inch in 
excess of seventy-one feet. Owing to the smaller 
area of cultivated lands and other improvements 
in the Ohio River bottoms within the State of 
Illinois, the loss has been comparatively smaller 
than on the Mississippi, although Cairo has suf- 
fered from both streams. The most serious dis- 
asters in Illinois territory from overflow of the 
Ohio, occurred in connection with the flood of 
1883, at Shawneetown, when, out of six hundred 
houses, all but twenty-eight were flooded to the 
second story and water ran to a depth of fifteen 
feet in the main street. A levee, which had been 
constructed for the protection of the city at great 



expense, was almost entirely destroyed, and an 
appropriation of $60,000 was made by the Legis- 
lature to indemnify the corporation. On April 
3, 1898, the Ohio River broke through the levee 
at Shawneetown, inundating the whole city and 
causing the loss of twenty-five lives. Much 
suffering was caused among the people driven 
from their homes and deprived of the means of 
subsistence, and it was found necessary to send 
them tents from Springfield and supplies of food 
by the State Government and by private contri- 
butions from the various cities of the State. The 
inundation continued for some two or three 
weeks. — Some destructive floods have occurred 
in the Chicago River — the most remarkable, since 
the settlement of the city of Chicago, being that 
of March 12, 1849. This was the result of an ice- 
gorge in the Des Plaines River, turning the 
waters of that stream across "the divide" into 
Mud Lake, and thence, by way of the South 
Branch, into the Chicago River. The accumula- 
tion of waters in the latter broke up the ice, 
which, forming into packs and gorges, deluged 
the region between the two rivers. Wlien the 
superabundant mass of waters and ice in the Chi- 
cago River began to flow towards the lake, it bore 
before it not only the accumulated pack-ice, but 
the vessels which had been tied up at the wharves 
and other points along the banks for the winter. 
A contemporaneous history of the event says that 
there were scattered along the stream at the time, 
four steamers, six propellers, two sloops, twentj-- 
four brigs and fifty-seven canal boats. Those in 
the upper part of the stream, being hemmed in 
by surrounding ice, soon became a part of the 
moving mass ; chains and hawsers were snapped 
as if they had been whip-cord, and the whole 
borne lakeward in indescribable confusion. The 
bridges at Madison, Randolph and Wells Streets 
gave way in succession before the immense 
mass, adding, as it moved along, to the general 
wreck by falling spars, cnished keels and crashing 
bridge timbers. "Opposite Kinzie wharf," says 
the record, "the river was choked with sailing- 
craft of every description, piled together in inex- 
tricable confusion." While those vessels near 
the mouth of the river escaped into the lake with 
comparatively little damage, a large number of 
those higher up the stream were caught in the 
gorge and either badly injured or totally wrecked. 
The loss to the city, from the destruction of 
bridges, was estimated at §20,000, and to vessels at 
$88,000 — a large sum for that time. The wreck 
of bridges compelled a return to the primitive 
system of ferries or extemporized bridges made 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



299 



of boats, to furnish means of communication 
between the several divisions of the city — a con- 
dition of affairs which lasted for several months. 
—Floods about the same time did considerable 
damage on the Illinois, Fox and Rock Rivers, 
their waters being higher than in 1838 or 1833, 
which were memorable flood years on these in- 
terior streams. On tlie former, the village of 
Peru was partially destroyed, while the bridges 
on Rock River were all swept away. A flood in 
the Illinois River, in the spring of 1855, resulted in 
serious damage to bridges and other property in 
the vicinity of Ottawa, and there were extensive 
inundations of the bottom lands along that 
stream in 1859 and subsequent years. — In Febru- 
ary, 1857, a second flood in the Chicago River, 
similar to that of 1849, caused considerable dam- 
age, but was less destructive than that of the 
earlier date, as the bridges were more substan- 
tially constructed. — One of the most extensive 
floods, in recent times, occurred in the Mississippi 
River during the latter part of the month of 
April and early in May, 1897. The value of prop- 
erty destroyed on the lower Mississippi was 
estimated at many millions of dollars, and many 
lives were lost. At Warsaw, 111,, the water 
reached a height of nineteen feet four inches 
above low-watermark on April 24, and, atQuincy, 
nearly nineteen feet on the 28th, while the river, 
at points between these two cities, was from ten 
to fifteen miles wide. Some 25,000 acres of farm- 
ing lands between Quincy and Warsaw were 
flooded and the growing crops destroyed. At 
Alton the height reached by the water was 
twenty-two feet, but in consequence of the 
strength of the levees protecting the American 
Bottom, the farmers in that region siiflered less 
than on some previous years. 

IPAVA, a town in Fulton County, on one of the 
branches of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, 10 miles west-southwest of Lewistown, 
and some 44 miles north of Jacksonville. The 
county abounds in coal, and coal-mining, as weU 
as agriculture, is a leading industry in the sur- 
rounding country. Other industries are the 
manufacture of flour and woolen goods; two 
banks, four churches, a sanitarium, and a weekly 
newspaper are also located here. Population 
(1880)^ 675; (1890), G67; (1900), 749. 

IRON MANUFACTURES. The manufacture 
of iron, both pig and castings, direct from the 
furnace, has steadily increased in this State. In 
1880, Illinois ranked seventh in the list of States 
producing manufactured iron, while, in 1890, it 
had risen to fourth place, Pennsylvania (which 



produces nearly fifty per cent of the total product 
of the country) retaining the lead, with Ohio and 
Alabama following. In 1890 Illinois had fifteen 
complete furnace stacks (as against ten in 1880), 
turning out 674,506 tons, or seven per cent of the 
entire output. Since then four additional fur- 
naces have been completed, but no figures are at 
hand to show the increase in production. During 
the decade between 1880 and 1890, the percentage 
of increase in output was 616.53. The fuel used 
is chiefly the native bituminous coal, which is 
abundant and cheap. Of this, 674,506 tons were 
used; of anthracite coal, onlj' 38,618 tons. Of 
the total output of pig-iron in the State, during 
1890, 616,659 tons were of Bessemer. Charcoal 
pig is not made in Illinois. 

IRON MOUNTAIN, CHESTER & EASTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Wabash, Chester <fc Western 
Hailroad.) 

IROQUOIS COUNTY, a large county on the 
eastern border of the State; area, 1,120 square 
miles; population (1900), 38,014. In 1830 two 
pioneer settlements mere made almost simultane- 
ously, — one at Bunkum (now Concord)' and the 
other at Milford. Among those taking up homes 
at the former were Qurdon S. Hubbard, Benja- 
min Fry, and ilessrs. Cartwright, Thomas, New- 
comb, and Miller. At Jlilford located Robert 
Hill, Samuel Rush, Messrs. Miles, Pickell and 
Parker, besides the Cox, Jloore and Stanley 
families. Iroquois County was set off from Ver- 
milion and organized in 1833, — named from the 
Iroquois Indians, or Iroquois River, which flows 
through it. The Kickapoos and Pottawatomies 
did not remove west of the Mississippi until 
1836-37, but were always friendly. The seat of 
government was first located at Montgomerj-, 
whence it was removed to Middleport, and finally 
to Watseka. The county is well timbered and 
the soil underlaid by both coal and building 
stone. Clay suitable for brick making and the 
manufacture of crockery is also found. The 
Iroquois River and the Sugar, Spring and Beaver 
Creeks thoroughly drain the county. An abun- 
dance of pure, cold water may be found anywhere 
by boring to the depth of from thirty to eighty 
feet, a fact which encourages grazing and the 
manufacture of dairy products. The soil is rich, 
and well adapted to fruit growing. The prin- 
cipal towns are Oilman (population 1,112), Wat- 
seka (2,017), and Milford (957). 

IROQUOIS RIVER, (sometimes called Picka- 
mink), rises in AVestern Indiana and runs 
westward to Watseka, 111. : thence it flows north- 
ward throuch Iroauois and part of Kankakee 



300 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Counties, entering the Kankakee River some five 
miles southeast of Kankakee. It is nearly 120 
miles long. 

IKVIJfGi, a village in Montgomery County, on 
the line of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Railroad, 
54 miles east-northeast of Alton, and 17 miles 
east by north of Litchfield ; has five churches, 
flouring and save mills, creamery, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1890), 630; (1900), 675. 

ISHAM, Edward S., lawyer, was born at 
Bennington, Vt., Jan. 15, 1836; educated at 
Lawrence Academy and Williams College, Mass., 
taking his degi-ee at the latter in 1857; was 
admitted to the bar at Rutland, Vt., in 1858, 
coming to Chicago the same year. Mr. Isham 
was a Representative in the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly (1864-66) and, in 1881, his 
name was prominently considered for a position 
on the Supreme bench of the United States. He 
is the senior member of the firm of Isham, Lin- 
coln & Beale, which has had the management of 
some of the most important cases coming before 
the Chicago courts. 

JACKSON, Huntington Wolcott, lawyer, born 

in Newark, N. J., Jan. 28, 1841, being descended 
on the maternal side from Oliver Wolcott, one of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence; 
received his education at Phillips Academy, 
Andover, Mass., and at Princeton College, leav- 
ing the latter at the close of his junior year to 
enter the army, and taking part in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, 
a part of the time being on the staff of Ma j. -Gen. 
John Newton, and, later, with Sherman from 
Chattanooga to Atlanta, finally receiving the 
rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for gallant and 
meritorious service. Returning to civil life in 
1865, he entered Harvard Law School for one 
term, then spent a year in Europe, on his return 
resuming his legal studies at Newark, N. J. ; 
came to Chicago in 1867, and the following year 
was admitted to the bar ; has served as Supervisor 
of South Chicago, as President of the Chicago 
Bar Association, and (by appointment of the 
Comptroller of the Currency) as receiver and 
attorney of the Third National Bank of Chicago. 
Under the will of the late John Crerar he became 
an executor of the estate, and a trustee of the 
Crerar Library. Died at Newark,N. J., Jan 3, 1901. 
JACKSON COUNTY, organized in 1816, and 
named in honor of Andrew Jackson ; area, 580 
square miles; population (1900), 33,871. It lies 
in the southwest portion of the State, the Mis- 
sissippi River forming its principal western 



boundary. The bottom lands along the river are 
wonderfully fertile, but liable to overflow. It is 
crossed by a range of hiUs regarded as a branch 
of 'the Ozark range. Toward the east the soil is 
warm, and well adapted to fruit-growing. One 
of the richest beds of bituminous coal in the State 
crops out at various points, varying in depth from 
a few inches to four or five hundred feet below the 
surface. Valuable timber and good building 
stone are found and there are numerous saline 
springs. Wheat, tobacco and fruit are principal 
crops. Early pioneers, with the date of their 
arrival, were as follows: 1814, W. Boon; 1815, 
Joseph Duncan (afterwards Governor) ; 1817, 
Oliver Cross, Mrs. William Kimmel, S. Lewis, E. 
Harrold, George Butcher and W. Eakin; 1818, 
the Bysleys, Mark Bradley, James Hughes and 
John Barron. Brownsville was the first county- 
seat and an important town, but owing to a dis- 
astrous fire in 1843, the government was removed 
to Murphysboro, where Dr. Logan (father of Gen. 
John A. Logan) donated a tract of land for 
county -buildings. John A. Logan was born here. 
The principal towns (with their respective popu- 
lation, as shown by the United States Census of 
1890), were: Murphysboro, 3,880; Carbondale, 
2,382; and Grand Tower, 684. 

JACKSONVILLE, the county-seat of Morgan 
County, and an important railroad center; popu- 
lation (1890) about 13,000. The town was laid 
out in 1825, and named in honor of Gen. Andrew 
Jackson. The first court house was erected in 
1826, and among early lawyers were Josiah Lam- 
born, John J. Hardin, Stephen A. Douglas, and 
later Richard Yates, afterwards the "War Gov- 
ernor" of Illinois. It is the seat of several im- 
portant State institutions, notably the Central 
Hospital for the Insane, and Institutions for the 
Education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind- 
besides private educational institutions, including 
Illinois College, Illinois Conference Female Col- 
lege (Methodist), Jacksonville Female Academy, 
a Business College and others. The city has 
several banks, a large woolen mill, carriage fac- 
tories, brick yards, planing mills, and two news- 
paper establishments, each publishing daily and 
weekly editions. It justly ranks as one of the 
most attractive and interesting cities of the State, 
noted for the hospitality and intelligence of its 
citizens. Although immigrants from Kentucky 
and other Southern States predominated in its 
early settlement, the location there of Illinois 
College and the Jacksonville Female Academy, 
about 1830. brought to it many settlers of New 
England birth, so that it early came to be 




INSTITUTION FOR DEAF AND DUMB, JACKSONVILLE. 




n 




ATtA- A A A A A A A A AAjA'A^- A a A .a ^ 



fi 



Main Biiildina and fiirls' Cottase. 
INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. JACKSONVILLE. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



301 



regarded as more distinctively New England in 
the character of its population than any other 
town in Southern Illinois. Pop. (1900), 15,078. 
JACKSONVILLE FEMALE ACADEMY, an 

institution for the education of young ladies, at 
Jacksonville, the oldest of its class in the State. 
The initial steps for its organization were taken 
in 1830, the year after the establishment of Illinois 
College. It may be said to have been an offshoot 
of the latter, these two constituting tlie originals 
of that remarkable group of educational and 
State Institutions which now exist in that city. 
Instruction began to be given in the Academy in 
May, 1833, under the principalship of Miss Sarah 
C. Crocker, and, in 1835, it was formally incorpo- 
rated by act of the Legislature, being the first 
educational institution to receive a charter from 
that body; though Illinois, McKendree and 
Shurtleff Colleges were incorporated at a later 
period of the same session. Among its founders 
appear the names of Gov. Joseph Duncan, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Rev. Julian M. Sturtevant 
(for fifty years the President or a Professor of Illi- 
nois College), John P. Wilkinson, Rev. John M. 
Ellis, David B. Ayers and Dr. Ero Chandler, all 
of whom, except the last, were prominently 
identified with the early history of Illinois Col- 
lege. The list of the alumnas embraces over five 
hundred names. The Illinois Conservatory of 
Music (founded in 1871) and a School of Fine Arts 
are attached to the Academy, all being under the 
management of Prof. E. F. Bullard, A.M. 

JACKSONVILLE, LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
RAILWAY. (See Jacksonville <fc St. Louis Rail- 
way. ) 

JACKSONVILLE, NORTHWESTERN & 
SOUTHEASTERN RAILROAD. (See Jackson- 
ville & St. Louis Railway.) 

JACKSONVILLE & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
Originally cliartered as the Illinois Farmers' Rail- 
road, and constructed from Jacksonville to 
Waverly in 1870 ; later changed to the Jacksonville, 
Northwestern & Southeastern and track extended 
to Virden (31 miles) ; in 1879 passed into the 
hands of a new company under the title of the 
Jacksonville Southeastern, and was extended aa 
follows: to Litchfield (1880), 23 miles; to Smith- 
boro (1882), 29 miles; to Centralia (1883), 29 miles 
— total, 112 miles. In 1887 a section between 
Centralia and Driver's (I6V2 miles) was con- 
structed by the Jacksonville Southeastern, and 
operated under lease by the successor to tliat 
line, but, in 1893, was separated from it under 
the name of the Louisville & St. Louis Railway. 
By the use of five miles of trackage on the Louis- 



ville & Nashville Railroad, connection was 
obtained between Driver's and Mount Vernon. 
The same year (1887) the Jacksonville Southeast- 
ern obtained control of the Litchfield, CarroUton 
& Western Railroad, from Litchfield to Columbi- 
ana on the Illinois River, and the Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis, embracing lines from Peoria to St. 
Louis, via Springfield and Jacksonville. The 
Jacksonville Southeastern was reorganized in 1890 
under the name of the Jacksonville, Louisville 
& St. Louis Railway, and, in 1893, was placed in 
the hands of a receiver. The Chicago, Peoria & 
St. Louis Divisions were subsequently separated 
from the Jacksonville line and placed in charge 
of a separate receiver. Foreclosure procee^lings 
began in 1894 and, during 1896, the road was sold 
under foreclosure and reorganized under its pres- 
ent title. (See Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Rail- 
road of Illinois.) The capital stock of the 
Jacksonville & St. Louis Railway (June 30, 1897) 
was 51,r)00,000; funded debt, §2,300,000— total, 
§3,800,000. 

JAMES, Colin D., clergyman, was born in Ran- 
dolph County, now in West Virginia, Jan. 15, 
1808 ; died at Bonita, Kan. , Jan. 30, 1888. He was 
the son of Rev. Dr. William B. James, a pioneer 
preacher in the Ohio Valley, who removed to 
Ohio in 1812, settling first in Jefferson County in 
that State, and later (1814) at Mansfield. Subse- 
quently tlie family took up its residence at Helt's 
Prairie in Vigo (now Vermilion) County, Ind. 
Before 1830 Colin D. James came to Illinois, and, 
in 1834, became a minister of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, remaining in active ministerial 
work until 1871, after whicli he accepted a super- 
annuated relation. During liis connection with 
tlie cliurch in Illinois he served as station preacher 
or Presiding Elder at the following points: Rock 
Island (1834); Platteville (1836); Apple River 
(1837) ; Paris (1838, '42 and '43) ; Eugene (1839) ; 
Georgetown (1S40); Shelbyville (1841); Grafton 
(1844 and "4.5); Sparta District (184,5-47) ; Lebanon 
District (1848-49); Alton District (1850); Bloom- 
ington District (1851-52) ; and later at Jackson- 
ville, Winchester, Greenfield, Island Grove, 
Oldtown, Heyworth, Normal, Atlanta, McLean 
and Shirley. During 1861-62 he acted as agent 
for the Illinois Female College at Jacksonville, 
and, in 1871. for the erection of a Metho- 
dist church at Normal. He was twice married. 
His first wife (Eliza A. Plasters of Living- 
ston) died in 1849. The following year he mar- 
ried Amanda K. Casad, daughter of Dr. Anthony 
W. Casad. He removed from Normal to Evans- 
ton in 1876, and from the latter place to 



303 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Kansas in 1879. Of his surviving children, 
Edmund J. is (1898) Professor in the University 
of Chicago; John N. is in charge of the mag- 
netic laboratory in the National Observatory 
at Washington, D. C. ; Benjamin B. is Professor 
in the State Normal School at St. Cloud, Minn., 
and George F. is instructor in the Cambridge 
Preparatory School of Chicago. 

JAMES, Edmund Jan(^s, was born, May 21, 
1855, at Jacksonville, Morgan County, 111., the 
fourth son of Rev. Colin Dew James of the Illi- 
nois Conference, grandson on Iiis mother's side 
of Rev. Dr. Anthony Wayne Casad and great- 
grandson of Samuel Stites (all of whose sketches 
appear elsewhere in this volume) ; was educated 
in the Model Department of the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington (Normal), from 
wliich he graduated in June, 1873, and entered 
the Northwestern University, at Evanston, 111., 
in November of the same year. On May 1, 1874, 
he was appointed Recorder on the' United States 
Lake Survej-, where he continued during one 
season engaged in work on the lower part of Lake 
Ontario and the upper St. Lawrence. He entered 
Harvard College, Nov. 2, 1874, but went to 
Europe in August, 1875, entering the University 
of Halle, Oct. 16, 1875, where he graduated, 
August 4, 1877, with the degrees of A.M. and 
Ph.D. On his return to the United States he was 
elected Principal of the Public High School in 
Evanston, 111., Jan. 1, 1878, but resigned in June, 
1879, to accept a position in the Illinois State 
Normal School at Bloomington as Professor of 
Latin and Greek, and Principal of the High 
School Department in connection with the Model 
School. Resigning this position at Christmas 
time, 1882, he went to Europe for study; accepted 
a position in the University of Pennsylvania as 
Professor of Public Administration, in Septem- 
ber, 1883, where he remained for over thirteen 
years. While here he was, for a time, Secretary 
of the Graduate Faculty and organized the in- 
struction in this Departnaent. He was also 
Director of the Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy, the first attempt to organize a college 
course in the field of commerce and industry. 
During this time he officiated as editor of "The 
Political Economy and Public Law Series" issued 
by the University of Pennsylvania. Resigning 
his position in the University of Pennsylvania on 
Feb. 1, 1896, he accepted that of Professor of Pub- 
lic Administration and Director of the University 
Extension Division in the University of Chicago, 
where he has since continued. Professor James 
has been identified with the progress of economic 



studies in the United States since the early 
eighties. He was one of the organizers and one 
of the first Vice-Presidents of the American 
Economic Association. On Dec. 14, 1889, he 
founded the American Academy of Political and 
Social Science with headquarters at Philadelphia, 
became its first President, and has continued such 
to the present time. He was also, for some years, 
editor of its publications. The Academy has 
now become the largest Association in the world 
devoted to the cultivation of economic and social 
subjects. He was one of the originators of, and 
one of the most frequent contributors to, "Lalor"s 
Cyclopaedia of Political Science"; was also the 
pioneer in the movement to introduce into the 
United States the scheme of public instruction 
known as University Extension; was the first 
President of the American Society for the Exten- 
sion of University Teaching, under whose auspices 
the first effective extension work was done in this 
country, and has been Director of the Extension 
Division in the University of Chicago since Febru- 
ary, 1896. He has been especially identified with 
the development of higher commercial education 
in the United States. From his position as 
Director of the Wharton School of Finance and 
Economy he has affected the course of instruc- 
tion in this Department in a most marked way. 
He was invited by the American Bankers' 
Association, in the year 1892, to make a careful 
study of the subject of Commercial Education in 
Europe, and his report to this association on the 
Education of Business Men in Europe, republished 
by the University of Chicago in the year 1898, 
has become a standard authority on this subject. 
Owing largely to his efforts, departments similar 
to the Wharton School of Finance and Economy 
have been established under the title of College 
of Commerce, College of Commerce and Politics, 
and Collegiate Course in Commerce, in the Uni- 
versities of California and Cliicago, and Columbia 
University. He has been identified with the 
progress of college education in general, espe- 
cially in its relation to secondary and elementary 
education, and was one of the early advocates of 
the establishment of departments of education in 
our colleges and universities, the policy of which 
is now adopted by nearly all the leading institu- 
tions. He was, for a time. State Examiner of 
High Schools in Illinois, and was founder of "The 
Illinois School Journal," long one of the most 
influential educational periodicals in tlie State, 
now changed in name to "School and Home." 
He has been especially active in the establish- 
ment of public kindergartens in different cities. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



303 



and has been repeatedly offered the headship of 
important institutions, among them being the 
University of Iowa, the University of Illinois, 
and the University of Cincinnati. He has served 
as Vice-President of the National Municipal 
League; of the American Association for the 
Advancement of Science, and the American 
Economic Association, and of the Board of Trus- 
tees of the Illinois State Historical Library ; is a 
member of the American Philosophical Society, 
of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, of the 
National Council of Education, and of the British 
Association for the Advancement of Science. He 
was a member of the Committee of Thirteen of 
the National Teachers' Association on college 
entrance requirements) is a member of various 
patriotic and historical societies, including the 
Sons of the American Revolution, the Society of 
the Colonial "Wars, the Holland and the Huguenot 
Society. He is the author of more than one hun- 
dred papers and monographs on various economic, 
educational, legal and administrative subjects. 
Professor James was married, August 22, 1879, to 
Anna Margarethe Lange, of Halle, Prussia, 
daughter of the Rev. Wilhelm Roderich Lange, 
and granddaughter of the famous Professor Ger- 
lach of the University of Halle. 

JAMESON, John Alexander, lawyer and jur- 
ist, was born at Irasburgh, Vt., Jan. 25, 1824; 
graduated from tlie University of Vermont in 
1846. After several years spent in teaching, he 
began the study of law, and graduated from the 
Dane Law School (of Harvard College) in 1853. 
Coming west the same year he located at Free- 
port. 111., but removed to Chicago in 1856. In 
1865 he was elected to the bench of the Superior 
Court of Chicago, remaining in office until 1883. 
During a portion of this period he acted as lec- 
turer in the L^nion College of Law at Chicago, 
and as editor of "The American Law Register." 
His literary labbrs were unceasing, his most 
notable work being entitled "Constitutional Con- 
ventions; their History, Power and Modes of 
Proceeding." He was also a fine classical 
scholar, speaking and reading German, Frencli, 
Spanish and Italian, and was deeply interested 
in charitable and reformatory work. Died, sud- 
denly, in Cliicago, June 16, 1890. 

JARROT, Meholas, early French settler of St. 
Clair County, was born in France, received a 
liberal education and, on account of the disturbed 
condition there in the latter part of the last cen- 
tury, left his native country about 1790. After 
spending some time at Baltimore and New 
Orleans, he arrived at Cahokia, 111., in 1794, and 



became a permanent settler there. He early be- 
came a Major of militia and engaged in trade 
with the Indians, frequently visiting Prairie du 
Chien, St. Anthony's Falls (now Minneapolis) and 
the Illinois River in his trading expeditions, and, 
on one or two occasions, incurring great risk of 
life from hostile savages. He acquired a large 
property, especially in lands, built mills and 
erected one of the earliest and finest brick houses 
in that part of the country. He also served aa 
Justice of the Peace and Judge of the County 
Court of St. Clair County. Died, in 1823.— Vital 
(Jarrot), son of the preceding, inherited a large 
landed fortune from his father, and was an 
enterprising and public-spirited citizen of St. 
Clair County during the last generation. He 
served as Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Eleventh, Twentieth, Twenty-first and 
Twenty-second General Assemblies, in the first 
being an associate of Abraham Lincoln and 
always his firm friend and admirer. At the 
organization of the Twenty-second General 
Assembly (1857), he received the support of the 
Republican members for Speaker of the House in 
opposition to Col. W. R. Morrison, who was 
elected. He sacrificed a large share of his prop- 
erty in a public-spirited effort to build up a 
rolling mill at East St. Louis, being reduced 
thereby from affluence to poverty. President 
Lincoln appointed him an Indian Agent, which 
took him to the Black Hills region, where he 
died, some years after, from toil and exposure, at 
the age of 73 years. 

JASPER COUNTY, in the eastern part of 
Southern Illinois, having an area of 506 square 
miles, and a population (in 1900) of 20, 160. It was 
organized in 1831 and named for Sergeant Jasper 
of Revolutionary fame. The county was placed un- 
der township organization in 1860. The first Board 
of County Commissioners consisted of B. Rey- 
nolds, W. Richards and George Mattingley. The 
Embarras River crosses the county. The general 
surface is level, although gently undulating in 
some portions. Manufacturing is carried on in a 
small way; but the people are principally inter- 
ested in agriculture, the chief products consisting 
of wheat, potatoes, sorghum, fruit and tobacco. 
Wool-growing is an important industry. Newton 
is the county-seat, with a population (in 1890) of 
1,428. 

JATNE, (Dr.) Gershom, early physician, was 
born in Orange County, N.Y., October, 1791 ; served 
as Surgeon in the War of 1812, and came to Illinois 
in 1819, settling in Springfield in 1821; was one 
of the Commissioners appointed to construct the 



304 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



first State Penitentiary (1827), and one of the first 
Commissioners of ttie Illinois & Michigan Canal. 
His oldest daughter (Julia Maria) became the 
wife of Senator Trumbull. Dr. Jayne died at 
Springfield, in 1867.— Dr. William (Jayne), son of 
the preceding, was born in Springfield, IIL, Oct. 8, 
1826; educated by private tutors and at Illinois 
College, being a member of the class of 1847, later 
receiving the degree of A.5L He was one of the 
founders of the Phi Alpha Society while in that 
institution ; graduated from the Medical Depart- 
ment of Slissouri State University; in 1860 was 
elected State Senator for Sangamon County, and, 
the following year, was appointed by President 
Lincoln Governor of the Territory of Dakota, 
later serving as Delegate in Congress from that 
Territory. In 1869 he was appointed Pension 
Agent for Illinois, also served for four terms as 
Mayor of his native city, and is now Vice-Presi- 
dent of the First National Bank, Springfield. 

JEFFERSON COUNTY, a south-central county, 
toit off from Edwards and White Counties, in 
1&19, when it was separately organized, being 
named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. Its area is 
580 square miles, and its population (1900), 28,133. 
The Big Muddy River, with one or two tributa- 
ries, flows tnrough the county in a southerly direc- 
tion. Along ttie banks of streams a variety of 
hardwood timber is found. The railroad facilities 
are advantageous. Tne surface Is level and the 
soil rich. Cereals and trult are easily produced. 
A fine bed or limestone (seven to fifteen feet 
thick) crosses the middle ot tne county. It has 
been quarried and round weil adapted to building 
purposes. The county possesses an abundance of 
running water, much of wlilch is slightly im- 
pregnated with salt. The upper coal measure 
underlies the entire county, but the seam is 
scarcely more than two feet thick at any point. 
The chief industry is agriculture, though lumber 
is manufactured to some extent. Mount Vernon, 
the county -seat, was incorporated as a city in 1872. 
Its population in 1890 was 3,283. It has several 
manufactories and is the seat of the Appellate 
Court for the Southern Judicial District of the 
State. 

JEFFERT, Edward Turner, Railway President 
and Manager, born in Liverpool, Eng. , April 6, 
1843, his father being an engineer in tlie British 
navy ; about 1850 came with his widowed mother 
to Wheeling, Va., and, in 18.56, to Chicago, where 
he secured employment as office-boy in the 
machinery department of the Illinois Central 
Railroad. Here he finally became an apprentice 
and, passing through various grades of the me- 



chanical department, in May, 1877, became General 
Superintendent of the Road, and, in 1885, Gieneral 
Manager of the entire line. In 1889 he withdrew 
from the Illinois Central and, for several years 
past, has been President and General Manager of 
the Denver & Rio Grande Railway, with head- 
quarters at Denver, Colo. Mr. Jeffer3''s career as 
a railway man has been one of the most conspicu- 
ous and successful in the history of American 
railroads 

JEXKIXS, Alexander M., Lieutenant-Governor 
(1834-36), came to Illinois in his youth and located 
in Jackson County, being for a time a resident of 
Brownsville, the first county-seat of Jackson 
County, where he was engaged in trade. Later 
he studied law and became eminent in his pro- 
fession in Southern Illinois. In 1830 Mr. Jenkins 
was elected Representative in the Seventh General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1832, serving during 
his second term as Speaker of the House, and took 
part the latter year in the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. In 1834 Mr. Jenkins was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor at the same time 
with Governor Duncan, though on an opposing 
ticket, but resigned, in 1836, to become President 
of the first Illinois Central Railroad Company, 
which was chartered that year. Tlie charter of 
the road was surrendered in 1837, when the State 
had in contemplation the policy of building a 
system of roads at its own cost For a time he 
was Receiver of Public Moneys in the Land Office 
at Edwardsville. and, in 1847, was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that year. 
Other positions held by him included that of Jus- 
tice of the Circuit Court for the Third Judicial 
Circuit, to which he was elected in 1859, and 
re-elected in 1861, but died in oflSce, February 13, 
1864. Mr. Jenkins was an uncle of Gen. John A. 
Logan, who read law with him after his return 
from the Mexican War. 

JEXJfET, William Le Baron, engineer and 
architect, born at Fairhaven, Mass., Sept. 25, 
1832; was educated at Phillips Academy, An- 
dover, graduating in 1849; at 17 took a trip 
around the world, and, after a year spent in the 
Scientific Department of Harvard College, took a 
course in the Ecole Centrale des Artes et Manu- 
factures in Paris, graduating in 1856. He then 
served for a year as engineer on the Tehuantepec 
Railroad, and, in 1861, was made an Aid on the 
staff of General Grant, being transferred tlie next 
year to the staff of General Sherman, with whom 
he remained three years, participating in many 
of the most important battles of the war in the 
West. Later, he was engaged in the preparation 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



305 



of maps of General Sherman's campaigns, which 
were published in the "Memoirs" of the latter. 
In 1868 he located iu Cliicago, and has since given 
his attention almost solely to architecture, the 
result being seen in some of Chicago's most 
noteworthy buildings. 

JERSEY COUNTY, situated in the western 
portion of the middle division of the State, 
bordering on the Illinois and Jlississippi Rivers. 
Originally a part of Greene County, it was sepa- 
rately organized in 1839, with an area of 360 square 
miles. There were a few settlers in the county 
as early as 1816-17 Jersey ville, the county-seat, 
was platted in 1834, a majority of the early resi- 
dents being natives of, or at least emigrants from. 
New Jersey. The mild climate, added to the 
character of the soil, is especially adapted to 
fruit-growing and stock-raising The census of 
1900 gave the population of the county as 14,612 
and of Jersey ville, 3,517. Grafton, near the 
junction of the Mississippi with the Illinois, had 
a population of 927. The last mentioned town is 
noted for its stone quarries, which employ a 
number of men. 

JERSEYVILLE, a city and county -seat of Jer- 
sey County, the point of junction of the Chicago 
& Alton and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railways, 19 miles north of Alton and 45 miles 
north of St. Louis, Mc. The city is in an agri 
cultural district, but has manufactories of flour, 
plows, carriages and wagons, shoe factory and 
watch-making machinery. It contains a hand- 
some courthouse, completed in 1894, nine 
churches, a graded public school, besides a sej)- 
arate school for colored children, a convent, 
library, telephone system, electric lights, artesian 
wells, and three papers. Population (1890), 3,807; 
(1900), 3,517; (1903, est.), 4,117. 

JO DAVIESS COUNTY, situated in the north- 
west corner of the State ; has an area of 663 square 
miles; population (1900), 24,533. It was first 
explored by Le Seuer, who reported the discovery 
of lead in 1700. Another Frenchman (Bouthil- 
lier) was the first permanent white settler, locat- 
ing on the site of the present city of Galena in 
1820. About the same time came several Ameri- 
can families ; a trading post was established, and 
the hamlet was known as Fredericks' Point, so 
called after one of the pioneers. In 1823 the 
Government reserved from settlement a tract 10 
miles square along the Jlississippi, with a view of 
controlling the mining interest. In 1823 mining 
privileges were granted upon a royalty of one- 
sixth, and the first smelting furnace was erected 
the same year. Immigration increased rapidly 



and, inside of three years, the "Point" had a popu- 
lation of 150, and a post-oiBce was established 
with a fortnightly mail to and from Vandalia, 
then the State capital. In 1827 county organiza- 
tion was effected, the county being named in 
honor of Gen. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, who was 
killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe. The original 
tract, however, has been subdivided until it now 
constitutes nine counties. The settlers took an 
active part in both the Winnebago and Black 
Hawk Wars. In 1846-47 the mineral lands were 
placed on the market by the Government, and 
quickly taken by corporations and individuals. 
The scenery is varied, and the soil (particularly 
iu the east) well suited to the cultivation of 
grain. The county is well wooded and well 
watered, and thoroughly drained by the Fever 
and Apple Rivers. The name Galena was given 
to the county-seat (originally, as has been said, 
Fredericks' Point) by Lieutenant Thomas, Gov- 
ernment Surveyor, in 1827, in which year it was 
platted. Its general appearance is picturesque. 
Its early growth was extraordinary, but later 
(particularly after the growth of Chicago) it 
received a set-back. In 1841 it claimed 2,000 
population and was incorporated , in 1870 it had 
about 7,000 population, and, in 1900, 5,005. The 
names of Grant, Rawlins and E. B. Washburne 
are associated with its history. Other important 
towns in the county are Warren (population 
1,327), East Dubuque (1,146) and Elizabeth (659). 

JOHNSON, Caleb C, lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Whiteside Coimty, 111. , May 23, 1844, 
educated iu the common scliools and at the 
Military Academy at Fulton, 111. ; served during 
the Civil War in the Sixty-ninth and One Hun- 
dred and Fortieth Regiments Illinois Volunteers ; 
in 1877 was admitted to the bar and, two years 
later, began practice. He has served upon the 
Board of Township Supervisors of Whiteside 
County; in 1884 was elected to the House of 
Representatives of the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly, was re-elected in 1886, and again in 
1896. He also held the position of Deputy Col- 
lector of Internal Revenue for his District during 
the first Cleveland administration, and was a 
delegate to the Democratic National Convention 
of 1888. 

JOHNSON, (Rev.) Herrick, clergyman and 
educator, was born near Fonda, N. Y., Sept. 21, 
1832; graduated at Hamilton College, 1857, and 
at Auburn Theological Seminary, 1860 ; held Pres- 
byterian pastorates in Troy, Pittsburg and Phila- 
delphia; in 1874 became Professor of Homiletics 
and Pastoral Theology in Auburn Theological 



306 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Seminary, and, in 1880, accepted a pastorate in 
Chicago, also becoming Lecturer on Sacred Rhet- 
oric in McCormick Theological Seminary. In 
1883 he resigned his pastorate, devoting his atten- 
tion thereafter to the duties of his professorship. 
He was Moderator of the Presbyterian General 
Assembly at Springfield, in 1882, and has served 
as President, for many years, of the Presbyterian 
Church Board of Aid for Colleges, and of the 
Board of Trustees of Lake Forest University, 
Besides many periodical articles, he has published 
several volumes on religious subjects. 

JOHNSON, Hosmer A,, M.D., LL.D., physi- 
cian, was born near Buffalo, N Y., Oct. 6, 1822; 
at twelve removed to a farm in Lapeer County, 
Mich. In spite of limited school privileges, at 
eighteen he secured a teachers' (lertificate, and, 
by teaching in the winter and attending an 
academy in the summer, prepared for college, 
entering the University of Michigan in 1846 and 
graduating in 1849. In 18.50 he became a student 
of medicine at Rush Medical College in Chicago, 
graduating in 18.52, and the same year becoming 
Secretary of the Cook County Medical Society, 
and, the year following, associate editor of "'The 
Illinois Medical and Surgical Journal." For 
three years he was a member of the faculty of 
Rush, but, in 18.58, resigned to become one of the 
founders of a new medical school, which has now 
become a part of Northwestern University. 
During the Civil War, Dr. Johnson was Chair- 
man of the State Board of Medical Examiners; 
later serving upon the Board of Health of Chi- 
cago, and upon the National Board of Health. He 
was also attending physician of Cook County 
Hospital and consulting physician of the Chicago 
Charitable Eye and Ear Infirmary. At the time 
of the great fire of 1871, he was one of the Direct- 
ors of the Chicago Relief and Aid Society. His 
connections with local, State and National Soci- 
eties and organizations (medical, scientific, social 
and otherwise) were very numerous. He trav- 
eled] extensively, both in this country and in 
Europe, during his visits to the latter devoting 
much time to the study of foreign sanitary con- 
ditions, and making further attainments in medi- 
cine and surgery. In 1883 the degree of LL.D. 
was conferred upon him by Northwestern Uni- 
versity. During his later years. Dr. Johnson was 
engaged almost wholly in consultations. Died, 
Feb. 26, 1891. 

JOHNSON COUNTY, lies in the southern por- 
tion of the State, and is one of the smallest 
counties, having an area of onlj' 340 square miles, 
and a population (1900) of 15,667— named for CoL 



Richard M. Johnson. Its organization dates back 
to 1812. A dividing ridge (forming a sort of 
water shed) extends from east to west, the 
waters of the Cache and Bay Rivers running 
south, and those of the Big Muddy and Saline 
toward the north. A minor coal seam of variable 
thickness (perhaps a spur from the regular coal- 
measures) crops out here and there. Sandstone 
and limestone are abundant, and, under cliffs 
along the bluffs, saltpeter has been obtained in 
small quantities. Weak copperas springs are 
numerous. The soil is rich, the principal crops 
being wheat, corn and tobacco. Cotton is raised 
for home consumption and fruit-culture receives 
some attention. Vienna is the county-seat, with 
a population, in 1890, of 828. 

JOHNSTON, Noah, pioneer and banker, was 
born in Hardy County, Va., Dec. 20, 1799, and, 
at the age of 12 years, emigrated with his father 
to Woodford County, Ky. In 1824 he removed 
to Indiana, and. a few years later, to Jefferson 
County, 111., where he began farming. He sub- 
sequently engaged in merchandising, but proving 
unfortunate, turned his attention to politics, 
serving first as Coiinty Commissioner and then as 
County Clerk. In 1838 he was elected to the 
State Senate for the counties of Hamilton and 
Jefferson, serving four years; was Enrolling and 
Engrossing Clerk of the Senate during the session 
of 1844-45, and, in 1846, elected Representative in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly. The following 
year he was made Paj-master in the United States 
Army, serving through the Mexican War; in 
1852 served with Abraham Lincoln and Judge 
Hugh T. Dickey of Chicago, on a Commission 
appointed to investigate claims against the State 
for the construction of the Illinois & Michisan 
Canal, and, in 1854, was appointed Clerk of the 
Supreme Court for the Third Division, being 
elected to the same position in 1861. Other posi- 
tions held by him included those of Deputy United 
States Marshal under the administration of Presi- 
dent Polk, Commissioner to superintend the con- 
struction of the Supreme Court Building at Mount 
Vernon, and Postmaster of that city. He was 
also elected Representative again in 1866. The 
later years of his life were spent as President of 
the Mount Vernon National Bank. Died, No- 
vember, 1891, in his 92d year. 

JOLIET, the county-seat of Will County, situ- 
ated in the Des Plaines River Valley, 36 miles 
southwest of Chicago, on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and the intersecting point of five lines of 
railway. A good quality of calcareous building 
stone underlies the entire region, and is exten- 



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O 




HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



30'- 



sively quarried. ravel, sand, and clay are also 
easily obtained in considerable quantities. 
Within twenty miles are productive coal mines. 
The Northern Illinois Penitentiary and a female 
penal institute stand just outside the city limits 
on the north. Joliet is an important manufac- 
turing center, the census of 1900 crediting the 
city with 455 establishments, having §15,452,186 
capital, employing 6,523 hands, paying $3,957,529 
wages and §17,891,836 for raw material, turning 
out an annual product valued at §27,765, 104. The 
leading industries are the manufacture of foundry 
and machine-shop products, engines, agricultural 
implements, pig-iron. Bessemer steel, steel 
bridges, rods, tin cans, wallpaper, matches, beer, 
saddles, paint, furniture, pianos, and stoves, 
besides quarrying and stone cutting. The Chi- 
cago Drainage Canal supplies valuable water- 
power. The city has many handsome public 
buildings and private residences, among the 
former being four high schools. Government 
pnstoffice building, two public libraries, and two 
public hospitals. It also has two public and two 
school parks. Population (1880), 11,6.57; (1890), 
23,2.54, (including suburbs), 34,473; (1900), 29,353. 

JOLIET, AURORA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway.) 

JOLIET, Louis, a French explorer, born at 
Quebec, Canada, Sept. 21, 1645, educated at the 
Jesuits' College, and early engaged in the fur- 
trade. In 1669 he was sent to investigate the 
copper mines on Lake Superior, but his most 
important service began in 1673, when Frontenao 
commissioned him to explore. Starting from the 
missionary station of St. Ignace, with Father 
Marquette, he went up the Fox River within the 
present State of Wisconsin and down the Wis- 
consin to the Mississippi, which he descended as 
far as the mouth of the Arkansas. He was the 
first to discover that the Mississippi flows to the 
Gulf rather than to the Pacific. He returned to 
Green Bay via the Illinois River, and (as believed) 
the sites of the present cities of Joliet and Chicago. 
Although later appointed royal hydrographer 
and given the island of Antioosti, he never 
revisited the Mississippi. Some historians assert 
that this was largely due to the influential jeal- 
ou.sy of La Salle. Died, in Canada, in May, 1700. 

JOLIET & BLUE ISLAND RAILWAY, con 
stituting a part of and operated by the Calumet 
& Blue Island— a belt line, 21 miles in length, of 
standard gauge and laid with 60-lb. steel rails. 
The company provides terminal facilities at Joliet, 
although originally projected to merely run from 
that city to a connection with the Calumet & 



Blue Island Railway. The capital stock author- 
ized and paid in is .$100,000. The company's 
general offices are in Chicago. 

JOLIET & NORTHERN INDIANA. RAIL- 
ROAD, a road running from Lake, Ind., to Joliet, 
111., 45 miles (of which 29 miles are in Illinois), 
and leased in perpetuity, from Sept. 7, 1854 (the 
date of completion); to the Michigan Central Rail- 
road Company, which owns nearly all its stock. 
Its capital stock is $300,000, and its funded debt, 
$80,000. Other forms of indebtedness swell the 
total amount of capital invested (1895) to $1,- 
143,201. Total earnings and income in Illinois in 
1894, $89,017; total expenditures, $62,370. (See 
Michigan Central Railroad.) 

JONES, Alfred M., politician and legislator, 
was born in Xew Hampshire, Feb. 5, 1837, brought 
to McHenry County, 111., at 10 years of age, and, 
at 16, began life in the pineries and engaged in 
rafting on the Mississippi. Then, after two 
winters in school at Rockford, and a short season 
in teaching, he spent a year in the book and 
jewelry bxisiness at Warren, Jo Daviess County. 
The following year (1858) he made a trip to Pike'a 
Peak, but meeting disappointment in his expec- 
tations in regard to mining, returned almost 
immediately. The next few years were spent in 
various occupations, including law and real 
estate business, until 1872, when he was elected 
to the Twenty-eighth General Assembly, f,nd 
re-elected two years later. Other positions 
successively held by him were those of Commis- 
sioner of the Joliet Penitentiary, Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Sterling District, and 
United States Marshal for the Northern District 
of Illinois. He was, for fourteen years, a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, dur- 
ing twelve years of that period being its chair- 
man. Since 1885, Mr. Jones has been manager 
of the Bethesda Mineral Springs at Waukesha, 
Wis., but has found time to make his mark in 
Wisconsin politics also. 

JONES, John Rice, first English lawyer in Illi- 
nois, was born in Wales, Feb. 11, 1759; educated 
at Oxford in medicine and law, and, after prac- 
ticing the latter in London for a short time, came 
to America in 1784, spending two years in Phila- 
delphia, where he made the acquaintance of 
Dr. Benjamin Rush and Benjamin Franklin; in 
1786, having reached the Falls of the Ohio, he 
joined Col. George Rogers Clark's expedition 
against the Indians on the Wabash. This having 
partially failed through the discontent and 
desertion of the troops, he remained at Vincennes 
four years, part of the time as Commissary- 



308 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General of the garrison there. In 1790 he went to 
Kaskaskia, but eleven years later returned to Vin- 
cennes, being commissioned the same year by 
Gov. William Henry Harrison, Attorney-General 
of Indiana Territory, and, in 1805, becoming a 
member of the first Legislative Council. He was 
Secretary of the convention at Vincennes, in 
December, 1802, which memorialized Congress to 
suspend, for ten years, the article in the Ordi- 
nance of 1787 forbidding slavery in the Northwest 
Territory. In 1808 he removed a second time to 
Kaskaskia, remaining two years, when he located 
within the present limits of the State of Missouri 
(then the Territory of Louisiana), residing suc- 
cessively at St. Genevieve, St. Louis and Potosi, 
at the latter place acquiring large interests in 
mineral lands. He became prominent in Mis- 
souri politics, served as a member of the Conven- 
tion which framed the first State Constitution, 
was a prominent candidate for United States 
Senator before the first Legislature, and finally 
elected by the same a Justice of the Supreme 
Court, dying in office at St. Louis, Feb. 1, 1824. 
He appears to have enjoyed an extensive practice 
among the early residents, as shown by the fact 
that, the year of his return to Kaskaskia, he paid 
taxes on more than 16,000 acres of land in Monroe 
County, to say nothing of his possessions about 
Vincennes and his subsequent acquisitions in 
Missouri. He also prepared the first revision of 
laws for Indiana Territory when Illinois com- 
posed a part of it. — Rice (Jones), son of the pre- 
ceding by a first marriage, was born in Wales, 
Sept. 28, 1781; came to America with his par- 
ents, and was educated at Transylvania University 
and the University of Pennsylvania, taking a 
medical degree at the latter, but later studying 
law at Litchfield, Conn., and locating at Kaskas- 
kia in 1806. Described as a young man of brilliant 
talents, he took a prominent part in politics and, 
at a special election held in September, 1808, was 
elected to the Indiana Territorial Legislature, by 
the party known as "Divisionists" — i. e., in favor 
of the division of the Territory— which proved 
successful in the organization of Illinois Territory 
the following year. Bitterness engendered in 
this contest led to a challenge from Shadrach 
Bond (afterwards first Governor of the State)^ 
which Jones accepted; but the affair was ami- 
cably adjusted on the field without an exchange of 
shots. One Dr. James Dunlap, who had been 
Bond's second, expressed dissatisfaction with the 
settlement; a bitter factional fight was main- 
tained between the friends of the respective 
parties, ending in the assassination of Jones, who 



was shot by Dunlap on the street in Kaskaskia, 
Dec. 7, 1808 — Jones dying in a few minutes, 
while Dunlap fled, ending his days in Texas. — 
(Jen. John Rice (Jones), Jr., another son, was 
born at Kaskaskia, Jan. 8, 1792, served under 
Capt. Henry Dodge in the War of 1812, and, in 
1831, went to Texas, where he bore a conspicuous 
part in securing the independence of that State 
from Mexico, dying there in 1845— the year of its 
annexation to the United States. — George 
Wallace (Jones), fourth son of John Rice Jones 
(1st), was born at Vincennes, Indiana Territory, 
April 12, 1804; graduated at Transylvania Uni- 
versity, in 1825; served as Clerk of the United 
States District Court in Missouri in 1826, and as 
Aid to Gen. Dodge in the Black Hawk War; in 
1834 was elected Delegate in Congress from 
Michigan Territory (then including the present 
States of Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa), later 
serving two terms as Delegate from Iowa Terri- 
tory, and, on its admission as a State, being elected 
one of the first United States Senators and re- 
elected in 1852; in 1859, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Buchanan Minister to Bogota, Colombia^ 
but recalled in 1861 on account of a letter to 
Jefferson Davis expressing sympathy with the 
cause of the South, and was imprisoned for two 
months in Fort Lafayette. In 1888 he was the sec- 
ond of Senator Cilley in the famous Cilley-Graves 
duel near Washington, which resulted in the 
death of the former. After his retirement from 
office. General Jones' residence was at Dubuque, 
Iowa, where he died, July 22, 1896, in the 93d 
year of his age. 

JONES, Michael, early politician, was a Penn- 
sylvanian by birth, who came to Illinois in Terri- 
torial days, and, as early as 1809, was Register of 
the Land Office at Kaskaskia; afterwards 
removed to Shawneetown and represented 
Gallatin County as a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818 and as Senator in the 
first four General Assemblies, and also as Repre- 
sentative in the Eighth. He was a candidate for 
United States Senator in 1819, but was defeated 
by Governor Edwards, and was a Presidential 
Elector in 1820. He is represented to have been a 
man of considerable ability but of bitter passions, 
a supporter of the scheme for a pro-slavery con- 
stitution and a bitter opponent of Governor 
Edwards. 

JO>'ES, J. Russell, capitalist, was born at 
Conneaut, Ashtabula County, Ohio, Feb. 17, 1823 ; 
after spending two years as clerk in a store in his 
native town, came to Chicago in 1838; spent the 
next two years at Rockton, when he accepted a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



309 



clerkship in a leading mercantile establishment 
at Galena, finally being advanced to a partner- 
ship, which was dissolved in 1856. In 1860 he 
was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
the Twenty-second General Assembly, and, in 
March following, was appointed by President 
Lincoln United States Marshal for the Northern 
District of Illinois. In 1869, by appointment of 
President Grant, he became Minister to Belgium, 
remaining in office until 1875, when he resigned 
and returned to Chicago. Subsequently he 
declined the position of Secretary of the Interior, 
but was appointed Collector of the Port of Chi- 
cago, from which he retired in 1888. Mr. Jones 
served as member of the National Republican 
Committee for Illinois in 1868. In 1863 he organ- 
ized the West Division Street Railway, laying 
the foundation of an ample fortune. 

JONES, William, pioneer merchant, was born 
at Charlemont, Mass., Oct. 22, 1789, but spent his 
boyhood and earlj- manhood in New York State, 
ultimately locating at Buffalo, where he engaged 
in business as a grocer, and also held various 
public positions. In 1831 he made a tour of 
observation westward by way of Detroit, finally 
reaching Fort Dearborn, which he again visited 
in 1832 and in '33, making small investments each 
time in real estate, which afterwards appreciated 
immensely in value. In 1834, in partnership 
with Byram King of Buffalo, Mr. Jones engaged 
in the stove and hardware business, founding in 
Chicago the firm of Jones & King, and the next 
year brought his family. While he never held 
any important public office, he was one of the 
most prominent of those early residents of Chicago 
through whose enterprise and public spirit the 
city was made to prosper. He held the office of 
Justice of the Peace, served in the City Council, 
was one of the founders of the city fire depart- 
ment, served for twelve years (1840-52) on the 
Board of School Inspectors (for a considerable 
time as its President), and contributed liberally 
to the cause of education, including gifts of 
§50,000 to the old Chicago University, of which 
lie was a Trustee and, for some time. President of 
its Executive Committee. Died, Jan. 18, 1868. — 
Fernando (Jones), son of the preceding, was born 
at Forest ville, Chautauqua County, N. Y., Maj' 
26, 1820, having, for some time in his boyhood, 
Millard Fillmore (afterwards President) as his 
teacher at Buffalo, and, .still later, Reuben E. Fen- 
ton (afterwards Governor and a United States 
Senator) as classmate. After coming to Chicago, 
in 1835. he was employed for some time as a clerk 
in Government offices and by the Trustees of the 



Illinois & Michigan Canal; spent a season at 
Canandaigua Academy, N. Y. ; edited a periodical 
at Jackson, Mich., for a year or two, but finally 
coming to Chicago, opened an abstract and title 
office, in which he was engaged at the time of the 
fire of 1871, and which, by consolidation with two 
other firms, became the foundation of the Title 
Guarantee and Trust Company, which still plays 
an important part in the real-estate business of 
Chicago. Mr. Jones has held various public posi- 
tions, including that of Trustee of the Hospital 
for the Insane at Jacksonville, and has for years 
been a Trustee of the University of Chicago.-Kiler 
Kent (Jones), another son, was one of the found- 
ers of "The Gem of the Prairies'" newspaper, out 
of which grew "The Chicago Tribune"; was for 
many years a citizen of Quincy, 111., and promi- 
nent member of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and, for a time, one of the publishers 
of "The Prairie Farmer." Died, in Quincy, 
August 20, 1886. 

JONESBORO, the county -seat of Union County, 
situated about a mile west of the line of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad. It is some 30 miles north 
of Cairo, with wliicli it is connected by the Mobile 
& Ohio R. R. It stands in the center of a fertile 
territory, largely devoted to fruit-growing, and is 
an important shipping-point for fruit and early 
vegetables; has a silica mill, pickle factory and a 
bank. There are also four churches, and one 
weekly newspaper, as well as a graded school. 
Population (!900). 1,130. 

JOSLY\, Merritt L., lawyer, was born in 
Livingston Coxmty, N. Y., in 1827, came to Illi- 
nois in 1839, his father settling in SIcHenry 
County, where the son, on arriving at manhood, 
engaged in the practice of the law. The latter 
became prominent in political circles and, in 
1856, was a Buchanan Presidential Elector. On 
the breaking out of the war he allied himself 
with the Republican part}' ; served as a Captain 
in the Thirty -sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
and, in 1864, was elected to the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly from McHenry County, later 
serving as Senator during the sessions of the 
Thirtieth and Thirty-first Assemblies (1876-80). 
After the death of President Garfield, he was 
appointed by President Arthur Assistant Secre- 
tary of the Interior, serving to the close of the 
administration. Returning to his home at Wood- 
stock, 111., he resumed the practice of his profes- 
sion, and, since 1889, has discharged the duties of 
Master in Chancer}- for McHenry County. 

JOUETT, Charles, Chicago's first lawyer, was 
born in Virginia in 1772, studied law at Charlottes- 



310 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



vUle in that State; in 1803 was appointed by 
President Jefferson Indian Agent at Detroit and, 
in 1805, acted as Commissioner in conducting a 
treaty with the Wyandottes, Ottawas and other 
Indians of Northwestern Ohio and Michigan at 
Maumee City, Ohio. In the fall of the latter year 
he was appointed Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, 
serving there until the year before the Fort Dear- 
born Massacre. Removing to Mercer County, 
Ky., in 1811, he was elected to a Judgeship there, 
but, in 1815, was reappointed by President Madi- 
son Indian Agent at Fort Dearborn, remaining 
until 1818, when he again returned to Kentucky. 
In 1819 he was appointed to a United States 
Judgeship in the newlj- organized Territory of 
Arkansas, but remained only a few months, when 
he resumed his residence in Kentucky, dying 
there. May 28, 1834. 
JOURNALISM, {See Newspapers, Early.) 
JUDD, Norman Buel, lawyer, legislator. For- 
eign Minister, was born at Rome, N. Y., Jan. 10, 
1815, where he read law and was admitted to the 
bar. In 1836 he removed to Cliicago and com- 
menced practice in the (then) frontier settle- 
ment. He early rose to a position of prominence 
and influence in public affairs, holding various 
municipal offices and being a member of the 
State Senate from 1844 to 1860 continuously. In 
1860 he was a Delegate-at-large to the Republican 
National Convention, and, in 1861, President Lin- 
coln appointed him Minister Plenipotentiary to 
Prussia, where he represented this country for 
four years. He was a warm personal friend of 
Lincoln, and accompanied him on his memorable 
journey from Springfield to Washington in 1861. 
In 18T0 he was elected to the Forty-first Congress. 
Died, at Chicago, Nov. 10, 1878. 

JUDD, S. Corning, lawyer and politician, born 
in Onondaga County, N. Y., July 21, 1827; was 
educated at Aurora Academy, taught for a time in 
Canada and was admitted to the bar in New York 
in 1848; edited "The Syracuse Daily Star" in 1849, 
and, in 1850, accepted a position in the Interior 
Department in Washington. Later, he resumed 
his place upon "The Star," but, in 1854, removed 
to Lewistown, Fulton County, 111., and began 
practice with his brother-in-law, the late W. C. 
Goudy. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, entering 
into partnership with William Fitzhugh White- 
house, son of Bishop Whitehouse, and became 
prominent in connection with some ecclesiastical 
trials which followed. In 1860 he was a Demo- 
cratic candidate for Presidential Elector and, 
during the war, was a determined opponent of 
the war policy of the Government, as such mak- 



ing an unsuccessful campaign for Lieutenant- 
Governor in 1864. In 1885 he was appointed 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving until 
1889. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 22, 1895. 

JUDICIAL SYSTEM, THE. The Constitution 
of 1818 vested the judicial power of the State in 
one Supreme Court, and such inferior courts as 
the Legislature might establish. The former 
consisted of one Chief Justice and three Associ- 
ates, appointed by joint ballot of the Legislature ; 
but, until 1825, when a new act went into effect, 
they were required to perform circuit duties in 
the several counties, while exercising appellate 
jurisdiction in their united capacity. In 1824 the 
Legislature divided the State into five circuits, 
appointing one Circuit Judge for eacli, but, two 
years later, these were legislated out of office, and 
circuit court duty again devolved upon the 
Supreme Judges, the State being divided into 
four circuits. In 1829 a new act authorized the 
appointment of one Circuit Judge, who was 
assigned to duty in the territory northwest of the 
Illinois River, the Supreme Justices continuing 
to perform circuit duty in the four other circuits. 
This arrangement continued until 1835, vrhen the 
State was divided into six judicial circuits, and, 
five additional Circuit Judges having been 
elected, the Supreme Judges were again relieved 
from circuit court service. After this no mate- 
rial changes occurred except in the increase of the 
number of circuits until 1841, the whole number 
then being nine. At this time political reasons 
led to an entire reorganization of the courts. An 
act passed Feb. 10, 1841, repealed all laws author- 
izing the election of Circuit Judges, and provided 
for the appointment of five additional Associate 
Judges of the Supreme Court, making nine in 
all; and, for a third time, circuit duties devolved 
upon the Supreme Court Judges, the State being 
divided at the same time into nine circuits. 

By the adoption of the Constitution of 1848 the 
judiciary system underwent an entire change, all 
judicial officers being made elective by the 
people. The Constitution provided for a Supreme 
Court, consisting of three Judges, Circuit Courts. 
County Courts, and courts to be held by Justices 
of the Peace. In addition to these, the Legisla- 
ture had the power to create inferior civil and 
criminal courts in cities, but only upon a uniform 
plan. For the election of Supreme Judges, the 
State was divided into three Grand Judicial Divi- 
sions. The Legislature might, however, if it saw 
fit, provide for the election of all three Judges on 
a general ticket, to be voted throughout the 
State-at-large ; but this power was never exer- 



IIISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



311 



cised. Appeals lay from the Circuit Courts to the 
Supreme Court for the particular division in 
which the county might be located, although, by 
unanimous consent of all parties in interest, an 
appeal might be transferred to another district. 
Nine Circuit Courts were established, but the 
number might be increased at the discretion of 
the General Assembly. Availing itself of its 
constitutional power and providing for the needs 
of a rapidly growing community, the Legislature 
gradually increased the number of circuits to 
thirty. The term of office for Supreme Court 
Judges was nine, and, for Circuit Judges, six 
years. Vacancies were to be filled by popular 
election, unless the unexpired term of the 
deceased or retiring incumbent was less than one 
year, in which case the Governor was authorized 
to appoint. Circuit Courts were vested with 
appellate jiu-isdiction from inferior tribunals, and 
each was required to hold at least two terms 
annually in each county, as might be fixed by 
statute. 

The Constitution of 1870, without changing the 
mode of election or term of office, made several 
changes adapted to altered conditions. As 
regards the Supreme Court, the three Grand 
Divisions were retained, but the number of 
Judges was increased to seven, chosen from a like 
number of districts, but sitting together to con- 
stitute a full court, of which four members con- 
stitute a quorum. A Chief Justice is chosen by 
the Court, and is usually one of the Judges 
nearing the expiration of his term. The minor 
officers include a Reporter of Decisions, and one 
Clerk in each Division. By an act passed in 1897, 
the three Supreme Court Divisions were consoli- 
dated in one, the Court being required to hold its 
sittings in Springfield, and hereafter only one 
Clerk will be elected instead of three as hereto- 
fore. The salaries of Justices of the Supreme 
Court are fixed by law at S5,000 each. 

The State was divided in 1873 into twenty-seven 
circuits (Cook County being a circuit by itself), 
and one or more terms of the circuit court are 
required to be held each year in each county in 
the State. The jurisdiction of the Circuit Courts 
is both original and appellate, and includes mat- 
ters civil and criminal, in law and in equity. 
The Judges are elected by districts, and hold office 
for six years In 1877 the State was divided into 
thirteen judicial circuits (exclusive of Cook 
County), but without reducing the number of 
Judges (twenty-sixl already in office, and the 
election of one additional Judge (to serve two 
years) was ordered in each district, thus increas- 



ing the number of Judges to thirty-nine. Again 
in 1897 the Legislature passed an act increasing 
the number of judicial circuits, exclusive of Cook 
Count}-, to seventeen, while the number of 
Judges in each circuit remained the same, so 
that the whole number of Judges elected that 
year outside of Cook County was fifty-one. The 
salaries of Circuit Judges are S3. 500 per year, 
except in Cook County, where they are $7,000. 
The Constitution also provided for the organiza- 
tion of Appellate Courts after the year 1874, hav- 
ing uniform jurisdiction in districts created for 
that purpose. These courts are a connecting 
link between the Circuit and the Supreme Courts, 
and greatly relieve the crowded calendar of the 
latter. In 1877 the Legislature established four 
of these tribunals: one for the County of Cook; 
one to include all the Northern Grand Division 
except Cook County; the third to embrace the 
Central Grand Division, and the fourth the South- 
ern. Each Appellate Court is held by three Cir- 
cuit Court Judges, named by the Judges of the 
Supreme Court, each assignment covering three 
years, and no Judge either allowed to receive 
extra compensation or sit in review of his own 
rulings or decisions. Two terms are held in each 
District every year, and these courts have no 
original jurisdiction. 

Cook County. — The judicial system of Cook 
County is different from that of the rest of the 
State. The Constitution of 1870 made the county . 
an independent district, and exempted it from 
being subject to any subsequent redistricting. 
The bench of the Circuit Court in Cook County, 
at first fixed at five Judges, has been increased 
under the Constitution to fourteen, who receive 
additional compensation from the count}' treas- 
ury. The Legislature has the constitutional 
right to increase the number of Judges according 
to population. In 1849 the Legislature estab- 
lished the Cook County Court of Common Pleas. 
Later, this became the Superior Court of Cook 
County, which now (1898) consists of thirteen 
Judges. For this court there exists the same 
constitutional provision relative to an increase of 
Judges as in the case of the Circuit Court of Cook 
County. 

JUDY, Jacob, pioneer, a native of Switzer- 
land, who, having come to the United States at 
an early day, remained some years m Slaryland, 
when, in 1786, he started west, spending two 
j'ears near Louisville, Ky., finally arriving at 
Kaskaskia, 111., in 1788. In 1792 he removed to 
New Design, in Monroe County, and, in 1800, 
located within the present limits of Madison 



312 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County, where he died in 1807. — Samael (Judy), 
son of the preceding, born August 19, 1773, was 
brought by his father to Illinois in 1788, and after- 
wards became prominent in political affairs and 
famous as an Indian fighter. On the organization 
of Madison County he became one of the first 
County Commissioners, serving many years. He 
also commanded a body of "Rangers" in the 
Indian campaigns during the War of 1813, gain- 
ing the title of Colonel, and served as a member 
from Madison. County in the Second Territorial 
Council (1814-15). Previous to 1811 he built the 
first brick house within the limits of Madison 
County, which still stood, not many years since, 
a few miles from Edwardsville. Colonel Judy 
died in 1S38. — Jacob (Judy), eldest son of Samuel, 
was Register of the Land Office at Edwardsville, 
184.5-49. — Thomas (Judy), younger son of Samuel, 
was born, Dec. 19, 1804, and represented Madison 
County in the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(1852-54). His death occurred Oct. 4, 1880. 

JUDY, James William, soldier, was born in 
Clark County, Ky., May 8, 1823— his ancestors 
on his father's side being from Switzerland, and 
those on his mother's from Scotland ; grew up on 
a farm and, in 1853, removed to Menard County, 
111. , where he has since resided. In August, 1862, 
he enlisted as a private soldier, was elected Cap- 
tain of his company, and, on its incorporation as 
part of the One Hundred and Fourteenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Volunteers at Camp Butler, was 
chosen Colonel by acclamation. The One Hun- 
dred and Fourteentli, as part of the Fifteenth 
Army Corjis under command of that brilliant 
soldier. Gen. Wm. T. Slierman, was attached to 
the Army of the Tennessee, and took part in the 
entire siege of Vicksburg, from May, 1863, to the 
surrender on the 3d of July following. It also 
participated in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and 
numerous other engagements. After one j^ear's 
service. Colonel Judy was compelled to resign by 
domestic affliction, having lost two children by 
death within eight days of each other, while 
others of his family were dangerousl_v ill. Ou 
his retirement from the army, he became deeply 
interested in thorough-bred cattle, and is now the 
most noted stock auctioneer in the United States 
— having, in the past thirty years, sold more 
thorough-bred cattle than any other man living 
— his operations extending from Canada to Cali- 
fornia, and from Minnesota to Texas. Colonel 
Judy was elected a member of the State Board of 
A.griculture in 1874, and so remained continu- 
ously until 1896 — except two j-ears — also serving 
as President of the Board from 1894 to 1896. He 



bore a conspicuous part in securing the location 
of the State Fair at Springfield in 1894, and the 
improvements there made under his administra- 
tion have not been paralleled in any other State. 
Originally, and up to 1856, an old-line Whig, 
Colonel Judy has since been an ardent Repub- 
lican ; and though active in political campaigns. 
has never held a political office nor desired one, 
being content with the discharge of his duty as a 
patriotic private citizen. 

KAXA\, Michael F., soldier and legislator, was 
born in Essex County, N. Y., in November, 1837, 
at twenty years of age removed to !JIacon County, 
111., and engaged in farming. Dm'ing the Civil 
War he enlisted in the Forty-first Illinois Volun- 
teers (Col. I. C. Pugh's regiment), serving nearly 
four years and retiring with the rank of Captain. 
After the war he served six years as Mayor of the 
city of Decatur. In 1894 he was elected State 
Senator, serving in the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth 
General Assemblies. Captain Kanan was one of 
the founders of the Grand Army of the Republic, 
and a member of the first Post of the order ever 
established — that at Decatur. 

KANE, a village of Greene County, on the 
Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railway, 40 miles south of Jacksonville. It has 
a bank and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
408; (1890), 551; (1900), 588. 

KAXE, Elias Kent, early United States Sena- 
tor, issaid byLanman's "Dictionary of Congress"' 
to have been born in New York, June 7, 1796. 
The late Gen. Geo. W. Smith, of Chicago, a rela- 
tive of Senator Kane's by marriage, in a paper 
read before the Illinois State Bar Associatior 
(1895), rejecting other statements assigning the 
date of the Illinois Senator's birth to various 
years from 1786 to 1796, expresses the opinion, 
based on family letters, that he was really born 
in 1794. He was educated at Yale College, gradu- 
ating in 1813, read law in New York, and emi- 
grated to Tennessee in 1813 or early in 1814, but, 
before the close of the latter year, removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Kaskaskia. His abilities were 
recognized by his appointment, early in 1818, as 
Judge of the eastern circuit under the Territorial 
Government. Before the close of the same year 
he served as a member of the first State Consti- 
tutional Convention, and was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bond the first Secretary of State under the 
new State Government, but resigned on the 
accession of Governor Coles in 1823. Two years 
later he was elected to the General Assembly as 
Representative from Randolph County, but 



HISTORICAL EI^'^CYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



313 



resigned before the close of tlie year to accept a 
seat in the United States Senate, to which he was 
elected in 1824, and re-elected in 1830. Before 
the expiration of his second term (Dec. 13, 1835), 
having reached the age of a little more than 40 
years, he died in Washington, deeply mourned 
by his fellow-members of Congress and by his 
constituents. Senator Kane was a cousin of the 
distinguished Chancellor Kent of New York, 
through his mother's family, while, on his 
father's side, he was a relative of the celebrated 
Arctic explorer, Elisha Kent Kane. 

KA>'E COUNTY, one of the wealthiest and 
most progressive counties in the State, situated in 
the northeastern quarter. It has an area of 540 
square miles, and population (1900) of 7S,792; 
was named for Senator Elias Kent Kane. Tim- 
ber and water are abundant, Fox River flowing 
through the county from north to south. Immi- 
gration began in 1833, and received a new impetus 
in 1835, when the Pottawatomies were removed 
west of the Mississippi. A school was established 
in 1834, and a church organized in 1835. County 
organization was effected in June, 1836, and the 
public lands came on the market in 1843. The 
Civil War record of the county is more than 
creditable, the number of volunteers exceeding 
the assessed quota. Farming, grazing, manufac- 
turing and dairy industries chiefly engage the 
attention of the people. The county has many 
flourishing cities and towns. Geneva is the county- 
seat. (See Aurora, Dundee, Eldora, Elgin, Geneva 
and St. Charles.) 

KAXGLET, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincj' Railway, three 
miles northwest of Streator. There are several 
coal shafts here. Population (1900), 1,004. 

KA>'K.VKEE, a city and county-seat of Kanka- 
kee Count)', on Kankakee River and 111. Cent. 
Railroad, at intersection of tlie "Big Four" with 
the Indiana, 111. & Iowa Railroad, 56 miles south of 
Chicago. It is an agricultural and stock-raising 
region, near extensive coal fields and bog iron 
ore; has water-power, flour and paper mills, agri- 
cultural implement, furniture, and piano fac- 
tories, knitting and novelty works, besides two 
quarries of valuable building stone. The East- 
ern Hospital for the Insane is located here. 
There are four papers, four banks, five schools, 
water-works, gas and electric light, electi-ic car 
lines, and Government postoffice building. Popu- 
lation (1890). 9,025; (1900), 13,595. 

K.\NKAKEE COUNTY, a wealthy and popu- 
1. ais county in the northeast section of the State, 
having an area of 680 square miles — receiving its 



name from its principal river. It was set apart 
from Will and Iroquois Counties under the act 
passed in 1851, the owners of the site of the 
present city of Kankakee contributing $5,000 
toward the erection of county buildings. Agri- 
culture, manufacturing and coal-mining are the 
principal pursuits. The first white settler was 
one Noah Vasseur, a Frenchman, and the first 
American, Thomas Durham. Population (1880), 
25.047; (1890), 28,732; (1900), 37,154. 

KANKAKEE RIYER, a sluggish stream, rising 
in St. Joseph County, Ind., and fiowing west- 
southwest through English Lake and a flat marshy 
region, into Illinois. In Kankakee County it 
unites with the Iroquois from the south and the 
Des Plaines from the north, after the junction 
with the latter, taking the name of the Illinois. 

KANKAKEE & SENECA RAILROAD, a line 
lying wholly in Illinois, 42.08 miles in length. It 
has a capital stock of §10,000, bonded debt of 
§050,000 and other forms of indebtedness (1895) 
reaching §557, 629; total capitalization, §1,217,629. 
This road was chartered in 1881, and opened in 
1882. It connects with the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railroad, and the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific, and is owned jointly by 
these two lines, but operated by the former (See 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago <fc St. Louis Rail- 
road.) 

KANSAS, a village in Edgar County, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago & Ohio River Railways, 156 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, 104 miles west of Indian- 
apolis, 13 miles east of Charleston and 11 miles 
west-southwest of Paris. The surrounding region 
is agricultural and stock-raising. Kansas has tile 
works, two grain elevators, a canning factory, 
and railwaj" machine shops, beside four churches, 
a collegiate institute, a National bank and a 
weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 723; (1890), 
1,037; (1900), 1,049. 

K.\SKASKIA, a village of the Illinois Indians, 
and later a French trading post, first occupied in 
1700. It passed into the hands of the British 
after the French-Indian War in 1765, and was 
captured by Col. George Rogers Clark, at the head 
of a force of Virginia troops, in 1778. (See Clark, 
George Rogers.) At that time the white inhab- 
itants were almost entirely of French descent. 
The first exercise of the elective franchise in Illi- 
nois occurred here in the year last named, and, in 
1804, the United States Government opened a 
land office there. For many years the most 
important commercial town in the Territory, it 
remained the Territorial and State capital down 



314 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



to 1819, when the seat of government was re- 
moved to Vandalia. Originally situated on the 
west side of the Kaskaskia River, some six miles 
from the Jlississippi. early in 1899 its site had 
been swept away by the encroachments of the 
latter stream, so that all that is ieft of the princi- 
pal town of Illinois, in Territorial days, is simply 
its name. 

KASKASKIA INDIANS, one of the five tribes 
constituting the Illinois confederation of Algon 
quin Indians. About the year 1700 thej' removed 
from what is now La Salle County, to Southern 
Illinois, where they e.stablished themselves along 
the banks of the river which bears their name. 
They were finally removed, with their b-ethren 
of the Illinois, west of the Mississippi, and, as a 
distinct tribe, have become extinct. 

KASKASKIA RIVER, rises in Champaign 
County, and flows southwest through the coun- 
ties of Douglas, Coles, Moultrie, Shelby, Fayette, 
Clinton and St. Clair, thence southward through 
Randolph, and empties into the Mississippi River 
near Chester. It is nearly 300 miles long, and 
flows through a fertile, undulating country, which 
forms part of the great coal field of the State. 

KEITH, Edson, Sr., merchant and manufac- 
turer, born at Barre, Vt. , Jan. 28, 1833, was edu- 
cated at home and in the district schools; spent 
1850-54 in Montpelier, coming to Chicago the 
latter year and obtaining emploj'ment in a retail 
dry-goods store. In 1860 he assisted in establish- 
ing the firm of Keith, Faxon & Co., now Edson 
Keith & Co. ; is also President of the corporation 
of Keith Brothers & Co., a Director of the Metro- 
politan National Bank, and the Edison Electric 
Light Company. — Elbridffe G. (Keith), banker, 
brother of the preceding, was born at Barre, Vt., 
July 16, 1840; attended local schools and Barre 
Academy ; came to Chicago in 1857, the next year 
taking a position as clerk in the house of Keith, 
Faxon & Co., in 1865 becoming a partner and, in 
1884, being chosen President of the Metropolitan 
National Bank, where he still remains. Mr. 
Keith was a member of the Republican National 
Convention of 1880, and belongs to several local 
literary, political and social clubs ; was also one 
of the Directors of the World's Columbian Expo- 
sition of 1892-98. 

KEITHSBURCt, a town in Mercer County on 
the Mississippi River, at the intersection of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Iowa Cen- 
tral Railwaj's; 100 miles west-northwest of 
Peoria. Principal industries are fisheries, ship- 
ping, manufacture of pearl buttons and oilers ; has 
one paper. Pop. (1900), 1,566; (1903, est.), 2,000. 



KELLOGG, Hiram Huntington, clergyman 
and educator, was born at Clinton (then Whites- 
town). N. Y., in February, 1803, graduated at 
Hamilton College and Auburn Seminary, after 
which he served for some years as pastor at 
various places in Central New York. Later, he 
established the Young Ladies' Domestic Seminary 
at Clinton, claimed to be the first ladies' semi- 
nary in the State, and the first experiment in the 
countrj- uniting manual training of girls with 
scholastic instruction, antedating Mount Hoi 
yoke, Oberlin and other institutions which adopted 
this system. Color was no bar to admission to 
the institution, though the daughters of some of 
the wealthiest families of the State were among 
its pupils. Mr. Kellogg was a co-laborer with 
Gerritt Smith, Beriah Green, the Tappans, Garri- 
son and others, in the effort to arouse public senti- 
ment in opposition to slavery. In 1836 he united 
with Prof. George W. Gale and others in the 
movement for the establishment of a colony and 
the building up of a Christian and anti-slavery 
institution in the West, which resulted in the 
location of the town of Galesburg and the found, 
ing there of Knox College. Mr. Kellogg was 
chosen the first President of the institution and, 
in 1841, left his thriving school at Clinton to 
identify himself with the new enterprise, which, 
in its infancy, was a manual-labor school. In the 
West he soon became the ally and co- laborer of 
such men as Owen Lovejoy, Ichabod Codding, 
Dr. C. V. Dyer and others, in the work of extirpat- 
ing slavery. In 1843 he visited England as a 
member of the World's Peace Convention, re- 
maining abroad about a year, during which time 
he made the acquaintance of Jacob Bright and 
others of the most prominent men of that day in 
England and Scotland. Resigning the Presidency 
of Knox College in 1847, he returned to Clinton 
Seminary, and was later engaged in various busi- 
ness enterprises until 1861, when he again re- 
moved to Illinois, and was engaged in preaching 
and teaching at various points during the 
remainder of his life, dying suddenly, at his 
home school at Mount Forest, 111., Jan. 1, 1881. 

KELLOGG, William Pitt, was born at Orwell, 
Vt., Dec. 8, 1831, removed to Illinois in 1848, 
studied law at Peoria, was admitted to the bar in 
1854, and began practice in Fulton County. He 
was a candidate for Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1856 and 1860, being elected 
the latter year. Appointed Chief Justice of 
Nebraska in 1861, he resigned to accept the 
colonelcy of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry Fail- 
ing health caused his retirement from the army 




1 —Old Kaskaskia from Garrison Hill (1893). 2.— Kaskaskia Hotel where LaFayette was feted in 
1875 3_Fir^t Illinois State House. 1818. 4.— Interior of Room (1893) where Latayctte 
banquet was held. 5.— Pierre Menard Mansion. 6.— House of Chief Ducoign, last of the 
Cascasquias ( Kaskaskias). 




1.— Remnant of Old Kaskaskia (1898). 2.— View on Principal Street (1891). S.- 
Edgar's House (1891). 4.— House of Gov. Bond (1891). 5.— "Chenu Mansion" 
Fayette was entertained, as it appeared in 1898. 6.— Old State House (1900). 



-Gen. John 
where La- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



315 



after the battle of Corinth. In 186.'; he was 
appointed Collector of the Port at New Orleans. 
Thereafter he became a conspicuous figure in 
both Louisiana and National politics, serving as 
United States Senator from Louisiana from 1868 
to 1871, and as Governor from 1873 to 1876. during 
the stormiest period of reconstruction, and mak- 
ing hosts of bitter personal and political enemies 
as well as warm friends. An unsuccessful attempt 
was made to impeach him in 1876. In 1877 he was 
elected a second time to the United States Senate 
by one of two rival Legislatures, being awarded 
his seat after a bitter contest. At the close of his 
term (1883) he took his seat in the lower house to 
which he was elected in 1882, serving until 188.'). 
While retaining his residence in Louisiana, Mr. 
Kellogg has spent much of his time of late years 
in Washington Citj'. 

KENDALL COUNTY, a northeastern county, 
with au area of 330 square miles and a population 
(1900) of 11,467. The surface is rolling and the 
soil fertile, although generally a light, sandy 
loam. The county was organized in 1841, out of 
parts of Kane and La Salle, and was named in 
honor of President Jackson's Postmaster General. 
The Fox River (running southwestwardly 
through the county), with its tributaries, affords 
ample drainage and considerable water power; 
the railroad facilities are admirable; timber is 
abundant. Yorkville and Oswego have been 
rivals for the county -seat, the distinction finally 
resting with the former. Among the pioneers 
may be mentioned Messrs. John Wilson, Ed- 
ward Ament, David Carpenter, Samuel Smith, 
the Wormley and Pierce brothers, and E. 
Jlorgan. 

KENDRICK, Adin A., educator, was born at 
Ticonderoga, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1886; educated at 
Granville Academy, N. Y., and Middlebury Col- 
lege ; removed to Janesville, Wis., in 1857, studied 
law and began practice at Monroe, in that State, 
a year later removing to St. Louis, where he con- 
tinued practice for a short time. Then, having 
abandoned the law, after a course in the Theolog- 
ical Seminary at Rochester, N. Y., in 1861 he 
became pastor of the North Baptist Church in 
Chicago, but, in 1865, removed to St. Louis, 
where he remained in pastoral %vork until 1873, 
when he assumed the Presidency of Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, 111. 

KENNET, a village and railway station in 
Dewitt County, at the intersection of the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Centi-al and the 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville Railroads, 36 miles 
northeast of Springfield. The town has two banks 



and two newspapers ; the district is agricultural. 
Population (1880), 418; (1890), 497; (1900;, 584. 

KENT, (Rev.) Aratus, pioneer and Congrega- 
tional missionary, was born in Suffield, Conn, in 
1794, educated at Yale and Princeton and, in 1839, 
as a Congregational missionarj', came to the 
Galena lead mines — then esteemed "'a place so 
hard no one else would take it." In less than two 
years he had a Sunday-school with ten teachers 
and sixty to ninety scholars, and had also estab- 
lished a day-school, which he conducted himself. 
In 1831 he organized the First Presbyterian 
Church of Galena, of which he remained pastor 
until 1848, when he became Agent of the Home 
Missionary Society. He was prominent in laying 
the foundations of Beloit College and Rockford 
Female Seminary, meanwhile contributing freely 
from his meager salary to charitable purposes. 
Died at Galena, Nov. 8, 1869. 

KEOKUK, (interpretation, "The Watchful 
Fox'"), a Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, born on 
Rock River, about 1780. He had the credit of 
shrewdness and bravery, which enabled him 
finally to displace his rival. Black Hawk. He 
always professed ardent friendship for the whites, 
althougli this was not infrequently attributed to 
a far-seeing policy. He earnestly dissuaded 
Black Hawk from the formation of his confeder- 
acy, and when the latter was forced to surrender 
himself to the United States authorities, he was 
formally delivered to the custody of Keokuk. By 
the Rock Island treaty, of September, 1833, Keo- 
kuk was formally recognized as the principal 
Chief of the Sacs and Foxes, and granted a reser- 
vation on the Iowa River, 40 miles square. Here 
he lived until 1845, when he removed to Kansas, 
where, in June, 1848, he fell a victim to poison, 
supposedly administered by some partisan of 
Black Hawk. (See Black Haick and Black Hawk 
War.) 

KERFOOT, Samuel H., real-estate operator, 
was born in Lancaster, Pa., Dec. 18, 1823, and 
educated under the tutorship of Rev. Dr. Muh- 
lenburg at St. Paul's College, Flushing, Long 
Island, graduating at the age of 19. He was 
tlien associated with a brother in founding St. 
James College, in Washington County, Md., but, 
in 1848, removed to Chicago and engaged in the 
real-estate business, in which he was one of the 
oldest operators at the time of his death, Dec. 38, 
1896. He was one of the founders and a life 
member of the Chicago Historical Society and of 
the Chicago Academy of Sciences, and associated 
with other learned and social organizations. He 
was also a member of the original Real Estate 



316 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stock Board of Chicago and its first Presi- 
dent. 

KEWAJTEE, a city in Henry County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 131 
miles southwest of Chicago. Agriculture and 
coal-mining are chief industries of the surround- 
ing country. The city contains eighteen churches, 
six graded schools, a public library of 10,000 
volumes, three national banks, one weekly and 
two daily papers. It has extensive manufactories 
employing four to five thousand hands, the out- 
put including tubing and soil-pipe, boilers, pumps 
and heating apparatus, agricultural implements, 
etc. Population (1890), 4,569 ; (1900), 8,382 ; (1903, 
est.), 10,000. 

KETES, Willard, pioneer, was born at New- 
fane, Windsor County, Vt., Oct. 28, 1T92; spent 
his early life on a farm, enjoying only such edu- 
cational advantages as could be secured by a few 
months" attendance on school in winter ; in 1817 
started west by way of Mackinaw and, crossing 
"Wisconsin (then an unbroken wilderness), finally 
reached Prairie du Chien, after which he spent a 
year in the "pineries." In 1819 he descended the 
Mississippi with a raft, his attention en route 
being attracted by the present site of the city of 
Quincy. to which, after two years spent in exten- 
sive exploration of the "Military Tract"" in the 
interest of certain owners of bounty lands, he 
again returned, finding it still unoccupied. 
Then, after two years spent in farming in Pike 
County, in 1824 he joined his friend, the late 
Gov. John "Wood, who had built the first house in 
Quincy two yeai's previous. Mr. Keyes thus 
became one of the three earliest settlers of 
Quincy, the other two being John Wood and a 
Major Rose. On the organization of Adams 
County, in January, 1825, he was appointed a 
member of the first Board of County Commission- 
ers, which held its first meeting in his house. 
Mr. Keyes acquired considerable landed property 
about Quincy, a portion of which he donated to 
the Chicago Theological Seminary, thereby fur- 
nishing means for the erection of "Willard Hall"' 
in connection with that institution. His death 
occurred in Quincy, Feb. 7, 1873. 

KICK.4.P00S, a tribe of Indians whose eth- 
nology is closely related to that of the Mascou- 
tins. The French orthography of the word was 
various, the early explorers designating them as 
"Kic-a-pous,"" "Kick-a-poux, "' "Kick-a-bou, "" and 
"Quick-a-pous."' The significance of the name is 
uncertain, different authorities construing it to 
mean "the otter"s foot"" and the "rabbit"s ghost,"' 
according to dialect. From 1602, when the tribe 



was first visited by Samuel Champlain, the Kicka- 
poos were noted as a nation of warriors. They 
fought against Christianization, and were, for 
some time, hostile to the French, although they 
proved efficient allies of the latter during the 
French and Indian War. Their first formal 
recognition of the authority of the United States 
was in the treaty of Edwardsville (1819), in which 
reference was made to the treaties executed at 
Vincennes (1805 and 1809). Nearly a century 
before, they had left their seats in Wisconsin and 
established villages along the Rock River and 
near Chicago (1712-15). At the time of the 
EdwardsviUe treaty they had settlements in the 
valleys of the Wabash, Embarras, Kaskaskia, 
Sangamon and Illinois Rivers. While they 
fought bravely at the battle of Tippecanoe, their 
chief military skill lay in predatory warfare. As 
compared with other tribes, they were industri- 
ous, intelligent and cleanlj'. In 1832-33 they 
were removed to a reservation in Kansas. Thence 
many of tliem drifted to the southwest, join- 
ing roving, plundering bands. In language, 
manners and customs, the Kickapoos closely 
resembled the Sacs and Foxes, with whom some 
ethnologists believe them to have been more or 
less closely connected. 

KILPATRICK, Thomas M., legislator and 
soldier, was born in Crawford Count}', Pa., June 
1, 1807. He learned the potter"s trade, and, at 
the age of 27, removed to Scott County, 111. He 
was a deep thinker, an apt and reflective student 
of public affairs, and naturally eloquent. He 
was twice elected to the State Senate (1840 and 
'44), and, in 1846, was the Whig candidate for 
Governor, but was defeated by Augustus C. 
French, Democrat. In 1850 he emigrated to 
California, but. after a few years, returned to 
Illinois and took an active part in the campaigns 
of 1858 and 1860. On the outbreak of the Civil 
War he was commissioned Colonel of the Twenty- 
eighth Illinois "V^olunteers, for which regiment he 
had recruited a company. He was killed at the 
battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, while leading a 
charge. 

KIXDERHOOK, a village and railwa}' station 
in Pike County, on the Hannibal Division of the 
Wabash Railway, 13 miles east of Hannibal. 
Population (1890), 473; (1900), 370. 

KING, John Lyle, lawyer, was born in Madison, 
Ind., in 1825 — the son of a pioneer settler who 
was one of the founders of Hanover College 
and of the Presbyterian Theological Seminary 
there, which afterwards became the "Presby- 
terian Theological Seminary of the Northwest,"' 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF II.LIXOIS. 



317 



now the McCormick Theological Seminary of 
Chicago. After graduating at Hanover, Mr. King 
began the study of law with an uncle at Madison, 
and the following year was admitted to the bar. 
In 1852 he was elected to the Indiana Legislature 
and, while a member of that body, acted as Chair- 
man of the Committee to present Louis Kossuth, 
the Hungarian patriot and exile, to the Legisla- 
ture ; also took a prominent part, during the next 
few years, in the organization of the Republican 
party. Removing to Chicago in 18-50, he soon 
became prominent in his profession there, and, in 
ISGO, was elected City Attorney over Col. James A. 
Jlulligau, who became eminent a year or two later, 
in connection with the war for the Union. Hav- 
ing a fondness for literature, 5Ir. King wrote much 
for the press and, in 1878, published a volume of 
sporting experiences with a part}' of professional 
friends in the woods and waters of Northern Wis 
consin and Jlichigan, under the title, "Trouting 
on the Brule River, or Summer Wayfaring in the 
Northern Wilderness." Died in Chicago, April 17, 
1893. 

KISG, TVilliam H., lawyer, was born at Clifton 
Park, Saratoga County, N.Y., Oct. 23, 1817; gradu- 
ated from Union College in 1846, studied law at 
Waterford and, having been admitted to the bar 
the following year, began practice at the same 
place. In 1853 he removed to Chicago, where he 
held a number of important positions, including 
the Presidency of the Chicago Law Institute, the 
Chicago Bar Association, the Chicago Board of 
Education, and the Union College Alumni 
Association of the Northwest. In 1870 he was 
elected to the lower branch of the Twenty- 
seventh General Assembly, and, during the ses- 
sions following the fire of 1871 prepared the act 
for the protection of titles to real estate, made 
necessary by the destruction of the records in the 
Recorder's office. Mr. King received the degree 
of LL. D from his Alma JIater in 1879. Died, in 
Chicago, Feb. 6, 1892. 

KIXdiMAX, Martin, was born at Deer Creek, 
Tazewell County, 111., April 1, 1844; attended 
school at Washington, 111., then taught two or 
three years, and, in June, 1862, enlisted in the 
Eighty-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing three j-ears without the loss of a day — a part 
of the time on detached service in charge of an 
ambulance corps and, later, as Assistant Quarter- 
master. Returning from tlio war with the rank 
of First Lieutenant, in August, 1865, he went to 
Peoria, where he engaged in business and has re- 
mained ever since. He is now connected with the 
following business concerns: Kingman & Co., 



manufacturers and dealers in farm machinery, 
buggies, wagons, etc. ; The Kingman Plow Com- 
pany, Bank of Illinois, Peoria Cordage Company, 
Peoria General Electric Company, and Nation.%' 
Hotel Company, besides various outside enter- 
prises — all large concerns in each of which he is a 
large stockholder and a Director. Mr. Kingman 
was Canal Commissioner for six years — this being 
his only connection with politics. During 1898 he 
was also chosen Lieutenant-Colonel of the Peoria 
Provisional Regiment organized for the Spanish- 
American War. His career in connection with 
the industrial development of Peoria has been 
especially conspicuous and successful. 

KI>'KADE (or Kinkead), William, a native of 
Tennessee, settled in what is now Lawrence 
County, in 1817, and was elected to the State 
Senate in 1822, but appears to have served only 
one session, as he was succeeded in the Fourth 
General Assembly by James Bird. Although a 
Tennesseean by birth, he was one of the most 
aggressive opponents of the scheme for making 
Illinois a slave State, being the only man who 
made a speech against the pro-slavery convention 
resolution, though this was cut short by the 
determination of the pro-conventionists to permit 
no debate. Mr. Kinkade was appointed Post- 
master at Lawrenceville by President John 
Quincy Adams, and held the position for many 
years. He died in 184G. 

KIJfMUMDY, a city in Marion Countj', on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 229 miles south of 
Chicago and 24 miles northeast of Centralia. 
Agriculture, stock-raising, fruit-growing and 
coal-mining are the principal industries of the 
surrounding country. Kinmundy has flouring 
mills and brick-making plants, with other 
manufacturing establishments of minor impor- 
tance. There are five churches, a bank and a 
weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 1,096; 
(1890), 1.045; (1900), 1,221. 

KIXXEY, William, Lieutenant-Governor of 
Illinois from 1826 to 1830 ; was born in Kentucky in 
1781 and came to Illinois early in life, finally 
settling in St. Clair County. Of limited educa- 
tional advantages, he was taught to read by his 
wife after marriage. He became a Baptist 
preacher, was a good stump-orator; served two 
sessions in the State Senate (the First and Third), 
was a candidate for Governor in 1834, but was 
defeated by Joseph Duncan ; in 1838 was elected 
by the Legislature a member of the Board of 
PubUc AVorks, becoming its President. Died 
in 1843. — William C. (Kinney), son of the preced- 
ing, was born in Illinois, served as a member of 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



the Constitutional Convention of 1847 and as 
Representative in tlie Nineteenth General Assem- 
bly (1855), and, in 1857, was appointed by Gov- 
ernor Bissell Adjutant-General of the State, 
dying in office the following year. 

KINZIE, John, Indian-trader and earliest citi- 
zen of Chicago, was born in Quebec, Canada, in 
1763. His father was a Scotchman named 
McKenzie, but the son dropped the prefix "Mc," 
and the name soon came to be spelled "Kinzie"' 
— an orthography recognized by the family. Dur- 
ing his early childhood his father died, and his 
mother gave him a stepfather by the name of 
William Forsythe. When ten years old he left 
home and, for three years, devoted himself to 
learning the jeweler's trade at Quebec. Fasci- 
nated by stories of adventure in the West, he 
removed thither and became an Indian-trader. 
In 180-1 he established a trading post at what is 
now the site of Chicago, being the first solitary 
white settler. Later he established other posts 
on the Rock, Illinois and Kankakee Rivers. He 
was twice married, and the father of a numerous 
family. His daughter Maria married Gen. 
David Hunter, and his daughter-in-law, Mrs. 
John H. Kinzie, achieved literary distinction as 
the authoress of "WauBun," etc. (N. Y. 1850.) 
Died in Chicago, Jan. 6, 1828.— John Harris 
(Kinzie), son of the preceding, was born at Sand- 
wich, Canada, July 7, 1803, brought by his par- 
ents to Chicago, and taken to Detroit after the 
massacre of 1813, but returned to Chicago in 
1816. Two years later his father placed him at 
Mackinac Agency of the American Fur Com- 
pany, and, in 1824, he was transferred to Prairie 
du Chien. The following year he was Sub-Agent 
of Indian affairs at Fort Winnebago, where he 
witnessed several important Indian treaties. In 
1830 he went to Connecticut, where he was 
married, and, in 1833, took up his permanent resi- 
dence in Chicago, forming a partnership with 
Gen. David Hunter, his brother-in-law, in the 
forwarding business. In 1841 he was appointed 
Registrar of Public Lands by President Harrison, 
but was removed by Tyler. In 1848 he was 
appointed Canal Collector, and. in 1849, President 
Taylor commissioned him Receiver of Public 
Moneys. In 1861 he was commissioned Pay- 
master in the army by President Lincoln, which 
office he held until liis death, wliich occurred on 
a railroad train near Pittsburg, Pa., June 21, 1865. 
KIRBY, Edward P., lawyer and legislator, 
was born in Putnam County, III., Oct. 28, 1834— 
the son of Rev. William Kirby, one of the found- 
ers and early professors of Illinois College at 



Jacksonville; graduated at IlUnois College in 
1854, then taught several years at St. Louis and 
Jacksonville; was admitted to the bar in 1864, 
and, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Morgan 
County as a Republican ; was Representative in 
the General Assembly from Morgan County 
(1891-93) ; also served for several years as Trustee 
of the Central Hospital for the Insane and, for a 
long period, as Trustee and Treasurer of Illinois 
College. 

KIRK, (Gen.) Edward >'., soldier, was born of 
Quaker parentage in Jefferson County, Ohio, Feb. 
29, 1828; graduated at the Friends' Academy, at 
Mount Pleasant in the same State, and, after 
teaching for a time, began the study of law, 
completing it at Baltimore, Md., where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1853. A year later he 
removed to Sterling, 111., where he continued in 
his profession until after the battle of the first 
Bull Run, when he raised a regiment. The quota 
of the State being already full, this was not im- 
mediately accepted; but, after some delay, was 
mustered in in September, 1861, as the Thirty- 
fourth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, with the 
subject of this sketch as Colonel. In the field he 
soon proved himself a brave and dashing officer; 
at the battle of Shiloh, though wounded through 
the shoulder, he refused to leave the field. After 
remaining with the army several days, inflam- 
matory fever set in, necessitating his removal to 
the hospital at Louisville, where he lay between 
life and death for some time. Having partially 
recovered, in August, 1862, he set out to rejoin 
his regiment, but was stopped en route by an 
order assigning him to command at Louisville. 
In November following he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General for "heroic action, gallantry 
and ability" displayed on the field. In the last 
da}-s of December, 1862, he had sufficiently re- 
covered to take part in the series of engagements 
at Stone River, where he was agaiu wounded, 
this time fatally. He was taken to his home in 
Illinois, and, although he survived several 
months, the career of one of the most brilliant 
and promising soldiers of the war was cut short 
by his death, July 21, 1863. 

KIRKLAXD, Joseph, journalist and author, 
was born at Geneva, N. Y., Jan. 7, 1830 — the son 
of Prof. William Kirkland of Hamilton College: 
was brought by his parents to Michigan in 1835, 
where he remained until 1856, when he came to 
the city of Chicago. In 1861 he enlisted as a 
private in the Twelfth Illinois Infantry (three- 
months' men), was elected Second Lieutenant, 
but later became Aid-de-Camp on the staff of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



319 



General McClellan, serving there and on the staff 
of General Fitz-John Porter until the retirement 
of the latter, meanwhile taking part in the Pen- 
insular campaign and in the battle of Antietam. 
Returning to Chicago he gave attention to some 
coal-mining propertj' near Danville, but later 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1880. 
A few years later he produced his first novel, 
and, from 1890. devoted his attention solely to 
literary pursuits, for several years being liter- 
ary editor of "The Chicago Tribune." His works 
— several of which first appeared as serials in the 
magazines — include "Zury, the Meanest Man in 
Spring County" (1885): ""The McVeys" (1887); 
"The Captain of Co. K." (1889), besides the "His- 
tory of the Chicago Massacre of 1812," and "The 
Story of Chicago" — the latter in two volumes. At 
the time of his death he had just concluded, in 
collaboration with Hon. John Moses, the work of 
editing a two-volume "History of Chicago." pub- 
lished by Messrs. Munsell & Co. (1895). Died, in 
Chicago, April 39, 1894.— Elizabeth Stansbury 
(Kirkland), sister of the preceding — teacher and 
author — was born at Geneva, N. Y. , came to Chicago 
in 1867 and, five j-ears later, established a select 
school for young ladies, out of which grew what 
is known as the "Kirkland Social Settlement," 
which was continued until her death, July 30, 
1896. She was the author of a number of vol- 
umes of decided merit, written with the especial 
object of giving entertainment and instruction to 
the young — including "Six Little Cooks." "Dora's 
Housekeeping." "Speech and Manners." a Child's 
"History of France." a "History of England," 
"History of English Literature," etc. At her 
death she left a "History of Italy" ready for the 
hands of the publishers. 

KIRKPATRICK, John, pioneer Methodist 
preacher, was born in Georgia, whence he emi- 
grated in 1802 -, located at Springfield, 111. , at an 
early day, where he built the first horse-mill in 
that vicinity; in 1829 removed to Adams County, 
and finally to Ottumwa, Iowa, where he died in 
1845. Mr. Kirkpatrick is believed to have been the 
first local Methodist preacher licensed in Illinois. 
Having inherited three slaves (a woman and two 
boys) while in Adams County, he brought them 
to Illinois and gave them their freedom. The 
boys were bound to a man in Quincy to learn a 
trade, but mysteriously disappeared— presumably 
having been kidnaped with the connivance of 
the man in whose charge they had been placed. 

KIRKWOOD, a city in Warren County, once 
known as "Young America," situated about six 
miles southwest of Monmouth, on the Chicago, 



Burlington & Quincy Railroad; is a stock-ship- 
ping point and in an agricultural region. The 
town has two banks, five churches, and two 
weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 949; (1900), 1,008. 

KISHWAUKEE RIVER, rises in McHenry 
County, runs west through Boone, and enters 
Rock River in Winnebago County, eight miles 
below Rockford.- It is 75 miles long. An afflu- 
ent called the South Kishwaukee River runs 
north-northeast and northwest through De Kalb 
County, and enters the Kiskwaukee in Winne- 
bago County, about eight miles southeast of 
Rockford. 

KITCHELL, Wickliff, lawyer and Attorney- 
General of Illinois, was born in New Jersey, 
May 21, 1789. Feb. 29, 1812, he was married, 
at Newark, N. J., to Miss Elizabeth Ross, 
and the same year emigrated west, passing 
down the Ohio on a flat-boat from Pittsburg, 
Pa., and settled near Cincinnati In 1814 
he became a resident of Southern Indiana, 
where he was elected sheriff, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar, finally becom- 
ing a successful practitioner. In 1817 he removed 
to Palestine, Crawford County, 111., where, in 
1830, he was elected Representative in the Second 
General Assembly, and was also a member of the 
State Senate from 1828 to 1832. In 1838 he re- 
moved to Hillsboro, Montgomery County, was 
appointed Attorney-General in 1839, serving until 
near the close of the following year, when he 
resigned to take his seat as Representative in 
the Twelfth General Assembly. Between 1846 
and 1854 he was a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa, 
but the latter year returned to Hillsboro. During 
his early political career Mr. Kitchell had been a 
Democrat ; but, on the passage of the Kansas-Neb- 
raska act, became an earnest Republican. Pub- 
lic-spirited and progressive, he was in advance of 
his time on many public questions. Died, Jan. 
2, 1869.— Alfred (Kitchell), son of the preceding, 
lawyer and Judge, born at Palestine, 111., March 
29, 1820; was educated at Indiana State Univer- 
sity and Hillsboro Academy, admitted to the bar 
in 1841, and, the following year, commenced 
practice at Olney; was elected State's Attorney 
in 1843, through repeated re-elections holding the 
office ten years; was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847 and, in 1849, was 
elected Judge of Richland County ; later assisted 
in establishing the first newspaper published in 
Olney, and in organizing the Rftpubliran party 
there in 1856; in 1859 was elected Judge of the 
Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit, serving one term. 
He was also influential in procuring a charter for 



320 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad, and in the con- 
struction of tlie line, being an original corporator 
and subsequently a Dii-ector of the Company. 
Later he removed to Galesburg, where he died, 
Nov. 11, 1870. —Edward (Kitchell), another son, 
was born at Palestine, 111., Dec. 21, 1829; was 
educated at Hillsboro Academy until 1846, when 
he removed with his father's family to Fort 
Madison, Iowa, but later returned to Hillsboro to 
continue his studies ; in 18.52 made the trip across 
the plains to California to engage in gold mining, 
but the following year went to Walla Walla, 
Washington Territory, where he opened a law 
office; in 1854 returned to Illinois, locating at 
Olney, Richland County, forming a partnership 
with Horace Haj-ward, a relative, in the practice 
of law. Here, having taken position against the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise, he became, 
in 1856, the editor of the first Republican news- 
paper published in that part of Illinois known as 
"Egypt," with his brother, Judge Alfred Kitchell, 
being one of the original thirty-nine Republicans 
in Richland County. In 1863 he assisted in 
organizing the Ninety-eighth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers at Centralia, which, in the following 
year Iiaving been mounted, became a part of the 
famous "Wilder Brigade." At first he was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel, but succeeded to 
the command of the regiment after the wounding 
of Colonel Funkhouser at Chickamauga in Sep- 
tember, 1863; was finally promoted to the colo- 
nelcy in July, 1865, and mustered out with the 
rank of Brigadier-General by brevet. Resuming 
the practice of his profession at Olney, he was, 
in 1866, the Republican candidate for Congress in 
a district strongly Democratic; also served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for a short time 
and, in 1868, was Presidential Elector for the 
same District. Died, at Olney, July 11, 1869. — 
John Wlckliff (Kitchell), youngest son of Wick- 
lifl Kitchell, was born at Palestine, Crawford 
County, 111., May 30, 1835, educated at Hillsboro, 
read law at Fort Madison, Iowa, and admitted to 
the bar in that State. At the age of 19 years he 
served as Assistant Clerk of the House of Rejjre- 
sentatives at Springfield, and was Reading Clerk 
of the same body at the session of 1861. Previous 
to the latter date he had edited "The Jlontgomery 
County Herald, ■■ and later, "The Charleston 
Courier." Resigning his position as Reading 
Clerk in 1861, he enlisted under the first call of 
President Lincoin in the Ninth Illinois Volun- 
teers, served as Adjutant of the regiment and 
afterwards as Captain of his company. At the 
expiration of his term of enlistment he established 



"The Union Monitor" at Hillsboro, which he con- 
ducted until drafted into the service in 1864, 
serving until the close of the war. In 1866 he 
removed to Pana (his present residence), resum- 
ing practice there ; was a candidate for the State 
Senate the same year, and, in 1870, was the 
Republican nominee for Congress in that District. 

KNICKERBOCKER, Joshua C, lawyer, was 
born in Gallatin, Columbia County, N. Y., Sept. 
26, 1827 ; brought by his father to Alden, McHenry 
County, 111., in 1844, and educated in the com- 
mon schools of that place; removed to Chicago in 
1860, studied law and was admitted to practice in 
1862 ; served on the Board of Supervisors and in 
the City Council and, in 1868, was elected Repre- 
sentative in the General Assembly, serving one 
term. He was also a member of the State Board 
of Education from 1875 to '77, and the latter 
year was elected Probate Judge for Cook County, 
serving until his death, Jan. 5, 1890. 

KJflGHTS OF PYTHIAS, a secret semi mill 
tary and benevolent association founded in the 
City of Washington, D. C, Feb. 19, 1864, Justus 
H. Rathbone (who died Dec. 9, 1889) being its 
recognized founder. The order was established 
in Illinois, May 4, 1869, by the organization of 
"Welcome Lodge, No. 1," in the city of Chicago. 
On July 1, 1869, this Lodge had nineteen mem- 
bers. At the close of the year four additional 
Lodges had been instituted, having an aggregate 
membership of 245. Early in the following year, 
on petition of these five Lodges, approved by the 
Grand Chancellor, a Grand Lodge of the Order 
for the State of Illinois was instituted in Chicago, 
with a membership of twenty -nine Past Chancel- 
lors as representatives of the five subordinate 
Lodges — the total membership of these Lodges a( 
that date being 382. December 31, 1870, the 
total membership in Illinois had increased to 850. 
June 30, 1895, the total number of Lodges in the 
State was 525, and the membership 38,441. The 
assets belonging to the Lodges in Illinois, on 
Jan. 1, 1894, amounted to §418,151.77. 

KNOWLTON, Dexter A., pioneer and banker, 
was born in Fairfield. Herkimer County, N. Y., 
March 3, 1812, taken to Chautauqua County in 
infancy and passed his childhood and youth on a 
farm. Having determined on a mercantile ca- 
reer, he entered an academy at Fredonia, paying 
his own way ; in 1838 started on a peddling tour 
for the West, and, in the following year, settled 
at Freeport, 111., where he opened a general store; 
in 1843 began investments in real estate, finally 
laying off sundry additions to the city of Free- 
port, from which he realizeil large profits. He 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



321 



was also prominently connected with the Galena 
& Cliicago Union Railroad and, in 1850, became 
a Director of the Company, remaining in ofBce 
some twelve years. In 1853 he was the Free-Soil 
candidate for Governor of Illinois, but a few years 
later became extensivelj- interested in the Con- 
gress & Empire Spring Company at Saratoga, 
X. Y. ; then, after a four years' residence in 
Brookh-n, returned to Freeport in 1870, where he 
engaged in banking business, dying in that city, 
March 10, 1876. 

K>'OX, Joseph, lawyer, was born at Blanford, 
Mass., Jan. 11, 1805; studied law with his 
brother. Gen. Alanson Knox, in his native town, 
was admitted to the bar in 1828, subsequently 
removing to "Worcester, in the same State, where 
he began the practice of his profession. In 1837 
he removed west, locating at Stephenson, now 
Rock Island, 111., where he continued in practice 
for twenty-three years. Dm'ing the greater part 
of that time he was associated with Hon. John 
"W. Drury, under the firm name of Knox & Drury, 
gaining a wide reputation as a lawyer throughout 
Northern Illinois. Among the important cases in 
which he took part during his residence in Rock 
Island was the prosecution of the murderers of 
Colonel Davenport in 18-15. In 1853 he served as a 
Democratic Presidential Elector, but in the next 
campaign identified himself with the Republican 
party as a supporter of John C. Fremont for the 
Presidency. In 1860 he removed to Chicago and, 
two years later, was appointed State's Attorney 
by Governor Yates, remaining in office until suc- 
ceeded by his partner, Charles H. Reed. After 
coming to Chicago he was identified with a num- 
ber of notable cases. His death occurred, August 
6, 1881. 

KJfOX COLLEGE, a non-sectarian institution 
for the higher education of the youth of both 
sexes, located at Galesbtu-g, Knox County. It 
was founded in 1837, fully organized in 1841, and 
graduated its first class in 1846. The number of 
gi-aduates from that date until 1894, aggregated 
867. In 1893 it had G63 students in attendance, 
and a faculty of 20 professors. Its library con- 
tains about 6,000 volumes. Its endowment 
amounts to §300,000 and its buildings are valued 
at .$150,000. Dr. Newton Bateman was at its 
head for more than twenty years, and, on his res- 
ignation (1893), John H. Finley, Ph.D., became 
its President, but resigned in 1899. 

KNOX COUMT, a wealthy interior county 
west of the Illinois River, having an area of 720 
square miles and a population (I'JOO) of 43,612. It 
was named in honor of Gen. Henry Knox. Its 



territorial limits were defined by legislative 
enactment in 1835, but the actual organization 
dates from 1830, when Riggs Pennington, Philip 
Hash and Charles Hansford were named the first 
Commissioners. Knoxville was the first county- 
seat selected, and here (in the winter of 1830-31) 
was erected the first court house, constructed 
of logs, two stories in height, at a cost of 
§192. The soil is rich, and agriculture flour- 
ishes. The present county-seat (1899) is Gales- 
burg, well known for its educational institutions, 
the best known of which are Knox College, 
founded in 1837, and Lombard University, 
founded in 1851. A flourishing Epi-scopal Semi- 
nary is located at Knoxville, and Hedding Col- 
lege at Abingdon. 

KNOXVILLE, a city in Knox County, on the 
Galesburg-Peoria Division of the Chicago. Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 50 miles west of 
Peoria, and 5 miles east of Galesburg; was 
formerly the county-seat, and still contains the 
fair grounds and almshouse. The municipal gov- 
ernment is composed of a mayor, six aldermen, 
with seven heads of departments. It has electric 
lighting and street-car service, good water-works, 
banks, numerous churches, three public schools, 
and is tlie seat of St. Mary's school for girls, and 
St. Alban's, for boys. Population (1890), 1,728; 
(1900), 1,857. 

KOERXER, Gustavus, lawyer and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born in Germany in 1809, and 
received a university education. He was a law- 
yer by profession, and emigi-ated to Illinois in 
1833, settling finally at Belleville. He at once 
affihated with the Democratic party, and soon 
became prominent in politics. In 1843 he was 
elected to the General Assembly, and three years 
later was appointed to the bench of the State 
Supreme Court. In 1852 he was elected Lieuten- 
ant-Governor on the ticket headed by Joel A. 
Matteson; but, at the close of his term, became 
identified with the Republican party and was a 
staunch Union man during the Civil "War, sert-ing 
for a time as Colonel on General Fremont's and 
General Halleck's staff's. In 1862 President Lin- 
coln made him Minister to Spain, a post which he 
resigned in January, 1865. He was a member of 
the Chicago Convention of 1800 that nominated 
Lincoln for the Presidency; was a Republican 
Presidential Elector in 1868, and a delegate to the 
Cincinnati Convention of 1872 that named Horace 
Greeley for the Presidency. In 1867 he served as 
President of the first Board of Trustees of the 
Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and, in 1870, was 
elected to the Legislature a second time. The 



332 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



following year he was appointed a member of the 
first Board of Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sioners, and served as its President. He is the 
author of "Collection of the Important General 
Laws of Illinois, with Comments" (in German, 
St. Louis, 1838); "From Spain" (Frankfort on- 
the-Main, 186C); "Das Deutsche Element in den 
Vereiningten Staaten" (Cincinnati, 1880; second 
edition. New York, 188.5) ; and a number of mono- 
graphs. Died, at Belleville, April 9, 1896. 

KOHLSAAT, Christian C, Judge of United 
States Court, was born in Edwards County, 111. , 
Jan. 8, 1844 — his father being a native of Germany 
who settled in Edwards County in 182.5, while his 
mother was born in England. The family 
removed to Galena in 1854, where young Kohlsaat 
attended the public schools, later taking a course 
in Chicago University, after which he began the 
study of law. In 1867 he became a reporter on 
"The Chicago Evening Journal," was admitted 
to the bar in the same year, and, in 1868, accepted 
a position in the office of the County Clerk, where 
he kept the records of the County Court under 
Judge Bradwell's administration. During the 
sessions of the Twenty-seventh General As.sembly 
(1871-72) , he served as First Assistant Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of the House, after which 
he began practice; in 1881 was the Republican 
nominee for County Judge, but was defeated by 
Judge Prendergast; served as member of the 
Board of West Side Park Commissioners, 1884-90 ; 
in 1890 was appointed Probate Judge of Cook 
County (as successor to Judge Knickerbocker, 
who died in January of that year), and was 
elected to the office in November following, and 
re-elected in 1894, as he was again in 1898. Early 
in 1899 he was appointed, by President McKinlej-, 
Judge of the United States District Court for the 
Northern District of Illinois, as successor to Judge 
Grosscup, who had been appointed United States 
Circuit Judge in place of Judge Showalter, 
deceased. 

KOHLSAAT, Herman H., editor and news- 
paper publisher, was born in Edwards Count}', 
111., March 22, 1853, and taken the following year 
to Galena, where he remained until 13 years of 
age, when the family removed to Chicago. Here, 
after attending tlie public schools some three 
years, he became a cash-boy in the store of Car- 
son, Pirie & Co., a year later rising to the position 
of cashier, remaining two years. Then, after 
having been connected with various business 
concerns, he became the junior member of the 
firm of Blake, Shaw & Co. , for wliom he had been 
a traveling salesman some five years. In 1880 he 



became associated with the Dake Bakery, in con- 
nection with which he laid the foundation of an 
extensive business by establishing a system of 
restaurants and lunch counters in the business 
portions of the city. In 1891, after a somewhat pro- 
tracted visit to Europe Mr Kohlsaat bought a con- 
trolling interest in "The Chicago Inter Ocean," 
but withdrew early in 1894. In April, 1895, he be- 
came principal proprietor of "The Chicago Times- 
Herald," as the succes.sor of the late James W^. 
Scott, who died suddenly in New York, soon after 
effecting a consolidation of Chicago's two Demo- 
cratic papers, "The Times" and "Herald," in one 
concern. Although changing the political status 
of the paper from Democratic to Independent, 
Mr. Kohlsaat's liberal enterprise has won for it 
an assured success. He is also owner and pub- 
lisher of "The Chicago Evening Post." His 
whole business career has been one of almost 
phenomenal success attained by vigorous enter- 
prise and high-minded, honorable methods. Mr. 
Kohlsaat is one of the original incorporators of 
the University of Chicago, of which he continues 
to be one of the Trustees. 

KROME, William Henry, lawyer, born of Ger- 
man parentage, in Louisville, Ky., July 1, 1842; 
in 1851 was brought by his father to Madison 
County, 111., where he lived and worked for some 
years on a farm. He acquired his education in 
the common schools and at McKendree College, , 
graduating from the latter in 1863. After spend- 
ing his summer months in farm labor and teach- 
ing school during the winter, for a j'ear or two, 
he read law for a time with Judge M. G. Dale of 
Edwardsville, and, in 1866, entered the law 
department of Michigan University, gradu- 
ating in 1869, though admitted tlie year previous 
to practice by the Supreme Court of Illinois. Mr. 
Krome has been successively the partner of 
Judge John G. Irwin, Hon. W. F. L. Hadley (late 
Congressman from the Eighteenth District) and 
C. W. Terr}'. He has held tlie office of Mayor of 
Edwardsville (1873), State Senator (1874-78), and, 
in 1893, was a prominent candidate before the 
Democratic judicial convention for the nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, to succeed 
Justice Scholfield, deceased. He is also President 
of tlie Madison County State Bank. 

KUEFFNER, William C, lawyer and soldier, 
was born in Germany and came to St. Clair 
County, 111., in 1861. Early in 1865 he was com- 
missioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Forty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, one of the 
latest regiments organized for the Civil War. and 
was soon after promoted to the rank of Brevet 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



323 



Brigadier-General, serving until January, 1866. 
Later, General Kueff ner studied law at St. Louis, 
and having graduated in 1871, established himself 
in practice at Belleville, where he has since 
resided. He was a successful contestant for a 
seat in the Republican National Convention of 
1880 from the Seventeenth District. 

KUYKENDALL, Andrew J., lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born of pioneer parents in Gallatin 
(now Hardin) County, 111., March 3, 1815; was 
self-educated chiefly, but in his early manhood 
adopted the law as a profession, locating at 
Vienna in Johnson County, where he continued 
to reside to the end of his life. In 1842 he was 
elected a Representative in the Thirteenth Gen- 
eral Assembly, and re-elected two years later; in 
1850 became State Senator, serving continuously 
in the same body for twelve years ; in 1861 en- 
listed, and was commissioned Major, in the 
Thirty-first Illinois Volunteers (Gen. John A. 
Logan's regiment), but was compelled to resign, 
in May following, on acount of impaired health. 
Two years later (1864) he was elected Represent- 
ative in the Thirty-ninth Congress, serving one 
term ; and, after several years in private life, was 
again returned to the State Senate in 1878, serving 
in the Thirty-first and Thirty-second General 
Assemblies. In all, Major Kuykendall saw 
twenty years' service in the State Legislature, of 
which sixteen were spent in the Senate and four 
in the House, besides two years in Congress. A 
zealous Democrat previous to the war, he was an 
ardent supporter of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment, and, in 1864, presided over the "Union" 
(Republican) State Convention of that year. He 
was also a member of the Senate Finance Com- 
mittee in the session of 1859, which had the duty 
of investigating the Matteson "canal scrip fraud. " 
Died, at Vienna, 111., May 11, 1891. 

LABOR TROUBLES. 1. The Railroad 
Strike of 1877. — By this name is generally char- 
acterized the labor disturbances of 1877, which, 
beginning at Pittsburg in July, spread over the 
entire countrj-, interrupting transportation, and, 
for a time, threatening to paralyze trade. Illi- 
nois suffered severelj'. The primary cause of the 
troubles was the general prostration of business 
resulting from the depression of values, which 
affected manufacturers and merchants alike. A 
reduction of expenses became necessary, and the 
wages of employes were lowered. Dissatisfaction 
and restlessness on the part of the latter ensued, 
which found expression in the ordering of a strike 
among railroad operatives on a larger scale than 



had ever been witnessed in this country. In Illi- 
nois, Peoria, Decatur, Braidwood, East St. Louis, 
Galesburg, La Salle and Chicago were tlie prin- 
cipal points affected. In all tliese cities angry, 
excited men formed themselves into mobs, which 
tore up tracks, took possession of machine sliops, 
in some cases destroyed roundhouses, ajjplied the 
torch to warehouses, and, for a time, held com- 
merce by the throat, not only defying the law, 
but even contending in arms against the militarj- 
sent to disperse them. The entire force of the 
State militia was called into service, Major- 
General Arthur C. Ducat being in command. 
Tlie State troops were divided into three brigades, 
commanded respectively by Brigadier-Generals 
Torrence, Bates and Pavey. General Ducat 
assumed personal command at Braidwood, where 
were sent the Third Regiment and the Tenth 
Battalion, who suppressed the riots at that point 
with ease. Col. Joseph W. Stambaugh and 
Lieut. -Col. J. B. Parsons were the respective 
regimental commanders. Generals Bates and 
Pavey were in command at East St. Louis, 
where the excitement was at fever heat, the 
mobs terrorizing peaceable citizens and destroy- 
ing much property. Governor CuUom went to 
this point in person. Chicago, however, was the 
chief railroad center of the State, and only 
prompt and severely repressive measures held in 
check one of the most dangerous mobs which 
ever threatened property and life in that city. 
The local police force was inadequate to control 
the rioters, and Mayor Heath felt himself forced 
to call for aid from the State. Brig. -Gen. Joseph 
T. Torrence then commanded the First Brigade, 
I. N. G., with headquarters at Chicago. Under 
instructions from Governor Cullom, he promptly' 
and effectively co-operated with the municipal 
authorities in quelling the uprising, fle received 
valuable support from volunteer companies, some 
of which were largely composed of Union veter- 
ans. The latter were commanded by such ex- 
perienced commanders as Generals Reynolds, 
Martin Beem, and O. L. Mann, and Colonel Owen 
Stuart. General Lieb also led a company of 
veterans enlisted by himself, and General Shaff- 
ner and Major James H. D. Daly organized a 
cavalry force of 150 old soldiers, who rendered 
efficient service. The disturbance was promptly 
subdued, transportation resumed, and trade once 
more began to move in its accustomed channels 
2. The Strike of 1894. — This was an uprising 
which originated in Chicago and was incited by a 
comparatively young labor organization called 
the American Railway Union. In its inception it 



324 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was sympathetic, its ostensible motive, at the 
outset, being the rigliting of wrongs alleged to 
liave been suffered by employes of the Pullman 
Palace Car Company. The latter quit work on 
May 11, and, on June 22, the American Railway 
Union ordered a general boycott against all rail- 
road companies hauling Pullman cars after June 
26. The General Managers of the lines entering 
Chicago took prompt action (June 2~i) looking 
toward mutual protection, protesting against the 
proposed boycott, and affirming their resolution 
to adhere to existing contracts, any action on the 
part of the strikers to the contrary notwithstand- 
ing. Trouble began on the 36th. The hauling of 
freight was necessarily soon discontinued; sub- 
urban traffic was interrupted ; switching had to 
be done by inexperienced hands under poUce or 
military protection (officials and clerks some- 
times throwing the levers), and in the presence of 
Jarge crowds of law-defying hoodlums gathered 
along the tracks, avowedly through sympathy 
with the strikers, but actually in the hope of 
plunder. Trains were sidetracked, derailed, and, 
in not a few instances, valuable freight was 
burned. Passengers were forced to undergo the 
inconvenience of being cooped up for hours in 
crowded cars, in transit, without food or water, 
sometimes almost within sight of their destina- 
tion, and sometimes threatened with death should 
they attempt to leave their prison houses. The 
mobs, intoxicated by seeming success, finally ven- 
tured to interfere with the passage of trains 
carrying the United States mails, and, at this 
juncture, the Federal authorities interfered. 
President Cleveland at once ordered the protec- 
tion of all mail trains by armed guards, to be 
appointed by the United States Marshal. An 
additional force of Deputy Sheriffs was also sworn 
in by the Sheriff of Cook County, and the city 
police force was augmented. The United States 
District Court also issued a restraining order, 
directed against the officers and members of the 
American Railway Union, as well as against all 
other persons interfering with the business of 
railroads carrying the mails. Service was readily 
accepted by the officers of the Union, but the 
copies distributed among the insurgent mob were 
torn and trampled upon. Thereupon the Presi- 
dent ordered Federal troops to Chicago, both to 
protect Government property (notably the Sub- 
treasury) and to guard mail trains. The Gov- 
ernor (John P. Altgeld) protested, but without 
avail. A few days later, the Mayor of Chicago 
requested the State Executive to place a force of 
State militia at his control for the protection of 



property and the prevention of bloodshed. Gen- 
eral Wheeler, with the entire second division of 
the I. N. G. , at once received orders to report to 
the municipal authorities. The presence of the 
militia greatly incensed the turbulent crowds, 
yet it proved most salutary. The troops displayed 
exemplary firmness under most trying circum- 
stances, dispersing jeering and threatening 
crowds by physical force or bayonet charges, the 
rioters being fired upon only twice. Gradually 
order was restored. The disreputable element 
subsided, and wiser and more conseri'ative coun- 
sels prevailed among the ranks of the strikers. 
Impediments to traffic were removed and trains 
were soon running as though no interruption had 
occurred. The troops were %vithdrawn (first the 
Federal and afterwards those of the State), and 
the courts were left to deal with the subject in 
accordance with the statutes. The entire execu- 
tive board of the American Railway Union were 
indicted for conspiracy, but the indictments were 
never pressed. The officers, liowever, were all 
found guilty of contempt of court in having dis- 
obeyed the restraining order of the Federal 
court, and .sentenced to terms id the county jail. 
Eugene V. Debs, the President of the Union, was 
convicted on two charges and given a sentence 
of six months on each, but the two sentences were 
afterward made concurrent. The other members 
of the Board received a similar sentence for three 
months each. All but the Vice-President, George 
W. Howard, served their terms at Woodstock, 
McHenry County. Howard was sent to the Will 
County jail at Joliet. 

LACEY, Lyman, lawyer and jurist, was born in 
Tompkins County, N. Y., May 6, 1832. In 1837 
his parents settled in Fulton County, 111. He 
graduated from Illinois College in 1855 and was 
admitted to the bar in 1856, commencing practice 
at Havana, Mason County, the same year. In 
1862 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the counties of Mason and Menard in the lower 
house of the Legislature ; was elected to the Cir- 
cuit Court bench in 1873, and re-elected in 1879, 
'85 and '91 ; also served for several years upon 
the bench of the Appellate Court. 

LACON, a city and county-seat of Marshall 
County, situated on the Illinois River, and on the 
Dwight and Lacon branch of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, 130 miles southwest of Chicago. 
A pontoon bridge connects it witli Sparland on 
the opposite bank of the Illinois. The surround- 
ing country raises large quantities of grain, for 
which Lacon is a shipping point. The river is 
navigable by steamboats to this point. The city 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



325 



has grain eleTators, woolen mills, marble works, 
a carriage factory and a national bank. It also has 
water works, an excellent telephone system, good 
drainage, and is lighted by electricity. There 
are seven churches, a graded school and two 
weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,814; 
(1890), 1,649. (1900), 1,601. 

LA FAYETTE (Marquis de), VISIT OF. An 
event of profound interest in the historj' of Illi- 
nois, during the year 182.5, was the visit to the 
State by the Marquis de La Fayette, who had 
been the ally of the American people during 
their struggle for independence. The distin- 
guished Frenchman having arrived in the coun- 
try during the latter part of 1824, the General 
Assembly in session at Vandalia, in December of 
that year, adopted an address inviting him to 
yisit Illinois. This was communicated to La 
Fayette by Gov. Edward Coles, who had met the 
General in Europe seven years before. Governor 
Coles' letter and the address of the General 
Assembly were answered with an acceptance by 
La Fayette from Washington, under date of Jan. 
16, 1825. The approach of the latter was made by 
way of New Orleans, the steamer Natchez (by 
which General La Fayette ascended the Mis- 
sissippi) arriving at the old French village of 
Carondelet, below St. Louis, on the 28th of April. 
Col. William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander 
Hamilton, and at that time a Representative in 
the General Assembly from Sangamon County, 
as well as an Aid -de-Camp on the staff of Gov- 
ernor Coles, was dispatched from the home of the 
latter at Edwardsville, to meet the distinguislied 
visitor, which he did at St. Louis. On Saturday, 
April 30, the boat bearing General La Fayette, 
with a large delegation of prominent citizens of 
Missouri, left St. Louis, arriving at Kaskaskia, 
where a reception awaited him at the elegant 
residence of Gen. John Edgar, Governor Coles 
delivering an address of welcome. The presence 
of a number of old soldiers, who had fought under 
La Fayette at Brandyvrine and Yorktown, consti- 
tuted an interesting feature of the occasion. This 
was followed by a banquet at the tavern kept by 
Colonel Sweet, and a closing reception at the house 
of William Morrison, Sr., a member of the cele- 
brated family of that name, and one of the lead- 
ing merchants of Ka.skaskia. Among those 
participating in the reception ceremonies, wlio 
were then, or afterwards became, prominent 
factors in State history, appear the names of Gen. 
John Edgar, ex-Governor Bond, Judge Nathaniel 
Pope, Elias Kent Kane, ex-Lieutenant-Govemor 
Menard, Col Thomas Mather and Sidney Breese, 



a future United States Senator and Justice of the 
Supreme Court. The boat left Kaskaskia at 
midnight for Nashville, Tenn. , Governor Coles 
accompanying the party and returning with it to 
Shawneetown, where an imposing reception was 
given and an address of welcome delivered by 
Judge James Hall, on May 14, 1825. A few 
hours later General La Fayette left on his way up 
the Ohio. 

LAFAYETTE, BLOOMINGTON & MISSIS- 
SIPPI RAILROAD. (See Lake Erie ct Western 
Railroad.) 

LAFLIJf, Matthew, manufacturer, was born 
at Southwick, Hampden County, Mass., Dec. 16, 
1803; in his youtli was clerk for a time in the 
store of Laflin & Loomis, powder manufacturers, 
at Lee, Mass., later becoming a partner in the 
Canton Powder Mills. About 1832 he engaged in 
the manufacture of axes at Saugerties, N. Y., 
which proving a failure, he again engaged in 
powder manufacture, and, in 1837, came to Chi- 
cago, where he finally established a factory^his 
firm, in 1840, becoming Laflin & Smith, and, 
later, Laflin, Smith & Co. Becoming largelj- 
interested in real estate, he devoted his atten- 
tion chiefly to that business after 1849, with 
great success, not only in Chicago but else- 
where, having done much for the develop- 
ment of Waukesha, Wis. , where he erected one 
of the principal hotels^the "Fountain Spring 
House"' — also being one of the original stock- 
holders of the Elgin Watch Company. Mr. 
Laflin was a zealous supporter of the Government 
during the war for the preservation of the Union, 
and, before his death, made a donation of §75,- 
000 for a building for the Chicago Academy of 
Sciences, which was erected in the western part 
of Lincoln Park. Died, in Chicago, May 20, 1897. 

LA GRANGE, a village in Cook County, and 
one of the handsomest suburbs of Chicago, from 
which it is distant 15 miles, south-southwest, on 
the Chicago. Burlington & Qulncy Railroad. The 
streets are broad and shaded and there are many 
handsome residences. The village is lighted by 
electricity, and has public water-works, seven 
churches, a high school and a weekh- paper. 
Population (1880), 531; (1890), 2,314; (1900), 3,969. 

LA HARPE, a city in Hancock County, on the 
Toledo, Peoria it Western Railway, 70 miles west 
by south from Peoria and 20 miles south-south- 
east of Burlington, Iowa. Brick, tile and cigars 
constitute tlie manufactured output. La Harpe 
has two banks, five churches, a graded and a 
high school, a seminary, and two newspapers. 
Population (1880), 958; (1890), 1,113; (1900), 1,591. 



326 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



LAKE COUNTY, in the extreme northeast 
corner of the State, having an area of 490 square 
miles, and a population (1900) of 34,504. It was 
cut off from McHenry County and separately 
organized in 1839. Pioneer settlers began to 
arrive in 1839, locating chiefly along the Des 
Plaines River. The Indians vacated the region 
the following year. The first County Commission- 
ers (E. E. Hunter, William Brown and E. C. 
Berrey) located the county-seat at Libertyville, 
but, in 1841, it was removed to Little Fort, now 
Waukegan. The county derives its name from 
the fact that some forty small lakes are found 
within its limits. The surface is undulating and 
about equally divided between sand, prairie and 
second-growth timber. At Waukegan there are 
several maufacturing establishments, and the 
Glen Flora medicinal spring attracts many in- 
valids. Highland Park and Lake Forest are resi- 
dence towns of great beauty situated on the lake 
bluff, populated largely by the families of Chicago 
business men. 

LAKE ERIE & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See Lake Erie <i Western Railroad.) 

LAKE ERIE & WESTERN RAILROAD. Of 
the 710.61 miles which constitute the entire 
length of this line, only 118.6 are within Illinois. 
This portion extends from the junction of the 
Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, on the east side 
of the Illinois River opposite Peoria, to the Indi- 
ana State line. It is a single-track road of 
standard gauge. About one-sixth of the line in 
Illinois is level, the grade nowhere exceeding 40 
feet to the mile. The track is of 56 and 60-pound 
steel rails, and lightly ballasted. The total 
capital of the road (1898)— including §23,680,000 
capital stock, $10,875,000 bonded debt and a float- 
ing debt of $1,479,809— was ?36,0.34,809, or $50,- 
708 per mile. The total earnings and income in 
Illinois for 1898 were $559,743, and the total 
expenditures for the same period, $457,713. — 
(History.) The main line of the Illinois Division 
of the Lake Erie & Western Railroad was acquired 
by consolidation, in 1880, of the Lafayette, Bloom- 
ington & Mississippi Railroad (81 miles in length), 
which had been opened in 1871, with certain Ohio 
and Indiana lines. In May, 1885, the line thus 
formed was consolidated, without change of name, 
with the Lake Erie & Mississippi Railroad, organ- 
ized to build an extension of the Lake Erie & 
Western from Bloomington to Peoria (43 miles). 
The road was sold under foreclosure in 1886, and 
the present company organized, Feb. 9, 1887. 

LAKE FOREST, a city in Lake County, on 
Lake Michigan and Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 



way, 38 miles north by west from Chicago. It is 
the seat of Lake Forest University; has four 
schools, five churches, one bank, gas and electric 
light system, electric car line, water system, fire 
department and hospital. Population (1890), 
1,203; (1900), 2,215; (1904, est.), 2,800. 

LAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY, an institution 
of learning comprising six distinct schools, viz. ; 
Lake Forest Academy, Ferry Hall Seminary, 
Lake Forest College, Rush Medical College, Chi- 
cago College of Dental Surgery, and the Chicago 
College of Law. The three first named are 
located at Lake Forest, while the three profes- 
sional schools are in the city of Chicago. The 
college charter was granted in 1857, but the 
institution was not opened until nineteen years 
later, and the professional schools, which were 
originally independent, were not associated until 
1887. In 1894 there were 316 undergraduates at 
Lake Forest, in charge of forty instructors. Dur- 
ing the same year there were in attendance at the 
professional schools, 1,557 students, making a 
total enrollment in the University of 1,873. 
While the institution is affiliated with the Pres- 
byterian denomination, the Board of Trustees is 
self-perpetuating. The Academy and Seminary 
are preparatory schools for the two sexes, re- 
spectively. Lake Forest College is co-educational 
and organized upon the elective plan, having 
seventeen departments, a certain number of 
studies being required for graduation, and work 
upon a major subject being required for three 
years. The schools at Lake Forest occupy fifteen 
buildings, standing within a campus of sixty-five 
acres. 

LAKE MICHIGAN, one of the chain of five 
great northern lakes, and the largest lake lying 
wholly within the United States. It lies between 
the parallels of 41° 35' and 46° North latitude, its 
length being about 335 miles. Its width varies 
from 50 to 88 miles, its greatest breadth being 
opposite Milwaukee. Its surface is nearly 600 
feet above the sea-level and its maximum depth 
is estimated at 840 feet. It has an area of about 
20,000 square miles. It forms the eastern bound- 
ary of Wisconsin, the western boundary of the 
lower peninsula of Michigan and a part of the 
northern boundary of Illinois and Indiana. Its 
waters find their outlet into Lake Huron through 
the straits of Mackinaw, at its northeast extrem- 
ity, and are connected with Lake Superior by the 
Sault Ste. Marie River. It contains few islands, 
and these mainly in its northern part, the largest 
being some fifteen miles long. The principal 
rivers which empty into this lake are the Fox, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



327 



Menominee, Manistee, Muskegon, Kalamazoo, 
Grand and St. Joseph. Chicago, Milwaukee, 
Racine and Manitowoc are the chief cities on its 
banks. 

LAKE SHORE & MICHIGAN SOUTHERN 
RAILWAY. The main line extends from Buffalo, 
N. Y., to Chicago, 111., a distance of 539 miles, 
with various branches of leased and proprietary 
lines located in the States of Michigan, New 
York and Ohio, making the mileage of lines 
operated 1,415.63 miles, of which 862. 15 are owned 
by the company — only 14 miles being in Illinois. 
The total earnings and income in Illinois, in 1898, 
were $453,946, and the expenditures for the same 
period, $360,971. — (History.) The company was 
formed in 1869, from the consolidation of the 
Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana, the 
Cleveland, Painesville & Ashtabula, and the 
Buffalo & Erie Railroad Companies. The propri- 
etary roads have been acquired since the consoli- 
dation. 

LAMB, James L., pioneer merchant, was born 
in Connellsville, Pa., Nov. 7, 1800; at 12 years of 
age went to Cincinnati to serve as clerk in the 
store of a distant relative, came to Kaskaskia, 111., 
in 1820, and soon after engaged in mercantile 
business with Thomas Mather, who had come to 
Illinois two years earlier. Later, the firm estab- 
lished a store at Chester and shipped the first 
barrels of pork from Illinois to the New Orleans 
market. In 1831 Mr. Lamb located in Springfield, 
afterwards carrying on merchandising and pork- 
packing extensively; also established an iron 
foundry, which continued in operation until a few 
years ago. Died, Dec. 3, 1873. 

LAMB, Martha J. R. N., magazine editor and 
historian, was born (Martha Joan Reade Nash) at 
Plainfield, JIass., August 13, 1829, received a 
thorough education and, after her marriage in 
1853 to Charles A. Lamb, resided for eight years 
in Chicago, 111. , where she was one of the prin- 
cipal founders of the Home for the Friendless and 
Half Orphan Asylum, and Secretary of the 
Sanitary Fair of 1863. In 1866 she removed to 
New York and gave her after life to literary work, 
from 1883 until her death being editor of "The 
Magazine of American History," besides furnish- 
ing numerous papers on historical and other sub- 
jects; also publishing some sixteen volumes, one 
of her most important works being a "History o' 
New York City," in two volumes. She was a 
member of nearly thirty liistorical and other 
learned societies. Died, Jan. 2, 1893. 

LAMBORN, Josiah, early lawyer and Attor- 
ney-General; born in Washington County, Ky., 



and educated at Transylvania University; was 
Attorney-General of the State by appointment of 
Governor Carlin, 1840-43, at that time being a 
resident of Jacksonville. He is described by his 
contemporaries as an able and brilliant man, but 
of convivial habits and unscrupulous to such a 
degree that Ins name was mixed up with a num- 
ber of official scandals. Separated from his 
family, he died of delirium tremens, at White- 
hall, Greene County. 

LAMOILLE, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota-Fulton branch of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railway, 9 miles northwest of Men- 
dota; in rich fanning and stock-raising region; 
has a bank, three churches, fine school-building, 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 516; (1900), 576. 

LAMON, Ward Hill, lawyer, was born at 
Mill Creek, Frederick County, W. Va.. Jan. 6, 
1828; received a common school education and 
was engaged in teaching for a time ; also began 
the study of medicine, but relinquished it for the 
law. About 1847-48 he located at Danville, 111., 
subsequently read law with the late Judge Oliver 
L. Davis, attending lectures at the Louisville 
Law School, where he had Gen. John A. Logan 
for a class-mate. On admission to the bar, he 
became the Danville partner of Abraham Lincoln 
— the partnership being in existence as early as 
1852. In 1859 he removed to Bloomington, and, 
in the Presidential campaign of 1800, was a zeal- 
ous supporter of Mr. Lincoln. In February, 1861, 
he was chosen by Mr. Lincoln to accompany him 
to Washington, making the perilous night jour- 
ney through Baltimore in Mr. Lincoln's company. 
Being a man of undoubted courage, as well as 
almost giant stature, he soon received the ap- 
pointment of Marshal of the District of Columbia, 
and, in the first weeks of the new administration, 
made a confidential visit to Colonel Anderson, 
then in command at Fort Sumter, to secure 
accurate information as to the situation there. 
In May, 1861, he obtained authority to raise a 
regiment, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
remaining in the field to December, when he 
returned to the discharge of his duties as Marshal 
at Washington, but was absent from Washington 
on the night of the assassination — April 14, 1865. 
Resigning liis office after this event, he entered 
into partnership for the practice of law with the 
late Jeremiah S. Black of Pennsylvania. Some 
years later he published the first volume of a pro- 
posed Life of Lincoln, using material which he 
obtained from Mr. Lincoln's Springfield partner. 
William H. Herndon, but the second volume was 
never issued. His death occurred at Martins- 



328 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



burg, W. Va., not far from his birthplace. May 
7, 1893. Colonel Lamon married a daughter of 
Judge Stephen T. Logan, of Springfield. 

LANARK, a city in Can-oil County, 19 miles by 
rail southwest of Freeport, and 7 miles east of 
Mount Carroll The surrounding country is 
largely devoted to grain-growing, and Lanark 
has two elevators and is an important shipping- 
point. Manufacturing of various descriptions is 
carried on. The city has two banks (one Na- 
tional and one State), eight churches, a graded 
and high school, and a weekly newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,198; (1890), 1,295; (1900), 1,306. 

LANDES, Silas Z., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Augusta County, Va., May 15, 1843. In early 
youth he removed to Illinois, and was admitted 
to the bar of this State in August, 1863, and has 
been in active practice at Mount Carmel since 
1864. In 1872 he was elected State's Attorney 
for Wabash County, was re-elected in 1876, and 
again in 1880. He represented the Sixteenth Illi- 
nois District in Congress from 1885 to 1889, being 
elected on the Democratic ticket. 

LANDRIGAN, John, farmer and legislator, was 
born in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1832, and 
brought to America at one year of age, his 
parents stopping for a time in New Jersey. Ilis 
early life was spent at Lafayette, Ind. After 
completing his education in the seminary there, 
he engaged in railroad and canal contracting. 
Coming to Illinois in 1858, he purchased a farm 
near Albion, Edwards County, where he has 
since resided. He has been twice elected as a 
Democrat to the House of Representatives (1868 
and '74) and twice to the State Senate (1870 
and '96), and has been, for over twenty years, 
a member of the State Agricultural Society — 
for four years of that time being President 
of the Board, and some sixteen years Vice-Presi- 
dent. 

LANE, Albert Grannis, educator, was born in 
Cook County, 111., March 15, 1841, and educated 
in the public schools, graduating with the first 
class from the Chicago High School in 1858. He 
immediately entered upon the business of teach- 
ing as Principal, but, in 1869, was elected Super- 
intendent of Schools for Cook County. After 
three years' service as cashier of a bank, he was 
elected County Superintendent, a second time, in 
1877, and regularly every four years thereafter 
until 1890. In 1891 he was chosen Superintend- 
ent of Schools for the city of Chicago, to fill the 
vacancy caused by the resignation of Superin- 
tendent Howland— a position which he continued 
to fill until the appointment of E. B. Andrews, 



Superintendent, when he became First Assistant 
Superintendent. 

LA>'E, Edward, ex-Congressman, was born in 
Cleveland, Ohio, March 27, 1842, and became a 
resident of Illinois at the age of 16. After receiv- 
ing an academic education he studied law and 
was admitted to the Illinois bar in February, 
1865. Since then he has been a successful prac- 
titioner at Hillsboro. From 1869 to 1873 he served 
as County Judge. In 1886 he was the successful 
Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Seventeenth Illinois District and re-elected for 
three successive terms, but was defeated by 
Frederick Remann (Republican) in 1894, and 
again by W. F. L. Hadley, at a special election, in 
1895, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Mr. Eemann. 

LAXPHIER, Charles H., journalist, was born 
at Alexandria, Va., April 14, 1820; from 4 years 
of age lived in Washington City ; in 1836 entered 
the office as an apprentice of "The State Regis- 
ter" at Vandalia, 111., (then owned by his brother- 
in-law, William Walters). Later, the paper was 
removed to Springfield, and Walters, having 
enlisted for the Mexican war in 1846, died at St. 
Louis, en route to the field. Lanpliier, having 
thus succeeded to the management, and, finally, 
to the proprietorship of the paper, was elected 
public printer at the next session of the Legisla- 
ture, and, in 1847, took into partnership George 
Walker, who acted as editor until 1858. Mr. Lan- 
phier continued the publication of the paper until 
1863, and then sold out. During the war he 
was one of the State Board of Army Auditors 
appointed by Governor Yates; was elected 
Circuit Clerk in 1864 and re-elected in 1868, 
and, in 1872, was Democratic candidate for 
County Treasurer but defeated with the rest of 
his party. 

LARCOM, Lucy, author and teacher, born at 
Beverly, Mass., in 1826; attended a grammar 
school and worked in a cotton mill at Lowell, 
becoming one of the most popular contributors to 
"The Lowell Offering," a magazine conducted by 
the factory girls, thereby winning the acquaint- 
ance and friendship of the poet Whittier. In 
1846 she came to Illinois and, for three years, was 
a student at Monticello Female Seminary, near 
Alton, meanwhile teaching at intervals in the 
v;cinity. Returning to Massachusetts she taught 
for six j'ears; in 1865 established "Our Young 
Folks," of which she was editor until 1874. Her 
books, both poetical and prose, have taken a 
high rank for their elevated literary and moral 
tone. Died, in Bo.ston, April 17, 1893. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



329 



LAR\ED, Edward Channing, lawyer, was born 
in Providence. R. I., July 14, 1820; graduated at 
Brown University in 1840 ; was Professor of Mathe- 
matics one 3-ear in Kemper College, Wis., then 
studied law and, in 1847, came to Chicago. He 
was an earnest opponent of slavery and gained 
considerable deserved celebrity by a speech 
which he delivered in 18.51, in opposition to the 
fugitive slave law. He was a warm friend of 
Abraham Lincoln and, in 1860, made speeches in 
his support ; was an active member of the Union 
Defense Committee of Chicago during the war, 
and, in 1861, was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States District Attorney of the Northern 
District of Illinois, but compelled to resign by 
failing health. Being absent in Europe at the 
time of the fire of 1871, he returned immediately 
and devoted his attention to the work of the 
Relief and Aid Society. Making a second visit to 
Europe in 1873-73, he wrote many letters for the 
press, also doing much other literary work in 
spite of declining health. Died at Lake Forest, 
111., September, 1884. 

hX SALLE, a city in La Salle County, 99 miles 
southwest of Chicago, situated on the Illinois 
River at southern terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and at intersection of three 
trunk lines of railroads. Bituminous coal 
abounds and is extensively mined ; zinc smelting 
and the manufacture of glass and hydraulic and 
Portland cement are leading industries; also has 
a large ice trade with the South annually. It is 
connected with adjacent towns by electric rail- 
ways, and with Peoria by daily river packets. 
Population (1890). 9,855: (1900), 10,446. 

LA SALLE, Renl Robert Cavclier, Sieur do, 
a famous explorer, born at Rouen, France, in 
1643; entered the Jesuit order, but conceiving 
that he had mistaken his vocation, came to 
America in 1666. He obtained a grant of land 
about the Lachine Rapids of the St. La\vrence, 
above Montreal. It was probablj' his intention 
to settle there as a grand seigneur ; but, becoming 
interested in stories told him by some Seneca 
Indians, he started two years later in quest of a 
great waterway, which he believed led to the 
South Sea (Pacific Ocean) and afforded a short 
route to Cliina. He passed through Lake Ontario, 
and is believed to have discovered the Ohio. The 
claim that he reached the Illinois River at this 
time has been questioned. Having re-visited 
France in 1677 he was given a patent of nobility 
and extensive land-grants in Canada. In 1679 he 
visited the Northwest and explored the great 
lakes, finally reaching the head of Lake Michi- 



gan and erecting a fort near the mouth of the St. 
Joseph River. From there he made a portage to 
the Illinois, which he descended early in 1680 to 
Lake Peoria, where he began the erection of a 
fort to which, in consequence of the misfortunes 
attending the expedition, was given the name of 
Creve-Coeur. Returning from here to Canada for 
supplies, in the following fall he again appeared 
in Illinois, but found his fort at Lake Peoria a 
ruin and his followers, whom he had left there, 
gone. Compelled again to return to Canada, in 
the latter part of 1681 he set out on his third 
expedition to Illinois, and making the portage by 
way of the Chicago and Des Plaines Rivers, 
reached "Starved Rock,'" near the present city of 
Ottawa, where his lieutenant, Tonty, had already 
begun the erection of a fort. In 1682, accom- 
panied by Tonty, he descended the Illinois and 
Mississippi Rivers, reaching the Gulf of Mexico on 
April 9. He gave the region the name of Louisi- 
ana. In 1683 he again returned to France and 
was commissioned to found a colony at the mouth 
of the Mississippi, which he unsuccessfully 
attempted to do in 1684, the expedition finally 
landing about Slatagorda Bay in Texas. After 
other fruitless attempts (death and desertions 
having seriously reduced the number of his colo- 
nists) , while attempting to reach Canada, he was 
murdered by his companions near Trinity River 
in the present State of Texas, March 19, 1687. 
Another theory regarding La Salle's ill-starred 
Texas expedition is, that he intended to establish 
a colony west of the Mississippi, with a view to 
contesting with the Spaniards for the possession 
of that region, but that the French government 
failed to give him the support which had been 
promised, leaving him to his fate. 

LA SALLE COUN'Tr, one of the wealthiest 
counties in the northe<istern section, being second 
m size and in population in the State It was 
organized in 1831, and has an area of 1,152 square 
miles; population (1900), 87,776. The history of 
this region dates back to 1675, when Marquette 
established a mission at an Indian village on the 
Illinois River about where Utica now stands, 
eight miles west of Ottawa. La Salle (for whom 
the county is named) erected a fort here in 1682, 
which was, for many years, the headquarters for 
French missionaries and traders. Later, the 
Illinois Indians were well-nigh exterminated 
by starvation, at the same point, which has be- 
come famous in Western history as "Starved 
Rock."" The surface of the county is undulat- 
ing and slopes toward the Illinois River. The 
soil is rich, and timber abounds on the bluffs and 



330 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



along the streams. Water is easily procured. 
Four beds of coal underlie the entire county, and 
good building stone is quarried at a depth of 150 
to 200 feet. Excellent hydraulic cement is made 
from the calciferous deposit, Utica being espe- 
cially noted for this industry. The First Ameri- 
can settlers came about the time of Captain Long's 
survey of a canal route (1816). The Illinois & 
Michigan Canal was located by a joint corps of 
State and National engineers in 1830. (See Illi- 
nois & Michigan Canal.) During the Black 
Hawk War, La Salle County was a prominent 
base of militar}' operations. 

LATHROP, William, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Genesee County, N. Y., April 
17, 1825. His earh' education was acquired in 
the common schools. Later he read law and was 
admitted to the bar, commencing practice in 
1851, making his home in Central New York until 
his removal to Illinois. In 1856 he represented 
the Rockford District in the lower house of the 
General Assembly, and, in 1876, was elected, as a 
Republican, to represent the (then) Fourth Illi- 
nois District in Congress. 

LA VANTUM, the name given, in the latter 
part of tlie seventeenth century, to the principal 
village of the Ilhnois Indians, situated on the 
Illinois River, near the present town of Utica, in 
La Salle County. (See Starred Rock. ) 

LAWLER, Frank, was born at Rochester, 
N. Y., June 25, 1843. His first active occupation 
was as a news-agent on railroads, which business 
he followed for three years. He learned the 
trade of a ship-calker, and was elected to the 
Presidency of the Ship-Carpenters' and Ship- 
Calkers' Association. While yet a young man he 
settled in Chicago and, in 1869, was appointed to 
a clerical position in the postoffice in that city ; 
later, served as a letter-carrier, and as a member 
of the City Council (1876-84). In 1884 he was 
elected to Congress from the Second District, 
which he represented in that bodj' for three suc- 
cessive terms. While serving his last year in 
Congress (1890) he was an unsuccessful candidate 
on the Democratic ticket for Sheriff of Cook 
County; in 1893 was an unsuccessful applicant 
for the Chicago postmastership, was defeated as 
an Independent-Democrat for Congress in 1894, 
but, in 1895, was elected Alderman for the Nine- 
teenth Ward of the city of Chicago. Died, Jan. 
17, 1896. 

LAWLER, (Gen.) Michael K., soldier, was 
born in County Kildare, Ireland, Nov. 16, 1814, 
brought to the United States in 1816, and. in 1819, 
to Gallatin County, 111., where his father began 



farming. The younger Lawler early evinced a 
military taste by organizing a military company 
in 1842, of which he served as Captain three or 
four years. In 1846 he organized a "ompany for the 
Mexican War, which was attached to the Third 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel Forman's), 
and, at the end of its term of enlistment, raised 
a company of cavalry, with which he served 
to the end of the war— in all, seeing two and 
a half years' service. He then resumed the 
peaceful life of a farmer; but, on the breaking 
out of tlie rebellion, again gave proof of his patri- 
otism by recruiting the Eighteentli Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first regiment organized in 
the Eighteenth Congressional District — of whicli 
he was commissioned Colonel, entering into the 
three j'ears' service in May, 1861. His regiment 
took part in most of tlie early engagements in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, including the 
capture of Fort Donelson, where it lost heavily. 
Colonel Lawler himself being severely wounded. 
Later, he was in command, for some time, at 
Jackson, Tenn., and, in November, 1862, was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General "for gallant and 
meritorious service." He was also an active 
participant in tlie operations against Vicksburg, 
and was thanked on the field by General Grant 
for his service at the battle of Big Black, pro- 
nounced by Charles A. Dana (then Assistant 
Secretary of War) "one of the most splendid 
exploits of the war." After the fall of Vicksburg 
he took part in the siege of Jackson, Miss., and 
in tlie campaigns on the Teche and Red River, and 
in Texas, also being in command, for six montlis, 
at Baton Rouge, La. In March, 1865, he was 
brevetted Major-General, and mustered out, 
January, 1866, after a service of four years and 
seven months. He then returned to his Gallatin 
County farm, where he died, July 26, 1882. 

LAWLER, Tliomas (t., soldier and Com- 
mander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, was born in Liverpool, Eng., April 
7, 1844; was brought to Illinois by his parents 
in childhood, and, at 17 years of age, enlisted 
in the Nineteenth Illinois Volunteers, serv- 
ing first as a private, then as Sergeant, later 
being elected First Lieutenant, and (althougli 
not mustered in, for two months) during tlie 
Atlanta campaign being in command of his com- 
pany, and placed on the roll of honor by order of 
General Rosecrans. He participated in every 
battle in which his regiment was engaged, and, 
at the battle of Missionary Ridge, was the first 
man of his command over the enemy's works. 
After the war he became prominent as an officer 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



331 



of the Illinois National Guard, organizing the 
Rockford Rifles, in 1876, and serving as Colonel of 
the Third Regiment for seven years; was ap- 
pointed Postmaster at Rockford by President 
Hayes, but removed by Cleveland in 1885; re- 
appointed by Harrison and again displaced on the 
accession of Cleveland. He was one of the 
organizers of G. L. Nevius Post, G. A. R., of 
which he served as Commander twenty-six years ; 
in 1882 was elected Department Commander for 
the State of Illinois and, in 1894, Commander-in- 
Chief, serving one year. 

LAWRENCE, Charles B., jurist, was born at 
Vergennes, Vt., Dec. 17, 1820, After two years 
spent at Middlebury College, he entered the 
junior class at Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1841. He devoted two years to 
teaching in Alabama, and began reading law at 
Cincinnati in 1843, completing his studies at St. 
Louis, where he was admitted to the bar and 
began practice in 1844. The following year he 
removed to Quincy, 111., where he was a promi- 
nent practitioner for ten years. The years 
1856-58 he spent in foreign travel, with the pri- 
mary object of restoring his impaired health. On 
his return home he began farming in Warren 
County, with the .same end in view. In 1861 he 
accepted a nomination to the Circuit Court bench 
and was elected without opposition. Before the 
expiration of his term, in 1864, he was elected a 
Justice of the Illinois Supreme Court for the 
Northern Grand Division, and, in 1870, became 
Chief Justice. At this time his home was at 
Galesburg. Failing of a re-election in 1873, he 
removed to Chicago, and at once became one of 
the leaders of the Cook County bar. Although 
persistently urged by personal and political 
friends, to permit his name to be used in connec- 
tion with a vacancy on the bench of the United 
States Supreme Court, he steadfastly declined. 
In 1877 he received the votes of the Republicans 
in the State Legislature for United States Senator 
against David Davis, who was elected. Died, at 
Decatur, Ala. , April 9, 1883. 

LAWRENCE COUNTY, one of the eastern 
counties in the "southern tier," originally a part 
of Edwards, but separated from the latter in 
1821, and named for Commodore Lawrence. In 
1900 its area was 360 square miles, and its popu- 
lation, 16,523. The first English speaking settlers 
seem to have emigrated from the colony at Vin- 
cennes, Ind. St. Francisville, in tlie southeast- 
ern portion, and Allison prairie, in the northeast, 
were favored by the American pioneers. Settle- 
ment was more or less desultory until after the 



War of 1813. Game was abundant and the soil 
productive. About a dozen negro families found 
homes, in 1819, near Lawrenceville, and a Shaker 
colony was established about Charlottesville the 
same year. Among the best remembered pio- 
neers are the families of Lautermann, Chubb, 
Kincaid, Buchanan and Laus — the latter having 
come from South Carolina. Toussaint Dubois, 
a Frenchman and father of Jesse K. Dubois, State 
Auditor (1857-04). was a large land proprietor at 
an early day, and his house was first utilized as a 
court house. The county is richer in historic 
associations than in populous towns. Lawrence- 
ville, the county-seat, was credited with 865 
inhabitants by the census of 1890. St. Francis- 
ville and Sumner are flourishing towns. 

LAWRENCEVILLE, the oounty-seat of Law- 
rence County, is situated on the Embarras River, 
at the intersection of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 9 miles west of 
Vincennes, Ind., and 139 miles east of St. Louis. 
It has a courthouse, four churches, a graded 
school and two weekly newspapers. Population 
(1890), 865; (1900), 1,300; (1903, est), 1,600. 

LAWSON, Victor F., journalist and newspaper 
proprietor, was born in Chicago, of Scandinavian 
parentage, Sept 9, 18.50. After graduating at the 
Cliicago High School, he prosecuted his studies 
at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at 
Harvard University. In August, 1876, he pur- 
chased an interest in "The Chicago Daily News," 
being for some time a partner of Melville E. 
Stone, but became sole proprietor in 1888, pub- 
lishing morning and evening editions. He 
reduced the price of the rhorning edition to one 
cent, and changed its name to "The Chicago 
Record." He has always taken a deep interest 
in the cause of popular education, and, in 1888, 
established a fund to provide for the distribution 
of medals among public school children of Chi- 
cago, the award to be made upon the basis of 
comparative excellence in the preparation of 
essays upon topics connected with American 
history. 

LEBANON, a city in St. Clair County, situated 
on Silver Creek, and on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad, 11 miles northeast of 
Belleville and 24 miles east of St. Louis; is lo- 
cated in an agricultural and coal-mining region. 
Its manufacturing interests are limited, a flour- 
ing mill being the chief industry of this charac- 
ter. The city lias electric lights and electric 
trolley line connecting with Belleville and St. 
Louis; also has a bank, eight churches, two 



332 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



newspapers and is an important educational cen- 
ter, being the seat of McKendree College, founded 
in 1838. Population (1890), 1,086; (1900), 1,812. 

LEE COUNTY, one of the third tier of counties 
south of the Wisconsin State line; named for 
Richard Henry Lee of Revolutionary fame : area, 
740 square miles; population (1900), 39,894. It 
was cut off from Ogle County, and separately 
organized in 1839. In 1840 the population was 
but little over 2,000. Charles F. Ingals, Nathan 
R. Whitnej' and James P. Dixon were the first 
County-Commissioners. Agriculture is the prin- 
cipal pursuit, although stone quarries are found 
here and there, notably at Ashton. The county- 
seat is Dixon, where, in 1828, one Ogee, a half- 
breed, built a cabin and established a ferry across 
the Rock River In 1830, John Dixon, of New 
York, purchased Ogee's interest for $1,800. Set- 
tlement and progress were greatly retarded by 
the Black Hawk War, but immigration fairly set 
in in 1838. The first court house was built in 
1840, and the same year the United States Land 
Office was removed from Galena to Dixon, Colo., 
John Dement, an early pioneer, being appointed 
Receiver. Dixon was incorporated as a city in 
1859. and, in 1900, had a population of 7,917. 

LEGISLATIVE APPORTIOXMENT. (See 
Apportionment. Legislatice.) 

LEGISLATURE. (See General AssemUies.) 

LELAND, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Cliicago, Burlington & Quiney Railway, 29 miles 
southwest of Aurora. Population (1900), 634. 

LELAND, Edwin S., lawyer and Judge, was 
born at Dennysville, Me., August 28, 1812, and 
admitted to the bar at Dedham, Mass., in 1834. 
In 1835 he removed to Ottawa, III, and, in 1839, 
to Oregon, Ogle County, where he practiced for 
four years. Returning to Ottawa in 1843, he 
rapidly rose in his profession, until, in 1852, he 
was elected to the Circuit Court bench to fill the 
unexpired term of Judge T. Lyle Dickey, who 
had resigned. In 1866 Governor Oglesby ap- 
pointed him Circuit Judge to fiU the unexpired 
term of Judge Hollister. He was elected by 
popular vote in 1867, and reelected in 1873. being 
assigned to the Appellate Court of the Second 
District in 1877. He was prominently identified 
with the genesis of the Republican party, whose 
tenets he zealously championed. He was also 
prominent in local affairs, having been elected 
the first Republican Mayor of Ottawa (1856), 
President of the Board of Education and County 
Treasurer. Died, June, 24, 1889. 

LEMEN, Jame<;, Sr., pioneer, was born in Berk- 
eley County, Va.. Nov. 20, 1760; served as a soldier 



in the War of the Revolution, being present at 
the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781 ; 
in 1786 came to Illinois, settling at the village of 
New Design, near the present site of Waterloo, in 
Monroe County. He was a man of enterprise 
and sterling integrity, and ultimately became the 
head of one of the most prominent and influential 
families in Southern Illinois. He is said to have 
been the first person admitted to the Baptist 
Church by immersion in Illinois, finally becoming 
a minister of that denomination. Of a family of 
eight children, four of his sons became ministers. 
Mr. Lemen's prominence was indicated by the 
fact that he was approached by Aaron Burr, with 
offers of large rewards for his infiuence in found- 
ing that ambitious schemer's projected South- 
western Empire, but the proposals were 
indignantly rejected and the scheme denounced. 
Died, at Waterloo, Jan. 8, 1823.— Robert (Lemen), 
oldest son of the preceding, was born in Berkeley 
County, V^a., Sept. 25, 1783; came with his father 
to Illinois, and, after his marriage, settled in St. 
Clair County. He held a commission as magis- 
trate and, for a time, was United States Marshal 
for Illinois under the administration of John 
Quiney Adams. Died in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair 
County, August 24, I860.— Rev. Joseph (Lemen), 
the second son, was born in Berkeley County, 
Va., Sept. 8, 1785, brought to Illinois in 1786, and, 
on reaching manhood, married Mary Kinney, a 
daughter of Rev. William Kinney, who after- 
wards became Lieutenant-Governor of the State. 
Joseph Lemen settled in Ridge Prairie, in the 
northern part of St. Clair County, and for many 
years supplied the pulpit of the Bethel Baptist 
church, which had been founded in 1809 on the 
principle of opposition to human slavery. His 
death occurred at his home, June 29, 1861. — Rev. 
James (Lemen), Jr., the third son, was born in 
Monroe County, 111., Oct. 8, 1787; early united 
with the Baptist Church and became a minister 
— assisting in the ordination of his father, whose 
sketch stands at the head of this article. He 
served as a Delegate from St. Clair County in the 
first State Constitutional Convention (1818), and as 
Senator in the Second, Fourth and Fifth General 
Assemblies. He also preached extensively in 
Illinois, Missouri, and Kentucky, and assisted in 
the organization of many churches, although his 
labors were chiefly within his own. Mr. Lemen 
was the second child of American parents born in 
Illinois — Enoch Moore being the first. Died, 
Feb. 8, 1870.— William (Lemen), the fourth son, 
born in Monroe County, 111., in 1791; served as a 
soldier in the Black Hawk War. Died in Monroe 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



333 



County, in 1857. — Rev. Josiah (Lemen), the 
fifth son, born in Monroe County, 111., August 15. 
1794; was a Baptist preacher. Died near Du- 
quoin, Jul}- 11, 1867. — Rev. Moses (Lemen), the 
sixth son, born in Monroe County, III., in 1797; 
became a Baptist minister early in life, served as 
Representative in the Sixth General Assembly 
(1928-30) for Monroe County. Died, in Montgom- 
ery County, 111. , March 5, 1859. 

LEMONT, a city in Cook County. 25 miles 
southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines River 
and the Chicago & Alton Railroad. A thick 
vein of Silurian limestone (Athens marble) is 
extensively quarried here, constituting tlie chief 
industry. Owing to the number of industrial 
enterprises, Lemont is at times the temporary 
home of a large number of workmen. The city 
has a bank, electric lights, six churches, two 
papers, five public and four private schools, one 
business college, aluminum and concrete works. 
Population of the township (1890), 5,539; (1900), 
4,441. 

LE MOTJfE, John V., ei-Congressman, was 
born in Washington County, Pa., in 1828, and 
graduated from "Washington College. Pa., in 
1847. He studied law at Pittsburg, where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1852. He at once removed 
to Chicago, where he continued a permanent 
resident and active practitioner. In 1872 he was 
a candidate for Congress on the Liberal Repub- 
lican ticket, but was defeated by Charles B. Far- 
well. Republican. In 1874 he was again a 
candidate against Mr. Farwell. Both claimed 
the election, and a contest ensued which was 
decided by the Hoxise in favor of Mr. Le Moyne. 

LENA, a village in Stephenson County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 13 miles northwest of 
Freeport and 38 miles east of Galena. It is in a 
farming and dairying district, but has some 
manufactures, tlie making of caskets being the 
principal industry in this line. There are six 
churches, two Danks, and two newspapers. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,270; (1900), 1.2.52. 

LEONARD, Edward F., Railway President, 
was born in Connecticut in 1836; graduated from 
Union College, N. Y., was admitted to the bar 
and came to Springfield, 111., in 1858; served for 
several years as clerk in the office of the State 
Auditor, was afterwards connected with the con- 
struction of the "St. Louis Short Line" (now a 
part of the Illinois Central Railway), and was 
private secretary of Governor CuUom during his 
first term. For several years he has been Presi- 
dent of the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroad, 
with lieadquarters at Peoria. 



LEROY, a city in McLean County, 15 miles 
southwest of Bloomington; has two banks, sev- 
eral churches, a graded school and a plow factory. 
Two weekly papers are published there. Popu- 
lation (1880), 1,068; (1890), 1,258; (1900), 1,629. 

LEVERETT, Washington and Warren, edu- 
cators and twin-brothers, whose careers were 
strikingly similar ; born at Brookline. Mass. , Dec. 
19, 1805. and passed their boyhood on a farm; in 
1827 began a preparatory course of study under 
an elder brother at Roxbury. Mass., entered 
Brown University as freshmen, the next year, and 
graduated in 1832. Warren, being in bad health, 
spent the following winter in South Carolina, 
afterwards engaging in teaching, for a time, and 
in study in Newton Theological Seminar}-, while 
Washington served as tutor two years in his 
Alma Mater and in Columbian College in Wash- 
ington, D. C. then took a course at Newton, 
graduating there in 1836. The same year he 
accepted the chair of Mathematics in Shurtleff 
College at Upper Alton, remaining, with slight 
interruption, until 1868. Warren, after suffering 
from hemorrhage of the lungs, same west in the 
fall of 1837, and, after teaching for a few months 
at Greenville. Bond County, in 1839 joined his 
brother at Shurtleff College as Principal of the 
preparatory department, subsequent!}- being 
advanced to the chair of Ancient Languages, 
which he continued to occupy until June, 1868, 
when he retired in the same year with his brother. 
After resigning he established himself in the book 
business, which was continued until his death. 
Nov. 8, 1872. Washington, the surviving brother, 
continued to be a member of the Board of Trus- 
tees of Shurtleff College, and to discharge the 
duties of Librarian and Treasurer of the institu- 
tion. Died, Dec. 13, 1889. 

LEWIS INSTITUTE, an educational institu- 
tion based upon a bequest of Allen C. Lewis, in 
the city of Chicago, established in 1895. It main- 
tains departments in law, the classics, prepara- 
tory studies and manual training, and owns 
property valued at §1,600,000, with funds and 
endowment amounting to 81,100,000. No report 
is made of the number of pupils. 

LEWIS, John H,, ex-Congressman, was born' 
in Tompkins County. X. Y., July 21, 1830. 
When six years old he accompanied his parents 
to Knox County, III., where he attended the 
public schools, read law, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1860. The .same year he was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court of Knox County. In 1874 he 
was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly, and, in 1880. was the successful Repub- 



334 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



lican candidate for Congress from the old Ninth 
District. In 1882, he was a candidate for re- 
election from the same district (then the Tenth), 
but was defeated by Nicholas E. Worthington, 
his Democratic opponent. 

LEWISTOWN, the county-seat of Fulton 
County, located on two lines of railway, fifty 
miles south%vest of Peoria and sixty miles north- 
west of Springfield. It contains flour and saw- 
mills, carriage and wagon, can-making, 
duplex-scales and evener factories, six churches 
and four newspapers, one issuing a daily edition ; 
also excellent public schools. Population (1880), 
1.771; (1890), 2,166; (1900), 2,504, 

LEXINGTON, a city in McLean County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad, 110 miles south of 
Chicago and 16 miles northeast of Bloomington. 
The surrounding region is agricultural and stock- 
raising, and the town has a flourishing trade in 
horses and other live-stock. Tile is manufac- 
tured here, and the town has two banks, five 
churches, a high school and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 1,187; (1900), 1,415. 

LIBERTYVILLE, a village of Lake County, on 
the main line of tlie Chicago & Madison Division 
of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, 
35 miles north-northwest of Chicago. The region 
is agricultural. The town has some manufac- 
tures, two banks and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), rir,0: (1900). 864. 

LIBRARIES. (St.^tistical.)— A report of the 
Commissioner of Education for 1895-96, on the 
subject of "Public, Society and Scliool Libraries 
in the United States," presents some approximate 
statistics of libraries in the several States, based 
upon the reports of librarians, so far as they 
could be obtained in reply to inquiries sent out 
from tlie Bureau of Education in Washington, 
As shown by the statistical tables embodied in 
this report, tliere were 348 libraries in Illinois 
reporting 300 volumes and over, of which 134 
belonged to the smallest class noted, or those con- 
taining less than 1,000 volumes. The remaining 
214 were divided into the following classes: 

Containing 300,000 and less than 500,000 volumes 1 

100,000 " " 300,000 '• 2 

50,000 " " 100,000 " 1 

25,000 " " 50,000 " 5 

" 10,000 " " 25,000 " 27 

5,000 " " 10,000 " 34 

" 1,000 " ■' 5,000 " 144 

A general classification of libraries of 1,000 
volumes and over, as to character, divides them 
into, General, 91; Scliool. 36; College, 42; College 
Society, 7 ; Law, 3 ; Theological. 7 ; State. 2 ; Asy- 



lum and Reformatory, 4; Young Men's Christian 
Association, 2; Scientific, 6; Historical, 3; Soci- 
ety, 8; Medical, Odd Fellows and Social, 1 each. 
The total number of volumes belonging to the 
class of 1,000 volumes and over was 1,822,580 with 
447,168 pamphlets; and, of the class between 300 
and 1,000 volumes, 66,992 — makinga grand total of 
1,889,572 volumes. The library belonging to the 
largest (or 300,000) class, is that of the University 
of Chicago, reporting 30.5,000 volumes, with 
180,000 pamphlets, while the Chicago Public 
Library and the Newberry Library belong to tlie 
second class, reporting, respectively, 217,065 vol- 
umes with 42,000 pamphlets, and 135,244 volumes 
and 35,654 pamphlets. (The report of the Chi- 
cago Public Library for 1898 shows a total, for 
that year, of 235,385 volumes and 44,069 pam- 
phlets. ) 

As to sources of support or method of adminis- 
tration, 42 of the class reporting 1,000 volumes 
and over, are supported by taxation ; 27, by appro- 
priations by State, County or City; 20, from 
endowment funds; 54, from membership fees and 
dues; 16, from book-rents; 26, from donations, 
leaving 53 to be supported from sources not 
stated. The total income of 131 reporting on this 
subject is S787.262; the aggregate endowment 
of 17 of this class is §2,283,197, and the value of 
buildings belonging to 36 is estimated at §2.981,- 
575. Of the 214 libraries reporting 1.000 volumes 
and over, 88 are free. 28 are reference, and 158 
are both circulating and reference. 

The free public libraries in the State containing 
3,000 volumes and over, in 1896, amounted to 39. 
The following list includes those of this class con- 
taining 10,000 volumes and over: 

Chicago, Public Library . . (1896)217,065 

Peoria, " " 57,604 

Springfield, " " 28,639 

Rockford, " " 28,000 

Quincy, " " and Reading Room 19,400 

Galesburg " " 18.469 

Elgin, Gail Borden Public Library . . 17,000 

Bloomington, Withers " " ... 16,068 

Evanston, Free " " ... 15,515 

Decatur, " " " . . . 14,766 

Belleville, " " . . . 14,511 

Aurora, " " ... 14,3.50 

Rock Island, " " ... 12,634 

Joliet, " " ... 22,325 

The John Crerar Library (a scientific reference 
library) — established in the City of Chicago in 
1894, on the basis of a bequest of the late John 
Crerar, estimated as amounting to fully 83,000,- 
000 — is rapidly adding to its resources, having, 
in the four years of its historj% acquired over 
40,000 volumes. AVith its princely endowment, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



335 



it is destined, in the course of a few years, to be 
reckoned one of the leading libraries of its class 
in the United States, as it is one of the most 
modern and carefully selected. 

The Newberry and Chicago Historical Society 
Libraries fill an important place for reference pur- 
poses, especially on historical subjects. A tardy 
beginning has been made in building up a State 
Historical Library in Springfield; but, owing to 
the indiff'erence of the Legislature and the meager 
support it has received, the State which was, for 
nearly a hundred years, the theater of the most 
important events in the development of the Mis- 
sissippi Valley, has, as yet, scarcely accomplished 
anything worthy of its name in collecting and 
preserving the records of its own history. 

In point of historical origin, next to the Illinois 
State Library, which dates from the admission 
of the State into the Union in 1818, the oldest 
library in the State is that of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary, which is set down as hav- 
ing had its origin in 1825, though this occurred 
in another State. The early State College Li- 
braries follow next in chronological order: Shurt- 
leff College, at Upper Alton, 1827 ; Illinois College, 
at Jacksonville, 1829; McKendree College, at 
Lebanon, 1834 ; Rockford College, 1849 ; Lombard 
University, at Galesburg, 1852. In most cases, 
ho%vever, these are simply the dates of the estab- 
lishment of the institution, or the period at which 
instruction began to be given in the school which 
finally developed into the college. 

The school library is constantly becoming a 
more important factor in the liberal education of 
the }-outh of the State. Adding to this the "Illi- 
nois Pupils" Reading Circle," organized by the 
State Teachers' Association some ten j'ears ago, 
but still in the experimental stage, and the sys- 
tem of "traveling libraries," set on foot at a later 
period, there is a constant tendency to enlarge 
the range of popular reading and bring the public 
library, in some of its various forms, within the 
reach of a larger class. 

The Free Public Library Law of Illinois. 
— The following history and analysis of the Free 
Public Library Law of Illinois is contributed, for 
the "Historical Encyclopedia," by E. S. Willooi, 
Librarian of the Peoria Public Library : 

The Library Law passed by the Legislature 
of Illinois in 1872 was the first broadly planned, 
comprehensive and complete Free Public Li- 
brary Law placed on the statute book of any 
State in the Union. It is true. New Hamp- 
shire, in 1849, and Massachusetts, in 1851, 
had taken steps in this direction, with three or 
four brief sections of laws, permissive in their 



character rather than directive, but lacking the 
vitalizing qualities of our Illinois law, in that 
they provided no sufficiently specific working 
method — no sailing directions — for starting and 
administering such free public libraries. They 
seem to have had no influence on subsequent 
library legislation, while, to quote the language 
of Mr. Fletcher in his "Public Libraries in 
America," "the wisdom of the Illinois law, in this 
regard, is probably the reason why it has been so 
widely copied in other States." 

By this law of 1872 Illinois placed herself at the 
head of her sister States in encouraging the 
spread of general intelligence among the people; 
but it is also a record to be equally proud of, that, 
within less than five years after her admission to 
the Union, Dec. 3, 1818 — that is, at the first ses- 
sion of her Third General Assembly — a general 
Act was pas.sed and approved, Jan. 31, 1823, 
entitled: "An act to incorporate such persons as 
may associate for the purpose of procuring and 
erecting public libraries in this State," with the 
following preamble- 

••Whereas, a disposition for improvenient In useful 
knowlediie has manifested itself in various parts of tills 
State, by associating for procuring and erecting public 
libraries; and.wiiereas.it is of tlie utmost importance to 
the public that the sources of information should he multi- 
plied, and institutions for tliat purpose encouraged and pro- 
moted: Sec. 1. Be it enacted," etc. 

Then follow ten sections, covering five and a 
half pages of the published laws of that session, 
giving explicit directions as to the organizing 
and maintaining of such Associations, with pro- 
visions as enlightened and liberal as we could ask 
for to-day. The libraries contemplated in this act 
are, of course, subscription libraries, the only 
kind known at that time, free public libraries 
supported by taxation not having come into 
vogue in that early day. 

It is the one vivifying quality of the Illinois 
law of 1873. that it showed how to start a free 
public library, how to manage it wlien started 
and how to provide it with the necessary funds. 
It furnished a fuU and minute set of sailing 
directions for the ship it launched, and, moreover, 
was not loaded down with useless limitations. 

With a few exceptions — notably the Boston 
Public Library, working under a special charter, 
and an occasional endowed library, like the Astor 
Library — all public libraries in those days were 
subscription libraries, like the great Mercantile 
Libraries of New York, St. Louis and Cincinnati, 
with dues of from S3 to §10 from each member 
per year. With dues at $4 a year, our Peoria 
Mercantile Library, at its best, never had over 
286 members in any one year. Compare this with 
our present public membersliip of 6,500, and it 
will be seen that some kind of a free public 
library law was needed. That was the conclu- 
sion I, as one of the Directors of the Peoria Mer- 
cantile Library, came to in 1869. We had tried 
every expedient for years, in the way of lecture 
courses, concerts, spelling matches, "Drummer 
Boy of Shiloh," and begging, to increase our 
membership and revenue. So far, and no farther, 
seemed to be the rule with all subscription 
libraries. Thej' did not reach the masses who 
needed them most. And. for this manifest rea- 



33ti 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son : the necessary cost of annual dues stood in 
the waj' ; the women and young people who 
wanted something to read, who thirsted for 
knowledge, and who are the principal patrons of 
the free public library to-day, did not hold the 
family purse-strings; while the men, who did 
hold the purse-strings, did not particularly care 
for books. 

It was my experience, derived as a Director in 
the Peoria Mercantile Library when it was still a 
small, struggling subscription library, that sug- 
gested the need of a State law authorizing cities 
and towns to tax themselves for the support of 
public libraries, as they already did for the sup- 
port of public schools. When, in 1870, I 
submitted the plan to some of my friends, they 
pronounced it Quixotic — the people would never 
consent to pay taxes for libraries. To which I 
replied, that, until sometime in the '50"s, we 
had no free public schools in this State. 

I then drew up the form of a law, substantially 
as it now stands; and, after submitting it to 
Justin Winsor, then of the Boston Public Li- 
brary ; William F. Poole, then in Cincinnati, and 
William T. Harris, then in St. Louis, I placed it 
in the hands of my friend, Mr. Samuel Caldwell, 
in December, 1870, who took it with him to 
Springfield, promising to do what he could to get 
it through the Legislature, of which he was a 
member from Peoria. The bill was introduced 
by Mr. Caldwell, March 23, 1871, as House bill 
No. 563, and as House bill No. 563 it finally 
received the Governor's signature and became a 
law, March 7, 1873. 

The essential features of our Illinois law are : 

/. Tlie power of initiative in starting a free 
public library lies in the City Council, and not in 
an appeal to the voters of the city at a. general 
election. 

It is a weak point in the English public libra- 
ries act that this initiative is left to the electors or 
voters of a city, and, in several London and pro- 
vincial districts, the proposed law has been 
repeatedly voted down by the very people it was 
most calculated to benefit, from fear of a little 
extra taxation. 

II. The amount of tax to be levied is permissive, 
not mandatory. 

We can trust to the public spirit of our city 
authorities, supported by an intelligent public 
sentiment, to provide for the library needs. A 
mandatory law, requiring the levying of a certain 
fixed percentage of the city's total assessment, 
might invite extravagance, as it has in several 
instances where a mandatory law is in force. 

III. Tlie Library Board has crclusii^e control of 
library appropriations. 

This is to be interpreted that Public Library 
Boards are separate and distinct departments of 
the city administration; and experience has 
shown that they are as capable and honest in 
handling money as School Boards or City 
Councils. 

IV. Library Boards consist of nine members to 
serve for three years. 

V. The members of the Board are appointed by 
the Mayor, subject 'to the approval of the City 
Council, from the citizens at large iviih reference 
to their fitness for such office. 



VI. An annual report is to be 7nade by the 
Board to the City Council, stating the condition 
of their trust on the first day of June of each 
year. 

This, with slight modifications adapting it to 
villages, towns and townships, is. in .substance, 
the Free Public Library Law of Illinois. Under 
its beneficent operation flourishing free public 
libraries have been established in the principal 
cities and towns of our State — slowly, at first, 
but, of late years, more rapidly as their usefulness 
has become apparent. 

No argument is now needed to show the im- 
portance — the imperative necessity— of the widest 
possible diffusion of intelligence among the people 
of a free State. Knowledge and ignorance — the 
one means civilization, the other, barbarism. 
Give a man the taste for good books and the 
means of gratifying it, and you can hardly fail of 
making him a better, happier man and a wiser 
citizen. You place him in contact with the best 
society in every period of history ; you set before 
him nobler examples to imitate and safer paths 
to follow. 

We have no way of foretelling how many and 
how great benefits will accrue to society and the 
State, in the future, from the comparatively 
modern introduction of the free public library 
into our educational system; but when some 
youthful Abraham Lincoln, poring over ^sop's 
Fables, Weems' Life of Washington and a United 
States History, by the flickering light of a pine- 
knot in a log-cabin, rises at length to be tlie hope 
and bulwark of a nation, then we learn what the 
world may owe to a taste for books. In the gen- 
eral spread of intelligence through our free 
schools, our free press and our free libraries, lies 
our only hope that our free American institutions 
shall not decay and perish from the earth. 

" Knowledge is the only good, ignorance the only evil." 
" Let knowledge grow from more to more. " 

LIEUTEXAXT-GOTERNORS OF ILLINOIS. 

The office of Lieutenant-Governor, created by the 
Constitution of 1818, has been retained in each of 
the subsequent Constitutions, being elective by 
the people at the same time with that of Gov- 
ernor. The following is a list of the Lieutenant- 
Governors of the State, from the date of its 
admission into the Union to the present time 
(1899), with the date and length of each incum- 
bent's term: Pierre Menard, 1818-23; Adolphus 
Frederick Hubbard, 1822-26; William Kinney, 
1826-30; Zadoc Casey, 1830-33; William Lee D. 
Ewing (succeeded to the oflSce as President of the 
Senate), 1833-34; Alexander M. Jenkins, 1834-36; 
WiUiam H. David.son (as President of the 
Senate), 1836-38; Stinson H. Anderson, 1838-43; 
John Moore, 1842-46; Joseph B. Wells, 1846-49; 
William McMurtry, 1849-53; Gustavus Koerner, 
1853-57; John Wood, 1857-60; Thomas A. Mar- 
shall (as President of the Senate), Jan. 7-14, 1861 ; 
Francis A. Hoffman, 1861-65; William Bross, 
1865-69; John Dougherty, 1869-73; John L. 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



337 



Beveridge, Jan. 13-23, 1873; John Early (as 
President of the Senate), 1873-75; Archibald A. 
Glenn (as President of the Senate), 1875-77; 
Andrew Shuman, 1877-81 ; John M. Hamilton, 
1881-83; William J. Campbell (as President of 
the Senate). 1883-85; John C. Smith. 1885-89; 
Lyman B. Ray, 1889-93; Joseph B. Gill, 1893-97; 
William A. Northcott, 1897 — . 

LIMESTONE. Illinois ranks next to Pennsyl- 
vania in its output of limestone, the United 
States Census Report for 1890 giving the number 
of quarries as 104, and the total value of the 
product as .$2,190,604. In the value of stone used 
for building purposes Illinois far exceeds any 
other State, the greater proportion of the output 
in Pennsylvania being suitable only for flux. 
Next to its employment as building stone, Illinois 
limestone is chiefly used for street-work, a small 
percentage being used for flux, and still less for 
bridge-work, and but little for burning into lime. 
The quarries in this State employ 3,383 hands, and 
represent a capital of $3,316,616. in the latter par- 
ticular also ranking next to Pennsylvania. The 
quarries are found in various parts of the State, 
but the most productive and most valiBble are in 
the northern section. 

LIXCOLX, an incorporated city, and county- 
seat of Logan County, at the intersection of the 
Chicago & Alton, the Champaign and Havana 
and the Peoria, Decatur and Evansville Divi- 
sions of the Illinois Central Railroad ; is 28 miles 
northeast of Springfield, and 157 miles southwest 
of Chicago. The surrounding country is devoted 
to agriculture, stock-raising and coal-mining. 
Considerable manufacturing is carried on, among 
the products being flour, brick and drain tile. 
The city has water-works, Are department, gas 
and electric lighting plant, telephone sj'stem, 
machine shops, eigliteen churches, good schools, 
three national banks, a public library, electric 
street railways, and several newspapers. Besides 
possessing good schools it is the seat of Lincoln 
University (a Cumberland Presbyterian institu- 
tion, founded in 1865). The Odd Fellows' 
Orphans' Home and the Illinois (State) Asylum 
for Feeble-Minded Children are also located here. 
Population (1890), 6,725; (1900), 8,962; (1903, est.), 
12,000. 

LIIfCOLJr, Abraham, sixteenth President of the 
United States, was born in Hardin County, Ky., 
Feb. 12, 1809, of Quaker-English descent, his 
grandfather having emigrated from Virginia to 
Kentucky about 1780, where he was killed by the 
Indians in 1784. Thomas Lincoln, the father of 
Abraham, settled in Indiana in 1816, and removed 



to Macon County in 1830. Abraham was the 
issue of his father's first marriage, his mother's 
maiden name being Nancy Hanks. The early 
occupations of the future President were varied. 
He served at different times as farm-laborer, flat- 
boatman, country salesman, merchant, surveyor, 
lawjer. State legislator. Congressman and Presi- 
dent. In 1832 he enlisted for the Black Hawk 
War, and was chosen Captain of his company 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature 
the same year, but elected two years later 
About this time he turned his attention to the 
study of law, was admitted to the bar in 1836, 
and, one year later, began practice at Springfield. 
By successive re-elections he served in the House 
until 1842, when he declined a re-election. In 
1838, and again in 1840, he was the Whig candi- 
date for Speaker of the House, on both occasions 
being defeated by William L. D. Ewing. In 1841 
he was an applicant to President William Henry 
Harrison for the position of Commissioner of the 
General Land Office, the appointment going to 
Justin Butterfield. His next official position was 
that of Representative in the Thirtieth Congress 
(1847-49). From that time he gave liis attention 
to his profession until 1855, when he was a lead- 
ing candidate for the United States Senate in 
opposition to the principles of the Nebraska Bill, 
but failed of election, Lyman Trumbull being 
chosen. In 1856, he took a leading part in the 
organization of the Republican party at Bloom- 
ington, and, in 1858, was formally nominated by 
the Republican State Convention for the United 
States Senate, later engaging in a joint debate 
with Senator Douglas on party issues, during 
which they delivered speeches at seven different 
cities of the State. Although he again failed to 
secure the prize of an election, owing to the char- 
acter of the legislative apportionment ,then in 
force, which gave a majority of the Senators and 
Representatives to a Democratic minority of the 
voters, his burning, incisive utterances on the 
subject of slavery attracted the attention of the 
whole country, and prepared the way for the 
future triumph of the Republican partj". Previ- 
ous to this he had been four times (1840, '44, '52, 
and '56) on the ticket of his party as candidate 
for Presidential Elector. In 1860, he was the 
nominee of the Republican party for the Presi- 
dency and was chosen bj- a decisive majority in 
the Electoral College, though receiving a minor- 
ity of the aggregate popular vote. Unquestion- 
ably his candidacy was aided by internal 
dis.sensions in the Deraocratic.party. His election 
and his inaugvtration (on March 4, 1861) were 



338 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



made a pretext for secession, and he met the 
issue with promptitude and firmness, tempered 
with kindness and moderation towards the se- 
cessionists. He was re-elected to the Presidency 
in 1864, the vote in the Electoral College standing 
213 for Lincoln to 21 for his opponent. Gen. 
George B. McClellan. The history of Mr. Lin- 
coln's life in the Presidential chair is the history 
of the whole country during its most dramatic 
period. Next to his success in restoring the 
authority of the Government over the whole 
Union, history will, no doubt, record his issuance 
of the Emancipation Proclamation of January, 
1863, as the most important and far-reaching act 
of his administration. And yet to this act, which 
has embalmed his memorj" in the hearts of the 
lovers of freedom and human justice in all ages 
and in all lands, the world over, is due his death 
at the hands of the assassin, J. Wilkes Booth, in 
Washington City, April 15, 1865, as the result of 
an assault made upon him in Ford's Theater the 
evening previous — his death occurring one week 
after the fall of Richmond and the surrender of 
Lee's army — just as peace, with the restoration of 
the Union, was assured. A period of National 
mourning ensued, and he was accorded the honor 
of a National funeral, his remains being finally 
laid to rest in a mausoleum in Springfield. His 
profound sympathy with every class of sufferers 
during the War of the Rebellion ; his forbearance 
in the treatment of enemies; his sagacity in 
giving direction to public sentiment at home and 
in dealing with international questions abroad; 
his courage in preparing the way for the removal 
of slavery — the bone of contention between the 
warring sections — have given him a place in the 
affections of the people beside that of Washington 
himself, and won for him the respect and admi- 
ration of all civilized nations. 

LINCOLN, Robert Todd, lawyer, member of 
the Cabinet and Foreign Minister, the son of 
Abraham Lincoln, was born in Springfield, 111., 
August 1, 1843, and educated in the home schools 
and at Harvard University, graduating from the 
latter in 1864. During the last few months of 
the Civil War, he served on the staff of General 
Grant with the rank of Captain. After the war 
he studied law and, on his admission to the bar, 
settled in Chicago, finally becoming a member of 
the firm of Lincoln & Isham. In 1880, he was 
chosen a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in March following, appointed Secre- 
tary of War by President Garfield, serving to the 
close of the term. Ip 1889 lie became Minister to 
England by appointment of President Harrison, 



gaining high distinction as a diplomatist. This 
was the last public office held by him. After the 
death of George M. Pullman he became Acting 
President of the Pullman Palace Car Company, 
later being formally elected to that office, which 
(1899) he still holds. Mr. Lincoln's name has 
been frequently mentioned in connection with 
the Republican nomination for the Presidency, 
but its use has not been encouraged by him. 

LINCOLN AND DOUGLAS DEBATE, a name 
popularly given to a series of joint discussions 
between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Doug- 
las, held at different points in the State during the 
summer and autumn of 1858, while both were 
candidates for the position of United States Sena- 
tor. The places and dates of holding these 
discussions were as follows: At Ottawa, August 
21; at Freeport, August 27; at Jouesboro, Sept. 
15; at Charleston, Sept. 18; at Galesburg. Oct. 7; 
at Quincy, Oct. 13; at Alton, Oct. 15. Immense 
audiences gathered to hear these debates, which 
have become famous in the political history of 
the Nation, and the campaign was the most noted 
in th" history of any State. It resulted in the 
securing by Douglas of a re-election to the Senate; 
but his answers to the shrewdly-couched interrog- 
atories of Lincoln Ijd to the alienation of his 
Southern following, the disruption of the Demo- 
cratic party in 1860, and the defeat of his Presi- 
dential aspirations, with the placing of Mr. 
Lincoln prominently before the Nation as a 
sagacious political leader, and his final election 
to the Presidehcy. 

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, an institution located 
at Lincoln, Logan County, 111., incorporated in 
1865. It is co-educational, has a faculty of eleven 
instructors and, for 1896-8, reports 209 pupils — 
ninety-one male and 118 female. Instruction 
is given in the classics, the sciences, music, fine 
arts and preparatory studies. The institution 
has a library of 3,000 volumes, and reports funds 
and endowment amounting to |60,000, with 
property valued at $55,000. 

LINDER, Usher F., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Elizabethtown, Hardin County, Ky. (ten 
miles from the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln), 
March 20, 1809; came to Illinois in 1835, finaUy 
locating at Charleston, Coles County ; after travel- 
ing the circuit a few months was elected Repre- 
sentative in the Tenth General Assembly (1836), 
but resigned before the close of the session to 
accept the office of Attorney-General, which he 
held less than a year and a half, when he resigned 
that also. Again, in 1846, he was elected to the 
Fifteenth General Assembly and re-elected to the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



339 



Sixteenth and Seventeenth, afterwards giving his 
attention to the practice of his jjrofession. Mr. 
Linder, in his best days, was a fluent speaker with 
some elements of eloquence which gave him a 
wide popularity as a campaign orator. Originally 
a Whig, on the dissolution of that party he 
became a Democrat, and, in 1860, was a delegate 
to the Democratic National Convention at 
Charleston, S C, and at Baltimore. During the 
last four years of his life he wrote a series of 
articles under the title of "Reminiscences of the 
Early Bench and Bar of Illinois," which was pub- 
lished in book form in 1876. Died in Chicago, 
June 5. 1876. 

LINEdJAR, David T., legislator, was born in 
Ohio, Feb. 12, 1830; came to Spencer County, 
Ind., in 1840, and to Wayne County, 111., in 1858, 
afterward locating at Cairo, where he served as 
Postmaster during the Civil War ; was a Repub- 
lican Presidential Elector in 1872, but afterwards 
became a Democrat, and served as such in the 
lower branch of the General Assembly (1880-86). 
Died at Cairo. Feb. 2, 1886. 

LIPPIXCOTT, Charles E,, State Auditor, was 
born at Edwardsville, 111., Jan. 26, 182.5; attended 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate ; in 18-t9 graduated from the St. Louis 
Medical College, and began the practice of medi- 
cine at Chandlerville, Cass County. In 1852 he 
went to California, remaining there five years, 
taking an active part in the anti-slavery contest, 
and serving as State Senator (1853-55). In 1857, 
having returned to Illinois, he resumed practice 
at Chandlerville, and, in 1861, under authority of 
Governor Yates, recruited a company which was 
attached to the Thirty -third Illinois Infantry as 
Company K, and of which he was commissioned 
Captain, having declined the lieutenant-colo- 
nelcy. Within twelve months he became Colonel, 
and, on Sept. 16, 1865, was mustered out as brevet 
Brigadier-General. In 1866 he reluctantly con- 
sented to lead the Republican forlorn hope as a 
candidate for Congress in the (then) Xinth Con- 
gressional District, largely reducing the Demo- 
cratic majority. In 1867 he was elected Secretary 
of the State Senate, and the same year chosen 
Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives at 
Washington. In 1868 he was elected State Audi- 
tor, and re-elected in 1872 ; also served as Perma- 
nent President of the Rei^ublican State Conven- 
tion of 1878. On the establishment of the Illinois 
Soldiers' and Sailors" Home at Quincy, he became 
its first Superintendent, assuming his duties in 
March. 1887. but died Sept. 13, following, as a 
result of injuries received from a runaway team 



while driving through the grounds of the institu- 
tion a few days previous. — Emily Webster 
Chandler (Lippincott), wife of the preceding, 
was born March 13, 1833, at Chandlerville. Cass 
County, 111., the daughter of Dr. Charles Chand- 
ler, a prominent physician widely known in that 
section of the State ; was educated at Jacksonville 
Female Academy, and married, Dec. 25, 1851, to 
Dr. (afterwards General) Charles E. Lippincott. 
Soon after the death of her husband, in Septem- 
ber, 1887, Mrs. Lippincott, who had already 
endeared herself by her acts of kindness to the 
veterans in the Soldiers" and Sailors" Home, was 
appointed Matron of the institution, serving imtil 
her death, May 21, 1895. The respect in which 
she was held by the old soldiers, to whose com- 
fort and necessities she had ministered in hos- 
pital and elsewhere, was shown in a most toviching 
manner at the time of her death, and on the 
removal of her remains to be laid by the side of 
her husband, in Oak Ridge Cemetery at Spring- 
field. 

LIPPINCOTT, (Rev.) Tliomas, early clergy- 
man, was born in Salem, N. J., in 1791; in 1817 
started west, arriving in St. Louis in February, 
1818; the same year established himself in mer- 
cantile business at Milton, then a place of some 
importance near Alton. This place proving 
unhealthy, ho subsequently removed to Edwards- 
ville, where he was for a time employed as clerk 
in the Land OflSce. He afterwards served as 
Secretary of the Senate (1822-23). That he was a 
man of education and high intelligence, as well 
as a strong opponent of slavery, is shown by his 
writings, in conjunction with Judge Samuel D. 
Lockwood, George Churchill and others, in oppo- 
sition to the scheme for securing the adoption of 
a pro-slavery Constitution in Illinois in 1824. In 
1825 he purchased from Hooper Warren "The 
Edwardsville Spectator," which he edited for a 
year or more, but soon after entered the ministry 
of the Presbyterian Church and became an influ- 
ential factor in building up that denomination in 
Illinois. He was also partly instrumental in 
securing the location of Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville. He died at Pana, 111., April 13, 1869. 
Gen. Charles E. Lippincott, State Auditor 
(1869-77), was a son of the subject of this sketch. 

LIQl'OR LAWS. In the early history of the 
State, the question of the regulation of the sale of 
intoxicants was virtually relegated to the control 
of the local authorities, who granted license, col- 
lected fees, and fixed the tariff of charges. As 
early as 1851, however, the General Assembly, 
with a view to mitigating what it was felt had 



340 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



become a growing evil, enacted a law popularly 
known as the "quart law," which, it was hoped, 
would do away with the indiscriminate sale of 
liquor by the glass. The law failed to meet the 
expectation of its framers and supporters, and, in 
1855, a prohibitory law was submitted to the elect- 
ors, which was rejected at the polls. Since that 
date a general license system has prevailed, except 
in certain towns and cities where prohibitory 
ordinances were adopted. The regulations gov- 
erning the traffic, therefore, have been widely 
variant in different localities. The Legislature, 
however, has always possessed the same constitu- 
tional power to regulate the sale of intoxicants, 
as aconite, henbane, strychnine, or other poisons. 
In 1879 the "Woman's Christian Temperance 
Union began the agitation of the license question 
from a new standpoint. In March of that year, a 
delegation of Illinois women, headed by Miss 
Frances E. WiUard, presented to the Legislature 
a monster petition, signed by 80,000 voters and 
100,000 women, praying for the amendment of 
the State Constitution, so as to give females above 
the age of 21 the right to vote upon the granting 
of licenses in the localities of their residences. 
Miss WiUard and Mrs. J. Ellen Foster, of Iowa, 
addressed the House in its favor, and Miss 
Willard spoke to the Senate on the same lines. 
The measure was defeated in the House by a vote 
of fifty-five to fiftj'-three, and the Senate took no 
action. In 1881 tlie same bill was introduced 
anew, but again failed of passage. Nevertheless, 
persistent agitation was not without its results. 
In 1883 the Legislature enacted what is generally 
termed the "High License Law," by the provi- 
sions of which a minimum license of $500 per 
annum was imposed for the sale of alcoholic 
drinks, and ?150 for malt liquors, with the 
authority on the part of municipalities to impose 
a still higher rate by ordinance. This measure 
was made largely a partisan issue, the Repub- 
licans voting almost solidly for it, and the Demo- 
crats almost solidly opposing it. The bill was 
promptly signed by Governor Hamilton. The 
liquor laws of Illinois, therefore, at the present 
time are based upon local option, high license and 
local supervision. The criminal code of the State 
contains the customary provisions respecting the 
sale of stimulants to minors and other prohibited 
parties, or at forbidden times, but, in the larger 
cities, many of the provisions of the State law 
are rendered practically inoperative by the 
municipal ordinances, or absolutely nullified by 
the indifference or studied neglect of the local 
officials. 



LITCHFIELD, the principal city of Montgom- 
ery County, at the intersection of Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis, the Wabash and the Illinois 
Central, with three other short-line railways, 43 
miles south of Springfield and 47 miles northeast 
of St. Louis. The surrounding country is fer- 
tile, undulating prairie, in which are found coal, 
oil and natural gas. A coal mine is operated 
within the corporate limits. Grain is extensively 
raised, and Litchfield lias several elevators, fiour- 
ing mills, a can factory, briquette works, etc. 
The output of tlie manufacturing establishments 
also includes foundry and machine shop prod- 
ucts, brick and tile, brooms, ginger ale and cider. 
The city is lighted by both gas and electricity, 
and has a Holly water-works system, a public 
library and public parks, two banks, twelve 
churches, high and graded schools, and an Ursu- 
line fonvent, a Catholic hospital, and two 
monthly, two weekly, and two daily periodicals. 
Population (1890), 5,811; (1900), 5,918; (1903, 
est). 7.000. 

LITCHFIELD, CARROLLTON ic WESTERN' 
RAILROAD, a line wliich extends from Colimi- 
biana, on the Illinois River, to Barnett, 111., 51.5 
miles; is of standard gauge, the track being laid 
with fifty-six pound steel rails. It was opened 
for business, in three different sections, from 1883 
to 1887, and for three years was operated in con- 
nection with the Jacksonville Southeastern 
Railway. In May, 1890, the latter was sold under 
foreclosure, and, in November, 1893, the Litch- 
field, CarroUton & Western reverted to the 
former owners. Six months later it passed into 
the hands of a receiver, by whom (up to 1898) it 
has since been operated. The general offices 
are at Carlinville. 

LITTLE, George, merchant and banker, was 
born in Columbia, Pa., in 1808; came to Rush- 
ville. 111., in 1836, embarking in the mercantile 
business, which he prosecuted sixty years. In 
1865 he established the Bank of Rushville, of 
which he was President, in these two branches of 
business amassing a large fortune. Died, March 
5, 1896. 

LITTLE TERMILIOIV RIVER rises in Ver- 
milion County, 111., and flows eastwardly into 
Indiana, emptying into the Wabash in Vermilion 
County, Ind. 

LITTLE WABASH RITER, rises in Effingham 
and Cumberland Counties, flows east and south 
through Clay, Wayne and White, and enters the 
Wabash River about 8 miles above the mouth of 
the latter. Its estimated length is about 180 
miles. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



341 



LITTLER, David T., lawyer and State Senator, 
was bom at Clifton, Greene County, Ohio, Feb. 
7, 1836 ; was educated in the common schools in 
his native State and, at twenty-one, removed to 
Lincoln, 111., where he worked at the carpenter's 
trade for two years, meanwhile studying law. He 
was admitted to the bar in 1860, soon after was 
elected a Justice of the Peace, and later appointed 
Master in Chancery. In 1866 he was appointed 
by President Johnson Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Eighth District, but resigned in 
1868, removing to Springfield the same year, 
where he entered into partnership with the late 
Ilenrj' S. Greene, Milton Hay being admitted to 
the firm soon after, the partnership continuing 
until 1881. In 1883 Mr. Littler was elected 
Representative in the Thirty-fourth General 
Assembly from Sangamon County, was re-elected 
in 1886, and returned to the Senate in 1894, serv- 
ing in the latter body four years. In both Houses 
Mr. Littler took a specially prominent part in 
legislation on the revenue question. 

LIVERMORE, Mary Asliton, reformer and phi- 
lanthropist, was born (Mary Ashton Rice) in 
Boston, Mass., Dec. 19, 1821; taught for a time in 
a female seminary in Charlestown, and spent two 
years as a governess in Southern Virginia; later 
married Rev. Daniel P. Livermore, a Universalist 
minister, who held pastorates at various places in 
Massachusetts and at Quinc)', 111., becoming 
editor of "The New Covenant" at Chicago, in 
1857. During this time Mrs. Livermore wrote 
much for denominational papers and in assisting 
her husband; in 1862 was appointed an agent, 
and traveled extensively in the interest of the 
United States Sanitary Commission, visiting 
hospitals and camps in the Mississippi Valley; 
also took a prominent part in the great North- 
western Sanitary Fair at Chicago in 1863. Of 
late years she has labored and lectured exten- 
sively in the interest of woman suffrage and tem- 
perance, besides being the author of several 
volumes, one of these being "Pen Pictures of 
Chicago"' (1865). Her home is in Boston. 

LITINGSTON COUMT, situated about mid- 
way between Chicago and Springfield. The sur- 
face is rolling toward the east, but is level in the 
west; area, 1,026 square miles; population (1900), 
42,035, named for Edward Livingston. It was 
organized in 1837, tlie first Commissioners being 
Robert Breckenridge, Jonathan Moon and Daniel 
Rockwood. Pontiac was selected as the county- 
seat, the proprietors donating ample lands and 
S3.000 in cash for the erection of public buildings. 
Vermilion River and Indian Creek are the prin- 



cipal streams. Coal underlies the entire county, 
and shafts are in successful operation at various 
points. It is one of the chief agricultural coiin- 
ties of the State, the yield of oats and corn being 
large. Stock-raising is also extensively carried 
on. The development of the county really dates 
from the opening of the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road in 1854, since which date it has been crossed 
by numerous other lines. Pontiac, the county- 
seat, is situated on the Vermilion, is a railroad 
center and the site of the State Reform School. 
Its population in 1890 was 2,784. Dwight has 
attained a wide reputation as the seat of the 
parent "Keeley" Institute for the cure of the 
liquor habit. 

LOCKPORT, a village in Will County, laid out 
in 1887 and incorporated in 1853; situated 33 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the Des Plaines 
River, the Illinois & Michigan Canal, the Atchi- 
son, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Chicago & Alton 
Railroads. The surrounding region is agricul- 
tural : limestone is extensively quarried. Manu- 
factures are flour, oatmeal, brass goods, paper 
and strawboard. It has ten churches, a public 
and high school, parochial schools, a bank, gas 
plant, electric car lines, and one weekly paper. 
The controlling works of the Chicago Drainage 
Canal and offices of the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
are located here. Population (1890), 2,449; 
(1900), 2,659. 

LOCKWOOD, Samuel Drake, jurist, was born 
at Poundridge, AVestchester County, N. Y., 
August 2, 1789, left fatherless at the age of ten, 
after a few months at a private school in New 
Jersey, he went to live with an uncle (Francis 
Drake) at Waterford, N. Y., with whom he 
studied law, being admitted to the bar at Batavia, 
N. Y., in 1811. In 1813 he removed to Auburn, 
and later became Master in Chancery. In 1818 
he descended the Ohio River upon a flat-boat in 
company with William H. Brown, afterwards of 
Chicago, and walking across the country from 
ShawTieetowB, arrived at Kaskaskia in Decem- 
ber, but finallj- settled at Carmi, where he 
remained a year. In 1821 he was elected Attor- 
ney-General of the State, but resigned the fol- 
lowing year to accept the position of Secretary of 
State, to which he was appointed by Governor 
Coles, and which he filled only three months, 
when President Monroe made him Receiver of 
Public Moneys at Edwardsville. About the same 
time he was also appointed agent of the First 
Board of Canal Commissioners. The Legislature 
of 1824-25 elected him Judge of the Supreme 
Court, his service extending until the adoption 



342 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Constitution of 1848. which he assisted in 
framing as a Delegate from Morgan County. In 
1851 he was made State Trustee of tlie Illinois 
Central Railroad, which office he held until his 
death. He was always an uncompromising 
antagonist of slavery and a leading supporter of 
Governor Coles in opposition to the jilan to secure 
a pro-slaverj' Constitution in 1824. His personal 
and political integrity was recognized by all 
parties. From 1828 to 1853 Judge Lockwood was 
a citizen of Jacksonville, where he proved him- 
self an efficient friend and patron of Illinois Col- 
lege, serving for over a quarter of a century as 
one of its Trustees, and was also influential in 
securing several of the State charitable institu- 
tions there. His later years were spent at 
Batavia, where he died, April 23, 1874, in the 8.5th 
year of his age. 

LOD.\, a village of Iroquois County, on the 
Chicago Division of the Illinois Central Railway, 
4 miles north of Paxton. The region is agricul- 
tural, and the town has considerable local trade. 
It also has a bank and one weekly paper. 
Population (1880), C35; (1890), .598; (1900), 668. 

LOCJAN, Cornelius Ambrose, physician and 
diplomatist, born at Deerfield, Mass., August 6, 
1836, the son of a dramatist of the same name ; 
was educated at Auburn Academy and served as 
Medical Superintendent of St. John's Hospital, 
Cincinnati, and, later, as Professor in the Hos- 
pital at Leavenworth, Kan. In 1873 he was 
appointed United States Minister to Chili, after- 
wards served as Minister to Guatemala, and again 
(1881) as Minister to Chili, remaining until 1883. 
He was for twelve years editor of "The Medical 
Herald," Leavenworth, Kan., and edited the 
works of his relative, Geu. John A. Logan (1886), 
besides contributing to foreign medical publi- 
cations and publishing two or three volumes on 
medical and sanitary questions. Resides in 
Chicago. 

LOGAN, John, physician and soldier, was born 
in Hamilton County, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1809; at six 
years of age was taken to Missouri, his familj' 
settling near the Grand Tower among the Shaw- 
nee and Delaware Indians. He began business 
as clerk in a New Orleans commission house, but 
returning to Illinois in 1830. engaged in the 
blacksmith trade for two years: in 1831 enlisted 
in the Ninth Regiment Illinois Militia and took 
part in the Indian troubles of that year and the 
Black Hawk War of 1832, later being Colonel of 
the Forty-fourth Regiment State Militia. At the 
close of the Black Hawk War he settled in 
Carlinville. and having graduated in medicine. 



engaged in practice in that place until 1861. At 
the beginning of the war he raised a company 
for the Seventh Illinois Volunteers, but the quota 
being already full, it was not accepted. He was 
finally commissioned Colonel of the Thirty- 
second Illinois Volunteers, and reported to Gen- 
eral Grant at Cairo, in January, 1862, a few weeks 
later taking part in the battles of Forts Henry 
and Donelson. Subsequently he had command 
of the Fourth Division of the Army of the Ten- 
nessee under General Hurlbut. His regiment 
lost heavily at the battle of Shiloh, he himself 
being severely wounded and compelled to leave 
the field. In December, 1864, he was discharged 
with the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. In 
1866 Colonel Logan was appointed b}' Pre^dent 
Johnson LTnited States Marshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until 1870, when he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Originally a Democrat, he became a 
Republican on the organization of that party, 
serving as a delegate to the first Republican State 
Convention at Bloomington in 1856. He was a 
man of strong personal characteristics and an 
earnest patriot. Died at his home at Carlinville, 
August 24, 1885. 

LOGAN, John Alexander, soldier and states- 
man, was born at old Brownsville, the original 
county-seat of Jackson County, 111. , Feb. 9, 1826, 
the son of Dr. John Logan, a native of Ireland 
and an early immigrant into Illinois, where he 
attained prominence as a public man. Young 
Logan volunteered as a private in the Mexican 
War, but was soon promoted to a lieutenancy, 
and afterwards became Quartermaster of his 
regiment. He was elected Clerk of Jackson 
County in 1849, but resigned the office to prose- 
cute his law studies. Having graduated from 
Louisville University in 1851, he entered into 
partnership with his uncle, Alexander M. Jenk- 
ins ; was elected to the Legislature as a Democrat 
in 1852, and again in 1856, having been Prosecut- 
ing Attorney in the interim. He was chosen a 
Presidential Elector on the Democratic ticket in 
1856, was elected to Congress in 1858, and again 
in 1860, as a Douglas Democrat. During the 
special session of Congress in 1861, he left his 
seat, and fought in the ranks at Bull Run. In 
September, 1861, he organized the Thirty-first 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, and was commis- 
sioned by Governor Yates its Colonel. His mili- 
tary career was brilliant, and he rapidly rose to 
be Major-General. President Johnson tendered 
him the mission to Mexico, which he declined. 
In 1866 he was elected as a Republican to Con- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



343 



gress for the State-at-large, and acted as one of 
the managers in the impeachment trial of tlie 
President; was twice re-elected and, in 1871, was 
chosen United States Senator, as he was again in 
1879. In 1884 he was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the Presidential nomination at the Republican 
Convention in Chicago, but was finally placed on 
the ticket for tlie Vice-Presidency with James G. 
Blaine, the ticket being defeated in November 
following. In 1883 he was again elected Senator, 
but died during his term at Washington, Dec. 26, 
1886. General Logan was the author of "The 
Great Conspiracy" and of "The Volunteer Soldier 
of Anaerica." In 1897 an equestrian statue was 
erected to his memory on the Lake Front Park in 
Chicago. 

LOGAX, Stephen Trigg, eminent Illinois jurist, 
was born in Franklin County. Ky., Feb. 24. 1800: 
studied law at Glasgow, Ky., and was admitted 
to the bar before attaining his majority. After 
practicing in his native State some ten years, in 
1832 he emigrated to Illinois, settling in Sanga- 
mon County, one year later opening an office at 
Springfield. In 183.5 he was elevated to the 
bench of the First Judicial Circuit ; resigned two 
years later, was re-commissioned in 1839, but 
again resigned. In 1842, and again in 1844 
and 1846, he was elected to the General Assem- 
bly; also served as a member of the Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1847. Between 1841 
and 1844 he was a partner of Abraham Lin- 
coln. In 1854 he was again chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Legislature, was 
a delegate to the Republican National Conven- 
tion in 1860, and. in 1861, was commissioned 
bj' Governor Yates to represent Illinois in the 
Peace Conference, which assembled in Wash- 
ington. .Soon afterward he retired to private 
life. As an advocate his ability was widely 
recognized. Died at Springfield, July 17, 1880. 

LOGAN COUNTY, situated in the central part 
of tlie State, and having an area of about 620 
square miles. Its surface is chiefly a level or 
moderatel}' undulating prairie, with some high 
ridges, as at Elkhart. Its soil is extremely fertile 
and well drained by numerous creeks. Coal- 
mining is successfully carried on. The other 
staple products are corn, wheat, oats, hay, cattle 
and pork. Settlers began to locate in 1819-22, 
and the county was organized in 1839, being 
originally cut oflf from Sangamon. In 1840 a 
portion of Tazewell was added and, in 1845, a 
part of De Witt County. It was named in honor 
of Dr. John Logan, father of Senator John A. 
Logan. Postville was tlie first county-seat, but. 



in 1847, a change was made to Mount Pulaski, 
and, later, to Lincoln, which is the present capi- 
tal. Population (1890), 25,489; 1 1900), 28,680. 

LOMBARD, a village of Dupage County, on the 
Chicago & Great Western and the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railways. Population (1880), 378; 
(1890), 515; (1900), 590. 

LOMBARD rXIVERSITT, an institution at 
Galesburg under control of the Universalist 
denomination, founded in 1851. It has prepara- 
tory, collegiate and theological departments. 
The collegiate department includes both classical 
and scientific courses, with a specially arranged 
course of three years for young women, who con- 
stitute ne.arly half the number of students. The 
University has an endowment of .5200,000, and 
owns additional property, real and personal, of 
the value of .5100.000. In 1898 it reported a fac- 
ulty of tliirteen professors, with an attendance of 
191 students. 

LOXDOX MILLS, a village and railway station 
of Fulton Count}', on the Fulton Narrow Gauge 
and Iowa Central Railroads, 19 miles southeast 
of Galesburg. The district is agricultural: the 
town has two banks and a weekly newspaper; 
fine brick clay is mined. Pop. (1900), 528. 

LONG, Stephen Harriman, civil engineer, was 
born in Hopkinton, N. H,, Dec. 30, 1784; gradu- 
ated at Dartmouth College in 1809, and, after 
teaching some years, entered the United States 
Army in December, 1814, as a Lieutenant in the 
Corps of Engineers, acting as Assistant Professor 
of Mathematics at West Point ; in 1816 was trans- 
ferred to the Topographical Engineers with the 
brevet rank of Major. From 1818 to 1833 he had 
charge of explorations between the Mississippi 
River and the Rocky Mountains, and, in 1823-34, 
to the sources of the Mississippi. One of the 
highest peaks of the Rocky Mountains was named 
in his honor. Between 1837 and 1830 he was 
employed as a civil engineer on the Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, and from 1837 to 1840, as Engineer- 
in-Chief of the AVestern & Atlantic Railroad, in 
Georgia, where he introduced a system of curves 
and a new kind of truss bridge afterwards gener- 
ally adopted. On the organization of the Topo- 
graphical Engineers as a separate corps in 1838, 
he became JIajor of that body, and, in 1861, chief, 
with the rank of Colonel. An account of his 
first expedition to the Rocky Moimtains (1819-20) 
by Dr. Edwin James, was published in 1823, and 
the following year appeared "Long's Expedition 
to the Source of St. Peter's River, Lake of the 
Woods, Etc." He was a member of the Ameri- 
can Philosophical Society and the author of the 



344 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



first original treatise on railroad building ever 
published in this country, under the title of 
"Railroad Manual" (1829). During the latter 
days of his life his home was at Alton, 111. , where 
he died, Sept. 4, 1864. Though retired from 
active service in June, 1863, he continued in the 
discharge of important duties up to his death. 

LONGENECKER, Joel M., lawj-er, was born in 
Crawford County, 111., June 13, 1847; before 
reaching his eighteenth year he enlisted in the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, sei'ving until the close of the 
war. After attending the high school at Robinson 
and teaching for some time, he began the study 
of law and was admitted to the bar at Olnej- in 
1870 ; served two years as City Attorney and four 
(1877-81) as Prosecuting Attorney, in the latter 
year removing to Chicago. Here, in 1884, he be- 
came the assistant of Luther Lafiin Mills in the 
office of Prosecuting Attorney of Cook County, 
retaining that position with Mr. Mills' successor. 
Judge Grinnell. On the promotion of the latter 
to the bench, in 1886, Mr. Longenecker succeeded 
to the office of Prosecuting Attorney, continuing 
in that position until 1892. Wliile in this office 
he conducted a large number of important crimi- 
nal cases, the most important, perhaps, being the 
trial of the murderers of Dr. Cronin, in which he 
gained a wide reputation for skill and ability as 
a prosecutor in criminal cases. 

LOOMIS, (Rev.) Hubbell, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Colchester. Conn., May 31, 
1775 ; prepared for college in the common schools 
and at Plainfield Academy, in his native State, 
finally graduating at Union Colle.ge, N. Y., in 
1799 — having supported himself during a con- 
siderable part of his educational course by 
manual labor and teaching. He subsequently 
studied theology, and, for twenty-four years, 
served as pastor of a Congregational church at 
Willington, Conn., meanwhile fitting a number 
of young men for college, including among them 
Dr. Jared Sparks, afterwards President of Har- 
vard College and author of numerous historical 
works. About 1829 his views on the subject of 
baptism underwent a change, resulting in his 
uniting himself with the Baptist Church. Com- 
ing to Illinois soon after, he spent some time at 
Kaskaskia and Edwardsville, and, in 1832, located 
at Upper Alton, where he became a prominent 
factor in laving the foundation of Shurtleff Col- 
lege, first by the establishment of the Baptist 
Seminary, of which he was the Principal for 
several years, and later by assisting, in 1835, to 
secure tlie charter of the college in which the 
seminary was merged. His name stood first on 



the list of Trustees of the new institution, and, 
in proportion to his means, he was a liberal con- 
tributor to its support in the period of its infancy. 
The latter years of his life were spent among his 
books in literary and scientific pursuits. Died at 
Upper Alton, Dec. 15, 1872, at the advanced age 
of nearly 98 years. — A son of his — Prof. Elias 
Loonils — an eminent mathematician and natural- 
ist, was the author of "Loomis' Algebra" and 
other scientific text-books, in extensive use in the 
colleges of the country. He held professorships 
in various institutions at different times, the last 
being that of Natural Philosophy and Astronomy 
in Yale College, from 1860 up to his death in 1889. 

LORIMER, William, Jlember of Congress, was 
born in Manchester, England, of Scotch parent- 
age, April 27, 1861 ; came with his parents to 
America at five years of age, and, after spending 
some years in Michigan and Ohio, came to Chi- 
cago in 1870, where he entered a private school. 
Having lost his father by death at twelve years 
of age, he became an apprentice in the sign-paint- 
ing business; was afterwards an employe on a 
street-railroad, finally engaging in the real-estate 
business and serving as an appointee of JIayor 
Roche and Mayor Washburne in the city water 
department. In 1892 he was the Republican 
nominee for Clerk of the Superior Court, but was 
defeated. Two years later he was elected to the 
Fifty- fourth Congress from the Second Illinois 
District, and re-elected in 1896, as he was again 
in 1898. His plurality in 1896 amounted to 26,736 
votes. 

LOUISVILLE, the county-seat of Clay County ; 
situated on the Little Wabash River and on the 
Springfield Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad. It is 100 miles south- 
southeast of Springfield and 7 miles north of 
Flora; has a courthouse, three churches, a high 
school, a savings bank and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1890), 637; (1900). 646. 

LOUISVILLE, EVANSVILLE & NEW AL- 
BANY RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansuille 
& St. Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

LOUISVILLE, EVANSVILLE & ST. LOUIS 
(Consolidated) RAILROAD. The length of this 
entire line is 358.. 55 miles, of which nearly 150 
miles are operated in Illinois. It crosses the State 
from East St. Louis to Mount Carmel, on the 
Wabash River. Within Illinois the system uses 
a single track of standard gauge, laid with steel 
rails on white-oak ties. The grades are usually 
light, although, as the line leaves the Mississippi 
bottom, the gradient is about two per cent or 
105.6 feet per mile. The total capitalization 



HISTOmUAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



.•]45 



(189S) was $18,236,246. of which 54,247,909 was in 
stock and §10,568,350 in bonds.— (History.) The 
original corporation was organized in both Indi- 
ana and Illinois in 1869, and the Illinois section of 
i,he line opened from Mount Carmel to Albion (18 
miles) in January,' 1873. The Indiana division 
was sold under foreclosure in 1876 to the Louis- 
ville, New Albany & St. Louis Railway Com- 
pany, while the Illinois division was reorganized 
in 1878 under the name of the St. Louis, Mount 
Carmel & New Albany Railroad. A few months 
later the two divisions were consolidated under 
the name of the former. In 1881 this line was 
again consolidated with the Evansville, Rockport 
& Eastern Railroad (of Indiana), taking the name 
of the Louisville. Evansville & St. Louis Railroad. 
In 1889, bj' a still further consolidation, it 
absorbed several short lines in Indiana and Illi- 
nois — those in the latter State being the Illinois 
& St. Louis Railroad and Coal Company, the 
Belleville, CentraUa & Eastern (projected from 
Belleville to Mount Vernon) and the Venice & 
Carondelet— the new organization assuming the 
present name — Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis 
(Consolidated) Railroad. 

LOUISVILLE & NASHVILLE RAILROAD, a 
corporation operating an extensive system of 
railroads, chiefly south of the Ohio River and 
extending through Kentucky and Tennessee 
into Indiana. The portion of the line in Illinois 
(known as the St. Louis, Evansville & Nashville 
line) extends from East St. Louis to the Wabash 
River, in White County (133.64 miles), with 
branches from Belleville to O'Fallon (6.07 miles), 
and from McLeansboro to Shawneetown (40.7 
miles) — total, 180.41 miles. The Illinois Divi- 
sion, though virtually owned by the ojierating 
line, is formally leased from the Southeast & St. 
Louis Railway Company, whose corporate exist- 
ence is merely nominal. The latter company 
acquired title to the property after foreclosure 
in November, 1880, and leased it in perpetuity to 
the Louisville & Nashville Companj'. The total 
earnings and income of the leased line in Illinois, 
for 1898, were §1,052,789, and the total expendi- 
tvires (including S47,198 taxes) were $657,125. 

LOUISVILLE & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
Jacksomnlle & St. Louis Railway. ) 

LOVEJOT, Elijah Parish, minister and anti- 
slavery journalist, was born at Albion, Maine, 
Nov. 9, 1802 — the son of a Congregational minis- 
ter. He graduated at WaterviUe College in 1826, 
came west and taught school in St. Louis in 
1827, and became editor of a Whig paper there in 
1829. Later, he studied theology at Princeton 



and was licensed as a Presbyterian minister in 
1833. Returning to St. Louis, he started "The 
Observer" — a religious weeklj-, which condemned 
slave-holding. Threats of violence from the 
pro-slavery party induced him to remove his 
paper, presses, etc., to Alton, in July, 1S36. Three 
times within twelve months his plant was de- 
stroyed by a mob. A fourth press liaving been 
procured, a number of his friends agreed to pro- 
tect it from destruction in the warehouse where 
it was stored. On the evening of Nov. 7, 1837, a 
mob, having assembled about the building, sent 
one of their number to the roof to set it on fire. 
Lovejoy, with two of his friends, stepped outside 
to reconnoiter, when he was shot down by parties 
in ambush, breathing his last a few minutes 
later. His death did much to strengthen the 
anti-slavery sentiment north of Mason and 
Dixon's line. His party regarded him as a 
martyr, and his death was made the text for 
many impassioned and effective appeals iu oppo- 
sition to an institution wliich employed moboc- 
racy and murder in its efforts to suppress free 
discussion. (See Alton Biots.) 

LOVEJOY, Owen, clergj-man and Congressman, 
was born at Albion, Maine, Jan. 6, 1811. Being 
the son of a clergyman of small means, he was 
thrown upon his own resources, but secured a 
collegiate education, graduating at Bowdoin 
College. In 1836 he removed to Alton, 111., join- 
ing his brother, Elijah Parish Lovejoy, who was 
conducting an anti-slavery and religious journal 
there, and wliose assassination bj- a pro-slavery 
mob he witnessed the following year. (See Alton 
Riots and Elijah P. Lovejoy.) This tragedy 
induced him to devote his life to a crusade 
against slavery. Having previously begun the 
study of theology, he was ordained to the minis- 
try and officiated for several years as pastor of a 
Congregational church at Princeton. In 1847 he 
was an unsuccessful candidate for the Constitu- 
tional Convention on the "Liberty" ticket, but, in 
1854, was elected to the Legislature upon that 
issue, and earnestly supported Abraham Lincoln 
for United States Senator. Upon his election to 
the Legislature he resigned his pastorate at 
Princeton, Iiis congregation presenting him with 
a solid silver service in token of their esteem. In 
1856 he was elected a Representative in Congress 
by a majority of 7,000, and was re-elected for 
three successive terms. As an orator he had few 
equals in the State, while his courage in the 
support of his principles was indomitable. In 
the campaigns of 1856, '58 and "60 he rendered 
valuable service to the Republican party, as he 



346 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



did later in upholding the cause of the Union in 
Congress. He died in Brooklyn, N. Y. , March 25, 
1864, 

LOVINttTON, a village of Moultrie County, on 
the Terre Haute-Peoria branch of the Vandalia 
Line and tlie Bement & Altamont Division of the 
Wabash Railway, 23 miles southeast of Decatur. 
Tlie town has two banks, a newspaper, water- 
works, electric lights, telephones and volunteer 
fire department. Pop. (1890), 767; (1900), 815. 

LUDLAM, (Dr.) Reuben, physician and author, 
was born at Camden, N. J., Oct. 11, 1831, the son 
of Dr. Jacob Watson Ludlam, an eminent phy- 
sician who, in his later years, became a resident 
of Evanston, 111. The younger Ludlam, having 
taken a course in an academy at Bridgeton, 
N. J., at sixteen years of age entered upon the 
study of medicine with his father, followed by a 
course of lectures at the University of Pennsyl- 
vania, where he graduated, in. 1852. Having 
removed to Chicago the following j'ear, he soon 
after began an investigation of the homo?opathic 
system of medicine, which resulted in its adop- 
tion, and, a few years later, had acquired such 
prominence that, in 1859, he was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Physiology and Pathology in the newly 
established Hahnemann Medical College in the 
city of Chicago, with which he continued to be 
connected for nearly forty years. Besides serving 
as Secretary of the institution at its inception, he 
had, as early as 1854, taken a position as one of the 
editors of "The Chicago Homoeopath," later 
being editorially associated with "The North 
American Journal of Homceopathy, ' ' published in 
New York City, and "The United States Medical 
and Surgical Journal' of Chicago. He also 
served as President of numerous medical associ- 
ations, and, in 1877, was appointed by Governor 
CuUom a member of the State Board of Healtli, 
serving, by two subsequent reappointments, for a 
period of fifteen years. In addition to his labors 
as a lecturer and practitioner. Dr. Ludlam was 
one of the most prolific authors on professional 
lines in the city of Chicago, besides numerous 
monographs on special tojiics, having produced a 
"Course of Clinical Lectures on Diphtheria" 
(1863) ; "Clinical and Didactic Lectures on the 
Diseases of Women" (1871), and a translation 
from the French of "Lectures on Clinical Medi- 
cine" (1880). The second work mentioned is 
recognized as a valuable text-book, and has 
passed through seven or eight editions. A few 
years after his first connection with the Hahne- 
mann Medical College. Dr. Ludlam became Pro- 
fessor of Obstetrics and Gynecolog}', and, on the 



death of President C. S. Smith, was chosen 
President of the institution. Died suddenly from 
'leart disease, while preparing to perform a surgi- 
cal operation on a patient in the Hahnemann 
Medical College, April 29, 1899. 

LUNDY, Benjamin, early anti-slavery journal- 
ist, was born in New Jersey of Quaker par- 
entage; at 19 worked as a saddler at Wheeling, 
Va., where he first gained a practical knowledge 
. of the institution of slavery ; later carried on 
business at Mount Pleasant and St. Clairsville, O., 
where, in 1815, he organized an anti-slavery 
association under the name of the "Union 
Humane Society," also contributing anti-slavery 
articles to "The Philanthropist," a paper pub- 
lished at Mount Pleasant. Removing to St. 
Louis, in 1819, he took a deep interest in the con- 
test over the admission of Missouri as a slave State. 
Again at Mount Pleasant, in 1821, he began the 
issue of ' 'The Genius of Universal Emancipation, "' 
a monthly, which he soon removed to Jonesbor- 
ough, Tenn., and finally to Baltimore in 1824, 
when it became a weekly. Mr. Lundy's trend 
towards colonization is shown in the fact that he 
made two visits (1825 and 1829) to Hayti, with a 
view to promoting the colonization of emanci- 
pated slaves in that island. Visiting the East in 
1828, he made the acquaintance of William Lloyd 
GarrLson, who became a convert to his views and 
a firm ally. The following winter he was as- 
saulted by a slave-dealer in Baltimore and nearly 
killed ; soon after removed his paper to Washing- 
ton and, later, to Philadelphia, where it took the 
name of "The National Enquirer," being finally 
merged into "The Pennsylvania Freeman." In 
1838 his property was burned bj' the pro-slavery 
mob which fired Pennsylvania Hall, and, in the 
following winter, he removed to Lowell, La Salle 
Co., 111., with a view to reviving his paper there, 
but the design was frustrated by his early death, 
which occurred August 22, 1839. The paper 
however, was revived by Zebina Ea.stman under 
the name of "The Genius of Liberty," but was re- 
moved to Chicago, in 1842, and issued under the 
name of "The Western Citizen." (See Eastman, 
Zebina.) 

LUJfT, Orringtou, capitalist and philanthro- 
pist, was born in Bowdoinham, Maine, Dec. 24, 
1815; came to Chicago in 1842, and engaged in 
the grain commission business, becoming a mem- 
ber of the Board of Trade at its organization. 
Later, he became interested in real estate oper- 
ations, fire and life insurance and in railway 
enterprises, being one of the early promoters of 
the Chicago & Galena Union, now a part of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



347 



Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. He also took 
an active part in municipal affairs, and, during 
the War, was an efficient member of the "War 
Finance Committee. ' " A liberal patron of all 
moral and benevolent enterprises, as shown by 
liis cooperation witli the "Relief and Aid Soci- 
ety" after the fire of 1871, and his generous bene- 
factions to tlie Young ilen"s Christian Association 
and feeble churches, his most efficient service 
was rendered to the cause of education as repre- 
sented in the Northwestern University, of which 
he was a Trustee from its organization, and much 
of the time an executive officer. To his noble 
benefaction the institution owes its splendid 
library building, erected some years ago at a 
cost of §100,000. In the future history of Chi- 
cago, 5Ir. Lunfs name will stand beside that of 
J. Young Scammon, Walter L. Newberry, John 
Crerar, and others of its most liberal benefactors. 
Died, at his home in Evanston, April 5, 1897. 

LUSK, John T., pioneer, was born in South 
Carolina, Nov. 7, 1784; brought to Kentucky in 
1791 by his father (James Lusk), who established 
a ferry across the Ohio, opposite the present town 
of Golcohda. in Pope Count}', 111. Lusk"s Creek, 
which empties into the Ohio in that vicinit}', 
took its name from this familj'. In 180.5 the sub- 
ject of this sketch came to Madison County, 111. , 
and settled near Edwardsville. During the War 
of 1813-14 he was engaged in the service as a 
"Ranger." When Edwardsville began its 
growth, he moved into the town and erected a 
house of hewn logs, a storj- and a half high and 
containing three rooms, which became the first 
liotel in the town and a place of considerable 
historical note. Jlr. Lusk lield, at different 
periods, the positions of Deputy Circuit Clerk, 
County Clerk, Recorder and Postmaster, dying, 
Dec. 22, 18.57. 

LUTHERANS, The. While this sect in Illi- 
nois, as elsewhere, is divided into many branches, 
it is a unit in accepting the Bible as the only in- 
fallible rule of faith, in the use of Luther"s small 
Catechism in instruction of the young, in the 
practice of infant baptism and confirmation at 
an early age, and in acceptance of the Augsburg 
Confession. Services are conducted, in various 
sections of the country, in not less than twelve 
different languages. The number of Lutheran 
ministers in Illinois exceeds 400, who preach 
in the English, German, Danish, Swedish, Fin- 
nish and Hungarian tongues. The churches 
over which they preside recognize allegiance 
to eight distinct ecclesiastical bodies, denomi- 
nated synods, as follows: The Northern, South- 



ern, Central and Wartburg Synods of the 
General Synod; the Illinois-Missouri District of 
the Sy nodical Conference; the Sj'nod for the 
Norwegian Evangelical Church; the Swedish- 
Augustana, and the Indiana Synod of the General 
Council. To illustrate the large proportion of the 
foreign element in this denommatiou, reference 
may be made to the fact that, of sixty-three 
Lutheran churches in Chicago, only four use the 
English language. Of the remainder, thirty- 
seven make use of the German, ten Swedish, nine 
Norwegian and three Danish. The whole num- 
ber of communicants in the State, in 1892, was 
estimated at 90,000. The General Synod sustains 
a German Theological Seminary in Chicago. 
(See al.so Religious Denominations. 

LYO>'S, a village of Cook County, 12 miles 
southwest of Chicago. Population (1880), 436; 
(1890), 732; (1900), 951 

MACALISTER & STEBBI>S BO>DS, the 

name given to a class of State indebtedness 
incurred in the year 1841, through the hypothe- 
cation, by John D.Whiteside (then Fund Com- 
missioner of the State of Illinois), with Messrs. 
Macalister & Stebbins, brokers of New York 
City, of 804 interest-bearing bonds of §1,000 each, 
payable in 1865, upon which the said Macalistei 
& Stebbins advanced to the State $261,560.83. 
This was done with the understanding that the 
firm would make further advances sufficient to 
increase the aggregate to forty per cent of tlie 
face value of the bonds, but upon which no 
further advances were actually made. In addi 
Hon to these, there were deposited with the same 
firm, within the next few months, with a like 
understanding, internal improvement bonds and 
State scrip amounting to .5109,215.44 — making the 
aggregate of State securities in their hands $913,- 
215.44, upon which the State had received only 
the amount already named — being 28.64 per cent 
of the face value of such indebtedness. Attempte 
having been made by the holders of these bonds 
(with whom they had been hypothecated by 
JIacalister & .Stebbins), to secure settlement on 
their par face value, the matter became the sub 
ject of repeated legislative acts, the most impor- 
tant of which were passed in 1847 and 1849 — both 
reciting, in their respective preambles, the history 
of the transaction. The last of these provided 
for the issue to Macalister & Stebbins of new 
bonds, payable in 1865, for the amount of princi- 
pal and interest of the sum actually advanced 
and found to be due, conditioned upon the sur- 
render, by them, of the original bonds and other 



348 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



evidences of indebtedness received by them in 
1841. This the actual holders refused to accept, 
and brought the case before the Supreme Court 
in an effort to compel the Governor (who was 
then ex-officio Fund Commissioner) to recognize 
the full face of their claim. This the Supreme 
Court refused to do, on the ground that, the 
executive being a co-ordinate branch of the Gov- 
ernment, they had no authority over his official 
acts. In 1859 a partial refunding of these bonds, 
to the amount of §114,000, was obtained from 
Governor Bissell, who, being an invalid, was 
probably but imperfectly acquainted with their 
history and previous legislation on the subject. 
Representations made to him led to a suspension 
of the proceeding, and, as the bonds were not 
transferable except on the books of the Funding 
Agency in the office of the State Auditor, they 
were treated as illegal and void, and were ulti- 
mately surrendered by the holders on the basis 
originally fixed, without loss to the State. In 
1865 an additional act was passed requiring the 
presentation, for payment, of the portion of the 
original bonds still outstanding, on pain of for- 
feiture, and this was finally done. 

MACK, Alonzo W., legislator, was born at More- 
town, Vt., in 1832; at 16 years of age settled at 
Kalamazoo, Mich. , later began the study of medi- 
cine and gi-aduated at Laporte, Ind., in 1844. 
Then, having removed to Kankakee, 111., he 
adopted the practice of law ; in 1858 was elected 
Representative, and, in 1860 and '64, to the 
Senate, serving through five continuous sessions 
(1858-68). In 1863 he assisted in organizing the 
Seventy-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, of 
which he was commissioned Colonel, but resigned, 
in January following, to take his seat in the 
Senate. Colonel Mack, who was a zealous friend 
of Governor Yates, was one of the leading spirits 
in the establishment of "The Chicago Repub- 
lican," in May, 1865, and was its business mana- 
ger the first year of its publication, but disagreeing 
with the editor, Charles A. Dana, both finally 
retired. Colonel Mack then resumed the practice 
of law in Chicago, dj-ing there, Jan. 4, 1871. 

M.4CKIXAW, the first county-seat of Tazewell 
County, at intersection of two railroad lines, 18 
miles southeast of Peoria. The district is agri- 
cultural and stock-raising. There are manufacto- 
ries of farm implements, pressed brick, harness, 
wagons and carriages , also a State bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890). 545: (1900), 859. 

MAC MILLAN, Thomas C, Clerk of United 
States District Court, was born at Stranraer, 
Scotland, Oct. 4, 1850; came with his parents, in 



1857, to Chicago, where he graduated from the 
High Schcol and spent some time in the Chicago 
University; in 1873 became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Inter Ocean;" two years later accom- 
panied an exploring expedition to the Black Hills 
and, in 1875-76, represented that paper with 
General Crook in the campaign against the Sioux, 
After an extended tour in Europe, he assumed 
charge of the "Curiosity Shop" department of 
"The Inter Ocean," served on the Cook County 
Board of Education and as a Director of the Chi 
cago Public Library, besides eight years in the 
General Assembly— 1885-89 in the House and 1889- 
93 in the Senate. In January, 1896, Mr. MacMillan 
was appointed Clerk of the United States District 
Court at Chicago. He has been a Trustee of Illi- 
nois College since 1886, and, in 1885, received the 
honorary degree of A.M. from that institution. 

MACOMB, the county-seat of McDonough 
County, situated on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 59 miles northeast of Quincy, 
39 miles southwest of Galesburg. The principal 
manufactures are sewer-pipes, drain-tile, pot- 
tery, and school-desk castings. The city has 
interurban electric car line, banks, nine churches, 
high school and four newspapers: is the seat of 
Western Illinois State Normal School, and West- 
ern Preparatory School and Business College. 
Population (1890), 4,053; (1900), 5,375. 

MACON, a village in IMacon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 10 miles soutli by west of 
Decatur. Macon County is one of the most fer- 
tile in the corn belt, and the city is an important 
shipping-point for corn. It has wagon and cigar 
factories, four churches, a graded school, and a 
weekly paper. Population (1890). 819 ; (1900), 70.5. 

MACON COUNTY, situated near the geograph- 
ical center of the State. The census of 1900 gave 
its area as 580 square miles, and its population. 
44,003. It was organized in 1839, and named for 
Nathaniel Macon, a revolutionary soldier and 
statesman. The surface is chiefly level prairie, 
although in parts there is a fair growth of timber. 
The coimty is well drained by the Sangamon 
River and its tributaries. The soil is that high 
grade of fertility which one might expect in the 
corn belt of the central portion of the State. 
Besides corn, oats, rye and barley are extensively 
cultivated, while potatoes, sorghum and wool are 
among the products. Decatur is the coimty-seat 
and principal city in the heart of a rich agricul- 
tural region. Maroa, in the northern part of the 
county, enjoys considerable local trade. 

MACOUPIN COUNTY, a south-central county, 
with an area of 864 square miles and a population 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



349 



of 42,256 in 1900. The word Macoupin is of 
Indian derivation, signifying '"white potato."' 
The county, originally a part of Madison, and 
later of Greene, was separately organized in 1829, 
under the supervision of Seth Hodges, WilUam 
Wilcox and Theodorus Davis. The first court 
house (of logs) was erected in 1830. It contained 
but two rooms, and in pleasant weather juries 
were wont to retire to a convenient grove to 
deliberate upon their findings. The surface of 
the county is level, with narrow belts of timber 
following the course of the streams. The soil ia 
fertile, and both corn and wheat are extensively 
raised While agriculture is the chief industry 
in the south, stock-raising is successfully carried 
on in the north. Carlinville is the county-seat 
and Bunker Hill, Stanton, Virden and Girard the 
other principal towns, 

MAC TEAGH, Franklin, merchant, lawyer 
and politician, was born on a, farm in Chester 
County, Pa., graduated from Yale University in 
1862, and, two years later, from Columbia Law 
School, New York. He was soon compelled to 
abandon practice on account of iU-health, and 
removed to Chicago, in September, 18(35, where he 
embarked in business as a wholesale grocer. In 
1874 he was cliosen President of the Volunteer 
Citizens' Association, which inaugurated many 
important municipal reforms. He was thereafter 
repeatedly urged to accept other offices, among 
them the mayoraUty, but persistently refused 
until 1894, when he accepted a nomination for 
United States Senator by a State Convention of 
the Democratic Party. He made a thorough can- 
vass of the State, but the Republicans having 
gained control of the Legislature, he was 
defeated. He is the head of one of the most 
extensive wholesale grocery establishments in 
the city of Chicago. 

MADISON COUNTY, situated in the southwest 
division of the State, and bordering on the Mis- 
sissippi River. Its area is about 740 square miles. 
The surface of the county is hilly along the Mis- 
sissippi bluffs, but generally eitlier level or only 
slightly undulating in the interior. The "Ameri- 
can Bottom" occupies a strip of country along 
the western border, four to six miles wide, as far 
north as Alton, and is exceptionally fertile. The 
county was organized in 1812, being the first 
county set off from St. Clair County after the 
organization of Illinois Territory, in 1809, and the 
third within the Territory. It was named in 
honor of James Madison, then President of the 
United States. At that time it embraced sub- 
stantially the whole of the northern part of the 



State, but its limits were steadily reduced by 
excisions until 1843. The soil is fertile, corn, 
wheat, oats, hay, and potatoes being raised and 
exported in large quantities. Coal seams under- 
lie the soil, and carboniferous limestone crops out 
in the neighborhood of Alton. American settlers 
began first to arrive about 1800, the Judys, Gill- 
Iiams and Whitesides being among the first, gen- 
erally locating in the American Bottom, and 
lading the foundation for the present county. 
In the early history of the State, Madison County 
was the home of a large number of prominent 
men who exerted a large influence in shaping its 
destiny. Among these were Governor Edwards, 
Governor Coles, Judge Samuel D. Lockwood, and 
many more whose names are intimately inter- 
woven with State history. The county-seat is at 
Edwardsville, and Alton is the principal city. 
Population (1890), 51,535; (1900), 64,694. 

MAGRUDER, Benjamin D., Justice of the 
Supreme Court, was born near Natchez, Miss., 
Sept. 27, 1838; graduated from Yale College in 
1856, and, for three years thereafter, engaged in 
teaching in his father's private academy at 
Baton Rouge, La., and in reading law. In 1859 
he graduated from the law department of the 
University of Louisiana, and the same year 
opened an oflSce at Memphis, Tenn. At the out- 
break of the Civil War, his sympathies being 
strongly in favor of the Union, he came North, 
and, after visiting relatives at New Haven, 
Conn., settled at Chicago, in June, 1861. While 
ever radically loyal, he refrained from enlisting 
or taking part in political discussions during the 
war, many members of his immediate family 
being in the Confederate service. He soon 
achieved and easily maintained a high standing 
at the Chicago bar; in 1868 was appointed Master 
in Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook 
County, and, in 1885, was elected to succeed 
Judge T. Lyle Dickey on the bench of the 
Supreme Court, being re-elected for a full term 
of nine years in 1888, and again in 1897. He was 
Chief Justice in 1891-92. 

MAKANDA, a village of Jack.son County, on 
the Illinois Central Railway, 49 miles north of 
Cairo, in South Pass, in spur of Ozark Mountains. 
It is in the midst of a rich fruit-growing region, 
large amounts of this product being shipped there 
and at Cobden. The place has a bank and a 
weekly paper. Population (1900), 528. 

MALTBT, Jasper A., soldier, was born in Ash- 
tabula County, Ohio, Nov. 8, 1826, served as a 
private in the Mexican War and was severely 
wounded at Chapultepec. After his discharge he 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



established himself in the mercantile business at 
Galena, 111. ; in 18G1 entered the volunteer service 
as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Forty-fifth Illinois 
Infantry, was wounded at Fort Donelson, pro- 
moted Colonel in November, 1863, and wounded 
a second time at Vicksburg; commissioned 
Brigadier-General in August, 1803; served 
through the subsequent campaigns of the Army 
of the Tennessee, and was mustered out, January, 
1866. Later, he was appointed bj' the commander 
of the district Mayor of Vicksburg, dying in that 
office, Dec. 13, 1867. 

MANCHESTER, a town of Scott County, on 
the Jacksonville Division of the Chicago & Alton 
Railway, 16 miles south of Jacksonville; has 
some manufactures of pottery. Population 
(1890), 408; (1900), 430. 

MANIERE, Georg'e, early Chicago lawyer and 
jurist, born of Huguenot descent, at New Lon- 
don, Conn., in 1817. Bereft of his father in 1831, 
his mother removed to New York City, where he 
began the study of law, occasionally contributing 
to "The New York Mirror," then one of the 
leading literary periodicals of the country. In 
1835 he removed to Chicago, where he completed 
his professional studies and was admitted to the 
bar in 1839. His first office was a deputyship in 
the Circuit Clerk's office; later, he was appointed 
Master in Cliancery, and served one term as 
Alderman and two terms as City Attorney. 
While filling the latter office he codified the 
municipal ordinances. In 1855 he was elected 
Judge of the Circuit Court and re-elected in 1861 
without opposition. Before the expiration of his 
second term he died. May 21, 1863. He held the 
office of School Commissioner from 1844 to 1852, 
during which time, largely through his efforts, 
the school system was remodeled and the im- 
paired school fund placed in a satisfactory con- 
dition. He was one of the organizers of the 
Union Defense Committee in 1861, a member of 
the first Board of Regents of the (old) Chicago 
University, and prominently connected with 
several societies of a semi-public character. He 
was a polished writer and was, for a time, in edi- 
torial control of "The Chicago Democrat." 

MAJJN, James R., lawyer and Congressman, was 
born on a farm near Bloomington, 111., Oct. 20, 
1856, whence his father moved to Iroquois County 
in 1867; graduated at the University of Illinois 
in 1876 and at the Union College of Law in Chi- 
cago, in 1881, after which he established himself 
in practice in Chicago, finally becoming the head 
of the law firm of Mann. Hayes & Miller; in 1888 
was elected Attorney of the village of Hyde Park 



and, after the annexation of that municipality to 
the city of Chicago, in 1893 was elected Alderman 
of the Thirty-second Ward, and re-elected in 
1894, while in the City Council becoming one of 
its most prominent members; in 1894, served as 
Temporary Chairman of the Republican State 
Convention at Peoria, and, in 1895, as Chairman 
of the Cook County Republican Convention. In 
1896 he was elected, as a Republican, to the Fifty- 
fifth Congress, receiving a plurality of 28,459 
over the Free Silver Democratic candidate, and 
30,907 majority over all. In 1898 he was a can- 
didate for re-election, and was again successful, by 
over 17,000 plurality, on a largely reduced vote. 
Other positions held by Mr. Mann, previous to his 
election to Congress, include those of Master in 
Chancery of the Superior Court of Cook Comity 
and General Attorney of the South Park Com- 
missioners of the cit}' of Chicago. 

MAXN, Orriu L., lawyer and soldier, was born 
in Geauga County, Ohio., and, in his youth, 
removed to the vicinity of Ann Arbor, Mich., 
where he learned the blacksmith trade, but, 
being compelled to abandon it on account of an 
injury, in 1851 began study with the late Dr. 
Hinman, then in charge of the Wesleyan Female 
College, at Albion, Mich. Dr. Hinman having, 
two years later, become President of the North- 
western University, at Evanston, Mr. Mann 
accompanied his preceptor to Chicago, continuing 
his studies for a time, but later engaging in 
teaching: in 1856 entered the University of 
Michigan, but left in his junior year. In 1860 he 
took part in the campaign which resulted in the 
election of Lincoln ; early in the following spring 
had made arrangements to engage in the lumber- 
trade in Chicago, but abandoned this purpose at 
the firing on Fort Sumter; then assisted in 
organizing the Thirty-ninth Regiment IlUnois 
Volunteers (the "Yates Phalanx"), which having 
been accepted after considerable delay, he 
was chosen Major. The regiment was first 
assigned to duty in guarding tlie Baltimore & 
Ohio Railroad, but afterwards took part in the 
first battle of Winchester and in operations in 
North and South Carolina. Having previously 
been commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel, Major 
Mann was now assigned to court-martial duty at 
Newbern and Hilton Head. Later, he partici- 
pated in the siege of Forts Wagner and Gregg, 
winning a brevet Brigadier-Generalship for 
meritorious service. The Thirty-ninth, having 
"veteranized" in 1864, was again sent ea.st. and 
being assigned to the command of Gen. B. F. 
Butler, took part in the battle of Bermuda 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



351 



Hundreds, where Colonel Mann was seriously 
wounded, necessitating a stay of several months 
in liospital. Returning to duty, he was assigned 
to the staff of General Ord, and later served as 
Provost Marshal of the District of Virginia, with 
headquarters at Norfolk, being finallj- mustered 
out in December, 1865. After the war he 
engaged in the real estate and loan business, 
but. in 1866, was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the Chicago District, serving until 
1868, when he was succeeded by General Corse. 
Other positions held bj- him have been : Represent- 
ative in the Twenty-ninth General Assemblj' 
(1874-76), Coroner of Cook County (1878-80), and 
Slieriff (1880-82). General Mann was injured by 
a fall, some years since, inducing partial paraly- 
sis. 

MANNING, Joel, first Secretary of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal Commissioners, was born in 
1793, graduated at Union College, N. Y., in 1818, 
and came to Southern Illinois at an early day, 
residing for a time at Brownsville, Jackson 
County, where he held the office of Countj- 
Clerk. In 1836 he was practicing law, when he 
was appointed Secretary of the first Board of 
Commissioners of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, 
remaining in office until 1845. He continued to 
reside at Lockport, Will County, until near the 
close of his life, when he removed to Joliet, dying 
there, Jan. 8, 1869. 

MANXINli, Jnlins, lawyer, was born in Can- 
ada, near Chateaugay, N. Y. , but passed his 
earlier years chiefly in the State of New York, 
completing his education at Middlebury College, 
Vt. ; in 1839 came to Knoxville, 111., where he 
served one term as County Judge and two terms 
(1842-46) as Representative in the General Assem- 
bly. He was also a Democratic Presidential 
Elector in 1848. In 1853 he removed to Peoria, 
where he was elected, in 1861, a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of the following 
year. Died, at Knoxville, July 4, 1862. 

MANSFIELD, a village of Piatt County, at 
the intersection of the Peoria Division of the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis and 
the Chicago Division of the Wabash Railways, 
32 miles southeast of Bloomington. It is in the 
heart of a rich agricultural region ; has one news- 
paper. Population (1890), 533; (1900), 708. 

MANTENO, a village of Kankakee County, 
on the Illinois Central Railroad, 47 miles south 
of Chicago; a shipping point for grain, live- 
stock, small fruits and dairy products; has 
one newspaper. Population (1880), 632; (1890), 
627; (1900), 932. 



M.V(jUON, a village of Knox County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway, 16 miles southeast of Gales- 
burg. The region is agricultural. The town has 
banks and a weekly paper. Population (1880), 
548; (1890), 501, (1900), 475. 

MARCY, (Dr.) Oliver, educator, was born in 
Coleraine, Mass., Feb. 13. 1820; received his early 
education in the grammar schools of his native 
town, graduating, in 1842, from the Weslej'an 
University at Middletown, Conn. He early mani- 
fested a deep interest in the natural sciences and 
became a teacher in an academy at Wilbraham, 
Mass., where he remained until 1862, meanwhile 
making numerous trips for geologic investigation 
One of these was made in 1849, overland, to 
Puget Sound, for the purpose of securing data 
for maps of the Pacific Coast, and settling dis- 
puted questions as to the geologic formation of 
the Rocky Mountains. During this trip he visited 
San Francisco, making maps of the mountain 
regions for the use of the Government. In 1862 
he was called to the professorship of Natural 
History in the Northwestern University, at 
Evanston, remaining there until his death. The 
institution was then in its infancy, and he taught 
mathematics in connection with his other duties. 
From 1890 he was Dean of the faculty. He 
received the degee of LL.D. from the University 
of Chicago in 1876. Died, at Evanston, March 
19, 1899, 

MAREDOSIA (MARAIS de OGEE), a peculiar 
depression (or slough) in the southwestern part of 
Whiteside County, connecting the Mississippi 
and Rock Rivers, through which, in times of 
freshets, the former sometimes discharges a part 
of its waters into the latter. On the other hand, 
when Rock River is relatively higher, it some- 
times discharges through the same channel into 
the Jlississippi. Its general course is north and 
south. — Cat-Tail Slough, a similar depression, 
runs nearly parallel with tlie Maredosia, at a dis- 
tance of five or six miles from the latter. The 
highest point in the Jlaredosia above low water 
in the Mississippi is thirteen feet, and that in the 
Cat-Tail Slough is twenty-six feet. Each is 
believed, at some time, to have served as a 
channel for the Mississippi. 

MARENGO, a city of McHenry County, settled 
in 1835, incorporated as a town in 1857 and, as a 
city, in 1893 ; lies 68 miles northwest of Chicago, 
on the Chicago & Northwestern Raib-oad. It is 
in the heart of a dairying and fruit-growing dis- 
trict; has a foundry, stove works, condensed 
milk plant, canning factory, water-works, elec- 



352 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



trie lights, has six churches, good schools and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,264 ; 
(1890), 1, 445; (1900), 2,005. 

MARINE, a village of Madison County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 27 miles northeast of 
St. Louis. Several of its eanliest settlers were 
sea captains from the East, from whom the 
"Marine Settlement" obtained its name. Popu- 
lation (1880) 774; (1890.), 637; (1900), 666. 

MARION, the county-seat of Williamson 
County, 172 miles southeast of Springfield, on the 
Illinois Central and Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
Railroads ; in agricultural and coal region ; has 
cotton and woolen mills, electric cars, water- 
works, ice and cold-storage plant, dry pressed 
brick factory, six churches, a graded school, and 
three newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,338 ; (1900), 2,510. 

MARION COUNTY, located near the center of 
the southern half of the State, with an area of 
580 square miles; was organized in 1823, and. by 
the census of 1900, had a population of 30,446. 
About half the county is prairie, the chief prod- 
ucts being tobacco, wool and fruit. The 
remainder is timbered land. It is watered by the 
tributaries of the Kaskaskia and Little Wabash 
Rivers. The bottom lands have a heavy growth 
of choice timber, and a deep, rich soil. A large 
portion of the county is underlaid with a thin 
vein of coal, and the rocks all belong to the upper 
coal measures. Sandstone and building sand are 
also abundant. Ample shipping facilities are 
afforded b}- the Illinois Central and theBaltimore & 
Ohio (S.W.) Railroads. Salem is the county-seat, 
but Centralia is the largest and mcst important 
town, being a railroad junction and center of an 
extensive fruit-trade. Sandoval is a thriving 
town at the junction of the Illinois Central and 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroads. 

MARISSA, a village of St. Clair County, on the 
St. Louis & Cairo Short Line Railroad, 39 miles 
southeast of St. Louis. It is in a farming and 
mining district ; has two banks, a newspaper and 
a magazine. Population (1890), 876; (1900), 1,086. 

MAROA, a city in Macon County, on the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, 13 miles north of Decatur 
and 31 miles south of Bloomington. The city has 
three elevators, an agricultural implement fac- 
tory, water-works system, electric light plant, 
telephone service, two banks, one newspaper, 
three churches and a graded school. Population 
(1880), 870; (1890), 1,164; (1900), 1,213. 

MARQUETTE, (Father) Jacqnes, a French 
missionary and explorer, born at Laon, France, 
in 1637. He became a Jesuit at the age of 17, and, 
twelve years later (1666), was ordained a priest. 



The same year he sailed for Canada, landing at 
Quebec. For eighteen months he devoted him- 
self chiefly to the study of Indian dialects, and, 
in 1668, accompanied a party of Nez-Perces to 
Lake Superior, where he founded the mission of 
Sault Ste. Marie. Later, after various vicissi- 
tudes, he went to Mackinac, and, in that vicinity, 
founded the Mission of St. Ignace and built a 
rude church. In 1673 he accompanied Joliet on 
his voyage of discovery down the Mississippi, the 
two setting out from Green Bay on May 17, and 
reaching the Mississippi, by way of the Fox and 
Wisconsin Rivers, June 17. (For an interesting 
translation of Marquette's quaint narrative of the 
expedition, see Shea's "Discovery and Explo- 
ration of the Mississippi,'' N. Y., 1852.) In Sep- 
tember, 1673, after leaving the Illinois and stop- 
ping for some time among the Indians near 
"Starved Rock," he returned to Green Bay much 
broken in health. In October, 1674, under orders 
from his superior, he set out to establish a mis- 
sion at Kaskaskia on the Upper Illinois. In 
December he reached the present site of Chicago, 
where he was compelled to halt because of 
exhaustion. On March 29, 1675, he resumed his 
journey, and reached Kaskaskia, after much 
suffering, on April 8. After laboring indefati- 
gably and making many converts, failing health 
compelled him to start on his return to Macki- 
nac. Before the voj'age was completed he died. 
May 18, 1675, at the mouth of a stream which 
long bore his name — but is not the present Mar- 
quette River — on the eastern shore of Lake Michi- 
gan. His remains were subsequently removed to 
Point St. Ignace. He was the first to attempt to 
explain the lake tides, and modern science has 
not improved his theory. 

MARSEILLES, a city on the Illinois River, in 
La Salle County, 8 miles east of Ottawa, and 77 
miles southwest of Chicago, on the line of the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. Ex- 
cellent water power is furnished by a dam across 
the river. The city has several factories, among 
the leading products being flour, paper and 
agricultural implements. Coal is mined in the 
vicinity. The grain trade is large, sufficient to 
support three elevators. There are tliree papers 
(one daily): Population (1890), 3,310; (1900), 
2,559; (1903, est.), 3,100. 

M.VRSH, Benjamin F., Congressman, born in 
Wythe Towusliiji, Hancock County, 111. , was edu- 
cated at private schools and at Jubilee College, 
leaving the latter institution one year before 
graduation. He read law under the tutelage of his 
brother. Judge J. W. Marsh of Warsaw, and was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



353 



admitted to the bar in 1860. The same year he was 
an unsuccessful candidate for State's Attorney. 
Immediately upon tlie first call for troops in 1861, 
he raised a company of caTalrj-, anil, going to 
Springfield, tendered it to Governor Yates. No 
cavalry liaving been called for, the Governor felt 
constrained to decline it. On his way home Mr. 
Marsh stopped at Quincy and enlisted as a private 
in the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, in which regi- 
ment he served until July 4, 1861, when Gov- 
ernor Yates advised him by telegraph of his 
readiness to accept his cavalry company. 
Returning to Warsaw he recruited another com- 
pany within a few days, of %vhich he was com- 
missioned Captain, and which was attached to , 
the Second Illinois Cavalrj-. He served in tlie 
army until January, 1866, being four times 
wounded, and rising to the rank of Colonel. On 
his return home he interested liimself in politics. 
In 1869 he was a Republican candidate for the 
State Constitutional Convention, and. in 1876, 
was elected to represent the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, and re-elected in 1878 and 1880. 
In 1885 he was appointed a member of the Rail- 
road and Warehouse Commission, serving until 
1889. In 1894 he was again elected to Congress 
from liis old district, wliich, under the new 
apportionment, had become the Fifteenth, was 
re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In the 
Fifty-fifth Congress he was a member of the 
House Committee on Military Affairs and Chair- 
man of the Committee on MiUtia. 

MARSH, William, jurist, was born at Moravia, 
N. Y., May 11, 1823; was educated at Groton 
Academy and Union College, graduating from 
the latter in 1842. He studied law, in part, in 
the office of Millard Fillmore, at Buffalo, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1845, practicing at Ithaca 
until 1854, when he removed to Quincy, 111. Here 
he continued in practice, in partnership, at differ- 
ent periods, with prominent lawyers of that city, 
until elected to the Circuit bench in 1885, serv- 
ing until 1891. Died, April 14, 1894. 

MARSHALL, the county -seat of Clark County, 
and an incorporated city, 16}^ miles southwest of 
Terre Haute, Ind., and a point of intersection of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Vandalia Railroads. The surrounding 
country is devoted to farming and stock-raising. 
The city has woolen, flour, saw and planing mills, 
and milk condensing plant. It has two banks, 
eight churches and a good public school sv-stem, 
which includes city and township high schools, 
and three newspapers. Population (1890), 1,900; 
(1900), 2,077. 



MARSHALL, Samnel S., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Gallatin County, 111., in 
1824; studied law and soon after located at 
McLeansboro. In 1846 he was chosen a member 
of the lower house of the Fifteenth General 
Assembly, but resigned, early in the following 
year, to become State's Attorney, serving until 
1848; was Judge of the Circuit Court from 1851 
to 1854, and again from 1861 to 1865 ; was delegate 
from the State-at-large to the Charleston and 
Baltimore Conventions of 1860, and to the 
National Union Convention at Philadelphia in 
1866. In 1861 he received the complimentary 
vote of his party in the Legislature for United 
States Senator, and was similarly honored in the 
Fortieth Congress (1867) by receiving the Demo- 
cratic support for Speaker of the House. He 
was first elected to Congress in 1854, re-elected in 
1856, and, later, served continuously from 1865 to 
1875, wlien he returned to the practice of his 
profession. Died, July 26, 1890. 

MARSHALL COUNTY, situated in the north- 
central part of the State, with an area of 400 
square miles — named for Chief Justice Jolm Mar- 
shall. Settlers began to arrive in 1827, and 
county organization was effected in 1839. The 
Illinois River bisects the county, which is also 
drained by Sugar Creek. The surface is gener- 
ally level prairie, except along the river, although 
occasionally undulating. The soil is fertile, 
corn, wheat, hay and oats forming the staple 
agricultural products. Hogs are raised in great 
number, and coal is extensively mined. Lacon 
is the county-seat. Population (1880), 15,053; 
(1890), 13,6.53; (1900), 16,370. 

MARTIN, (Gen.) James S., ex- Congressman 
and soldier, was born in Scott County, Va., 
August 19, 1826, educated in the common 
schools, and, at the age of 20, accompanied his 
parents to Southern Illinois, settling in Marion 
County. lie served as a non-commissioned 
officer in the war with Mexico. In 1849, he was 
elected Clerk of the Marion County Court, which 
office lie filled for twelve years. By profession he 
is a lawyer, and has been in active practice when 
not in public or military life. For a niunber of 
years he was a member of the Republican State 
Central Committee. In 1862 he was commis- 
sioned Colonel of the One Hundred and Eleventh 
Illinois Volunteers, and, at the close of the war, 
brevetted Brigadier-General. On liis return home 
lie was elected County Judge of Marion County, 
and, in 1868, appointed United States Pension 
Agent. The latter post he resigned in 1872, hav- 
ing been elected, as a Repulilicati, to represent 



354 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the Sixteenth District in the Forty-third Con- 
gress. He was Commander of the Grand Army 
for the Department of Illinois in 1889-90. 

MARTINSVILLE, a village of Clark County, 
on the Terre Haute & Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad. 11 miles southwest of Marshall; has 
two banks and one newspaper. Population ( 1880). 
663; (1890), 779; (1900), 1,000. 

MASCOUTAH, a city in St. Clair County, 25 
miles from St. Louis and 11 miles ea.st of Belle- 
ville, on the line of the Louisville & Nashville 
Railroad. Coal-mining and agriculture are the 
principal industries of the surrounding ooimtry. 
The city has flour mills, a brickyard, dairy, 
school, churches, and electric line. Population 
(1880), 2,558; (1890), 2,033; (1900), 2,171. 

MASON, Roswell B., civil engineer, was born 
in Oneida County, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1805; in his 
boyhood was employed as a teamster on the Erie 
Canal, a year later (1822) accepting a position as 
rodman under Edward F. Gay, assistant-engineer 
in charge of construction. Subsequently he was 
employed on the Schuylkill and Morris Canals, 
on the latter becoming assistant-engineer and, 
finally, chief and superintendent. Other works 
with which Mr. Mason was connected in a similar 
capacity were the Penn.sylvania Canal and tlie 
Housatonic, New York & New Haven and the 
Vermont Valley Railroads. In 1851 he came 
west and took charge of the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, a work which required 
live years for its completion. The next four 
years were spent as contractor in the construction 
of roads in Iowa and Wisconsin, until 1860, when 
he became Superintendent of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad, but remained only one j'ear, in 
1861 accepting the position of Controller of the 
land department of the Illinois Central Railroad, 
which he retained until 1867. The ne.xt two 
years were occupied in the service of the State in 
lowering the summit of the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal. In 1869 he was elected Mayor of the city 
of Chicago, and it was in the closing days of 
his term that the great fire of 1871 occurred, 
testing his executive ability to the utmost. From 
1873 to 1883 he served as one of the Trustees of 
the Illinois Industrial University, and was one of 
the incorporators, and a life-long Director, of the 
Presbyterian Theological Seminary of the North- 
west. Died, Jan. 1, 1892.— Edward Gay (Mason), 
son of the preceding, was born at Bridgeport, 
Conn., August 23, 1839; came with his father's 
family, in 1852, to Chicago, where he attended 
school for several years, after which he entered 
Yale College, graduating there in 1860. He then 



studied law, and, later, became a member of the 
law firm of Mattocks & Mason, but subsequently, 
in conjunction with two brothers, organized the 
firm of Mason Brothers, for the prosecution of a 
real-estate and law business. In 1881 Mr. Mason 
was one of the organizers of the Chicago Musical 
Festival, which was instrumental in bringing 
Theodore Thomas to Chicago. In 1887 he became 
President of the Chicago Historical Society, as the 
successor of Elihu B. AVashburne, retaining the 
position until his death, Dec. 18, 1898. During 
his incumbency, the commodious building, now 
occupied by the Historical Society Library, was 
erected, and he added largely to the resources of 
the Society by the collection of rare manuscripts 
and other historical records. He was the author 
of several historical works, including "Illinois in 
the Eighteenth Century," "Kaskaskia and Its 
Parish Records," besides papers on La Salle and 
the first .settlers of Illinois, and "The Story of 
James Willing — An Episode of the American 
Revolution." He also edited a volume entitled 
"Early Chicago and Illinois," which was pub- 
lished under the auspices of the Chicago Histor- 
ical Society. Mr. Mason was, for several years, a 
Trustee of Yale University and, about the time of 
his death, was prominently talked of for President 
of tliat institution, as successor to President 
Timothy Dwight. 

MASON, William E., United States Senator, 
was born at Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, 
N. Y., July 7, 1850, and accompanied his parents 
to Bentonsport, Iowa, in 1858. He was educated 
at the Bentonsport Academy and at Birmingham 
College. From 1866 to 1870 he taught school, the 
last two years at Des Moines. In that city he 
studied law with Hon. Thomas F. Withrow, who 
afterward admitted him to partnership. In 1872 
he removed to Chicago, where he has since prac- 
ticed his profession. He soon embarked in poli- 
tics, and, in 1878, was elected to the lower house 
of the General Assembly, and, in 1882, to the 
State Senate. In 1884 he was the regular Repub- 
lican candidate for Congress in the Third Illinois 
District (then strongly Republican), but, owing 
to party dissensions, was defeated by James H. 
Ward, a Democrat. In 1886, and again in 1888, 
he was elected to Congress, but, in 1890, was 
defeated for reelection by Allan C. Durborow. 
He is a vigorous and effective campaign speaker. 
In 1897 he was elected United States Senator, 
receiving in the Legislature 125 votes to 77 for 
John P. Altgeld, the Democratic candidate. 

MASOJf CITY, a prosperous city in Mason 
County, at the intersection of the Chicago & 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



355 



Alton and the Havana branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroads, 18 miles west by north of 
Lincoln, and about 30 miles north of Springfield. 
Being in the heart of a rich corn-growing district, 
it is an important shipping point for that com- 
modity. It has four churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, brick works, flour-mills, grain-ele- 
vators and a carriage factory. Population (1880), 
1,714; (1890), 1,869; (1900), 1,890. 

MASOX COUNTY, organized in 1841, with a 
population of about 2,000; population (1900), 
17,491, and area of 560 square miles, — named for a 
county in Kentucky. It lies a little northwest 
of the center of the State, the Illinois and Sanga- 
mon Rivers forming its west and its south bound- 
aries. The soil, while sandy, is fertile. The 
chief staple is corn, and the county offers excel- 
lent opportunities for viticulture. The American 
pioneer of Mason County was probably Maj. 
Ossian B. Ross, who settled at Havana in 1832. 
Not until 1837, however, can immigration be said 
to have set in rapidly. Havana was first chosen 
as the county seat, but Bath enjoyed the honor 
for a few years, the county offices being per- 
manently removed to the former point in 1851. 
Mason City is an important shipping point on the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad 

MASONS, ANCIENT ORDER OF FREE AND 
ACCEPTED. (See Free-Masons.) 

MASSAC COUNTY, an extreme southern 
coiinty of the State and one of the smallest, its 
area, being but little more than 240 square miles, 
with a population (1900) of 13,110 — named for 
Fort Massac, within its borders. The surface is 
hilly toward the north, but the bottom lands 
along the Ohio River are swampy and liable to 
frequent overflows. A considerable portion of the 
natural resources consists of timber — oak, wal- 
nut, poplar, hickory, cypress and cottonwood 
abounding. Saw-mills are found in nearly every 
town, and considerable grain and tobacco are 
raised. The original settlers were largely from 
Ohio, Kentucky and North Carolina, and hospi- 
tality is traditional. Metropolis, on the Ohio 
River, is the county -seat. It was laid off in 1839, 
although Massac County was not separately 
organized until 1843. At Massac City may be 
seen the ruins of the early French fort of that 
name. 

MASSAC COUNTY REBELLION, the name 
commonly given to an outbreak of mob violence 
which occurred in Massac County, in 1845-46. An 
arrested criminal having asserted that an organ- 
ized band of thieves and robbers existed, and 
having given the names of a large number of the 



alleged members, popular excitement rose to 
fever heat. A company of self-appointed "regu- 
lators" was formed, whose acts were so arbitrary 
that, at the August election of 1846, a Sheriff and 
County Clerk were elected on the avowed issue 
of opposition to these irregular tactics. This 
served to stimulate the "regulators" to renewed 
activity. Many persons were forced to leave the 
county on suspicion, and others tortured into 
making confession. In consequence, some leading 
"regulators" were thrown into jail, only to be soon 
released by their friends, who ordered the Sheriff 
and County Clerk to leave the county. The feud 
rapidly grew, both in proportions and in inten- 
sity. Governor French made two futile efforts to 
restore order through mediation, and the ordinary 
processes of law were also found unavailing. 
Judge Scates was threatened with lynching 
Only 60 men dared to serve in the Sheriff's posse, 
and these surrendered upon promise of personal 
immunity from violence. This pledge was not 
regarded, several members of the posse being led 
away as prisoners, some of whom, it was believed, 
were drowned in the Ohio River. All the incarcer- 
ated "regulators" were again released, the Sheriff 
and his supporters were once more ordered to 
leave, and fresh seizures and outrages followed 
each other in quick succession. To remedy this 
condition of affairs, the Legislature of 1847 enacted 
a law creating district courts, under the provi- 
sions of which a Judge might hold court in any 
county in his circuit. This virtually conferred 
upon the Judge the right to change the venue at 
his own discretion, and thus secure juries unbiased 
by local or partisan feeling. The effect of this 
legislation was highly beneficial in restoring 
quiet, although the embers of the feud still 
smoldered and intermittently leaped into flame 
for several years thereafter. 

MATHENY, Charles R., pioneer, was born in 
Loudoun County, Va., March 6, 1786, licensed as a 
Methodist preacher, in Kentucky, and, in 1805, 
came to St. Clair County (then in Indiana Terri- 
tory), as a missionary. Later, he studied law and 
was admitted to the bar; served in the Third 
Territorial (1817) and the Second State Legisla- 
tures (1820-22); removed, in 1821, to the newly 
organized county of Sangamon, where he was 
appointed the first County Clerk, remaining in 
office eighteen years, also for some years holding, 
at the same time, the offices of Circuit Clerk, 
Recorder and Probate Judge. Died, while 
County Clert, in 1839.— Noah W. (Matheny), son 
of the preceding, was born in St. Clair County, 111., 
July 31. 1815; was assistant of his father in the 



356 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County Clerk's office in Sangamon County, and, 
on the death of the latter, (November, 1839), was 
elected his successor, and re-elected for eight con- 
secutive terms, serving until 1873. Died, April 
30, 1877. — James H. (Matheny), another son, 
born Oct. 30, 1818, in St. Clair County; served in 
his youth as Clerk in various local offices ; was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1847, 
elected Circuit Clerk in 1852, at the close of his 
term beginning the practice of law; was com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the One Hundred 
and Fourteenth IllinoLs Volunteers, in October, 
1862, and, after the siege of Vicksburg, served as 
Judge Advocate until July, 1864, when he 
resigned. He then returned to his profession, 
but, in 1873, was elected County Judge of Sanga- 
mon County, holding the office by repeated re- 
elections until his death, Sept. 7, 1890, — having 
resided in Springfield 68 years. 

MATHER, Thomas, pioneer merchant, was 
born, April 24, 1795, at Simsbury, Hartford 
County, Conn. ; in early manhood was engaged 
for a time in bvisiness in New York City, but, in 
the spring of 1818, came to Kaskaskia, 111., where 
he soon after became associated in business with 
James L. Lamb and others. This firm was 
afterwards quite extensively engaged in trade 
with New Orleans. Later he became one of the 
founders of the town of Chester. In 1820 Mr. 
Mather was elected to the lower branch of the 
Second General Assembly from Randolph 
County, was re-elected to the Tliird (serving for 
a part of the session as Speaker), and again to the 
Fourth, but, before the expiration of his last term, 
resigned to accept an appointment from Presi- 
dent John Quincy Adams as Commissioner to 
locate the military road from Independence to 
Santa Fe, and to conclude treaties with the 
Indians along the line. In the Legislature of 
1822 he was one of the most determined oppo- 
nents of the scheme for securing a pro-slavery 
Constitution. In 1828 he was again elected to 
the House and, in 1832, to the Senate for a term 
ot four years. He also served as Colonel on the 
staff of Governor Coles, and was supported for the 
United States Senate, to fill the vacancy caused 
by the death of John McLean, in 1830. Having 
removed to Springfield in 1835, he became promi- 
nent in business affairs there in connection with 
his former partner, Mr. James L. Lamb; in 1837 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Fund Commissioners for the State under the 
internal improvement system ; also served seven 
years as President of the Springfield branch of 
the State Bank; was connected, as a stock- 



holder, with the construction of the Sangamon & 
Morgan (now Wabash) Railroad, extending from 
Springfield to the Illinois river at Naples, and 
was also identified, financially, with the old Chi- 
cago & Galena Union Railroad. From 1835 until 
his death, Colonel Mather served as one of the 
Trustees of Illinois College at Jacksonville, and 
was a liberal contributor to the endowment of 
that institution. His death occurred during a 
visit to Philadelphia, March 28, 18.53. 

JHATTESO\, Joel Aldrich, ninth regularly 
elected Governor of Illinois (1853-57), was born 
in Watertown, N. Y., August 8, 1808; after some 
experience in business and as a teacher, in 1831 
he went to South Carolina, where he was foreman 
in the construction of the first railroad in that 
State. In 1834 he removed to Illinois, where he 
became a contractor on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal, and also engaged in manufacturing at 
Joliet. After serving three terms in the State 
Senate, he was elected Governor in 1852, and, in 
1855, was defeated by Lyman Trumbull for the 
United States Senatorship. At the close of his 
gubernatorial term he was complimented by the 
Legislature, and retired to private life a popular 
man. Later, there were developed grave scandals 
in connection with ,the refunding of certain 
canal scrip, with which his name — unfortunately 
— was connected. He turned over property to 
the State of the value of nearly §250,000, for its 
indemnification. He finally took up his resi- 
dence in Chicago, and later spent considerable 
time in travel in Europe. He was for many 
years the lessee and President of the Chicago & 
Alton Railroad. Died in Chicago, Jan. 31, 1873. 

MATTHEWS, Asa C, ex-Comptroller of the 
United States Treasury, was born in Pike County, 
111., March 22, 1833; graduated from Illinois Col- 
lege in 1855, and was admitted to the bar three 
years later. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War, 
he abandoned a remunerative practice at Pitts- 
field to enlist in the army, and was elected and 
commissioned a Captain in the Ninety-ninth Illi- 
nois Volunteers. He rose to the rank of Colonel, 
being mustered out of the service in August, 
1865. He was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue in 1869, and Supervisor for the District 
composed of Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan, in 
1875. Being elected to the Thirtieth General 
Assembly in 1876, he resigned his office, and was 
re-elected to the Legislature in 1878. On the 
death of Judge Higbee, Governor Hamilton 
appointed Mr. Matthews to fill the vacancy thus 
created on the bench of the Sixth Circuit, his 
term expiring in 1885. In 1888 he was elected to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



357 



the Thirty-sixth General Assembly and was 
chosen Speaker of the House. In May, 1889, 
President Harrison named him , First Comp- 
troller of the United States Treasury, and the 
House, by a unanimous vote, expressed its grati- 
fication at his selection. Since retiring from 
office. Colonel Matthews has devoted his attention 
to the practice of his profession at Pittsfield. 

MATTHEWS, Milton W., lawyer and journal- 
ist, was born in Clark County, 111., March 1, 1846, 
educated in the common schools, and, near the 
close of the war, served in a 100-days' regiment ; 
began teaching in Champaign County in 1865, 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867; 
in 1873 was appointed Master in Chancery, served 
two terras as Prosecuting Attorney, and, in 1888, 
was elected to the State Senate, meanwhile, from 
1879, discharging the duties of editor of "The 
Champaign County Herald," of which he was 
also proprietor. During his last session in the 
State Senate (1891-92) he served as President pro 
tem. of that body; was also President of the 
State Press Association and served on the staff of 
Governor Fifer, with the rank of Colonel of the 
Illinois National Guard. Died, at Urbana, May 
10, 1893. 

MATTOON, an important city in Coles County, 
172 miles west of south from Chicago and 56 miles 
■west of Terre Haute, Ind. ; a point of junction for 
three lines of railway, and an important shipping 
point for corn and broom corn, which are both 
extensively grown in the surrounding region. It 
has several banks, foundries, machine shops, 
brick and tile-works, flour-mills, grain-elevators, 
with two daily and four weekly newspapers ; also 
has good graded schools and a high school. The 
repair shops of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad are located here. 
Population (1890). 6,833; (1900), 9,632. 

MAXWELL, Philip, M.D., pioneer physician, 
was born at Guilford, Vt., April 3, 1799, graduated 
in medicine and practiced for a time at Sacketfs 
Harbor, also serving in the New York Legisla- 
ture; was appointed Assistant Surgeon at Fort 
Dearborn, in 1833, remaining intil the abandon- 
ment of the fort at the end of 1836. In 1838 he 
was promoted Surgeon, and served with Gen. 
Zachary Taylor in the campaign against the Semi- 
noles in Florida, but resumed private practice in 
Chicago in 1844 ; served two terms as Represent- 
ative in the General Assembly (1848-52) and. in 
18.")5, settled on the shores of Lake Geneva, Wis., 
where he died, Nov. 5, 18.59. 

MAY, William L., early lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born in Kentucky, came at an early day 



to Edwardsville, 111. . and afterwards to Jackson- 
ville; was elected from Morgan County to the 
Sixth General Assembly (1828), and the next year 
removed to Springfield, having been appointed by 
President Jackson Receiver of Public Jloneys for 
the Land Office there He was twice elected to 
Congress (1834 and '36), the first year defeating 
Benjamin Mills, a brilliant law}-er of Galena. 
Later, May became a resident of Peoria, but 
finallj- removed to California, where he died. 

MAYO, Walter L., legislator, was born in Albe- 
marle County Va., March 7, 1810; came to 
Edwards County, 111., in 1838, and began teach- 
ing. He took part in tlie Black Hawk War 
(1831-32), being appointed by Governor Reynolds 
Quartermaster of a battalion organized in tliat 
section of the State. He had previously been 
appointed County Clerk of Edwards County to fill 
a vacancy, and continued, by successive re-elec- 
tions, to occupy the position for thirty-seven 
years — also acting, for a portion of the time, as 
Circuit Clerk, Judge of Probate and County Treas- 
urer. In 1870 he was elected Representative in 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly for the 
Edwards County District. On the evening of Jan. 
18, 1878, he mysteriously disappeared, having 
been last seen at the Union Depot at East St. 
Louis, when about to take the train for his home 
at Albion, and is supposed to have been secretly 
murdered. No trace of his body or of the crime 
was ever discovered, and the aflFair has remained 
one of the mysteries of the criminal history of 
Illinois. 

MAYWOOD, a village of Cook County, and 
suburb of Chicago, 10 miles west of that city, on 
the Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago 
Great Western Railways; has cliurches, two 
weekly newspapers, public schools and some 
manufactures. Population (1900), 4,532. 

McAllister, Wtlliam K., jurist, was born in 
Washington County, N. Y., in 1818. After 
admission to the bar he commenced practice at 
Albion, N. Y. , and, in 1854, removed to Chicago. 
In 1866 he was a candidate for the bencli of the 
Superior Court of that city, but was defeated by 
Judge Jameson. Two years later he was chosen 
Judge of the Recorder's Court, and, in 1870, was 
elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, which 
position he resigned in 1875, having been elected 
a Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to 
fill a vacancy. He was re-elected for a full term 
and assigned to xVppellate Court duty in 1879. 
He was elected for a third time in 1885, but, 
before the expiration of his term, he died. Oct. 
29, 1888. 



358 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



McARTHUR, John, soldier, was born in Ers- 
kine, Scotland, Nov. 17, 1826; worked at his 
father's trade of blacksmith until 23 years old, 
when, coming to the United States, he settled in 
Chicago. Here he became foreman of a boiler- 
making establishment, later acquiring an estab- 
lishment of his own. Having joined the Twelfth 
Illinois Volunteers at the beginning of the war, 
with a company of which he was Captain, he 
was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, still later Colonel, 
and. in March, 1863, promoted to Brigadier-Gen- 
eral for gallantry in the assault on Fort Donelson, 
where he commanded a brigade. At Shiloh he 
was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, 
returned to the fight and succeeded to the com- 
mand of the Second Division when Gen. W. H. L. 
Wallace fell mortally wounded. He commanded 
a division of McPherson's corps in the operations 
against Vicksburg, and bore a conspicuous part in 
the battle of Nashville, where he commanded a 
division under Gen. A. J. Smith, winning a brevet 
Major-Generalship by his gallantry. General 
McArthur was Postmaster of Chicago from 1873 
to 1877. 

McCAGG, Ezra Butler, lawyer, was born at 
Kinderhook, N Y., Nov. 32, 1835; studied law at 
Hudson, and, coming to Chicago in 1847, entered 
the law office of J. Young Scammon, soon after- 
wards becoming a member of the firm of Scam- 
mon & McCagg. During the war Mr. McCagg 
was an active member of the United States Sani- 
tary Commission, and (for some years after the 
fire of 1871) of the Relief and Aid Society; is also 
a life-member and officer of the Cliicago Histori- 
cal Society, besides being identified with several 
State and municipal boards. His standing in his 
profession is shown by the fact that he has been 
more than once offered a non-partisan nomina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court, but has de- 
clined. He occupies a high rank in literary circles, 
as well as a connoisseur in art, and is the owner of a 
large private library collected since the destruction 
of one of the best in the West by the fire of 1871. 

McCartney, James, lawyer and ex-Attomey 
General, was born of Scotch parentage in the 
north of Ireland, Feb. 14, 1835; at two years of 
age was brought to the United States and, until 
1845, resided in Pennsylvania, when his parents 
removed to Trumbull County, Ohio. Here he 
spent his youth in general farm work, meanwhile 
attending a high school and finally engaging in 
teacliing. In 1856 he began the study of law at 
Warren. Ohio, which he continued a year later in 
the office of Harding & Reed, at Monmouth, 111. ; 
was admitted to the bar in January, 1858, and 



began practice at Monmouth, removing the fol- 
lowing year to Galva. In April, 1861, he enlisted 
in what afterwards became the Seventeenth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers, was commissioned 
a First Lieutenant, but, a year later, was com- 
pelled to resign on account of ill- health. A few 
months later he re-enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois, being soon promoted to a 
captaincy, although serving much of the time as 
Judge Advocate on courts-martial, and, for one 
year, as Acting Assistant Adjutant-General in the 
Army of the Ohio. At the conclusion of his term 
of service in the army, he resumed the practice 
of his profession at Fairfield, 111. ; in 1880 was 
nominated and elected, as a Republican, Attorney- 
General of the State, and, during his last year in 
office, began the celebrated "Lake Front suits" 
which finally terminated successfully for the 
city of Chicago. Since retiring from office. Gen- 
eral McCartney has been engaged in the practice 
of his profession, chiefly in Springfield and Chi- 
cago, having been a resident of the latter city 
since 1890. 

MeCARTJfET, Robert Wilson, lawyer and 
jurist, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, 
March 19, 1843, spent a portion of his boyhood in 
Pennsylvania, afterwards returning to Youngs- 
town, Ohio, where he enlisted as a private in the 
Sixth Ohio Cavalry. He was severely wounded 
at the battle of Gettysburg, lying two days and 
nights on the field and enduring untold suffering. 
As soon as able to take the field he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Curtin, a Captain in the 
Eighty -third Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving in 
the army of the Potomac to the close of the war, 
and taking part in the grand review at Washing- 
ton, in May. 1865. After the war he took a course 
in a business college at Pittsburg, removed to 
Cleveland and began the study of law, but soon 
came to Illinois, and, having completed his law 
studies with his brother, J. T. McCartney, at 
Metropolis, was admitted to the bar in 1868; also 
edited a Republican paper there, became inter- 
ested in lumber manufacture and was one of the 
founders of the First National Bank of that city. 
In 1873 he was elected County Judge of Massac 
County, serving nine years, when (1882) he was 
elected Representative in the Thirty-third Gen- 
eral Assembly. At the close of his term in the 
Legislature he was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the first Circuit, serving from 1885 to 
1891. Died, Oct. 27, 1893. Judge McCartney 
was able, public-spirited and patriotic. The city 
of Metropolis owes to him the Free Public Library 
bearing his name. 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



359 



McCLAUGHRY, Robert Wilson, penologist, 
was born at Fountain Green, Hancock County, 
111., July 22, 1839, being descended from Scotch- 
Irish ancestry — his grandfather, who was a native 
of the North of Ireland, having come to America 
in his youth and served in the War of the Revolu- 
tion. The subject of this sketch grew up on a 
farm, attending school in the winter until 1854, 
then spent the next two winters at an academy, 
and, in 1856, began a course in Monmouth Col- 
lege, where he graduated in 1860. The following 
year he spent as instructor in Latin in the same 
institution, but, in 1861, became editor of "The 
Carthage Republican," a Democratic paper, 
which he made a strong advocate of the cause of 
the Union, meanwhile, both by his pen and on 
the stump, encouraging enlistments in the army. 
About the first of July, 1862, having disposed of 
his interest in the paper, he enlisted in a company 
of which he was unanimously chosen Captain, 
and which, with four other companies organized 
in the same section, became the nucleus of the 
One Hundred and Eighteenth Illinois Volunteers. 
The regiment having been completed at Camp 
Butler, he was elected Major, and going to the 
field in the following fall, took part in General 
Sherman's first movement against Vicksburg by 
way of Chickasaw Bayou, in December, 1862. 
Later, as a member of Osterhaus' Division of Gen- 
eral McClernand's corps, he participated with his 
regiment in the capture of Arkansas Post, and in 
the operations against Vicksburg which resulted 
in the capture of that stronghold, in July, 18G3. 
He then joined the Department of the Gulf under 
command of General Banks, but was compelled 
by sickness to return north. Having sufficiently 
recovered, he spent a few months in the recruit- 
ing service (1864), but, in May of that year, was 
transferred, by order of President Lincoln, to the 
Pay Department, as Additional-Paymaster, with 
the rank of Major, being finally assigned to duty 
at Springfield, where he remained, paying off Illi- 
nois regiments as mustered out of the service, 
xmtil Oct. 13, 1865, when he was honorably dis- 
charged. A few weeks later he was elected 
County Clerk of Hancock County, serving four 
years. In the meantime he engaged in the stone 
business, as head of the firm of R. W. McClaughry 
& Co. , furnishing stone for the basement of the 
State Capitol at Springfield and for bridges across 
the Mississippi at Quincy and Keokuk — later 
being engaged in the same business at St. Gene- 
vieve, Mo., with headciuarters at St. Louis. Com- 
pelled to retire by failing health, he took up his 
residence at Monmouth in 1873, but, in 1874, was 



called to the wardenship of the State Peniten- 
tiary at Joliet. Here he remained until December, 
1888, when he resigned to accept the superin- 
tendency of the Industrial Reformatory at 
Huntingdon, Pa., but, in May, 1891, accepted 
from Mayor Washburne the position of Chief of 
Police in Chicago, continuing in service, under 
Mayor Harrison, until August. 1893, when he 
became Superintendent of the Illinois State 
Reformatory at Pontiac. Early in 1897 he was 
again offered and accepted the position of Warden 
of the State Penitentiary at Joliet. Here he re- 
mained until 1899, when he received from Presi- 
dent McKinley the appointment of "Warden of the 
Military Prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., 
which position he now (1899) occupies. Major Mc- 
Claughry's administration of penal and reforma- 
tory institutions has been eminently satisfactoiy, 
and he has taken rank as one of the most success- 
ful penologists in the country. 

McCLELLA>', Robert H., lawyer and banker, 
was born in Washington County, N. Y. , Jan. 3, 
1823; graduated at LTnion College, Schenectady, 
in 1847, and tlien studied law with Hon. Martin I. 
Townsend, of Troy, being admitted to the bar in 
1850. The same year he removed to Galena, HI. ; 
during his first winter there, edited "The Galena 
Gazette," and the following spring formed a 
partnership with John M. Douglas, afterwards 
General Solicitor and President of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, which ended with the removal 
of the latter to Chicago, when Mr McClellan 
succeeded him as local attorney of the road at 
Galena. In 1804 Mr. McClellan became President 
of the Bank of Galena — later the "National Bank 
of Galena" — remaining for over twenty years. 
He is also largely interested in local manufac- 
tories and financial institutions elewhere. He 
served as a Republican Representative in the 
Twenty-second General Assembly (1861-62), and 
as Senator (1876-80), and maintained a high rank 
as a sagacious and judicious legislator. Liberal, 
public-spirited and patriotic, his name has been 
prominently connected with all movements for 
the improvement of Iiis locality and the advance- 
ment of the interests of the State. 

McCLERXAXD, John Alexander, a volunteer 
officer in the Civil War and prominent Demo- 
cratic politician, was born in Breckenridge 
County, Ky., May 80, 1812, brought to Shawnee- 
town in 1816, was admitted to the bar in 1832, 
and engaged in journalism for a time. He served 
in the Black Hawk War, and was elected to the 
Legislature in 183R. and again in 1840 and "42. 
The latter vear he was elected to Congress, serv- 



360 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing four consecutive terms, but declining a 
renomination, being about to remove to Jackson- 
ville, where he resided from 1851 to 1856. Twice 
(1840 and '52) he was a Presidential Elector on 
the Democratic ticket. In 1856 he removed to 
Springfield, and, in 1859, re-entered Congress as 
Representative of the Springfield District; was 
re-elected in 1860, but resigned in 1861 to accept 
a commission as Brigadier-General of Volunteers 
from President Lincoln, being promoted Major- 
General early in 1863. He participated in the 
battles of Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh and 
before Vicksburg, and was in command at the 
capture of Arkansas Post, but was severely criti- 
cised for some of his acts during the Vicksburg 
campaign and relieved of his command by Gen- 
eral Grant. Having finally been restored by 
order of President Lincoln, he participated in the 
campaign in Louisiana and Texas, but resigned 
his commission in 1864. General McClernand 
presided over the Democratic National Conven- 
tion of 1876, and, in 1886, was appointed by Presi- 
dent Cleveland one of the members of the Utah 
Commission, serving tlirough President Harri- 
son's administration. He was also elected 
Circuit Judge in 1870, as successor to Hon. B. S. 
Edwards, who had resigned. Died Sept. 20, 1900. 
MoCLURCt, Alexander C, soldier and pub- 
lisher, was born in Philadelphia but grew up in 
Pittsburg, where his father was an iron manu- 
facturer. He graduated at Miami University. 
Oxford, Ohio., and, after studying law for a time 
with Chief Justice Lowrie of Pennsylvania, came 
to Chicago in 1859, and entered the bookstore of 
S. C. Griggs & Co., as a junior clerk. Early in 
1861 he enlisted as a private in tlie War of the 
Rebellion, but the quota of three-months' men 
being already full, his services were not accepted. 
In August, 1862, he became a member of the 
"Crosby Guards," afterwards incorporated in the 
Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry (Second Board of 
Trade Regiment), and was unanimously elected 
Captain of Company H. After the battle of 
Perryville, he was detailed as Judge Advocate at 
Nashville, and, in the following year, offered the 
position of Assistant Adjutant-General on the 
staff of General McCook, afterwards serving in a 
similar capacity' on the staffs of Generals Thomas, 
Sheridan and Baird. He took part in the defense 
of Chattanooga and, at the battle of Missionary 
Ridge, had two horses shot under him ; was also 
with the Fourteenth Army Corps in the Atlanta 
campaign, and, at the request of Gen. Jeff. C. 
Davis, was promoted to the rank of Colonel and 
brevetted Brigadier-General — later, being pre- 



sented with a sword bearing the names of the 
principal battles in which he was engaged, 
besides being especially complimented in letters 
by Generals Sherman, Thomas, Baird, Mitchell, 
Davis and others. He was invited to enter the 
regular army at the close of the war, but pre- 
ferred to return to private life, and resumed his 
former position with S. C. Griggs & Co., soon 
after becoming a junior partner in the concern, 
of which he has since become the chief. In the 
various mutations through which this extensive 
firm has gone. General McClurg has been a lead- 
ing factor until now (and since 1887) he stands 
at the head of the most extensive publishing firm 
west of New York. 

McCO>'>'EL, Murray, pioneer and lawyer, was 
born in Orange County, N. Y., Sept. 5, 1798, and 
educated in the common schools; left home at 
14 years of age and, after a year at Louisville, 
spent several years flat-boating, trading and 
hunting in the AVest, during this period visiting 
Arkansas. Texas and Kansas, finally settling on a 
farm near Herculaneum, Mo. In 1823 he located 
in Scott (then a part of Morgan) County, 111., but 
when the town of Jacksonville was laid out, 
became a citizen of that place. During the Black 
Hawk War (July and August, 1832), he served on 
the staff of Gen. J. D. Henry with the rank of 
JIajor ; in 1837 was appointed by Governor Dun- 
can a member of the Board of Public Works for 
the First Judicial District, in this capacity having 
charge of the construction of the railroad between 
Meredosia and Springfield (then known as the 
Northern Cross Railroad) — the first public rail- 
road built in the State, and the only one con- 
structed during the "internal improvement" era 
following 1837. He also held a commission from 
Governor French as Major-General of State Mi- 
litia, in 1855 was appointed by President Pierce 
Fifth Auditor of the Treasury Department, but 
retired in 1859. In 1832, on his return from 
tlie Black Hawk War, he was elected a Repre- 
sentative in the State Legislature from Morgan 
County, and, in 1864, was elected to the State 
Senate for the District composed of Morgan, 
Menard, Cass, Schuyler and Brown Counties, 
serving until 1868. Thougli previously a Demo- 
crat and a delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention of 1860, he was an earnest supporter 
of the war policy of the Government, and was 
one of four Democratic Senators, in the General 
Assembly of 1865, who voted for the ratification 
of the Thirteenth Amendment of the National 
Constitution, prohibiting slavery in the United 
States. His death occurred by assassination, by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



361 



some unknown person, in his office at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 9, 1869.— John Ludlnm (McConnel), 
son of the preceding, was born in Jacksonville, 
III., Nov. 11, 1826, studied law and graduated at 
Transylvania Law School; in 1846 enlisted as a 
private in the Mexican War, became First Lieu- 
tenant and was promoted Captain after the battle 
of Buena Vista, where he was twice wounded. 
After the war he returned to Jacksonville and 
wrote several books illustrative of Western life 
and character, which were published between 
1850 and 1853. At the time of his death — Jan. 
17. 1862 — he was engaged in the preparation of a 
"History of Early Explorations in America, " hav- 
ing special reference to the labors of the early 
Roman Catholic missionaries. 

McCOJfNELL, (Gen). John, soldier, was born 
in Madison County, N. Y. , Dec. 5, 1834, and came 
with his parents to Illinois when about sixteen 
years of age. His father (James McConnell) was 
a native of Ireland, who came to the United 
States shortly before the War of 1812, and, after 
remaining in New York until 1840, came to San- 
gamon County, 111., locating a few miles south of 
Springfield, where he engaged extensively in 
sheep-raising. He was an enterprising and pro- 
gressive agriculturist, and was one of the founders 
of the State Agricultural Society, being President 
of the Convention of 1852 which resulted in its 
organization. His death took place, Jan. 7, 1867. 
The subject of this sketch was engaged with his 
father and brothers in the farming and stock 
business until 1861, when he raised a company 
for the Third Illinois Cavalry, of which he was 
elected Captain, was later promoted Major, serv- 
ing until March, 1863, during that time taking 
part in some of the important battles of the war 
in Southwest Missouri, including Pea Ridge, and 
was highly complimented by his commander. 
Gen. G. M. Dodge, for bravery. Some three 
montlis after leaving the Third Cavalry, he was 
commissioned by Governor Yates Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, and, in March, 1865, was 
commissioned Brevet Brigadier-General, his com- 
mission being signed by President Lincoln on 
April 14, 1805, the morning preceding the night 
of his assassination. During the latter part of 
his service, General McConnell was on duty in 
Texas, being finally mustered out in October, 
1865. After the death of his father, and until 
1879, he continued in the business of sheep-raising 
and farming, being for a time the owner of 
several extensive farms in Sangamon County, 
but. in 1879, engaged in the insurance business 
in Springfield, where he died, March 14, 1898. 



McConnell, iSamuel P., son of the preceding, 
was born at Springfield, 111., on July 5, 1849. 
After completing his literary studies he read law 
at Springfield in the office of Stuart, Edwards & 
Brown, and was admitted to the bar in 1872, soon 
after establishing himself in practice in Chicago. 
After various partnerships, in which he was asso- 
ciated with leading lawyers of Chicago, he was 
elected Judge of the Cook County Circuit Coiirt. 
in 1889, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of 
Judge W. K. McAllister, serving until 1894, when 
he resigned to give his attention to private prac- 
tice. Although one of the youngest Judges upon 
the bench, Judge McConnell was called upon, 
soon after his election, to preside at the trial of 
the conspirators in the celebrated Cronin murder 
case, in wliich he displayed great ability. He has 
also had charge, as presiding Judge, of a number 
of civil suits of great importance affecting cor- 
porations. 

McCORMICK, Cyrus Hall, inventor and manu- 
facturer, born in Rockbridge County, Va., Feb. 15. 
1809. In youth he manifested unusual mechani- 
cal ingenuity, and early began attempts at the 
manufacture of some device for cutting grain, his 
first finished machine being produced in 1831. 
Though he had been manufacturing for years 
in a small way, it was not until 1844 that his 
first machine was shipped to the West, and, 
in 1847, he came to Chicago with a view to 
establishing its manufacture in the heart of the 
region where its use would be most in demand. 
One of his early partners in the business was 
William B. Ogden, afterwards so widely known 
in connection with Chicago's railroad historj-. 
The business grew on his hands until it became 
one of the largest manufacturing interests in the 
United States. Mr. McCormick was a Democrat, 
and, in 1860, he bought "The Chicago Times." 
and having united it with "The Herald," which 
he already owned, a few months later sold the 
consolidated concern to Wilbur F. Storey. "The 
Interior," the Northwestern mouthpiece of the 
Presbyterian faith, had been founded by a joint 
stock-company in 1870, but was burned out in 
1871 and removed to Cincinnati. In January, 
1872, it was returned to Chicago, and, at the 
beginning of the following year, it became the 
property of Mr. McCormick in conjunction with 
Dr. Gray, who has been its editor and manager 
ever since. Mr. McCormick's most liberal work 
was undoubtedly the endowment of the Presby- 
terian Theological Seminary in Chicago, which 
goes by his name. His death occurred. May 13, 
1884, after a business life of almost unprece- 



362 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



dented success, and after conferring upon the 
agriculturists of the country a boon of inestimable 
value. 

Mccormick theological seminary, a 

Presbyterian school of theology in Chicago, be- 
ing the outgrowth of an institution originally con- 
nected with Hanover College, Ind., in 1830. In 
18.59 the late Cyrus H. McCormick donated $100,- 
000 to the school, and it was removed to Chicago, 
where it was opened in September, with a class 
of fifteen students. Since then nearly S300,000 
have been contributed toward a building fund by 
Mr. McCormick and his heirs, besides numerous 
donations to the same end made by others. The 
number of buildings is nine, four being for the 
general purposes of the institution (including 
dormitories), and five being houses for the pro- 
fessors. The course of instruction covers three 
annual terms of seven months each, and includes 
didactic and polemic theology, biblical and 
ecclesiastical history, sacred rhetoric and pastoral 
theology, church government and the sacra- 
ments, New Testament literature and exegesis, 
apologetics and missions, and homiletics. The 
faculty consists of eight professors, one adjunct 
professor, and one instructor in elocution and 
vocal culture. Between 200 and 300 students are 
enrolled, including post-graduates. 

McCULLOCH, David, lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Cumberland County, Pa., Jan. 25, 1832; 
received his academic education at Marshall Col- 
lege, Mercersburg, Pa. , graduating in the class of 
1852. Then, after spending some six months as 
a teacher in his native village, he came west, 
arriving at Peoria early in 1853. Here he con- 
ducted a private school for two years, when, in 
1855, he began the study of law in the oflBce of 
Manning & Merriman, being admitted to the bar 
in 1857. Soon after entering upon his law studies 
he was elected School Commissioner for Peoria 
County, serving, by successive re-elections, three 
terms (18.55-61). At the close of this period he 
was taken into partnership with his old precep- 
tor, Julius Manning, who died, July 4, 1863. In 
1877 he was elected Circuit Judge for the Eighth 
Circuit, under the law authorizing the increase of 
Judges in each circuit to three, and was re- 
elected in 1879, serving until 1885. Six years of 
this period were spent as a Justice of the Appellate 
Court for the Third Appellate District. On 
retiring from the bench, Judge McCuUoch entered 
into partnership with his son, E. D. McCulloch, 
which is still maintained. Politically, Judge 
McCulloch was reared as a Democrat, but during 
the Civil War became a Republican. Since 1886 



he has been identified with the Prohibition Party, 
although, as the result of questions arising during 
the Spanish-American War, giving a cordial 
support to the policy of President McKinley. In 
religious views he is a Presbyterian, and is a mem- 
ber of the Board of Directors of the McCormick 
Theological Seminary at Chicago. 

McCULLOUGH, James Skiles, Auditor of 
Public Accounts, was born in Mercersburg, 
Franklin County, Pa., May 4, 1843; in 1854 came 
with his father to Urbana, 111., and grew up on a 
farm in that vicinity, receiving such education as 
could be obtained in the public schools. In 1862, 
at the age of 19 years, he enlisted as a private in 
Company G, Seventy-sixth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and served during the next three years 
in the Departments of the Mississippi and the Gulf, 
meanwhile participating in the campaign against 
Vicksburg, and, near the close of the war, in the 
operations about Mobile. On the 9th of April, 
1865, while taking part in the assault on Fort 
Blakely, near Mobile, his left arm was torn to 
pieces by a grape-shot, compelling its amputation 
near the shoulder. His final discharge occurred 
in July, 1865. Returning home he spent a year in 
school at Urbana, after which he was a student in 
the Soldiers' College at Fulton, 111. . for two years. 
He then (1868) entered the office of the County 
Clerk of Champaign County as a deputy, remain- 
ing until 1873, when he was chosen County Clerk, 
serving by successive re-elections until 1896. The 
latter year he received the nomination of the 
Republican Party for Auditor of Public Accounts, 
and, at the November election, was elected by a 
plurality of 138,000 votes over his Democratic 
opponent. He was serving his sixth term as 
County Clerk when chosen Auditor, having 
received the nomination of his party on each 
occasion without opposition. 

McDANNOLD, John J., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressraan, was born in Brown County, 111., August 
29, 1851, acquired his early education in the com- 
mon schools of his native county and in a private 
school; graduated from the Law Department of 
the Iowa State University in 1874, and was 
admitted to the bar in Illinois the same year, 
commencing practice at Mount Sterling. In 1885 
he was made Master in Chanceiy, in 1886, elected 
County Judge, and re-elected in 1890, resigning 
his seat in October, 1892, to accept an election by 
the Democrats of the Twelfth Illinois District as 
Representative in the Fifty-third Congress. 
After retiring from Congress (March 4, 1895), Mr. 
McDannold removed to Chicago, where he 
engaged in the practice of his profession. 



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HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



363 



MeDONOUGH COUNTY, organized under an 
act passed, Jan. 25, 1826, and attached, for judicial 
purposes, to Schuyler County until 1830. Its 
present area is 580 square miles — named in honor 
of Commodore McDonough. The first settlement 
in the county was at Industry, on the site of 
which William Carter (the pioneer of the 
county) built a cabin in 1826. James and John 
Vance and William Job settled in the vicinity in 
the following year. Out of tliis settlement grew 
Blandinsville. William Pennington located on 
Spring Creek in 1828, and, in 1831, James M. 
Campbell erected the first frame house on the 
site of the present city of Macomb. The first 
sermon, preached by a Protestant minister in the 
county, was delivered in the Job settlement by 
Rev. John Logan, a Baptist. Among the early 
officers were John Huston, County Treasurer; 
William Southward, Slierifl; Peter Hale, Coro- 
ner, and Jesse Bartlett, Surveyor. The first 
term of the Circuit Court was held in 1830. and 
presided over by Hon. Richard M. Young. The 
first railway to cross the county was the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy (1857). Since then other 
lines have penetrated it, and there are numerous 
railroad centers and shipping points of consider- 
able importance. Population (1880), 25,037; 
(1890), 27.467; (1900), 28,412. 

McDOUGALL, James Alexander, lawyer and 
United States Senator, was born in Bethlehem, 
Albany County, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1817; educated 
at the Albany grammar school, studied law and 
settled in Pike County, 111., in 1837; was Attor- 
ney-General of Illinois four years (1843-47) ; then 
engaged in engineering and, in 1849, organized 
and led an exploring expedition to the Rio del 
Norte, Gila and Colorado Rivers, finally settling 
at San Francisco and engaging in the practice of 
law. In 1850 he was elected Attorney-General of 
California, served several terms in the State 
Legislature, and, in 1852, was chosen, as a Demo- 
crat, to Congress, but declined a re-election ; in 
1860 was elected United States Senator from Cali- 
fornia, serving as a War Democrat until 1867. 
At the expiration of his senatorial term he retired 
to Albany, N. Y., where he died, Sept. 3, 1867. 
Though somewhat irregular in liabits, he was, at 
times, a brilliant and effective speaker, and, dur- 
ing the War of the Rebellion, rendered valualile 
aid to the Union cause. 

McFARLAND, Andrew, M.D., alienist, was 
bom in Concord, N. H., July 14, 1817, graduated 
at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 
1841, and, after being engaged in general practice 
for a few years, was invited to assume the man- 



agement of the New Hampshire Asylum for the 
Insane at Concord. Here he remained some 
eight years, during which he acquired consider- 
able reputation in the treatment of nervous and 
mental disorders. In 1854 he was offered and 
accepted the position of Medical Superintendent 
of the Illinois State (now Central) Hospital fcr 
the Insane at Jacksonville, entering upon his 
duties in June of that year, and continuing his 
connection with that institution for a period of 
more than sixteen jears. Having resigned his 
position in the State Hospital in June, 1870, he 
soon after established the Oaklawn Retreat, at 
Jacksonville, a private institution for the treat- 
ment of insane patients, which he conducted 
with a great degree of success, and with which 
he was associated during the remainder of his 
life, dying, Nov. 22, 1891. Dr. McFarland's serv- 
ices were in frequent request as a medical expert 
in cases before the courts, invariably, however, 
on the side of the defense. The last case in which 
he appeared as a witness was at the trial of Charles 
F. Guiteau, the assassin of President Garfield, 
wliom he believed to be insane. 

McGAHET, David, settled in Crawford County, 
111., in 1817, and served as Representative from 
that County in the Third and Fourth General 
Assemblies (1822-26), and as Senator in the 
Eighth and Ninth (1832-36). Although a native 
of Tennessee, Mr. McGahey was a strong opponent 
of slavery, and, at the session of 1822, was one of 
those who voted against the pro-slavery Constitu- 
tion resolution. He continued to reside in Law- 
rence County until his death in 1851. — James D. 
(McGahey), a son of the preceding, was elected 
to the Ninth General Assembly from Crawford 
County, in 1834, but died during his term of 
service. 

McGANX, Lawrence Edward, ex-Congressman, 
was born in Ireland, Feb. 2, 1852. His father 
having died in 1884, the following year his 
mother emigrated to the United States, settling 
at Milford, Mass., where he attended the public 
schools. In 1865 he came to Chicago, and, for 
fourteen years, found employment as a shoe- 
maker. In 1879 he entered the municipal service 
as a clerk, and, on Jan. 1, 1885, was appointed 
City Superintendent of Streets, resigning in May, 
1891. He was elected in 1892, as a Democrat, to 
represent the Second Illinois District in the 
Fifty -second Congress, and re-elected to the Fifty- 
third. In 1894 he was a candidate for re-election 
and received a certificate of election by a small 
majority over Hugh R. Belknap (Republican). 
An investigation iiaving shown his defeat, he 



364 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



magnanimously surrendered his seat to his com- 
petitor without a contest. He has large business 
interests in Chicago, especially in street railroad 
property, being President of an important elec- 
tric line. 

McHENRT, a village in MoHenry County, situ- 
ated on the Fox River and the Chicago & North- 
western Railway. The river is here navigable for 
steamboats of light draft, which ply between the 
town and Fox Lake, a favorite resort for sports- 
men. The town has bottling works, a creamer}', 
marble and granite works, cigar factory, flour 
mills, brewery, bank, four churches, and one 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 979; (1900), 1,013. 

McHENRY, William, legislator and soldier of 
the Black Hawk War, came from Kentucky to 
Illinois in 1809, locating in White County, and 
afterwards became prominent as a legislator and 
soldier in the War of 1812, and in the Black Hawk 
War of 1833, serving in the latter as Major of 
the "Spy Battalion" and participating in the 
battle of Bad Axe. He also served as Represent- 
ative in the First, Fourth, Fifth and Ninth Gen- 
eral Assemblies, and as Senator in the Sixth and 
Seventh. While serving his last term in the 
House (1835), he died and was buried at Vandalia, 
then the State capital. McHenry County — organ- 
ized by act of the Legislature, passed at a second 
session during the winter of 1835-36 — was named 
in his honor 

McHENRY COUNTY, lies in the northern por- 
tion of the State, bounded on the north by Wis- 
consin — named for Gen. William McHenry. Its 
area is 634 square miles. With what is now the 
County of Lake, it was erected into a county in 
1836, the county-seat being at McHenry. Three 
years later the eastern part was set off as the 
County of Lake, and the county -seat of McHenry 
County removed to Woodstock, the geograph- 
ical center. The soil is well watered by living 
springs and is highly productive. Hardwood 
groves are numerous. Fruits and berries are 
extensively cultivated, but the herbage is espe- 
cially adapted to dairying, Kentucky blue grass 
being indigenous. Large quantities of milk are 
daily shipped to Chicago, and the annual pro- 
duction of butter and cheese reaches into the 
millions of pounds. The geological formations 
comprise the drift and the Cincinnati and Niagara 
groups of rooks. Near Fox River are found 
gravel ridges. Vegetable remains and logs of 
wood have been found at various depths in the 
drift deposits ; in one instance a cedar log, seven 
inches in diameter, having been discovered forty- 
two feet below the surface. Peat is found every- 



where, although the most extensive deposits are 
in the northern half of the county, where they 
exist in sloughs covering several thousands of 
acres. Several lines of railroad cross the county, 
and every important village is a railway station. 
Woodstock, Marengo, and Harvard are the prin- 
cipal towns. Population (1880), 24,908; (1890), 
26,114; (1900), 39,759. 

McINTOSH, (Capt.) Alexander, was born in 
Fulton County, N. Y., in 1832; at 19 years of 
age entered an academy at Galway Center, 
remaining three years; in 1845 removed to Joliet, 
111., and, two years later, started "The Joliet 
True Democrat," but sold out the next year, and, 
in 1849, went to California. Returning in 1852, he 
bought back "The True Democrat," which he 
edited until 1857, meanwhile (1856) having been 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court and Recorder 
of Will County. In 1863 he was appointed by 
President Lincoln Captain and Assistant Quarter- 
master, serving under General Sherman in 1864 
and in the "March to the Sea,' and, after the 
war, being for a time Post Quartermaster at 
Mobile. Having resigned in 1866, he engaged in 
mercantile business at Wilmington, Will County ; 
but, in 1869, bought "The Wilmington Independ- 
ent," which he published until 1873. The next 
year he returned to Joliet, and, a few months 
after, became political editor of "The Joliet 
Republican," and was subsequently connected, in 
a similar capacity, with other papers, including 
"The Phoenix" and "The Sun" of the same city. 
Died, in Joliet, Feb. 3, 1899. 

McKEXDREE, William, Methodist Episcopal 
Bishop, was born in Virginia, in 1757, enlisted as 
a private in the War of the Revolution, but later 
served as Adjutant and in the commissary depart- 
ment. He was converted at 30 years of age, and 
the next year began preaching in his native 
State, being advanced to the position of Presiding 
Elder; in 1800 was transferred to the West, Illi- 
nois falling within his District. Here he remained 
until his elevation to the episcopacy in 1808. 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, received its 
name from him, together with a donation of 480 
acres of land. Died, near Nashville, Tenn., March 
5, 1835. 

McKENDREE COLLEGE, one of the earliest of 
Illinois colleges, located at Lebanon and incorpo- 
rated in 1835. Its founding was suggested by 
Rev. Peter Cartwright, and it may be said to 
have had its inception at the Methodist Episcopal 
Conference held at Mount Carmel, in September, 
1827. The first funds for its establishment were 
subscribed by citizens of Lebanon, who contrib- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



365 



uted from their scanty means, SI, 385. Instruc- 
tion began, Nov. 24, 1828, under Rev. Edward 
Ames, afterwards a Bishop of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church. In 1830 Bishop McKendree made 
a donation of land to the infant institution, and 
the school was named in his lionor. It cannot be 
said to have become really a college until 1836, 
and its first class graduated in 1841. University 
powers were granted it by an amendment to its 
charter in 1839. At present the departments are 
as follows; Preparatorj', business, classical, 
scientific, law, music and oratory. The institu- 
tion owns propertj- to the value of §90.000, includ- 
ing an endowment of §25,000, and has about 200 
students, of both sexes, and a faculty of ten 
instructors. (See Colleges, Early.) 

McLaren, William Edward, Episcopal Bishop, 
was born at Geneva, X. Y., Dec. 13, 1831; gradu- 
ated at Washington and Jefferson College (Wash- 
ington, Pa.) in 1851, and, after six years spent in 
teaching and in journalistic work, entered Alle- 
gheny Theological Seminary, graduating and 
entering the Presbyterian ministrj- in 1860. For 
three years he was a missionary at Bogota, South 
America, and later in charge of churclies at 
Peoria, 111., and Detroit, Mich. Having entered 
the Protestant Episcopal Church, he was made a 
deacon in July, 1872, and ordained priest the fol- 
lowing October, immediately thereafter assuming 
the pastorate of Trinity Church, Cleveland, Ohio. 
In July, 1875, he was elected Bishop of the Prot- 
estant Episcopal Diocese of Illinois, which then 
included the whole State. Subsequently, the 
dioceses of Quincy and Springfield were erected 
tlierefrom, Bishop McLaren remaining at the 
head of the Chicago See. During his episcopate, 
church work has been active and effective, and 
the Western Theological Seminary in Chicago 
has been founded. His published works include 
numerous sermons, addresses and poems, besides 
a volume entitled "Catholic Dogma tlie Antidote 
to Doubt" (New York, 1884). 

Mclaughlin, Robert K., early lawyer and 
State Treasurer, was born in Virginia, Oct. 25, 
1779; before attaining his majority went to Ken- 
tucky, and, about 1815, removed to Illinois, set- 
tling finally at Belleville, where he entered upon 
the practice of law. The first public position 
held b}- him seems to have been that of Enrolling 
and Engrossing Clerk of both Houses of the Third 
(or last) Territorial Legislature (1816-18). In 
August, 1819, he entered upon the duties of State 
Treasurer, as successor to John Thomas, who had 
been Treasurer during the whole Territorial 
period, serving until January, 1823. Becoming a 



citizen of Vandalia, by the removal thither of the 
State capital a few months later, he continued to 
reside there the remainder of his life. He subse- 
quently represented the Fayette District as 
Representative in the Fifth General Assembly, 
and as Senator in the Sixth, Seventh and Tenth, 
and, in 1837, became Register of the Land Office 
at Vandalia, serving until 1845. Although an 
uncle of Gen. Joseph Duncan, he became a can- 
didate for Governor against the latter, in 1834, 
standing third on the list. He married a Miss 
Bond, a niece of Gov. Shadrach Bond, under 
whose administration he served as State Treasurer. 
Died, at Vandalia, May 39, 1862. 

McLEAX, a village of McLean County, on the 
Chicago it Alton Railway, 14 miles southwest of 
Bloomington, in a farming, dairying and stock- 
growing district; has one weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1890). 500; (1900), 532. 

McLEAX, John, early United States Senator, 
was born in North Carolina in 1791, brought by 
his father to Kentucky when four years old, and. 
at 23, was admitted to the bar and removed to 
Illinois, settling at Shawneetown in 1815. Pos. 
sessing oratorical gifts of a high order and an 
almost magnetic power over men, coupled with 
strong common sense, a keen sense of humor and, 
great command of language, he soon attained 
prominence at the bar and as a popular speaker. 
In 1818 he was elected the first Representative in 
Congress from the new State, defeating Daniel P. 
Cook, but served only a few months, being de- 
feated by Cook at the next election. He was 
three times elected to the Legislature, serving 
once as Speaker. In 1824 he was cliosen United 
States Senator to succeed Governor Edwards (who 
had resigned), serving one year. In 1828 he was 
elected for a second time by a unanimous vote, 
but lived to serve only one session, dying at 
Shawneetown, Oct. 4, 1830. In testimony of the 
public appreciation of the loss which the State 
liad sustained by his death, McLean County was 
named in his honor. 

McLEAN COUNTY, the largest county of the 
State, having an area of 1166 square miles, is 
central as to the region north of tlie latitude of 
St. Louis and about midway between that city 
and Chicago — was named for John McLean, an 
early United States Senator. The early immi- 
grants were largely from Oliio, although Ken- 
tucky and New York were well represented. The 
county was organized in 1830, the population at 
that time being about 1,200. The greater portion 
of the surface is high, undulating prairie, with 
occasional groves and belts of timber. On the 



366 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creek bottoms are found black walnut, sycamore, 
buckej-e, black ash and elm, while the sandy 
ridges are covered with scrub oak and black-jack. 
The soil is extremely fertile (generally a rich, 
brown loam), and the entire county is underlaid 
with coal. The chief occupations are stock-rais- 
ing, coal-mining, agriculture and manufactures. 
Sugar and Mackinaw Creeks, with their tribu- 
taries, afford thorough drainage. Sand and 
gravel beds are numerous, but vary greatly in 
depth. At Chenoa one has been found, in boring 
for coal, thirty feet thick, overlaid by forty-five 
feet of the clay common to this formation. The 
upper seam of coal in the Bloomington shafts is 
No. 6 of the general section, and the lower, No. 4 ; 
the latter averaging four feet in thickness. The 
principal towns are Bloomington (the county- 
seat). Normal, Lexington, LeRoy and Chenoa. 
Population (1890), G3,036; (1900), 67,843. 

McLEAXSBORO, a city and the county-seat of 
Hamilton County, upon a branch of the Louis- 
ville ct Nashville Railroad, 102 miles east south- 
east of St. Louis and about 48 miles southeast of 
Centralis. The people are enterprising and pro- 
gressive, the city is up-to-date and prosperous, 
supporting three banks and six churches. Two 
weekly newspapers are published here. Popula- 
tion (1880), 1,341; (1890). 1,355; (1900), 1,758. 

McMULLIN, James C, Railway Manager, was 
born at Watertown. N. Y., Feb. 13, 1836; began 
work as Freight and Ticket Agent of the Great 
Western Railroad (now Wabash), at Decatur, 111., 
May, 1857, remaining until 1860, when he 
accepted the position of Freight Agent of the 
Chicago & Alton at Springfield. Here he re- 
mained until Jan. 1, 1863, when he was trans- 
ferred in a similar capacity to Chicago; in 
September, 1864, became Superintendent of the 
Northern Division of the Chicago & Alton, after- 
wards successively filling the positions of Assist- 
ant General Superintendent (1867), General 
Superintendent (1868-78) and General Manager 
(1878-83). The latter year he was elected Vice- 
President, remaining in office some ten years, 
when ill-health compelled his retirement. Died, 
in Chicago, Dec. 30. 1896. 

McMURTRT, William, Lieutenant-Governor, 
was born in Mercer County, Ky., Feb. 20, 1801; 
removed from Kentucky to Crawford County, 
Ind., and, in 1829, came to Knox County, 111., 
settling in Henderson Township. He was elected 
Representative in the Tenth General Assembly 
(1836), and to the Senate in 1842, serving in the 
Thirteenth and Fourteenth General Assemblies. 
In 1848 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor on 



the same ticket with Gov. A. C. French, being 
the first to hold the office under the Constitution 
adopted that year. In 1862 he assisted in raising 
the One Hundred and Second Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, and, although advanced in years, 
was elected Colonel, but a few weeks later was 
compelled to accept a discharge on account of 
failing health. Died, April 10, 1875. 

McNEELET, Thompson W., lawyer and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Jacksonville, 111., Oct. 5, 
1835, and graduated at Lombard University, 
Galesburg, at the age of 21. The following year 
he was licensed to practice, but continued to pur- 
sue his professional studies, attending the Law 
University at Louisville, Ky., from which insti- 
tution he graduated in 1859. He was a member 
of the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
chairman of the Democratic State Central Com- 
mittee in 1878. From 1869 to 1873 he represented 
his District in Congress, resuming his practice 
at Petersburg, Menard County, after his retire- 
ment. 

McXULTA, Jolin, soldier and ex-Congressman, 
was born in New York City, Nov. 9, 1837, received 
an academic education, was admitted to the bar, 
and settled at Bloomington, in this State, while 
yet a young man. On May 3, 1861, he enlisted as 
a private in the Union army, and served until 
August 9, 1865, rising, successively, to the rank 
of Captain, Lieutenant-Colonel, Colonel and 
Brevet Brigadier-General. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was a member of the lower house of the General 
Assembly from McLean County, and, in 1872, was 
elected to the Forty-third Congress, as a Repub- 
lican. General McNulta has been prominent in 
the councils of the Republican party, standing 
second on the ballot for a candidate for Governor, 
in the State Convention of 1888, and serving as 
Permanent President of the State Convention of 
1890. In 1896 he was one of the most earnest 
advocates of the nomination of Mr. McKinley for 
President. Some of his most important work, 
within the past few years, has been performed in 
connection with receiverships of certain railway 
und other corporations, especially that of the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, from 1884 
to 1890. He is now (1898) Receiver of the National 
Bank of Illinois, Chicago. Died Feb. 22, 1900. 

McPHERSOJT, Simeon J., clergyman, de- 
scended from the Clan McPherson of Scotland, 
was born at Mumford, Monroe County, N. Y.. Jan. 
19, 1850; prepared for college at Leroy and Fulton, 
and graduated at Princeton, N. J., in 1874. Then, 
after a year's service as teacher of mathematics 
at his Alma Mater, he entered the Theological 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



367 



Seminary there, and graduated from that depart- 
ment in 1879, having in the meantime traveled 
tlirough Europe, Egypt and Palestine. He was 
licensed to preach by the Rochester Presbytery 
in 1877, and spent three years (1879-82) in pas- 
toral labor at East Orange, N. J. ; when he ac- 
cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church 
of Chicago, remaining until the early part of 1899, 
wlien he tendered his resignation to accept the 
position of Director of the Lawrenceville Prepar- 
atory Academy of Princeton College, N. J. 

McROBERTS, Josiah, jurist, was bom in 
Monroe County, 111.. June 12, 1820; graduated 
from St. Mary's College (Mo.) in 1839; studied 
law at Danville, 111., with his brother Samuel, 
and. in 1842, entered the law department of 
Transylvania University, graduating in 1844, 
after which he at once began practice. In 1846 
he was elected to the State Senate for the Cham- 
paign and Vermilion District, at the expiration of 
his term removing to Joliet. In 1852 he was 
appointed by Governor Matteson Trustee of the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, which oflBce he held 
for four years. In 1866 he was appointed Circuit 
Court Judge by Governor Oglesby, to fill a va- 
cancy, and was re-elected in 1867, "73, '79, and '85, 
but died a few months after his last election. 

McROBERTS, Samuel, United States Sena- 
tor, was born in Monroe County, 111., Feb. 20, 
1799 ; graduated from Transylvania University in 
1819; in 1821, was elected the first Circuit Clerk 
of his native county, and, in 1825, appointed 
Circuit Judge, which office he held for three 
years. In 1828 he was elected State Senator, 
representing the district comprising Monroe, 
Clinton and "Washington Counties. Later he was 
appointed United States District Attorney by 
President Jackson, but soon resigned to become 
Receiver of Public Moneys at Danville, by 
appointment of President Van Buren, and, in 
1839, Solicitor of the General Land Office at 
"Washington. Resigning the latter office in the 
fall of 1841, at the next session of the Illinois 
Legislature he was elected United States Senator 
to succeed John M. Robinson, deceased. Died, at 
Cincinnati. Ohio, March 22, 1843, being suc- 
ceeded by James Semple. 

Mc'>'ICKER, James Hubert, actor and theat- 
rical manager, was born in New York City, Feb. 
14, 1822; thrown upon his own resources by the 
death of his father in infancy and the necessity 
of assi-sting to support his widowed mother, he 
early engaged in various occupations, until, at 
the age of 15, he became an apprentice in the 
office of "The St. Louis Republican," three years 



later becoming a journeyman printer. He first 
appeared on the stage in the St. Charles Theater, 
New Orleans, in 1843 ; two years later was prin- 
cipal comedian in Rice's Theater, Chicago, re- 
maining until 1852, when he made a tour of the 
country, appearing Ln Yankee characters. About 
1855 he made a tour of England and, on his 
return, commenced building his first Chicago 
theater, which was opened, Nov. 3. 1857, and was 
conducted with varied fortune until burned down 
in the great fire of 1871. Rebuilt and remodeled 
from time to time, it burned down a second time 
in August, 1890, the losses from these several fires 
having imposed upon Mr. McVicker a heavy 
burden. Although an excellent comedian, Mr. 
McVicker did not appear on the stage after 1882, 
from that date giving his attention entirely to 
management. He enjoyed in an eminent degree 
the respect and confidence, not only of the 
profession, but of the general public. Died in 
Chicago, March 7, 1896. 

Mc WILLIAMS, David, banker. Dwight, 111., 
was born in Belmont Count}-, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1834; 
was brought to Illinois in infancy and grew up on 
a farm until 14 years of age, when he entered the 
office of the Pittsfield (Pike County) "Free Press" 
as an apprentice. In 1849 he engaged in the 
lumber trade with his father, the management of 
which devolved upon him a few years later. In 
the early 50's he was, for a time, a student in 
Illinois College at Jacksonville, but did not 
graduate ; in 1855 removed to Dwight, Livingston 
County, then a new town on the line of the Chi- 
cago & Alton Railroad, which had been completed 
to that point a few months previous. Here he 
erected the first store building in the town, and 
put in a $2,000 stock of goods on borrowed capi- 
tal, remaining in the mercantile business for 
eighteen years, and retaining an interest in the 
establishment seven years longer. In the mean- 
time, while engaged in merchandising, he began 
a banking business, which was enlarged on his 
retirement from the former, receiving his entire 
attention. The profits derived from his banking 
business were invested in farm lands until he 
became one of the largest land -owners in Living- 
ston County. Mr. McWilliams is one of the 
original members of the first Methodist Episcopal 
Church organized at Dwight, and has served as a 
lay delegate to several General Conferences of 
that denomination, as well as a delegate to the 
Ecumenical Council in London in 1881 ; has also 
been a liberal contributor to the support of vari- 
ous literary and theological institutions of the 
church, and has served for many years as a Trus- 



368 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tee of the Northwestern University at Evanston. 
In politics he is a zealous Republican, and has 
repeatedly served as a delegate to the State Con- 
ventions of that partj', including the Bloomington 
Convention of 1856, and was a candidate for 
Presidential Elector for the Ninth District on the 
Blaine ticket in 1884. He has made several ex- 
tended tours to Europe and other foreign coun- 
tries, the last including a trip to Eg3-pt and the 
Holy Land, during 1898-99. 

MECHANICSBURG, a village of Sangamon 
County, near the Wabash Railway, 13 miles east 
of Springfield. Population (1880), 396; (1890), 
426; (1900), 4T6. 

MEDILL, Joseph, editor and newspaper pub- 
lisher, was born, April 6, 1823, in the vicinity (now 
a part of the city) of St. John, N. B., of Scotch- 
Irish parentage, but remotely of Huguenot 
descent. At nine years of age he accompanied 
his parents to Stark County, Ohio, where he 
enjoyed such educational advantages as belonged 
to that region and period. He entered an acad- 
emy with a view to preparing for college, but his 
family having suffered from a fire, he was com- 
pelled to turn his attention to business; studied 
law, was admitted to the bar in 1846, and began 
practice at New Philadelphia, in Tuscarawas 
County. Here he caught the spirit of journalism 
by frequent visits to the office of a local paper, 
learned to set type and to work a hand-press. In 
1849 he bought a paper at Coshocton, of which he 
assumed editorial charge, employing his brothers 
as assistants in various capacities. The name of 
this paper was "The Coshocton Whig," which 
he soon changed to "The Republican," in which 
he dealt vigorous blows at political and other 
abuses, which several times brought upon him 
assaults from his political opponents — that being 
the style of political argument in those days. 
Two years later, having sold out "The Repub- 
lican," he established "The Daily Forest City" at 
Cleveland — a Whig paper with free-soil proclivi- 
ties. The following year "The Forest City" was 
consolidated with "The Free-Democrat," a Free- 
Soil paper under the editorship of John C. 
Vaughan, a South Carolina Abolitionist, the new 
paper taking the name of "The Cleveland 
Leader." Mr. Medill, with the co-operation of 
Mr. Vaughan, then went to work to secure the 
consolidation of the elements opposed to slavery 
in one compact organization. In this he was 
aided by the introduction of the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill in Congress, in December, 1853, and. before 
its passage in May following, Mr. Medill had 
begun to agitate the question of a union of all 



opposed to that measure in a new party under the 
name "Republican." During the winter of 
1854-55 he received a call from Gen. J. D. Web- 
ster, at that time part owner of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which resulted in his visiting Chicago 
a few months later, and his purchase of an inter- 
est in the paper, his connection with the concern 
dating from June 18, 1855. He was almost 
immediately joined by Dr. Charles H. Ray, who 
had been editor of "The Galena Jeffersonian," 
and, still later, by J. C. Vaughan and Alfred 
Cowles. who had been associated with him on 
"The Cleveland Leader." Mr. Medill assumed 
the position of managing editor, and, on the 
retirement of Dr. Ray, in 1863. became editor-in- 
chief until 1866, when he gave place to Horace 
White, now of "The New York Evening Post." 
During the Civil War period he was a zealous 
supporter of President Lincoln's emancipation 
policy, and served, for a time, as President of the 
"Loyal League," which proved such an influ- 
ential factor in upholding the hands of the Gov- 
ernment during the darkest period of the 
rebellion. In 1869 Mr. Medill was elected to the 
State Constitutional Convention, and, in that 
body, was the leading advocate of the principle 
of "minority representation" in the election of 
Representatives, as it was finally incorporated 
in the Constitution. In 1871 he was appointed 
by President Grant a member of the first Civil 
Service Commission, representing a principle to 
which he ever remained thoroughly committed. 
A few weeks after the great fire of the same 
year, he was elected Mayor of the city of Chicago. 
The financial condition of the city at the time, 
and other questions in issue, involved great diffi- 
culties and responsibilities, which he met in a 
way to command general approval. During his 
administration the Chicago Public Library was 
established, Mr. Medill delivering the address at 
its opening, Jan. 1, 1873. Near the close of his 
term as Mayor, he resigned the office and spent 
the following year in Europe. Almost simultane- 
ously with his return from his European trip, he 
secured a controlling interest in "The Tribune," 
resuming control of the paper, Nov. 9, 1874, 
which, as editor-in-chief, he retained for the 
remainder of his life of nearly twenty-five years. 
The growth of the paper in business and influence, 
from the beginning of his connection with it, was 
one of the marvels of journalism, making it easily 
one of the most successful newspaper ventures 
in the United States, if not in the world. Early 
in December, 1898, Mr. Medill went to San 
Antonio, Texas, hoping to receive relief in that 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



369 



mild climate from a chronic disease which had 
been troubling liim for years, but died in that 
city, March 16, 1899, within three weeks of hav- 
ing reached his 76th birthday. Tlie conspicuous 
features of his character were a strong individu- 
ality and indomitable perseverance, which led 
him never to accept defeat. A few weeks i)revi- 
ous to his death, facts were developed going to 
show tliat, in 1881, he was offered, by President 
Garfield, the position of Postmaster General, 
which was declined, when he was tendered the 
choice of any position in the Cabinet except two 
which had been previously promised; also, that 
he was offered a position in President Harrison's 
Cabinet, in 1889. 

MEDILL, (Maj.) William H., soldier, was 
born at Massillon, Ohio, Nov. 5, 1835; in 1855, 
came to Chicago and was associated with "The 
Prairie Farmer."' Subsequently he was editor of 
"The Stark County (Ohio) Republican," but 
again returning to Chicago, at the beginning of 
the war, was employed on "The Tribune," of 
which his brother (Hon. Joseph Medill) was 
editor. After a few months' service in Barker's 
Dragoons (a short-time organization), in Septem- 
ber, 1861, he joined the Eighth Illinois Cavalry 
(Colonel Farnsworth's), and, declining an election 
as Major, was chosen Senior Captain. The regi- 
ment soon joined the Army of the Potomac. By 
the promotion of his superior officers Captain 
Medill was finally advanced to the command, 
and, during the Peninsular campaign of 1862, led 
his troops on a reconnoissance within twelve miles 
of Richmond. At the battle of Gettysburg he 
had command of a portion of his regiment, acquit- 
ting himself with great credit. A few days after, 
while attacking a party of rebels who were 
attempting to build a bridge across the Potomac 
at Williamsburg, he received a fatal woimd 
through the lungs, dying at Frederick City, July 
16, 1863. 

MEEKER, Moses, pioneer, was born in New- 
ark, N. J., June 17, 1790; removed to Cincinnati, 
Ohio, in 1817, engaging in the manufacture of 
white lead until 1822, when he headed a pioneer 
expedition to the frontier settlement at Galena, 
III., to enter upon the business of smelting lead- 
ore. He served as Captain of a company in the 
Black Hawk War, later removing to Iowa 
County, Wis., where he built the first smelting 
works in that Territory, served in the Territorial 
Legislature (1840-43) and in the first Constitu- 
tional Convention (1846). A "History of the 
Early Lead Regions," by him, appears in the 
sixth volume of "The Wisconsin Historical Soci- 



ety Collections." Died, at ShuUsburg, Wis., 
July 7, 1865. 

MELROSE, a suburb of Chicago, 11 miles west 
of the initial station of the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, upon which it is located. It 
lias two or three churches, some manufacturing 
establishments and one weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890), 1,050; (1900), 2,592. 

MEMBRE, Zenobius, French missionary, was 
born in France in 1645 ; accompanied La Salle on 
his expedition to Illinois in 1679. and remained at 
Fort Creve-Coeur with Henry de Tonty ; descended 
the Mississippi with La Salle in 1682; returned to 
France and wrote a history of the expedition, 
and, in 1684, accompanied La Salle on his final 
expedition ; is supposed to have landed with La 
Salle in Texas, and there to have been massacred 
by the natives in 1687. (See La Salic and Tonty.) 

MENARD, Pierre, French pioneer and first 
Lieutenant-Governor, was born at St. Antoine, 
Can., Oct. 7, 1766; settled at Kaskaskia, in 1790, 
and engaged in trade. Becoming interested in 
politics, he was elected to the Territorial Council 
of Indiana, and later to the Legislative Council of 
Illinois Territory, being presiding officer of the 
latter until the admission of Illinois as a State. 
He was, for several years. Government Agent, 
and in this capacity negotiated several important 
treaties with the Indians, of whose characteris- 
tics he seemed to have an intuitive perception. He 
was of a nervous temperament, impulsive and 
generous. In 1818 he was elected the first Lieu- 
tenant-Governor of the new State. His term of 
office having expired, he retired to private life 
and the care of his extensive business. He died 
at Kaskaskia, in June, 1844, leaving what was 
then considered a large estate. Among his assets, 
however, were found a large number of promis- 
sory notes, which he had endorsed for personal 
friends, besides many uncollectable accounts 
from poor people, to whom he had sold goods 
through pure generosity. Menard County was 
named for him, and a statue in his honor stands 
in the capitol grounds at Springfield, erected bj' 
the son of his old partner — Cliarles Pierre Chou- 
teau, of St. Louis. 

MENARD COUNTY, near the geographical 
center of the State, and originally a part of 
Sangamon, but separately organized in 1839, the 
Provisional Commissioners being Joseph Wat- 
kins, William Engle and George W. Simpson. 
The county was named in honor of Pierre Menard, 
who settled at Kaskaskia prior to the Territorial 
organization of Illinois. (See Menard, Pierre.) 
Cotton was an important crop until 1830, when 



370 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



agriculture underwent a change. Stock-raising 
is DOW extensively carried on. Three fine veins 
of bituminous coal underlie the county. Among 
early American settlers may be mentioned the 
Clarys. Matthew Rogers, Amor Batterton, Solo- 
mon Pruitt and William Gideon. The names of 
Meadows, Montgomery, Green, Boyer and Grant 
are also familiar to early settlers. The county 
furnished a company of eighty -six volunteers for 
the Mexican War. The county-seat is at Peters- 
burg. The area of the county is 320 square miles, 
and its population, under the last census, 14,336. 
In 1829 was laid out the town of Salem, now 
extinct, but for some years the home of Abraham 
Lincoln, who was once its Postmaster, and who 
marched thence to the Black Hawk War as 
Captain of a company. 

MENDON, a town of Adams County, on the 
Burlington & Quincy Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railway, 15 miles northeast 
of Quincy; has a bank and a newspaper; is sur- 
rounded bj- a farming and stock-raising district. 
Population (1880), 652; (1890) 640; (1900), 627. 

MENDOTA, a city in La Salle County founded 
in 1853, at the junction of the Chicago. Burlington 
<fc Quincy with its Rochelle and Fulton branches 
and the Illinois Central Railway, 80 miles south- 
west of Chicago. It has eight churches, three 
graded and two high schools, and a public li- 
brary Wartburg Seminary (Lutheran, opened 
in 1853) is located here. The chief industrial 
plants are two iron foundries, machine shops, 
plow works and a brewery. The city has three 
banks and fovu- weekly newspapers. The sur- 
rounding country is agricultural and the city has 
considerable local trade. Population (1890), 
3,542; (1900), 3,736. 

MERCER COUNTY, a western county, with an 
area of 555 square miles and a population (1900) 
of 20,945 — named for Gen. Hugh Mercer. The 
Mississippi forms the western boundary, and 
along this river the earliest American settlements 
were made. William Dennison, a Pennsylvanian, 
settled in New Boston Township in 1838, and, 
before the expiration of a half dozen years, the 
Vannattas, Keith, Jackson, Wilson, Farlow, 
Bridges, Perry and Fleharty had arrived. Mer- 
cer County was separated from Warren, and 
specially organized in 1825. The soil is a rich, 
black loam, admirably adapted to the cultivation 
of cereals. A good quality of building stone is 
found at various points. Aledo is the county- 
seat. The county lies on the outskirts of the 
Illinois coal fields and mining was commenced 
in 1845. 



MERCY HOSPITAL, located in Chicago, and 
the first permanent hospital in the State — char- 
tered in 1847 or 1848 as the "Illinois General 
Hospital of the Lakes." No steps were taken 
toward organization until 1850, when, with a 
scanty fund scarcely exceeding $150, twelve beds 
were secured and placed on one floor of a board- 
ing house, whose proprietress was engaged as 
nurse and stewardess. Drs. N. S. Davis and 
Daniel Brainard were, respectively, the first 
physician and surgeon in charge. In 1851 the 
hospital was given in charge of the Sisters ov 
Mercy, who at once enlarged and improved the 
accommodations, and, in 1852, changed its name 
to Mercy Hospital. Three or four years later, a 
removal was made to a building previously occu- 
pied as an orphan asylum. Being the only pub- 
lic hospital in the city, its wards were constantly 
overcrowded, and, in 1869, a more capacious and 
better arranged building was erected. This 
edifice it has continued to occupy, although many 
additions and improvements have been, and are 
still being, made. The Sisters of Mercy own the 
grounds and buildings, and manage the nursing 
and all the domestic and financial affairs of the 
institution. The present medical staff (1896) 
consists of thirteen physicians and surgeons, 
besides three internes, or resident practitioners. 

MEREDOSIA, a town in Morgan County, on 
the east !bank of the Illinois River and on the 
Wabash Railway, some .58 miles west of .Spring- 
field; is a grain shipping point and fishing and 
hunting resort. It was the first Illinois River 
point to be connected with the State capital by 
railroad in 1838. Population (1890), 631 ; (1900), 700. 

MERRIAM, (Col.) Jonathan, soldier, legisla- 
tor and farmer, was born in Vermont, Nov. 1, 
1834; was brought to Springfield, lU., when two 
years old, living afterwards at Alton, his parents 
finally locating, in 1841, in Tazewell County, 
where he now resides — when not officially em- 
ployed — pursuing the occupation of a farmer. He 
was educated at Wesleyan University, Blooming- 
ton, and at McKendree College; entered the 
Union army in 1862, being commissioned Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel of the One Hundred and Seven- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, and serving to the close 
of the war. During the Civil War period he was 
one of the founders of the "Union League of 
America," which proved so influential a factoi 
in sustaining the war policy of the Government. 
He was also a member of the State Constitutional 
Convention of 1869-70; an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress in 1870; served as 
Collector of Internal Revenue for the Springfield 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



371 



District from 1873 to '83, was a Representative in 
the Thirty-ninth and Fortieth General Assem- 
blies, and, in 1897, was appointed, by President 
McKinley, Pension Agent for the State of Illinois, 
with headquarters in Chicago. Thoroughly pa- 
triotic and of incorruptible integrity, he has won 
the respect and confidence of all in every public 
position lie has been called to fill. 

MERRILL, Stephen Mason, Methodist Episco- 
pal Bishop, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, 
Sept. 16. 182.5. entered the Ohio Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1864. as a travel- 
ing preacher, and, four years later, became editor 
of "The Western Christian Advocate," at Cin- 
cinnati. He was ordained Bishop at Brooklyn in 
1872, and, after two years spent in Minnesota, 
removed to Chicago, where he still resides. The 
degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan Universit)-, in 1868, and that of LL.D. 
by the Northwestern University, in 1886, He has 
published "Christian Baptism" (Cincinnati, 
1876); "New Testament Idea of Hell" (1878); 
"Second Coming of Christ" (1879); "Aspects of 
Christian Experience" (1882) ; "Digest of Metho- 
dist Law" (1885); and "Outlines of Thought on 
Probation" (1886). 

MERRITT, John W., journalist, was born in 
New York City, July 4, 1806; studied law and 
practiced, for a time, with the celebrated James 
T. Brady as a partner. In 1841 he removed to 
St. Clair County, 111., purchased and, from 1848 
to '51, conducted "The Belleville Advocate"; 
later, removed to Salem, 111., where he established 
"The Salem Advocate"; served as Assistant Sec- 
retary of the State Constitutional Convention of 
1862, and as Representative in the Twenty-third 
General Assembly. In 1864 he purchased "The 
State Register" at Springfield, and was its editor 
for several years. Died, Nov. 16, 1878. — Thomas 
E. (Merritt), son of the preceding, lawyer and 
politician, was born in New York City, April 29, 
1834; at sLx years of age was brought by his 
father to Illinois, where he attended the common 
schools and later learned the trade of carriage- 
painting. Subsequently he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar, at Springfield, in 1862. In 
1868 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the lower 
house of the General Assembly from the Salem 
District, and was re-elected to the same body in 
1870, "74, '76, '86 and '88. He also served two 
terms in the Senate (1878-'86), making an almost 
continuous service in the General Assembly of 
eighteen years. He has repeatedly been a mem- 
ber of State conventions of his party, and stands 
as one of its trusted representatives. — Maj.-Gen. 



Wesley (Merritt), another son, was born in New 
York, June 16, 1886, came with his father to Illi- 
nois in childhood, and was appointed a cadet at 
West Point Military Academy from this State, 
graduating in 1S60; became a Second Lieutenant 
in the regular arnay, the same year, and was pro- 
moted to the rank of First Lieutenant, a year 
later. After the beginning of the Civil War, he 
was rapidlj' promoted, reaching the rank of 
Brigadier-General of Volunteers in 1862, and 
being mustered out, in 1866, with the brevet rank 
of Major-General. He re entered the regular 
army as Lieutenaut-Colonel. was promoted to a 
colonelcy in 1876, and, in 1887, received a com- 
mission as Brigadier-General, in 1897 becoming 
Major-General. He was in command, for a time, 
of the Department of the Missouri, but, on his 
last promotion, was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the East, with headquarters at Gov- 
ernor's Island, N. Y. Soon after the beginning 
of the war with Spain, he was assigned to the 
command of the land forces destined for the 
Philippines, and appointed Blilitary Governor of 
the Islands. Towards the close of the year he 
returned to the United States and resumed his old 
command at New York. 

MESSI^'GER, John, pioneer survej'or and car- 
tographer, was born at West Stockbridge, Mass., 
in 1771, grew up on a farm, but secured a good 
education, especially in mathematics. Going to 
Vermont in 1783, he learned the trade of a car- 
penter and mill-wright ; removed to Kentucky in 
1799, and, in 1802, to Illinois (then a part of Indi- 
ana Territory), locating first in the American 
Bottom and, later, at New Design within the 
present limits of Monroe County. Two years 
later he became the proprietor of a mill, and, 
between 1804 and 1806, taught one of the earliest 
schools in St. Clair County. The latter year he 
took up the vocation of a surveyor, which he fol- 
lowed for many years as a sub-contractor under 
William Rector, surveying much of the land in 
St. Clair and Randolph Counties, and, still later, 
assisting in determining the northern boundary 
of the State. He also served for a time as a 
teacher of mathematics in Rock Spring Seminary ; 
in 1821 published "A Manual, or Hand-Book, 
intended for Convenience in Practical Survey- 
ing," and prepared some of the earlier State and 
county maps. In 1808 he was elected to the 
Indiana Territorial Legislature, to fill a vacancy, 
and took part in the steps which resulted in set- 
ting up a separate Territorial Government for 
Illinois, the following year. He also received an 
appointment as the first Surveyor of St. Clair 



372 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



County under the new Territorial Government; 
was chosen a Delegate from St. Clair County to 
the Convention of 1818, which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembly, serving as Speaker of that body. 
After leaving New Design, the later years of his 
life were spent on a farm two and a half miles 
north of Belleville, where he died in 1846. 

METAMORA, a town of Woodford County, on 
a branch of the Cliicago & Alton Railroad, 19 
miles east-northeast of Peoria and some thirty 
miles northwest of Bloomington; is center of a 
fine farming district. The town has a creamery, 
soda factory, one bank, three churches, two 
newspapers, schools and a park. Population 
(1880) 828; (1900). 758. Metamora was the 
county-seat of Woodford Countj' until 1899, when 
the seat of justice was removed to Eureka. 

METCALF, Andrew W., lawyer, was born in 
Guernsey County, Ohio, August 6, 1828; educated 
at Madison College in his native State, graduating 
in 1846, and, after studying law at Cambridge, 
Ohio, three years, was admitted to the bar in 
1850. The following year he went to Appleton, 
Wis. , but remained only a year, when he removed 
to St. Louis, then to Edwardsville, and shortly 
after to Alton, to take charge of the legal busi- 
ness of George T. Brown, then publisher of "The 
Alton Courier." In 1853 he returned to Edwards- 
ville to reside permanently, and, in 1859, was 
appointed by Governor Bissell State's Attorney 
for Madison County, serving one year. In 1864 
he was elected State Senator for a term of four 
years ; was a delegate to the Republican National 
Convention of 1873, and, in 1876, a lay delegate 
from the Southern Illinois Conference of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church to the General Con- 
ference at Baltimore ; has also been a Trustee of 
McKendree College, at Lebanon, III., for more 
than twenty-five j'ears. 

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, one of 
the most numerous Protestant church organiza- 
tions in the United States and in Illinois. Rev. 
Joseph Lillard was the first preacher of this sect 
to settle in the Northwest Territory, and Capt. 
Joseph Ogle was the first class-leader (1795). It 
is stated that the first American preacher in the 
American Bottom was Rev. Hosea Riggs (1796). 
Rev. Benjamin Young took charge of the first 
Methodist mission in 1803, and, in 1804, this mis- 
sion was attached to the Cumberland (Tenn.) 
circuit. Revs. Joseph Oglesby and Charles R. 
Matheny were among the early circuit riders. In 
1820 there were seven circuits in Illinois, and, in 



1830, twenty-eight, the actual membership 
exceeding 10,000. The first Methodist service in 
Chicago was held by Rev. Jesse Walker, in 1826. 
The fir.st Methodist society in that city was 
organized by Rev. Stephen R. Beggs, in June, 

1831. By 1835 the number of circuits had in- 
creased to 61, with 370 ministers and 15,000 mem- 
bers. Rev. Peter Cartwright was among the 
early revivalists. The growth of this denomi- 
nation in the State has been extraordinary. By 
1890, it had nearly 2,000 churches, 937 ministers. 
and 151,000 members — the total number of Metho- 
dists in tlie United States, by the same census; 
being 4,980,240. The church property owned in 
1890 (including parsonages) approached §111,000,- 
000, and the total contributions were estimated 
at .$2,073,923. The denomination in Illinois sup- 
ports two theological seminaries and the Garrett 
Biblical Institute at Evanston. "The North- 
western Christian Advocate," with a circulation 
of some 30,000, is its official organ in Illinois. 
(See also Religious Denominations.) 

METROPOLIS CITY, the county -seat of Massac 
County, 156 miles southeast of St. Louis, situated 
on the Ohio River and on tlie St. Louis and 
Paducah Division of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. The city was founded in 1839, on the site 
of old Fort Massac, which was erected by the 
French, aided by the Indians, about 1711. Its 
industries consist largely of various forms of 
wood-working. Saw and planing mills are a 
commercial factor; other establishments turn 
out wheel, buggy and wagon material, barrel 
staves and heads, boxes and baskets, and veneers. 
There are also flouring mills and potteries. The 
city has a public library, two banks, water- 
works, electric lights, numerous churches, high 
school and graded schools, and three papers. 
Population (1880), 2,668; (1890), 3,573; (1900), 4,069. 

MEXICAN WAR. Briefly stated, this war 
originated in the annexation of Texas to the 
United States, early in 1846. There was a dis- 
agreement as to the western boundary of Texas. 
Mexico complained of encroachment upon her 
territory, and hostilities began with the battle of 
Palo Alto, May 8, and ended with the treaty of 
peace, concluded at Guadalupe Hidalgo, near the 
City of Mexico, Feb. 2, 1848. Among the most 
prominent figures were President Polk, under 
whose administration annexation was effected, 
and Gen. Zachary Taylor, who was chief in com- 
mand in the field at the beginning of the war, and 
was elected Polk"s successor. Illinois furnished 
more than her full quota of troops for the strug- 
gle. May 13, 1846, war was declared. On May 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



373 



25, Governor Ford issued his proclamation calling 
for the enlistment of three regiments of infantry, 
the assessed quota of the State. The response 
was prompt and general. Alton was named as 
the rendezvous, and Col. (afterwards General) 
S3'lvester Churchill was the mustering officer. 
The regiments mustered in were commanded, 
respectively, by Col. John J. Hardin, Col. Wm. H. 
Bissell (afterwards Governor) and Col. Ferris 
Forman. An additional twelve months" regiment 
(the Fourth) was accepted, under command of 
Col. E. D. Baker, who later became United States 
Senator from Oregon, and fell at the battle of 
Ball's Bluff, in October, 1861. A second call was 
made in April, 1847, under which Illinois sent 
two more regiments, for the war, towards the 
Mexican frontier. These were commanded by 
Col. Edward W. B. Newby and Col. James 
Collins. Independent companies were also 
tendered and accepted. Besides, there were 
some 150 volunteers who joined the regiments 
already in the field. Commanders of the inde- 
pendent companies were Capts. Adam Dunlap, 
of Schuyler County; Wyatt B. Stapp, of War- 
ren; Michael K. Lawler, of Shawneetown, and 
Josiah Little. Col. John J. Hardin, of the First, 
was killed at Buena Vista, and the official mor- 
tuary list includes many names of Illinois' best 
and bravest sons. After participating in the 
battle of Buena Vista, the Illinois troops shared 
in the triumphal entry into the City of Mexico, 
on Sept. 16, 1847, and (in connection with those 
from Kentucky) were especially complimented in 
General Taylor's official report. The Third and 
Fourth regiments won distinction at Vera Cruz, 
Cerro Gordo and the City of Mexico. At the 
second of these battles. General Shields fell 
severely (and, as supposed for a time, mortally) 
wounded. Colonel Baker succeeded Shields, led 
a gallant charge, and really txxrned the day at 
Cerro Gordo. Among the officers honorably 
named by General Scott, in his official report, were 
Colonel Forman, Major Harris, Adjutant Fondey, 
Capt. J. S. Post, and Lieutenants Hammond and 
Davis. All the Illinois troops were mustered out 
between May 25, 1847 and Nov. 7, 1848, the inde- 
pendent companies being the last to quit the 
service. The total number of volunteers was 
6,123, of whom 86 were killed, and 160 wounded, 
12 of the latter dying of their wounds. Gallant 
service in the Mexican War soon became a pass- 
port to political preferment, and some of the 
brave soldiers of 1846-47 subsequently achieved 
merited distinction in civil life. Many also be- 
came distinguished soldiers in the War of the 



Rebellion, including such names as John A. 
Logan, Richard J. Oglesby, M. K. Lawler, James 
D. Morgan, W. H. L. Wallace, B. M. Prentiss, 
W. R. Morrison, L. F. Ross, and others. The 
cost of the war, with $15,000,000 paid for territory 
annexed, is e.stimated at §166,500,000 and the 
extent of territory acquired, nearlj- 1,000,000 
square miles — considerably more than the 
whole of the present territory of the Republic of 
Mexico. 

METER, John, lawyer and legislator, was born 
in Holland, Feb. 27, 18.52; came to Chicago at the 
age of 12 j'ears; entered the Northwestern Uni- 
versity, supporting himself by labor during vaca- 
tions and by teaching in a night school, until his 
third year in the university, when he became a 
student in the Union College of Law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1879; was elected from 
Cook County to the Thirty-fifth General Assembly 
(1884), and re-elected to the Thirty-sixth, Thirty- 
eighth and Thirty-ninth, being chosen Speaker of 
the latter (Jan. 18, 1895). Died in office, at Free- 
port, 111., July 3, 1895, dui-ing a sjiecial session of 
the General Assembly. 

3IIAMIS, The. The preponderance of author- 
ity favors the belief that this tribe of Indians was 
originally a part of the Ill-i-ni or Illinois, but the 
date of their separation from the parent stock 
cannot be told. It is likely, however, that it 
occurred before the French pushed their explo- 
rations from Canada westward and southward, 
into and along the Mississippi Valley. Fatlier 
Dablou alludes to the presence of Miamis (whom 
he calls Ou-mi-a-mi) in a mixed Indian village, 
near the mouth of Fox River of Wisconsin, in 
1670. The orthographj' of their name is varied. 
The Iroquois and the British generally knew 
them as the ''Twightwees," and so they were 
commonly called by the American colonists. 
The Weas and Piankeshaws were of the same 
tribe When La SaUe founded his colony at 
Starved Rock, the Miamis had villages which 
could muster some 1,950 warriors, of which the 
Weas had 500 and the Piankeshaws 150, the re- 
maining 1,300 being Miamis pi-oper. In 1671 
(according to a written statement by Charlevoix 
in 1721). the Miamis occupied three villages- 
— one on the St. Joseph River, one on the Mau- 
mee and one on the "Ouabache" (Wabash). 
They were friendly toward the French until 
1694, when a large nmuber of them were 
massacred by a party of Sioux, who carried 
firearms which had been furnished them by 
the Frenchmen. The breach thus caused was 
never closed. Having become possessed of guns 



374 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



themselves, the Miamis were able, not only to 
hold their own, but also to extend their hunting 
grounds as far eastward as the Scioto, alternately 
warring with the French, British and Americans. 
General Harrison says of them that, ten years 
before the treaty of Greenville, they could have 
brought upon the field a body of 3,000 "of the 
finest light troops in the world," but lacking in 
discipline and enterprise. Border warfare and 
smallpox, however, had, by that date (1795), 
greatly reduced their numerical strength. The 
main seat of the Miamis was at Fort Wayne, 
whose residents, because of their superior num- 
bers and intelligence, dominated all other bands 
except the Piankeshaws. The physical and 
moral deterioration of the tribe began immedi- 
ately after the treaty of Greenville. Little by 
little, they ceded their lands to the United States, 
the money received therefor being cliiefly squan- 
dered in debauchery. Decimated by vice and 
disease, the remnants of this once powerful abo- 
riginal nation gradually drifted westward across 
the Mississippi, whence their valorous sires had 
emigrated two centuries before. The small rem- 
nant of the band finally settled in Indian Terri- 
tory, but the}' have made comparatively little 
progress toward civilization. (See also Pianke- 
shaws; Weas.) 

MICHAEL REESE HOSPITAL, located in 
Chicago, under care of the association known as 
the United Hebrew Charities. Previous to 1871 
this association maintained a small hospital for 
the care of some of its beneficiaries, but it was 
destroyed in the conflagration of that year, and no 
immediate effort to rebuild was made. In 1880, 
liowever, Michael Reese, a Jewish gentleman 
who had accumulated a large fortune in Cali- 
fornia, bequeathed .$97,000 to the organization. 
With this sum, considerably increased by addi- 
tions from other sources, an imposing building 
was erected, well arranged and thoroughly 
equipped for hospital purposes. The institution 
thus founded was named after its principal bene- 
factor. Patients are received without discrimi- 
nation as to race or religion, and more than Iialf 
those admitted are charity patients. The present 
medical staff consists of thirteen surgeons and 
pliysicians, several of whom are eminent 
specialists. 

MICHIGAN CEXTBAL RAILROAD. The 
main line of this road extends from Cliicago 
to Detroit, 270 miles, with trackage facilities 
from Kensington, 14 miles, over the line of tlie 
Illinois Central, to its terminus in Chicago. 
Branch lines (leased, proprietary and operated) in 



Canada, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois swell the 
total mileage to 1,643.56 miles.— (History.) The 
company was chartered in 1846, and purchased 
from the State of Michigan the line from Detroit 
to Kalamazoo, 144 miles, of which construction had 
been begun in 183G. The road was completed to 
Michigan City in 18.50, and, in May, 1852, reached 
Kensington, 111. As at present constituted, the 
road (with its auxiliaries) forms an integral part 
of what is popularly known as the "Vanderbilt 
System." Only 35 miles of the entire line are 
operated in Illinois, of which 29 belong to the 
Joliet & Northern Indiana branch (which see). 
The outstanding capital stock (1898) was $18,- 
738,000 and the funded debt, §19,101,000. Earn- 
ings in Illinois the same year, .§484,002; total 
operating expenses, .?.540,905; taxes, §24,250. 

MICHIGAN, LAKE. (See Lake Michigan.) 

MIHALOTZY, Geza, .soldier, a native of Hun- 
gary and compatriot of Kossuth in the Slagyar 
struggle; came to Chicago in 1848, in 1861 enlisted 
in the One Hundred and Twenty-foiu'th Illinois 
Volunteers (first "Hecker regiment"), and, on 
the resignation of Colonel Hecker, a few weeks 
later, was promoted to the Colonelcy. A trained 
soldier, he served with gallantry and distinction, 
but was fatally wounded at Buzzard's Roost, Feb. 
24, 1864, dying at Chattanooga, March 11, 1864. 

MILAN, a town of Rock Island County, on the 
Rock Island & Peoria Railway, six miles sou^h of 
Rock Island. It is located on Rock River, has 
several mills, a bank and a newspaper. Popula- 
tion (1880), 845; (1890), 692; (1900), 719. 

MILBURN, (Rev.) William Henry, clergy- 
man, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 26. 1826. 
At the age of five j'ears he almost totally lost 
sight in both eyes, as the result of an accident, 
and subsequent malpractice in their treatment. 
For a time he was able to decipher letters with 
difficulty, and thus learned to read. In the face 
of such obstacles he carried on his studies until 
12 years of age, when he accompanied his father's 
familj' to Jacksonville. 111., and, five years later, 
became an itinerant Methodist preacher. For a 
time he rode a circuit covering 200 miles, preach 
iug, on an average, ten times a week, for .$100 per 
year. In 1845, while on a Mississippi steamboat, 
he publicly rebuked a number of Congressmen, 
who were his fellow passengers, for intemperance 
and gaming. This resulted in his being made 
Cliaplain of the House of Representatives. From 
1848 to 1850 he was pastor of a church at Mont- 
gomery, Ala., during which time he was tried 
for heresy, aud later became pastor of a "Free 
Church." .\gain, in 1853, he was chosen Chap- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



375 



lain of Congress. While in Europe, in 1859, he 
took orders in the Episcopal Church, but returned 
to Methodism in 1871. He has since been twice 
Chaplain of the House (1885 and "87) and three 
times (1893, "95 and '97) elected to the same posi- 
tion in tlie Senate He is generally known as 
"the blind preacher" and achieved considerable 
prominence by his eloquence as a lecturer on 
"What a Blind Man Saw in Europe." Among 
his published writings are, "Rifle, Axe and Sad- 
dlebags" (1856), "Ten Years of Preacher Life'' 
(1858) and "Pioneers. Preachers and People of the 
Mississippi 'V^'illey" (18(30). 

MILCHRIST, Thomas E., lawyer, was born in 
the Isle of Man in 1839, and, at the age of eight 
years, came to America with his parents, who 
settled in Peoria, 111. Here he attended school 
and worked on a farm until the beginning of the 
Civil War, when he enlisted in the One Hundred 
and Twelfth Illinois Volunteers, serving until 
1865, and being discharged with the rank of Cap- 
tain. After the war he read law with John I. 
Bennett — then of Galena, but later Master in 
Chancery of the United States Court at Chicago 
— was admitted to the bar in 1867. and, for a 
number of years, served as State's Attorney in 
Henry Countj*. In 1888 he was a delegate from 
Illinois to the Republican National Convention, 
and the following year was appointed by Presi- 
dent Harrison United States District Attorney 
for the Northern District of Illinois. Since 
retiring from office in 1893, Mr. Milchrist has been 
engaged in private practice in Chicago. In 1898 
he was elected a State Senator for the Fifth Dis- 
trict (city of Chicago) in the Forty-first General 
Assembly. 

MILES, Nelson A., Major-General. was born 
at Westminster, Mass., August 8, 1839, and, at 
the breaking out of the Civil War, was engaged 
in mercantile pursuits in the city of Boston. In 
October, 1861. he entered the service as a Second 
Lieutenant in a Massachusetts regiment, dis- 
tinguished himself at the battles of Fair Oaks, 
Charles City Cross Roads and Malvern Hill, 
in one of w^hich he was wounded. In Sep- 
tember, 1862, he was Colonel of the Sixty- 
first New York, which he led at Fredericksburg 
and at Chancellorsville, where he was again 
severely wounded. He commanded the ■ First 
Brigade of the First Division of the Second Army 
Corps in the Richmond campaign, and was made 
Brigadier-General, May 1'3, 1864, and Major- 
General, by brevet, for gallantry shown at Ream's 
Station, in December of the same year. At the 
close of the war he was commissioned Colonel of 



the Fortieth United States Infantry, and distin- 
guished himself in campaigns against the Indians; 
became a Brigadier-General in 1880, and Major- 
General in 1890, in the interim being in command 
of the Department of the Colmnbia, and, after 
1890, of the Missouri, with headquarters at Chi- 
cago. Here he did much to give eflSciency and 
importance to the post at Fort Sheridan, and, in 
1894, rendered valuable service in checking the 
strike riots about Chicago. Near the close of the 
year he was transferred to the Department of the 
East, and. on the retirement of General Schofield 
in 1895, was placed in command of the army, 
with headquarters in Washington. During the 
Spanish- American war (1898) General Miles gave 
attention to the fitting out of troops for the Cuban 
and Porto Rican campaigns, and visited Santiago 
during the siege conducted by General Shafter, 
but took no active command in the field until the 
occupation of Porto Rico, which was conducted 
with rare discrimination and good judgment, and 
with comparatively little loss of life or suffering 
to the troops. 

MILFORD, a prosperous village of Iroquois 
County, on the Chicago ct Eastern Illinois Rail- 
road, 88 miles south of Chicago; is in a rich farm- 
ing region; has water and sewerage systems, 
electric lights, two brick and tile works, three 
large grain elevators, flour mill, three churches, 
good schools, a public library and a weekly news- 
paper. It is an important shipping point for 
grain and five-stock. Population (1890), 9.57; 
(1900), 1,077. 

MILITARY BOUXTT LAXDS. (See Military 
Tract. ) 

MILITARY TRACT, a popular name given to 
a section of the State, set apart under an act of 
Congress, passed. May 6, 18r2, as bounty-lands for 
soldiers in the war with Great Britain commenc- 
ing the same year. Similar reservations in the 
Territories of Michigan and Louisiana (now 
Arkansas) were provided for in the same act. 
The lands in Illinois embraced in this act were 
situated between the Illinois and Mississippi 
Rivers, and extended from the junction of these 
streams due north, by the Fourth Principal Merid- 
ian, to the northern boundary' of Township 15 
north of the "Base Line." This "base line" 
started about opposite the present site of Beards- 
town, and extended to a point on the Mississippi 
about seven miles north of Quincy. The north- 
ern border of the "Tract" was identical with 
the northern boundary of Mercer County, which, 
extended eastward, reached the Illinois about 
the present village of De Pue. in the southeastern 



376 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



part of Bureau County, where the Illinois makes 
a great bend towards the south, a few miles west 
of the city of Peru. The distance between the 
Illinois and the Mississippi, by this line, was about 
90 miles, and the entire length of the "Tract," 
from its northern boundary to the junction of 
the two rivers, was computed at 169 miles, — con- 
sisting of 90 miles north of the "base line" and 79 
miles south of it, to tlie junction of the rivers. 
The "Tract" was surveyed in 1815-16. It com- 
prised 307 entire townships of six miles square, 
each, and 61 fractional townships, containing an 
area of 5,360,000 acres, of which 3, .500, 000 acres— 
a little less than two-tliirds — were appropriated to 
military bounties. The residue consisted partly 
of fractional sections bordering on rivers, partly of 
fractional quarter-sections bordering on township 
lines, and containing more or less than 160 acres, 
and partly of lands that were returned by the sur- 
veyors as unfit for cultivation. In addition to 
this, there were large reservations not coming 
within the above exceptions, being the overplus 
of lands after satisfying the military claims, and 
subject to entry and purchase on the same con- 
ditions as other Government lands. The "Tract" 
thus embraced the present counties of Calhoun, 
Pike, Adams, Brown, Schuyler, Hancock, Mc- 
Donough, Fulton, Peoria, Stark, Knox, Warren, 
Henderson and Mercer, with parts of Henry, 
Bureau, Putnam and Marshall — or so much of 
them as was necessary to meet the demand for 
bounties. Immigration to this region set in quite 
actively about 1833, and the development of some 
portions, for a time, was very rapid ; but later, its 
growth was retarded by the conflict of "tax- 
titles" and bounty-titles derived by purchase 
from the original holders. This led to a great 
deal of litigation, and called for considerable 
legislation; but since the adjustment of these 
questions, this region lias kept pace with the most 
favored sections of the State, and it now includes 
some of the most important and prosperous towns 
and cities and many of the finest farms in 
Illinois. 

MILITIA. Illinois, taught by the experiences 
of the War of 1813 and the necessity of providing 
for protection of its citizens against the incur- 
sions of Indians on its borders, began the adop- 
tion, at an early date, of such measures as were 
tlien common in the several States for the main- 
tenance of a State militia. The Constitution of 
1818 made the Governor "Commander-in-Chief 
of the army and navy of this State," and declared 
that the militia of the State should "consist of 
all free male able-bodied persons (negroes, mu- 



lattoes and Indians excepted) resident in the 
State, oetween the ages of 18 and 45 years, " and 
this classification was continued in the later con- 
stitutions, except that of 1870, which omits all 
reference to the subject of color. In each there 
is the same general provision exempting persons 
entertaining "conscientious scruples against 
bearing arms," although subject to payment of 
an equivalent for such exemption. The first law 
on the subject, enacted by the first General 
Assembly (1819), provided for the establishment 
of a general militia system for the State ; and the 
fact that this was modified, amended or wholly 
changed by acts passed at the sessions of 1831, 
'23, '35, '26, '27, '29, '33, '37 and '39, shows the 
estimation in which the subject was held. While 
many of these acts were of a special character, 
providing for a particular class of organization, 
the general law did little except to require per- 
sons subject to military duty, at stated periods, to 
attend county musters, which were often con- 
ducted in a very informal manner, or made the 
occasion of a sort of periodical frolic. The act of 
July, 1833 (following the Black Hawk War), 
required an enrollment of ' 'all free, white, male 
inhabitants of military age (except such as might 
be exempt under the Constitution or laws) ' ' ; 
divided the State into five divisions by counties, 
each division to be organized into a certain speci- 
fied number of brigades. This act was quite 
elaborate, covering some twenty-four pages, and 
provided for regimental, battalion and company 
musters, defined the duties of oflScers, manner of 
election, etc. The act of 1837 encouraged the 
organization of volunteer companies. The Mexi- 
can War (1845-47) gave a new impetus to this 
class of legislation, as also did the War of the 
Rebellion (1861-65). While the office of Adju- 
tant-General had existed from the first, its duties 
— except during the Black Hawk and Mexican 
Wars — were rather nominal, and were discharged 
without stated compensation, the incumbent 
being merely Chief-of-staff to the Governor as 
Commander-in-Chief. The War of the Rebellion 
at once brought it into prominence, as an impor- 
tant part of the State Government, which it has 
since maintained. The various measures passed, 
during this period, belong rather to the history of 
the late war than to the subject of this chapter. 
In 1865, however, the office was put on a different 
footing, and the important part it had played, 
during the preceding four years, was recognized 
by the passage of "an act to provide for the ap- 
pointment, and designate the work, fix the pay 
and prescribe the duties, of the Adjutant-General 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



377 



of niinois." During the next four years, its 
most important work was tlie publication of 
eight volumes of war records, containing a com- 
plete roster of the officers and men of the various 
regiments and other military organizations from 
Illinois, with an outline of their movements and 
a list of the battles in which thej' were engaged. 
To the Adjutant-General's office, as now adminis- 
tered, is entrusted the custody of the war- 
records, battle-flags and trophies of the late war. 
A further step was taken, in 1877, in tlie passage 
of an act formulating a military code and provid- 
ing for more thorough organization. Modifying 
amendments to this act were adopted in 1879 and 
1885. While, under these laws, "all able-bodied 
male citizens of this State, between the ages of 18 
and 45" (with certain specified exceptions), are 
declared "subject to military duty, and desig- 
nated as the Illinois State Militia," provision is 
made for the organization of a body of "active 
militia," designated as the "Illinois National 
Guard, "to consist of "not more than oighty-four 
companies of infantry, two batteries of artillery 
and two troops of cavalry," recruited by volun- 
tary enlistments for a period of three years, with 
right to re-enlist for one or more years. The 
National Guard, as at present constituted, con- 
sists of three brigades, with a total force of about 
9,000 men, organized into nine regiments, besides 
the batteries and cavalry already mentioned. 
Gatling guns are used by the artillery and breech- 
loading rifles by the infantry. Camps of instruc- 
tion are held for the regiments, respectively — one 
or more regiments participating — each year, 
usually at "Camp Lincoln" near Springfield, 
when regimental and brigade drills, competitive 
rifle practice and mock battles are had. An act 
establishing the "Naval Militia of Illinois," to 
consist of "not more than eight divisions or com- 
panies," divided into two battalions of four divi- 
sions each, was passed by the General Assembly 
of 1893 — the whole to be under the command of 
an officer with the rank of Commander. The 
commanding officer of each battalion is styled a 
"Lieutenant-Commander," and both the Com- 
mander and Lieutenant -Commanders have their 
respective staffs — their organization, in other 
respects, being conformable to the laws of the 
United States. A set of "Regulations," based 
upon these several laws, has been prepared by the 
Adjutant-General for the government of the 
various organizations. The Governor is author- 
ized, by law, to call out the militia to resist inva- 
sion, or to suppress violence and enforce execution 
of the laws, when called upon by the civil author- 



ities of any city, town or county. This authority, 
however, is exercised %vitl'. great discretion, and 
only when the local authorities are deemed unable 
to cope with threatened resistance to law The 
officers of the National Guard, when called into 
actual service for the suppression of riot or the 
enforcement of the laws, receive the same com- 
pensation paid to officers of the United States 
arm}- of like grade, while the enlisted men receive 
§2 per day. During the time they are at any 
encampment, the officers and men alike receive 
$1 per day, with necessary subsistence and cost 
of transportation to and from the encampment. 
(For list of incumbents in Adjutant-General's 
office, see Adjutants-General; see, also, Spanish- 
American War ) 

MILLER, James H., Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, was born in Oliio, May 39, 1843; 
in early life came to Toulon, Stark County, 111., 
where he finally engaged in the practice of law. 
At the beginning of the Rebellion he enlisted in 
the Union army, but before being mustered into ' 
the service, received an injury which rendered 
him a cripple for life. Though of feeble physical 
organization and a sufferer from ill-health, he, 
was a man of decided ability and much influence. 
He served as State's Attorney of Stark County 
(1872-76) and, in 1884, was elected Representative 
in the Thirty-fourth General Assembly, at the 
following session being one of the most zealous 
supporters of Gen. John A. Logan, in the cele- 
brated contest which resulted in the election of 
the latter, for the third time, to the United States 
Senate. By successive re-elections he also served 
in the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth General 
Assemblies, during the session of the latter being 
chosen Speaker of the House, as successor to 
A. C. Matthews, who had been appointed, during 
the session. First Comptroller of the Treasury at 
Washington. In the early part of the summer 
of 1890, Mr. Miller visited Colorado for the bene- 
fit of his health, but, a week after his arrival at 
Manitou Springs, died suddenly, June 37, 1890. 

MILLS, Benjamin, lawyer and early poli- 
tician, was a native of Western Massachusetts, 
and described by his contemporaries as a highly 
educated and accomplished lawyer, as well as a 
brilliant orator. The exact date of liis arrival in 
Illinois cannot be determined with certainty, but 
he appears to have been in the "Lead Mine 
Region" about Galena, as early as 1826 or '37, and 
was notable as one of the first "Yankees" to 
locate in that section of the State. He was 
elected a Representative in the Eighth General 
Assembly (1833), his district embracing the 



378 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



counties of Peoria, Jo Daviess, Putnam, La Salle 
and Cook, including all the State north of Sanga- 
mon (as it then stood), and extending from the 
Mississippi River to the Indiana State line. At 
this session occurred the impeachment trial of 
Theophilus W. Smith, of the Supreme Court, Mr. 
Mills acting as Chairman of the Impeachment 
Committee, and delivering a speech of great 
power and brilliancy, which lasted two or three 
days. In 1834 he was a candidate for Congress 
from the Northern District, but was defeated by 
William L. May (Democrat), as claimed by Mr. 
Mill's friends, unfairly. He early fell a victim 
to consumption and, returning to Massachusetts, 
died in Berkshire County, in tliat State, in 1841. 
Hon. R. H. McClellan, of Galena, .says of him: 
"He was a man of remarkable ability, learning 
and eloquence," while Governor Ford, in his 
"History of Illinois," testifies that, "by common 
consent of all his contemporaries. Mr. Mills was 
regarded as the most popular and brilliant lawyer 
of his day at the Galena bar." 

MILLS, Henry A., State Senator, was born at 
New Hartford, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1827; 
located at Mount Carroll, Carroll County, 111., in 
1856, finally engaging in the banking business at 
that place. Having served in various local 
offices, he was, in 1874, chosen State Senator for 
the Eleventh District, but died at Galesburg 
before the expiration of his term, July 7, 1877. 

MILLS, Luther Laflin, lawyer, was born at 
North Adams, Mass., Sept. 3, 1848; brought to 
Chicago in infancy, and educated in the public 
schools of that city and at Michigan State Uni- 
versity. In 1868 he began the study of law, was 
admitted to practice three years later, and, in 
1876, was elected State's Attorney, being re- 
elected in 1880. While in this office he was con- 
nected with some of the most important cases 
ever brought before the Chicago courts. 
Although he- has held no official position except 
that already mentioned, his abilities at the bar 
and on the rostrimi are widely recognized, and 
his services, as an attorney and an orator, have 
been in frequent demand. 

MILLSTADT, a town in St. Clair County, on 
branch of Mobile & Ohio Railroad. 14 miles south- 
southeast of St. Louis; has electric lights, 
churches, schools, bank, newspaper, coal mines, 
and manufactures flour, beer and butter. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,186; (1900), 1.172. 

MILWAUKEE & ST. PAUL RAILWAY. (See 
Chicago. Mihcaukee & St. Paul Railway. ) 

MINER, Orlin H., State Auditor, was born in 
Vermont, May 13, 1825; from 1834 to '51 he lived 



in Ohio, the latter year coming to Chicago, where 
he worked at his trade of watch- maker. In 1855 
he went to Central America and was with Gen- 
eral William Walker at Greytown. Returning to 
Illinois, he resumed his trade at Springfield ; in 
1857 he was appointed, by Auditor Dubois, chief 
clerk in the Auditor's office, serving until 1864, 
when he was elected State Auditor as successor 
to his chief. Retiring from office in 1869, he 
gave attention to his private business. He was 
one of the founders and a Director of the Spring- 
field Iron Company. Died in 1879. 

MINIER, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville Division of the 
Chicago & Alton and the Terre Haute & Peoria 
Railroads, 26 miles southeast of Peoria ; is in fine 
farming district and has several grain elevators, 
some manufactures, two banks and a newspaper. 
Population (1890), 664; (1900), 746. 

MINONK, a city in Woodford County, 29 miles 
north of Bloomington and 53 miles northeast of 
Peoria, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and 
the Illinois Central Railways. The surrounding 
region is agricultural, though much coal is 
mined in the vicinity. The city has brick yards, 
tile factories, steam flouring-mills, several grain 
elevators, two private banks and two weekly 
newspapers. Population (1880), 1,913; (1890), 
2,316; (1900), 2,546. 

MINORITY REPRESENTATION, a method of 
choosing members of the General Assembly and 
other deliberative bodies, designed to secure rep- 
resentation, in such bodies, to minority parties. 
In Illinois, this method is limited to the election 
of members of the lower branch of the General 
Assembly — except as to private corporations, 
which may, at their option, apply it in the election 
of Trustees or Directors. In the apportionment 
of members of the General Assembly (see Legis- 
lative Apportionment), the State Constitution 
requires that the Senatorial and Representative 
Districts shall be identical in territory, each of 
such Districts being entitled to choose one Sena- 
tor and three Representatives. The provisions of 
the Constitution, making specific application of 
the principle of "minority representation'' (or 
"cumulative voting, " as it is sometimes called), 
declares that, in the election of Representatives, 
"each qualified voter may cast as many votes for 
one candidate as there are Representatives, or 
(he) may distribute the same, or equal parts 
thereof, among the candidates as he shall see 
fit." (State Constitution, Art. IV, sections 7 and 
8. ) In practice, this provision gives the voter 
power to cast three votes for one candidate, two 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



379 



votes for one candidate and one for another, or 
one and a half Totes to each of two candidates, 
or he may distribute his vote equally among 
three candidates (giving one to each); but no 
other division is admissible without invalidating 
his ballot as to this office. Other forms of minor- 
ity representation have been proposed by various 
writers, among whom Mr. Thomas Hare, John 
Stuart Mill, and Mr. Craig, of England, are most 
prominent ; but that adopted in Illinois seems to 
be the simplest and most easy of application. 

MIXSHALL, William A., legislator and jurist, 
a native of Ohio who came to Rushville, 111., at 
an early day, and entered upon the practice of 
law; served as Representative in the Eighth, 
Tenth and Twelfth General Assemblies, and as 
Delegate to the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1847. He was elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court for the Fifth Circuit, under the new Con- 
stitution, in 1848, and died in office, early in 1853, 
being succeeded by the late Judge Pinkney H. 
Walker. 

MISSIONARIES, EARLY, The earliest Chris- 
tian missionaries in Illinois were of the Roman 
Catholic faith. As a rule, these accompanied the 
French explorers and did not a little toward the 
extension of French dominion. They were usually 
members of one of two orders — the "Recollects," 
founded by St. Francis, or the "Jesuits," founded 
by Loyola. Between these two bodies of ecclesi- 
astics existed, at times, a strong rivalry ; the 
former having been earlier in the field, but hav- 
ing been virtually subordinated to the latter by 
Cardinal Richelieu. The controversy between 
the two orders gradually involved the civil 
authorities, and continued until the suppression 
of the Jesuits, in France, in 1764. The most noted 
of the Jesuit missionaries were Fathers Allouez, 
Gravier, Marquette, Dablon, Pinet, Rasle, Lamo- 
ges, Binneteau and Marest. Of. the Recollects, 
the most conspicuous were Fathers Membre, 
Douay, Le Clerq, Hennepin and Ribourde. 
Besides these, there were also Father Bergier and 
Montigny, who, belonging to no religious order, 
were called secular priests. The first Catholic 
mission, founded in Illinois, was probably that at 
the original Kaskaskia. on the Illinois, in the 
present county of La Salle, where Father Mar- 
quette did missionary work in 1673, followed by 
Allouez in 1677. (See Allouez, Claude Jean.) 
The latter was succeeded, in 1688. by Father Grav- 
ier, who was followed, in 1693, by Father Sebas- 
tian Rasle, but who, returning in 1694, remained 
until 1695, when he was succeeded by Pinet 
and Binneteau. In 1700 Father Marest was 



in charge of the mission, and the number of 
Indians among whom he labored was, that year, 
considerably diminished by the emigration of the 
Kaskaskias to the south. Father Gravier, about 
this time, labored among the Peorias, but was 
incapacitated by a wound received from the 
medicine man of the tribe, which finally resulted 
in his death, at Mobile, in 1706. The Peoria station 
remained vacant for a time, but was finally filled 
by Father Deville. Another early Catholic mis- 
sion in Illinois was that at Cahokia. While the 
precise date of its establishment cannot be fixed 
with certainty, there is evidence that it was in 
existence in 1700, being the earliest in that region. 
Among the early Fathers, who ministered to the 
savages there, were Pinet, St. Cosme, Bergier and 
Lamoges. This mission was at first called the 
Tamaroa, and, later, the mission of St. S\ilpice. 
It was probably the first permanent mission in the 
Illinois Country. Among those in charge, down 
to 1718, were Fathers de Montigny, Damon (prob- 
ably), Varlet, de la Source, and le Mercier. In 
1707, Father Mermet assisted Father Marest at 
Kaskaskia, and, in 1720, that mission became a 
regularly constituted parish, the incumbent being 
Father de Beaubois. Rev. Philip Boucher 
preached and administered the sacraments at 
Fort St. Louis, where he died in 1719, having 
been preceded by Fathers Membre and Ribourde 
in 1680, and by Fathers Douay and Le Clerq in 
1687-88. The persecution and banishment of the 
early Jesuit missionaries, by the Superior Council 
of Louisiana (of which Illinois had formerly been 
a part), in 1763, is a curious chapter in State his- 
tory. That body, following the example of some 
provincial legislative bodies in France, ofl5cially 
declared the order a dangerous nuisance, and 
decreed the confiscation of all its property, in- 
cluding plate and vestments, and the razing of 
its churches, as well as the banishment of its 
members. This decree the Louisiana Council 
undertook to enforce in Illinois, disregarding the 
fact that that territory had passed under the 
jurisdiction of Great Britain. The Jesuits seem 
to have offered no resistance, either physical or 
legal, and all members of the order in Illinois 
were ruthlessly, and without a shadow of author- 
ity, carried to New Orleans and thence deported 
to France. Only one — Father Sebastian Louis 
Meurin — was allowed to return to Illinois ; and he, 
only after promising to recognize the ecclesiastical 
authority of the Superior Council as supreme, 
and to hold no communication with Quebec or 
Rome. The labors of the missionaries, apart 
from spiritual results, were of great value. They 



380 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



perpetuated the records of early discoveries, 
reduced the language, and even dialects, of the 
aborigines, to grammatical rules, and preserved 
the original traditions and described the customs 
of the savages. (Authorities: Shea and Kip's 
"Catholic Missions," "Magazine of Western His- 
tory," Winsor's "America," and Shea's "Catholic 
Church in Colonial Days.") 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER. (Indian name, "Missi 
Sipi," the "Great Water.") Its head waters are 
in the northern part of Minnesota, 1,680 feet 
above tide-water. Its chief source is Itasca 
Lake, which is 1,575 feet higher than the sea, 
and which is fed by a stream having its source 
within one mile of the head waters of the Red 
River of the North. From this sheet of water to 
the mouth of the river, the distance is variously 
estimated at from 3,000 to 3,160 miles. Lake 
Itasca is in lat. 47° 10' north and Ion. 95° 20' west 
from Greenwich. The river at first runs north- 
ward, but soon turns toward the east and expands 
into a series of small lakes. Its course, as far as 
Crow Wing, is extremelj' sinuous, below which 
point it runs southward to St. Cloud, tlience south- 
eastward to Minneapolis, where occur the Falls of 
St. Anthony, establishing a complete barrier to 
navigation for the lower Mississippi. In less than 
a mile the river descends 66 feet, including a per- 
pendicular fall of 17 feet, furnishing an immense 
water-power, which is utilized in operating flour- 
ing-mills and other manufacturing establish- 
ments. A few miles below St. Paul it reaches 
the western boundary of Wisconsin, where it 
expands into tlie long and beautiful Lake Pepin, 
bordered by pic^turesque limestone bluffs, some 
400 feet high. Below Dubuque its general direc- 
tion is southward, and it forms the boundary 
between the States of Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas 
and the northern part of Louisiana, on the 
west, and Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mis- 
sissippi, on the east. After many sinuous turn- 
ings in its southern course, it enters the Gulf of 
Mexico by three principal passes, or mouths, at 
the southeastern extremity of Plaquemines 
Parish, La., in lat. 39° north and Ion. 89° 12' 
we.st. Its principal affluents on the right are the 
Minnesota, Iowa, Des Moines, Missouri, Arkansas 
and Red Rivers, and, on the left, the Wisconsin, 
Illinois and Ohio. The Missouri River is longer 
than that part of the Mississippi above tlie point 
of junction, the distance from its source to the 
delta of the latter being about 4,300 miles, which 
exceeds that of an}' other river in the world. 
The width of the stream at St. Louis is about 
3,500 feet, at the mouth of the Ohio nearly 4,500 



feet, and at New Orleans about 2,500 feet. The 
mean velocity of the current between St. Louis 
and the Gulf of Mexico is about five to five and 
one-half miles per hour. The average depth 
below Red River is said to be 121 feet, though, in 
the vicinity of New Orleans, the maximum is said 
to reach 150 feet. The principal rapids below the 
Falls of St. Anthony are at Rock Island and the 
Des Moines Rapids above Keokuk, the former 
having twenty-two feet fall and the latter 
twenty-four feet. A canal around the Des 
Moines Rapids, along the west bank of the river, 
aids navigation. The alluvial banks which pre- 
vail on one or both shores of the lower Mississippi, 
often spread out into extensive "bottoms" which 
are of inexhaustible fertility. The most impor- 
tant of these above the mouth of the Ohio, is the 
"American Bottom," extending along the east 
bank from Alton to Chester. Immense sums 
have been spent in the construction of levees for 
the protection of the lands along the lower river 
from overflow, as also in the construction of a 
system of jetties at the mouth, to improve navi- 
gation by deepening the channel. 

MISSISSIPPI RITER BRIDGE, THE, one of 
the best constructed railroad bridges in the West, 
spanning the Mississippi from Pike, 111., to Loui- 
siana, Mo. The construction company was char- 
tered, April 35, 1873, and the bridge was ready for 
the passage of trains on Dec. 24, 1873. On Dec. 
3, 1877, it was leased in perpetuity by the Chicago 
& Alton Railway Company, which holds all its 
stock and §150,000 of its bonds as an investment, 
paying a rental of §60, 000 per annum, to be applied 
in the payment of 7 per cent interest on stock and 
6 per cent on bonds. In 1894, 571,000 was paid for 
rental, 816,000 going toward a sinking fund. 

MOBILE & OHIO RAILROAD. This company 
operates 160.6 miles of road in Illinois, of which 
151.6 are leased from the St. Louis & Cairo Rail- 
road. (See ,5^. Louis & Cairo Railroad.) 

MOLINE, a flourishing manufacturing city in 
Rock Island County, incorporated in 1872, on the 
Mississippi above Rock Island and opposite 
Davenport, Iowa; is 168 miles south of west from 
Cliicago, and the intersecting point of three 
trunk lines of railway. Moline, Rock Island and 
Davenport are connected by steam and street 
railways, bridges and ferries. All three obtain 
water-power from the Mississippi. The region 
around Moline is rich in coal, and several pro- 
ductive mines are operated in the vicinity. It is 
an important manufacturing point, its chief out- 
puts being agricultural implements, filters, malle- 
able iron, steam engines, vehicles, lumber, organs 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



381 



(pipe and reed), paper, lead-roofing, wind-mills, 
milling machinery, and furniture. The city has 
admirable water-works, several churches, good 
schools, gas and electric light plants, a public 
library, five banks, three daily and weekly 
papers. It also has an extensive electric power 
plant, electric street cars and iuterurban line. 
Population (1890), 13,000; (1900), 17,348. 

MOLOXET, Maurice T., ex-Attorney-General, 
was born in Ireland, in 1849; came to America in 
1867, and, after a course in the Seminary of "Our 
Lady of the Angels" at Niagara Falls, studied 
theology ; then taught for a time in Virginia and 
studied law at the University of that State, 
graduating in 1871, finally locating at Ottawa, 
111., where he served three years as State's Attor- 
ney of La Salle County, and, in 1893, was nomi- 
nated and elected Attorney-General on the 
Democratic State ticket, serving until Januarj-, 
1897. 

MOMENCE, a town in Kankakee County, situ- 
ated ou tlie Kankakee River and at the intersec- 
tion of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the 
Indiana, Illinois & Iowa Railroads, .54 miles south 
of Chicago; has water power, a flouring mill, 
enameled brick factory, railway repair shops, two 
banks, two newspapers, five churches and two 
schools. Population (1890), 1,63.5; (1900), 2,026. 

MOXMOUTH, the county-seat of Warren 
County, 26 miles ea.st of the Mississippi River; at 
point of intersection of two lines of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy and the Iowa Central Rail- 
way's. The Santa Fe enters Monmouth on the 
Iowa Central lines. The surrounding country is 
agricultural and coal yielding. The city has 
manufactories of agricultural implements, sewer- 
pipe, pottery, paving brick, and cigars. Mon- 
mouth College (United Presbyterian) was 
chartered in 18.57, and the library of this institu- 
tion, with that of Warren County (also located 
at Monmouth) aggregates 30,000 volumes. There 
are three national banks, two dailj', three weekly 
and two other periodical publications. An ap- 
propriation was made by the Fifty-fifth Congress 
for the erection of a Government building at 
Monmouth. Population (1890), 5,936; (1900), 7,460. 

MOXMOUTH COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution, controlled by the L^nited Presbyterian 
denomination, but non-sectarian ; located at Mon- 
mouth. It was founded in 18.56, its first class 
graduating in 1858. Its Presidents have been 
Drs. D. A. Wallace (1856-78) and J. B. McMichael, 
the latter occupying the position from 1878 until 
1897. In 1896 the faculty consisted of fifteen 
instructors and the number of students was 289. 



The college campus covers ten acres, tastefully 
laid out. The institution confers four degrees — 
A.B., B.S., M.B., and B.L. For the conferring 
of the first three, four years' study is required ; 
for the degree of B.L., three years. 

MONROE, (Seorge D,, State Senator, was born 
in Jefferson County, N. Y., Sept. 24, 1844, and 
came with his parents to Illinois in 1849. His 
father having been elected Sheriff of Will County 
in 1864, he became a resident of Joliet, serving 
as a deputy in his father's office. In 1865 he 
engaged in merchandising as the partner of his 
father, which was exchanged, some fifteen years 
later, for the wholesale grocery trade, and, finally, 
for the real-estate and mortgage-loan business, in 
which he is still employed. He has also been 
extensively engaged in the stone business some 
twenty years, being a large stockholder in the 
Western Stone Company and Vice-President of 
the concern. In 1894 Mr. Monroe was elected, as 
a Republican, to the State Senate from the 
Twenty-fifth District, serving in the Thirty ninth 
and Fortieth General Assemblies, and proving 
himself one of the most influential members of 
that body. 

MONROE COUNTY, situated in the southwest 
part of the State, bordering on the Mississippi — 
named for President Monroe. Its area is about 
380 square miles. It was organized in 1816 and 
included within its boundaries several of the 
French villages which constituted, for many 
years, a center of civilization in the West. 
American settlers, however, began to locate in 
the district as early as 1781. The county has a 
diversified surface and is heavily timbered. The 
soil is fertile, embracing both upland and river 
bottom. Agriculture and the manufacture and 
shipping of lumber constitute leading occupations 
of the citizens. Waterloo is the county-seat. 
Population (1890), 12,948; (1900), 13,847. 

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, an interior county, 
situated northeast of St. Louis and south of 
Springfield; area 702 square miles, population 
(1900), 30,836— derives its name from Gen. Richard 
Montgomery. The earliest settlements by Ameri- 
cans were toward the close of 1816, county organi- 
zation being effected five years later. The entire 
population, at that time, scarcely exceeded 100 
families. The surface is undulating, well watered 
and timbered. The seat of county government is 
located at Hillsboro. Litchfield is an important 
town. Here are situated car-shops and some 
manufacturing establishments. Conspicuous in 
the county's history as pioneers were Harris 
Reavis, Henry Pyatt. John Levi, Aaron Casey 



382 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



John Tillson, Hiram Rountree, the Wrights 
(Joseph and Charles), the Hills (John and 
Henry), William McDavid and John Russell. 

MONTICELLO, a city and the county-seat of 
Piatt County, on the Sangamon River, midway 
between Chicago and St. Louis, on the Kankakee 
and Bloomington Division of the Illinois Central, 
and the Chicago and St. Louis Division of the 
Wabash Railways. It lies within the "corn belt, " 
and stock-raising is extensively carried on in the 
surrounding country. Among tlie city industries 
are a foundry and machine shops, steam flour and 
planing mills, broom, cigar and harness-making, 
and patent fence and tile works. The city is 
lighted by electricity, has several elevators, an 
excellent water system, numerous churches and 
good schools, with banks and three weekly 
papers. Population (189U), 1,043; (1900), 1,982. 

MONTICELLO FEMALE SEMINARY, the 
second institution established in Illinois for the 
higher education of women — Jacksonville Female 
Seminary being the first. It was founded 
through the munificence of Capt. Benjamin 
Godfrey, who donated fifteen acres for a site, at 
Godfrey, Madison County, and gave §53,000 
toward erecting and equipping the buildings. 
The institution was opened on April 11, 1838, 
with sixteen young lady pupils. Rev. Theron 
Baldwin, one of the celebrated "Yale Band," 
being the first Principal. In 1845 he was suc- 
ceeded by Miss Philena Fobes, and she, in turn, 
by Miss Harriet N. Haskell, in 1866, who still 
remains in charge. In November, 1883, the 
seminary building, with its contents, was burned; 
but the institution continued its sessions in tem- 
porary quarters until the erection of a new build- 
ing, which was soon accomplished through the 
generosity of alumuEe and friends of female edu- 
cation throughout the country. The new struc- 
ture is of stone, three stories in height, and 
thoroughly modern. The average nimiber of 
pupils is 150, with fourteen instructors, and the 
standard of the institution is of a high character. 

MOORE, Clifton H., lawyer and financier, was 
born at Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, Oct. 26, 
1817; after a brief season spent in two academies 
and one term in the Western Reserve Teachers" 
Seminary, at Kirtland, in 1839 he came west 
and engaged in teaching at Pekin, 111., while 
giving his leisure to the study of law. He spent 
the next year at Tremont as Deputy County and 
Circuit Clerk, was admitted to the bar at Spring- 
field in 1841, and located soon after at Clinton, 
DeWitt County, which has since been his home. 
In partnership with the late Judge David Davis, 



of Bloomington, Mr. Moore, a few years later, 
began operating extensively in Illinois lands, and 
is now one of the largest land proprietors in 
the State, besides being interested in a ntmiber 
of manufacturing ventures and a local bank. 
The only official position of importance he has 
held is that of Delegate to the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1869-70. He is an enthusi- 
astic collector of State historical and art treasures, 
of which he possesses one of the most valuable 
private collections in Illinois. 

MOORE, Henry, pioneer lawyer, came to Chi- 
cago from Concord, Mass., in 1834, and was 
almost immediately admitted to the bar, also 
acting for a time as a clerk in the office of Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, who held pretty much all 
the county offices on the organization of Cook 
County. Mr. Moore was one of the original 
Trustees of Rush Medical College, and obtained 
from the Legislature the first charter for a gas 
company in Chicago. In 1838 he went to Ha- 
vana, Cuba, for the benefit of his failing health, 
but subsequently returned to Concord, Mass., 
where he died some years afterward. 

MOORE, James, pioneer, was born in the State 
of Maryland in 1750; was married in his native 
State, about 1772, to Miss Catherine Biggs, later 
removing to Virginia. In 1777 he came to the 
Illinois Country as a spy, preliminary to the con- 
templated expedition of Col. George Rogers 
Clark, which captured Kaskaskia in July, 1778. 
After the Clark expedition (in which he served 
as Captain, by appointment of Gov. Patrick 
Henry), he returned to Virginia, where he 
remained imtil 1781, when he organized a party 
of emigrants, which he accompanied to Illinois, 
spending the winter at Kaskaskia. The following 
year they located at a point in the northern part 
of Monroe County, which afterwards received 
the name of Bellefontaine. After his arrival in 
Illinois, he organized a company of "Minute 
Men," of which he was chosen Captain. He was 
a man of prominence and influence among the 
early settlers, but died in 1788. A numerous and 
influential familj^ of his descendants have grown 
up in Southern Illinois. — John (Moore), son of 
the preceding, was born in Maryland in 1773, and 
brought by his father to Illinois eight years later. 
He married a sister of Gen. John D. Whiteside, 
who afterwards became State Treasurer, and also 
served as Fund Commissioner of the State of IIU- 
nois under the internal improvement system. 
Moore was an officer of the State Militia, and 
served in a company of rangers during the War 
of 1812; was also the first County Treasurer of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



383 



Monroe County. Died, July 4, 1833— James B. 
(Moore), the third son of Capt. James Moore, was 
born in 1780, and brought to Illinois by his par- 
ents; in his earlj- manhood he followed the 
business of keel-boating on the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers, visiting New Orleans. Pittsburg and 
other points; became a prominent Indian fighter 
during the War of 1812, and was commissioned 
Captain by Governor Edwards and authorized to 
raise a company of mounted rangers; also 
served as Sheriff of Monroe County, by ai)i)oint- 
ment of Governor Edwards, in Territorial days: 
was Presidential Elector in 1820, and State .Sena- 
tor for Madison County in 1836-40, d3-ing in the 
latter year. — Enoch (Moore), fourth son of Capt. 
James Moore, the pioneer, was born in the old 
block-house at Bellefontaine in 1782. being the 
first child born of American parents in Illinois ; 
served as a "ranger" in the company of his 
brotlier, James B. ; occupied the office of Clerk of 
the Circuit Court, and afterwards that of Judge 
of Probate of Monroe County during the Terri- 
torial period ; was Delegate to the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818, and served as Representative 
from Monroe County in the Second General 
Assembly, later filling various county offices for 
some twenty years. He died in 1848. 

MOORE, Jesse H., clergj'man. .soldier and Con- 
gressman, born near Lebanon, St. Clair County, 
111., April 22, 1817, and graduated from McKen- 
dree College in 1842. For thirteen years he was 
a teacher, during portions of this period being 
successively at the head of three literarj- insti- 
tutions in the West. In 1849 he was ordained a 
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but 
resigned pastorate duties in 1862, to take part in 
the War for the Union, organizing the One Hun- 
dred and Fifteenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, 
of which he was commissioned Colonel, also serving 
as brigade commander during the last year of the 
war, and being lirevetted Brigadier-General at its 
close. After the war he re-entered the ministry, 
but, in 1868, while Presiding Elder of the Decatur 
District, he was elected to the Forty-first Con- 
gress as a Republican, being re-elected in 1870; 
afterwards served as Pension Agent at Spring- 
field, and, in 1881. was appointed United States 
Consul at Callao. Peru, dying in office, in that 
city, July 11, 1883. 

5I00RE, John, Lieutenant-Governor (1842-46) ; 
was born in Lincolnshire, Eng. , Sept. 8, 1793; 
came to America and settled in Illinois in 1830, 
spending most of his life as a resident of Bloom- 
ington. In 1838 he was elected to the lower 
lirnnch of the Eleventh General Assembly from 



the McLean District, and, in 1840, to the Senate, 
but before the close of his term, in 1842, was 
elected Lieutenant-Governor with Gov. Thomas 
Ford. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he 
took a conspicuous part in recruiting the Fourth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's), 
of which he was chosen Lieutenant-Colonel, 
serving gallantly throughout the struggle. In 
1848 he was appointed State Treasurer, as succes- 
sor of Milton Carpenter, who died in office. In 
18-50 he was elected to tlie same office, and con- 
tinued to discharge its duties until 18.57, when he 
was succeeded by James Miller. Died, Sept. 23, 
1863. 

MOORE, Risdon, pioneer, was born in Dela- 
ware in 1700; removed to North Carolina in 1789, 
and, a few years later, to Hancock County, Ga., 
where he served two terms in the Legislature. 
He emigrated from Georgia in 1812, and settled 
in St. Clair County, 111. — besides a family of fif- 
teen white persons, bringing with him eighteen 
colored people — the object of his removal being 
to get rid of slavery. He purchased a farm in 
what was known as the "Turkey Hill Settle- 
ment," about four miles east of Belleville, wliere 
he resided until his death in 1828. Mr. Moore 
became a prominent citizen, was elected to the 
Second Territorial House of Representatives, and 
was cliosen .Speaker, serving as such for two ses- 
sions (1814-15). He was also Representative from 
St. Clair County in the First. Second and Third 
General Assemblies after the admission of Illinois 
into the Union. In the last of these he was one 
of the most zealous opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention scheme of 1822-24. He left a numer- 
ous and higldy respected family of descendants, 
who were afterwards prominent in public affairs. — 
William (Moore), his son, served as a Captain in 
the War of 1812, and also commanded a company 
in the Black Hawk War. He represented St. 
Clair County in the lower branch of the Ninth 
and Tenth General Assemblies; was a local 
preacher of the Methodist Church, and was Presi- 
dent of the Board of Trustees of McKendree Col- 
lege at the time of his death in 1849. — Risdon 
(Moore), Jr., a cousin of the first named Risdon 
Moore, was a Representative from St. Clair County 
in the Fourth General Assembly and Senator in 
the Sixth, but died l)efore the expiration of his 
term, being succeeded at the next session by 
Adam W. Snyder. 

MOORE, Stephen Richey, lawyer, was born of 
Scotch ancestry, in Cincinnati. Ohio. Sept. 22. 
1832; in 1851, entered Farmers' College near Cin- 
cinnati, graduating in 1850, and, having qualified 



384 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



himself for the practice of law, located the fol- 
lowing year at Kankakee, 111., which has since 
been his home. In 1858 he was employed in 
defense of the late Father Cliiniquy, who recently 
died in Montreal, in one of the celebrated suits 
begun against him by dignitaries of the Roman 
Catholic Church. Sir. IMoore is a man of strik- 
ing appearance and great independence of char- 
acter, a Methodist in religious belief and has 
generally acted politically in co-operation with 
the Democratic party, though strongly anti- 
slavery in his views. In 1872 he was a delegate 
to the Liberal Republican Convention at Cin- 
cinnati which nominated Mr. Greeley for the 
Presidency, and, in 1896, participated in the same 
way in the Indianapolis Convention which nomi- 
nated Gen. John M. Palmer for the same office, in 
the following campaign giving the "Gold Democ- 
racy" a vigorous support. 

MORAN, Thomas A., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Bridgeport, Conn. , Oct. 7, 1839 ; received 
his preliminary education in the district schools 
of Wisconsin (to which State his father's family 
had removed in 1846), and at an academy at 
Salem, Wis. ; began reading law at Kenosha in 
1859, meanwhile supporting himself by teaching. 
In May, 1865, he graduated from the Albany 
(N. Y. ) Law School, and the same year com- 
menced practice in Chicago, rapidly rising to the 
front rank of his profession. In 1879 he was 
elected a Judge of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
and re-elected in 1885. At the expiration of his 
second term lie resumed private practice. While 
on the bench he at first heard only common law 
cases, but later divided the business of the equity 
side of the court with Judge Tuley. In June, 
1886, he was assigned to the bench of the Appel- 
late Court, of which tribunal he was, for a year. 
Chief Justice. 

MORGAN, James Dady, soldier, was born in 
Boston, Mass., August 1, 1810, and, at 16 years of 
age, went for a three years' trading voyage on 
the ship "Beverly." When thirty days out a 
mutiny arose, and shortly afterward the vessel 
was burned. Morgan escaped to South America, 
and, after manj' hardships, returned to Boston. 
In 1834 he removed to Quincy, 111. , and engaged 
in mercantile pursuits; aided in raising tlie 
"Quincy Grays" during the Mormon difficulties 
(1844-45) ; during the Mexican War commanded a 
company in the First Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers ; in 1861 became Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Tenth Regiment in the three months' service, 
and Colonel on reorganization of the regiment 
for three years; was promoted Brigadier-General 



in July, 1862, for meritorious service ; commanded 
a brigade at Nashville, and, in March, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General for gallantry at Benton- 
ville, N. C, being mustered out, August 24, 1865. 
After the war he resumed business at Quincy, 
111., being President of the Quinc}- Gas Company 
and Vice-President of a bank; was also Presi- 
dent, for some time, of the Society of the Army 
of the Cumberland. Died, at Quincy, Sept. 12, 1896. 

MORGAX COrXTT, a central county of the 
State, lying west of Sangamon, and bordering on 
the Illinois River — named for Gen. Daniel Mor- 
gan; area, 580 square miles; population (1900),' 
35,006. The earliest American settlers were 
probably Elisha and Seymour Kellogg, who 
located on Mauvaisterre Creek in 1818. Dr. George 
Caldwell came in 1820, and was the first phy- 
sician, and Dr. Ero Chandler settled on the pres- 
ent site of the city of Jacksonville in 1821. 
Immigrants began to arrive in large numbers 
about 1822, and, Jan. 31, 1823, the county was 
organized, the first election being held at the 
house of James G. Swinerton, six miles south- 
west of the present city of Jacksonville. 01m- 
stead's Jlound was the first county-seat, but this 
choice was only temporary. Two years later, 
Jacksonville was selected, and has ever since so 
continued. (See Jacksoin-iUe.) Cass County 
was cut off from Morgan in 1837, and Scott 
County in 1839. About 1837 Morgan was the 
most populous count}' in the State. The county 
is nearly equally divided between woodland and 
prairie, and is well watered. Besides the Illinois 
River on its western border, there are several 
smaller streams, among them Indian, Apple, 
Sandy and Mauvaisterre Creeks. Bituminous 
coal imderlies the eastern part of the county, and 
thin veins crop out along the Illinois River 
bluffs. Sandstone has also been quarried. 

MORGAN PARK, a suburban village of Cook 
County, 13 miles south of Chicago, on the Chi- 
cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; is the seat 
of the Academy (a preparatory branch) of the 
University of Chicago and the Scandinavian De- 
partment of the Divinity School connected with 
the same institution. Population (1880), 187; 
(ISOn), 1.027; (1900), 2,329. 

MORMOXS, a religious sect, founded by Joseph 
Smith, Jr., at Fayette, Seneca County, N. Y., 
August 6, 1830, styling themselves the "Church of 
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints." Membership 
in 1892 was estimated at 230,000, of whom some 
20,000 were outside of the United States. Their 
religious teachings are peculiar. They avow faith 
in the Trinity and in the Bible (as by tliem 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



385 



interpreted). They believe, liowever, that the 
"Book of Mormon" — assumed to be of divine 
origin and a direct revelation to Smith — is of 
equal authority with the Scriptures, if not supe- 
rior to them. Among their ordinances are 
baptism and the laying-on of hands, and, in their 
church organization, they recognize various orders 
— apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangel- 
ists, etc. They also believe in the restoration of 
the Ten Tribes and the literal re assembling of 
Israel, the return and rule of Christ in person, 
and the rebuilding of Zion in America. Polyg- 
amy is encouraged and made an article of faith, 
though professedly not practiced under existing 
laws in the United States. The supreme power 
is vested in a President, who has authority in 
temporal and spiritual affairs alike; although 
there is less effort now than formerty, on the part 
of the priesthood, to interfere in temporalities. 
Driven from New York in 1831, Smith and his 
followers first settled at Kirtland, Ohio. There, 
for a time, the sect flourished and built a temple ; 
but, within seven years, their doctrines and prac- 
tices excited so much hostility that they were 
forced to make another removal. Their next 
settlement was at Far West, Mo. ; but here the 
hatred toward them became so intense as to 
result in open war. From Missouri they 
recrossed the Mississippi and founded the city 
of Nauvoo, near Commerce, in Hancock County, 
111. The charter granted by the Legislature was 
an extraordinary instrument, and well-nigh made 
the city independent of the State. Nauvoo soon 
obtained commercial importance, in two years 
becoming a city of some 16,000 inhabitants. The 
Mormons rapidly became a powerful factor in 
State politics, when there broke out a more 
bitter public enmity than the sect had yet en- 
countered. Internal dissensions also sprang up, 
and, in 1844, a discontented Mormon founded a 
newspaper at Nauvoo, in which he violently 
assailed the prophet and threatened him with 
exposure. Smith's answer to this was the de- 
struction of the printing office, and the editor 
promptly secured a warrant for his arrest, return- 
able at Carthage. Smith went before a friendly 
justice at Nauvoo, who promptly discharged him, 
but he positively refused to appear before the 
Carthage magistrate. Thereupon the latter 
issued a second warrant, charging Smith with 
treason. This also was treated with contempt. 
The militia was called out to make the arrest, and 
the Mormons, who had formed a strong military 
organization, armed to defend their leader. 
After a few trifling clashes between the soldiers 



and the "Saints," Smith was persuaded to sur- 
render and go to Carthage, the county-seat, where 
he was incarcerated in the county jail. Within 
twentj'-four hours (on Sunday, June 27, 1844), a 
mob attacked the prison. Joseph Smith and his 
brother Hyrum were killed, and some of their 
adherents, who had accompanied them to jail, 
were wounded. Brigham Young (then an 
apostle) at once assumed the leadership and, 
after several months of intense popular excite- 
ment, in the following year led his followers 
across the Mississippi, finally locating (1847) in 
Utah. (See also Nauvoo.) There their history 
has not been free from charges of crime; but, 
whatever may be the character of the leaders, 
they have succeeded in building up a prosperous 
community in a region which they found a vir- 
tual desert, a little more than forty years ago. 
The polity of the Church has been greatly modi- 
fied in consequence of restrictions placed upon it 
by Congressional legislation, especially in refer- 
ence to polygamy, and by contact with other 
communities. (See Smifli, Joseph.) 

MORRIS, a city and the county-seat of Grundy 
County, on the Illinois River, the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, and the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railroad, 61 miles southwest of Chicago. 
It is an extensive grain market, and the center of 
a region rich in bituminous coal. There is valu- 
able water-power here, and much manufacturing 
is done, including builders' hardware, plows, iron 
specialties, paper car-wheels, brick and tile, flour 
and planing-mills, oatmeal and tanned leathec 
There are also a normal and scientific school, two 
national banks and three daily and weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880), 3,486; (1890), 3,658; 
(1900), 4,273. 

MORRIS, Buckner Smith, early lawyer, born 
at Augusta, Ky., August 19, 1800; was admitted 
to the bar in 1837, and, for seven years thereafter, 
continued to reside in Kentucky, serving two 
terms in the Legislature of that State. In 1834 
he removed to Chicago, took an active part in 
the incorporation of the city, and was elected its 
second Mayor in 1838. In 1840 he was a Whig 
candidate for Presidential Elector, Abraham 
Lincoln running on the same ticket, and, in 
18.52, was defeated as the Whig candidate for 
Secretary of State. He was elected a Judge of 
the Seventh Circuit in 1851, but declined a re- 
nomination in 1855. In 1856 he accepted the 
American (or Know-Nothing) nomination for 
Governor, and, in 1860, that of the Bell-Everett 
party for the same office. He was vehemently 
opposed to the election of either Lincoln or 



386 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Breckenridge to the Presidency, believing that 
civil war would result in either event. A shadow 
was thrown across his life, in 1864, by his arrest 
and trial for alleged complicity in a rebel plot to 
burn and pillage Chicago and liberate the 
prisoners of war held at Camp Douglas. The 
trial, however, which was lield at Cincinnati, 
resulted in his acquittal. Died, in Kentucky, 
Dec. 18, 1879. Those who knew Judge Morris, in 
his early life in the city of Chicago, describe him 
as a man of genial and kindly disposition, in spite 
of his opposition to the abolition of slavery — a 
fact which, no doubt, had much to do with his 
acquittal of the charge of complicity with the 
Camp Douglas conspiracj-, as the evidence of his 
being in communication with the leading con- 
spirators appears to have been conclusive. (See 
Camj) Douglas Conspiracy.) 

MORRIS, Freeman P., lawyer and politician, 
was born in Cook County, 111., March 19, 1854. 
labored on a farm and attended the district 
school in his youth, but completed his education 
in Chicago, graduating from the Union College 
of Law, and was admitted to practice in 1874, 
when he located at Watseka, Iroquois County. 
In 1884 he was elected, as a Democrat, to the 
House of Representatives from the Iroquois Dis- 
trict, and has since been reelected in 1888, "94. 
'96, being one of the most influential members of 
his party in that body. In 1893 he was appointed 
by Governor Altgeld Aid-de-Camp, with the rank 
of Colonel, on his personal staff, but resigned in 
1896. 

MORRIS, Isaac Newton, lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Bethel, Clermont County, 
Ohio, Jan. 22, 1812; educated at Miami Univer- 
sity, admitted to the bar in ISS.'), and the next 
year removed to Quincy, 111. ; was a member and 
President of the Board of Canal Commissioners 
(1842-43), served in the Fifteenth General Assem- 
bly (1846-48) ; was elected to Congress as a Demo- 
crat in 1856, and again in 1858, but opposed the 
admission of Kansas under the Lecompton Con- 
stitution ; in 1868 supported General Grant — who 
had been his friend in boyhood — for President, 
and, in 1870, was appointed a member of the 
Union Pacific Railroad Commission. Died, Oct. 
29, 1879. 

MORRISON, a city, the county-seat of White- 
side County, founded in 18.55; is a station on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, 124 miles 
west of Chicago. Agriculture, dairying and 
stock-raising are the principal pursuits in the 
surrounding region. The city has good water- 
works, sewerage, electric lighting and several 



manufactories, including carriage and refriger- 
ator works; also has numerous churches, a large 
graded school, a public library and adequate 
banking facilities, and two weekly papers. 
Greenhouses for cultivation of vegetables for 
winter market are carried on. Pop. (1900), 2,308. 

MORRISON, Isaac L., lawyer and legislator, 
born in Barren County. Ky.. in 1826; was edu- 
cated in the common schools and the Masonic 
Seminary of his native State; admitted to the 
bar, and came to Illinois in 1851, locating at 
Jacksonville, where he has become a leader of 
the bar and of the Republican party, which he 
assisted to organize as a member of its first State 
Convention at Bloomington, in 1856. He was also 
a delegate to the Republican National Convention 
of 1864, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for 
the Presidency a second time. Mr. Morrison was 
three times elected to the lower house of the 
General Assembly (1876, "78 and '82), and, by his 
clear judgment and incisive powers as a public 
speaker, took a high rank as a leader in that 
body. Of late years, he has given his attention 
solely to the practice of his profession in 
Jacksonville. 

MORRISON, James Lowery Donaldson, poli- 
tician, lawyer and Congressman, was born at Kas- 
kaskia. 111., April 12, 181G; at the age of 16 was 
appointed a midshipman in the United States 
Navy, but leaving the service in 1836, read law 
with Judge Nathaniel Pope, and was admitted to 
the bar. practicing at Belleville. He was elected 
to the lower hou.se of the General Assembly froi;; 
St. Clair County, in 1844, and to the State Senate 
in 1848, and again in "54. In 18.52 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate for the Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernorship on the Whig ticket, but, on the disso- 
lution of that party, allied himself with the 
Democracy, and was, for many years, its leader in 
Southern Illinois. In 1855 he was elected to Con- 
gress to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- 
tion of Lyman Trumbull, who had been elected to 
the United States Senate. In 1860 he was a can- 
didate before the Democratic State Convention 
for the nomination for Governor, but was defeated 
by James C. Allen. After that year he took no 
prominent part in public affairs. At the outbreak 
of the Mexican War he was among the first to 
raise a company of volunteers, and was commis- 
sioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment 
(Colonel Bissell's). For gallant services at Buena 
Vista, the Legislature presented him with a 
sword. He took a prominent part in the incor- 
poration of railroads, and. it is claimed, drafted 
and introduced in the Legislature the charter of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



387 



the Illinois Central Railroad in 1851. Died, at 
St. Louis. Mo.. August 14, 1888. 

MORRISON, ^'illiam, pioneer merchant, came 
from Philadelphia, Pa., to Kaskaskia, 111., in 1790, 
as representative of the mercantile house of 
Bryant & Morrison, of Philadelphia, and finallj- 
established an extensive trade throughout the 
Mississippi Vallej-, supplj-ing merchants at St. 
Louis, St. Genevieve. Cape Girardeau and New 
Madrid. He is also said to have sent an agent 
with a stock of goods across the plains, with a 
view to opening up trade with the Mexicans at 
Santa Fe, about 1804. but was defrauded by the 
agent, who appropriated the goods to his own 
benefit without accounting to his employer. 
He became the principal merchant in the Terri- 
tory, doing a thriving business in early days, 
when Kaskaskia was the principal supply point 
for merchants throughout the valley. He is de- 
scribed as a public-spirited, enterprising man, to 
whom was due the chief part of the credit for 
securing construction of a bridge across the Kas- 
kaskia River at the town of that name. He died 
at Kaskaskia in 1837, and was buried in the ceme- 
tery there. — Robert (Morrison), a brother of the 
preceding, came to Kaskaskia in 1793, was 
appointed Clerk of the Common Pleas Court in 
1801, retaining the position for many 5'ears. 
besides holding other local offices. He was the 
father of Col. James L. D. Morrison, politician 
and soldier of the Mexican War, whose sketch is 
given elsewhere. — Joseph (Morrison), the oldest 
son of William Morrison, went to Ohio, residing 
there several years, but finally returned to Prairie 
du Rocher, where he died in 184.5. — James, 
another son, went to Wisconsin; William located 
at Belleville, dying there in 1843; while Lewlsj 
another son, settled at Covington, W^ashington 
County, 111., where he practiced medicine up to 
1851 ; then engaged in mercantile business at 
Chester, dying there in 1856. 

MORRISON, William Ralls, ex Congressman. 
Inter-State Commerce Commissioner, was born. 
Sept. 14, 1825, in Monroe County. 111., and edu- 
cated at McKendree College; served as a private 
in the Mexican War, at its close studied law, and 
was admitted to the bar in 1855; in 18.52 was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court of Monroe 
County, but resigned before the close of his term, 
accepting the office of Representative in the State 
Legislature, to which he was elected in 1854 ; was 
re-elected in 18,56, and again in 1858, serving as 
Speaker of the House during the session of 1859. 
In 1861 he assisted in organizing the Forty-ninth 
Regiment Illinois Volunteers and was commis- 



sioned Colonel. The regiment was mustered in, 
Dec. 31, 1861, and took part in the battle of Fort 
Donelson in February following, where he was 
severely wounded. While yet in the service, in 
1862, he was elected to Congress as a Democrat, 
when he resigned his commission, but was de- 
feated for re-election, in 1864, by Jehu Baker, as 
he was again in 1866. In 1870 he was again 
elected to the General Assembly, and, two years 
later (1872), returned to Congress from the Belle- 
ville District, after which he served in that body, 
by successive re-elections, nine terms and until 
1887, being for several terms Chairman of the 
House Ways and Means Committee and promi- 
nent in the tariflf legislation of that period. In 
March, 1887, President Cleveland appointed him 
a member of the first Inter-State Commerce Com- 
mission for a period of five years ; at the close of 
his term he was reappointed, by President Harri- 
son, for a full term of six years, serving a part of 
the time as President of the Board, and retiring 
from office in 1898. 

MORRISONVILLE, a town in Cliristian 
County, situated on tlie Wabash Railway, 40 
miles southwest of Decatur and 20 miles north- 
norther, st of Litchfield Grain is extensively 
raised in the surrounding region, and Morrison- 
ville, with its elevators and mill, is an important 
shipping-point. It has brick and tile works. 
electric lights, two banks, five churches, graded 
and high schools, and a weekly paper. Popula- 
tion (1890). 844; ^1900). 934; (1903, est.), 1,200. 

MORTON, a village of Tazewell County, at the 
intersection of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
and the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroads, 10 miles 
southeast of Peoria; has factories, a bank and a 
newspaper. Population (1890), 657; (1900), 894. 

MORTON, Joseph, pioneer farmer and legisla- 
tor, was born in Virginia, August 1, 1801 ; came 
to Madison County, 111., in 1819, and the follow- 
ing year to Morgan County, when he engaged in 
farming in the vicinity of Jacksonville. He 
served as a member of the House in the Tenth 
and Fifteenth General Assemblies, and as Senator 
in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth. He was a 
Democrat in politics, but. on questions of State 
and local policj', was non-partisan, faithfully 
representing the interests of his constituents. 
Died, at his home near Jacksonville, March 2. 1881. 

MOSES, Adolph, lawyer, was born in Spej-er, 
Germany, Feb. 27, 1837, and, until fifteen years 
of age, was educated in the public and Latin 
schools of his native countrj'; in the latter part 
of 1852, came to America, locating in New 
Orleans, and, for some years, being a law student 



388 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in Louisiana Universit}'. under the preceptorship 
of Randall Hunt and other eminent lawyers of 
that State. In the early days of the Civil War 
he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, serving 
some two years as an officer of the Twenty-first 
Louisiana Regiment. Coming north at the expi- 
ration of this period, he resided for a time in 
Quincy, 111., but, in 1869, removed to Chicago, 
where he took a place in the front rank at the 
bar, and where he has resided ever since. 
Although in sympathy with the general princi- 
jiles of the Democratic part}'. Judge Moses is an 
independent voter, as shown by the fact that he 
voted for General Grant for President in 1868, 
and supported the leading measures of the Repub- 
lican party in 1896. He is the editor and pub 
lisher of "The National Corporation Reporter," 
established in 1890, and which is devoted to the 
interests of business corporations. 

MOSES, John, lawyer and author, was born at 
Niagara Falls, Canada, Sept. 18, 1825; came to 
Illinois in 1837, his family locating first at Naples, 
Scott County. He pursued the vocation of a 
teacher for a time, studied law, was elected Clerk 
of the Circuit Court for Scott County in 1856, and 
served as County Judge from 1857 to 1861. The 
latter year he became the private secretary of 
Governor Yates, serving until 1863, during that 
period assisting in the organization of seventy- 
seven regiments of Illinois Volunteers. While 
serving in this capacit}-, in company with Gov- 
ernor Yates, he attended the famous conference 
of loyal Governors, held at Altoona, Pa., in Sep- 
tember, 1862, and afterwards accompanied the 
Governors in their call upon President Lincoln, a 
few days after the issue of the preliminary proc- 
lamation of emancipation. Having received the 
appointment, from President Lincoln, of Assessor 
of Internal Revenue for the Tenth Illinois Dis- 
trict, he resigned the position of private secretary 
to Governor Yates. In 1874 he was chosen 
Representative in the Twenty-ninth General 
Assembly for the District composed of Scott, 
Pike and Calhoun Counties ; served as a delegate 
to the National Republican Convention at Phila- 
delphia, in 1872, and as Secretary of the Board of 
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioners for 
three years (1880-83). He was then appointed 
Special Agent of the Treasury Department, and 
assigned to duty in connection with the customs 
revenue at Chicago. In 1887 he was chosen Sec- 
retary of the Chicago Historical Society, serving 
until 1893. While connected with the Chicago 
Historical Library he brought out the most com- 
plete History of Illinois yet published, in two 



volumes, and also, in connection with the late 
Major Kirkland, edited a History of Chicago in 
two large volumes. Other literary work done by 
Judge Moses, includes "Personal Recollections of 
Abraham Lincoln" and "Richard Yates, the 
War Governor of Illinois, " in the form of lectures 
or addresses. Died in Chicago, July 3, 1898. 

MOULTON, Samuel W., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was born at Wenham, Mass., Jan. 20, 1822, 
where he was educated in the public schools. 
After spending some years in the South, he 
removed to Illinois (1845), where he studied law, 
and was admitted to the bar, commencing prac- 
tice at Shelbyville. From 1852 to 1859 he was a 
member of the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly; in 1857, was a Presidential Elector on the 
Buchanan ticket, and was President of the State 
Board of Education from 1859 to 1876. In 1864 
he was elected, as a Republican, Representative in 
Congress for the State-atlarge, being elected 
again, as a Democrat, from the Shelbyville Dis- 
trict, in 1880 and '82. During the past few years 
(including the campaign of 1896) Mr. Moulton 
has acted in cooperation -with the Republican 
party. 

MOULTRIE COUjVTT, a comparatively small 
county in the eastern section of tlie middle tier of 
the State — named for a revolutionary hero. Area, 
340 square miles, and population (by the census 
of r.lOO), 15,224. Moultrie was one of the early 
"stamping grounds" of the Kickapoos, who were 
always friendly to English-speaking settlers. The 
earliest immigrants were from the Southwest, 
but arrivals from Northern States soon followed. 
County organization was effected in 1843, both 
Shelby and Macon Counties surrendering a portion 
of territory. A vein of good bituminous coal 
underlies the county, but agriculture is the more 
important industry. Sullivan is the county-seat, 
selected in 1845. In 1890 its population was about 
1,700. Hon. Richard J. Oglesby (former Gover- 
nor, Senator and a Major-General in the Civil 
War) began the practice of law here. 

MOUND-BUILDERS, WORKS OF THE. One 
of the most conclusive evidences that the Mis- 
sissippi Valley was once occupied by a people 
different in customs, character and civilization 
from the Indians found occupying the soil when 
the first white explorers visited it, is the exist- 
ence of certain artificial mounds and earthworks, 
of the origin and purposes of which the Indians 
seemed to have no knowledge or tradition. These 
works extend throughout , the valley from the 
Allegheny to the Rocky Mountains, being much 
more numerous, however, in some portions than 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



389 



in others, and also varying greatly in form. This 
fact, with the remains found in some of them, has 
been regarded as evidence that the purposes of 
their construction were widely variant. They 
have consequently been classified by archseolo- 
gists as sepulchral, religious, or defensive, while 
some seem to have had a purpose of which 
writers on the subject are unable to form any 
satisfactory conception, and wliich are, therefore, 
still regarded as an unsolved mystery. Some of 
the most elaborate of these works are found along 
the eastern border of the Mississippi Valley, 
especially in Ohio ; and the fact that they appear 
to belong to the defensive class, has led to the 
conclusion that this region was occupied by a race 
practically homogeneous, and that these works 
were designed to prevent the encroachment of 
hostile races from beyond the Alleghenies. Illi- 
nois being in the center of the valley, compara- 
tively few of these defensive works are found 
here, those of this character which do exist being 
referred to a different era and race. (See Forti- 
fications. Prehistoric.) While these works are 
numerous in some portions of Illinois, their form 
and structure give evidence that they were 
erected by a peaceful people, however bloody 
may have been some of the rites performed on 
those designed for a religious purpose. Their 
numbers also imply a dense population. This is 
especially true of that portion of the American 
Bottom opposite the city of St. Louis, which is 
the seat of the most remarkable gi'oup of earth 
works of this character on the continent. The 
central, or principal structure of this group, is 
known, locally, as the great "Cahokia Mound,'' 
being situated near the creek of that name which 
empties into the Mississippi just below the city 
of East St. Louis. It is also called "Monks' 
Motmd," from the fact that it was occupied early 
in the present century by a community of Monks 
of La Trappe. a portion of whom succimibed to 
the malarial influences of the climate, while the 
survivors returned to the original seat of their 
order. This mound, from its form and com- 
manding size, has been supposed to belong to the 
class called "temple mounds." and has been de- 
scribed as "the monarch of all similar structui-es" 
and the "best representative of its class in North 
America." The late William Mc Adams, of 
Alton, who surveyed this group some years since, 
in his "Records of Ancient Races," gives the fol- 
lowing description of this principal structure : 

"In the center of a great mass of mounds and 
earth works there stands a mighty pj'ramid 
whose base covers nearly sixteen acres of ground. 



It is not exactly square, being a parallelogram a 
little longer north and south than east and we.st. 
Some thirty feet above the base, on the south side, 
is an apron or terrace, on wliich now grows an 
orchard of considerable size. This terrace is 
approached from the plain by a graded roadway. 
Thirty feet above this terrace, and on the west 
side, is another much smaller, on which are now 
growing some forest trees. The top, which con- 
tains an acre and a half, is divided into two 
nearly equal parts, tlie northern part being four 
or five feet the higher. ... On the north, 
east and south, the structure still retains its 
straight side, that probably has changed but little 
since the settlement of the country by white 
men, but remains in appearance to-day the same 
as centuries ago. The west side of the pyramid, 
however, has its base somewhat serrated and 
seamed by ravines, evidently made by rainstorms 
and the elements. From the second terrace a 
well, eighty feet in depth, penetrates the base of 
the structure, which is plainly seen to be almost 
wholly composed of the black, sticky soil of the 
surrounding plain. It is not an oval or conical 
mound or hill, but a pyramid with straight 
sides." The approximate height of this mound 
is ninety feet. When first seen by white men, 
this was surmounted by a small conical mound 
some ten feet in height, from which human 
remains and various relics were taken while 
being leveled for the site of a house. Messrs. 
Squier and Davis, in their report on "Ancient 
Monuments of the Mississippi Valley," published 
by the Smithsonian Institute (1848), estimate the 
contents of the .structure at 20,000,000 cubic feet. 
A Mr. Breckenridge, who visited these mounds 
in 1811 and published a description of them, esti- 
mates that the construction of this principal 
mound must have required the work of thou.sands 
of laborers and years of time. The upper terrace, 
at the time of his visit, was occupied by the 
Trappists as a kitchen garden, and the top of the 
structure was sown in wheat. He also found 
numerous fragments of flint and earthern ves- 
sels, and concludes that "a populous city once 
existed here, similar to those of Mexico described 
by the first conquerors. The mounds were sites 
of temples or monimients to great men." Accord- 
ing to Mr. McAdams, there are seventy-two 
mounds of considerable size within two miles of 
the main structure, the group extending to the 
mouth of the Cahokia and embracing over one 
himdred in all. Most of these are square, rang- 
ing from twenty to fifty feet in height, a few are 
oval and one or two conical. Scattered among 



390 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the mounds are also a number of small lakes, 
evidently of artificial origin. From the fact 
that there were a number of conspicuous 
mounds on the Missouri side of the river, 
on the present site of the city of St. Louis 
and its environs, it is believed that thej' all 
belonged to the same system and had a common 
purpo.se; the Cahokia Mound, from its superior 
size, being the center of the group — and probably 
used for sacrificial purposes. The whole number 
of these structures in the American Bottom, 
whose outlines were still visible a few years ago. 
was estimated by Dr. J. W. Foster at nearly two 
hundred, and the presence of so large a number 
in close proximity, has been accepted as evidence 
of a large population in the immediate ^-ioinity. 
Mr. McAdams reports the finding of numerous 
specimens of pottery and artificial ornaments and 
implements in the Cahokia mounds and in caves 
and mounds between Alton and the mouth of the 
Illinois River, as well as on the latter some 
twenty-five miles from its mouth. Among the 
relics found in the Illinois River mounds was a 
burial vase, and Mr. McAdams says that, in 
thirty years, he has unearthed more than a 
thousand of these, many of which closely 
resemble those found in the mounds of Europe. 
Dr. Foster also makes mention of an ancient 
cemetery near Chester, in which "each grave, 
when explored, is found to contain a cist enclos- 
ing a skeleton, for the most part far gone in 
decay. These cists are built up and covered witli 
slabs of lime.stone, which here abound." — Another 
noteworthy group of mounds — though far inferior 
to the Cahokia group — exists near Hutsonville in 
Crawford County. As described in the State 
Geological Survey, this group consists of fifty- 
five elevations, irregularly dispersed over an area 
of 1,000 by 1,400 to 1,500 feet, and varying from 
fourteen to fifty feet in diameter, the larger ones 
having a height of five to eight feet. From their 
form and arrangement these are believed to liave 
been mounds of habitation In the southern por- 
tion of this group are four mounds of peculiar 
construction and larger size, each surrounded 
by a low ridge or earthwork, with openings facing 
towards each other, indicating that they were 
defense-works. The location of this group — a 
few miles from a prehistoric fortification at 
Merom, on the Indiana side of the Wabash, to 
which the name of "Fort Azatlan" lias been 
given — induces the belief that the two groups, 
like those in the American Bottom and at St. 
Louis, were parts of the sanie system. — Professor 
Engelnian, in the part of the State Geological 



Survey devoted to Massac County, alludes to a 
remarkable group of earthworks in the Black 
Bend of the Ohio, as an "extensive" system of 
"fortifications and mounds which probably 
belong to the same class as those in the Missis- 
sippi Bottom opposite St. Louis and at other 
points farther up the Ohio." In the report of 
Government survey by Dan W. Beckwith, in 1834, 
mention is made of a very large mound on the 
Kankakee River, near the mouth of Rock Creek, 
now a part of Kankakee Count}'. This had a 
base diameter of about 100 feet, with a height of 
twenty feet, and contained the remains of a 
large number of Indians killed in a celebrated 
battle, in which the Illinois and Chippewas, and 
the Delawares and Shawnees took part. Near 
by were two other mounds, said to contain the 
remains of the chiefs of the two parties. In this 
case, mounds of prehistoric origin had probably 
been utilized as burial places by the aborigines at 
a comparatively recent period. Related to the 
Kankakee mounds, in location if not in period of 
construction, is a group of nineteen in number on 
the site of the present city of Morris, in Grundy 
County. Within a circuit of three miles of 
Ottawa it' has been estimated that there were 
3,000 mounds — though many of these are believed 
to have been of Indian origin. Indeed, the whole 
Illinois Valley is full of these silent monuments 
of a prehistoric age, but they are not generally of 
the conspicuous character of those found in the 
vicinity of St. Louis and attributed to the Mound 
Builders. — A very large and numerous group of 
these monuments exists along the bluffs of the 
Mississippi River, in the western part of Rock 
Island and Mercer Counties, chiehy between 
Drury's Landing and New Boston. Mr. J. E. 
Stevenson, in "The American Antiquarian," a 
few years ago, estimated that there were 2,500 of 
these within a circuit of fifty miles, located in 
groups of two or three to 100, varying in diameter 
from fifteen to 150 feet, with an elevation of two 
to fifteen feet. There are also numerous burial 
and sacrificial mounds in the vicinity of Chilli- 
cothe, on the Illinois River, in the northeastern 
part of Peoria County. — There are but few speci- 
mens of the animal or effigy mounds, of which so 
many exist in Wisconsin, to be found in Illinois; 
and the fact that these are found chiefly on Rock 
River, leaves no doubt of a common origin with 
the Wisconsin groups. The most remarkable of 
these is the celebrated "Turtle Moimd," within 
the pre-sent limits of the city of Rockford — though 
some regard it as having more resemblance to an 
alligator. This figure, which is maintained in a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



391 



good state of preservation by the citizens, has an 
extreme length of about ISO feet, by fifty in 
■width at the front legs and thirty-nine at the 
hind legs, and an elevation equal to the height 
of a man. There are some smaller mounds in 
the vicinity, and some bird effigies on Rock River 
some six miles below Rockford. There is also an 
animal effigy near the village of Hanover, in Jo 
Daviess County, with a considerable group of 
round mounds and embankments in the immedi- 
ate vicinit}', besides a smaller effigy of a similar 
character on the nortli side of the Pecatonica in 
Stephenson County, some ten miles east of Free- 
port. The Rock River region seems to have been 
a favorite field for the operations of the mound- 
builders, as shown by the number and variety of 
these structures, extending from Sterling, in 
Whiteside County, to the Wisconsin State line. A 
large number of these were to be found in the 
vicinity of the Kishwaukee River in the south- 
eastern part of Winnebago County. The famous 
prehistoric fortification on Rock River, just 
beyond the Wisconsin boundary — which seems to 
have been a sort of counterpart of the ancient 
Fort Azatlan on the Indiana side of tlie Wabaph 
— appears to have had a close relation to the 
works of the mound-builders on the same stream 
in Illinois. 

MOUNT) CITY, the county-seat of Pulaski 
County, on the Ohio River, seven miles north of 
Cairo; is on a branch line of the Illinois Central 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroad. The chief industries are lumber- 
ing and ship-building; also has furniture, canning 
and other factories. One of the United States 
National Cemeteries is located here. The town 
has a bank and two weekly papers. Population 
(1890). 2,.550; (1900), 2,705; (1903, est.), 3,500. 

MOUNT CARMEL, a city and the county-seat 
of Wabash Count}-; is the point of junction of 
the Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Southern Railroads, 133 miles northeast 
of Cairo, and 24 miles southwest of Vincennes, 
Ind. ; situated on the Wabash River, which sup- 
plies good water-power for saw mills, flouring 
mills, and some other manufactures. The town 
has railroad shops and two daily newspapers. 
Agriculture and lumbering are the principal 
pursuits of the people of the surrounding district. 
Population (1890), 3.376; (1900), 4,311. 

MOUNT CARROLL, the county-seat of Carroll 
County, an incorporated city, founded in 1843; 
is 128 miles southwest of Chicago, on the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad. Farming, 
stock-raising and mining are the principal indus- 



tries. It has five cliurches, excellent schools, 
good libraries, two daily and two semi-weekly 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,8:!0; (1900). I,9rt5. 

MOUNT CARROLL SEMINARY, a young 
ladies' seminar}-, located at Mount Carroll, Carroll 
County; incorporated in 1852; had a faculty of 
thirteen members in 1896, with 126 pupils, prop- 
erty valued at $100,000, and a library of 5,000 
volumes. 

MOUNT MORRIS, a town in Ogle County, situ- 
ated on the Cliicago & Iowa Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 108 miles 
west by north from Chicago, and 24 miles south- 
west of Rockford; is the seat of Mount Morris 
College and flourishing public school; has hand- 
some stone and brick buildings, three churches 
and two newspapers. Population (1900), 1,048. 

MOUNT OLIVE, a village of Macoupin County, 
on the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis and the 
Wabash Railways, 68 miles southwest of Decatur ; 
in a rich agricultural and coal-mining legion. 
Population (1880), 709; (1890). 1.986 :( 1900V 2,93.5. 

MOUNT PULASKI, a village and railroad junc- 
tion in Logan County, 21 miles northwest of 
Decatur and 24 miles northeast of Springfield. 
Agriculture, coal-mining and stock-raising are 
leading industries. It is also an important ship- 
ping point for grain, and contains several 
elevators and flouring mills. Population (1880), 
1,125; (1890), 1,357; (IHOO), 1,643. 

MOUNT STERLING, a city, the county -seat of 
Brown County, midway between Quincy and 
Jacksonville, on the Wabash Railway. It is sur- 
rounded by a rich farming country, and has ex- 
tensive deposits of clay and coal. It contains six 
churches and four schools (two large public, and 
two parochial). The town is lighted by elec- 
tricity and has public water-work.s. Wagons, 
brick, tile and earthenware are manufactured 
here, and three weekly newspapers are pub- 
lished. Population (1880), 1,445; (1890), 1,655; 
(1900). 1,960. 

MOUNT VERNON, a city and county -.seat of 
Jeff'erson County, on three trunk lines of railroad, 
77 miles east-southeast of St. Louis ; is tlie center 
of a rich agricultural and coal region; has many 
flourishing manufactories, including car-works, a 
plow factory, flouring mills, pressed brick fac- 
tory, canning factory, and is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain, vegetables and fruits. The 
Appellate Court for the Southern Gr.ind Division 
is held here, and the city has nine churches, fine 
school buildings, a Carnegie library, two banks, 
heating plant, two daily and tliree weekly papers. 
Population (1890). 3.233; (1900), 5,216. 



392 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLIXOIS. 



MOUXT VERXOX ic GRATTILLE RAILROAD. 

(See Peonu. Decatur & Evansville Railway.) 

MOWEAtil'A, a village of Shelby Count.v, on 
the Illinois Central RailroaJ, 16 miles south of 
Decatur; is in rich agricultural and stock-raising 
section; has coal mine, three banks and two 
newspapers. Population (1890), 848; (1900). 1,478. 
MUDD, (Col.) John J., soldier, was born in 
St. Charles County, Mo., Jan. 9, 1820; his father 
having died in 1833, his mother removed to Pike 
Count}', 111., to free her children from the influ- 
ence of slavery. In 1849, and again in 18.50, he 
made the overland journey to California, each 
time returning by the Isthmus, his last visit ex- 
tending into 1851. In 18.54 he engaged in the 
commission business in St. Louis, as head of the 
firm of Mudd & Hughes, but failed in the crash 
of 1857: then removed to Chicago, and, in 1861, 
was again in prosperous business. While on a 
business visit in New Orleans, in December, 1860, 
he had an opportunity of learning the growing 
spirit of secession, being advised by friends to 
leave the St. Charles Hotel in order to escape a 
mob. In September, 1861, he entered the army 
as Major of the Second Illinois Cavalry (Col. 
Silas Noble), and. in the next few months, was 
stationed successively at Cairo, Bird's Point and 
Paducah, Ky., and, in February, 1862, led the 
advance of General McClernand"s division in the 
attack on Fort Donelson. Here he was severely 
wounded : but. after a few weeks in hospital at St. 
Louis, was sufficiently recovered to rejoin his 
regiment soon after the battle of Shiloh. Unable 
to perform cavalry duty, he was attached to the 
staff of General McClernaud during the advance 
on Corinth, but, in October following, at the head 
of 400 men of his regiment, was transferred to 
the command of General McPherson. Early in 
1863 he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
soon after to a colonelcy, taking part in the 
movement against Vicksburg. June 13, he was 
again severely wounded, but, a few weeks later, 
was on duty at New Orleans, and subsequently 
participated in the operations in Southwestern 
Louisiana and Texas. On May 1, 1864, he left 
Baton Rouge for Alexandria, as Chief of Staff to 
General McClernand, but two days later, while 
approaching Alexandria on board the steamer, 
was shot through the head and instantly killed. 
He was a gallant soldier and greatly beloved by 
his troops. 

MULBERRY GROVE, a village of Bond County, 
on the Terre Haute ifc Indianapolis (Vandalia) 
Railroad, 8 miles northeast of Greenville; has a 
local newspaper. Pop (1890), 7.50; (1900), 632. 



Ml'LLIGAX, James A., soldier, was bom of 
Irish parentage at L'tica, N. Y., June 2.5, 1830; in 
1836 accompanied his parents to Chicago, and, 
after graduating from the Universitj" of St. 
Mary's of the Lake, in 1850, began the study of 
law. In 1851 he accompanied John Lloyd Ste- 
phens on his expedition to Panama, and on his 
return resumed his professional studies, at the 
same time editing "The Western Tablet," a 
weekly Catholic paper. At the outbreak of the 
Rebellion he recruited, and was made Colonel of 
the Twenty-third Illinois Regiment, known as 
the Irish Brigade. He served with great gallan- 
try, first in the West and later in the East, being 
severely wounded and twice captured. He 
declined a Brigadier-Generalship, preferring to 
remain with his regiment. He was fatally 
wounded during a charge at the battle of Win- 
chester. While being carried off the field he 
noticed that the colors of his brigade were en- 
dangered. "Lay me down and save the flag," he 
ordered. His men hesitated, but he repeated the 
command until it was obeyed. Before they 
returned he had been borne away by the enemy, 
and died a prisoner, at Winchester, Va., July 26, 
1864. 

MUXX, Daniel W., lawyer and soldier, was 
born in Orange County, Vt., in 1834; graduated 
at Thetford Academy in 1852, when he taught 
two years, meanwhile beginning the study of 
law. Removing to Coles County, 111., in 1855, he 
resumed his law studies, was admitted to the bar 
in 1858, and began practice at Hillsboro, Mont- 
gomery County. In 1862 he joined the One 
Hundred and Twenty -sixth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, with the rank of Adjutant, but the 
following year was appointed Colonel of the First 
Alabama Cavalry. Compelled to retire from the 
service on account of declining health, he re- 
turned to Cairo, 111., where he became editor of 
"The Daily News"; in 1866 was elected to the 
State Senate, serving four years ; served as Presi- 
dential Elector in 1868 ; was the Republican nomi- 
nee for Congress in 1870, and the following year 
was appointed by President Grant Supervisor of 
Internal Revenue for the District including the 
States of Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
Removing to Chicago, he began practice there in 
1875, in which he has since been engaged. He 
has been prominently connected with a number 
of important cases before the Chicago courts. 

MUXX, Sylvester W., lawyer, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born about 1818, and came from Ohio 
at thirty years of age, settling at Wilmington, 
Will Count}', afterwards removing to Joliet, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



393 



where he practiced hiw. During the War he 
served as Major of the Yates Phalanx (Thirty- 
ninth Illinois Volunteers) ; later, was State's 
Attorney for Will County and State Senator in 
the Thirty -first and Thirty-second (Jeneral 
Assemblies. Died, at Joliet, Sept. 11, 1888. He 
was a member of the Illinois State Bar Associ- 
ation from its organization. 

MURPHY, Everett J., ex-Member of Con- 
gress, was born in Nashville, III., July 24, 1852; 
in early youth removed to Sparta, where he was 
educated in the high schools of that place : at the 
age of foui-teen he became clerk in a store; in 
1877 was elected Citj' Clerk of Sparta, but the 
next year resigned to become Deputy Circuit 
Clerk at Chester, remaining until 1882, when he 
was elected Sheriff of Randolph Count}-. In 
1886 he was chosen a Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly, and, in 1889, was appointed, by 
Governor Fifer, Warden of the Southern Illinois 
Penitentiary at Chester, but retired from this 
position in 1892, and removed to East St. Louis. 
Two jears later he was elected as a Republican 
to the Fifty-fourth Congress for the Twenty-first 
District, but was defeated for re-election by a 
small majority in 1896, by Jehu Baker, Democrat 
and Populist. In 1899 3Ir. Murphy was appointed 
Warden of the State Penitentiary at Joliet, to 
succeed Col. R. W. McClaughry 

MURPHYSBORO, the county-seat of Jackson 
County, situated on the Big Muddy River and on 
main line of the Mobile & Ohio, the St. Louis 
Division of the Illinois Central, and a branch of 
the St. Louis Valley Railroaas, 52 miles north of 
Cairo and 90 miles south-southeast of St. Louis. 
Coal of a superior quality is extensively mined in 
the vicinity. The city has a foundry, machine 
shops, skewer factory, furniture factory, flour 
and saw mills, thirteen churches, four schools, 
three banks, two daily and three weekly news- 
papers, city and rural free mail delivery. Popu- 
lation (1890), 3,380; (1900), 6.463; (1903, est.), 7,500. 

MURPHYSBORO it SHAWXEETOWX RAIL. 
ROAD. (See Carbondale & Shainieetown, St. 
Louia Southern and St. Louis, Alton <& Terre 
Haute Railroads.) 

>'APERTILLE, acity of Du Page County on 
the west branch of the Du Page River and on the 
Chicago, Burlington it Quincy Railroad, 30 miles 
west-southwest of Chicago, and 9 miles east of 
Aurora. It has three banks, a weekly newspaper, 
stone quarries, couch factory, and nine churches; 
is also the seat of the Northwestern College, an 
institution founded in 1861 by the Evangelical 



Association ; the college now has a normal school 
department. Population (1890), 2,216; (1900), 2,629 

XAPLES, a town of Scott County, on the Illi- 
nois River and the Hannibal and Naples branch 
of the Wabash Railway. 21 miles west of Jackson- 
ville. Population (1890), 4.52; (1900), 398. 

XASHVILLE, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Washington County, on the Centralia & 
Chester and the Louisville & Nashville Railways; 
is 120 miles south of Springfield and .50 miles east 
by south from St. Louis. It stands in a coal- 
producing and rich agricultural region There 
aie two coal mines within the corporate limits, 
and two large flouring mills do a considerable 
business. There are numerous churches, public 
schools, including a high school, a State bank, 
and four weekly papers. Population (1880), 
2,222; (1890), 2,084; (1900), 2,184. 

N.VUYOO, a city in Hancock Countj-, at the 
head of the L<5wer Rapids on the Mississippi, 
between Fort Madison and Keokuk, Iowa. It 
was founded by the Mormons in 1840. and its 
early growth was rapid. After the expulsion of 
the "Saints" in 1846, it was settled by a colony of 
French Icarians, who introduced the culture of 
grapes on a large scale. They were a sort of 
communistic order, but their experiment did not 
prove a success, and in a few years they gave 
place to another class, the majority of the popu- 
lation now being of German extraction. The 
chief industries are agriculture and horticulture. 
Large quantities of grapes and strawberries are 
raised and shipped, and considerable native wine 
is produced. Population (1880), 1,402; (1890), 
1,208; (per census 1900), 1,321. (See also Mor- 
mons. ) 

NAVIGABLE STREAMS (by Stntnte). Fol- 
lowing the example of the French explorers, who 
chiefly followed the water-waj's in their early 
explorations, the early permanent settlers of Illi- 
nois, not only settled, to a great extent, on the 
principal stream.s. but later took especial pains to 
maintain their navigable character by statute. 
This was, of course, partly due to the absence of 
improved highways, but also to the belief that, 
as the country developed, the streams would 
become extremely valuable, if not indispensable, 
especially in the transportation of heavy conmiod- 
ities. Accordingly, for the first quarter century 
after the organization of the State Government, 
one of the questions receiving the attention of 
the Legislature, at almost every session, was the 
enactment of laws affirming the navigability of 
certain streams now regarded as of little impor- 
tance, or utterly insignificant, as channels of 



3U 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



transportation. Legislation of tliis character 
began with the first General Assemblj- (1819), 
and continued, at intervals, with reference to 
one or two of the more important interior rivers 
of the State, as late as 1867. Besides the Illinois 
and Wabash, still recognized as navigable 
streams, the following were made the subject of 
legislation of this character: Beaucoup Creek, a 
branch of the Big Muddy, in Perry and Jackson 
Counties (law of 1819); Big Bay, a tributary of 
the Ohio in Pope County (Acts of 1833); Big 
Muddy, to tlie junction of the East and West 
Forks in Jefferson County (183.5), witli various 
subsequent amendments; Big Vermilion, declared 
navigable (1831); Bon Pas, a branch of the 
Wabash, between Wabash and Edwards Coun- 
ties (1831) ; Cache River, to main fork in Johnson 
County (1819); Des Plaines, declared navigable 
(1839) ; Embarras (1831), with various subsequent 
acts in reference to improvement; Fox River, 
declared navigable to the Wisconsin line (1840), 
and Fox River Navigation Company, incorpo 
rated (185.5); Kankakee and Iroquois Navigation 
& Manufacturing Company, incorporated (1847), 
with various changes and amendments (1851-65) ; 
Kaskaskia (or Okaw), declared navigable to a 
point in Faj-ette County north of Vandalia (1819), 
with various modifying acts (1823-67) ; Macoupin 
Creek, to CarroUton and Alton road (1837); 
Piasa, declared navigable in Jersey and Madison 
Counties (1861); Rock River Navigation Com- 
pany, incorporated (1841), with subsequent acts 
(1845-67) ; Sangamon River, declared navigable 
to Third Principal Meridian — east line of Sanga- 
mon County — (1822), and the North Fork of same 
to Champaign County (1845); Sny-Carty (a bayou 
of the Mississippi), declared navigable in Pike 
and Adams Counties (1859); Spoon River, navi- 
gable to Cameron's mill in Fulton County (1835), 
with various modifying acts (1845-53); Little 
Wabash Navigation Company, incorporated 
and river declared navigable to McCawley's 
bridge — probably in Clay Coimty — (1826), with 
various subsequent acts making appropriations 
for its improvement; Skillet Fork (a branch 
of the Little Wabasli), declared navigable 
to Slocum's Mill in Marion County (1837), and 
to Ridgway Mills (1846). Other acts passed at 
various times declared a number of unim- 
portant streams navigable, including Big Creek 
in Fulton County, Crooked Creek in Schuyler 
County, Lusk's Creek in Pope County, McKee's 
Creek in Pike County. Seven Jlile Creek in Ogle 
County, besides a number of others of similar 
character. 



>'EALE, THOMAS M., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Fauquier County, Va., 1796; while yet a 
child removed with his parents to Bowling Green, 
Ky., and became a common soldier in the War of 
1812; came to Springfield. 111., in 1824, and began 
tlie practice of law ; served as Colonel of a regi- 
ment raised in Sangamon and Morgan Counties 
for the Winnebago War (1827), and afterwards as 
Surveyor of Sangamon County, appointing 
Abraham Lincoln as his deputy. He also served 
as a Justice of the Peace, for a number of years, 
at Springfield. Died, August 7, 1840. 

NEECE, William H., ex-Congressman, was 
born, Feb. 26, 1831, in what is now a part of 
Logan County, 111., but which was then within the 
limits of Sangamon ; was reared on a farm and 
attended the public schools in McDonough 
County ; studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1858, and has been ever since engaged in 
practice. His political career began in 1861, 
when he was chosen a member of the City Coun. 
cil of Macomb. In 1864 he was elected to the 
Legislature, and, in 1869, a member of the Con- 
stitutional Convention. In 1871 he was again 
elected to the lower house of the General Assem- 
bly, and. in 1878, to the State Senate. From 1883 
to 1887 he represented the Eleventh Illinois Dis- 
trict in Congress, as a Democrat, but was defeated 
for reelection in 1890 by William H. Gest, 
Republican. 

NEGROES. (See Slavery and Slave Laws.) 

>'EOGA, a village of Cumberland County, at the 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis & Western Railways, 20 miles southwest 
of Charleston; has a bank, two newspapers, some 
manufactories, and ships grain, hay, fruit and 
live-stock. Pop. (1890), 829; (1900), 1,126 

NEPONSET, a village and station on the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, in Bureau 
County, 4 miles southwest of Mendota. Popula- 
tion (1880), 652; (1890), 542; (1900), 516. 

NEW ALBANY & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. 
(See Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis (Consoli- 
dated) Railroad.) 

NEW ATHENS, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the St. Louis & Cairo "Short Line" (now Illi- 
nois Central) Railroad, at the crossing of the Kas- 
kaskia River, 31 miles southeast of St. Louis ; has 
one newspaper and considerable grain trade. 
Population (1880), 603; (1890), 624; (1900), 856. 

NEW BERLIN, a village of Sangamon County, 
on the Wabash Railwaj-. 17 miles west of Spring- 
field. Population (1880). 403; (1900), 533. 

NEWBERRY LIBRARY, a large reference li- 
brary, located in Chicago, endowed by Walter L. 



Q 





Art Institute 



Public Library. 

Armour Institute. 
PUBLIC BUILDINGS. 



Court-Houso. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



395 



Newberry, an early business man of Chicago, who 
left half of his estate (aggregating over $2,000,000) 
for the purpose. The property' bequeathed was 
largely in real estate, which has since greatl)' in- 
creased in value. The library was established in 
temporary quarters in 1887, and the first section 
of a permanent building was opened in the 
autumn of 1893. By that time there had been 
accumulated about 160.000 books and pamphlets. 
A collection of nearly fifty portraits — chiefly of 
eminent Americans, including many citizens of 
Chicago — was presented to the library by G. P. A. 
Healy, a distinguished artist, since deceased. 
The site of the building occupies an entire block, 
and the original design contemplates a handsome 
front on each of the four streets, with a large 
rectangular court in the center. The section 
already completed is massive and imposing, and 
its interior is admirably adapted to the purposes 
of a library, and at the same time rich and 
beautiful. When completed, the building will 
have a capacity for four to six million vokimes. 

JiEWBERRT, Walter C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Sangerfield, Oneida County, X. Y., Dec. 
23, 183.5. Early in the Civil War he enlisted as a 
private, and rose, step by step, to a colonelcy, and 
was mustered out as Brevet Brigadier-General. 
In 1890 he was elected, as a Democrat, to represent 
the Fourth Illinois District in the Fifty-second 
Congress (1891-93). His home is in Chicago. 

NEWBERRY, Walter L., merchant, banker and 
philanthroiiist, was born at East Windsor, Conn., 
Sept. 18, 1804, descended from English ancestry. 
He was President Jackson's personal appointee 
to the United States Military Acadenij' at West 
Point, but was prevented from taking the exami- 
nation by sickness. Subsequently he embarked in 
business at Buffalo, N. Y., going to Detroit in 
1828, and settling at Chicago in 1833. After 
engaging in general merchandising for several 
years, he turned his attention to banking, in 
which he accumulated a large fortune. He was 
a prominent and influential citizen, serving 
.several terms as President of the Board of Edu- 
cation, and being, for six years, the President of 
the Chicago Historical Society. He died at sea, 
Nov. 6, 1868, leaving a large estate, one-half of 
which he devoted, by will, to the founding of a 
free reference library in Chicago. (See Newberry 
Library. ) 

XEW BOSTON, a city of Mercer County, on 
the Mississippi River, at the western terminus of 
the Galva and New Boston Division of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railway. Population 
(1890), 44.5; (1900), 703. 



NEW BRIGHTON, a village of St. Clair County 
and suburb of East St. Louis. Population (1890), 
868. 

NEW BURNSIDE, a village of Johnson County, 
on the Cairo Division of the Cleveland, Cincin- 
nati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, .53 miles 
northeast of Cairo. Population (1880), 650; 
(1890), 596; (1900), 468. 

NEW DOUGLAS, a village in Madison County, 
on the Toledo, St. Louis & Western Railroad ; in 
farming and fruit-growing region ; has coal mine, 
flour mill and newspaper. Population (1900), 469. 

NEWELL, John, Railway President, was born 
at West Newbury, Mass., Marcli 31, 1830, being 
directly descended from "Pilgrim" stock. At 
the age of 16 he entered the employment of the 
Cheshire Railroad in New Hampshire. Eighteen 
months later he was appointed an assistant engi- 
neer on the Vermont Central Railroad, and placed 
in charge of the construction of a 10-mile section 
of the line. His promotion was rapid, and, in 
1850, he accepted a responsible position on the 
Champlain & St. Lawrence Railroad. From 1850 
to 1856 he was engaged in making surveys for 
roads in Kentucky and New York, and, during 
the latter year, held the position of engineer of 
the Cairo City Company, of Cairo, 111. In 1857 he 
entered the service of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road Company, as Division Engineer, where his 
remarkable success attracted the attention of the 
owners of the old Winona & St. Peter Railr oad 
(now a part of the Chicago & Northwestern 
system), who tendered him the presidency. This 
he accepted, but, in 1864, was made President of 
the Cleveland & Toledo Railroad. Four years 
later, he accepted the position of General Superin- 
tendent and Chief Engineer of the New York 
Central Railroad, but resigned, in 1869, to become 
Vice-President of the Illinois Central Railroad. 
In 1871 he was elevated to the presidency, but 
retired in September, 1874, to accept the position 
of General Manager of the Lake Shore &• Michigan 
Southern Railroad, of which he was elected 
President, in May, 1883, and continued in office 
until the time of his death, which occurred at 
Youngstown, Ohio, August 25, 1894. 

NEWHALL, (Dr.) Horatio, early phy.sician 
and newspaper publisher, came from St. IjOuis, 
Mo., to Galena, 111., in 1837, and engaged in min- 
ing and smelting, but abandoned this business, 
the following year, for the practice of his profes- 
sion ; soon afterward became interested in the 
publication of "The Miners' Journal," and still 
later in "The Galena Advertiser," with which 
Hooper Warren and Dr. Philleo were associated. 



396 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1830 he became a Surgeon in the United States 
Army, and was stationed at Fort Winnebago. 
but retired from the service, in 1832, and returned 
to Galena. When the Black Hawk War broke 
out he volunteered his services, and, by order of 
General Scott, was placed in charge of a military 
hospital at Galena, of which he had control until 
the close of the war. The difficulties of the posi- 
tion were increased by the appearance of the 
Asiatic cholera among the troops, but he seems 
to have discharged his duties with satisfaction 
to the military authorities. He enjoyed a wide 
reputation for professional ability, and had an 
extensive practice. Died, Sept. 19, 1870. 

NEWMAN, a village of Douglas County, on the 
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway. '>i miles 
east of Decatur; has a bank, a newspaper, can- 
ning factory, broom factory, electiic lights, and 
large trade in agricultural products and live- 
stock. Population (1890), 990; (1900), 1,166. 

NEWSPAPERS, EARLY. The first newspaper 
published in the Northwest Territory, of which 
the present State of Illinois, at the time, com- 
posed a part, was "TheCentinel of the Northwest 
Territory," established at Cincinnati by W^illiam 
Maxwell, the first issue appearing in November, 
1793. This was also the first newspaper published 
west of the Allegheny Mountains. In 1796 it was 
sold to Edmund Freeman and assumed the name 
of "Freeman's Journal." Nathaniel Willis 
(grandfather of N. P. Willis, the poet) estab- 
lished "The Scioto Gazette," at Chillicothe. in 
1790. "The Western Spy and Hamilton Gazette" 
was the third paper in Northwest Territory (also 
within the limits of Ohio), founded in 1799. 
Willis's paper became the organ of the Terri- 
torial Government on the removal of the capital 
to Chillicothe, in 1800. 

The first newspaper in Indiana Territory (then 
including Illinois) was established by Elihu Stout 
at Vincennes, beginning publication, July 4, 1804. 
It took the name of ' 'The W^estern Sim and Gen- 
eral Advertiser," but is now known as "The 
Western Sun," having had a continuous exist- 
ence for ninety-five 5'ears. 

The first newspaper published in Illinois Terri- 
torj- was "The Illinois Herald," but. owing to the 
absence of early files and other specific records, 
the date of its establishment has been involved 
in some doubt. Its founder was Matthew Dun- 
can (a brother of Josepli Duncan, who was after- 
wards a member of Congress and Governor of the 
State from 1834 to 1838), and its place of pub- 
lication Kaskaskia. at that time the Territorial 
capital. Duncan, who was a native of Kentucky, 



brought a press and a primitive printer's outfit 
with him from that State. Gov, John Reynolds, 
who came as a boy to the "Illinois Country" in 
1800, while it was still a part of the "Northwest 
Territory," in his "Pioneer History of Illinois," 
lias fixed the date of the first issue of this 
paper in 1809, the same year in which Illinois 
was severed from Indiana Territory and placed 
under a separate Territorial Government, There 
is good reason, however, for believing that the 
Governor was mistaken in this statement. If 
Duncan brought his press to Illinois in 1809 — 
which is probable — it does not seem to have been 
employed at once in the publication of a news- 
paper, as Hooper Warren (the founder of the 
third paper established in Illinois) says it "was 
for years only used for the public printing." 
The earliest issue of "The Illinois Herald" known 
to be in existence, is No. 32 of Vol. II, and bears 
date, April 18, 1816. Calculating from these 
data, if the paper was issued continuously from 
its establishment, the date of the first issue would 
have been Sept. 6, 1814. Corroborative evidence 
of this is found in the fact that "The Missouri 
Gazette," the ori.ginal of the old "Missouri Repub- 
lican" (now "The St. Louis Republic"), which 
was established in 1808, makes no mention of the 
Kaskaskia paper before 1814, although communi- 
cation between Kaskaskia and St. Louis was 
most intimate, and these two were, for several 
years, the only papers published west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind. 

In August, 1817, "The -Herald" was sold to 
Daniel P. Cook and Robert Blackvvell, and the 
name of the paper was changed to "The Illinois 
Intelligencer." Cook — who had previously been 
Auditor of Public Accounts for the Territory, and 
afterwards became a Territorial Circuit Judge, 
the first Attorney-General under the new State 
Government, and. for eight years, served as the 
only Representative in Congress from Illinois — 
for a time officiated as editor of "The Intelli- 
gencer," while Blackwell (who had succeeded 
to the Auditorship) had charge of the publication. 
The size of the paper, which had been four pages 
of three wide columns to the page, was increased, 
by the new publishers, to four columns to the 
page. On the removal of the State capital to 
Vandalia, in 1820, "The Intelligencer" was 
removed thither also, and continued under its 
later name, afterwards becoming, after a change 
of management, an opponent of the scheme for 
the calling of a State Convention to revise the 
State Constitvition with a view to m.aking Illinois 
a slave State. (See Slavery and Slave Lairs.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



397 



The second paper established on Illinois soil 
was "The Shawnee Chief," which began publica- 
tion at Shawneetown, Sept. o, 1818. with Henry 
Eddy — who afterwards became a prominent law- 
yer of Southern Illinois — as its editor. The name 
of "The Chief" was soon afterwards changed to 
"The Illinois Emigrant, ' and some years later, 
became "The Shawneetown Gazette." Among 
others who were associated with the Shawnee- 
town paper, in early days, was James Hall, after- 
wards a Circuit Judge and State Treasurer, and, 
without doubt, the most prolific and popular 
writer of his day in Illinois. Later, he estab- 
lished "The Illinois Magazine" at Vandalia, sub- 
sequently removed to Cincinnati, and issued under 
the name of "The Western Monthlj- Magazine." 
He was also a frequent contributor to other maga- 
zines of that period, and author of several vol- 
umes, including "Legends of the West" and 
"Border Tales." During the contest over the 
slavery question, in 1823-24, "The Gazette" 
rendered valuable service to the anti-slavery 
party by the publication of articles in opposition 
to the Convention scheme, from the pen of Morris 
Birkbeck and others. 

The third Illinois paper— and, in 1823-24, the 
strongest and most influential opponent of the 
scheme for establishing slavery in Illinois — was 
"The Ed wardsville Spectator," which began pub 
lication at Edwardsville, Madison County, May 
23, 1819. Hooper Warren was the publisher and 
responsible editor, though lie received valuable 
aid from the pens of Governor Coles. George 
Churchill, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge 
Samuel D. Lockwood, Slorris Birkbeck and 
others. (See Warren, Hooper.) Warren sold 
"The Spectator" to Rev. Thomas Lippincott in 
1825, and was afterwards associated with papers 
at Springfield, Galena, Chicago and elsewhere. 

The agitation of the slavery question (in part, 
at least) led to the establishment of two new 
papers in 1822. The first of these was "The 
Republican Advocate." which began publication 
at Kaskaskia, in April of that year, under the 
management of Elias Kent Kane, then an aspir- 
ant to the United States Senatorship. After his 
election to that office in 1824, "The Advocate" 
passed into the hands of Robert K. Fleming, who, 
after a period of suspension, established "The 
Kaskaskia Recorder." but, a year or two later, 
removed to Vandalia. "Tlie Star of the West" 
was established at Edwanlsville, as an opponent 
of Warren's "Spectator." the tir.st issue making 
its appearance. Sept. 14, 1822, with Theophilus W. 
Smith, afterwards a Justice of the Supreme 



Court, as its reputed editor. A few months later 
it passed into new hands, and, in August, 1823, 
assumed the name of "The Illinoi.s Republican." 
Both "The Republican Advocate" and "The 
Illinois Republican" were zealous organs of the 
pro-slavery partj'. 

With the settlement of the slavery question in 
Illinois, by the election of 1824, Illinois journal- 
ism may be said to have entered upon a new era. 
At the close of this first period there were only 
five papers published in the State — all established 
within a period of ten years; and one of these 
("The Illinois Republican," at Edwardsville) 
promptly ceased publication on the settlement of 
the slavery question in opposition to the views 
which it had advocated. The next period of fif- 
teen years (1825-40) was prolific in the establish- 
ment of new newspaper ventures, as might be 
expected from the rapid increase of the State in 
population, and the development in t)ie art of 
printing during the same period. "The Western 
Sun," established at Belleville (according to one 
report, in December, 1825, and according to 
another, in the winter of 1827-28) by Dr. Joseph 
Green, appears to have been the first paper pub- 
lished in St. Clair Count}'. This was followed 
by "The Pioneer," begun, April 25, 1829, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, with the indomitable 
Dr. John M. Peck, author of "Peck's Gazetteer," 
as its editor. It was removed in 183G to L'pper 
Alton, when it took the name of "Tlie Western 
Pioneer and Baptist Banner."' Previous to this, 
however. Hooper Warren, having come into pos- 
session of the material upon which he had printed 
"The Edwardsville Spectator," removed it to 
Springfield, and, in the winter of 182(!-27, began 
the publication of the first paper at the present 
State capital, which he named "The Sangamo 
Gazette." It had but a brief existence. During 
1830, George Forquer, then Attorney-General of 
the State, in conjunction with his half-brother, 
Thomas Ford (afterwards Governor), was engaged 
in the publication of a paper called "The Cour- 
ier," at Springfield, which was continued only a 
short time. The earliest paper north of Spring- 
field appears to have been "The Hennepin Jour- 
nal." which began publication, Sept. 15, 1827. 
"The Sangamo Journal" — now "The Illinois 
State Journal," and the oldest paper of continu- 
ous existence in the State — was established at 
Springfield by Simeon and Josiah Francis (cous- 
ins from Connecticut), the first issue bearing 
date, Nov. 10, 1831. Before the close of the same 
year James G. Edwards, afterwards the founder 
of "The Burlington (Iowa) Hawkeye," began the 



398 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



publication of "The Illinois Patriot" at Jackson- 
ville. Another paper, established the same year, 
was "The Gazette" at Vandalia, then the State 
capital. (See Forquer, George; Ford, Thomas: 
Francis, Simeon.) 

At this early date the development of the lead 
mines about Galena had made that place a center 
of great business activity. On July 8, 1828, 
James Jones commenced the issue of "The 
Miners" Journal, " the first paper at Galena. Jones 
died of cholera in 1833, and his paper passed into 
other hands. July 20, 1829, "The Galena Adver- 
tiser and Upper Mississippi Herald" began pub- 
lication, with Drs. Horatio Newhall and AddLson 
Philleo as editors, and Hooper Warren as pub- 
lisher, but appears to have been discontinued 
before the expiration of its first year. "The 
Galenian" was established as a Democratic paper 
by Philleo, in May, 1832, but ceased publication in 
September, 1836. "The Northwestern Gazette 
and Galena Advertiser, " founded in November, 
1834, by Loring and Bartlett (the last named 
afterwards one of the founders of "The Quincy 
Whig"), has had a continuous existence, being 
now known as "The Galena Advertiser." Benja- 
min Jlills, one of the most brilliant lawyers of 
his time, was editor of this paper during a part 
of the first 3'ear of its publication. 

Robert K. Fleming, who has already been 
mentioned as the successor of Elias Kent Kane 
in the publication of "The Republican Advocate," 
at Kaskaskia, later published a paper for a short 
time at Vandalia, but, in 1827, removed his 
establishment to Edwardsville, where he began 
the publication of "The Corrector." The latter 
was continued a little over a year, when it was 
suspended. He then resumed the publication of 
"The Recorder" at Kaskaskia. In December, 
1833, he removed to Belleville and began the pub- 
lication of "The St. Clair Gazette," which after- 
wards passed, through various changes of owners, 
under the names of "The St. Clair Mercury" and 
■■Rei>resentative and Gazette." This was suc- 
ceeded, in 1839, by "The Belleville Advocate," 
which has been published continuously to the 
present time. 

Samuel S. Brooks (the father of Austin Brooks, 
afterwards of "Tlie Quincy Herald") at differ- 
ent times published papers at various points 
in the State. His first enterprise was "The 
Crisis" at Edwardsville, which he changed 
to "The Illinois Advocate," and, at the close 
of his first year, sold out to Judge John 
York Sawyer, who united it with "The Western 
Plowboy," which he had established a few 



months previous. "The Advocate" was removed 
to Vandalia, and, on the death of the owner (who 
had been appointed State Printer), was consoli- 
dated with "The Illinois Register," which had 
been established in 1836. The new paper took the 
name of "The Illinois Register and People's 
Advocate," in 1839 was removed to Springfield, 
and is now known as "The Illinois State Regis- 
ter." 

Other papers established between 1830 and 1840 
include: "The Vandalia Whig" (1831); "The 
Alton Spectator," the first paper published in 
Alton (January, 1834); "The Chicago Demo- 
crat," by John Calhoun (Nov. 36, 1833); "The 
Beardstown Chronicle and Illinois Bounty Land 
Advertiser," by Francis A. Arenz (July 29, 1833) ; 
"The Alton American" (1833); "The White 
County News," at Carmi (1833); "The Danville 
Enquirer" (1833); "The Illinois Champion," at 
Peoria (1834); "The Mount Carmel Sentinel and 
Wabash Advocate" (1834); "The Illinois State 
Gazette and Jacksonville News," at Jacksonville 
(1835); "The Illinois Argus and Bounty Land 
Register," at Quincy (183.5); "The Rushville 
Journal and Military Tract Advertiser" (1835); 
"The Alton Telegraph" (1836); "The Alton 
Observer" (1836); "The Carthaginian," at Car- 
thage (1836) ; "The Bloomington Observer" (1837) ; 
"The Backwoodsman," founded by Prof. John 
Russell, at Grafton, and the first paper published 
in Greene County (1837); "The Quincy Whig" 
(1838) ; "The Illinois Statesman," at Paris, Edgar 
County (1838); "The Peoria Register" (1838). 
The second paper to be established in Chicago 
was "The Chicago American," whose initial 
number was issued, June 8, 1835, with Thomas O. 
Davis as proprietor and editor. In July, 1837, it 
passed into the hands of William Stuart & Co. , 
and, on April 9, 1839, its publishers began the 
issue of the first daily ever published in Chicago. 
"The Chicago Express" succeeded "The Ameri- 
can" in 1842, and, in 1844, became the forerunner 
of "The Chicago Journal." The third Chicago 
paper was "The Commercial Advertiser," 
founded by Hooper Warren, in 1836. It lived 
only about a year. Zebina Eastman, who was 
afterwards associated with Warren, and became 
one of the most influential journalistic opponents 
of slavery, arrived in the State in 1839, and, in 
the latter part of that year, was associated with 
the celebrated Abolitionist, Benjamin Lundy, in 
the preliminary steps for the issue of "The 
Genius of L^niversal Emancipation." projected 
by lAmdy at Lowell, in La Salle County. Lundy 's 
untimely death, in August, 1839, however, pre- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



399 



venteJ him from seeing the consummation of his 
plan, although Eastman lived to carry it out in 
part. A paper whose career, although extending 
only a little over one year, marked an era in Illi- 
nois journalism, was "The Alton Observer," its 
history closing with the assassination of its 
editor, Rev. Elijah P. Lovejoy, on the night of 
Nov. 8, 1837, while xinsuccessfully attempting to 
protect his press from destruction, for the fourth 
time, by a pro-slavery mob. Humiliating as was 
this crime to every law-abiding Illinoisan, it 
undoubtedly strengthened the cause of free 
speech and assisted in hastening the downfall of 
the institution in whose behalf it was committed. 
That the development in the field of journal- 
ism, within the past sixty years, has more than 
kept pace with the growth in population, is 
shown by the fact that there is not a county in 
the State without its newspaper, while every 
town of a few hundred population has either one 
or more. According to statistics for 1898, there 
were 605 cities and towns in the State having 
periodical publications of some sort, making a 
total of 1,709, of which 174 were issued daily, 31 
semi-weekly, 1,20.5 weekly, 28 semi-monthly, 238 
monthly, and the remainder at various periods 
ranging from tri-weekly to eight times a year. 

NEWTOX, the county-seat of Jasper County, 
situated on the Embarras River, at the intersec- 
tion of subsidiary lines of the Illinois Central 
Railroad from Peoria and Effingham; is an in- 
corporated city, was settled in 1828, and made the 
county-seat in 1836. Agriculture, coal-mining 
and dairy farming are the principal pursuits in 
the surrounding region. The city has water- 
power, which is utilized to some extent in manu- 
facturing, but most of its factories are operated 
by steam. Among these establishments are flour 
and saw mills, and grain elevators. Tliere are a 
half-dozen churches, a good public school system, 
including parochial school and high school, 
besides two banks and three weekly papers. 
Population (1890). 1,428; (1900), 1,630. 

NEW YORK, CHICAGO & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
WAY (Mckel Plate), a line 522.47 miles in length. 
of which (1898) onlj- 9.96 miles are operated in 
Illinois. It owns no track in Illinois, but uses 
the track of the Chicago & State Line Railroad 
(9.96 miles in length), of which it has financial 
control, to enter the city of Chicago. The total 
capitalization of the New York, Chicago & St. 
Louis, in 1898, is 850.222,568, of which $19,425,000 
is in bonds. — (History.) The New York, Chi- 
cago & St. Louis Railroad was incorporated under 
the laws of New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, 



Indiana and Illinois in 1881, construction begun 
immediately, and the road put in operation in 
1882. In 1885 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1887, and 
reorganized bj' the consolidation of various east- 
ern lines with the Fort Wayne & Illinois Railroad, 
forming the line under its present name. The 
road between Buffalo, N. Y., and the west line of 
Indiana is owned by the Company, but, for its 
line in Illinois, it uses the track of the Chicago & 
State Line Railroad, of wliich it is the lessee, as 
well as the owner of its capital stock. The main 
line of the "Nickel Plate" is controlled by the 
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway, which 
owns more than half of both the preferred and 
common stock. 

NIANTIC, a town in Macon County, on the 
Wabash Railway, 27 miles east of Springfield. 
Agriculture is the leading industry. The town 
hsis three elevators, three churches, school, coal 
mine, a newspaper and a bank. Pop. (1900), 654. 
NICOLAY, John George, author, was born in 
Essingen, Bavaria, Feb. 26. 1832 ; at 6 years of age 
was brought to the United States, lived for a 
time in Cincinnati, "attending the public schools 
there, and then came to Illinois ; at 16 entered the 
office of "The Pike County Free Press" at Pitts- 
field, and, while still in his minority, became 
editor and proprietor of the paper. In 1857 he 
became Assistant Secretary of State under O. M. 
Hatch, the first Republican Secretary, but during 
Mr. Lincoln's candidacy for President, in 1860, 
aided him as private secretary, also acting as a 
correspondent of "The St. Louis Democrat." 
After the election he was formally selected by 
5Ir. Lincoln as his private secretary, accompany- 
ing him to Washington and remaining until Mr. 
Lincoln's assassination. In 1865 he was appointed 
United States Consul at Paris, remaining until 
1869; on his return for some time edited "The 
Chicago Republican"; was also Marshal of the 
United States Supreme Court in Washington 
from 1872 to 1887. Mr. Nicolay is author, in col- 
laboration with John Hay, of "Abraham Lincoln: 
A History," first published serially in "The Cen- 
tury Magazine,'' and later issued in ten volumes; 
of "The Outbreak of the Rebellion" in "Cam- 
paigns of the Civil War," besides numerous maga- 
zine articles. He lives in Washington, D. C. 

NICOLET, Jean, early French explorer, came 
from Cherbourg, France, in 1618, and, for several 
years, lived among the Algonquins, whcse lan- 
guage he learned and for whom he acted as 
interpreter. On July 4, 1634, he discovered Lake 
Michigan, then called the "Lake of the Illinois," 



400 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and visited the Chippewas, Menominees and 
Winnebagoes, in the region about Green Bay, 
among whom he was received kindly. From the 
Masooutins, on the Fox River (of Wisconsin), he 
learned of the Illinois Indians, some of whose 
northern villages he also visited. He subse- 
quently returned to Quebec, where he was 
drowned, in October, 1642. He was probably the 
first Caucasian to visit Wisconsin and Illinois. 

NILES, Xathaniel, lawyer, editor and soldier, 
born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y., Feb. 4. 
1817; attended an academy at Albany, from 1830 
to '34, was licensed to practice law and removed 
west in 1837, residing successively at Delphi and 
Frankfort, Ind., and at Owensburg, Ky., until 
1S43, when he settled in Belleville, 111. In 184« 
he was commissioned a First Lieutenant in the 
Second Regiment Illinois Volunteers (Colonel 
Bissell's) for the Mexican War, but, after the 
battle of Buena Vista, was promoted by General 
Wool to the captaincy of an independent com- 
pany of Texas foot. He was elected Chief Clerk 
of the House of Representatives at the session of 
1849, and the same year was cliosen County 
Judge of St. Clair County, Serving until 1861. 
With the exception of brief periods from 1851 to 
'59, he was editor and part owner of "The Belle- 
ville Advocate," a paper originallj' Democratic, 
but which became Republican on tlie organiza- 
tion of the Republican party. In 1861 he was 
appointed Colonel of the Fifty-fourth Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, but the completion of its 
organization having been delayed, he resigned, 
and, the following year, M-as commissioned Colo- 
nel of the One Hundred and Thirtieth, serving 
until Maj', 1864, when he resigned — in March, 
1865, receiving the compliment of a brevet Briga- 
dier-Generalship. During the winter of 1862 63 
he was in command at Jlemphis. but later took 
part in the Vicksburg campaign, and in the cam- 
paigns on Red River and Bayou Teche. After 
the war he served as Representative in the 
General Assembly from St. Clair County (1865-66) ; 
as Trustee of the Institution for the Deaf and 
Dumb at Jacksonville: on the Commission for 
building the State Penitentiary at Joliet, and as 
Commissioner (by appointment of Governor 
Ogle.sby) for locating the Soldiers' Orphans' 
Home. His later years have been spent chiefly 
in the practice of his profession, with occasional 
excursions into journalism. Originally an anti- 
slavery Democrat, he became one of the founders 
of the Republican party in Southern Illinois. 

NIXOX, William Penn, journalist, Collector of 
Dustoms, was born in Wayne County, Ind., of 



North Carolina and Quaker ancestry, early in 
1832. In 1858 he graduated from Farmers" (now 
Belmont) College, near Cincinnati, Ohio. After 
devoting two years to teaching, he entered the 
law department of the University or Pennsyl- 
vania (1855), graduating in 18.59. For nine years 
thereafter he practiced law at Cincinnati, during 
which period he was thrice elected to the Ohio 
Legislature. In 1868 he embarked in journalism, 
he and his older brother. Dr. O. W. Nixon, with 
a few friends, founding "The Cincinnati Chron- 
icle." A few years later "The Times" was pur- 
chased, and the two papers were consolidated 
under the name of "The Times-Chronicle." In 
May, 1872, having disposed of his interests in 
Cincinnati, he assumed the business manage- 
ment of "The Chicago Inter Ocean," then a new 
venture and struggling for a foothold. In 1875 
he and his brother. Dr. O. W. Nixon, secured a 
controlling interest in the paper, when the 
former assumed the position of editor-in-chief, 
which he continued to occupy until 1897, when 
he was appointed Collector of Customs for the 
City of Cliicago — a position which he now holds. 

NOKOMIS, a city of Montgomery County, on 
the "Big Four" main line and " 'Frisco" Rail- 
roads, 81 miles east by north from .St. Louis and 
52 miles west of Mattoon; in important grain- 
growing and hay -producing section; has water- 
works, electric lights, three flour mills, two 
machine shops, wagon factory, creamery, seven 
churclies, higli school, two banks and three 
papers; is noted for shipments of poultry, butter 
and eggs. Population (1890), 1,305; (1900), 1,371. 

NOKMAL, a city in McLean County, 2 miles 
north of Bloomington and 134 southwest of Chi- 
cago; at intersecting point of the Chicago & 
Alton and the Illinois Central Railroads. It lies 
in a rich coal and agricultural region, and has 
extensive fruit-tree nurseries, two canning fac- 
tories, one bank, hospital, and four periodicals. 
It is the seat of tlie Soldiers' Orphans' Home. 
founded in 1869, and the Illinois State Normal 
University, founded in 18.57; has cit}' and rural 
mail deliverv. Pop. (1890). 3,459; (1900), 3,79.5. 

NORMAL UNIVERSITIES. (See Southern 
Illinois Normal Z'nircrsity; State JVormal Uni- 
I'ersity. ) 

NORTH ALTOX, a village of Madison County 
and suburb of the city of Alton. Population 
(1880), 8.38; (1890), 762; (1900), 904. 

NORTHCOTT, William A., Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Jan. 28, 
1854 — the son of Gen. R. S. Northcott, whose 
loyalty to the Union, at the beginning of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



401 



Rebellion, compelled him to leave his Southern 
home and seek safety for himself and family in 
the North. He went to West Virginia, was com- 
missioned Colonel of a regiment and served 
through the war, being for some nine months a 
prisoner in Libby Prison. After acquiring his 
literary education in the public schools, the 
younger Northcott spent some time in the Naval 
Academy at Annapolis, Md., after which he was 
engaged in teaching. Meanwhile, he was prepar- 
ing for the practice of law and was admitted to 
the bar in 1877, two years later coming to Green- 
ville, Bond County, 111., which has since been his 
home. In 1880, by appointment of President 
Hayes, he served as Supervisor of the Census for 
the Seventh District ; in 1882 was elected State's 
Attorney for Bond County and re-electe"d suc- 
cessively in "84 and "88; in 1890 was appointed on 
the Board of Visitors to the United States Naval 
Academy, and, by selection of the Board, 
delivered the annual address to the graduating 
class of that year. In 1S92 he was the Repub- 
lican nominee for Congress for the Eighteenth Dis- 
trict, but was defeated in the general landslide of 
that year. In 1896 he was more fortunate, being 
elected Lieutenant-Governor by the vote of the 
State, receiving a plurality of over 137,000 over 
his Democratic opponent. 

NORTH PEORIA, formerly a .suburban village 
in Peoria County. 2 miles north of the city of 
Peoria; annexed to tlie citv of Peoria in 1900. 

NORTHERN BOUNDARY QUESTION, THE. 
The Ordinance of 17S7, making the first specific 
provision, by Congress, for the government of the 
country lying northwest of the Ohio River and 
east of the Mississippi '^known as the Northwest 
Territory), provided, among other things (Art. 
v., Ordinance 1787), that "there shall be formed 
in the said Territory not less than three nor more 
than five States." It then proceeds to fix the 
boundaries of the proposed States, on the assump- 
tion that tliere shall be tliree in number, adding 
thereto the following proviso: "Provided, how- 
ever, and it is further understood and declared, 
that the boundaries of these three States shall be 
subject so far to be altered that, if Congress shall 
hereafter find it expedient, they shall have 
authority to form one or two States in that part 
of the said Territory which lies north of an east 
and west line drawn through the southerly bend 
or extreme of Lake Michigan." On the basis of 
this provision it has been claimed that the north- 
em boundaries of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio 
should have been on the exact latitude of the 
southern limit of Lake Slichigan, and that the 



failure to establish this boundarj' was a violation 
of the Ordinance, inasmuch as the fourteenth sec- 
tion of the preamble thereto declares that "the 
following articles shall be considered as articles 
of compact between the original States and the 
people and States in the said Territory, and for- 
ever remain unalterable, unless by common con- 
sent."— In the limited state of geographical 
knowledge, existing at the time of the adoption of 
the Ordinance, there seems to have been con- 
siderable difference of opinion as to the latitude 
of the southern limit of Lake Michigan. The 
map of Mitchell (17.").5) had placed it on tlie paral- 
lel of 42' 20', while that of Thomas Hutchins 
(1778) fixed it at 41' 37'. It was oflScially estab- 
lished by Government survey, in 1835, at 41 37' 
07.9". As a matter of fact, the northern bound- 
ary of neither of the three States named was finally 
fixed on the line mentioned in the proviso above 
quoted from the Ordinance — that of Ohio, where 
it meets the shore of Lake Erie, being a little 
north of 41° 44'; that of Indiana at 41° 46' (some 
10 miles north of the southern bend of the lake), 
and that of Illinois at 42° 30'— about 61 miles 
north of the same line. The boundary line 
between Ohio and Michigan was settled after a 
bitter controversy, on the admission of the latter 
State into the Union, in 1837, in the acceptance 
by her of certain conditions proposed by Congress. 
These included the annexation to Michigan of 
what is known as the "Upper Peninsula," 
lying between Lakes Michigan and Superior, 
in lieu of a strip averaging six miles on her 
southern border, which she demanded from 
Ohio. — The establishment of the northern bound- 
ary of Illinois, in 1818, upon the line which now 
exists, is universally conceded to have been due 
to the action of Judge Nathaniel Pope, then the 
Delegate in Congress from Illinois Territory. 
While it was then acquiesced in without ques- 
tion, it has since been the subject of considerable 
controvers}- and has been followed by almost 
incalculable results. The "enabling act," as 
originally introduced early in 1818, empowering 
the people of Illinois Territory to form a State 
Government, fixed the northern boundary of the 
proposed State at 41° 39', then the supposed lati- 
tude of the southern extremity of Lake Michigan. 
While the act was under consideration in Com- 
mittee of the Whole, Mr. Pope offered an amend- 
ment advancing the northern boundary to 42° 
30'. The object of his amendment (as he ex- 
plained) was to gain for the new State a coast 
line on Lake Michigan, bringing it into political 
and commercial relations with the States east of 



402 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



it — Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York — 
thus "affording additional security to the per- 
petuity of the Union." He argued tliat the 
location of tlie State between the Mississippi, 
Wabash and Ohio Rivers — all flowing to the 
south — would bring it in intimate communica- 
tion with the Southern States, and that, in the 
event of an attempted disruption of the Union, it 
was important that it should be identified with 
the commerce of the Lakes, instead of being left 
entireh' to the waters of the south-flowing 
rivers. "Tims, '" said he, "a rival interest would be 
created to check the wish for a Western or South- 
ern Confederacy. Her interests would thus be 
balanced and her inclinations turned to the 
North." He recognized Illinois as already "the 
key to the West," and he evidently foresaw that 
the time might come when it would be the Key- 
stone of the Union. While this evinced wonder- 
ful foresight, scarcely less convincing was his 
argument that, in time, a commercial emporium 
would grow up upon Lake Michigan, which would 
demand an outlet by means of a canal to the Illi- 
nois River — a work which was realized in the 
completion of the Illinois & Slichigan Canal 
thirty years later, but which would scarcely have 
been accomplished had the State been practically 
cut off from the Lake and its chief emporium 
left to grow up in another commonwealth, or not 
at all. Judge Pope's amendment was accepted 
without division, and, in this form, a few days 
later, the bill became a law. — The almost super- 
human sagacity exhibited in Judge Pope's argu- 
ment, has been repeatedly illustrated in the 
commercial and political history of the State 
since, but never more significantly than in the 
commanding position which Illinois occupied 
during the late Civil War, with one of its citi- 
zens in the Presidential chair and another leading 
its 250,000 citizen soldiery and the armies of the 
Union in battling for the perpetuity of the 
Republic— a position which more than fulfilled 
every prediction made for it. — The territory 
affected by this settlement of the northern 
boundary, includes all that part of the State 
north of the northern line of La Salle County, 
and embraces the greater portion of the fourteen 
counties of Cook, Dupage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, 
■Boone. DeKalb, Lee, Ogle, Winnebago, Stephen- 
son. Jo Daviess, Carroll and Whiteside, with por- 
tions of Kendall, Will and Rock Island— estimated 
at 8.. 500 square miles, or more than one-seventh 
of the present area of the State. It has been 
argued that this territory belonged to the State 
of Wisconsin under the provisions of the Ordi- 



nance of 1787, and there were repeated attempts 
made, on the part of the Wisconsin Legislature 
and its Territorial Governor (Doty), between 1839 
and 1843, to induce the people of these counties to 
recognize this claim. These were, in a few 
instances, partially successful, although no official 
notice was taken of them by the authorities of Illi- 
nois. The reply made to the Wisconsin claim by 
Governor Ford — who wrote his "History of Illi- 
nois" when the subject was fresh in the public 
mind— was that, while the Ordinance of 1787 
gave Congress power to organize a State north of 
the parallel running through the southern bend 
of Lake Michigan, "there is nothing in the Ordi- 
nance requiring such additional State to be 
organized of the territory nortli of that line." In 
other 'words, that, when Congress, in 1818, 
authorized the organization of an additional 
State north of and in (i. e., within) the line 
named, it did not violate the Ordinance of 1787, 
but acted in accordance with it — in practically 
assuming that the new State "need not neces- 
sarily include the whole of the region north of 
that line. " The question was set at rest by W^is- 
consin herself in the action of her Constitutional 
Convention of 1847-48, in framing her first con- 
stitution, in form recognizing the northern 
boundary of Illinois as fixed by the enabling act 
of 1818. " 

NORTHERIV HOSPITAL FOB THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of the insane, 
created b}' Act of the Legislature, approved, April 
16, 1869. The Commissioners appointed by Gov- 
ernor Palmer to fix its location consisted of 
August Adams, B. F. Shaw, W. R. Brown, M. L. 
Joslyn, D. S. Hammond and William Adams. 
After considering man)' offers and examining 
numerous sites, the Commissioners finally selected 
the Chisholm farm, consisting of about 155 acres, 
l',4 miles from Elgin, on the west side of Fox 
River, and overlooking that stream, as a site — 
this having been tendered as a donation by the 
citizens of Elgin. Plans were adopted in the 
latter part of 1869, the system of construction 
chosen conforming, in the main, to that of the 
United States Hospital for the Insane at Wash- 
ington, D. C. By January, 1872, the north wing 
and rear building were so far advanced as to per- 
mit the reception of sixty patients. The center 
building was ready for occupancy in April, 1873, 
and the south wing before the end of the follow- 
ing year. The total expenditures previous to 
1876 had exceeded $637,000, and since that date 
liberal appropriations have been made for addi- 
tions, repairs and improvements, including the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



403 



addition of between 300 and 400 acres to the lands 
connected with the institution Tlie first Board 
of Trustees consisted of Charles X. Holden, 
Oliver Everett and Henry "\V. Sherman, with Dr. 
E. A. Kilboume as the first Superintendent, and 
Dr. Richard A. Dewey (afterwards Superintend- 
ent of the Eastern Hospital at Kankakee) as his 
Assistant. Dr. Kilbourne remained at the head 
of the institution until his death, Feb. 27, 1890, 
covering a period of nineteen years. Dr. Kil- 
bourne was succeeded by Dr. Henry J. Brooks, 
and he, by Dr. Loewy, in June, 1893, and the 
latter by Dr. John B. Hamilton (former Super- 
vising Surgeon of the United States Marine Hos- 
pital Service) in 1897. Dr. Hamilton died in 
December, 1898. (See Hamilton, John B.) The 
total value of State property, June 30, 1894, was 
$882,745.66, of which $701,330 was in land and 
buildings. Under the terms of the law estab- 
lishing the hospital, provision is made for the 
care therein of the incurably insane, so that it is 
both a hospital and an asylum. The whole num- 
ber of patients under treatment, for the two years 
preceding June 30, 1894, was 1,797, the number 
of inmates, on Dec. 1, 1897, 1,054, and the average 
daily attendance for treatment, for the year 1896, 
1,296. The following counties comprise the dis- 
trict dependent upon the Elgin Hospital: Boone, 
Carroll, Cook, DeKalb, Jo Daviess, Kane, Ken- 
dall, Lake, Stephenson, Whiteside and 'Winne- 
bago. 

NORTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL SCHOOL, 
an institution, incorporated in 1884, at Dixon, Lee 
County, 111., for the purpose of giving instruction 
in branches related to the art of teaching. Its 
last report claims a total of 1,639 pupils, of whom 
885 were men and 744 women, receiving instruc- 
tion from thirty -six teachers. The total value of 
property was estimated at more than $200,000, of 
which $160,000 was in real estate and $45,000 in 
apparatus. Attendance on the institution has 
been affected by the establishment, und^r act of 
the Legislature of 1895, of the Northern State 
Normal School at DeKalb (which see). 

NORTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, an insti- 
tution for the confinement of criminals of the 
State, located at Joliet, Will County. The site 
was purchased by the State in 1857, and com- 
prises some seventy-two acres. Its erection was 
found necessary because of the inadequacy of the 
first penitentiary, at Alton. (See Alton Peni- 
tentiary.) The original plan contemplated a 
cell-house containing 1,000 cells, which, it was 
thought, would meet the public necessities for 
manv vears to come. Its estimated cost was 



$550,000; but, within ten years, there had been 
expended upon the institution the sum of $934,- 
000. and its capacity was taxed to the utmost. 
Subsequent enlargements have increased the 
cost to over $1,600,000, but by 1877. the institution 
had become so overcrowded that the erection of 
another State penal institution became positively 
necessary. (See Southern Penitentiary.) The 
prison has always been conducted on "the 
Auburn system," which contemplates associate 
labor in silence, silent meals in a common refec- 
tory, and (as nearly as practicable) isolation at 
night. The system of labor has varied at differ- 
ent times, the "lessee system," the "contract 
system" and the "State account plan" being 
successively in force. (See Confiet Labor.) The 
whole number of convicts in the institution, at 
the date of the official report of 1895, was 1,566. 
The total assets of the institution, Sept. 30, 1894, 
were reported at $2,121,308.86, of which §1,644,- 
601.11 was in real estate. 

NORTH & SOUTH RAILROAD. (See St. 
Louis, Peoria & XorC'.ern Paihray.) 

NORTHERN STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, an 
institution for the education of teachers of the 
common schools, authorized to be established by 
act of the Legislature passed at the session of 
1895. The act made an appropriation of $50,000 
for the erection of buildings and other improve- 
ments. The institution was located at DeKalb, 
DeKalb County, in the spring of 1896, and the 
erection of buildings commenced soon after — 
Isaac F. EUwood. of DeKalb, contributing $20,- 
000 in cash, and J. F. Glidden, a site of sixty- 
seven acres of land. Up to Dec. 1, 1897, the 
appropriations and contributions, in land and 
money, aggregated $175,000. The school was 
expected to be ready for the reception of pupils 
in the latter part of 1899, and, it is estimated, will 
accommodate 1.000 students. 

NORTHWEST TERRITORY. The name 
formerly applied to that portion of the United 
States north and west of the Ohio River and east 
of the Mississippi, comprising the present States 
of Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wiscon- 
sin. The claim of the Government to the land 
had been acquired partly through conquest, by 
the expedition of Col. George Rogers Clark 
(which see), under the auspices of the State of 
Virginia in 1778 ; partly through treaties with the 
Indians, and partly through cessions from those 
of the original States laying claim thereto. The 
first plan for the government of this vast region 
was devised and formulated by Thomas Jefferson, 
in his proposed Ordinance of 1784, which failed 



404 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of ultimate passage. But three years later a 
broader scheme was evolved, and the famous 
Ordinance of 1787, with its clause prohibiting the 
extension of slavery beyond the Ohio River, 
passed the Continental Congress. This act has 
been sometimes termed "The American Magna 
Charta," because of its engrafting upon the 
organic law the principles of human freedom and 
equal rights. The plan for the establishment of 
a distinctive territorial civil government in a 
Aew Territory — the first of its kind in the new 
republic — was felt to be a tentative step, and too 
much power was not granted to the residents. 
All the officers were appointive, and each official 
was required to be a land-owner. The elective 
franchise (but only for members of the General 
Assembly) could first be exercised only after the 
population had reached 5,000. Even then, every 
elector must own fifty acres of land, and every 
Representative, 200 acres. More liberal provisions, 
however, were subsequently incorporated by 
amendment, in 1809. The first civil government 
in the Northwest Territory was established by act 
of the Virginia Legislature, in the organization 
of all the country west of the Ohio under the 
name "Illinois County," of which the Governor 
was authorized to appoint a "County Lieuten- 
ant" or "Commandant-in-Chief. " The first 
"Commandant" appointed was Col. John Todd, 
of Kentucky, though he continued to discharge 
the duties for only a short period, being killed in 
the battle of Blue Licks, in 1782. After that the 
Illinois Country was almost without the semblance 
of an organized civil government, until 1788, 
when Gen. Arthur St. Clair was appointed the 
first Governor of Northwest Territory, under the 
Ordinance of 1787, serving until the separation of 
this region into the Territories of Ohio and Indi- 
ana in 1800, when William Henry Harrison 
became the Governor of the latter, embracing all 
that portion of the original Northwest Territory 
except the State of Ohio. During St. Clair's 
administration (1790) that part of the present State 
of Illinois between the Mississippi and Illinois 
Rivers on the west, and a line extending north 
from about the site of old Fort Massac, on the 
Ohio, to the mouth of the Mackinaw River, in the 
present county of Tazewell, on the east, was 
erected into a county under the name of St. 
Clair, with three county-seats, viz. : Cahokia, 
Kaskaskia and Prairie du Rocher. (See St. Clair 
County. ) Between 1830 and 183-t the name North- 
west Territory was applied to an unorganized 
region, embracing the present State of Wisconsin, 
attached to Michigan Territory for governmental 



purposes. (See Illinois County; St Clair, Arthur; 
and Todd, John.) 

NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE, located at 
Naperville, Du Page County, and founded in 
1865, under the auspices of the Evangelical Asso- 
ciation. It maintains business, preparatory and 
collegiate departments, besides a theological 
school. In 1898 it had a facultj' of nineteen profes- 
sors and assistants, with some 360 students, less 
than one-third of the latter being females, though 
both sexes are admitted to the college on an equal 
footing. The institution owns property to the 
value of §207,000, including an endowment of 
§85,000. 

NORTHWESTERN GRAND TRUNK RAIL- 
WAY. (See Chicago & Grand Trunk Railway.) 

NORTHWESTERN NORMAL, located at Gene- 
see, Henry County, 111., incorporated in 1884; in 
1894 had a faculty of twelve teachers with 171 
pupils, of whom ninety were male and eightj'-one 
female. 

NORTHWESTERN UNITERSITT, an impor- 
tant educational institution, established at 
Evanston, in Cook County, in 1851. In 1898 it 
reported 2,599 students (1,980 male and 619 
female), and a faculty of 234 instructors. 
It embraces the following departments, all of 
which confer degrees: A College of Liberal 
Arts; two Medical Schools (one for women 
exclusively); a Law School; a School of Phar- 
macy and a Dental College. The Garrett Bibli- 
cal Institute, at which no degrees are con- 
ferred, constitutes the theological department of 
the University. The charter of the institution 
requires a majority of the Trustees to be mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcopal Churcli, and the 
University is the largest and wealthiest of the 
schools controlled by that denomination. The 
College of Liberal Arts and the Garrett Biblical 
Institute are at Evanston ; the other departments 
(all professional) are located in Cliicago. In the 
academic department (Liberal Arts School), pro- 
vision is made for both graduate and post-gradu- 
ate courses. The Medical School was formerl}' 
known as the Chicago Medical College, and its 
Law Department was originally the Union Col- 
lege of Law, both of which have been absorbed 
by the University, as have also its schools of 
dentistry and pharmacy, which were formerly 
independent institutions. The property owned by 
the University is valued at .§4,870,000, of which 
§1,100,000 is real estate, and §2,250,000 in endow- 
ment funds. Its income from fees paid by students 
in 1898 was §215,288, and total receipts from' all 
sources, $482,389. Co-education of the sexes pre- 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



405 



vails in the College of Liberal Arts. Dr. Henry 
Wade Rogers is President. 
NORTHWESTERN UMVERSITY MEDICAL 

SCHOOL, located in Cliicago; was organized in 
1859 as Medical School of the Lind (now Lake 
Forest) University. Three annual terms, of five 
months eacli, at first constituted a course, 
although attendance at two only was compul- 
sory. The institution first opened in temporary 
quarters, Oct. 9, 1859, with thirteen professors 
and thirtj-three students. By 1863 more ample 
accommodations were needed, and the Trustees 
of the Lind L^niversity being unable to provide a 
building, one was erected by the faculty. In 
1864 the University relinquished all claim to the 
institution, which was thereupon incorporated as 
the Chicago Medical College. In 1868 the length 
of the annual terms was increased to six months, 
and additional requirements were imposed on 
candidates for both matriculation and gradu- 
ation. The same year, the college building was 
sold, and the erection of a new and more commo- 
dious edifice, on the grounds of the Mercy Hos- 
pital, was commenced. This was completed in 
1870, and the college became the medical depart- 
ment of the Northwestern University. The 
number of professorsliips had been increased to 
eighteen, and that of undergraduates to 107. 
Since that date new laboratory and clinical build- 
ings have been erected, and the growth of the 
institution has been steady and substantial. 
Mercy and St. Luke's Hospital, and the South 
Side Free Dispensary afford resources for clinical 
instruction. The teaching faculty, as constituted 
in 1898, consists of about fifty instructors, in- 
cluding professors, lecturers, demonstrators, and 
assistants. 

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY WOMAN'S 
MEDICAL SCHOOL, an institution for the pro 
fessional education of women, located in 
Chicago. Its first corporate name was the 
"Woman's Hospital Medical College of Chicago," 
and it was in close connection witii the Chicago 
Hospital for Women and Children. Later, it 
severed its connection with the hospital and took 
the name of the ''Woman's Medical College of 
Chicago." Co-education of the sexes, in medicine 
and surgery, was experimentallj' tried from 1868 
to 1870, but the experiment proved repugnant to 
the male students, who unanimously signed a 
protest against the continuance of the S3-stem. 
The result was the establishment of a separate 
school for women in 1870, witli a facultj' of six- 
teen professors. The requirements for graduation 
were fixed art four years of medical study, includ- 



ing three annual graded college terms of six 
months each. The first term opened in the 
autumn of 1870, with an attendance of twenty 
students. The original location of the school 
was in the "North Division" of Chicago, in tem- 
porary quarters. After the fire of 1871 a removal 
was effected to the "West Division," where (in 
1878-79) a modest, but well arranged building was 
erected. A larger structure was built in 1884, 
and, in 1891, the institution became a part of the 
Northwestern University. The college, in all its 
departments, is organized along tlie lines of the 
best medical schools of the country. In 1896 
there were twenty-four professorships, all capably 
filled, and among the faculty are some of the 
best known specialists in the country. 

NORTON, Jesse 0., lawyer. Congressman and 
Judge, was born at Bennington, Vt., April '35, 
1812, and graduated from Williams College in 
1835. He settled at Joliet in 1839, and soon 
became prominent in the affairs of Will County. 
His first public office was that of City Attorney, 
after which he served as County Judge (1846-50). 
Meanwhile, he was chosen a Delegate to the Con- 
stitutional Convention of 1847. In 1850 he was 
elected to the Legislature, and, in 1852, to Con- 
gress, as a Whig. His vigorous opposition to the 
repeal of the Missouri Compromise resulted in 
his reelection as a Representative in 1854. At 
the expiration of his second term (1857) he was 
chosen Judge of the eleventh circuit, to fill the 
unexpired term of Judge Randall, resigned. He 
was once more elected to Congress in 1862, but 
disagreed with his party as to the legal status of 
the States lately in rebellion. President Johnson 
appointed him United States Attorney for the 
Northern District of Illinois, which office he filled 
until 1869. Immediately upon his retirement he 
began private practice at Chicago, where he died, 
August 3. 1875. 

NORWOOD PARK, a village of Cook County, 
on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad (Wis- 
consin Division), 11 miles northwest of Chicago. 
Incorporated in City of Chicago, 1893. 

NO FES, George Clement, clergyman, was born 
at Landaff, N. H., Augu.st 4, 1833, brought by 
his parents to Pike County, 111., in 1844, and, at 
the age of 16, determined to devote his life to the 
ministry ; in 1851, entered Illinois College at Jack- 
sonville, graduating with first honors in the class 
of 1855. In the following autumn he entered 
Union Theological Seminary in New York, and, 
having graduated in 1858. was ordained the same 
j-ear, and installed pastor of the First Presby- 
terian Church at Laporte, Ind. Here he remained 



406 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ten years, when he accepted a call to the First 
Presbyterian Church of Evanston, 111., then a 
small organization which developed, during the 
twenty years of his pastorate, into one of the 
strongest and most influential churches in Evans- 
ton. For a number of years Dr. Noyes was an 
editorial writer and weekly correspondent of 
"The New York Evangelist," over the signature 
of "Clement." He was also, for several years, an 
active and very efficient member of the Board of 
Trustees of Knox College. The liberal bent of 
his mind was illustrated in the fact that he acted 
as counsel for Prof. David Swing, during the cele- 
brated trial of the latter for heresy before the 
Chicago Presb^'tery — his argument on that 
occasion winning encomiums from all classes of 
people. His death took place at Evanston, Jan. 
14, 1889, as the result of an attack of pneumonia, 
and was deeply deplored, not only by his own 
church and denomination, but by the whole com- 
munity. Some two weeks after it occurred a 
union meeting was held in one of the churches at 
Evanston, at which addresses in commemoration 
of his services were delivered by some dozen 
ministers of that village and of Chicago, while 
various social and literary organizations and the 
press bore testimony to his high character. He 
was a member of the Literary Society of Chicago, 
and, during the last j'ear of his life, served as its 
President. Dr. Noyes was married, in 18.58, to a 
daughter of David A. Smith, Esq., an honored 
citizen and able lawyer of Jacksonville. 

OAKLAND, a city of Coles County on the Van- 
dalia Line and the Toledo, St. Louis & "Western 
Railroad, 15 miles northeast of Charleston; is in 
grain center and broom-corn belt ; the town has 
two banks and one daily and two weekly papers. 
Pop. (1890), 995;(1900), 1,198. 

OAK PARK, a village of Cook County, and 
popular residence suburb of Chicago, 9 miles 
west of the initial station of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad, on which it is located ; is 
also upon the line of the Wisconsin Central Rail- 
road. The place has numerous churches, pros- 
perous schools, a public library, telegraph and 
express offices, banks and two local papers. 
Population (1880), 1,888; (1890), 4,771. 

OBERLY, John H., journalist and Civil Serv- 
ice Commissioner, was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, Dec. 6, 1837; spent part of his boyhood in 
Allegheny County, Pa., but, in 18.53, began learn- 
ing the printer's trade in the office of "The Woos- 
ter (Ohio) Republican," completing it at Memphis, 
Tenn , and becoming a journeyman printer in 



18.57. He worked in various offices, including 
the Wooster paper, where he also began the study 
of law, but, in 1860, became part proprietor of 
"The Bulletin" job office at Memphis, in which 
he had been employed as an apprentice, and, 
later, as foreman. Having been notified to leave 
Memphis on account of his Union principles 
after the beginning of the Civil War, he returned 
to Wooster, Ohio, and conducted various papers 
there during the next four years, but, in 1865, 
came to Cairo, 111., where he served for a time as 
foreman of "The Cairo Democrat," three years 
later establishing "The Cairo Bulletin." Although 
the latter paper was burned out a few months later, 
it was immediately re-established. In 1872 he 
was elected Representative in the Twenty eighth 
General Assembly, and, in 1877, was appointed 
by Governor Cullom the Democratic member of 
the Railroad and Warehouse Commission, serving 
four years, meanwhile (in 1880) being the Demo- 
cratic candidate for Secretary of State. Other 
positions held by him included Mayor of the city 
of Cairo (1869) ; President of the National Typo- 
graphical Union at Chicago (180.5), and at Mem- 
phis (1866); delegate to the Democratic National 
Convention at Baltimore (1872), and Chairman of 
the Democratic State Central Committee 
(1882-84). After retiring from the Railroad and 
Warehouse Commission, he united in founding 
"The Bloomington (111.) Bulletin," of which he 
was editor some three years. During President 
Cleveland's administration he was appointed a 
member of the Civil Service Commission, being 
later transferred to the Commissionership of 
Indian Affairs. He was subsequently connected 
in an editorial capacity with "The Washington 
Post," "The Richmond (Va.) State," "The Con- 
cord (N. H.) People and Patriot" and "The Wash- 
ington Times." While engaged in an attempt to 
reorganize "The People and Patriot," he died at 
Concord, N. H., April 15, 1899. 

ODD FELLOWS. "Western Star" Lodge, No. 
1, I. 0. O. F., was instituted at Alton, June 11, 
1836. In 1.S38 the Grand Lodge of Illinois was 
instituted at the same place, and reorganized, at 
Springfield, in 1842. S. C. Pierce was the first 
Grand Master, and Samuel L. Miller, Grand Sec- 
retary. Wildey Encampment, No. 1, was organ- 
ized at Alton in 1838, and the Grand Encampment, 
at Peoria, in 1850, with Charles H. Constable 
Grand Patriarch. In 1850 the subordinate branches 
of the Order numbered seventy -six. with 3,291 
members, and $25,392.87 revenue. In 1895 the 
Lodges numbered 838. the membership 50,544, 
with 1475,353.18 revenue, of which ?135,018.40 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



407 



was expended for relief. The Encampment 
braucli. in 1895. embraced 1T9 organizations with 
a membership of 6,813 and §23,865.25 revenue, of 
which §6,781.40 was paid out for relief. The 
Rebekah branch, for the same year, comprised 423 
Lodges, with 23,000 members and §43,215,65 
revenue, of which §3,122.79 was for relief. The 
total sum distributed for relief by the several 
organizations (1895) was §144,972..59. The Order 
was especially liberal in its benefactions to the 
sufferers by the Chicago fire of 1871, an appeal to 
its members calling forth a generous response 
throughout the United States. (See Odd Felloics' 
Orphans' Home.) 

ODD FELLOWS' ORPHANS' HOME, a benevo 
lent institution, incorporated in 1889, erected at 
Lincoln, 111., under the auspices of the Daughters 
of Rebekah (see Odd Fellows), and dedicated 
August 19, 1892. The building is four stories in 
height, has a capacity for the accommodation of 
fifty children, and cost §36,524.76, exclusive of 
forty acres of land valued at §8,000. 

ODELL, a village of Livingston County, and 
station on the Chicago & Alton Railway, 83 
miles south-southwest of Chicago. It is in a 
grain and stock-raising region. Population (1880), 
908; (1890), 800; (1900), 1,000. 

ODIN, a village of Marion County, at the cross- 
ing of the Chicago branch of the Illinois Central 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Rail- 
ways, 344 miles south by west from Chicago; in 
fruit belt; has coal-rtline, two fruit evaporators, 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,180. 

O'FALLON, a village of St. Clair County, on 
the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 18 
miles east of St. Louis; has interurban railway, 
electric lights, water-works, factories, coal-mine, 
bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,267. 

OGDEN, William Bntler, capitalist and Rail- 
way President, born at Walton, X. Y., June 15, 
1805. He was a member of the Xew York Legis- 
lature in 1834, and, the following year, removed 
to Chicago, where he established a land and trust 
agency. He took an active part in the various 
enterprises centering around Chicago, and, on 
the incorporation of the city, was elected its first 
Mayor. He was prominently identified with the 
construction of the Galena & Chicago Union 
Railroad, and, in 1847, became its President. 
While visiting Europe in 1853, he made a careful 
study of the canals of Holland, which convinced 
him of the desirability of widening and deepen- 
ing the Illinois & Michigan Canal and of con- 
structing a ship canal across the southern 
peninsula of Michigan. In 1855 he became Presi- 



dent of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac 
Railroad, and effected its consolidation with the 
Galena & Chicago Union. Out of this consoli- 
dation sprang the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
way Compan}-, of which he was elected President. 
In 1850 he presided over the National Pacific 
Railroad Convention, and, upon the formation of 
the Union Pacific Railroad Company, he became 
its President. He was largely connected with 
the inception of the Northern Pacific line, in the 
success of which he was a firm believer. He 
also controlled various other interests of public 
importance, among them the great lumbering 
esstablishments at Peshtigo, Wis., and, at the time 
of his death, was the owner of what was probably 
the largest plant of that description in the world. 
His benefactions were numerous, among the 
recipients being the Rush Medical College, of 
which he vvas President; the Theological Semi- 
nary of the Northwest, the Chicago Historical 
Society, the Academy of Sciences, the University 
of Chicago, the Astronomical Society, and many 
other educational and benevolent institutions 
and organizations in the Northwest. Died, in 
New York City, August 3. 1877. (See Chicago & 
Northtvestern Railroad. ) 

OGLE, Joseph, pioneer, was born in Virginia 
in 1741, came to Illinois in 1785, settling in the 
American Bottom within the present County of 
Monroe, but afterwards removed to St. Clair 
County, about the site of the present town of 
O'Fallon, 8 miles north of Belleville; was selected 
b}' his neighbors to serve as Captain in their 
skirmishes with the Indians. Died, at his home 
in St. Clair County, in February, 1831. Captain 
Ogle had the reputation of being the earliest con- 
vert to Methodism in Illinois. Ogle County, in 
Northern Illinois, was named in his honor.- — 
Jacob (Ogle), son of the preceding, also a native 
of Virginia, was born about 1772, came to Illinois 
with his father in 1785, and was a "Ranger" in 
the War of 1812. He served as a Representative 
from St. Clair County in the Third General 
Assembly (1823), and again in the Seventh 
(1830), in the former being an opponent of the 
pro-slavery convention scheme. Beyond two 
terms in the Legislature he seems to have held 
no public office except that of Justice of the 
Peace. Like his father, he was a zealous Metho- 
dist and highly respected. Died, in 1844, aged 73 
years. 

OGLE COUNTY, next to the "northern tier" of 
counties of the State and originally a part of Jo 
Daviess. It was separately organized in 1837, 
and Lee County was carved from its territory in 



408 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1839. In 1900 its area was 780 square miles, and 
its population 29,139. Before the Black Hawk 
War immigration was slow, and life primitive. 
Peoria was the nearest food market. New grain 
was "ground" on a grater, and old pounded 
with an extemporized pestle in a wooden mortar. 
Rock River ilows across the county from north- 
east to southwest. A little oak timber grows 
along its banks, but, generally speaking, the sur- 
face is undulating prairie, with soil of a rich 
loam. Sandstone is in ample supply, and all the 
limestones abound. An extensive peat-bed has 
been discovered on the Killbuck Creek. Oregon, 
the county-seat, has fine water-power. The other 
principal towns are Rochelle, Polo, Forreston and 
Mount Morris, 

OGLESBT, Richard James, Governor and 
United States Senator, was born in Oldham 
County, Ky., July 25, 1824; left an orphan at the 
age of 8 years ; in 1836 accompanied an uncle to 
Decatur, 111., where, until 1844, he worked at 
farming, carpentering and rope-making, devoting 
his leisure hours to the study of law. In 1845 he 
was admitted to the bar and began practice at 
Sullivan, in Moultrie County. In 1846 he was 
commissioned a Lieutenant in the Fourth Regi- 
ment, Illinois Volunteers (Col. E. D. Baker's regi- 
ment), and served through the Mexican War, 
taking part in the siege of Vera Cruz and the 
battle of Cerro Gordo. In 1847 he pursued a 
course of study at the Louisville Law School, 
graduating in 1848. He was a "forty-niner" in 
California, but returned to Decatur in 1851. In 
1858 he made an unsuccessful campaign for Con- 
gress in the Decatur District. In 1860 he was 
elected to the State Senate, but early in 1861 
resigned his seat to accept the colonelcy of the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteers. Through gallantry 
(notably at Forts Henry and Donelson and at 
Corinth) he rose to be Major-General, being se- 
verely wounded in the last-named battle. He 
resigned his commission on account of disability, 
in May, 1864, and the following November was 
elected Governor, as a Republican. In 1872 he 
was re-elected Governor, but, two weeks after 
his inauguration, resigned to accept a seat in the 
United States Senate, to which he was elected 
by the Legislature of 1873. In 1884 he was 
elected Governor for the third time — being the 
only man in the history of the State who (up to 
the present time — 1899) has been thus honored. 
After the expiration of his last term as Governor, 
he devoted his attention to his private aflfairs at 
his home at Elkhart, in Logan County, where he 
died, April 24, 1899, deeply mourned by personal 



and political friends in all parts of the Union, 
who admired his strict integrity and sterling 
patriotism. 
OHIO, INDIANA & WESTERN RAILWAY. 

(See Peoria d: Eastern Railroad.) 

OHIO RIVER, an affluent of the Mississippi, 
formed by the union of the Monongahela and 
Allegheny Rivers, at Pittsburg, Pa. At this point 
it becomes a navigable stream about 400 yards 
wide, with an elevation of about 700 feet above 
sea-level. The beauty of the scenery along its 
banks secured for it, from the early French 
explorers (of whom La Salle was one), the name 
of "La Belle Riviere." Its general course is to 
the southwest, but with many sinuosities, form- 
ing the southern boundary of the States of Ohio, 
Indiana and Illinois, and the western and north- 
ern boundary of West Virginia and Kentucky, 
until it enters the Mississippi at Cairo, in latitude 
37° N., and about 1,200 miles above the mouth of 
the latter stream. The area which it drains is 
computed to be 214,000 square miles. Its mouth 
is 268 feet above the level of the sea. The current 
is remarkably gentle and uniform, except near 
Louisville, where there is a descent of twenty- 
two feet within two miles, which is evaded by 
means of a canal around the falls. Large steam- 
boats can navigate its whole length, except in low 
stages of water and when closed b}' ice in winter. 
Its largest affluents are the Tennessee, the Cum- 
berland, the Kentucky, the Great Kanawha and 
the Green Rivers, from the soutli, and the Wa- 
bash, the Miami. Scioto and Muskingum from the 
north. The principal cities on its banks are Pitts- 
burg, Wheeling, Cincinnati, Louisville, Evans- 
ville. New Albany, Madison and Cairo. It is 
crossed by bridges at Wheeling, Cincinnati and 
Cairo. The surface of the Ohio is subject to a 
variation of forty-two to fifty-one feet between 
high and low water. Its length is 975 miles, and 
its width varies from 400 to 1,000 yards. (See 
//) undations, Remarl<:ahle. ) 

OHIO & MISSISSIPPI RAILWAY. (See Bal- 
timore <& Ohio Soutliirestern Railroad.) 

OLNEY, an incorporated city and the county- 
seat of Richland County, 31 miles west of Vin- 
cennes, Ind., and 117 miles east of St. Louis, Mo., 
at the junction of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western and the Peoria Division of the Illinois 
Central and the Oliio River Division of the Cin- 
cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railroad; is in tlie 
center of the fruit belt and an important shipping 
point for farm produce and live-stock; has flour 
mills, a furniture factory and railroad repair 
shops, banks, a public library, churches and five 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



409 



newspapers, one issuing daUy and another semi- 
weekly editions. Population (1890), 3,831 ; (1900), 
4,360. 

OMELTENT, John, pioneer and head of a 
numerous family which became prominent in 
Southern Illinois; was a native of Ireland who 
came to America about 1798 or 1799. After resid- 
ing in Kentucky a few years, he removed to Illi- 
nois, locating in what afterwards became Pope 
County, whither his oldest son, Samuel, had 
preceded him about 1797 or 1798. The latter for 
a time followed the occupation of flat-boating, 
carrying produce to New Orleans. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1818 
from Pope County, being the colleague of Hamlet 
Ferguson. A year later he removed to Randolpli 
County, where he served as a member of the 
County Court, but, in 1820-22, we find him a 
member of the Second General Assembly from 
Union County, having successfully contested the 
seat of Samuel Alexander, who had received the 
certificate of election. He died in 1838. — Edward 
(Omelveny), another member of this family, and 
grandson of the elder John Omelveny, represented 
Monroe County in the Fifteentli General Assem- 
bly (1846-48), and was Presidential Elector in 
18.52, but died sometime during the Civil War. — 
Harvey K. S. (Omelveny), the fifth son of Wil- 
liam Omelveny and grandson of John, was born 
in Todd Count j-, Ky., in 1823, came to Southern 
Illinois, in 1852, and engaged in the practice of 
law, being for a time the partner of Senator 
Thomas E. Merritt, at Salem. Early in 1858 he 
was elected a Justice of the Circuit Court to 
succeed Judge Breese, who had been promoted to 
the Supreme Court, but resigned in 1861. He 
gained considerable notoriety by liis intense 
hostility to the policy of the Government during 
the Civil War, was a Delegate to the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1863, and was named as a 
member of the Peace Commission proposed to be 
appointed by the General Assembly, in 1863, to 
secure terms of peace with the Southern Con- 
federacy. He was also a leading spirit in the 
peace meeting Iield at Peoria, in August, 1863. 
In 1869 ilr. Omelveny removed to Los Angeles, 
Cal. , which has since been his home, and where 
he has carried on a lucrative law practice. 

ONARGA, a town in Iroquois County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 85 miles south by west 
from Cliicago, and 43 miles north by east from 
Champaign. It is a manufacturing town, flour, 
wagons, wire-fencing, stoves and tile being 
among the products. It has a bank, eight 
churches, a graded school, a commercial college. 



and a weekly newspaper. Population (1880), 
1,061; (1890), 994; (1900), 1,270. 

ONEIDA, a city in Knox County, on the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
northeast of Galesburg; has wagon, pump and 
furniture factories, two banks, electric lights, 
several churches, a graded school, and a weekly 
paper. The surrounding country is ricli prairie, 
where coal is mined about twenty feet below the 
surface. Pop. (1890), 699; (1900), 785. 

OCJUAWKA, the county-seat of Henderson 
County, situated on the Mississippi River, about 
15 miles above Burlington, Iowa, and 33 miles 
west of Galesburg. It is in a farming region, 
but has some manufactories. The town has 
five churches, a graded school, a bank and three 
newspapers. Population (1900), 1,010. 

ORDIiVAiVCE or 1787. This is the name 
given to the first organic act, passed by Congress, 
for the government of the territory northwest of 
the Ohio River, comprising the present States of 
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. 
The first step in this direction was taken in the 
appointment, by Congress, on March 1, 1784, of a 
committee, of which Thomas Jefferson was Chair- 
man, to prepare a plan for the temporary govern- 
ment of the region which had been acquired, by 
the capture of Kaskaskia, by Col. George Rogers 
Clark, nearly six years previous. The necessity 
for some step of this sort had grown all the more 
urgent, in consequence of the recognition of the 
right of the United States to this region by the 
Treaty of Paris of 1783, and the surrender, by Vir- 
ginia, of the title she had maintained thereto on 
account of Clark's conquest under her avispices^ 
a right which she had exercised by furnishing 
whatever semblance of government so far existed 
northwest of the Ohio. The report submitted 
from Jefferson's committee proposed the division 
of the Territory into seven States, to which was 
added the proviso that, after the year 1800, "there 
shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude 
in any of said States, otherwise than in punish- 
ment of crime whereof the party shall have been 
duly convicted." This report failed of adoption, 
however. Congress contenting itself with the 
passage of a resolution providing for future 
organization of this territory into States by the 
people — tlie measures necessary for temporary 
government being left to future Congressional 
action. While the postponement, in the reso- 
lution as introduced by Jefferson, of the inhi- 
bition of slavery to the year 1800, has been 
criticised, its introduction was significant, as 
coming from a representative from a slave State, 



410 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and being the first proposition in Congress look- 
ing to restriction, of any cliaracter, on tlie subject 
of slavery. Congress having taken no further 
step under the resolution adopted in 1784, the 
condition of the country (thus left practically 
without a responsible government, while increas- 
ing in population) became constantl}' more 
deplorable. An appeal from the people about 
Kaskaskia for some better form of government, 
in 178G, aided by the influence of the newly 
organized "Ohio Company," who desired to en- 
courage emigration to the lands which they were 
planning to secure from tlie General Government, 
at last brought about the desired result, in the 
passage of the famous "Ordinance," on the 13th 
day of July, 1787. While making provision for a 
mode of temporary self-government by the 
people, its most striking features are to be found 
in the six "articles" — a sort of "Bill of Rights" — 
with which the document closes. These assert: 
(1) the right of freedom of worship and religious 
opinion; (2) the right to the benefit of habeas 
corpus and trial by jury ; to proportionate repre- 
sentation, and to protection in liberty and prop- 
erty ; (3) that "religion, morality and knowledge, 
being necessary to good government and the 
happiness of mankind, schools and the means of 
education shall forever be encouraged" ; (4) that 
the States, formed within the territory referred 
to, "shall forever remain a part of this confeder- 
acy of the United States of America, subject to 
the Articles of Confederation and to such alter- 
ations therein as shall be constitutionally made" ; 
(5) prescribe the boundaries of the States to be 
formed therein and the conditions of their admis- 
sion into the Union ; and (6 — and most significant 
of all) repeat the prohibition regarding the 
introduction of slavery into the Northwest Terri- 
torj-, as proposed by Jefferson, but without any 
qualification as to time. There has been consider- 
able controversy regarding the authorship of this 
portion of the Ordinance, into which it is not 
necessary to enter here. While it has been char- 
acterized as a second and advanced Declaration 
of Independence — and probably no single act of 
Congress was ever fraught with more important 
and far-reaching results — it .seems remarkable 
that a majority of the States supporting it and 
securing its adoption, were then, and long con- 
tinued to be, slave States. 

OREOON, the county-seat of Ogle County, 
situated on Rock River and the Minneapolis 
Branch of the Chicago, Burlington ct Quincy Rail- 
road. 100 miles west from Chicago. The sur- 
rounding region is agricultural ; the town has 



water power and manufactures flour, pianos, steel 
tanks, street sprinklers, and iron castings. It has 
two banks, water-works supplied by flowing 
artesian weUs, cereal mill, and two weekly news- 
papers ; has also obtained some repute as a summer 
resort. Pop. (1880), 1,088; (1890), 1,566; (1900), 1,577. 

ORION, a village of Henry County, at the inter- 
section of the Rock Island Division of the Chicago 
Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific Railways, 19 miles southeast of 
Rock Island. Pop. (1890), 634; (1900), 584. 

OSBOKX, William Henry, Railway President, 
was born at Salem, Mass., Dec. 21, 1820. After 
receiving a high school education in his native 
town, he entered the counting room of the East 
India house of Peele, Hubbell & Co. ; was subse- 
quently sent to represent the firm at Manila, 
finally engaging in business on his own account, 
during which he traveled extensively in Europe. 
Returning to the United States in 1853, he took 
up his residence in New York, and, having mar- 
ried the daughter of Jonathan Sturges, one of the 
original incorporators and promoters of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, he soon after became asso- 
ciated with that enterprise. In August, 1854, he 
was chosen a Director of the Company, and, on 
Dec. 1, 1835, became its third President, serving 
in the latter position nearly ten years (until July 
11, 1863), and, as a Director, until 1877 — in all, 
twenty-two years. After retiring from his con- 
nection with the Illinois Central Railroad, Mr. 
Osborn gave his attention largely to enterprises 
of an educational and benevolent character in aid 
of the unfortunate classes in the State of New 
York. 

OSBORJf , Tliomas 0., soldier and diplomatist, 
was born in Licking County, Ohio, August 11, 
1832; graduated from the Ohio University at 
Athens, in 1854; studied law at Crawfordsville. 
Ind., with Gen. Lew Wallace, was admitted to 
the bar and began practice in Chicago. Early in 
tlie war for the Union he joined the "Yates 
Phalanx," which, after some delay on account of 
the quota being full, was mustered into the serv- 
ice, in August, 1801, as the Thirty-ninth Illinois 
Volunteers, the subject of this sketch being com- 
missioned its Lieutenant-Colonel. His promotion 
to the eolonelcj' soon followed, the regiment 
being sent east to guard the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, where it met the celebrated Stonewall 
Jackson, and took part in many important en- 
gagements, including the battles of Winchester, 
Bermuda Hundreds, and Drury's Bluff, besides 
the sieges of Charleston and Petersburg. At 
Bermuda Hundreds Colonel Osborn was severely 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF. ILLINOIS. 



411 



wounded, losing the use of his right arm. He 
bore a conspicuous part in the operations about 
Richmond which resulted in the capture of the 
rebel capital, his services being recognized by 
promotion to the brevet rank of JIajor-General. 
At the close of tlie war he returned to the prac- 
tice of law in Chicago, but, in 1874, was appointed 
Consul-General and Minister-Resident to the 
Argentine Republic, remaining in that position 
until June, 1885, when he resigned, resuming his 
residence in Chicago. 

OSWEGO, a village in Kendall County, on the 
Aurora and Streator branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 6 miles south of 
Aurora. Population (1890), 641; (1900), 618. 

OTTAWA, the county-seat and principal cit}' 
of La Salle County, being incorporated as a vil- 
lage in 1838, and, as at city, in 18.53. It is located 
at the confluence of the Illinois and Fox Rivers 
and on the Illinois & Jlichigan Canal. It is the 
intersecting point of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
Pacific Railway and the Streator branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, 98 miles east of 
Rock Island and 83 miles west-southwest of Clii- 
cago. The surrounding region abounds in coal. 
Sand of a superior quality for the manufacture of 
glass is foimd in the vicinity and the place has 
extensive glass works. Other manufactured 
products are brick, drain-tile, sewer-pipe, tile- 
roofing, pottery, pianos, organs, cigars, wagons 
and carriages, agricultural implements, hay 
carriers, ha}" presses, sash, doors, blinds, cabinet 
work, saddlery and harness and pumps. The cit}' 
has some handsome public buildings including 
the Appellate (formerly Supreme) Court House 
for the Northern Division. It also has several 
public parks, one of which (South Park) contains 
a medicinal spring. There are a dozen churches 
and numerous public school buildings, including 
a high school. The city is lighted by gas and 
electricity, has electric street railways, good 
sewerage, and water-works supplied from over 
1.50 artesian wells and numerous natural springs. 
It has one private and two national banks, five 
libraries, and eight weekly newspapers (three 
German), of which four issue daily editions. Pop. 
(1890), 9,985; (1900), 10,588. 

OTTAWA, CHICAGO & FOX RIVER VALLEY 
RAILROAD. (.See Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad.) 

OUTAGAMIES, a name given, by the French, 
to the Indian tribe known as the Foxes. (See 
Sacs and Foxes.) 

OWE>', Thomas J. V., early legislator and 
Indian Agent, was born in Kentucky, April 5, 



1801; came to Illinois at an early day, and, in 
1S30, was elected to the Seventh General Assem- 
bly from Randolph County; the following year 
was appointed Indian Agent at Cliicago, as suc- 
cessor to Dr. Alexander AVolcott, who had died in 
tlie latter part of 1830. Mr. Owen served as 
Indian Agent until 1833; was a member of the 
first Board of Town Trustees of the village of Chi- 
cago, Commissioner of School Lands, and one of 
the Government Commissioners who conducted 
the treaty with the Pottawatomie and other 
tribes of Indians at Chicago, in September, 1833. 
Died, in Chicago, Oct. 15, 1835. 

P.iDDOCK, Gaius, pioneer, a native of Massa- 
cliusetts, was born in 1758^ at the age of 17 he 
entered the Colonial Army, serving until the 
close of the Revolutionary War, and being in 
Washington's command at the crossing of the 
Delaware. After the war he removed to Ver- 
mont ; but, in 1815, went to Cincinnati, and, a 
year later, to St. Charles, Mo. Then, after hav- 
ing spent about a year at St. Louis, in 1818 he 
located in Madison County, 111., at a point after- 
wards known as '"Paddock's Grove," and which 
became one of the most prosperous agricultural 
sections of Southern Illinois. Died, in 1831. 

PAIXE, (Gen.) Eleazer A., soldier, was born in 
Parkman, Geauga County, Ohio, Sept. 10, 1815; 
graduated at West Point ililitary Academy, in 
1839, and was assigned to the First Infantry, 
serving in the Florida War (1839-40), but resigned, 
Oct. 11, 1840. He then studied law and practiced 
at Painesville, Ohio, (1843-48), and at Monmouth, 
111., (1848-01), meanwhile serving in the lower 
branch of the Eighteenth General Assembly 
(18.52-53). Before leaving Ohio, he had been 
Deputy United States Marshal and Lieutenant- 
Colonel of the State Militia, and, in Illinois, 
became Brigadier-General of Militia (184.5-48). 
He was appointed Colonel of the Ninth Illinois in 
April, 1861, and served through the war, being 
promoted Brigadier-General in September, 1861. 
The first duty performed by his regiment, after 
this date, was the occupation of Paducah, Ky., 
where he was in command. Later, it took part 
in the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, 
the battles of Shiloh, New Madrid and Corinth, 
and also in the various engagements in Northern 
Georgia and in the "march to the sea." From 
November, 1862, to May, 1864, General Paine was 
guarding railroad lines in Central Tennessee, 
and, during a part of 1864, in command of the 
Western District of Kentucky. He resigned, 
April 5, 1865, and died in Jersey City, Dec. 16, 



412 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1882. A sturdy Union man, he performed his 
duty as a soldier with great zeal and efficiency. 

PALATIXE, a village of Cook County, on the 
Wisconsin Division of the Chicago & Northwest- 
ern Railroad, 26 miles northwest from Chicago. 
There are flour and planing mills here ; dairying 
and farming are leading industries of the sur- 
rounding country. Population (1880), 731; (1890), 
891; (1900). 1,020. 

PALESTINE, a town in Crawford County, about 
2 miles from tlie Wabasli River, 7 miles east of 
Robinson, and 35 miles southwest of Terre Haute, 
on the Illinois Central Railway ; has five churches, 
a graded school, a bank, weekly newspaper, flour 
mill, cold storage plant, canning factory, garment 
factory, and municipal light and power plant. 
Pop. (1890), 732; (1900), 979. 

PALMER, Frank W., journalist, ex-Congress- 
man and Public Printer, was born at Jlanchester, 
Dearborn County, Ind., Oct. 11, 1827; learned the 
printer's trade at Jamestown, N. Y., afterwards 
edited "The Jamestown Journal," and served 
two terms in the New York Legislature ; in 18.58 
removed to Dubuque, Iowa, and edited "The 
Dubuque Times," was elected to Congress in 1860, 
and again in 1868 and 1872, meanwhile having 
purchased "The Des Moines Register," which he 
edited for several years. In 1873 he removed to 
Chicago and became editor of "The Inter Ocean," 
remaining two j-ears; in 1877 was appointed Post- 
master of the city of Chicago, serving eight years. 
Shortly after the accession of President Harrison, 
in 1889, he was appointed Public Printer, continu- 
ing in office until the accession of President-Cleve- 
land in 1893, when he returned to newspaper work, 
but resumed his old place at the head of the 
Government Printing Bureau after the inaugura- 
tion of President McKinlej- in 1897. 

PALMER, John McAnley, lawyer, soldier and 
United States Senator, was born in Scott County, 
Ky., Sept. 13, 1817; removed with his father to 
Madison County, 111., in 1831, and, four years 
later, entered Shurtleff College, at Upper Alton, 
as a student ; later taught and studied law, being 
admitted to the bar in 1839. In 1843 he was 
elected Probate Judge of Macoupin County, also 
served in the State Constitutional Convention of 
1847 ; after discharging the duties of Probate and 
County Judge, was elected to the State Senate, to 
fill a vacancy, in 1852, and re-elected in 1854, as 
an Anti-Nebraska Democrat, casting his vote for 
Lyman Trumbull for United States Senator in 
1855, but resigned his seat in 1856; was President 
of the first Republican State Convention, held at 
Bloomington in the latter year, and appointed a 



delegate to the National Convention at Philadel- 
phia ; was an unsuccessful candidate for Congress 
in 1859, and chosen a Presidential Elector on the 
Republican ticket in 1860 ; served as a member of 
the National Peace Conference of 1861 ; entered 
the army as Colonel of the Fourteenth Regiment 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; was promoted Briga- 
dier General, in November, 1861, taking part in 
the campaign in Tennessee up to Chickamauga, 
assuming the command of the Fourteenth Army 
Corps with the rank of Major-General, but was 
relieved at his own request before Atlanta. In 
1865 he was assigned, by President Lincoln, to 
command of the Military Department of Ken- 
tucky, but, in September, 1866, retired from the 
service, and, in 1867, became a citizen of Spring- 
field. The following year he was elected Gov- 
ernor, as a Republican, but, in 1872, supported 
Horace Greelej' for President, and has since co- 
operated with the Democratic part}'. He was 
three times the unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for United States Senator, and was their 
nominee for Governor in 1888, but defeated. In 
1890 he was nominated for United States Senator 
by the Democratic State Convention and elected 
in joint session of the Legislature, March 11, 1891, 
receiving on the 154th ballot 101 Democratic and 
two Farmers" Mutual Alliance votes. He became 
an important factor in the campaign of 1896 as 
candidate of the "Sound Money" Democracy for 
President, although receiving no electoral votes, 
proving his devotion to principle. His last years 
■were occupied in preparation of a volume of 
personal recollections, which was completed, 
under the title of "The Story of an Earnest Life,'' 
a few weeks before his death, which occurred at- 
his home in Springfield, September 25, 1900. 

PALMER, Potter, merchant and capitalist, 
was born in Albany County, N. Y., in 1825; 
received an English education and became a 
junior clerk in a country store at Durham, 
Greene County, in that State, three years later 
being placed in charge of the business, and finally 
engaging in business on his own account. Com- 
ing to Chicago in 1852, he embarked in the dry- 
goods business on Lake Street, establishing the 
house which afterwards became Field, Leiter & 
Co. (now Marshall Field & Co. ), from which here- 
tired, in 1865, with the basis of an ample fortune, 
which has since been immensely increased by 
fortunate operations in real estate. Mr. Palmer 
was Second Vice-President of the first Board of 
Local Directors of tlie "World's Columbian Expo- 
sition in 1891. — Mrs. Bertha M. Honore (Palmer), 
wife of the preceding, is the daughter of H. H. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



413 



Honore, formerly a prominent real-estate owner 
and operator of Cliicago. She is a native of 
Louisville, Ky., where her girlhood was chiefly 
spent, though she was educated at a convent near 
Baltimore, Md. Later she came with her family 
to Chicago, and, in 1870, was married to Potter 
Palmer. Mrs. Palmer has been a recognized 
leader in many social and benevolent movements, 
but won the highest praise by her ability and 
administrative skill, exhibited as President of the 
Board of Lady Managers of the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition of 1893. 

PALMYRA, a village of Macoupin County, on 
the Springfield Division of the St. Louis, Chicago 
& St. Paul Railway, 33 miles southwest from 
Springfield ; has some local manufactories, a bank 
and a newspaper. Population (1900), 813. 

PAJf A, an important railway center and prin- 
cipal city of Christian County, situated in the 
southeastern part of the County, and at the inter- 
secting point of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern, the Illinois Central and the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, 35 
miles south by west from Decatur, and 43 miles 
southeast of Springfield. It is an important ship- 
ping-point for grain and has two elevators. Its 
mechanical establishments include two flouring 
mills, a foundry, two machine shops and two 
planing mills. The surrounding region is rich in 
coal, which is extensively mined. Pana has 
banks, several churches, graded schools, and 
three papers issuing daily and weeklj- editions. 
Population (1890). ."i.O::; (,1900), .5..mO. 

PANA, SPRINGFIELD & NORTHWESTERN 
RAILROAD. (See Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad.) 

PARIS, a handsome and flourishing city, the 
county-seat of Edgar Count}'. It is an important 
railway center, situated on the "Big Four*' and 
the Vandalia Line, 160 miles south of Chicago, 
and 170 miles east-northeast of St. Louis; is in 
the heart of a wealthy and populous agricultural 
region, and has a prosi^erous trade. Its industries 
include foundries, three elevators, flour, saw and 
planing mills, glass, broom, and corn product 
factories. The city has three banks, three daily 
and four weekly newspapers, a court house, ten 
churches, and graded schools. Pop. (1890), 4.996; 
(1900), 6,10.5. 

PARIS & DECATUR RAILROAD. (See Terre 
Haute & Peoria Railroad.) 

PARIS & TERRE HAUTE RAILROAD. (See 
Terre Haute ct Peoria Railroad.) 

PARES) (jiavion D. A., lawyer, was born at 
Bristol, Ontario County, N. Y., Sept. 17, 1817; 



went to New York City in 1838, where he com- 
pleted his legal studies and was admitted to the 
bar, removing to Lockport, 111., in 1842. Here 
he successively edited a paper, served as Master 
in Chancery and in an engineering corps on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal; was elected County 
Judge in 1849, removed to JoUet, and, for a time, 
acted as an attorney of the Chicago & Rock 
Island, the Michigan Central and the Chicago 
& Alton Railroads; was also a Trustee of the 
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Jackson- 
ville; was elected Representative in 18.53, became 
a Republican and served on the first Republican 
State Central Committee (1856) ; the same year 
was elected to the State Senate, and was a 
Commissioner of the State Penitentiary in 1864. 
In 1873 Mr. Parks joined in the Liberal-Repub- 
lican movement, was defeated for Congress, and 
afterwards acted with the Democratic party. 
Died, Dec. 28, 1895. 

PARKS, Lawson A., journalist, was born at 
Mecklenburg, N. C, April 15, 1813; learned the 
printing trade at Charlotte, in that State ; came 
to St. Louis in 1833, and, in 1836, assisted in estab- 
lishing "The Alton Telegraph," but sold his 
interest a few years later. Then, having offi- 
ciated as pastor of Presbyterian churches for some 
years, in 1854 he again became associated with 
"The Telegraph," acting as its editor. Died at 
Alton, March 31, 1875. 

PARK RIDGE, a suburban village on the "Wis- 
consin Division of the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, 13 miles northwest of Chicago. Popu- 
lation (1880), 4.57; (1890), 987; (1900), 1,340. 

PARTRIDGE, Charles Addison, journalist and 
Assistant Adjutant-General of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, was born in Westford, Chittenden 
County, Vt., Dec. 8, 1843; came with his parents 
to Lake County, 111., in 1844, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm, receiving his education in the 
district school, with four terms in a high school 
at Burlington, Wis. At 16 he taught a winter 
district school near his boyhood home, and at 18 
enlisted in what became Company C of the 
Ninety-sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, being 
mustered into the service as Eighth Corporal at 
Rockford. His regiment becoming attached to 
the Army of the Cumberland, he participated 
with it in the battles of Chickamauga and the 
Atlanta canipaign, as well as those of Franklin 
and Nashville, and has taken a just pride in the 
fact that he never fell out on the march, took 
medicine from a doctor or was absent from his 
regiment during its term of service, except for 
four months while recovering from a gun-shot 



414 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



wound received at Chickamauga. He was pro- 
moted successively to Sergeant, Sergeant-Major, 
and commissioned Second Lieutenant of his old 
company, of wliicli his father was First Lieuten- 
ant for six months and until forced to resign on 
account of impaired health. Receiving 'his final 
discharge, June 28, 186.5, he returned to the farm, 
where lie remained until 1869, in the meantime 
being married to Miss Jennie E. Earle, in 1866, 
and teaching school one winter. In 1869 he was 
elected County Treasurer of Lake County on the 
Republican ticket, and re-elected in 1871 ; in 
January of the latter year, purchased an interest 
in "The Waukegan Gazette," with which he 
remained associated some fifteen years, at first as 
the partner of Rev. A. K. Fox, and later of his 
younger brother, H. E. Partridge. In 1877 he 
was appointed, by President Hayes, Postmaster 
at Waukegan, serving four years; in 1886 was 
elected to the Legislature, serving (by successive 
elections) as Representative in the Thirty-fifth, 
Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh General Assem- 
blies, being frequently called upon to occupy the 
Speaker's chair, and, especially during the long 
Senatorial contest of 1891, being recognized as a 
leader of the Republican minority. In 1888 he 
was called to the service of the Republican State 
Central Committee (of wliich he had previously 
been a member), as assistant to the veteran Secre- 
tary, the late Daniel Shepard, remaining until 
the death of his chief, when he succeeded to the 
secretaryship. During the Presidential campaign 
of 1892 he was associated with the late William 
J. Campbell, then the Illinois member of the 
Republican National Committee, and was en- 
trusted by him with many important and confi- 
dential missions. Without solicitation on his 
part, in 1894 he was again called to assume the 
secretaryship of the Republican State Central 
Committee, and bore a conspicuous and influ- 
ential part in winning the brilliant success 
achieved by the party in the campaign of that 
year. From 1893 to 189.') he served as Mayor of 
Waukegan; in 1896 became Assistant Adjutant- 
General of the Grand Army of the Republic for 
the Department of Illinois — a position whicli he 
held in 1889 under Commander James S. Martin, 
and to which he has been re-appointed by succes- 
sive Department Commanders up to the present 
time. Mr. Partridge's service in the various 
public positions held by him, has given him an 
acquaintance extending to every county in the 
State. 

PATOKA, a village of Marion County, on the 
Western brancli of the Illinois Central Railway, 



1.5 miles south of Vandalia. There are flour and 
saw mills here ; the surrounding country is agri- 
cultural. Population (1890j, 002; (1900), 640. 
PATTERSOX, Robert Wilson, 1).D., LL.D., 

clergyman, was born in Blount Count}-, Tenn., 
Jan.' 21, 1814; came to Bond County, 111., with 
his parents in 1822, his father dying two j'ears 
later; at 18 had had only nine months' schooling, 
but graduated at Illinois College in 1837; spent a 
year at Lane Theological Seminarj-, another as 
tutor in Illinois College, and then, after two 3ears 
more at Lane Seminary and preaching in Chicago 
and at Monroe, Mich., in 1842 established the 
Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, of which 
he remained the pastor over thirtj- years. In 
18.50 he received a call to the chair of Didactic 
Theology at Lane Seminary, as successor to Dr. 
Lyman Beecher, but it was declined, as was a 
similar call ten years later. Resigning his pastor- 
ship in 1873. he was, for several years, Professor of 
Christian Evidences and Ethics in the Theological 
Seminary of the Northwest ; in 1876-78 served as 
President of Lake Forest University (of which he 
was one of the founders), and, in 1880-83, as 
lecturer in Lane Theological Seminar}'. He 
received the degree of D.D. from Hamilton Col- 
lege, N. Y., in 18.54, that of LL.D. from Lake 
Forest University, and was Moderator of the 
Presbyterian General Assembly (N. S. ) at Wil- 
mington, Del., in 1859. Died, at Evanston. 111., 
Feb. 24, 1894. 

PAVEY, Charles W., soldier and ex-State 
Auditor, was born in Highland County, Qhio, 
Nov. 8, 1835; removed to Illinois in 1859, settling 
in the vicinity of Mount Vernon, and, for a time, 
followed the occupation of a farmer and stock- 
raiser. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Eighti- 
eth Illinois Volunteers for the Civil War, and 
became First Lieutenant of Company E. He was 
severely wounded at the battle of Sand Mountain 
and, having been captured, was confined in Libby 
Prison, at Salisbury, N. C, and at Danville, 
Va., for a period of nearly two years, enduring 
great hardship and suffering. Having been 
exchanged, he served to the close of the war as 
Assistant Inspector-General on the Staff of Gen- 
eral Rousseau, in Tennessee. He was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention of 1880, 
which nominated General Garfield for the Presi- 
dency, and was one of the famous "306" who 
stood by General Grant in that struggle. In 1882 
he was appointed by President Arthur Collector 
of Internal Revenue for the Southern District, 
and, in 1888, was nominated and elected State 
Auditor on the Republican ticket, but was de- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



415 



feated for re-election in the "land-slide" of 1892. 
General Pavey has been prominent in "G. A. R. " 
councils, and held the position of Junior Vice- 
Commander for the Department of Illinois in 

1878, and that of Senior Vice-Commander in 

1879. He also served as Brigadier-General of the 
National Guard, for Southern IlUnois, during the 
railroad strike of 1877. In 1897 he received from 
President McKinley the appointment of Special 
Agent of the Treasury Department. His home 
is at Mount Vernon, Jefferson County. 

PAWXEE, a villagre of Sangamon County, at 
the eastern terminus of the Auburn & Pawnee 
Railroad, 19 miles south of Springfield. Tlietown 
has a bank and a weekly paper. Population (1900). 
595; (1903. est.), 1,000. 

PAWNEE RAILROAD, a short line in Sanga- 
mon County, extending from Pawnee to Auburn 
(9 miles), where it forms a junction with the 
Chicago & Alton Railroad. The company was 
organized and procured a charter in December, 
1888, and the road completed the following year. 
The cost was §101,774. Capital stock authorized, 
$100,000; funded debt (1895), 850,000. 

PAW PAW, a village of Lee County, at the 
junction of two branches of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railway, 8 miles nortliwest of 
Earlville. The town is in a farming region, but 
has a bank and one weekly paper. Population 
(1890), 635; (1900), 765. 

PAXTOX, the county-seat of Ford County, is 
situated at the intersection of the Cliicago Divi- 
sion of the Illinois Central and the Lake Erie & 
Western Railroads, 103 miles south by west from 
Chicago, and 49 miles east of Bloomington. It 
contains a court house, two schools, water-works, 
electric light and water-heating system, two 
banks, nine churches, and one dailj- newspaper. 
It is an important shipping-point for the farm 
products of the surrounding territory, which is a 
rich agricultural region. Besides brick and tile 
works and flour mills, factories for the manu- 
facture of carriages, buggies, hardware, cigars, 
brooms, and plows are located here. Pop. (1890), 
2,187; (1900), 3.036. 

PAYSON, a village" in Adams County, 15 miles 
southeast of Quincy ; the nearest railroad station 
being Fall Creek, on the Quincy and Louisiana 
Division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railway; has one newspaper. Population (1900), 
465. 

PAYSOX, Lewis E,, lawyer and ex-Congress- 
man, was bom at Providence, R. I., Sept. 17, 
1840; came to Illinois at the age of 12. and, after 
passing through the common schools, attended 



Lombard University, at Galesburg, for two years. 
He was admitted to the bar at Ottawa in 1862, 
and, in 1865, took up his residence at Pontiac. 
From 1869 to 1873 he was Judge of the Livingston 
County Court, and, from 1881 to 1891, represented 
his District in Congress, being elected as a 
Republican, but, in 1890, was defeated by his 
Democratic opponent. Herman W. Snow. Since 
retiring from Congress he has practiced his pro- 
fession in Washington, D. C. 

PEABODY, Selim Hobart, educator, was born 
in Rockingham County, Vt., August 20. 1829: 
after reaching 13 years of age, spent a year in a 
Boston Latin School, then engaged in various 
occupations, including teaching, until 1848, when 
he entered the University of Vermont, graduat- 
ing third in his class in 1852; was appointed Pro- 
fessor of Mathematics and Engineering in the 
Polytechnic College at Philadelphia, in 1854, 
remaining three years, when he spent five years 
in Wisconsin, the last three as Superintendent of 
Schools at Racine. From 1865 to 1871 he was 
teacher of physical science in Chicago High 
School, also conducting night schools for work- 
ing men ; in 1871 became Professor of Phj-sics and 
Engineering in Massachusetts Agricultural Col- 
lege, but returned to the Chicago High School in 
1874; in 1876 took charge of the Chicago Acad- 
emy of Sciences, and, in 1878, entered the Illinois 
Industrial University (now University of Illinois), 
at Champaign, first as Pi-ofessor of Mechanical 
Engineering, in 1880 becoming President, but 
resigning in 1891. During the World's Colum- 
bian Exposition at Chicago, Professor Peabody 
was Chief of the Department of Liberal Arts, 
and, on the expiration of his ser%-ice there, 
assumed the position of Curator of the newly 
organized Chicago Academy of Sciences, from 
which he retired some two years later. 

PE.4.RL, a village of Pike County, on the Kan- 
sas City branch of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
14 miles west of Roodhouse. Population (1890), 
928; (1900), 722. 

PEARSOX, Isaac X., ex-Secretary of State, was 
born at Centreville, Pa., July 27, 1842; removed 
to Macomb, McDonough County, 111., in 1858, and 
has ever since resided there. In 1872 he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Coxui;, and re-elected 
in 1876. Later he engaged in real-estate and 
banking business. He was a member of the lower 
house in the Thirty-third, and of the Senate in 
the Thirty-fifth, General Assembly, but before the 
expiration of his term in the latter, was elected 
Secretary of State, on the Republican ticket, in 
1888. In 1892 he was a candidate for re-election, 



416 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



but was defeated, although, next to Governor 
Fifer, he received the largest vote cast for any 
candidate for a political office on the Republican 
State ticket. 

PEARSON, John M., ex-Railway and Ware- 
house Commissioner, born at New bury port, 
Mass., in 1832— the son of a ship-carpenter; was 
educated in his native State and came to Illinois 
in 1849, locating at the city of Alton, where he 
was afterwards engaged in the manufacture of 
agricultural implements. In 1873 he was ap- 
pointed a member of the first Railway and Ware- 
house Commission, serving four years; in 1878 
was elected Representative in the Thirty-first 
General Assembly from 'JIadison County, and 
was re-elected, successively, in 1880 and "82. He 
was appointed a member of the first Board of 
Live-Stock Commissioners in 1885, serving until 
1893, for a considerable portion of the time as 
President of the Board. Jlr. Pearson is a life- 
long Republican and prominent member of the 
Masonic fraternity. His present home is at 
Godfrey. 

PEARSONS, Daniel K., M.D., real-estate oper- 
ator and capitalist, was born at Bradfordton, Vt., 
April 14, 1820; began teaching at 10 years of age, 
and, at 21, entered Dartmouth College, taking a 
two years' course. He then studied medicine, 
and, after practicing a short time in his native 
State, removed to Chicopee, Mass., where he 
remained from 1843 to 1857. The latter year he 
came to Ogle County, 111., and began operating 
in real estate, finally adding to this a loan busi- 
ness for Eastern parties, but discontinued this 
line in 1877. He owns extensive tracts of timber 
lands in Michigan, is a Director in the Chicago 
City Railway Company and American Exchange 
Bank, besides being interested in other financial 
institutions. He has been one of the most liberal 
supporters of the Chicago Historical Society, and 
a princely contributor to various benevolent and 
educational institutions, his gifts to colleges, in 
different parts of the country, aggregating over a 
million dollars. 

PECATOXICA, a town in Pecatonica Township, 
Winnebago County, on the Pecatonica River. It 
is on the Chicago <t Northwestern Railway, mid- 
way beween Freeport and Rockford, being 14 
miles from each. It contains a carriage factory, 
machine shop, condensed milk factory, a bank, 
six churches, a graded school, and a weekly news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 1,059; (1900), 1,045. 

PECATONICA RIVER, a stream formed by the 
confluence of two branches, both of wliich rise 
in Iowa County, Wis. They unite a little north 



of the Illinois State line, whence the river runs 
southeast to Freeport, then east and northeast, 
until it enters Rock River at Rockton. From the 
headwaters of either branch to the mouth of the 
river is about 50 miles. 

PECK, Ebenezer, early lawyer, was born in 
Portland, Maine, May 22, 1805; received an aca- 
demical education, studied law and was admitted 
to the bar in Canada in 1827. He was twice 
elected to the Provincial Parliament and made 
King's Counsel in 1833 ; came to Illinois in 1835, 
settling in Chicago; served in the State Senate 
(1838-40), and in the House (1840-42 and 1858-60); 
was also Clerk of the Supreme Court (1841-45), 
Reporter of Supreme Court decisions (1849-63), 
and member of the Constitutional Convention of 
1869-70. Mr. Peck was an intimate personal 
friend of Abraham Lincoln, by whom he was 
appointed a member of the Court of Claims, at 
Washington, serving until 1875. Died, May 25, 
1881. 

PECK, Ferdinand Wythe, lawyer and finan- 
cier, was born in Chicago, July 15, 1848 — the son 
of Philip F. AV. Peck, a pioneer and early mer- 
chant of the metropolis of Illinois ; was educated 
in the public schools, the Chicago University 
and Union College of Law, graduating from 
both of the last named institutions, and being 
admitted to the bar in 1869. For a time he 
engaged in practice, but his father having died in 
1871, the responsibility of caring for a large 
estate devolved upon him and has since occupied 
his time, though he has given much attention to 
the amelioration of the condition of the poor of 
his native city, and works of practical benevo- 
lence and public interest. He is one of the 
founders of the Illinois Humane Society, has been 
President and a member of the Board of Control 
of the Chicago Athenajum, member of the Board 
of Education, President of the Chicago Union 
League, and was an influential factor in securing 
the success of the World's Columbian Exposition 
at Chicago, in 1893, serving as Fir.st Vice-Presi- 
dent of the Chicago Board of Directors, Chair- 
man of the Finance Committee, and member of 
the Board of Reference and Control. Of late 
years, Mr. Peck has been connected with several 
important building enterprises of a semi-public 
cliaracter, which have added to the reputation of 
Chicago, including the Auditorium, Stock Ex- 
change Building and others in which he is a 
leading stockholder, and in the erection of which 
he has been a chief promoter. In 1898 he was 
appointed, by President McKinley, the United 
States Commissioner to the International Expo- 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



417 



sition at Paris of 1900, as successor to the late 
Maj. M. P. Handy, and the success which has 
followed his discharge of the duties of that 
position, has demonstrated the fitness of his 
selection. 

PECK, George R., railway attorney, born in 
Steuben County, N. Y., in 1843; was early taken 
to Wisconsin, where he assisted in clearing his 
father's farm; at 16 became a country school- 
teacher to aid in freeing the same farm from 
debt; enlisted at 19 in the First Wisconsin Heavy 
Artillery, later becoming a Captain in the Thirty- 
first Wisconsin Infantry, with which he joined in 
"Sherman's March to the Sea." Returning home 
at the close of the war, he began the study of 
law at Janesville, spending six years there as a 
student. Clerk of the Circuit Court and in prac- 
tice. From there he went to Kansas and, between 
1871 and "74, practiced his profession at Independ- 
ence, when he was appointed by President Grant 
United States District Attorney for the Kansas 
District, but resigned this position, in 1879, to 
return to general practice. In 1881 he became 
General Solicitor of the Atchison, Topeka & 
Santa Fe Railroad, removing to Chicago in 
1893. In 1895 he resigned his position with the 
Atchison, Toijeka & Santa Fe Railroad to accept 
a similar position with the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railway Company, which (1898) he 
still holds. Mr. Peck is recognized as one of the 
most gifted orators in the West, and, in 1897, was 
chosen to deliver the principal address at the un- 
veiling of the Logan equestrian statue in Lake 
Front Park, Chicago ; has also officiated as orator 
on a number of other important public occasions, 
always acquitting himself with distinction. 

PECK, John Mason, D.D., clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born in Litchfield, Conn., Oct. 31, 1789; 
removed to Greene County, N. Y., in 1811, where 
he united with the Baptist Church, the same 
year entering on pastoral work, while prosecuting 
his studies and supporting himself by teaching. 
In 1814 he became pastor of a church at Amenia, 
N. Y., and, in 1817, was sent west as a mission- 
ary, arriving in St. Louis in the latter part of the 
same year. During the next nine years he trav- 
eled extensively through Missouri and Illinois, as 
an itinerant preacher and teacher, finally locating 
at Rock Spring, St. Clair County, where, in 1826, 
he established the Rock Spring Seminary for the 
education of teachers and ministers. Out of this 
grew Shurtleff College, founded at Upper Alton 
in 1835, in securing the endowment of which Dr. 
Peck traveled many thousands of miles and col- 
lected $20,000, and of which he served as Trustee 



for many years. Up to 1843 he devoted much 
time to aiding in the establishment of a theolog- 
ical institution at Covington, Ky., and, for two 
years following, was Corresponding Secretary and 
Financial Agent of the American Baptist Publi- 
cation Society, with headquarters in Philadelphia. 
Returning to the West, he served as pastor of sev- 
eral important churches in Missouri, Illinois and 
Kentucky. A man of indomitable will, iinflag- 
ging industry and thoroughly upright in conduct, 
for a period of a quarter of a century, in the early 
history of the State, probably no man exerted a 
larger influence for good and the advancement 
of the cause of education, among the pioneer citi- 
zens of all classes, than Dr. Peck. Though giving 
his attention so constantly to preaching and 
teaching, he found time to write much, not only 
for the various publications with which he was, 
from time to time, connected, but also for other 
periodicals, besides publishing "A Guide for Emi- 
grants" (1831), of which a new edition appeared 
in 183G, and a "Gazetteer of Illinois" (Jackson- 
ville, 1834, and Boston, 1837), which continue to 
be valued for the information they contain of the 
condition of the country at that time. He was 
an industrious collector of historical records in 
the form of newspapers and pamphlets, which 
were unfortunately destroyed bj- fire a few years 
before his death. In 1852 he received the degree 
of D.D. from Harvard University. Died, at Rock 
Spring, St. Clair County, March 15, 1858. 

PECK, Philip F. W., pioneer merchant, was 
born in Providence, R. I., in 1809, the son of a 
wholesale merchant who had lost his fortune by 
indorsing for a friend. After some j'ears spent 
in a mercantile house in New York, he came to 
Chicago on a prospecting tour, in 1830; the fol- 
lowing year brought a stock of goods to the 
embryo emporium of the Northwest — then a small 
backwoods hamlet — and, by trade and fortunate 
investments in real estate, laid the foundation of 
what afterwards became a large fortune. Ha 
died, Oct. 23, 1871, as the result of an accident 
occurring about the'time of the great fire of two 
weeks previous, from which he was a heavy 
sufferer pecuniarily. Three of his sons, Walter L. , 
Clarence I. and Ferdinand W. Peck, are among 
Chicago's most substantial citizens. 

PEKIX, a flourishing city, the county-seat of 
Tazewell County, and an important railway cen- 
ter, located on the Illinois River. 10 miles south 
of Peoria and 56 miles north of Springfield. 
Agriculture and coal-mining are the chief occu- 
pations in the surrounding country, but the city 
itself is an important grain market with large 



418 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



general shipping interests. It has several dis- 
tilleries, besides grain elevators, malt-houses, 
brick and tile works, lumber yards, planing mills, 
marble works, plow and wagon works, and a 
factory for corn products. Its banking facilities 
are adequate, and its religious and educational 
advantages are excellent. The city has a public 
library, park, steam -lieating plant, three daily 
and four weekly papers. Pop. (1890), (i,34T ; (1900), 
8,420. 

PEKIN, LI>'COLX & DECATUR RAILROAD. 
(See Peoria, Decatur d: Ei-ansville Eailway.) 

PELL, Gilbert T., Representative in the Third 
Illinois General Assembly (1822) from Edwards 
County, and an opponent of the resolution for a 
State Convention adopted by the Legislature at 
that session, designed to open the door for the 
admission of slavery. Mr. Pell was a son-in-law 
of ilorris Birkbeck, who was one of the leaders 
in opposition to the Convention scheme, and very 
naturally sympathized with his father-in-law. 
He was elected to the Legislature, for a second 
term, in 1828, but subsequently left the State, 
dying elsewhere, when his widow removed to 
Australia. 

PEXASTLTANIA RAILROAD. As to oper- 
ations of this corporation in Illinois, see Calumet 
River; Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago; South 
Chicago & Southern, and Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railwaj-s. The whole num- 
ber of miles owned, leased and operated by the 
Pennsylvania System, in 1,898. was 1,987.21, of 
which only 61.34 miles were in Illinois. It owns, 
however, a controlling interest in the stock of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway (which 
see). 

PEORIA, the second largest city of the State 
and the county-seat of Peoria County, is 160 miles 
southwest of Chicago, and at the foot of an expan- 
sion of the Illinois River known as Peoria Lake. 
The site of the town occupies an elevated plateau, 
having a %vater frontage of four miles and extend- 
ing back to a bluff, wliich rises 200 feet above the 
river level and about 120 feet above the highest 
point of the main site. It was settled in 1778 or 
'79, although, as generally believed, the French 
missionaries had a station there in 1711. There 
was certainly a settlement there as early as 172.5, 
when Renault received a grant of lands at Pimi- 
teoui, facing the lake then bearing the same 
name as the village. From that date until 1812, 
the place was continuously occupied as a French 
village, and is said to have been the most impor- 
tant point for trading in the Mississippi Valley. 
The original village was situated about a mile and 



a half above the foot of the lake ; but later, the pres- 
ent site was occupied, at first receiving the name 
of "La Ville de Maillet," from a French Canadian 
who resided in Peoria, from 176.5 to 1801 {the time 
of his death), and who commanded a company of 
volunteers in the Revolutionary War. The popu- 
lation of the old town removed to the new site, 
and the present name was given to the place by 
American settlers, from the Peoria Indians, who 
were the occupants of the country when it was 
fir.st discovered, hut who had followed their cog- 
nate tribes of the Illinois family to Cahokia and 
Kaskaskia, about a centurj- before American 
occupation of this region. In 1812 the town is 
estimated to have contained about seventy dwell- 
ings, with a population of between 200 and 
300, made up largelj- of French traders, 
hunters and voyageurs, with a considerable 
admixture of half-breeds and Indians, and a few 
Americans. Among the latter were Thomas 
Forsyth, Indian Agent and confidential adviser 
of Governor Edwards; Michael La Croix, son-in- 
law of Julian Dubuque, founder of the city of 
Dubuque ; Antoine Le Claire, foimder of Daven- 
port, and for whom Le Claire, Iowa, is named; 
William Arundel, afterwards Recorder of St. 
Clair County, and Isaac Damielle, the second law- 
yer in Illinois. — In November, 1812, about half 
the town was burned, by order of Capt. Thomas 
E. Craig, w-ho had been directed, by Governor 
Edwards, to proceed up the river in boats with 
materials to build a fort at Peoria. At the same 
time, the Governor himself was at the head of a 
force marching against Black Partridge's vil- 
lage, which he destroyed. Edwards had no com- 
munication with Craig, who appears to have 
acted solely on his own responsibility. That the 
latter's action was utterly unjustifiable, there can 
now be little doubt. He alleged, by way of 
excuse, that his boats had been fired upon from 
the shore, at night, by Indians or others, who 
were harbored by the citizens. The testimony 
of the French, however, is to the effect that it 
was an unprovoked and cowardly assault, insti- 
gated by wine which the soldiers had stolen from 
the cellars of the inhabitants. Tlie bulk of those 
who remained after the fire were taken by Craig 
to a point below Alton and put ashore. This 
occurred in the beginning of winter, and the 
people, being left in a destitute condition, were 
subjected to great suffering. A Congressional 
investigation followed, and the French, having 
satisfactorily established the fact that they were 
not hostile, were restored to tlieir possessions. — In 
1813 a fort, designed for permanent occupancy, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



419 



was erected and named Fort Clark, in honor of 
Col. George Rogers Clark. It had one (if not 
two) blockhouses, with magazines and quarters 
for officers and men. It was finally evacuated in 
ISIS, and was soon afterwards burned by the 
Indians. Although a trading-post had been 
maintained here, at intervals, after the affair of 
1813, there was no attempt made to rebuild the 
town until 1819, when Americans began to 
arrive. — In 1824 a post of the American Fur Com- 
pany was established here by John Hamlin, the 
company having already had, for five years, a 
station at Wesley City, three miles farther down 
the river. Hamlin also traded in pork and other 
products, and was the first to introduce keel- 
boats on the Illinois River. By transferring his 
cargo to lighter draft boats, when necessarj-, he 
made the trip from Peoria to Chicago entirely by 
water, going from the Des Plaines to Mud Lake, 
and thence to the South Branch of the Chicago 
River, without unloading. In 1834 the town had 
but seven frame houses and twentj'one log 
cabins. It was incorporated as a town in ISS.'i 
(Rudolphus Rouse being the first President), and, 
as the City of Peoria, ten years later (Wm. Hale 
being the first Mayor). — Peoria is an important 
railway and business center, eleven railroad lines 
concentrating here. It presents many attractive 
features, such as handsome residences, fine views 
of river, bluff and valley scenery, with an elab- 
orate system of parks and drives. An excellent 
school system is liberalh' supported, and its public 
buildings (national, county and city) are fine and 
costly. Its churches are elegant and well 
attended, the leading denominations being 
Methodist Episcopal, Congregational, Presby- 
terian, Baptist, Protestant and Reformed Episco- 
pal, Lutheran, Evangelical anil Roman Catholic. 
It is the seat of Bradley Polytechnic Institute, a 
young and flourishing scientific school affiliated 
with the University of Chicago, and richly en- 
dowed through the munificence of Mrs. Lydia 
Bradley, who devotes her whole estate, of at 
least a million dollais. to this object. Right Rev. 
John L. Spaulding, Bishop of the Roman Catho- 
lic diocese of Peoria, is erecting a handsome and 
costly building for the Spaulding Institute, a 
school for the higher education of young men. — 
At Bartonville, a suburb of Peoria, on an eleva- 
tion commanding a magnificent view of the Illi- 
nois River valley for many miles, the State has 
located an asylum for the incurable insane. It is 
now in process of erection, and is intended to be 
one of the most complete of its kind in the world. 
Peoria lies in a corn and coal region, is noted for 



the number and extent of its distilleries, and, in 
1890, ranked eighth among the grain markets of 
the country. It also has an extensive commerce 
with Chicago, St. Louis and other important 
cities; was credited, by the census of 1890, with 
5o4 manufacturing establishments, representing 
90 different branches of industry, with a capital 
of $15,073,567 and an estimated annual product of 
$55,504,523. Its leading industries are the manu- 
facture of distilled and malt liquors, agricultural 
implements, glucose and machine-shop products. 
Its contributions to the internal revenue of the 
country are second only to those of the New York 
district. Population (1870), 32,849; (1880), 29,259; 
(1890), 41, 024; (1900), 56.100. 

PEORIA COUNTY, originally a part of Fulton 
County, but cut off in 1825. It took its name 
from the Peoria Indians, who occupied that region 
when it was first discovered. As first organized, 
it included the present counties of Jo Daviess and 
Cook, with many others in the northern part of 
the State. At that time there were less than 
1,500 inhabitants in the entire region; and John 
Hamlin, a Justice of the Peace, on his return 
from Green Bay (whither he had accompanied 
William S. Hamilton, a son of Alexander Hamil- 
ton, with a drove of cattle for the fort there), 
solemnized, at Chicago, the marriage of Alex- 
ander Wolcott, then Indian Agent, with a 
daughter of John Kinzie. The original Peoria 
County has been subdivided into thirty counties, 
among them being some of the largest and rich- 
est in the State. The first county officer was 
Norman Hyde, who was elected Judge of the 
Probate Court by the Legislature in January, 
1825. His commission from Governor Coles was 
dated on the eighteenth of that month, but he 
did not qualify until June 4, following, when he 
took the oath of office before John Dixon, Circuit 
Clerk, who founded the city that bears his name. 
Meanwhile, Mr. Hyde had been appointed the 
first Clerk of the County Commissioners' Court, 
and served in that capacity until entering upon 
his duties as Probate Judge. The first election 
of county officers was held, March 7, 1825, at the 
house of William Eads. Nathan Dillon, Joseph 
Smith, and William Holland were chosen Com- 
missioners; Samuel Fulton Sheriff, and William 
Phillips Coroner. The first County Treasurer 
was Aaron Hawlej-, and the first general election 
of officers took place in 1826. The first court 
house was a log cabin, and the first term of 
the Circuit Court began Nov. 14, 1835, John 
York Sa^vyer sitting on the bench, with John 
Dixon, Clerk; Samuel Fulton, Sheriff; and John 



420 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Twiney, the Attorney-General, present. Peoria 
County is, at present, one of the wealthiest and 
most populous counties in the State. Its soil is 
fertile and its manufactures numerous, especially 
at Peoria, the county-seat and principal city 
(which see). The area of the county is G15 square 
miles, and its population (1880), 55,353; (1890), 
70,378; (1900), SH.fiOS. 

PEORIA LAKE, an expansion of the Illinois 
River, forming the eastern boundary of Peoria 
County, which it separates from the counties of 
Woodford and Tazewell. It is about 20 miles 
long and 2/-2 miles broad at the widest part. 

PEORIA, ATLANTA & DECATUR RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Terre Haute <& Peoria Railroad.) 

PEORIA, DECATUR & EVAIVSVILLE RAIL- 
WAY. The total length of this line, extending 
from Peoria, 111., to Evansville, Ind., is 330.87 
miles, all owned by the company, of which 273 
miles are in Illinois. It extends from Pekin, 
southeast to Grayville, on the Wabash River — is 
single track, unballasted, and of standard gauge. 
Between Pekin and Peoria the company uses the 
tracks of the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway, of 
which it is one-fourth owner. Between Hervey 
City and Midland Junction it has trackage privi 
leges over the line owned jointl}' by the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville and the Terre Haute & 
Peoria Companies (7.5 miles). Between Midland 
Junction and Decatur (2.4 miles) the tracks of 
the Illinois Central are used, the two Lines having 
terminal facilities at Decatur in common. The 
rails are of fifty-two and sixty pound steel. — 
(History.) The main line of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway is the result of the consoli- 
dation of several lines built under separate char- 
ters. (1) The Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur Railroad, 
chartered in 18G7, built in 1869-71, and operated 
the latter year, was leased to the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railway, but sold to representatives 
of the bond-holders, on account of default on 
interest, in 1876, and reorganized as the Pekin, 
Lincoln & Decatur Railway. (2) The Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, (projected from 
Decatur to Mattoon), was incorporated in 1871, 
completed from Mattoon to Hervey City, in 1872, 
and, the same 3'ear, consolidated with the Chi- 
cago & Great Southern ; in January, 1874, the 
Decatur line passed into the hands of a receiver, 
and, in 1877, having been sold under foreclosure, 
was reorganized as the Decatur, Mattoon & South- 
ern Railroad. In 1879 it was placed in the hands 
of trustees, but the Pekin, Lincoln & Decatur 
Railway having acquired a controlling interest 
during the same year, the two lines were con- 



solidated under the name of the Peoria, Decatur 
& Evansville Railway Compan3-. (3) The Gra}'- 
viUe & Mattoon Railroad, chartered in 1857, was 
consolidated in 1873 with the Mount Vernon & 
Grayville Railroad (projected), the new corpo- 
ration taking the name of the Chicago & Illinois 
Southern (already mentioned). In 1872 the latter 
corporation was consolidated with the Decatur, 
Sullivan & Mattoon Railroad, under the name of 
the Chicago & Illinois Southern Railwaj". Both 
consolidations, however, were set aside by decree 
of the United States District Court, in 1876, and 
the partiallj- graded road and franchises of the 
Grayville & Mattoon lines sold, under foreclosure, 
to the contractors for the construction ; 20 miles 
of the line from Olney to Newton, were completed 
during the month of September of that j'ear. and 
the entire line, from Grayville to Mattoon, in 
1878. In 1880 this line was sold, under decree of 
foreclosure, to the Peoria, Decatur & Evansville 
Railway Company, which had already acquired 
the Decatur & Mattoon Division —thus placing 
the entire line, from Peoria to Grayville, in the 
hands of one corporation. A line under the name 
of the Evansville & Peoria Railroad, chartered in 
Indiana in 1880, was consolidated, the same year, 
with the Illinois corporation under the name of 
the latter, and completed from Grayville to 
Evansville in 1882. (4) The Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad — cliartered, in 1869, as the Dan- 
ville, Olney & Ohio River Railroad — was con- 
structed, as a narrow-gauge line, from Kansas to 
West Liberty, in 1878-81 ; in the latter year was 
changed to standard gauge and completed, in 
1883. from Sidell to Olney (86 miles). The same 
year it went into the hands of a receiver, was sold 
under foreclosure, in February, 1886, and reorgan- 
ized, in May following, as the Chicago & Ohio 
River Railroad ; was consolidated with the Peoria, 
Decatur & Evansville Railway, in 1893, and used 
as the Chicago Division of that line. The property 
and franchises of the entire line passed into the 
hands of receivers in 1894, and are still (1898) 
under their management. 

PEORIA, PEKIX & JACKSONVILLE RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & St. Lotiis Hail- 
road of Illinois.) 

PEORIA & BUREAU TALLEY RAILROAD, a 
short line, 46.7 miles in length, operated bj^ the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany, extending from Peoria to Bureau Junction, 
111. It was incorporated, Feb. 12, 1853, com- 
pleted the following year, and leased to the Rock 
Island in perpetuity. April 14, 1854, the annual 
rental being §125,000. The par value of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



421 



capital stock is $1,500,000. Annual dividends of 
8 per cent are guaranteed, payable semi-annu- 
ally. (See Chicago, Rock Island <fr Pacific 
Ra ilu-ay. ) 

PEORIA & EASTERN RAILROAD. Of this 
line the' Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroad Company is the lessee. Its total 
length is 350>2 miles, 133 of which lie in Illinois 
— 123 being o\\iied by the Companj-. That por- 
tion within this State extends east from Pekin to 
the Indiana State line, in addition to which the 
Companj- lias trackage facilities over the line of 
the Peoria & Pekin Union Railway (9 miles) to 
Peoria. The gauge is standard. The track is 
single, laid with sixty and sixty-seven-pound 
steel rails and ballasted almost wholly with 
gravel. Tlie capital stock is .?10,000,000. In 189.5 
it had a bonded debt of §13,603,000 and a floating 
debt of .?1. 261, 130, making a total capitalization 
of S24,864,130.— (History.) The original of this 
corporation was the Danville, Urbana, Blooming- 
ton & Pekin Railroad, which was consolidated, 
in July, 1869, with the Indianapolis, Crawfords- 
ville & Danville Railroad — the new corporation 
taking the name of the Indianapolis, Blooming- 
ton & Western — and was opened to Pekin the 
same year. In 1874 it passed into the hands of a 
receiver, was sold under foreclosure in 1879, and 
reorganized as the Indiana, Bloomington & 
Western Railway Company. The next change 
occurred in 1881, when it was consolidated with 
an Ohio corporation (the Ohio, Indiana & Pacific 
Railroad), again undergoing a slight change of 
name in its reorganization as the Indiana, Bloom- 
ington & Western Railroad Company. In 1886 
it again got into financial straits, was placed in 
charge of a receiver and sold to a reorganization 
committee, and, in January, 1887, took the name 
of the Ohio, Indiana & Western Railway Com- 
pany. The final reorganization, under its present 
name, took place in February, 1890, when it was 
leased to the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, by which it is operated. 
(See Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway.) 

PEORIA & HANMBAL RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

PEORIA & OQUAWKA RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

PEORIA & PEKiy UNION RAILWAY. A line 
connecting the cities of Peoria and Pekin, which 
are onh' 8 miles apart. It was chartered in 1880, 
and acquired, by purchase, the tracks of the Peoria, 
Pekin & Jacksonville and the Peoria & Spring- 
field Railroads, between the two cities named in 



its title, giving it control of two lines, which are 
used bj- nearlj- all the railroads entering both 
cities from the east side of the Illinois River. The 
mileage, including both divisions, is 18.14 miles, 
second tracks and sidings increasing the total to 
nearly CO miles. The track is of standard gauge, 
about two-thirds being laid with steel rails. The 
total cost of construction was §4,350,987. Its 
total capitalization (1898) was §4,177,763, includ- 
ing §1,000,000 in stock, and a funded debt of 
§2,904,000. The capital stock is held in eciual 
amounts (each 2,500 shares) by the Wabash, the 
Peoria, Decatur & Evansville, the Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis and the Peoria & Eastern com- 
panies, with 1,000 shares by the Lake Erie & 
Western. Terminal charges and annual rentals 
are also paid by the Terre Haute & Peoria and 
the Iowa Central Railways. 

PEORIA & SPRIXOFIELD RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad of Illinois.) 

PEOTONE, a village of Will County, on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, 41 miles south southwest 
from Chicago; has some manufactures, a bank 
and a newspaper. The surrounding country is 
agricultural. Population (1890), 717; (1900), 1,003. 

PERCY, a village of Randolph County, at the 
intersection 6f the Wabash, Chesapeake & West- 
ern and the Mobile & Ohio Railways. Population 
(1890), 360; (1900), 660. 

PERROT, Nicholas, a French explorer, wno 
visited the valley of the Fox River (of Wisconsin) 
and the country around the great lakes, at various 
times between 1670 and 1690. He was present, 
as a guide and interpreter, at the celebrated con- 
ference held at Sault Ste. Marie, in 1071, which 
was attended by fifteen Frenchmen and repre- 
sentatives from seventeen Indian tribes, and at 
which the Sieur de Lusson took formal possession 
of Lakes Huron and Superior, with the surround- 
ing region and "all the country southward to the 
.sea," in the name of Louis XIV. of France. 
Perrot was the first to discover lead in the West, 
and, for several years, was Commandant in the 
Green Bay district. As a chronicler he was 
intelligent, interesting and accurate. His writ- 
ings were not published until 1864, but have 
always been highly prized as authority. 

PERRY, a town of Pike County ; has a bank 
and a newspaper. Population (1880), 770; (1890), 
705; (1900), C42. 

PERRY COUNTY, lies in the southwest quarter 
of the State, with an area of 440 square miles and 
a population (1900) of 19,830. It was organized 
as a county in 1827, and named for Com. Oliver 
H. Perry. The general surface is rolling. 



422 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



although flat prairies occupy a considerable por- 
tion, interspersed with "post-oak flats. " Limestone 
is found in the southern, and sandstone in the 
northern, sections, but the chief mineral wealth 
of the county is coal, which is abundant, and, at 
several points, easily mined, some of it being of 
a superior quality. Salt is manufactured, tosome 
extent, and the chief agricultural output is 
wheat. Pinckneyville, the county-seat, has a 
central position and a population of about 1,300. 
Duquoir is the largest city. Beaucoup Creek is 
the principal stream, and the county is crossed 
by several lines of railroad. 

PERU, a city in La Salle County, at the head 
of navigation on the Illinois River, which is here 
spanned by a handsome bridge. It is distant 100 
miles southwest from Chicago, and the same dis- 
tance north-northeast from Springfield. It is 
connected by street cars with La Salle, one mile 
distant, which is the terminus of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. It is situated in a rich coal- 
mining region, is an important trade center, and 
has several manufacturing establishments, includ- 
ing zinc smelting works, rolling mills, nickeloid 
factory, metal uovelt}' works, gas engine factory, 
tile works, plow, scale and patent-pump factories, 
foundries and machine shops, flour and saw mills, 
clock factory, etc. Two national banks, with a 
combined capital of §200,000, are located at Peru, 
and one daily and one weekly paper. Population 
(1870), 3,650; (1880), 4,682; (1890), 5,550; (1900), 
6,863. 

PESOTUM, a village in Champaign County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad, 5 miles south of 
Tolono. Population (1890), 575. 

PETERSBURG, a city of Menard County, and 
the county-seat, on the Sangamon River, at the 
intersection Chicago & Alton with the Chicago, 
Peoria & St. Louis Railway ; 23 miles northwest 
of Springfield and 28 miles northeast of Jackson- 
ville. The town was surveyed and platted by 
Abraham Lincoln in 1837, and is the seat of the 
"Old Salem" Chautauqua. It has machine shops, 
two banks, two weekly papers and nine churches. 
The manufactures include woolen goods, brick 
and drain-tile, bed-springs, mattresses, and 
canned goods. Pop. (1890), 2,342, (1900), 2,807. 

PETERS, Onslow, lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Massachusetts, graduated at Brown Univer- 
sity, and was admitted to the bar and practiced 
law in his native State until 1837, when he set- 
tled at Peoria, 111. He served in the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. was elected to the 
bench of the Sixteenth Judicial Circuit in 1858, 
and re-elected in 1855. Died, Feb. 28, 1856. 



PHILLIPS, David L , journalist and politician, 
was born where the town of Marion, Williamson 
County, 111., now stands, Oct. 28, 1823; came to 
St. Clair County in childhood, his father settling 
near Belleville ; began teaching at an early age, 
and, when about 18, joined the Baptist Church, 
and, after a brief course with the distinguished 
Dr. Peck, at his Rock Spring Seminary, two years 
later entered the ministry, serving churches in 
Washington and other Southern Illinois counties, 
finally taking charge of a church at Jonesboro. 
Though originally a Democrat, his advanced 
views on slavery led to a disagreement with his 
church, and he withdrew ; then accepted a posi- 
tion as paymaster in the construction department 
of the Illinois Central Railroad, finally being 
transferred to that of Land Agent for tlie South- 
ern section, in this capacity visiting different 
parts of the State from one end of the main line 
to the other. About 1854 he became associated 
with the management of "The Jonesboro Ga- 
zette," a Democratic paper, which, during his con- 
nection with it (some two years), he made an 
earnest opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill. 
At the A.nti -Nebraska Editorial Convention 
(which see), held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, he 
was appointed a member of their State Central 
Committee, and, as such, joined in the call for the 
first Republican State Convention, held at Bloom- 
ington in May following, where he served as 
Vice-President for his District, and was nomi- 
nated for Presidential Elector on the Fremont 
ticket. Two years later (1858) he was the 
unsuccessful Republican candidate for Congress 
in the Southern District, being defeated by John 
A. Logan; was again in the State Convention of 
1860, and a delegate to the National Convention 
wliich nominated Abraham Lincoln for President 
the first time; was appointed by Mr. Lincoln 
United States Marshal for the Southern District 
in 1861, and re-appointed in 1865, but resigned 
after Andrew Johnson's defection in 1866. Dur- 
ing 1862 Mr. Phillips became part proprietor of 
"The State Journal" at Springfield, retaining 
this relation until 1878. at intervals performing 
editorial service; also took a prominent part in 
organizing and equipping the One Hundred and 
Ninth Regiment Illinois Volunteers (sometimes 
called the "Pliillips Regiment"), and, in 1865, 
was one of the committee of citizens sent to 
escort the remains of President Lincoln to 
Springfield. He joined in the Liberal Republican 
movement at Cincinnati in 1872, but, in 1876, 
was in line with his former jiarty associates, and 
served in that year as an unsuccessful candidate 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



423 



for Congress, in the Springfield District, in oppo- 
sition to William M. Springer, early the following 
year receiving tlie appointment of Postmaster 
for the city of Springfield from President Hayes. 
Died, at Springfield, June 19, 1880. 

PHILLIPS, George S., author, was born at 
Peterborough. England, in January, 181G; gradu- 
ated at Cambridge, and came to the United 
States, engaging in journalism. In 1845 he 
returned to England, and, for a tirne, was editor 
of "The Leeds Times," still later being Principal 
of the People's College at Huddersfield. Return- 
ing to the United States, lie came to Cook County, 
and. about 1866-68. was a writer of sketches over 
the novi de plume of "January Searle" for "The 
Chicago Republican" — later was literary editor 
of "The New York Sun" for several years. His 
mind becoming impaired, he was placed in an 
asylum at Trenton, N. J., finally dying at Morris- 
town, N. J., Jan. 14, 1889. Mr. Phillips was the 
author of several volumes, chiefly sketches of 
travel and biography. 

PHILLIPS, Jesse J., lawyer, soldier and 
jurist, was born in Montgomery County, 111., 
May 22, 183T. Shortly after graduating from the 
Hillsboro Academy, he read law, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1860. In 1861 he organized 
a company of volunteers, of which he was 
chosen Captain, and which was attached to the 
Ninth Illinois Infantry. Captain Phillips was 
successively advanced to the rank of Major, 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel; resigned on 
account of disability, in August, 1864, but was 
brevetted Brigadier-General at the close of the 
war. His military record was exceptionally 
brilliant He was wounded three times at 
Shiloh, and was personally thanked and compli- 
mented by Generals Grant and Oglesby for gal- 
lantry and efficient service. At the termination 
of the struggle he returned to Hillsboro and 
engaged in practice. In 1866, and again in 1868, 
he was the Democratic candidate for State Treas- 
urer, but was both times defeated. In 1879 he 
was elected to the bench of the Fifth Judicial 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1885. In 1890 he was 
assigned to the bench of the Appellate Court of 
the Fourth District, and, in 1893, was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, to fill the vacancy 
created by the death of Justice Jolm M. Scholfield, 
his term expiring in 1897, when he was re-elected 
to succeed himself. Judge Phillips" present term 
will expire in 1906. 

PHILLIPS, Joseph, early jurist, was born in 
Tennessee, received a classical and legal edu- 
cation, and served as a Captain in the War of 



1813 ; in 1816 was appointed Secretary of Illinois 
Territory, serving imtil the admission of Illinois 
as a State, when he became the first Chief Jus- 
tice of the Supreme Court, serving until July, 
1822, when he resigned, being succeeded on the 
bench by John Reynolds, afterwards Governor. 
In 1822 he was a candidate for Governor in the 
interest of the advocates of a pro-slavery amend- 
ment of the State Constitution, but was defeated 
by Edward Coles, the leader of the anti-slavery 
party. (See Coles, Edward, and Slavery and Slave 
Laws.) He appears from the "Edwards Papers" 
to have been in Illinois as late as 1832, but is 
said eventually to have returned to Tennessee. 
The date of his death is unknown. 

PIAXKKSHAWS, THE, a branch of the Miami 
tribe of Indians. Their name, like tliose of their 
brethren, underwent many mutations of orthog- 
raphy, the tribe being referred to, variously, as 
the "Pou-an-ke-kiahs," the "Pi-an-gie-shaws," 
the "Pi-an-qui-shaws," and the "Py-an-ke- 
shaws. " They were less numerous than the 
Weas, their numerical strength ranking lowest 
among the bands of the Miamis. At the time La 
Salle planted his colony around Starved Rock, 
their warriors numbered 150. Subsequent to the 
dispersion of this colony they (alone of the Miamis) 
occupied portions of the present territory of Illi- 
nois, having villages on the Vermilion and 
Wabash Rivers. Their earliest inclinations 
toward tlie whites were friendlj-, the French 
traders having intermarried with women of the 
tribe soon after the advent of the first explor- 
ers. Col. George Rogers Clark experienced little 
difficulty in securing their allegiance to the new 
government which he proclaimed. In the san- 
guinary raids (usually followed by reprisals), 
which marked Western history during the years 
immediately succeeding the Revolution, the 
Piankeshaws took no part ; yet the outrages, per- 
petrated upon peaceable colonists, had so stirred 
the settlers' blood, that all Indians were included 
in the general thirst for vengeance, and each was 
unceremoniously dispatched as soon as seen. The 
Piankeshaws appealed to Washington for protec- 
tion, and the President issued a special procla- 
mation in their behalf. After the cession of the 
last remnant of the Miami territory to the United 
States, the tribe was removed to a Kansas reser- 
vation, and its last remnant finally found a lionie 
in Indian Territory. (See also Miamis: Weas.) 

"PIASA BIRD," LEGEND OF THE. When 
the French explorers first descended the Upper 
Mississippi River, they found some remarkable 
figures depicted upon the face of the bluff, just 



42i 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



above the site of the present city of Alton, which 
excited their wonder and continued to attract 
interest long after the country was occupied by 
the whites. Tlie account given of the discov- 
ery by Marquette, who descended the river from 
the mouth of the Wisconsin, in June, 1673, is as 
follows: "As we coasted along" (after passing 
tlie mouth of the Illinois) "rocks frightful for 
their height and length, we saw two monsters 
painted on one of the rocks, which startled us at 
first, and upon which the boldest Indian dare not 
gaze long. They are as large as a calf, with horns 
on the head like a deer, a frightful look, red 
eyes, bearded like a tiger, the face somewhat 
like a man's, the body covered with scales, and 
the tail so long that it twice makes the turn of 
the body, passing over the head and down be- 
tween the legs, ending at last in a fisli's tail. 
Green, red and black are the colors employed. 
On the whole, these two monsters are so well 
painted that we could not believe any Indian to 
have been the designer, as good painters in 
France would find it hard to do as well. Besides 
this, they are painted so high upon the rock tliat 
it is hard to get conveniently at them to paint 
them." As the Indians could give no account of 
the origin of these figures, but had their terror 
even more excited at the sight of them than Mar- 
quette himself, they are supposed to have been 
the work of some prehistoric race occupying the 
country long before tlie arrival of the aborigines 
whom Marquette and his companions found in 
Illinois. There was a tradition that the figures 
were intended to represent a creature, part beast 
and part bird, which destroyed immense numbers 
of the inhabitants by swooping down upon them 
from its abode upon the rocks. At last a chief is 
said to have offered himself a victim for his 
people, and when the monster made its appear- 
ance, twenty of his warriors, concealed near by, 
discharged their arrows at it, killing it just 
before it readied its prey. In this manner the 
life of the chief was saved and his people were 
preserved from further depredations ; and it was 
to commemorate this event that the figure of the 
bird was painted on the face of the cliff on whose 
summit the chief stood. This story, told in a 
paper by Mr. John Russell, a pioneer author of 
Illinois, obtained wide circulation in this country 
and in Europe, about the close of the first 
quarter of the present century, as the genuine 
"Legend of the Piasa Bird." It is said, however, 
that Mr. Russell, who was a popular writer of 
fiction, acknowledged that it was drawn largely 
from his imagination. Many prehistoric relics 



and human remains are said, by the late William 
MoAdams, the antiquarian of Alton, to have 
been found in caves in the vicinity, and it seems 
a well authenticated fact that the Indians, when 
passing the spot, were accustomed to discharge 
their arrows — and, later, their firearms — at the 
figure on the face of the cliS. .Traces of this 
celebrated pictograph were visible as late as 1840 
to 184.5, but have since been entirely quarried 
away. 

PIATT COUNTY, organized in 1841, consist- 
ing of parts of Macon and Dewitt Counties. Its 
area is 440 square miles ; population (1900), 17,706. 
The first Commissioners were John Hughes, W. 
Bailey and E. Peck. John Piatt, after whose 
family the county was named, %vas the first 
Sheriff. The North Fork of the Sangamon River 
flows centrally through the county from north- 
east to southwest, and several lines of railroad 
afford transportation for its products. Its re- 
sources and the occupation of the people are 
almost wholly agricultural, tlie surface being 
level prairie and the soil fertile. Slonticello, the 
county-seat, has a population of about 1,700. 
Other leading towns are Cerro Gordo (939) and 
Bement (1.129). 

PICKETT, Thomas Johnson, journaUst, was 
born in Louisville, Ky., March 17, 1831; spent 
six years (1830-36) in St. Louis, when his family 
removed to Peoria ; learned the printer's trade in 
the latter city, and, in 1840, began the publica- 
tion of "The Peoria News," then sold out and 
established "The Republican" (afterwards "The 
Transcript") ; was a member of the Anti-Nebraska 
Editorial Convention lield at Decatur, Feb. 22, 
1856, serving on the Committee on Resolutions, 
and being apjxiinted on the State Central Com- 
mittee, which called the first Republican State 
Convention, held at Bloomington, in May follow- 
ing, and was there appointed a delegate to tlie 
National Convention at Philadelphia, which 
nominated General Fremont for President. 
Later, he published papers at Pekin and Rock 
Island, at the latter place being one of the first to 
name Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency ; was 
elected State Senator in 1860, and, in 1862, com- 
missioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-ninth 
Illinois Volunteers, being transferred, as Colonel, 
to the One Hundred and Thirty -.second Illinois 
(100-daj's' men), and serving at Camp Douglas 
during the "Conspiracy'" excitement. After the 
war. Colonel Pickett removed to Paducah, Ky., 
published a paper there called "The Federal 
Union." was appointed Postmaster, and, later, 
Clerk of the United States District Court, and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



425 



was the Republican nominee for Congress, In that 
District, in 1874. Removing to Nebraska in 1879, 
he at different times conducted several papers in 
that State residing for the most part at Lincoln. 
Died, at Ashland, Neb., Dec. 24. 1891. 

PIERSOX, David, pioneer banker, was born at 
Cazenovia, N. Y., July 9. 1806; at the age of 13 
removed west with his parents, arriving at St. 
Louis, June 3, 1820. The family soon after set- 
tled nearCollinsville, Madison County, 111., where 
the father having died, they removed to the vi- 
cinity of Carrollton, Greene County, in 1821. Here 
they opened a farm, but. in 1827, Mr. Pierson 
went to the lead mines at Galena, where he re- 
mained a year, then returning to Carrollton. In 
1834, having sold his farm, he began merchandis- 
ing, still later being engaged in the pork and 
grain trade at Alton. In 1854 he added the bank- 
ing business to his dry-goods trade at Carrollton, 
also engaged in milling, and, in 1862-63, erected 
a woolen factory, which was destroyed by an 
incendiary lire in 1872. Originally an anti-slavery 
Clay Whig, Mr. Pierson became a Republican on 
the organization of that party in 1856, served for 
a time as Collector of Internal Revenue, was a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
at Pliiladelphia in 1872, and a prominent candi- 
date for the Republican nomination for Lieuten- 
ant-Governor in 1876. Of high integrity and 
imswerving patriotism, Mr. Pierson was generous 
in his benefactions, being one of the most liberal 
contributors to the establishment of the Langston 
School for the Education of Freedmen at HoUy 
Springs, Miss., soon after the war. He died at 
Can-ollton, May 8, 1891. — Oman (Pierson), a son 
of the subject of this sketch, was a member of 
the Thirty-second General Assembly (1881) from 
Greene Countj-, and is present cashier of the 
Greene County National Bank at Carrollton. 

PIGGOTT, Isaac N., early politician, was born 
about 1792; served as an itinerant Methodist 
preacher in Missouri and Illinois, between 1819 
and 1824. but finally located southwest of Jersey- 
ville anil obtained a license to run a ferry be- 
tween Grafton and Alton; in 1828 ran as a 
candidate for the State Senate against Thomas 
Cariin (afterwards Governor) ; removed to St. 
Louis in 18.')8, and died there in 1874. 

PIKE COUXTY, situated in the western por- 
tion of the State, lying between the Illinois and 
Mississippi Rivers, having an area of 795 square 
miles — named in honor of tlie explorer, Capt. 
Zebulon Pike The first American settlers came 
about 1820. and, in 1821, the county was organ- 
ized, at first embracing all the country north and 



west of the Illinois River, including the present 
county of Cook. Out of this territory were finally 
organized about one fourth of the counties of the 
State. Coles" Grove (now Gilead, in Calhoun 
County) was the first county -seat, but the seat of 
justice was removed, in 1824, to Atlas, and to 
Pittsfield in 1833. The surface is undulating, in 
some portions is hilly, and diversified with prai 
ries and hardwood timber. Live-stock, cereals 
and hay are the staple products, while coal and 
Niagara limestone are found in abujidance. 
Population (1890), 31,000; (1900), 31,595. 

PILLSBURY, Nathaniel Joy, lawyer and 
judge, was born in York Count_v, Maine, Oct. 21, 
1834; in 1855 removed to Illinois, and, in 1858, 
began farming in Livingston County. He began 
the study of law in 1863, and, after admission to 
the bar, commenced practice at Pontiac. He 
represented La Salle and Livingston Counties in 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and. in 
1873, was elected to the bench of the Thirteenth 
Judicial Circuit. He was re-elected in 1879 and 
again in 1885. He was assigned to the bench of 
the Appellate Court in 1877, and again in 1879 
and "85. He was severely wounded by a shot 
received from strikers on the line of the Chicago 
& Alton Railroad, near Chicago, in 1880, resulting 
in his being permanently disabled physically, in 
consequence of which he declined a reelection to 
the bench in 1S91. 

PINCKNEYVILLE, a city and the county-seat 
of Perry County, situated at the intersection of 
the Paducah Division Illinois Central and the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railways, 10 miles 
west-northwest of Duquoin. Coal-mining is 
carried on in the immediate vicinity, and flour, 
carriages, plows and dressed lumber are among 
the manufactured products. Pinckneyville has 
two banks — one of which is national — two weekly 
newspapers, seven churches, a graded and a high 
school. Population (1880), 964; (1890), 1,298; 
(1900), 2,3.57. 

PITTSBURG, CINCINNATI, CHICAGO & 
ST. LOUIS RAILROAD, one of the Pennsyl- 
vania Company's lines, operating 1,403 miles of 
road, of which 1,090. miles are owned and the 
remainder leased — length of line in Illinois, 28 
miles. The Company is the outgrowth of a con- 
solidation, in 1890, of the Pittsburg. Cincinnati & 
St. Louis Railway with the Chicago. St. Louis & 
Pittsburg, the Cincinnati & Richmond and the 
Jeffer.sonville, Madison & Indianapolis Railroads. 
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company controls 
the entire line through ownership of stock. 
Capital stock outstanding, in 1898, $47,791,601; 



426 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



funded debt, $48,433,000; floating debt, $2,214,703 
—total capital $98,500,584. — (History.) The 
Chicago, St. Louis & Pittsburg Railroad, em- 
bracing the Illinois division of this line, was made 
up of various corporations organized under the 
laws of Illinois and Indiana. One of its compo- 
nent parts was the Chicago & Great Eastern 
Railway, organized, in 1865, by consolidation of 
the Galena & Illinois River Railroad (chartered 
in 1857), the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway 
of Indiana, the Cincinnati & Chicago AirLine 
(organized 1860), and the Cincinnati, Logans- 
port & Chicago Railway. In 1869, the consoli- 
dated line was leased to the Pittsburg, Cincinnati 
& St. Louis Railway Company, and operated 
under the name of the Columbus, Chicago & 
Indiana Central between Bradford, Ohio, and 
Chicago, from 1869 until its consolidation, under 
the present name, in 1890. (See Pennsyhania 
Railroad.) 

PITTSBURfi, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chi- 
cago Railiray. ) 

PITTSBURG, FORT WAYNE & CHICAGO 
RAILWAY. The total length of this line is 
nearly 470 miles, but only a little over 16 miles 
are within Illinois. It was operated by the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad Company as lessee. The entire 
capitalization in 1898 was §52,549.990; and the 
earnings in Illinois, §472,228. — (History.) The 
Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway is the 
result of the consolidation, August 1, 1856, of the 
Ohio & Pennsylvania, the Ohio & Indiana and 
the Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad Companies, 
under the name of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & 
Chicago Railroad. The road was opened through 
its entire length, Jan. 1, 1859; was sold under 
foreclosure in 1861 ; reorganized under its present 
title, in 1862, and leased to the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company, for 999 years, from July 1, 
1869. (See Pennsylvania Pailroail.) 

PITTSFIELD, the county -seat of Pike County, 
situated on the Hannibal it Naples branch of the 
Wabash Railwaj-, about 40 miles southeast of 
Quincy, and about the same distance south of 
west from Jacksonville. Its public buildings 
include a hand.sonie court house and graded and 
high school buildings. The city has an electric 
light plant, city water-works, a flour mill, a 
National and a State bank, nine churches, and 
four weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 2,295; 
(1900), 2,293. 

PLAINFIELI), a village of Will County, on the 
Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railroad and an interur- 
ban electric line, 8 miles northwest of Joliet; is 



in a dairying section ; has a bank and one news- 
paper. Pop. (1890), 852; (1900), 920. 

PLANO, a city in Kendall County, situated 
near the Fox River, and on the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy Railroad, 14 miles west- southwest 
of Aurora. There are manufactories of agri- 
cultural implements and bedsteads. The city has 
banks, several churches, graded and high schools, 
and a weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,825; 
(1900), 1,634; (1903, est.), 2,250. 

PLEASANT PLAINS, a village of Sangamon 
County, on Springfield Division Baltimore & Ohio 
S. W. Railroad, 16 miles northwest of Spring- 
field; in rich farming region; has coal-shaft, 
bank, five churches, college and two newspapers. 
Population (1890), 518; (1900). 575. 

PLEASANTS, George Washiugtou, jurist, was 
born in Harrod.sburg, Ky., Nov. 24, 1823; received 
a classical education at William.'^ College, Mass. 
graduating in 1842 ; studied law in New York 
City, and was admitted to the bar at Rochester, 
N. Y., in 1845, establishing himself in practice at 
Williamstown, Mass., where he remained until 
1849. In 1851 he removed to Washington, D. C, 
and, after residing there two years, came to Illi- 
nois, locating at Rock Island, which has since 
been his home. In 1861 he was elected, as a 
Republican, to the State Constitutional Conven- 
tion which met at Springfield in January follow- 
ing, and, in 1867, was chosen Judge for the Sixth 
(now Tenth) Judicial Circuit, having served by 
successive re-elections until June, 1897, retiring 
at the close of his fifth term — a record for length 
of service seldom paralleled in the judicial his- 
tory of the State. The last twenty years of this 
period were spent on the Appellate bench. For 
several years past Judge Pleasants has been a 
sufferer from failing eyesight, but has been faith- 
ful in attendance on his judicial duties. As a 
judicial officer and a man, his reputation stands 
among the highest. 

PLUMB, Ralph, soldier and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Chautauqua County, N. Y., March 29, 
1816. After leaving school he became a mer- 
chant's clerk, and was himself a merchant for 
eighteen years. From New York he removed to 
Ohio, where he was elected a member of the 
Legislature in 1855, later coming to Illinois. 
During the Civil War he served four years in the 
LTnion army as Captain and Quartermaster, being 
brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at its close. He 
made his home at Streator, where he was elected 
Mayor (1881-1883). There he engaged in coal- 
mining and has been connected with several 
important enterprises. From 1885 to 1889 he 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



427 



represented the Eighth Illinois District in Con- 
gress, after wliich he retired to private life. 

PLYMOl'TH, a village of Hancock County, on 
the Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railway, 41 
miles northeast of Quincy ; is trade center of rich 
farming district ; has two banks, electric lights, 
water-works, and one paper. Pop. (1900), 854. 

POIXTE DE SlIBLE, Jean Baptiste, a negro 
and Indian-trader, reputed to have been the first 
settler on the present site of the city of Chicago. 
He is said to have been a native of San Domingo, 
but is described by his contemporaries as '"well 
educated and handsome," though dissipated. He 
appears to have been at the present site of Chi- 
cago as early as 1794, his house being located on 
the north side near the junction of the North and 
South branches of the Chicago River, where he 
carried on a considerable trade with the Indians. 
About 1796 he is said to have sold out to a French 
trader named Le Jlai, and joined a countryman 
of his, named Glamorgan, at Peoria, where he died 
soon after. Glamorgan, who was the reputed 
owner of a large Spanish land-grant in the vicin- 
ity of St. Louis, is said to have been associated 
with Point de Saible in trade among the Peorias, 
before the latter came to Chicago. 

POLO, a city in Ogle County, at intersection 
of the Illinois Central and the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Northern Railways, 23 miles south of Free- 
port and 12 miles north of Dixon. The 
surrounding region is devoted to agriculture and 
stock-raising, and Polo is a shipping point for 
large quantities of cattle and hogs. Agricultural 
implements (including harvesters) and buggies 
are manufactured here. The city has banks, one 
weekly and one semi weekly paper, seven 
churches, a graded public and high school, and a 
public library. Pop. (1890), 1,728; (1900), 1,869. 

PO>'TIAC, an Ottawa chief, born on the 
Ottawa River, in Canada, about 1720. While yet 
a young man he became the principal Chief of 
the allied Ottawas, Ojibways and Pottawatoraies. 
He was always a firm ally of the French, to 
whose interests he was devotedly attached, 
defending them at Detroit against an attack of 
the Northern tribes, and (it is generally believed) 
leading the Ottawas in the defeat of Braddock. 
He reluctantlj' acquiesced in the issue of the 
French and Indian War, although at first strongly 
disposed to dispute the progress of Major Rogers, 
the British officer sent to take possession of the 
western forts. In 1762 he dispatched emissaries 
to a large number of tribes, whom he desired to 
unite in a league for the extermination of the 
English. His proposals were favorably received. 



and thus was organized what is commonly 
spoken of as the "Conspiracy of Pontiac." He 
himself undertook to lead an assault upon Detroit. 
The garrison, however, was apprised of his inten- 
tion, and made preparations accordingly. Pontiac 
thereupon laid siege to the fort, but was unable 
to prevent the ingress of provisions, the Canadian 
settlers furnishing supplies to both besieged and 
besiegers with absolute impartiality. Finally a 
boat-load of ammunition and supplies was landed 
at Detroit from Lake Erie, and the English made 
an unsuccessful sortie on July 31, 1763. After a 
desultory warfare, lasting for nearly three 
months, the Indians withdrew into Indiana, 
where Pontiac tried in vain to organize another 
movement. Although Detroit had not been 
taken, the Indians captured Forts Sandusky, St. 
Joseph, Miami, Ouiatanon. LeBoeuf and Venango, 
besides the posts of JIackinaw and Presque Isle. 
The garrisons at all these points were massacred 
and innumerable outrages perpetrated elsewhere. 
Additional British troops were sent west, and 
the Indians finally brought under control. 
Pontiac was present at Oswego when a treat}" was 
signed with Sir William Johnson, but remained 
implacable. His end was tragic. Broken in 
heart, but still proud in spirit and relentless in 
purpose, he applied to the former (and last) 
French Governor of Illinois, the }-ounger St. 
Ange, who was then at St. Louis, for co-operation 
and support in another raid against the British. 
Being refused aid or countenance, according to a 
story long popularly received, he returned to the 
vicinity of Cahokia, where, in 1769, he was mur- 
dered bj- a Kaskaskia Indian in consideration of 
a barrel of liquor. N. Matson, author of several 
volumes bearing on early history in Illinois, cit- 
ing Col. Joseph N. Bourassa, an educated half- 
breed of Kansas, as authority for his statement, 
asserts that the Indian killed at Cahokia was an 
impostor, and that the true Pontiac was assassi- 
nated by Kineboo, the Head Chief of the Illinois, 
in a council held on the Des Plaines River, near 
the present site of Joliet. So well convinced, it 
is said, was Pierre Chouteau, the St. Louis Indian 
trader, of the truth of this last story, that he 
caused a monument, which he had erected over 
the grave of the false Pontiac, to be removed. 
Out of tlie murder of Pontiac, whether occurring 
at Cahokia or Joliet. it is generally agreed, 
resulted the extermination of the Illinois and the 
tragedy of "Starved Rock. " (See Starved Bock. ) 
PONTIAC, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Livingston County. It stands on the 
bank of the VemiUion River, and is also a point 



428 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of intersection of the Chicago & Alton, the 
Wabash and the Illinois Central Railroads It is 
33 miles north-northeast from Blooniington and 
93 nnles south-southwest of Chicago. The sur- 
rounding region is devoted to agriculture, stock- 
raising and coal-mining. Pontiac has four banks 
and four weekly newspapers (two issuing daily 
editions), numerous churches and good schools. 
Various kinds of manufacturing are conducted, 
among the principal establishments being flour- 
ing mills, three shoe factories, straw paper and 
candy factories and a foundry. The State Re- 
formatory for Juvenile Offenders is located here. 
Pop. (1890), 3,784; (1900), 4,2G6. 

POOL, Orval, merchant and banker, was born 
in Union County, Ky., near Sliawneetcwn, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1809, but lived in Shawneetown from seven 
years of age; in boyhood learned the saddler's 
trade, but, in 1843, engaged in the dry-goods 
business, J. McKee Peeples and Thomas S. Ridg- 
way becoming his partners in 1846. In 1850 he 
retired from the dry-goods trade and became an 
extensive dealer in produce, pork and tobacco. 
In 1871 he established the Gallatin County 
National Bank, of which he was the first Presi- 
dent. Died, June 30, 1871. 

POOLE, William Frederick, bibliographer, 
librarian and historical writer, was born at 
Salem, Mass., Dec. 34, 1831, graduated from Yale 
College in 1849, and, at the close of his sophomore 
year, was appointed assistant librarian of his col- 
lege society, which owned a library of 10,000 vol- 
umes. Here he prepared and published the first 
edition of his now famous "Index to Periodical 
Literature." A second and enlarged addition 
was published in 1853, and secured for its author 
wide fame, in both America and Europe. In 1853 
he was made Librarian of the Boston Mercantile 
Library, and, from 1856 to 1869, had charge of the 
Boston Athenaeum, then one of the largest li- 
braries in the United States, which he relinquished 
to engage in expert librarj- work. He organized 
libraries in several New England cities and 
towns, at the United States Naval Academy, and 
the Cincinnati Public Library, finally becoming 
Librarian of the latter institution. In October, 
1873, he assumed charge of the Chicago Public 
Library, then being organized, and, in 1887, 
became Librarian of the Newberry Library, 
organizing this institution and remaining at its 
head until his death, which occurred, March 1, 
1894. The degree of LL.D. was conferred on him 
bj- the Northwestern LTniversity in 1883. Dr. 
Poole took a prominent part in the organization 
of library associations, and was one of the Vice- 



Presidents of the International Conference of 
Librarians, held in London in 1871. His advice 
was much sought in relation to library architec- 
ture and management. He wrote much on topics 
connected with his profession and on liistorical 
subjects, frequently contributing to "The North 
American Review." In 1874-75 he edited a liter- 
ary paper at Chicago, called "The Owl," and was 
later a constant contributor to "The Dial." He 
was President of the American Historical Society 
and member of State Historical Societies and of 
other kindred associations. 

POPE, Nathaniel, first Territorial Secretary of 
Illinois, Delegate in Congress and jurist, was born 
at Louisville, Ky., in 1774; graduated with high 
honor from Transylvania University, at Lexing- 
ton, Ky., read law with his brother. Senator John 
Pope, and, in 1804, emigrated to New Orleans, 
later living, for a time, at Ste. Genevieve, Mo. In 
1808 he became a resident of Kaskaskia and, the 
next year, was appointed the first Territorial 
Secretary of Illinois. His native judgment was 
strong and profound and his intellect quick and 
far-reaching, while both were thoroughlj- trained 
and disciplined by study. In 1816 he was elected 
a Territorial Delegate to Congress, and proved 
himself, not only devoted to the interests of his 
constituents, but also a shrewd tactician. He was 
largely instrumental in securing the passage of 
the act authorizing the formation of a State 
government, and it was mainly through his 
efforts that the northern boundary of Illinois was 
fixed at lat. 42° 30' north, instead of the southern 
bend of Lake Michigan. Upon the admi.ssion of 
Illinois into the Union, he was made United 
States Judge of the District, which then embraced 
the entire State. This office he filled witli dig- 
nity, impartiality and acceptabiKty until his 
death, at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lu- 
cretia Yeatman, in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 23, 1850. 
Pope Count}' was named in his honor. — tJen. John 
(Pope), son of the preceding, was born in Louis- 
ville, Ky., March 16, 1833 ; graduated at the United 
States Alilitary Academj', 1843, and appointed 
brevet Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers; served in Florida (1843-44), on the 
northeast boundary survey, and in the Mexican 
War (1846-47), being promoted First Lieutenant 
for bravery at Monterey and Captain at Buena 
Vista. In 1849 he conducted an exploring expe- 
dition in Minnesota, was in charge of topograph- 
ical engineering service in New Mexico (1851-53), 
and of the survey of a route for the Union Pacific 
Railway (1853.59), meanwhile experimenting on 
the feasibility of artesian wells on the "Staked 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



429 



Plains" in Northwestern Texas. He was a zeal- 
ous friend of Abraham Lincoln in the political 
campaign of 1860. and was court-martialed for 
criticising the policy of President Buchanan, in a 
paper read before a literary society in Cincinnati, 
the proceedings being finally dropped on the 
recommendation of the (then) Secretary of War, 
Joseph Holt. In 1861 he was one of the officers 
detailed bj' the War Department to conduct Mr. 
Lincoln to the capital, and, in May following, 
was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers and 
assigned to command in Missouri, wliere he per- 
formed valuable service in protecting railroad 
communications and driving out guerrillas, gain- 
ing an important victor3' over Sterling Price at 
Blackwater, in December of that year; in 1862 
had command of the land forces co-operating 
with Admiral Foote, in the expedition against 
New Madrid and Island No. 10, resulting in the 
capture of that stronghold with 6,500 prisoners, 
125 cannon and 7,000 small arms, thereby win- 
ning a Major-General's commission. Later, hav- 
ing participated in the operations against Corinth, 
he was transferred to command of the Army of 
Virginia, and soon after commissioned Briga- 
dier-General in the regular army. Here, being 
forced to meet a greatly superior force under 
General Lee, he was subjected to reverses which 
led to his falling back on Washington and a 
request to be relieved of his command. For fail- 
ure to give him proper support. Gen. Fitzjohn 
Porter was tried by court-martial, and, having 
been convicted, was cashiered and declared for- 
ever disqualified from holding any office of trust 
or profit under the United States Government — 
although this verdict was finally set aside and 
Porter restored to the army as Colonel, by act of 
Congress, in August, 1886. General Pope's sub- 
sequMit service was performed chiefly against 
the Indians in the Northwest, until 1865, when he 
took command of the military division of Mis- 
souri, and, in June following, of the Department 
of the Missouri, including all the Northwestern 
States and Territories, from which he was 
relieved early in 1866. Later, he held command, 
under the Reconstruction Acts, in Georgia, Ala- 
bama and Florida (1867-68) ; the Department of the 
Lakes (1868-70) ; Department of the Missouri (1870- 
84) ; and Department of the Pacific, from 1884 to 
his retirement, March 16, 1886. General Pope 
published "Explorations from the Red River to 
the Rio Grande" and "Campaigns in Virginia"' 
(1863). Died, at S;indusky, Ohio, Sept 23, 1892. 

POPE COUNTY, lies on the southern border of 
the State, and contains an area of about 300 



square miles — named in honor of Judge Nathaniel 
Pope. It was erected in 1816 (two years before 
the admission of Illinois as a State) from parts of 
Gallatin and Johnson Counties. The county-seat 
was first located at Sandsville, but later changed 
to Golconda. Robert Lacy, Benoni Lee and 
Thomas Ferguson were the first Commissioners; 
Hamlet Ferguson was chosen Sheriff ; John Scott, 
Recorder ; Thomas C. Browne, Prosecuting- Attor- 
ney, and Samuel Omelveney, Treasurer. The 
highest land in Southern Illinois is in the north- 
eastern part of this county, reaching an elevation 
of 1,046 feet. The bluffs along the Ohio River are 
bold in outline, and the ridges are surmounted by 
a thick growth of timber, notably oak and hick- 
ory. Portions of the bottom lands are submerged, 
at times, during a part of the j'ear and are 
covered with cypress timber. The remains of 
Indian mounds and fortifications are found, and 
some interesting relics have been exhumed. Sand- 
stone is quarried in abundance, and coal is found 
here and there. Mineral springs (with copperas 
as the chief ingredient) are numerous. Iron is 
found in limited quantities, among the rooks 
toward the south, while spar and kaolin clay are 
found in the north. The chief agricultural 
products are potatoes, corn and tobacco. Popu- 
lation (1890). 14,016; (1900). 13,585. 

PORT BYRON, a village of Rock Island County, 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago. Mil- 
waukee A: St. Paul Railway, 16 miles above Rock 
Island; has lime kilns, grain elevator, two banks, 
academy, public schools, and a newspaper. Pop. 
(1900), 732. The (Illinois) Western Hospital for 
the Insane is located at Watertown, twelve miles 
below Port Bj-ron. 

PORTER, (Rev.) Jeremiah, pioneer clergy- 
man, was born at Hadley. Mass., in 1804; gradu- 
ated from Williams College in 1825, and studied 
theology at both Andover and Princeton semi- 
naries, graduating from the latter in 1831. The 
same year he made the (then) long^ and perilous 
journej' to Fort Brady, a military post at the 
Sault Ste. Marie, where he began his work as a 
missionary. In 1833 he came to Chicago, where 
he remained for two years, organizing the First 
Presbyterian Church of Chicago, with a member- 
ship of twenty -six persons. Afterwards he had 
pastoral charge of churches at Peoria and Farm- 
ington. While in Chicago he was married to 
Miss EUza Chappell, one of the earliest teachers 
in Chicago. From 1840 to "58 he was located at 
Green Bay, Wis. , accepting a call from a Chicago 
Church in the year last named. In 1861 he was 
commissioned Chaplain in the volunteer service 



430 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



by Governor Yates, and mustered out in 1865. 
The next five years were divided between labors 
at Brownsville, Tex., in the service of the Sani- 
tary Commission, and a pastorate at Prairie du 
Chien. In 1870 he was commissioned Chaplain 
in the regular army, remaining in the service 
(with occasional leaves of absence) until 1882, 
when he was retired from active service on 
account of advanced age. His closing years were 
spent at the homes of his children in Detroit and 
Beloit; died at the latter city, July 25, 1893, at 
the age of 89 years. 

POSEY, (Gen.) Thomas, Continental and 
Revolutionary soldier, was born in Virginia, July 
9, 1750; in 177-1 took part in Lord Dunmore's expe- 
dition against the Indians, and, later, in various 
engagements of the Revolutionary War, being 
part of the time under the immediate command 
of Washington ; was with General Wayne in the 
assault on Stony Point and present at Cornwallis' 
surrender at Yorkto wn ; also served, after the war, 
with Wayne as a Brigadier-General in the North- 
west Territory. Removing to Kentucky, he 
served in the State Senate, for a time being 
presiding officer and acting Lieutenant-Governor ; 
later (1812), was elected United States Senator 
from Louisiana, and, from 1813 to "16, served as 
Territorial Governor of Indiana Died, at the 
home of his son-in-law, Joseph M. Street, at 
Shawneetown, 111. , March 18, 1818, where he lies 
buried. At the time of his death General Posey 
was serving as Indian Agent. 

POST, Joel S., la^-yer and soldier of the Mexi- 
can War; was born in Ontario (now Wayne) 
County, N. Y., April 27, 1816; in 1828 removed 
with his father to Washtenaw County, Mich., 
remaining there until 1839, when he came to 
Macon County, 111. The following year, he com- 
menced the study of law with Judge Charles 
Emmerson, of Decatur, and was admitted to the 
bar in 1841. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican 
War, and served as Quartermaster of the Fourth 
Regiment (Col. E. D. Baker's) ; in 1856 was elected 
to the State Senate, and, at the following session, 
was a leading supporter of the measures which 
resulted in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Bloomington. Capt. Post's later 
years were spent at Decatur, where he died, 
June 7, 1886. 

POST, Philip Sidney, soldier and Congress- 
man, was born at Florida, Orange County, N. Y., 
March 19, 1833 ; at the age of 22 graduated from 
Union College, studied law at Poughkeepsie Law 
School, and, removing to Illinois, was admitted 
to the bar in 1856 At the outbreak of the Civil 



War he enlisted, and was commissioned Second 
Lieutenant in the Fifty-nintk Illinois Volunteers. 
He was a gallant, fearless soldier, and was re- 
peatedly promoted for bravery and meritorious 
service, until he attained the rank of brevet 
Brigadier-General. He participated in many 
important battles and was severely wounded at 
Pea Ridge and Nashville. In 1865 lie was in com- 
mand in Western Texas. After the close of the 
war he entered the diplomatic service, being 
appointed Consul-General to Austria-Hungary 
in 1874, but resigned in 1879, and returned to his 
home in Galesburg. From 1882 to 1886 he was a 
member of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee, and, during 1886, was Commander of the 
Department of Illinois, G. A. R. He was elected 
to Congress from the Tenth District on the Repub- 
lican ticket in 1886, serving continuously by re- 
election until his death, which occurred in 
Washington, Jan. 6, 1895. 

POST, Truman Marcellus, D.D., clergyman, 
was born at Middlebury, Vt., June 3, 1810; gradu- 
ated at Middlebury College in 1829, was Principal 
of Castleton Academy for a year, and a tutor at 
Middlebury two years, meanwhile studying law. 
After a winter spent in Washington, listening to 
the orators of the time in Congress and before the 
Supreme Court, including Clay, Webster, Wirt 
and their contemporaries, he went west in 1883, 
first visiting St. Louis, but finally settling at 
Jacksonville, 111., where he was admitted to the 
bar, but soon after accepted the Professorship of 
Classical Languages in Illinois College, and 
later that of Historj-; then began the study of 
theology, was ordained in 1840, and assumed the 
pastorship of the Congregational Church in Jack- 
sonville. In 1847 he was called to the pastorate 
of the Third Presbj'terian Church of St. Louis, 
and, in 1851, to the First Congregational Church, 
of which the former furnished the nucleus. For 
a year or two after removing to St. Louis, he 
continued his lectures on history at Illinois Col- 
lege for a short period each year ; also held the 
professorship of Ancient and Modern History' in 
Washington L^niversity. in St. Louis; in 1873-75 
was Southworth lecturer on Congregationalism 
in Andover Theological Seminary and, for sev- 
eral years. Professor of Ecclesiastical History in 
Chicago Theological Seminar}'. His splendid 
diction and his noble slyle of oratory caused 
him to be much sought after as a public lecturer 
or platform speaker at college commencements, 
while his purit}- of life and refinement of charac- 
ter attracted to him all with whom he came in 
personal contact. He received the degree of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



431 



D.D. from Middlebury College in 1853; was a fre- 
quent contributor to "The Biblical Repository" 
and other religious publications, and, besides 
numerous addresses, sermons and pamphlets, he 
was the author of a volume entitled ' The Skep- 
tical Era in Modern History"' (New York, 1856). 
He resigned his pastorate in January, 1882, but 
continued to be a frequent speaker, either in the 
pulpit or on the lecture platform, nearly to the 
period of his death, which occurred in St. Louis, 
Dec. 31, 1886. For a quarter of a century he was 
one of the Trustees of Monticello Female Semi- 
nary, at Godfrey, III, being, for a considerable 
portion of the time. President of the Board. 

POTTAWATOMIES, THE, an Indian tribe, 
one of the three subdivisions of the Ojibwas (or 
Ojibbeways), who, in turn, constituted a numer- 
ous family of the Algonquins. The other 
branches were the Ottawa and the Chippewas. 
The latter, however, retained the family name, 
and hence some writers have regarded the "Ojib- 
beways" and the "Chippewas" as essentially 
identical. This interchanging of names has been 
a prolific source of error. Inherently, the dis- 
tinction was analogous to that existing between 
genus and species, although a confusion of 
nomenclature has naturally resulted in errors 
more or less serious. These three tribes early 
separated, the Pottawatomies going south from 
Green Bay along the western shore of Lake 
Michigan. The meaning of the name is, "we are 
making a fire," and the word is a translation into 
the Pottawatomie language of the name first 
given to the tribe by the Miamis. These Indians 
were tall, fierce and haughty, and the tribe was 
divided into four branches, or clans, called by 
names which signify, respectively, the golden 
carp, the tortoise, the crab and the frog. Accord- 
ing to the "Jesuit Relations," the Pottawatomies 
were first met by the French, on tlie north of 
Lake Huron, in 1639-40. More than a quarter of 
a century later (1666) Father AUouez speaks of 
them as dwellers on the shores of Lake Michigan. 
The same Father described them as idolatrous 
and polygamous, yet as possessing a rude civility 
and as being kindly disposed toward the French. 
This friendship continued unbroken until the 
expulsion of the latter from the Northwest. 
About 1678 they spread southward from Green 
Bay to the head of Lake Michigan, a portion of 
the tribe settling in Illinois as far south as the 
Kankakee and Illinois Rivers, crowding the 
Winnebagoes and the Sacs and Foxes on the west, 
and advancing, on the east, into the country of 
the Miamis as far as the Wabash and the 



Maumee. They fought on the side of the 
French in the French and Indian War, and 
later took part in the conspiracy of Pontiac 
to capture and reduce the British posts, and 
were so influenced by Tecumseh and the Prophet 
that a considerable number of their warri- 
ors fought against General Harrison at Tippe- 
canoe. During the War of 1813 they actively 
supported the British. They were also prominent 
at the Chicago massacre. Schoolcraft says of 
them, "They were foremost at all treaties where 
lands were to be ceded, clamoring for the lion's 
share of all presents and annuities, particularly 
where these last were the price paid for the sale 
of other lands than their own." The Pottawato- 
mies were parties to the treaties at Chicago in 
1833 and 1833, and were among the last of the 
tribes to remove beyond the Mississippi, their 
final emigration not taking place until 1838. In 
1846 the scattered fragments of this tribe coalesced 
with those of the Chippewas and Ottawas, and 
formed the Pottawatomie nation. They ceded all 
their lands, wherever located, to the United States, 
for $850,000. agreeing to accept 576,000 acres in 
Kansas in lieu of §87,000 of this amount. Through 
the rapacity and trespasses of white settlers, this 
reservation was soon dismembered, and the lands 
passed into other hands. In 1867, under an ena- 
bling act of Congress, 1,400 of the nation (then 
estimated at 3,500) became citizens. Their pres- 
ent location is in the southeastern part of Okla- 
homa. 

POWELL, John Wesley, Ph.D., LL.D., geolo- 
gist and anthropologist, was born at Mount Morris 
N. Y., March 24, 1834, the son of a Methodist 
itinerant preacher, passing his early life at vari- 
ous places in Ohio, Wisconsin and Illinois ; studied 
for a time in Illinois College (Jacksonville), and 
subsequently in Wheaton College, but, in 1854, 
began a special course at Oberlin, Ohio, teaching 
at intervals in public schools. Having a predi- 
lection for the natural sciences, he spent much 
time in making collections, which he placed in 
various Illinois institutions. Entering the army 
in 1861 as a private of the Twentieth Illinois 
"Volunteers, he later became a Captain of the 
Second Illinois Artillery, being finally promoted 
Major. He lost his right arm at the battle of 
Shiloh, but returned to his regiment as soon as 
sufliciently recovered, and continued in active 
service to the close of the war. In 1865 he became 
Professor of Geology and Curator of the Museum 
in Illinois AVesleyan University at Bloomington, 
but resigned to accept a similar position in the 
State Normal University. In 1807 he began his 



432 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



greatest -work in connection with science bj' 
leading a class of pupils to the mountains of 
Colorado for the study of geology, which he fol- 
lowed, a year later, by a more thorough survey of 
the canon of the Colorado River than had ever 
before been attempted. This led to provision by 
Congress, in 1870, for a topographical and geo- 
logical survey of the Colorado and its tributaries, 
which was appropriately placed under his direc- 
tion. Later, he was placed in charge of the 
Bureau of Ethnology in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute, and, again in 1881, was 
assigned to the directorsliip of the United States 
Geological Survey, later becoming Director of the 
Bureau of Ethnology, in connection with the 
Smithsonian Institute in Washington City, 
where (1899) he still remains. In 1886 Major 
Powell received the degree of Ph.D. from Heidel- 
berg University, and that of LL.D. from Har- 
vard the same 3'ear. He is also a member of the 
leading scientific associations of the country, 
while his i-eports and addresses fill numerous 
volumes issued by the Government. 

POWELL, William Henry, soldier and manu- 
facturer, was born in South "Wales, May 10, 1825; 
came to America in 1830, was educated in the 
common schools of Tennessee, and (1856-61) was 
manager of a manufacturing company at Iron- 
ton, Ohio; in 18G1, became Captain of a West 
Virginia cavalry company, and was advanced 
through the grades of Major, Lieutenant-Colonel 
and Colonel ; was wounded while leading a charge 
at Wytheville, Va. , left on the field, captured and 
confined in Libbj- Prison six months. After ex- 
change he led a cavalry division in tlie Army of 
the Shenandoah ; was made Brigadier-General in 
October, 1864; after the war settled in West Vir- 
ginia, and was a Republican Presidential Elector 
in 1868. He is now at the head of a nail mill and 
foundry in Belleville, and was Commander of the 
Grand Army of the Republic for the Department 
of Illinois during 1895-96. 

PR.\IRIE CITY, a village in McDonough 
County, on the Chicago, Burlington <t Quincy 
Railroad, 23 miles southwest from Galesburg and 
17 miles northeast of Macomb; has a carriage 
factory, flour mill, elevators, lumber and stock 
yards, a nursery, a bank, four churches and two 
weekly papers. Pop. (1890), 812; (1900), 818. 

PRAIRIE DU POM, (in English, Bridge 
Prairie), an early French settlement, one mile 
south of Cahokia. It was commenced about 1760, 
located on the banks of a creek, on which was 
the first mill, operated by water-power, in that 
section, having been erected by missionaries 



from St. Sulpice, in 1734. In 1765 the village 
contained fourteen families. In 1844 it was 
inundated and nearly destroj'ed. 

PRAIRIE (III ROCHER, (in English, Prairie of 
the Rock), an earlj- French village in what is 
now Monroe County, which began to spring up 
near Fort Chartres (see Fort Cliartres), and by 
1723 had grown to be a considerable settlement. 
It stood at the foot of the Mississippi bluffs, about 
four miles northeast of the fort. Like other 
French villages in Illinois, it had its church and 
priest, its common field and commons. Many of 
the houses were picturesque cottages built of 
limestone. The ancient village is now extinct; 
yet, near the outlet of a creek which runs through 
the bluff, ma}' be seen the vestiges of a water mill, 
said to have been erected by the Jesuits during 
the days of French occupation. 

PRENTICE, William S., Methodist Episcopal 
clergyman, was born in St. Clair County, 111., in 
1819; licensed as a Methodist preacher in 1849, 
and filled pastorates at Paris, Danville, CarLin- 
ville, Springfield, Jacksonville and other places — 
the latter part of his life, serving as Presiding 
Elder ; was a delegate to the General Conference 
of 18G0, and regularly re-elected from 1873 to the 
end of his life. During the latter part of his life 
his home was in Springfield. Died, June 28, 1887. 

PRENTISS, Benjamin Mayberry, soldier, was 
born at Belleville, Wood County, Va., Nov. 23, 
1819; in 1835 accompanied his parents to Mis- 
souri, and, in 1841, removed to Quincy, 111., where 
he learned a trade, afterwards embarking in the 
commission business. In 1844-43 he was Lieuten- 
ant of a companj' sent against the Mormons at 
Nauvoo, later serving as Captain of Volunteers in 
the Mexican War. In 1860 he was an unsuccess- 
ful Republican candidate for Congress; at the 
outbreak of the Civil War tendered his services 
to Governor Yates, and was commissioned Colonel 
of the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, was almost 
immediate!}- promoted to Brigadier-General and 
placed in command at Cairo, so continuing until 
relieved by General Grant, in September, 1861. 
At the battle of Shiloh, in April following, he 
was captured with most of his command, after a 
most vigorous fight with a superior rebel force, 
but, in 1863, was exchanged and brevetted Major- 
General of Volunteers. He was a member of the 
court-martial that tried Gen. Fitzjohn Porter, 
and, as commander at Helena, Ark. , defeated the 
Confederate Generals Holmes and Price on July 
3, 1863. He resigned his commission, Oct. 28. 
1863. In 1869 he was appointed by President 
Grant Pension Agent at Quincy, serving four 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



433 



years. At present (1898) General Prentiss" resi- 
dence is at Bethany, Mo., where he served as 
Postmaster, during the administration of Presi- 
dent Benjamin Harrison, and was reappointed by 
President McKinley. Died Feb. 8, 1901. 
PRESIDE-\TI.4L ELECTORS. (See Elections.) 
PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL, located at Chi- 
cago, was organized in 1883 by a number of 
wealthy and liberal Presbyterians, "for the pur- 
pose of affording medical and surgical aid to sick 
and disabled persons, and to provide them, while 
inmates of the hospital, with the ministrations 
of the gospel, agreeably to the doctrines and 
forms of the Presbyterian Chiu-ch. " Rush Med- 
ical College offered a portion of its ground as a site 
(see Rusli Medical College), and through generous 
subscriptions, a well-planned building was 
erected, capable of accommodating about 250 
patients. A corridor connects the college and 
hospital buildings. The medical staff comprises 
eighteen of Chicago's best known physicians and 
surgeons. 

PRESBTTERIAXS, THE. The first Presby- 
terian society in Illinois was organized by Rev. 
James McGready, of Kentucky, in 181G, at 
Sharon, White County. Revs. Samuel J. Mills 
and Daniel Smith, also Presbyterians, had visited 
the State in 1814, as representatives of the Massa- 
chusetts Missionarj' Society", but had formed no 
society. The members of the Sharon church 
were almost all immigrants from the South, and 
were largely of Scotch-Irish extraction. Two 
other churches were established in 1819 — one at 
Shoal Creek, Bond County, and the other at 
Edwardsville. In 1825 there were but three 
Presbyterian ministers in Illinois — Revs. Stephen 
Bliss, Jolm Brich and B. F. Spilman. Ten years 
later there were 80 churches, with a membership 
of 2,500 and 60 mini.sters. In 1880 the number of 
churches had increased to 487; but, in 1890, (as 
shown by the United States census) there were 
less. In the latter year there were 405 ministers 
and 52,945 members. The Synod of Illinois is the 
highest ecclesiastical court of the denomination 
in the State, and, under its jurisdiction, the 
church maintains two seminaries: one (the Mc- 
Cormick) at Chicago, and the other (the Black- 
burn University) at Carlinville. The organ of 
the denomination is "The Interior," founded by 
Cyrus H. McCormick, and published weekly at 
Chicago, with William C. Gray as editor. The 
Illinois Synod embraced «"ithin its jurisdiction 
( 1895) eleven Presbyteries, to which were attached 
483 churches, 464 ministers an<l a membership of 
68,247. (See also Religions Denominations.) 



PRICKETT, Abraham, pioneer merchant, was 
born near Lexington, Ky., came to Madison 
County, 111., in 1808; was employed for a time in 
the drug business in St. Louis, then opened a 
store at Edwardsville, where, in 1813, he received 
from the first Count)" Court of Madison Count)-, 
a license to retail merchandise. In 1818, he served 
as one of the three Delegates from Madison 
County to the Convention which framed the first 
State Constitution, and, the same year, was 
elected a Representative in the First General 
Assembh-; was also Postmaster of the town of 
Edwardsville for a number of j-ears. In 1825 he 
removed to Adams County and laid out an addi- 
tion to the city of Quincy; was also engaged 
there in trade with the Indians. In 1836, while 
engaged on a Government contract for the re- 
moval of snags and other obstructions to the navi- 
gation of Red River, he died at Xatchitoches, La. 
—George W. (Prickett) a son of the preceding, 
and afterwards a citizen of Chicago, is said to 
have been the first wliite child born in Edwards- 
ville.— Isaac (Prickett), a brother of Abraham, 
came to St. Louis in 1815, and to Edwardsville in 
1818, where he was engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness with his brother and, later, on his own 
account. He held the offices of Postmaster. Pub- 
lic Administrator, Quartermaster-General of 
State Jlilitia, Inspector of the State Penitentiary, 
and, from 1S3S to "42, was Receiver of Public 
Moneys at Edwardsville, dying in 1844. 

PRICKETT, David, pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Franklin County, Ga., Sept. 21, 1800; in early 
childhood was taken by his parents to Kentucky 
and from there to Edwardsville, lU. He gradu- 
ated from Transylvania University, and, in 1821, 
began the practice of law ; was the first Supreme 
Court Reporter of IlUnois, Judge of the JIadisou 
County Probate Court, Representative in the 
General Assembly (1826-28), Aidde-Camp to 
General Whiteside in the Black Hawk War, 
State's Attorney for Springfield Judicial Circuit 
(1837), Treasurer of the Board of Canal Commis- 
sioners (1840), Director of the State Bank of Illi- 
nois (1842), Clerk of the House of Representatives 
for ten sessions and Assistant Clerk of the same 
at the time of his death, March 1, 1847. 

PRIXCE, David, physician and surgeon, was 
born in Brooklyne, Windham Coimty, Conn., 
June 21, 1816; removed with his parents to 
Canandaigua, N. Y., and was educated in the 
academy there ; began the study of medicine in 
the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New 
York, finishing at the Oliio Medical College. Cin- 
cinnati, where he was associated, for a year and a 



434 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



half, with the celebrated surgeon, Dr. Muzzy. In 
1843 he came to Jacksonville, 111., and, for two 
years, was Professor of Anatomy in the Medical 
Department of Illinois College; later, spent five 
years practicing in St. Louis, and lecturing on 
surgery in the St. Louis Medical College, when, 
returning to Jacksonville in 1852, he established 
himself in practice there, devoting special atten- 
tion to surgery, in which he had already won a 
wide reputation. During the latter part of the 
Civil War he served, for fourteen months, as 
Brigade Surgeon in the Army of the Potomac, 
and, on the capture of a portion of his brigade, 
voluntarily surrendered himself that he might 
attend the captives of his command in Libby 
Prison. After the close of the war he was 
employed for some months, by the Sanitary Com- 
mission, in writing a medical history of the war. 
He visited Europe twice, first in 1881 as a dele- 
gate to the International Medical Congress in 
London, and again as a member of the Copen- 
hagen Congress of 1884 — at each visit making 
careful inspection of the hospitals in London, 
Paris, and Berlin. About 1867 he established a 
Sanitarium in Jacksonville for the treatment of 
surgical cases and chronic diseases, to which he 
gave the closing years of his life. Thoroughly 
devoted to liis profession, liberal, public-spirited 
and sagacious in the adoption of new methods, he 
stood in the front rank of his profession, and his 
death was mourned by large numbers who had 
received the benefit of his ministrations without 
money and without price. He was member of 
a number of leading professional associations, 
besides local literary and social organizations. 
Died, at Jacksonville, Dec. 19, 1889. 

PRINCE, Edward, lawyer, was born at West 
Bloomfield, Ontario County, N. Y., Dec. 8. 1832; 
attended school at Pay.son, 111., and Illinois Col- 
lege, Jacksonville, graduating from the latter in 
1852 ; studied law at Quincj', and after admission 
to the bar in 1853, began dealing in real estate. 
In 1861 he offered his services to Governor Yates, 
was made Captain and Drill-master of cavalry 
and, a few months later, commissioned Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel of the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, tak- 
ing part, as second in command, in the celebrated 
"Grierson raid" througli Mississippi, in 1863. 
serving until discharged with the rank of Colonel 
of his regiment, in 1864. After the war he gave 
considerable attention to engineering and the 
construction of a system of water-works for the 
city of Quincy, where he now resides. 

PRINCE, George W., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Tazewell County, 111., March 4, 1854; was 



educated in the public schools and at Knox Col- 
lege, graduating from the latter in 1878. He 
then studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1880: was elected City Attornej" of Galesburg the 
following year ; served as chairman of the Knox 
County RepubUcan Central Committee in 1884, 
and, in 1888, was elected Representative in the 
Genefal Assembly and re-elected two years later. 
In 1892 he was the Republican nominee for 
Attorney-General of the State of Illinois, but was 
defeated with the rest of the State ticket; at 
a special election, held in April, 1895, he was 
chosen Representative in Congress from the 
Tenth District to fill the vacancy caused b3- the 
death of Col. Philip Sidney Post, which had 
occurred in January preceding. In common with 
a majority of his colleagues, Mr. Prince was 
re-elected in 1896, receiving a plurality of nearly 
16,000 votes, and was elected for a third term in 
November, 1898. 

PRINCETON, a city and the couuty-seat of 
Bureau County, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 22 miles west southwest of 
Mendota, and 104 miles we.st-southwest of Chi- 
cago; lias a court house, gas-works, electric 
lights, graded and high schools, numerous 
churches, three newspapers and several banks. 
Coal is mined five miles east, and the manufac- 
tures include flour, carriages and farm imple- 
ments. Pop. (1890), 3,396; (1900), 4,023. Prince- 
ton is populated with one of the most intelligent 
and progressive communities in tlie State. It 
was the liome of Owen Lovejoy during the greater 
part of liis life in Illinois. 

PRINCETON & WESTERN R.VILWAT. (See 
Cliicago ct Xorthu:'ster}i liailway.) 

PRINCEVILLE, a village of Peoria County, on 
tlie Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe and the Rock- 
Island & Peoria Railways, 22 miles northwest of 
Peoria ; is a trade center for a prosperous agricul- 
tural region. Population (1890), 641; (1900), 735 

PROPFiETSTOWN, a town in Whiteside 
County, on Rock River and the Fulton Branch 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 45 
miles northwest of Mendota; has some manu- 
factures, three banks and two newspapers. Pop. 
(1890), 694; (1900), 1,143. 

PROPORTION.\L REPRESENTATION. (See 
Minority Ecjiresciifation. ) 

PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The 
pioneer Episcopal clergj-man in this State was the 
Rt. Rev. Philander Chase, who was made Bishop 
of Illinois in 1835, and was the founder of Jubi- 
lee College. (See Clmse, Rev. Philander.) The 
State at present is organized under the pro'^incial 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



435 



system, the province comprising the dioceses of 
Chicago, Quincv and Springfield. At its head 
(1898) is the Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Bishop 
of Chicago. Rev. George F. Seymour of Spring- 
field is Bishop of the Springfield Diocese, with 
C. R. Hale, Coadjutor at Cairo, and Rev. Alex- 
ander Burgess, Bishop of the Quincy Diocese, with 
residence at Peoria. The numerical strength of 
the church in Illinois is not great, although 
between 1880 and 1890 its membership was almost 
doubled. In 1840 there were but eighteen 
parishes, with thirteen clergymen and a member- 
ship of 367. By 1880 the number of parishes had 
increased to 89, there being 127 ministers and 
9,842 communicants. The United States Census 
of 1890 showed the following figures: Parishes, 
197; clergymen, 1.50. membership, 18,609. Total 
contributions (1890) for general church and mis- 
sion work, §373,798. The chief educational insti- 
tution of the denomination in the West is the 
Western Theological Seminary at Chicago. (See 
also Religious Denominations.) 

rRYOR, Joseph Everett, pioneer and early 
steamboat captain, was born in Virginia, August 
10, 1787 — the son of a non-commissioned officer of 
the Revolution, who emigrated to Kentucky about 
1790 and settled near Louisville, which was then 
a fort with some twenty log cabins. In 1813 the 
son located where Golconda, Pope County, now 
stands, and early in life adopted the calling of a 
boatman, which he pursued some forty years. 
At this time he held a commission as a "Falls 
Pilot," and piloted the first steamer that ascended 
the Ohio River from Xew Orleans. During his 
long service no accident happened to any steamer 
for which he was responsible, although the Mis- 
sissippi then bristled with snags. He owned and 
commanded the steamer Telegraph, which was 
sunk, in 1835, by collision with the Duke of 
Orleans on the Mississippi, but, owing to his pres- 
ence of mind and the good discipline of his crew, 
no lives were lost. The sahent features of his 
character were a boundless benevolence mani- 
fested to others, and his dauntless courage, dis- 
played not only in the face of dangers met in his 
career as a boatman, but in his encounters with 
robbers who then infested portions of Southern 
Illinois. He had a reputation as a skillful pilot 
and popular commander not excelled by any of 
his contemporaries. He died, at his home in Pope 
County, Oct, 5, 1851, leaving one daughter, now 
Mrs. Cornelia P. Bozman, of Cairo, III. 

PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, SUPERINTEND- 
ENTS OF. (See Superintendents of Public 
Instruction.) 



PUGH, Isaac C, soldier, was born in Christian 
County. Ky., Nov. 23, 1805; came to Illinois, in 
1821, with his father, who first settled in Shelby 
County, but, in 1829, removed to Macon County, 
where the subject of this sketch resided until his 
death, at Decatur, Nov. 14, 1874. General Pugh 
served in three wars — first in the Black Hawk 
War of 1832; then, with the rank of Captain and 
Field Oflicer in the Fourth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers (Col. E. D Baker's) in the war with 
Mexico, and, during the Civil War, entering upon 
the latter as Colonel of the Forty-first Illinois 
Volunteer Infantry, in September, 1861, and 
being mustered out with the rank of full Briga- 
dier-General in August, 1864, when his regiment 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third. He took 
part with his regiment in the battles of Fort 
Donelson and Shiloh. and in the operations 
around Vicksburg, being wounded at tlie latter. 
In the year of his retirement from the army 
(1864) he was elected a Representative in the 
Twenty-fourth General Assembly, and. the fol- 
lowing j'ear, was chosen County-Clerk of Macon 
Count)-, serving four j-ears. 

PUGH, Jonathan H., pioneer lawyer, was born 
in Bath County, K}-., came to Bond County. 111., 
finally locating at Springfield in 1823, and being 
the second lawyer to establish himself in practice 
in that city. He served in the Third. Fifth, 
Sixth and Seventh General Asse:ublies, and was 
defeated for Congress by Joseph Duncan (after- 
wards Governor), in 1831. Died, in 1833. Mr. 
Pugh is described by his contemporaries as a man 
of brilliant parts, an able lawyer and a great wit, 

PUL.\SKI COUNTY, an extreme .southern 
county and one of the smallest in the State, 
bordering on the Ohio River and having an area 
of 190 square miles and a population (1900), of 
14,554. It was cut off from Alexander County in 
1843, and named in honor of a Polish patriot who 
had aided the Americans during the Revolution. 
The soil is generally rich, and the sm'face varied 
with much low land along the Cache and the Ohio 
Rivers. Wheat, corn and fruit are the principal 
crops, while considerable timber is cut upon the 
bottom lands. Mound City is the county-seat 
and was conceded a population, by tlie census of 
1890, of 2.550. Only the lowest, barren portion of 
the carboniferous formation extends under the 
soil, the coal measures being absent. Traces of 
iron have been found and sulphur and copperas 
springs abound. 

PULLMAN, a former suburb (now a part of 
the South Division) of the city of Chicago. 13.8 
miles south of the initial station of the Illinois 



43G 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Central Railroad. The Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany began the erection of buildings here in 1880, 
and, on the 1st of January, 1881, the first family 
settled in the future manufacturing city. AVithiu 
the next few years, it became the center of the 
largest manufacturing establishments in the 
country, including the Pullman Car Works, the 
Allen Paper Car Wheel Works and extensive 
steel forging works, employing thousands of 
mechanics. Large numbers of sleeping and din- 
ing cars, besides ordinary passenger coaches and 
freight cars, were manufactured here every year, 
not only for use on the railroads of the United 
States, but for foreign countries as well. The 
town was named for the late George 51. Pullman, 
the founder of the car-works, and was regarded 
as a model city, made up of comfortable homes 
erected by the Palace Car Company for the use of 
its employes. It was well supplied with school- 
houses, and churches, and a public library was 
established there and opened to the public in 
1883. The town was annexed to the city of Chi- 
cago in 1890. 

PULLMAN, (ieorge Mortimer, founder of the 
Pullman Palace Car Company, was born at Broc- 
ton, X. Y., March 3, 1831, enjoyed ordinary edu- 
cational advantages in his boyhood and, at 
fourteen years of age, obtained employment as a 
clerk, but a year later joined his brother in the 
cabinet-making business at Albion. His father, 
who was a house-builder and house-mover, hav- 
ing died in 18.53, young Pullman assumed the 
responsibility of caring for the family and, hav- 
ing secured a contract for raising a number of 
buildings along the Erie Canal, made neces.sary 
by the enlargement of that tlioroughfare, in this 
way acquired some capital and experience which 
was most valuable to him in after years. Com- 
ing to Chicago in 1859, wlieu the work of raising 
the grade of the streets in the business portion of 
the city had been in progress for a year or two, 
he found a new field for the exercise of his 
inventive skill, achieving some marvelous trans- 
formations in a number of the principal business 
blocks in that part of the city. As early as 1858, 
Mr. Pullman had had his attention turned to 
devising some means for increasing the comforts 
of night-travel upon railways, and, in 1859, he 
remodeled two old day-coaches into a species of 
sleeping-cars, which were used upon the Alton 
Road. From 1800 to 1863 lie spent in Colorado 
devoting his engineering skill to mining: but 
returning to Chicago the latter year, entered 
upon his great work of developing the idea of the 
sleeping-car into practical reality. The first 



car was completed and received the name of the 
"Pioneer." This car constituted a part of the 
funeral train which took the remains of Abraham 
Lincoln to Springfield, 111., after his assassination 
in April, 1865. The development of the "Pull- 
man jjalace sleeping-car," the invention of the 
dining-car, and of vestibule trains, and the build- 
ing up of the great industrial town which bears 
his name, and is now a part of the city of Chi- 
cago, constituted a work of gradual development 
which resulted in some of the most remarkable 
achievements in the history of the nineteenth 
century, both in a business sense and in promot- 
ing the comfort and safety of the traveling puVi- 
lic, as well as in bettering the conditions of 
workingmen. He lived to see the results of his 
inventive genius and manufacturing skill in use 
upon the principal railroads of the United States 
and introduced upon a number of important lines 
in Europe also. Mr. Pullman was identified with 
a number of other enterprises more or less closely 
related to the transportation business, but the 
Pullman Palace Car Company was the one with 
which he was most closely connected, and by 
which he will be longest remembered. He was 
also associated with some of the leading educa- 
tional and benevolent enterprises about the city 
of Chicago, to which he contributed in a liberal 
manner during his life and in his will. His 
death occurred suddenly, from heart disease, at 
his home in Chicago, Oct. 19, 1897. 

PURPLE, Norman H., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Litchfield County, Conn., read law and 
was admitted to the bar in Tioga County, Pa., 
settled at Peoria, 111., in 1836, and the following 
year was appointed Prosecuting Attorney for the 
Ninth Judicial District, which then embraced 
the greater portion of the State east of Peoria. 
In 1844 he was a Presidential Elector, and, in 
1845, Governor Ford appointed him a Justice of 
the Supreme Court, vice Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., 
who had resigned. As required by law, he at the 
same time served as Circuit Judge, his district 
embracing all the counties west of Peoria, and 
his home being at Quincy. After the adoption of 
the Constitution of 1848 he returned to Peoria and 
resumed practice. He compiled the Illinois 
Statutes relating to real property, and, in 1857, 
made a compilation of the general laws, gener- 
ally known to the legal profession as the "Purple 
Statutes." He subsequently undertook to com- 
pile and arrange the laws passed from 1857 to "63, 
and was engaged on this work when overtaken 
by death, at Chicago, Aug 9, 1863. He was a 
member of the Constitutional Convention of 1863, 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



437 



and. during the last ten years of his life, promi- 
nent at the Chicago tjar. 

PUTERBAUGH, Sabin D., judge and author, 
was born in Miami County, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1834: 
at 8 years of age removed with his parents to Taze- 
well County, 111 ; settled in Pekin in 1853. where 
he read law. and was admitted to the bar in 18o6. 
At the outbreak of the rebellion he was commis- 
sioned, by Governor Yates. Major of the Eleventh 
Illinois Cavalry, and took jiart in numerous 
engagements in Western Tennessee and Missis- 
sippi, including the battles of Shiloh and Corinth. 
Resigning his commission in 180'2, lie took up his 
residence at Peoria, where he resumed practice 
and began the preparation of his first legal work 
— "Common Law Pleading and Practice." In 
1864 he formed a partnership with Col. Robert G. 
Ingersoll, which continued until 1867. when Mr. 
Puterbaugh was elected Circuit Coiu-t Judge. 
He retired from the bench in 1873 to resume pri- 
vate practice and pursue his work as an author. 
His first work, having already run through three 
editions, was followed by "Puterbaugh's Chan- 
cery Pleading and Practice," the first edition of 
which appeared in 1874, and "Michigan Chancery 
Practice," which appeared in 1881. In 1880 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Republi- 
can ticket. Died. Sept. 25, 1893. Leslie D. 
(Puterbaugh), a son of Judge Puterbaugh, is 
Judge of the Circuit Court of the Peoria Circuit. 

PUTNAM COUXTT, the smallest county in the 
State, both as to area and population, containing 
only 170 square miles; population (1900), 4,746. 
It lies near the center of the north half of the 
State, and was named in honor of Gen. Israel 
Putnam. The first American to erect a cabin 
within its limits was Gurdon S. Hubbard, who 
was in business there, as a fur-trader, as early as 
1825, but afterwards became a prominent citizen 
of Chicago. The county was created by act of 
the Legislature in 1825, although a local govern- 
ment was not organized until some years later. 
Since that date. Bureau, Slarshall and Stark 
Counties have been erected therefrom. It is 
crossed and drained by the Illinois River. The 
surface is moderately undulating and the soil 
fertile. Corn is the chief staple, although wheat 
and oats are extensively cultivated. Coal is 
mined and exported. Hennepin is the County- 
seat 

QUINCT, the principal city of Western Illinois, 
and the county seat of Adams County. It was 
founded in 1822 — the late Gov. John Wood erect- 
ing the first log-cabin there — and was incorporated 



in 1889. The site is naturally one of the most beauti- 
ful in the State, the princijial part of the city being 
built on a limestone bluff having an elevation 
of 125 to 150 feet, and overlooking the Mississippi 
for a long distance. Its location is 112 miles west 
of Springfield and 264 miles southwest of Chi- 
cago. Besides being a principal shipping point 
for the river ti-ade north of St. Louis, it is the 
converging point of several important railway 
lines, including the Wabash, four branches of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Quincy, 
Omaha & Kansas City, giving east and west, as 
well as north and south, connections. At the 
present time (1904) several important lines, or 
extensions of railroads already constructed, are in 
contemplation, which, when completed, will add 
largely to the commercial importance of the city. 
The city is regularly laid out. the streets inter- 
secting each other at right angles, and being 
lighted with gas and electricity. Water is 
obtained from the Jlississippi. There are several 
electric raihvaj- lines, four public parks, a fine 
railway bridge across the Mississippi, to which a 
wagon bridge has been added within the past two 
years ; two fine railway depots, and several elegant 
public buildings, including a handsome county 
court-house, a Government building for the use 
of the Post-ofiice and the L^nited States District 
Court. The Illinois Soldiers" and Sailors' Home 
is located here, embracing a large group of cot- 
tages occupied by veterans of the Civil War. 
besides hospital and administration buildings for 
the use of the officers. The city has more than 
thirty churches, three libraries (one free-public 
and two college), with excellent schools and 
other educational advantages. Among the 
higher institutions of learning are the Chaddock 
College (Methodist Episcopal) and the St. Francis 
Solanus College (Roman Catholic). There are 
two or three national banks, a State bank with a 
capital of §300.000. beside two private banks, four 
or five daily papers, with several weeklj' and one 
or two monthly publications. Its advantages as a 
shipping point by river and railroad have made it 
one of the most important manufacturing cen- 
ters west of Chicago. The cen.sus of 1890 showed 
a total of 374 manufacturing establishments, 
having an aggregate capital of §6.187,845, employ- 
ing 5,0.58 persons, and turning out an annual 
product valued at .$10,160,492. The cost of 
material used was .$5,597,990, and the wages paid 
$2,383,571. The number of different industries 
reported aggregated seventy-six. the more impor- 
tant being foundries, carriage and wagon fac- 
tories, agi-icultural implement works, cigar and 



438 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tobacco factories, flour-mills, breweries, brick- 
yards, lime works, saddle and harness shops, 
paper mills, furniture factories, organ works, and 
artificial-ice factories. Population (1880), 27,268; 
(1890), 31,494; (1900), 36,2.'J2. 

QUINCT, ALTON & ST, LOUIS RAILROAD. 
(See Chicago. Biirlingfoti d' Qniuci/ Railroad.) 

QUINCT & CHICAGO RAILROAD. (See Chi- 
cago. Biirlingfoii ct Quiiicy Railraad.) 

QUINCY & TOLEDO RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad. ) 

QUIjVCY & WARSAW RAILROAD. (See 
Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad.) 

RAAB, Henry, ex-State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born in Wetzlar, Rhen- 
ish Prussia, June 20, 1837 ; learned the trade of a 
currier with his father and came to the United 
States in 18.53, finally locating at Belleville, 111., 
where, in 1857, he became a teacher in the pub- 
lic schools; in 1873 was made Superintendent of 
schools for that city, and, in 1882, was elected 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction on 
the Democratic ticket, declined a renomination 
in 1886; was nominated a second time in 1890, 
and re-elected, but defeated by .S. M. Inglis in 
1894. In the administration of his oflSce, Pro- 
fessor Raab showed a commendable freedom from 
partisanship. After retiring from the ofKce of 
State Superintendent, he resumed a position in 
connection with the public schools of Belleville. 

RADISSON, Pierre Esprit, an early French 
traveler and trader, who is said to have reached 
the Upper IMississippi on his third voyage to the 
West in 1658-.59. The period of his explorations 
extended from 1652 to 1684, of which he prepared 
a narrative which was iiublished by the Prince 
Society of Boston in 1885, under the title of 
"Radisson's Voyages." He and his brother-in- 
law, Medard Chouart, fir.st conceived the idea of 
planting a settlement at Hudson's Bay. (See 
Chouart. Medard.) 

RAILROAD AND WAREHOUSE COMMIS- 
SION, a Board of three Commissioners, appointed 
by the executive (by and with the advice and con- 
sent of the Senate) , under authority of an act ap- 
proved, April 13, 1871, for the enforcement of tlie 
provisions of the Constitution and laws in relation 
to railroads and warehouses. The Commission's 
powers are partly judicial, partly executive. The 
following is a summary of its powers and duties: 
To e.stablish a schedule of maximum rates, equi- 
table to shipper and carrier alike; to require 
yearly reports from railroads and warehouses; 
to hear and pass upon complaints of extortion and 



unjust discrimination, and (if necessary) enforce 
prosecutions therefor; to secure the safe condi- 
tion of railway road-beds, bridges and trestles ; to 
hear and decide all manner of complaints relative 
to intersections and to protect grade-crossings; 
to insure the adoption of a safe interlocking sys- 
tem, to be ajjproved by the Commission ; to 
enforce proper rules for the inspection and regis- 
tration of grain throughout the State. The prin- 
cipal offices of the Commission are at the State 
capital, where monthly sessions are held. For 
the purpose of properly conducting the grain 
inspection department, monthly meetings are 
also held at Chicago, where the offices of a Grain 
Inspector, appointed by the Board, are located. 
Here all business relating to this department is 
discussed and necessary special meetings are 
lield. The inspection department has no revenue 
outside of fees, but the latter are ample for its 
maintenance. Fees for inspection on arrival 
("inspection in") are twenty-five cents per car- 
load, ten cents per wagon-load, and forty cents 
per 1,000 bushels from canal-boat or vessels. For 
inspection from .store ("in.spected out") the fees 
are fifty cents per 1,000 bushels to vessels; 
thirty-five cents per car load, and ten cents per 
wagon-load to teams. While there are never 
wanting some cases of friction between the trans- 
portation companies and warehousemen on the 
one hand, and the Commission on the other, 
there can be no question that the formation of 
the latter has been of great value to the receiv 
ers, shippers, forwarders and tax-payers of the 
State generally. Similar regulations in regard to 
the inspection of grain in warehouses, at East St. 
Louis and Peoria, are also in force. The first 
Board, created under the act of 1871, consisted of 
Gustavus Koerner, Richard P. Morgan and David 
S. Hammond, holding office until 1873. Other 
Boards have been as follows: 1873-77 — Henry D. 
Cook (deceased 1873, and succeeded by James 
Steele), David A. Brown and John M. Pearson; 
1877-83— William M. Smith, George M. Bogue and 
John H. Oberlj' (retired 1881 and succeeded by 
William H. Robinson) ; 1883-85— Wm. N. Brain- 
ard, E. C. Lewis and Charles T. Stratton; 1885-89 
— John I. Rinaker, Benjamin F. Marsh and W^m. T. 
Johnson (retired in 1887 and succeeded by Jason 
Rogers); 1889-93— John R. Wheeler. Isaac N. 
Phillips and W. S. Crim (succeeded, 1891, by John 
R. Tanner) ; 1893-97— W. S. Cantrell, Thomas F. 
Gahan and Charles F. Lape (succeeded, 1895, by 
George W. Fithian) ; 1897-99— Cicero J. Lindley, 
Charles S. Rannells and James E. Bid well. (See 
also Orain Inspection.) 



72 

o 



V. 



o 

a 

S 

o 





7^ 

O 






5 



73 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



439 



RAILROADS (IN OENERAL). The existing 
railroad S3stem of Illinois had its inception in the 
mania for internal improvement which swept 
over the cr.untry in 1836-37. the basis of the plan 
adopted in Illinois (as in the Eastern States) being 
that the State should construct, maintain, own 
and operate an elaborate system. Lines were to 
be constructed from Cairo to Galena, from Alton 
to Mount Carmel, from Peoria to Warsaw, from 
Alton to the Central Railroad, from Belleville 
to Mount Carmel, from Blooraington to Mack- 
inaw Town, and from Meredosia to Springfield. 
The experiment proved extremely unfortunate 
to the financial interests of the State, and laid the 
foundation of an immense debt under which it 
staggered for many years. The Northern Cross 
Railroad, extending from Meredosia to Spring- 
field, was the only one so far completed as to be in 
operation. It was sold, in 1847, to Nicholas H. 
Ridgely, of Springfield for §21,100, he being the 
highest bidder. This line formed a nucleus of 
the existing Wabash system. The first road to 
be operated by private parties (outside of a prim- 
itive tramway in St. Clair County, designed for 
the transportation of coal to St. Louis) was the 
Galena & Chicago Union, chartered in 1836. This 
was the second line completed in the State, and 
the first to run from Chicago. The subsequent 
development of the railway system of Illinois 
was at first gradual, then steady and finally 
rapid. A succinct description of the various 
lines now in operation in the State may be found 
under appropriate headings. At present Illinois 
leads all the States of the Union in the extent of 
railway's in operation, the total mileage (1897) of 
main track being 10,78.5.43 — or 19 miles for each 
100 square miles of territory and 25 miles for each 
10,000 inhabitants — estimating the population 
(1898) at four and a quarter millions. Every one 
of the 103 counties of the State is traversed by at 
least one railroad except three — Calhoun, Hardin 
and Pope. The entire capitalization of the 111 
companies doing business in the State in 1896, 
(including capital stock, funded debt and current 
liabilities), was .?2, 669, 164, 142— equal to S67,.'i.")6 
per mile. In 1894, fifteen owned and ten leased 
lines paid dividends of from four to eight per 
cent on common, and from four to ten per cent 
on preferred, stock — the total amount thus paid 
aggregating §25, 321, 7.52. The total earnings and 
income, in Illinois, of all lines operated in the 
State, aggregated §77, .'508,. 537, while the total 
expenditure within the State was §71, 463, .307. 
Of the 58,263,860 tons of freight carried, 11,611,- 
798 were of agricultural products and 17,179,366 



mineral products. The number of passengers 
(earning revenue) carried during the year, was 
83,281,655. The total number of railroad em- 
ployes (of all clas.ses) was 01,200. The entire 
amount of taxes paid by railroad companies for 
the year was §3.846,379. From 1836, when the 
first special charter was granted for the con- 
struction of a railroad in Illinois, until 1869 — 
after which all corporations of this character 
came under the general incorporation laws of the 
State in accordance with the Constitution of 1870 
— 393 special charters for the construction of 
railroads were granted by the Legislature, besides 
numerous amendments of charters already in 
existence. (For the history of important indi- 
vidual lines see each road under its corporate 
name. ) 

RALSTON, Virgil Tonng, editor and soldier, 
was born, July 16, 1828, at Vanceburg, Ky. ; was 
a student in Illinois College one year (1846-47), 
after which he studied law in Quincy and prac- 
ticed for a time ; also resided some time in Cali- 
fornia; 1855-57 was one of the editors of "The 
Quincy Whig," and represented that paper in the 
Editorial Convention at Decatur, Feb. 23, 1856. 
(See Anti-Nebraska Editorial Convention.) In 
1861, he was commissioned a Captain in the Six- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, but soon resigned on 
account of ill-health ; later, enlisted in an Iowa 
regiment, but died in hospital at St. Louis, from 
wounds and exposure, April 19, 1864. 

RAMSAY, Riifus \., State Treasurer, was born 
on a farm in Clinton County, 111., May 20, 1838; 
received a collegiate education at Illinois and 
McKendree Colleges, and at Indiana State Uni- 
versity; studied law with ex -Gov. A. C. French, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1865, but soon 
abandoned the law for banking, in which he was 
engaged both at Lebanon and Carlyle, limiting 
his business to the latter place about 1890. He 
served one term (from 1865) as County Clerk, and 
two terms (1889 and '91) as Representative in the 
General Assembly, and, in 1892, was nominated 
as a Democrat and elected State Treasurer. Died 
in office, at Carlyle, Nov. 11, 1894. 

RAJISEY, a village of Fayette County, at the 
inler.section of the Illinois Central and the Toledo, 
St. Louis & Western Railroads, 13 miles north of 
Vandalia ; the district is agricultural ; has one 
newspaper. Pop. (1890), 598; (1900), 747. 

RANDOLPH COrNTY, lies in the southwest 
section of the State, and borders on the Missis- 
sippi River; area 560 square miles; named for 
Beverly Randolph. It was set off from St. Clair 
County in 1795, being the second county organ- 



440 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ized in the territory wliicli now constitutes the 
State of Illinois. From the earliest period of Illi- 
nois history, Randolph County has been a pivotal 
point. In the autumn of 1700 a French and 
Indian settlement was established at Kaskaskia, 
which subsequently became the center of French 
influence in the Mississippi Valley. In 1722 
Prairie du Rocher was founded by the French. 
It was in Randolph County that Fort Chartres 
was built, in 1720, and it was here that Col. 
George Rogers Clark's expedition for the seizure 
of the "Illinois Country" met with success in the 
capture of Kaskaskia. American immigration 
began with the close of the Revolutionary War. 
Among the early settlers were the Cranes (Icha- 
bod and George;, Gen. John Edgar, the Dodge 
family, the Morrisons, and John Rice Jones. 
Toward the close of the century came Shadrach 
Bond (afterwards the first Governor of the State) 
with his uncle of the same name, and the 
Menards (Pierre and Hippolyte), the first of 
whom subsequently became Lieutenant - Gov- 
ernor. (See Bond, Shadrach; Menard, Pierre.) 
In outline, Randolph County is triangular, while 
its surface is diversified. Timber and building 
stone are abundant, and coal underlies a consid- 
erable area. Chester, the county -seat, a city of 
3,000 inhabitants, is a place of considerable trade 
and the seat of the Southern Illinois Penitentiary. 
The county is crossed by several railroad lines, 
and transportation facilities are excellent. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 2.5,049; (1900), 28,001. 

RANSOM, (Gen.) Thomas Edward Greenfield, 
soldier, was born at Norwich, Vt., Nov. 29, 1834; 
educated at Norwich University, an institution 
under charge of his father, who was later an 
officer of the Mexican War and killed at Chapul- 
tepec. Having learned civil engineering, he 
entered on his profession at Peru, 111., in 1851; 
in 1855 became a member of the real-estate firm 
of A. J. Galloway & Co., Chicago, soon after 
removing to Fayette County, where he acted as 
agent of the IlUnois Central Railroad. Under 
the first call for volunteers, in April, 18G1, he 
organized a company, which having been incor- 
porated in the Eleventh Illinois, he was elected 
Major, and, on the reorganization of the regiment 
for the three-years' service, was commissioned 
Lieutenant-Colonel, in this capacity having com- 
mand of his regiment at Fort Donelson, where he 
was severely wounded and won deserved pro- 
motion to a colonelcy, as successor to Gen. W. H. 
L. Wallace, afterwards killed at Shiloh. Here 
Colonel Ransom again distinguished himself by 
his bravery, and though again wounded while 



leading his regiment, remained in command 
through the day. His service was recognized by 
promotion as Brigadier - General. lie bore a 
prominent part in the siege of Vicksburg and in 
the Red River campaign, and, later, commanded 
the Seventh Army Corps in the operations about 
Atlanta, but finally fell a victim to disease and 
his numerous wounds, dying in Chicago, Oct. 29, 
1864, having previously received the brevet rank 
of Major-General. General Ransom was con- 
fessedl}' one of the most brilliant officers contrib- 
uted by Illinois to the War for the Union, and 
was pronounced, by both Grant and Sherman, one 
of the ablest volunteer generals in their com- 
mands. 

RANTOUL, a city in Champaign County, at 
the junction of the main line of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad, with its West Lebanon and Leroy 
branch. 14 miles north-northeast of Champaign 
and 114 miles south by west of Chicago. It has 
a national bank, seven churches, opera house, 
graded school, two weekly papers, machine shops, 
flouring and flax mills, tile factorie.s, and many 
handsome residences. Pop. (1900), 1,207. 

RASLE, Sebastian, a Jesuit missionary, born 
in France, in 1058; at his own request was 
attached to the French missions in Canada in 
1689, and, about 1691 or "92, was sent to the Illi- 
nois Country, where he labored for two years, 
traveling much and making a careful study of 
the Indian dialects. He left many manuscripts 
descriptive of his journeyings and of the mode of 
life and character of the aborigines. From Illi- 
nois he was transferred to Norridgewock, Maine, 
where he prepared a dictionary of the Abenaki 
language in three volumes, which is now pre- 
served in the library of Harvard College. His 
influence over his Indian parishioners was great, 
and his use of it, during the French and Indian 
War, so incensed the English colonists in Massa- 
chusetts that the Governor set a price upon his 
liead. On August 12, 1724, he was slain, with 
seven Indian chiefs who were seeking to aid his 
escape, during a night attack upon Norridge- 
wock by a force of English soldiers from Fort 
Richmond, his mutilated body being interred the 
next da)- by the Indians. In 1833, the citizens of 
Norridgewock erected a monument to his mem- 
ory on the spot where he fell. 

RASTER, Herman, journalist, was born in Ger- 
many in 1828 ; entered journalism and came to 
America in 1851, being employed on German 
papers in Buffalo and New York City; in 1867 
accepted the position of editor-in-chief of "The 
Chicago Staats Zeitung, " which he continued to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



441 



till until June, 1890, when he went to Europe for 
tlie benefit of his health, dying at Dresden, July 
34, 1891. While employed on papers in this 
country during the Civil War, he acted as the 
American correspondent of papers at Berlin, 
Bremen, Vienna, and other cities of Central 
Europe. He served as delegate to both State and 
National Conventions of the Republican party, 
and, in 1869, received from President Grant the 
appointment of Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Chicago District, but, during the later years 
of his life, cooperated with the Democratic 
party. 

RAUCH, John Henry, phj'sician and sanitary 
expert, born in Lebanon, Pa., Sept. 4, 1828, and 
graduated in medicine at the University of Penn- 
sylvania, in 1849. The following year he removed 
to Iowa, settling at Burlington. He was an 
active member of the Iowa State Medical Society, 
and, in 18.')1, prepared and published a "Report 
on the Medical and Economic Botany of Iowa," 
and, later, made a collection of ichthj-ologic 
remains of the Upper Mississippi and Missouri for 
Professor Agassiz. From 1857 to 18G0 he filled 
the chair of Materia Medica and Medical Botany 
at Rush Medical College, Chicago, occupying the 
same position in 1859 in the Chicago College of 
Pharmacy, of which he was one of the organ- 
izers. During the Civil War he served, until 
1864, as Assistant Medical Director, first in the 
Army of the Potomac, and later in Louisiana, 
being brevetted Lieutenant-Colonel at the close of 
the struggle. Returning to Chicago, he aided in 
reorganizing the city"s health service, and, in 
1867, was appointed a member of the new Board 
of Health and Sanitary Inspector, serving until 
1876. The latter year he was chosen President of 
the American Public Health Association, and, 
in 1877, a member of the newly created State 
Board of Health of Illinois, and elected its first 
President. Later, he became Secretary, and con- 
tinued in that office during his connection with 
the Board. In 1878-79 he devoted much attention 
to the yellow-fever epidemic, and was instru- 
mental in the formation of the Sanitary Council 
of the Mississippi, and in securing the ad<jption 
of a system of river inspection by the National 
Board of Health. He was a member of many 
scientific bodies, and the author of numerous 
monographs and printed addresses, chiefly in the 
domain of sanitary science and preventive med- 
icine Among them may be noticed "Intra- 
mural Interments and Their Influence on Health 
and Epidemics." "Sanitary Problems of Chi- 
cago," "Prevention of Asiatic Cholera in North 



America, " and a series of reports as Secretary of 
the State Board of Health. Died, at Lebanon, 
Pa., March 24, 1894. 

RAl'M, (Gen.) Green Berry, soldier and author, 
was born at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Dec. 3, 
1839, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 
1853, but, three years later, removed with his 
family to Kansas. His Free State proclivities 
rendering him obnoxious to the pro-slavery party 
there, he returned to Illinois in 1857, settling at 
liarrisburg. Saline County. Early in the Civil 
War he was commissioned a Major in the Fifty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteers, was subsequently pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and, later, 
advanced to a Brigadier-Generalship, resigning 
his commission at the clo.se of the war (May 6, 
1865). He was with Rosecrans in the Mississippi 
campaign of 1863, took a conspicuous part in the 
battle of Corinth, participated in the siege of 
Vicksburgand was wounded at Missionary Ridge. 
He also rendered valuable service during the 
Atlanta campaign, keeping lines of communi- 
cation open, re-enforcing Resaca and repulsing an 
attack by General Hood. He was with Sherman 
in the "March to the Sea," and with Hancock, in 
the Shenandoah Valley, when the war closed. In 
1866 General Raum became President of the pro- 
jected Cairo & Vincennes Railroad, an enterprise 
of which he had been an active promoter. He 
was elected to Congress in 1866 from the Soutli- 
ern Illinois District (then the Thirteenth), serv- 
ing one term, and the same year presided over the 
Republican State Convention, as he did again in 
1876 and in 1880 — was also a delegate to the 
National Conventions at Cincinnati and Chicago 
the last two years just mentioned. From August 
2. 1876, to May 31, 1883, General Raum served as 
Commissioner of Internal Revenue at Washing- 
ton, in that time having superintended the col- 
lection of §800,000,000 of revenue, and the 
disbursement of §30,000,000. After retiring from 
tlie Commissionership, he resumed the practice 
of law in Washington. In 1889 he was appointed 
Commissioner of Pensions, remaining to the 
close of President Harrison's administration, 
when he removed to Cliicago and again engaged 
in practice. During the various political cam- 
paigns of the past thirty years, his services have 
been in frequent request as a campaign speaker, 
and he has canvassed a number of States in the 
interest of the Repviblican party. Besides liis 
official reports, he is author of "The Existing 
Conflict Between Republican Government and 
Southern Oligarchy" (Washington, 1884), and a 
number of magazine articles. 



442 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



RAUM, John, pioneer and early legislator, was 
born in Hummelstown, Pa., July 14. 1793, and 
died at Golconda, 111., March 14, 1869. Having 
received a liberal education in his native State, 
the subject of this sketch settled at Shavvneetown, 
111., in 1823, but removed to Golconda, Pope 
County, in 1826. He had previously served three 
years in the War of 1812, as First Lieutenant of 
the Sixteenth Infantry, and, while a resident of 
Illinois, served in the Black Hawk War of 1832 as 
Brigade Major. He was also elected Senator 
from the District composed of Pope and Johnson 
Counties in the Eighth General Assembly (1833), 
as successor to Samuel Alexander, who had 
resigned. The following year he was appointed 
Clerk of the Circuit Court of Pope County, and 
was also elected Clerk of the County Court the 
same year, holding both offices for many j-ears, 
and retaining the County Clerkship up to his 
death, a period of thirty-five years. He was 
married March 22, 1827, to Juliet C. Field, and 
was father of Brig. -Gen. Green B. Raum, and 
Maj. John M. Raum, both of whom served in the 
volunteer army from Illinois during the Civil 
War. 

RAWLINS, John Aaron, soldier. Secretary of 
War, was liorn at East Galena, Feb. 13, 1831, the 
son of a small farmer, who was also a charcoal- 
burner. Tlie son. after irregular attendance on 
the district schools and a year passed at Mount 
Morris Academy, began the studj' of law. He 
was admitted to the bar at Galena in 1854, and at 
once began practice. In 1857 he was elected City 
Attorney of Galena, and nominated on the Doug- 
las electoral ticket in 1860. At the outbreak of 
the Civil War lie favored, and publicly advocated, 
coercive measures, and it is said that it was 
partly through his influence that General Grant 
early tendered his services to the Government. 
He served on the staff of the latter from the time 
General Grant was given command of a brigade 
until the close of the war, most of the time being 
its chief, and rising in rank, step by step, until, 
in 1863, he became a Brigadier-General, and, in 
1865, a Major-General. His long service on the 
staff of General Grant indicates the estimation 
in which he was held by his chief. Promptly on 
the assumption of the Presidency by General 
Grant, in March, 1869, he was appointed Secre- 
tary of War, but consumption had already 
obtained a hold upon his constitution, and he sur- 
vived only six months, dying in office, Sept. 6, 
1869. 

RAT, Charles H,, journalist, was born at Nor- 
wich, Chenango County, N. Y., March 12, 1821; 



came west in 1843, studied medicine and began 
practice at Sluscatine, Iowa, afterwards locating 
in Tazewell County. 111., also being associated, 
for a time, with the publication of a temperance 
paper at Springfield. In 1847 he removed to 
Galena, soon after becoming editor of "The 
Galena Jeffersonian, "' a Democratic paper, with 
which he remained until 1854. He took strong 
ground against the Kansas-Nebraska Bill, and, at 
the session of the Legislature of 1855, served as 
Secretarj- of the Senate, also acting as cojTe- 
spondent of "The New York Tribune"; a few 
months later became associated with Joseph 
Medill and John C. Vaughan in the purchase and 
management of "The Chicago Tribune," Dr. Ray 
assuming the position of editor-in-chief. Dr. 
Ray was one of the most trencliant and powerful 
writers ever connected with the Illinois press, 
and his articles exerted a wide influence during 
the period of the organization of the Republican 
part}', in which he was an influential factor. He 
was a member of the Convention of Anti-Neb- 
raska editors held at Decatur, Feb. 22, 1856, and 
served as Chairman of the Committee on Reso- 
lutions. (See An ti- Nebraska Editorial Conven- 
tion.) At the State Republican Convention held 
at Bloomington, in May following, he was 
appointed a member of the State Central Com- 
mittee for that year ; was also Canal Trustee by 
appointment of Governor Bissell, serving from 
1857 to 1861. In November, 1863, he severed his 
connection with "The Tribune" and engaged in 
oil speculations in Canada which proved finan- 
cially disastrous. In 1865 he returned to the paper 
as an editorial writer, remaining only for a short 
time. In 1868 he assumed the management of 
"The Chicago Evening Post," with which he 
remained identified until his death, Sept. 23, 
1S70. 

RAY, Lyman Beecher, ex-Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor, was born in Crittenden County, Vt., 
August 17, 1831 ; removed to Illinois in 1852, and 
has since been engaged in mercantile business in 
this State. After filling several local offices he 
was elected to represent Grundy County in the 
lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
2\ssembly (1872), and, ten years later, was chosen 
State Senator, serving from 1883 to 1887, and 
being one of the recognized part}' leaders on the 
floor. In 1888, he was elected Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor on the Republican ticket, his term expiring 
in 1893. His home is at Morris, Grundy County. 

RAT, William H., Congressman, was born in 
Dutchess County, N. Y., Dec. 14, 1812; grew to 
manhood in his native State, receiving a limited 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



443 



education; in 1834 removed to Rushville, 111., 
engaging in business as a merchant and, later, as 
a banker ; was a member of the first State Board 
of Equalization (1807-69), and, in 1873, was 
elected to Congress as a Republican, representing 
his District from 1873 to 1875. Died, Jan. aS, 
1881. 

RAYMOND, a village of Montgomery County, 
on the St. Louis Division of the Wabash Railway, 
50 miles southwest of Decatur; has electric lights, 
some manufactures and a weekly paper. Con- 
siderable coal is mined here and grain and fruit 
grown in the surrounding country. Population 
(1880), 543; (1890), 841; (1900), 906. 

RAYMOXD, (Rev.) Miner, D.B., clergyman 
and educator, was born in New York City, 
August 29, 1811, being descended from a fainilj' 
of Huguenots (known by the name of '"Rai- 
monde"),wlio were expelled from France on 
account of their religion. In his youth he 
learned the trade of a shoemaker with his father, 
at Rensselaerville, N. Y. He united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at the age of 17, 
later taking a course in the Wesleyan Academy 
at Wilbraham, Mass., where he afterwards 
became a teacher. In 1838 he joined the New 
England Conference and, three years later, began 
pastoral work at Worcester, subsequently occu- 
pying pulpits in Boston and Westfield. In 1848, 
on the resignation of Dr. Robert All3-n (after- 
wards President of McKendree College and of the 
Southern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale), Dr. Raymond succeeded to the pi'incipalship 
of the Academy at Wilbraham, remaining there 
until 1864, when he was elected to the chair of 
systematic theology in the Garrett Biblical Insti- 
tute at Evanston, 111., his connection with the 
latter institution continuing until 1895, when he 
resigned. For some three years of this period he 
served as pastor of the First Metliodist Church 
at Evanston. His death occurred, Nov. 25, 1897. 

REATIS, Logan rriah, journalist, was born 
in the Sangamon Bottom, Mason Count}', 111., 
March 26, 1831; in 1855 entered the office of "The 
Beardstown Gazette."' later purchased an interest 
in the paper and continued its publication under 
the name of "The Central Illinoian," until 1857, 
when he sold out and went to Nebraska. Return- 
ing, in 1860, he repurchased his old paper and 
conducted it until 1860. when he sold out for the 
last time. The remainder of his life was devote<l 
chiefly to advocating the removal of the National 
Capital to St. Louis, which he did by lectures and 
the publication of pamphlets and books on tlie 
subject; also pubUshed a "Life of Horace 



Greeley," another of General Harney, and two 
or thiee other volumes. Died in St. Lotiis, 
April 25, 1889. 

RECTOR, the name of a prominent and influ- 
ential family who lived at Kaskaskia in Terri- 
torial days. According to Governor Reynolds, 
wlio has left the most detailed account of them in 
his "Pioneer History of Illinois," they consisted 
of nine brothers and four daughters, all of whom 
were born in Fauquier County, Va., some of 
them emigrating to Ohio, while others came to 
Illinois, arriving at Kaskaskia in 1800. Reynolds 
describes them as passionate and impulsive, but 
possessed of a high standard of integrity and a 
chivalrous and patriotic spirit. — William, the 
oldest brother, and regarded as the head of the 
family, became a Deputy Surveyor soon after 
coming to Illinois, and took part in the Indian 
campaigns between 1812 and 1814. In 1816 he 
was appointed Surveyor-General of Illinois, Mis- 
souri and Arkansas, and afterwards removed to 
St. Louis. — Steplien, another of the brothers, 
was a Lieutenant in Captain Moore's Company 
of Rangers in the War of 1812, while Cliarles 
commanded one of the two regiments organized 
by Governor Edwards, in 1812. for the expedition 
against the Indians at the head of Peoria Lake. 
— Nelson, still another brother, served in the 
same expedition on, the staff of Governor 
Edwards. Stephen, already mentioned, was a 
member of tlie expedition sent to strengthen 
Prairie du Chieu in 1814, and showed great cour- 
age in a fight with the Indians at Rock Island. 
During the same year Nelson Rector and Cai^tain 
Samuel Whiteside joined Col. Zachary Taylor 
(afterwards President) in an expedition on the 
L^I)per Mississippi, in which they came in conflict 
with the British and Indians at Rock Island, in 
which Captain Rector again displayed tlie cour- 
age so characteristic of liis family. On the 1st of 
March, 1814, while in charge of a surveying party 
on .Saline Creek, in Gallatin County, according to 
Reynolds, Nelson was ambushed by the Indians 
and, though severelj' wounded, was carried away 
by his horse, and recovered. — Elias, another mem- 
ber of the famil}-, was Governor Edwards" first 
Adjutant-General, serving a few months in 1809, 
when he gave place to Robert Morrison, but was 
reappointed in 1810, serving for more than three 
years— Tliomas, one of the younger members, 
had a duel with Josliua Barton on "Bloody 
Island," sometime between 1812 and 1814, in 
which he killed his antagonist. (See Duels.) A 
portion of this historic family drifted into Arkan- 
sas, where they became prominent, one of their 



444 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



descendants serving as Governor of that State 
during the Civil War period. 

RED Bl'K, a citv in Randolph County, on the 
Mobile & Ohio RaiUoad, some 37 miles .south- 
southeast of St. Louis, and 21 miles south of Belle- 
ville; has a carriage factory and tivo flouring 
mills, electric lights, a hospital, two banks, live 
churches, a grailed school and a ueekly news- 
paper. Pop (1890), 1,176; (19U0), 1,169. 

REEVES, Owen T., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Ross County, Ohio, Dec. 18, 1829; gradu- 
ated at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Dela- 
ware, in 18.50, afterwards serving as a tutor in 
that institution and as Principal of a High 
School at Chillicothe. In 18.54 he came to Bloom- 
ington. 111., and, as a member of the School 
Board, assisted in reorganizing the school system 
of that cit}'; also has .served continuouslj-, for 
over 40 years, as one of the Trustees of the Illi- 
nois Wesleyan University, being a part of the 
time President of the Board. In the meantime, he 
had begun the practice of law, served as City 
Attorney and member of the Board of Supervis- 
ors. July 1, 1802, he enlisted in the Seventieth 
Illinois Volunteers (a 100-days" emergency regi- 
ment), was elected Colonel and mustered out, 
with his command, in October, 1862. Colonel 
Reeves was sulisequently connected with the 
construction of the Lafaj-ette, Bloomington & 
Mississippi Railroad (now a part of the Illinois 
Central), and was also one of the founders of the 
Law Department of the Wesleyan LTniversity. 
In 1877 he was elected to the Circuit bench, serv- 
ing continuously, by repeated re-elections, until 
1S91 — during the latter part of his incumbency 
being upon the Appellate bench. 

REEVES, Walter, Member of Congress and 
lawyer, was born near Brownsville, Pa., Sept. 25, 
1848 ; removed to Illinois at 8 years of age and 
was reared on a farm; later became a teacher 
and lawyer, following his profession at Streator ; 
in 1894 he was nominated by the Republicans of 
the Eleventh District for Congress, as successor to 
the Hon. Thomas J. Henderson, and was elected, 
receiving a majority over tliree comjietitors. 
Mr. Reeves was re-elected in 1896, and again in 
1898. 

REFORMATORY, ILLINOIS STATE, a prison 
for the incarceration of male offenders under 21 
j-ears of age, who are believed to be susceptible of 
reformation. It is the successor of the "State 
Reform School." which was created by act of 
the Legislature of 1867, but not opened for the 
admission of inmates until 1871. It is located at 
Pontiac. The number of inmates, in 1872, was 105, 



which was increased to 324 in 1890. The results, 
while moderately successful, were not altogether 
satisfactory. The appropriations made for con- 
struction, maintenance, etc.. were not upon a 
scale adequate to accomplish what was desired, 
and, in 1891, a radical change was effected. 
Previous to that date the limit, as to age, was 16 
years. The law establishing the present reforma- 
tory provides for a system of indeterminate sen- 
tences, and a release upon parole, of inmates 
who, in the opinion of the Board of Managers, 
may be safeh' granted conditional liberation. 
The inmates are divided into two classes. (1) 
those between the ages of 10 and 16, and (2) those 
between 16 and 21. The Board of Managers is 
composed of five members, not more than three of 
whom shall be of the same party, their term of 
office to be for ten years. The course of treat- 
ment is educational (intellectuallj-, morally and 
industrially), schools being conducted, trades 
taught, and the inmates constantly impressed 
with the conviction that, only through genuine 
and unmistakable evidence of improvement, can 
they regain their freedom. The reformatory 
influence of the institution may be best inferred 
from the results of one year's operation. Of 146 
inmates paroled, 15 violated their parole and 
became fugitives, 6 were returned to the 
Reformatory, 1 died, and 124 remained in 
employment and regularly reporting. Among 
the industries carried on are painting and glaz- 
ing, masonry and plastering, gardening, knit- 
ting, chair-caning, broom-making, carpentering, 
tailoring and blacksmithing. The grounds of the 
Reformatory contain a vein of excellent coal, 
whicli it is proposed to mine, utilizing the clay, 
thus obtained, in the manufactme of brick, 
which can be employed in tlie construction of 
additional needed buildings. The average num- 
ber of inmates is about 800, and the crimes for 
which they are sentenced range, in gravity, from 
simple assault, or petit larceny, to the most seri- 
ous offenses known to the criminal code, with 
the exception of homicide. The number of 
inmates, at the beginning of the j'ear 1895, was 
812. An institution of a similar character, for 
the confinement of juvenile female offenders, was 
established under an act of the Legislature 
passed at the session of 1893, and located at Gen- 
eva, Kane County. (See Home for Jiwenile 
Female Offeinlers.) 

RELKJlOrS DENOMINATIONS. The State 
constitution contains the familiar guaranty of 
absolute freedom of conscience. The chief 
denominations have gi'owu in like ratio with the 



UISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



iio 



population, as may be seen from figures given 
below. The earliest Christian services lield were 
conducted by Catholic missionaries, who attested 
the sincerity of their convictions (in many 
instances) by the sacrifice of their lives, either 
through violence or exposure. The aborigines, 
however, were not easily Christianized ; and, 
shortly after the cession of Illinois by France to 
Great Britain, tlie Catholic missions, being gener- 
ally withdrawn, ceased to exert much influence 
upon the red men, although the French, who 
remained in the ceded territory, continued to 
adhere to their ancient faith. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries. ) One of the first Protestant sects to 
hold service in Illinois, was the Methodist Epis- 
copal; Rev. Joseph Lillard coming to Illinois in 
1793, and Rev. Hosea Riggs settling in the 
American Bottom in 1796. (For history of 
Methodism in Illinois, see Methodist Episcopal 
Church.) The pioneer Protestant preacher, 
however, was a Baptist — Elder James Smith — 
who came to New Design in 1787. Revs. David 
Badgley and Joseph Cliance followed him in 
1796, and the first denominational association 
was formed in 1807. (As to inception and growth 
of this denomination in Illinois, see also Bap- 
tists.) In 181-1 the Massachusetts Missionary 
Society sent two missionaries to Illinois — Revs. 
Samuel J. Mills and Daniel Smith. Two j-ears 
later (1816), the First Presbj-terian Church was 
organized at Sharon, by Rev. James McGready, 
of Kentucky. (See also Presbyterians.) The 
Congregationalists began to arrive with the tide 
of immigration that set in from the Eastern 
States, early in the "SO's. Four churches were 
organized in 1833, and the subsequent growth of 
the denomination in the State, if gradual, has 
been steady. (See Congregationalists.) About 
the same time came the Disciples of Christ (some- 
times called, from their founder, "Campbellites'"). 
They encouraged free discussion, were liberal and 
warm hearted, and did not require belief in any 
particular creed as a condition of membership. 
The sect grew rapidly in numerical strength. 
(See Disciples of Christ.) The Protestant Episco- 
palians obtained their first foothold in Illinois, in 
1835, when Rev. Philander Chase (afterward con- 
secrated Bishop) immigrated to the State from 
the East. (See Protestant Ejiiscopal Church.) 
The Lutherans in Illinois are chieflj' of German 
or Scandinavian birth or descent, as may be 
inferred from the fact that, out of sixty-four 
churches in Chicago under care of the Missouri 
Synod, only four use the English language. They 
are the only Protestant sect maintaining (when- 



ever possible) a system of parochial schools. (See 
Lutherans.) There are twenty-six other religious 
bodies in the State, exclusive of the Jews, who 
have twelve synagogues and nine rabbis. Ac- 
cording to the census statistics of 1890, these 
twenty-six sects, with their numerical strength, 
number of buildings, ministers, etc., are as fol- 
lows: Anti-Mission Baptists, 2,800 members, 78 
churches and 63 ministers; Church of God, 1,200 
members, 39 churches, 3-1 ministers; Dunkards, 
121,000 members, 155 churches, 83 ministers; 
Friends ("Quakers") 2,655 members, 25 churches. 
Free Methodists, 1,805 members. 38 churches. 84 
ministers; Free-Will Baptists, 4,694 members, 107 
churches, 72 ministers; Evangelical Association, 
15.904 members, 143 churches, 152 ministers; 
Cumberland Presbyterians, 11,804 members. 198 
churches, 149 ministers; Methodist Episcopal 
(South) 3,927 members, 34 churches, 33 minis- 
ters; Moravians, 720 members, 3 churches, 3 
ministers; New Jerusalem Church (Swedenborgi- 
ans), 662 members, 14 churches, 8 ministers; 
Primitive Methodist, 230 members. 2 churches, 2 
ministers; Protestant Methodist, 5,000 members, 
91 churches, 106 ministers; Reformed Church in 
United States, 4,100 members, 34 churches, 19 
ministers; Reformed Church of America, 2,200 
members, 24 churches, 23 ministers; Reformed 
Episcopalians, 2,150 members, 13 churches, 11 
ministers; Reformed Presbyterians, 1,400 mem- 
bers, 7 churches, 6 ministers; Salvation Army, 
1,980 members; Second Adventists, 4,500 mem- 
bers, 64 clmrches, 35 ministers; Seventh Day 
Baptists, 320 members, 7 churches, 11 ministers; 
Universalists, 3,160 members, 45 churches, 37 
ministers; Unitarians, 1,225 members. 19 
churches, 14 ministers; United Evangelical, 
30,000 members, 129 churches, 108 ministers; 
United Brethren, 16,500 members, 275 churclies, 
260 ministers; United Presbyterians, 11,250 mem- 
bers, 203 churches, 199 ministers; Wesleyan 
Methodists, 1,100 members, 16 churches. 33 min- 
isters. (See various Churches under their proper 
names; also Soman Catholic Church.) 

REND, William Patrick, soldier, capitalist, 
and coal-operator, was born in County Leitrim, 
Ireland, Feb. 10, 1840, brought to Lowell, Mass., 
in boyhood, and graduated from the high school 
there at 17; taught for a time near New York 
City and later in Maryland, where he began a 
course of classical study. The Civil War coming 
on, he enlisted in the Fourteenth Regiment New 
York V^olunteers, serving most of the time as a 
non-commissioned officer, and participating in the 
battles of the second Bull Run, Malvern HiU, 



446 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Antietain, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. 
After the war he came to Chicago and secured 
employment in a railway surveyor's office, later 
acting as foreman of the Northwestern freight 
depot, and finally embarking in the coal business, 
which was conducted with such success tliat he 
became the owner of some of the most valuable 
mining properties in the country. Meanwhile 
he has taken a deep interest in the welfare of 
miners and other classes of laborers, and has 



sought to promote arbitration and conciliation 
between employers and employed, as a means of 
averting disastrous strikes. He was especially 
active during the long strike of 1897, in efforts to 
bring about an understanding between the 
miners and the operators. For several years 
he held a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the Illinois National Guard until compelled, by 
the demands of his private business, to tender 
his resignation. 



REPRESEXTATIYES IN CONGRESS. 

Tlie followinf; table presents Die names, residence, districts represented, politics (except as to earlier ones), and length of 
term or terms ot service of Illinois Kepresentatives in tlio lovcer House of Congress, from the organization of Illinois 
as a Territory down to the present time; (D, Democrat; W, Whig; K, Eepublican; G-B, Greenback; P, Populist). 



Name. 


Residenck. 


DiST. 


Term. 


Remarks. 




Kaskaskia 

Edwards ville 

Kaskaskia 

Shawneetown 


Territory 

Territory 

Territory 

State 




Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys, 
Made Rec'r of Pub. Moneys, 


Benjamin Stephenson 


1814-16 




1818-19 

1819-27 


Elected U. S. Senator, 1824 and "29' 






Joseph Diim-an 

Joseph Duncan 

William L,. May, D 


JacksonA Morgan Cos 

Jacksonville 

Springfield 

Belleville 

Belleville 


State 


1827-33 




Third 


1833-34 


Elected Governor; resigned. 


Third 

First 

First 


1834-39 

1833-34 


Charles Slade 


Died: terra completed by Reynolds. 






First 


1839-43 








Second 

First 

Tuird 

Eighth 

First 








Belleville 


1837-39 












JohiiT wtuart, O P 


Springfield 


1863-65 
















Second 

SLxtn 

Third 


1843-51 








1859-62 

1843-49 . . 


Resigned.Dec, '61 ; succeeded by A, L. Knapp. 


Orlando B FicKlin, J> 




OrlaTido B FJcklin D 




Third 

Fourth 


1851-53 








1843-51 








1853-55 






Chicago 


First 


18G5-67 




Stephen A. Douglas, D 


Fil-th 


1843-47 - 

1847-56 


El'dU.S.Sen,.Apr..'47;suc.hyW.A.Richardsoii 
Re3"d,Aug.,'5G; term filled by Jacob C. Davis. 


Rushville andQuincy 
Quincy 






Joseph P. Hoge, D 


Si.xth 


1843-45 




John J Hardin, W 




Seventh 

Seventh 

Sixth 


1843-45 




Edward D Baker, W 




18-15-46 


Resigned, Dec, '46; succeeded by John Henry, 


Kdward D. Baker, W 


Galena.... 


John Heiirv, W 


Seventh 


Feb. to Mar., 1847. 


Served Baker's unexpired term. 






Abraham Lincoln, W 


Springfield 


Seventh 


1847-49 






Belleville 










Eighth 






Timothy R. Young. D 


Marshall 

Petersburg 


Third 

Seventh 

Sixth 


1849-51 




Thomas L. H arris, D 


1849-51 








1855-58 


Died. Nov. 24, '58 ; sue. by Chas. D. Hodges. 










Willis Allen, D 


Marion 


Xinth 


1853-55 




Richards. Maloiiey, I) 

Thompson Campbell, D 










Sixth 








Seventh 

Sixth 






Richard Yates W 




1853-55 














E. B Washburne, R 




Third 


1863-69 

1853-57 


t Rpsignd. March 9. '69 to accept French mis- 
\ sion; term filled by H. C. Burchard. 




Joliet 


Third 




Joliet ; 










Fourth 

Seventh 

Slate-at-large . 
Second 


1853-57 




James C. Allen, D 


Palestine 


1853-57 












James H. Woodworth. R.. 


Chicago 


1855-57 




Jacob C. Davis, D. 




Fifth 


1856-57 


To fill unexpired term of Richardson. 
C-'hoscn U. S. Senator; resigned. 
Filled Trumbull's unexpired term. 


Lyman Trumbull, B 


Belleville 

Belleville 

McLeansboro 

McLeansboro 

McLeansboro 

Chicago 


Eighth 

Eighth 

Ninth 


1855 

1855-57 


Samuel S. Marshall, D 


1855-59 




Eleventh 

Nineteenth.... 
Second 


1865-73 




Samui'lS. Maishall.D 


1873-75 




John F. Farnswortlh K .... 


1857-61 






Princeton 


Third 

Fifth 








1863-65 


Died, Mar.. '64; term filled by E.C.Ingersoll. 


William Kplioiig. R 




Fourtli 

Fifth 

Sixth 






Isaac N. Morris. D 


Quincy 

CarroUton ... 

Lawrenceville 


1857-61 




Charles D. Hodges, D 


Jan. to Mar.. 1859.. 


Filled unexpired term of Thoa. L. Harris. 




Seventh 











HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



447 



Aaron Shaw, D 

James C. KobiDson, D. . 
James C Rubinsou. D. . 
James C. Robinson, D. . 
James C. Robinson, D.. 
Philip B. Foulie, D .. 
John A. Logan, R 

John A. Logan, D 



Isaac N. Arnold, R 

Isaac N, Arnold, R 

William J. Allen, D 

William J. Allen, D 

A. L, Knapp, D 

A. L. Kiiupp. D 

Charles .M, Harris, R ,,,, 

Ebon C. IiigersoU, R 

John R. Eden, D 

John R. Edeu, D 

John R. Eden, D 

Lewis W. Ros.'i, D 

William R. Morrison, D.. 
William R. Morrison, D . 
William R. Morrison, D... 

S. W. Moulton.R 

S. W. Moulton, D 

S. W. Moulton, D 

AbnerC. Harding, R 

Barton C. Cook, R 

H. P. H. Bromn-ell.R 

Shelby M. Cullom, R 

Anthony Thornton, D 

Jehu Baker, R 

Jehu Baker, R 

Jehu Baker, P 

A.J. Kuykendall, R 

Norman B. Judd, R 

Albert G. Burr, D 

Green B. Raum, R 

Horatio C. Burchard, R.. 
HoralioC. Burchard, R.. 

John B. Hawley, R 

John B. Hawley, R 

Jetse H. Moore, R 

Thomas W. McSeeley, D 

John B. Hay, R 

John M. Crebs, D 

John L. Beveridge, R 

Charles B. Farwell, R . . . 
Charles B. Farwell, R — 

Charles B. Farwell, R Chicago 

Brad. N. Stevens, R j Princeton. 

Henry Snapp, R Joliet 

Hillsboro. 

Chicago ... 

Chicago ... 

Chicago ... 

Belvidere . 

Peru 

Lacon 

Canton . 



Rksidence. 



LawreuceviUe . 

Marshall 

Marshall 

Springfield 

Springfield 

Belleville 

Bentou 

Carbondale 



Chicago 

Chicago 

Marion 

Marion 

Jerseyville... 
Jersey ville .. 

Oquawka 

Peoria 

Sullivan 

Sullivan 

Sullivan.,. . 
Lewistown., 

Waterloo 

Waterloo 

Waterloo — 
Shelby ville... 
Shelby ville.. 
ShelbyviUe . . 
Monmouth... 
Ottawa .. ... 
Charleston .. 
Springfield... 
ShelbyviUe.. 
Belleville.... 

Belleville 

Belleville ... 

Vienna - 

Chicago .... 
CarroUton... 
Metropolis... 
Freeport .... 
Freeport — 
Rock Island. 
Rock Island 

Decatur 

Petersburg. . . 

Belleville 

Carmi 

Evanston — 

Chicago 

Chicago... . 




Edward Y. Rice, 

John B. Rice.R 

B. G. Caulfleld. D 

Jasper D. Ward, R 

Stephen A. Hurlbiit, R. 

Franklin Corwin, R 

Greenbury L. Fort, R. .. 
Granville Barriere, R.,, 

William H Rav, R Rushville 

Robert M. Knapp, D 'Jerseyville 

Robert M. Knapp, D Jerseyville 

John McNulta, R jBtoomington 

Joseph G. Cannon, R Tuscola and Danville. 

Joseph G, Cannon, R 'Danville 

Joseph G. Cannon, R jDanville 

Joseph G, Cannon. R Danville 

James S. Martin, R Salem 

Isaac Clements, R Carbondale 

Carter H. Harrison, D I Chicago 

John V, LeMovne, D. Chicago 

T.J. Henderson, R Princeton AGeneseo.. 

T.J. Henderson. R Princeton 

Alexander Campbell, G.B.. La .Salle. 

Richard H. Whiting, B 

John C. Bagbv, D 

Scott Wike,D 

Scott Wike, D 

William Jl, Springer, D. . 
William M, Springer, D. 

.\dlai E. Stevenson, D ' Bloomington. 

.Vdlat E. Stevenson, D Bloomington 

William .\ J Sparks. D ... Carlyle 

William Hartzelt.D .. ..jChester 

William B. Anderson, D ..,Mt. Vernon. 
William Aldrich. R... . 
Carter H Harrison, D . 

Lorenz Brentano. R 

William Lathrop. R. . . 

Philip C Haves. R 

Thomas A. Boyd, R .Lewiston. 

BenlaminF Marsh, R .. 'Warsaw 



Peoria 

Rushville,., 

Pittsfield,,.. 

Pittsfield.... 

Springfield., 

Springfield.. 



Chicago, 
Chicimo.. 
IChicaso .. 
Rock ford. 
Morris,. 



State-at-large 

Second 

First 

Ninth 

Thirteenth..., 

Fifth 

Tenth 

Fourth 

Firth 

Seventh 

Fifteenth 

Seventeenth... 

Ninth 

Twelfth 

Seventeenth., 
Eighteenth — 
State-at-large 

Fifteenth 

Seventeenth.. 

Fourth 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Tenth. 

Twelfth 

Eighteenth.,.. 
Twent.v-first . 
Thirteemii — 

First 

Tenth 

Thirteenth 

Third 

Filth 

Fourth 

si.\lh 

Seventh 

Ninth 

Twelfth 

Thirteenth... 
State-at-large 

First 

Third 

Third 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Tenth 

First 

First 

Second 

Fourth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Eleventh 

Thirteenth... 
I'ourteenth ... 

Fifteenth 

Fit.eenth 

Twelfth 

Sixteenth 

Eighteenth ... 

Second 

Third 

Sixth 

Seventh 

Seventh 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Twelfth 

Twelfth 

Thirteenth. .. 
Thirteenth.... 
Thirteenth... 

.Sixteenth 

Kighteentli ... 
Nineteenth... 

First 

.Second 

Third 

Fourth 

Seventh 

Ninth 

ITenth 



861-63. . 
803-65.. 
862-63., 
863-65,. 
861-63.. 
863-65.. 
803-65. 
864-71,. 
863-65. 
73-79., 
885-87., 
863-69,. 
863-65,. 
873-83. 
883-87.. 
365-67.. 
S8I-S3.. 
883-85.. 
865-69.. 
865-71.. 
865-69.. 
865-71.. 
865-67. 
805-69.. 
887-89.. 
897-99.. 
805-67,. 



les'd, Apr. "62; term filled by W. J. Allen. 
Chosen U. S. Senator, 1871; resigned; term 
filled by John L. Beveridge. 



. Served Logan's unexpired term. 

, jServed McClernand's unexpired term, 

, 1864-'65 filled Lovejoy's unexpired term. 



;.807-71 . , 
807-69.., 
,869-73,., 
;873-79... 
:S69-73... 
1873-75.. . 
-73.. 
1869-73., 
1869-73., 
; 869-73.. 
871-73... 

■1-73... 

'3-76... 
1881-83.. 
1871-73.. 

1-73.. 

I 73.. 
1873-74.. 

•4-77... 
1873-75... 
1873-77,,, 

■3-75,., 

1,873-81... 

,873-75... 

;7.3-75... 

:873-75... 

-79... 



1873-75,.. 
1873-83... 
1883-91 , . , 
1893-95,., 

1895 

:87»-76,.. 
i73-7S„. 
L876-79.. 
,876-77.. 
1875-83.. 
,883-95.. 
,875-77.. 
875-77... 

75-77... 
;S75-77... 
1889-93.. 
1875-83.. 
1883-95.. 

r5-77. 
1379-81... 
875-83... 
1875-79.. 

r5-77,. 
1877-83... 
1877-79... 
1877-79... 
1877-79... 
-81.. 
1877-81 . . 
1877-83... 



■Re-elected, '70 butres'd before beg'ngof term. 



Filled unexpired term of Washburne. 



Served unexpired term of Logan. 

May, '76, seat awarded to J. ■V^. LeMoyne. 



Filled unexpired term of B. C. Cook. 



Died Dec, '74; succeeded by B. G. Caulfleld. 
From 1874-75 served out Rice's term. 



Awarded seat, vice Farwell. 



44S 



IirSTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Benjamin F. Marsh, It... 

Benjamin F. Marsh. R 

Tlioma.s F. Tipton. R.... 

R. W. Townshend, I) 

(.ioorge R. Davis. R , 

George R. Davis, R 

lliram Barber, R 

John C. Sberwin, R 

R. Af. A.Hawk,R , 

James W. Singleton, D 

A. P. Forsythe.G. B 

JuhnR. Thomas, R 

Jolin R. Thomas. R 

William Cullen.R 

William CuUen. R 

Lewis E. Payson, R 

Lewis E. Payson. R 

JiiLn H. Lewis, R 

Dietrich C.Smith. R 

R. W. Dunham, R 

John F. Finerty, R 

George E. Adams. R 

Reuben Ellwood, R 

liobertR. Hitt,R 

Robert R. Hitt. R 

N. E. Worthington, D 

William H. Neece. D 

James M. Riggs. D 

Jonathan H. Rowell,R... 

Frank Lawler.D 

James H. Ward. D 

Ali)ert J. Hopkins. R 

Albert J. Hopki ns, R 

Ralph Plumb. R 

SilasG. Landes, D 

William E. Mason, R 

Pliillp Sidney Post. R 

William H. Gest, R 

George A. Anderson, D 

Edward Lane. D 

Abner Taylor, R 

Charles A. Hill, R 

Geo. W. Fithian. D 

Williams. Forman, D 

James R. Williams. D 

James R. Williams. D 

George W. Smith. R 

George W. Smith. R 

Lawrence E. McGanii. D. . 
Allan C. Durborow, Jr.. D. 
Walter C. Newberry, D... 

Lewis Steward, Ind 

Herman W. Snow. R 

Benjamin T. Cable, D 

Owen Scott. D 

Samuel T. Busey, D 

JohnC. Black. D 

Andrew J. Hunter, D 

Andrew J. Hunter. D 

J. Frank Aldrich. R 

Julius Goldzier. D 

Robert A. Childs, R 

Hamilton K. Wheeler. R.. 

John J. McDannoJd. D 

Benjamin F. Funk. R 

William Lorimer, R 

Hugh R. Belknap. R 

Charles W. Woodman R. 

Geo. E. White.R 

Edward D. Cooke. R 

George E. Foss, R 

George W. Prince, R 

Walter Reeves, R 

Vespasian Warner, R 

J. V.Graff. R .. .. 

Finis E. Downing, D 

James A. Connolly, R 

Frederick Remann. R 

Wm. F. L. Hadley.R 

Benson Wood, R 

Orlando Burrell, R , 

Everett J. Murphy, R 

James R, Mann, R 

Daniel W. Mills. R 

Thomas M. Jett, D , 

James R. Campbell, D 

George P. Foster, R. 



Residence. 



Warsaw Eleventh. 

Warsaw Fifteenth . 



Bloomington. 

Shawneetown 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Geneva and Elgin.. 

Mt. Carroll 

Quincy 

Isabel 

Metropolis 

Metropolis 

Ottawa 

Ottawa 

Pontiac 

Pontiac 

IvnoxviUe 

Pekin 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Sycamore 

Mt. Morris 

Mt. Morris 

Peoria 

Macomb , 

Winchester 

Bloomington 

Chicago , 

Chicago , 

Aurora , 

Aurora 

Streator , 

Mt. Carmel 

Chicago ., 

Galesburg 

Rock Island 

Quincy 

Hillsboro 

Chicago 

Joliet 

Newton 

Nashville 

Carmi 

Carmi 

Murphysboro 

Murphysboro 

Chicago, 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Piano 

Sheldon 

Rock Island 

Bloomington 

Urbana 

Chicago 

Paris 

Paris 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Hinsdale 

Kankakee 

Mt.Sterling , 

Bloomington 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Chicago 

Galesburg 

Streator 

Clintoa 

Pekin. 



Thirteenth .... 

Nineteenth .... 

Second 

Third 

Third 

Fourth 

Filth 

Eleventh 

Fifteenth 

Eighteenth.... 

Twentieth 

Seventh 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Ninth 

Thirteenth 

First 

Second 

Fourth... . 

Fifth 

Sixth 

Ninth 

Tenth 

Eleventh .. . 
Twelfth .... 
Fourteenth. 

Second 

Third 

Fifth 

Eighth 

Eighth 

Sixteenth. .. 

Third 

Tenth 

Eleventh .... 
Twelfth .... 
Seventeenth. .. 

First 

Eighth 

Sixteenth 

Eighteenth. 
Eighteenth., 
Nineteenth.. 
Twentieth... 
Twenty-sec' nd 

Second 

Third 

Fourth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Eleventh 

Fourteenth.... 

Fifteenth 

State-at-large . 
State-at-large. 
Nineteenth..,. 

First 

Fourth 

Eighth 

Ninth 

Twelfth 

Fourteenth.... 

Second 

Third 

Fourth 

Fifth 

SLxth 

Seventh 

Tenth 

Eleventh 

Thirteenth 

Fourteenth .... 
Sixteenth 



, Virginia 

. Springfield Seventeenth 

, Vandal la Eitihleenth .... 

.lEdwardsville i Eighteenth 

, Efllngham [Nineteenth. ... 

Carmi Twentieth 

, East St. Louis |Twenty-first .. 

Chicago [First 

Chicago jSecond 

Hillsboro Eighteenth.... 

AIcLeansboro | Twentieth 

... Chicago iThird.. 

Thomas Cusack, D ; Chicago ' Fourth 

Edgar T. Noonan. D Chicago iFifth 

Henry S D .utell. R Chicago Sixth 

W. E. Will lams. D I Pittsfield Sixteenth 

B. F. Caldwell, D Chatham Seventeeruh... 

Joseph B. Crowley, D Robinson Nineteenth ... 

W. A. Rodenberg. R East St. Louis iTwentv first... 



D-91-93.. 
1891-93.. 
1891-93.. 
1693-95.. 
189S-95.. 
1897-99. . 
1893-97.. 
1893-95.. 
1893-95.. 
1893-95.. 
1893-95.. 
1893-95.. 
1895—.. 
1895-99. . 
1895-97.. 
1895-99.. 
1805-98.. 
1895—. . , 
1895—. . 
1895—.. 
1895—.. 
189.5—.. 
1895-97.. 
1895-99.. 
1895—... 
lo95— ... 
1895-97.. 
1895-97.. 
1895-97.. 
1897- .. 
1897—.. 
1897—. . 
1897-99.. 



1893-95., 
1895—.. 

1877-79.. 

1877-S9.., 

1879-83. , 

1883-85... 

1879-81.., 

1879-83... 

1879-82... 

1879-83.. 

1879-81.. 

I879-S3.. 

1883-89... 

1881 ■■S3.. 

1883-85.. 

18ai-83.. 

1883-91.. 

1881-83... 

1881-83... 

1883-89. . 

1883-85.. 

1883-91... 

1882-85... 

1882-95.. . 

1895—. . . 

1883-87... 

1883-87 . . 

1883-87.. 

1883-91... 

1885-91... 

1885-87... 

1885-95... 

1895—. . . 

1886-89... 

1885-89... 

1887-91... 

1887-95... 

1887-91... 

1887-89... 

1887-95.. . 

18S9-93... 

1889-91... 

1889-95... 

1889-95... 

1889-95... 

1899—... 

1889-95.. . 

1895— . . . 

1891-95... 

1891-95... 

1891-93... 

1891-93... 

Is91-! 



Died, '82; succeeded by R. R. Hitt. 



18y9— . 

1898- . 
1899—. 
1899-. 
1899—. 
1899—. 



Succeeded R. M. A. Hawk, deceased. 



Died. Jan. 6,1895. 



Awarded seat aftercon. with L. K. McGann. 
Died, June 4, '98; suc'd. by Henry S. Boutell. 



Died, July 14, '95; suc'd. by W. F. L. Hadley. 
Elected to fill vacancy. 



Succeeded E. D. Cooke, deceased. 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



•449 



REYNOLDS, John, Justice of Supreme Court 
and lourtli Governor of Illinois, was born of Irish 
ancestry, in Montgomery County, Pa., Feb. 26, 
1789, and brought by his parents to Kaskaskia, 
ni.,'in 1800, spending the first nine years of his 
life in Illinois on a farm. After receiving a com- 
mon school education, and a two years' course of 
study in a college at Knoxville, Tenn., he studied 
law and began practice. In 1812-13 he served as 
a scout in the campaigns against the Indians, 
winning for himself the title, in after life, of "The 
Old Ranger."' Afterwards he removed to 
Cahokia. where he began the practice of 
law, and, in 1818, became Associate Justice of the 
first Supreme Court of the new State. Retiring 
from the bench in 182.5, he served two terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected Governor in 
1830, in 1832 personally commanding the State 
volunteers called for service in the Black Hawk 
War. Two weeks before the expiration of his 
term (1834), he resigned to accept a seat in Con- 
gress, to which he had been elected as the suc- 
cessor of Charles Slade. who had died in office, 
and was again elected in 1838, always as a Demo- 
crat. He also served as Representative in the 
Fifteenth General Assembly, and again in the 
Eighteenth (1852-54), being chosen Speaker of the 
latter. In 1858 he was the administration (or 
Buchanan) Democratic candidate for State Su- 
perintendent of Public Instruction, as opposed to 
the Republican and regular (or Douglas) Demo- 
cratic candidates. For some years he edited a 
daily paper called "The Eagle," which was pub- 
lished at Belleville. While Governor Reynolds 
acquired some reputation as a "classical scholar," 
from the time spent in a Tennessee College at 
that early day, this was not sustained by either 
his colloquial or written style. He was an 
ardent champion of slavery, and, in the early 
days of the Rebellion, gained unfavorable notori- 
ety in consequence of a letter written to Jefferson 
Davis expressing sympathy with the cause of 
"secession." Nevertheless, in spite of intense 
prejudice and bitter partisanship on some ques- 
tions, he possessed many amiable qualities, as 
shown by his devotion to temperance, and his 
popularity among persons of opposite political 
opinions. Although at times crude in style, and 
not always reliable in his statement of historical 
facts and events. Governor Reynolds has rendered 
a valuable service to posterity by his writings 
relating to the early history of the State, espe- 
cially those connected with his own times. His 
best known works are: "Pioneer History of Illi- 
nois" (Belleville, 1848); "A Glance at the Crystal 



Palace, and Sketches of Travel" (1854); and "My 
Life and Times" (1855). His death occuiTed at 
Belleville. May 8. 1865. 

REYNOLDS, John Parker, Secretary and 
President of State Board of Agricultiu-e, was born 
at Lebanon, Ohio, March 1, 1820, and graduated 
from the Jliami Universitj* at the age of 18. In 
1840 he graduated from the Cincinnati Law 
School, and soon afterward began practice. He 
removed to Illinois in 1854, settling first in Win- 
nebago County, later, successively in Marion 
County, in Springfield and in Chicago. From 
1860 to 1870 he was Secretary of the State Agri- 
cultural Society, and, upon the creation of the 
State Board of Agriculture in 1871, was elected 
its President, filling that position until 1888, 
when he resigned. He has also occupied numer- 
ous other posts of honor and of trust of a public 
or semi-public character, having been President 
of the Illinois State Sanitary Commission during 
the War of the Rebellion, a Commissioner to the 
Paris Exposition of 1867, Chief Grain Inspector 
from 1878 to 1882. and Secretary of the Inter- 
State Industrial Exposition Company of Chicago, 
from the date of its organization (1873) until its 
final dissolution. His most important public 
service, in recent years, was rendered as Director- 
in-Chief of the Illinois -exhibit in the World's 
Columbian Exposition of 1893. 

REYNOLDS, Joseph Smith, soldier and legis- 
lator, was born at New Lenox, 111., Dec. 3. 1839; 
at 17 jears of age went to Chicago, was educated 
in the high school there, within a month after 
graduation enlisting as a private in the Sixty- 
fourth Illinois Volunteers. From the ranks he 
rose to a colonelcy through the gi-adations of 
Second-Lieutenant and Captain, and, in July, 
1865, was brevetted Brigadier-General. He was 
a gallant soldier, and was thrice wounded. On 
his return home after nearly four years" service, 
he entered the law department of the Chicago 
University, graduating therefrom and beginning 
practice in 1866. General Reynolds has been 
prominent in public life, having served as a 
member of both branches of the General Assem- 
bly, and having been a State Commissioner to the 
Vienna Exposition of 1873. He is a member of 
the G. A. R. , and, in 1875, was elected Senior 
Vice-Commander of the order for the United 
States. 

REYNOLDS, William Morton, clergyman, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa. , March 4, 1812 ; after 
graduating at Jefferson College, Pa., in 1832, was 
connected with various institutions in that State, 
as well as President of Capital University at 



450 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Columbus, Ohio, ; then, coining to Illinois, was 
President of the Illinois State University at 
Springfield, 1857-60, after which he became Prin- 
cipal of a female seminary in Chicago. Previ- 
ously a Lutheran, he took orders in the Protestant 
Episcopal Cliurch in 1864, and served several 
parishes until his death. In his early life he 
founded, and, for a time, conducted several reli- 
gious publications at Gettysburg, Pa., besides 
issuing a number of printed addresses and other 
published works. Died at Oak Park, near Chi- 
cago, Sept. 5, 1876. 

RHOADS, (Col.) Franklin Lawrence, soldier 
and steamboat captain, was born in Harrisburg, 
Pa., Oct. 11, 1824; brought to Pekin, Tazewell 
County, 111., in 1836, where he learned the print- 
er's trade, and, on the breaking out of the 
Mexican War, enlisted, serving to the close. 
Retvirning home he engaged in the river trade, 
and, for fifteen 3'ears, commanded steamboats on 
the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. In 
April, 1861. he was commissioned Captain of a 
company of three months' men attached to the 
Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, on the 
reorganization of the regiment for the three- 
years' service, was commissioned Lieutenant- 
Colonel, soon after being promoted to tlie colo- 
nelcy, as successor to Col. Richard J. Oglesljy, who 
had been promoted Brigadier-General. After 
serving through the spring campaign of 1862 in 
Western Kentucky and Tennessee, he was com- 
pelled by rapidly declining health to resign, when 
he located in Shawneetown, retiring in 1874 to 
his farm near that city. During the latter years 
of his life he was a confirmed invalid, dying at 
Shawneetown, Jan. 6, 1879. 

RHOADS, Joshua, M.D., A.M., physician and 
educator, was born in Philadelphia, Sept. 14, 
1806; studied medicine and graduated at the 
University of Pennsylvania with the degree of 
M.D., also receiving the degree of A.M., from 
Princeton ; after several years spent in practice 
as a physician, and as Principal in some of the 
public schools of Pliiladelphia, in 1839 he was 
elected Principal of the Pennsylvania Institution 
for the Blind, and, in 1850, took charge of the 
State Institution for the Blind at Jacksonville, 
111., then in its infancy. Here he remained until 
1874, when he retired. Died, February 1, 1876. 

RICE, Edward Y., lawyer and jurist, born in 
Logan County, Ky., Feb. 8, 1820, was educated in 
the common schools and at Sliurtleff College, 
after which he read law with Jolm M. Palmer at 
Carlinville, and was admitted to practice, in 1845, 
at Hill.sboro; in 1847 was elected County Recorder 



of Montgomery County, and, in 1848, to the Six- 
teenth General Assembly, serving one term. 
Later he was elected County Judge of Montgom- 
ery County, was Master in Chancery from 1853 to 
1857, and the latter year was elected Judge of the 
Eighteenth Circuit, being re-elected in 1861 and 
again in 1867. He was also a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, and, at the 
election of the latter year, %vas chosen Repre- 
sentative in the Forty -second Congress as a 
Democrat. Died, April 16, 1883. 

RICE, John B., theatrical manager. Mayor of 
Chicago, and Congressman, was born at Easton, 
Md., in 1809. By profession he was an actor, 
and, coming to Chicago in 1847, built and opened 
there the first theater. In 1857 he retired from 
the stage, and, in 1865, was elected Mayor of 
Chicago, the city of his adoption, and re-elected 
in 1807. He was also prominent in the early 
stages of tlie Civil War in the measures taken to 
raise troops in Chicago. In 1872 he was elected 
to the Forty-third Congress as a Republican, but, 
before the expiration of his term, died, at Nor- 
folk, Va., on Dec. 6, 1874. At a special election 
to fill the vacancy, Bernard G. Caulfield was 
chosen to succeed him. 

RICHARDSOX, William A., lawyer and poli- 
tician, bom in Fayette County, Ky., Oct. 11, 
1811, was educated at Transylvania University, 
came to the bar at 19, and settled in Schujler 
County, 111., becoming State's Attorney in 1835; 
was elected to the lower branch of the Legislature 
in 1836, to the Senate in 1838, and to the House 
again in 1844, from Adams County — the latter 
year being also chosen Presidential Elector on 
the Polk and Dallas ticket, and, at the succeeding 
session of the General Assembly, serving as 
Speaker of the House. He entered the Slexican 
War as CajJtain, and won a Majority through 
gallantry at Buena Vista. From 1847 to 1856 
(when he resigned to become a candidate for 
Governor), he was a Democratic Representative 
in Congress from the Quincy District ; re-entered 
Congress in 1861, and, in 1863, was chosen 
United States Senator to fill the unexpired term 
of Stephen A. Douglas. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention of 1868, but 
after that retired to private life, acting, for a 
short time, as editor of "The Quincy Herald." 
Died, at Quincy, Dec. 27, 1875. 

RICHLAND COUNTY, situated in the south- 
east quarter of the State, and has an area of 361 
square miles. It was organized from Edwards 
County in 1841. Among the early pioneers may 
be mentioned the Evans brothers, Tliaddeus 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



451 



Morehouse, Hugh Callioun and son, Thomas 
Gardner, James Parker, Cornelius De Long, 
James Gilmore and Elijah Nelson. In 1820 
there were but tliirty families in the district. 
The first frame houses — the Nelson and More- 
house homesteads^were built in 1821, and, some 
years later, James Laws erected the first brick 
house. The pioneers traded at Vincennes, but, 
in 1825, a store was opened at Stringtown by 
Jacob May ; and the same year the first school was 
opened at Watertown, taught by Isaac Chaun- 
cey. The first church was erected by the Bap- 
tists in 1832, and services were conducted by 
William Martin, a Kentuckian. For a long time 
the mails were carried on horseback by Louis 
and James Beard, but, in 1824, Mills and Whet- 
sell established a line of four-horse stages. The 
principal road, known as the "trace road," lead- 
ing from Louisville to Cahokia, followed a 
buffalo and Indian trail about where the main 
street of OLney now is. Olney was selected as 
the county-seat upon the organization of the 
county, and a Mr. Lilly built the first house 
there. The chief branches of industry followed 
by the inhabitants are agriculture and fruit- 
growing. Population (1880), 15,545; (1890), 
15,019; (1900). 16,391. 

RIDGE FARM, a village of Vermillion County, 
at junction of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago 
& St. Louis and the Toledo, St. Louis & Western 
Railroads, 174 miles northeast of St. Louis; has 
electric light plant, planing mill, elevators, bank 
and two papers. Pop. (1900), 933; (1904), 1.300. 

RIDGELY, a manufacturing and mining sub- 
urb of the city of Springfield. An extensive 
rolling mill is located there, and there are several 
coal-shafts in the vicinity. Population(1900), 1,169. 

RIDGELY, Charles, manufacturer and capi- 
talist, born in Springfield, 111., Jan. 17, 1836; was 
educated in private schools and at Illinois Col- 
lege ; after leaving college spent some time as a 
clerk in his father's bank at Springfield, finally 
becoming a member of the firm and successively 
Cashier and Vice-President. In 1870 he was 
Democratic candidate for State Treasurer, but 
later has affiliated with the Republican party. 
About 1872 he became identified with the Spring- 
field Iron Company, of which he has been Presi- 
dent for many years ; has also been President of 
the Consolidated Coal Company of St. Louis and. 
for some time, was a Director of the Wabash Rail- 
road. Mr. Ridgely is also one of the Trustees of 
Illinois College. 

RIDGELY, Nicholas H., early banker, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., April 27, 1800; after 



leaving school was engaged, for a time, in the 
dry-goods trade, but, in 1829, came to St. Louis 
to assume a clerkship in the branch of the 
United States Bank just organized there. In 
1835 a branch of the .State Bank of Illinois was 
established at Springfield, and Jlr. Ridgely 
became its cashier, and, when it went into liqui- 
dation, was appointed one of the trustees to wind 
up its affairs. He subsequently became Presi- 
dent of the Clark's Exchange Bank in that city, 
but this having gone into liquidation a few years 
later, he went into the private banking business 
as head of the "Ridgely Bank," which, in 1866. 
became the "Ridgely National Bank," one of the 
strongest financial institutions in the State out- 
side of Chicago. After the collapse of the inter- 
nal improvement scheme, Mr. Ridgely became 
one of the purchasers of the "Northern Cross 
Railroad" (now that part of the Wabash system 
extending from the Illinois river to Springfield), 
when it was sold by the State in 1847, paying 
therefor $21,100. He was also one of the Spring- 
field bankers to tender a loan to the State at the 
beginning of the war in 1861. He was one of the 
builders and principal owner of the Springfield 
gas-light system. His business career was an 
eminently successful one, leaving an estate at 
his death, Jan. 31, 1888, valued at over $2,000,000. 

RIDGWAY, a village of Gallatin County, on the 
Shawneetown Division of the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railway, 12 miles northwest of 
Shawneetown; has a bank and one newspaper. 
Pop. (1890), 523; (1900), 839; (1903, est.). 1.000. 

RIDGWAYj^ Thomas S., merchant, banker and 
politician, was born at Carmi, 111., August 30, 
1826. His father having died when he was but 4 
years old and his mother when he was 14, his 
education was largely acquired through contact 
with the world, apart from such as he received 
from his mother and during a year's attendance 
at a private school. When he was 6 years of age 
the family removed to Shawneetown, where he 
ever afterwards made his home. In 1845 he em- 
barked in business as a merchant, and the firm 
of Peeples & Ridgway soon became one of the 
most prominent in Southern Illinois. In 1865 the 
partners closed out their business and organized 
the first National Bank of Shawneetown, of 
which, after the death of Mr. Peeples in 1875. 
Mr. Ridgway was President. He was one of 
the projectors of the Springfield & Illinois South- 
eastern Railwaj'. now a part of the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern system, and, from 1867 to 
1874, .served as its President. He was an ardent 
and active Republican, and served as a delegate 



452 



HISTOKICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF 11.LIXOIS. 



to every State and National Convention of his 
part}- from 1868 to 1896. In 1874 he was elected 
State Treasurer, the candidate for Superintendent 
of Public Instruction on the same ticket being 
defeated. In 1876 and 1880 he was an unsuccess- 
ful candidate for his party's nomination for Gov- 
ernor. Three times he consented to lead the 
forlorn hope of the Republicans as a candidate 
for Congress from an impregnably Democratic 
stronghold. For several years he was a Director 
of the McCormick Theological Seminar}-, at Chi- 
cago, and, for nineteen years, was a Trustee of the 
Soutliern Illinois Normal University at Carbon- 
dale, resigning in 1893. Died, at Shawneetown, 
Nov. 17, 1897. 

RIGGS, James M., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Scott County. 111., April 17, 1839, where he 
received a common school education, supple- 
mented by a partial collegiate course. He is a 
practicing lawyer of Winchester. In 186-4 he was 
elected Sheriff, serving two years. In 1871-72 he 
represented Scott County in the lower house of 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, and was 
State's Attorney from 1872 to 1876. In 1882, and 
again in 1884, he was the successful Democratic 
candidate for Congress in the Twelfth Illinois 
District. 

RIGGS, Scott, pioneer, was born in North 
Carolina about 1790 ; removed to Crawford 
County, 111, early in 1815, and represented that 
county in the First General Assembly (1818-20). 
In 1825 he removed to Scott County, where he 
continued to reside until his death, Feb. 24, 1872. 

RINAKER, John I., lawyer and Congressman, 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 18, 1830. Left an 
orphan at an early age, he came to Illinois in 
1836, and, for several years, lived on farms in 
Sangamon and Morgan Counties; was educated 
at Illinois and McKendree Colleges, graduating 
from the latter in 1851 ; in 1852 began reading 
law with John M. Palmer at Carlinville, and was 
admitted to the bar in 1854. In August, 1862, he 
recruited the One Hundred and Twenty -seconu 
Illinois Volunteers, of which he was commis- 
sioned Colonel. Four months later he was 
wounded in battle, but served with his regiment 
through the war, and was brevetted Brigadier- 
General at its close. Returning from the war he 
resumed the practice of his profession at Carlin- 
ville. Since 1858 he has been an active Repub- 
lican; has twice (1872 and '76) served his party 
as a Presidential Elector — the latter year for the 
State-at-large — and, in 1874, accepted a nomina- 
tion for Congress against William R. Morrison, 
largely reducing the normal Democratic major- 



ity. At the State Republican Convention of 1880 
he was a prominent, but unsuccessful, candidatf 
for the Republican nomination for Governor. I; 
1894 he made the race as the Republican candi- 
date for Congress in the Sixteenth District and, 
although his opponent was awarded the certifi- 
cate of election, on a bare majority of 60 votes on 
the face of the retiu-ns, a re-count, ordered by the 
Fifty-fourth Congress, showed a majority for 
General Rinaker, and he was seated near the 
close of the first session. He was a candidate 
for re-election in 1896, but defeated in a strongly 
Democratic District. 

RIPLEY, Edward Payson, Railway President, 
was born in Dorchester (now a part of Boston), 
Mass., Oct. 30, 1845, being related, on his mother's 
side, to the distinguished author. Dr. Edward 
Paj'son. After receiving his education in the 
high school of his native place, at the age of 17 
he entered upon a commercial life, as clerk m a 
wholesale dry-goods establishment in Boston. 
About the time he became of age, lie entered into 
the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad as a 
clerk in the freight department in the Boston 
office, but, a few years later, assumed a responsible 
position in connection witli the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy line, finally becoming General 
Agent for the business of that road east of 
Buffalo, though retaining his headquarters at 
Boston. In 1878 he removed to Chicago to accept 
the position of General Freight Agent of the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy System, with which 
he remained twelve years, ser%-ing successively as 
General Traffic Manager and General Manager, 
until June 1, 1890, when he resigned to become 
Third Vice-President of the Cliicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul line. This relation \\as continued 
until Jan. 1, 1896, when Mr. Ripley accepted 
the Presidency of the Atoliison, Topeka & Santa 
Fe Railroad, which (1899) he now holds. Mr. 
Ripley was a prominent factor in securing the 
location of the World's Columbian Exposition at 
Chicago, and, in April, 1891, was chosen one of 
the Directors of tlie Exposition, serving on tlie 
Executive Committee and the Committee of 
Ways and Means and Transportation, being Chair- 
man of the latter. 

RIVERSIDE, a suburban town on the Des 
Plaines River and the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway, 11 miles west of Chicago; has 
handsome parks, several churches, a bank, 
two local papers and numerous fine residences. 
Population (1890), 1,000; (1900), 1,551. 

RIVERTON, a village in Clear Creek Town- 
sliip, Sangamon County, at the crossing of ths 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



453 



Wabash Railroad over the Sangamon River, 6'yi 
miles east-northeast of Springfield. It has four 
churches, a nursery, and two coal mines Popu- 
lation (1880), 705: (1890), 1,137, (1900), 1,511; (1903, 
est), about COOO. 

RIVES, John Cook, early banker and journal- 
ist, was born in Franklin County, Va., May 24, 
1795; in 1806 removed to Kentucky, where he 
grew up under care of an imcle, Samuel Casey. 
He received a good education and was a man of 
high character and attractive manners. In his 
e»irly manhood he came to Illinois, and was con- 
nected, for a time, with the Branch State Bank 
at Edwardsville, but, about 1824, removed to 
Shawneetown and held a position in the bank 
there; also studied law and was admitted to 
practice. Finally, having accepted a clerkship 
in the Fourth Auditor's Office in Washington, 
he removed to that city, and, in 1830, became 
associated with Francis P. Blair, Sr., in the 
establishment of "The Congressional Globe" (the 
predecessor of "The Congressional Record"), of 
which he finally became sole proprietor, so 
remaining until 1864. Like his partner, Blair, 
although a native of Virginia and a life-long 
Democrat, he was intensely loyal, and contrib- 
uted liberally of his means for the equipment of 
soldiers from the District of Columbia, and for 
the support of tlieir families, during the Civil 
War, His expenditures for these objects have 
been estimated at some §30,000. Died, in Prince 
George's County, Md., April 10, 1864. 

RO.VXOKE, a village of Woodford Countj-, on 
the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway, 26 
miles northeast of Peoria; is in a coal district; 
has two banks, a coal mine, and one newspaper. 
Population (1880), 355; (1890), 831; (1900). 966. 

ROBB, Thomas Patten, Sanitary Agent, was 
born in Bath, Maine, in 1819; came to Cook 
County, 111., in 1838, and, after arriving at man- 
hood, established the first exclusive wholesale 
grocery house in Chicago, remaining in the busi- 
ness until 1850. He then went to California, 
establishing himself in mercantile business at 
Sacramento, where he remained seven years, 
meanwhile being elected Mayor of that city. 
Returning to Chicago on the breaking out of the 
war, he was appointed on the staff of Governor 
Yates with the rank of Major, and, while serv- 
ing in this capacity, was instrumental in giving 
General Grant the first duty he performed in the 
office of the Adjutant-General after his arrival 
from Galena. Later, he was assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General of Illinois troops with the rank 
of Colonel, having general charge of sanitary 



affairs until the close of the war, when he was 
appointed Cotton Agent for the State of Georgia, 
and, still later. President of the Board of Tax 
Commissioners for that State. Other positions 
held by him were those of Postmaster and Col- 
lector of Customs at Savannah, Ga. ; he was also 
one of the publishers of "The New Era," a 
Republican paper at Atlanta, and a prominent 
actor in reconstruction affairs. Resigning the 
Collectorship, he was appointed by the President 
United States Commissioner to investigate Mexi- 
can outrages on the Rio Grande border ; was sub- 
sequently identified with Texas railroad interests 
as the President of the Corpus Christi & Rio 
Grande Railroad, and one of the projectors of the 
Chicago, Texas & Mexican Central Railway, being 
thus engaged until 1872. Later he retuined to 
California, dying near Glenwood, in that State, 
April 10, 1895, aged 75 years and 10 months. 

ROBERTS, William Charles, clergyman and 
educator, was born in a small village of Wales, 
England., Sept. 23, 1832; received his primarj- 
education in that country, but, removing to 
America during his minority, graduated from 
Princeton College in 1855, and from Princeton 
Theological Seminary in 1858. After filling vari- 
ous pastorates in Delaware, New Jersey and Ohio, 
in 1881 he was elected Corresponding Secretary 
of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions, 
the next j-ear being offered the Presidency of 
Rutgers College, which he declined. In 1887 he 
accepted the presidency of Lake Forest Univer- 
sity, which he still retains. From 1859 to 1863 
he was a Trustee of Lafaj'ette College, and, in 
1866, was elected to a trusteeship of his Alma 
Mater. He has traveled extensively in the 
Orient, and was a member of the first and third 
cpuncils of the Reformed Chirrches, held at Edin- 
burgh and Belfast. Besides occasional sermons 
and frequent contributions to English, Ameri- 
can, German and Welsh periodicals. Dr. Roberts 
has published a Welsh translation of the West- 
minster shorter catechism and a collection of 
letters on the great preachers of Wales, which 
appeared in Utica, 1868. He received the degree 
of D.D., from Union College in 1872, and that of 
LL.D.. from Princeton, in 1887. 

ROBI\SO\, an incorporated city and the 
county-seat of Crawford Courty, 25 miles north- 
west of Vincennes, Ind. , and 44 miles south of 
Paris, lU. ; is on two lines of railroad and in the 
heart of a fruit and agricultural region The 
city has water-works, electric lights, two banks 
and three weekly newspapers Population (1890) 
1,387; (1900), 1,683; (1904), about 3,000. 



454 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ROBINSON, James C, lawyer and former 
Congressman, was born in Edgar County, 111., in 
1822, read law and was admitted to the bar in 
1850. He served as a private during the Mexican 
War, and, in 1858. was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, as he was again in 1860, "62, "70 and 
'72. In 1864 he was the Democratic nominee for 
Governor. He was a fluent speaker, and attained 
considerable distinction as an advocate in crimi- 
nal practice. Died, at Springfield, Nov. 3, 1886. 

ROBINSON, John M., United States Senator, 
born in Kentucky in 1793, was liberallj' educated 
and became a lawyer by profession. In early life 
he settled at Carmi, 111., where he married. He 
was of fine physique, of engaging manners, and 
personally popular. Through his association 
with the State militia he earned the title of 
"General." In 1830 he was elected to the United 
States Senate, to fill the unexpired term of John 
McLean. His immediate predecessor was David 
Jewett Baker, appointed by Governor Edwards, 
who served one month but failed of election by 
the Legislature. In 1831: Mr. Robinson was re- 
elected for a full term, which expired in 1841. 
In 1843 he was elected to a seat upon the Illinois 
Supreme bench, but died at Ottawa, April 27, of 
the .same year, within three montlis after his 
elevation. 

ROCHELLE, a city of Ogle County and an 
intersecting point of the Chicago & Northwestern 
and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railwaj-s. 
It is 75 miles west of Chicago, 27 miles south of 
Rockford, and 23 miles east by north of Dixon. 
It is in a rich agricultural and stock-raising 
region, rendering Rochelle an important ship- 
ping point. Among its industrial establish- 
ments are water- works, electric lights, a flouring 
mill and silk-underwear factory The city has 
three banks, five churches and three newspapers. 
Pop. (1890), 1,789; (1900), 2,073; (1903), 3,500. 

ROCHESTER, a village and early settlement 
in Sangamon County, laid out in 1819; in rich 
agricultural district, on the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad, 7^4 miles southeast of 
Springfield ; has a bank, two churches, one school, 
and a newspaper. Population (1900) 365 

ROCK FALLS, a city in Whiteside County, on 
Rock River and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad; has excellent water-power, a good 
public school system with a high school, banks 
and a weekly new.spaper. Agricultural imple- 
ments, barbed wire, furniture, flour and paper are 
its chief manufactures. Water for the navigable 
feeder of the Hennepin Canal is taken from Rock 
River at this point. Pop. (1900), 2,176. 



ROCKFORD, a flourishing manufacturing 

city, the county-seat of Winnebago County ; lies 
on both sides of the Rock River, 92 miles west of 
Chicago. Four trunk lines of railroad — the Chi- 
cago, Burlington & Quincy, the Cliicago & North- 
western, the Illinois Central and the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul — intersect here. Excellent 
water-power is secured by a dam across the river, 
and communication between the two divisions of 
the city is facilitated by three railway and three 
highway bridges. Water is provided from five 
artesian wells, a reserve main leading to the 
river. The city is wealthy, prosperous and pro- 
gressive. The assessed valuation of property, in 
1893, was 16,531,235. Churches are numerous and 
schools, both public and private, are abundant 
and well conducted. The census of 1890 showed 
$7,715,069 capital invested in 246 manufacturing 
establishments, which employed 5,223 persons and 
turned out an annual product valued at §8,888,- 
904. The principal industries are the manufac- 
ture of agricultural implements and furniture, 
though watches, silver-plated ware, paper, flour 
and grape sugar are among the other products. 
Pop. (1880), 13,129; (1890), 23,584; (1900), 31,051. 

ROCKFORD COLLEGE, located at Rockford, 
111., incorporated in 1847; in 1898 had a faculty 
of 21 instructors with IGl pupils. The branches 
taught include the classics, music and fine arts. 
It has a library of 6,150 volumes, funds and en- 
dowment aggregating $50,880 and property 
valued at $240,880, of which §150,000 is real 
estate. 

ROCK ISLAND, the principal city and county- 
seat of Rock Island County, on the Mississippi 
River, 182 miles west by south from Chicago ; is 
the converging point of five lines of railroad, and 
the western terminus of the Hennepin Canal. 
The name is derived from an island in the Missis- 
sippi River, opposite the city, 3 miles long, which 
belongs to the United States Government and 
contains an arsenal and armory. The river 
channel north of the island is navigable, the 
southern channel having been dammed by the 
Government, thereby giving great water power 
to Rock Island and Moline. A combined railway 
and highway bridge spans the river from Rock 
Island to Davenport, Iowa, crossing the island, 
while a railway bridge connects the cities a mile 
below. The island was the site of Fort Arm- 
strong during the Black Hawk War, and was also 
a place for the confinement of Confederate prison- 
ers during the Civil War. Rock Island is in a re- 
gion of much picturesque scenery and has exten- 
sive manufactures of lumber, agricultural imple- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



455 



luents, iron, carriages and wagons and oilcloth; 
also five banks and three newspapers, two issuing 
daily editions. Pop. (1890), 13,634; (1900), 19,493. 

ROCK ISLAND COUNTY, in the northwestern 
section of the State bordering upon the Jlissis- 
sippi River (which constitutes its northwestern 
boundary for more than 60 miles), and having an 
area of 440 square miles. In 1816 the Govern- 
ment erected a fort on Rock Island (an island in 
the Mississippi, 3 miles long and one-half to 
three-quarters of a mile wide), naming it Fort 
Armstrong. It has always remained a military 
post, and is now the seat of an extensive arsenal 
and work-shops. In the spring of 1838, settle- 
ments were made near Port Byron by John and 
Thomas Kinney, Archibald Allen and George 
Harlan. Other early settlers, near Rock Island 
and Rapids City, were J. W. Spencer, J, W. Bar- 
riels, Benjamin F. Pike and Conrad Leak; and 
among the pioneers were Wells and Michael Bart- 
lett, Joel Thompson, the Simms brothers and 
George Davenport. The country was full of 
Indians, this being the headquarters of Black 
Hawk and the initial point of the Black Hawk 
War. (See Black Hairk, and Black Hawk War.) 
By 18'39 settlei-s were increased in number and 
county organization was effected in 1835, Rock 
Island (then called Stephenson) being made the 
county-seat. Joseph Conway was the first 
County Clerk, and Joel Wells, Sr., the first Treas- 
urer. The first court was held at the residence 
of John W. Barriels. in Farnhamsburg. The 
county is irregular in shape, and the soil and 
scenery greatly varied. Coal is abundant, the 
water-power inexhaustible, and the county's 
mining and manufacturing interests are very 
extensive. Several lines of railway cross the 
county, affording admirable transportation facili- 
ties to both eastern and western markets. Rock 
Island and Moline (which see) are the two prin- 
cipal cities in the county, though there are 
several other important points. Coal Valley is 
the center of large mining interests, and Milan is 
also a manufacturing center. Port Byron is one 
of the oldest towns in the county, and has con- 
siderable lime and lumljer interests, while Water- 
town is the seat of the Western Hospital for the 
Insane. Population of the county (1880), 38,302; 
(1890), 41,917; (1900), 55.249. 

ROCK ISLAND & PEORIA RAILWAY, a 
standard-guage road, laid with steel rails, extend- 
ing from Rock Island to Peoria. 91 miles. It is 
lessee of the Rock Island & Mercer County Rail- 
road, running from Milan to Cable. 111., giving it 
a total length of 118 miles — with Peoria Terminal, 



121.10 miles.— (History.) The company is a 
reorganization (Oct. 9, 1877) of the Peoria & 
Rock Island Railroad Company, whose road was 
sold under foreclosure, April 4, 1877. The latter 
Road was the result of the consolidation, in 1869, 
of two corporations — the Rock Island & Peoria 
and the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad Compa- 
nies — the new organization taking the latter 
name. The road was opened through its entire 
length, Jan. 1, 1872, its sale under foreclosure and 
reorganization under its jiresent name taking 
place, as already stated, in 1877. The Cable 
Branch was organized in 187C, as the Rock Island 
& fiercer County Railroad, and opened in De- 
cember of the same year, sold under foreclosure in 
1877, and leased to the Rock Island & Peoria Rail- 
road, July 1, 1885, for 999 years, the rental for 
the entire period being commuted at §450,000. — 
(Financial.) The cost of the entire road and 
equipment was 52,654,487. The capital stock 
(1898) is §1,500.000; funded debt, §600,000; other 
forms of indebtedness increasing the total capital 
invested to .§2,181,066. 

ROCK RIVER, a stream which rises in Wash- 
ington County, Wis., and flows generally in a 
southerly direction, a part of its course being very 
sinuous. After crossing the northern boimdary 
of Illinois, it runs southwestward, intersecting 
the counties of Winnebago, Ogle, Lee, Whiteside 
and Rock Island, and entering the Mississippi 
three miles below the city of Rock Island. 
It is about 375 miles long, but its navigation is 
parti}- obstructed by rapids, which, however, 
furnish abundant water-power. The principal 
towns on its banks are Rockford, Dixon and 
Sterling. Its valley is wide, and noteil for its 
beauty and fertility. 

ROCKTON, a village in Winnebago County, at 
the junction of two branches of the Chicago, 
Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, on Rock River, 
13 miles north of Rockford; has manufactures of 
paper and agricultural implements, a feed mill, 
and local paper. Pop. (1890). 892; (1900), 936. 

ROE, Edward Reynolds, A.B., M.D., physician, 
soldier and author, was born at Lelianou. Oliio, 
June 22, 1813; removed with his father, in 1819, 
to Cincinnati, and graduated at Louisville Med- 
ical Institute in 1842 ; began practice at Anderson, 
Ind., but soon removed to Shawneetown, 111., 
where he gave much attention to geological 
research and made some extensive natural his- 
tory collections. From 1848 to '52 he resided at 
Jacksonville, lectured extensively on his favorite 
science, wrote for the press and, for two years 
(1850-52), edited "The Jacksonville Journal," still 



■456 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later editing the newly established "Constitu- 
tionalist" for a few months. During a part of 
this period he was lecturer on natural science at 
Shurtleff College ; also delivered a lecture before 
the State Legislature on the geology of Illinois, 
which was immediately followed by the passage 
of the act establishing the State Geological 
Department. A majority of both houses joined 
in a request for his appointment as State Geolo- 
gist, but it was rejected on partisan grounds — 
he, then, being a Whig. Removing to Blooming- 
ton in 18,52, Dr. Roe became prominent in educa- 
tional matters, being the first Professor of Natural 
Science in the State Normal University, and also 
a Trustee of the Illinois Wesleyan University. 
Having identified himself with the Democratic 
party at this time, he became its nominee for 
State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 
1860, but, on the inception of the war in 1861, he 
promptly espoused the cause of the Union, raised 
three companies (mostly Normal students) which 
were attached to the Thirty-third Illinois (Nor- 
mal) Regiment; was elected Captain and succes- 
sively promoted to Major and Lieutenant-Colonel. 
Having been dangerously wounded in the assault 
at Vicksburg, on May 23, 1863, and compelled to 
return home, he was elected Circuit Clerk by the 
combined vote of both parties, was re-elected 
four years later, became editor of "The Bloom- 
ington Pantagraph" and, in 1870, was elected to 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, where 
he won distinction by a somewhat notable 
humorous speech in opposition to removing the 
State Capital to Peoria. In 1871 he was ap- 
pointed Marshal for the Southern District of Illi- 
nois, serving nine years. Dr. Roe was a somewhat 
prolific author, having produced more tlian a 
dozen works which have appeared in book form. 
One of these, "Virginia Rose; a Tale of Illinois 
in Early Days," first appeared as a prize serial in 
"The Alton Courier" in 18.52. Otliers of his more 
noteworthy productions are : "The Gray and the 
Blue"; "Brought to Bay"; "From the Beaten 
Path"; "G. A. R. ; or How She Married His 
Double"; "Dr. Caldwell; or the Trail of the 
Serpent"; and "Prairie-Land and Other Poems." 
He died in Chicago, Nov 6, 1893. 

ROGERS, George Clarke, soldier, was born in 
Grafton County, N H., Nov. 23, 1838; but was 
educated in Vermont and Illinois, having re- 
moved to the latter State early in life. While 
teaching he studied law and was admitted to the 
bar in 1860; was the first, in 1861, to I'aise a com- 
pany in Lake County for tlie war, which was 
mustered into the Fifteenth Illinois Volunteers; 



was chosen Second-Lieutenant and later Captain ; 
was wounded four times at Shiloh, but refused to 
leave the field, and led his regiment in the final 
charge; was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and 
soon after commissioned Colonel for gallantry at 
Hatchie. At Champion Hills he received three 
woiuids, from one of which he never fully re- 
covered ; took a prominent part in the operations 
at Allatoona and commanded a brigade nearly 
two years, including the Atlanta campaign, 
retiring with the rank of brevet Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. Since the war has practiced law in Illinois 
and in Kansas. 

ROGERS, Henry Wade, educator, lawyer and 
author, was horn in Central New York in 1853; 
entered Hamilton College, but the following 
year became a student in Michigan University, 
graduating there in 1874, also receiving the 
degree of A.M., from the same institution, in 
1877. In 1883 he was elected to a professorship 
in the Ann Arbor Law School, and, in 1885, was 
made Dean of the Faculty, succeeding Judge 
Cooley, at the age of 32. Five years later he was 
tendered, and accepted, the Presidency of the 
Northwestern L^niversity, at Evanston, being the 
first layman chosen to the position, and succeed- 
ing a long line of Bishops and divines. The same 
year (1890), Wesleyan University conferred upon 
him the honorary degree of LL. D. He is a mem- 
ber of the American Bar Association, has served 
for a number of years on its Committee on Legal 
Education and Admission to the Bar, and was 
the first Chairman of the Section on Legal Edu- 
cation. President Rogers was the General Chair- 
man of the Conference on the Future Foreign 
Policy of the United States, held at Saratoga 
Springs, N. Y., in August, 1898. At the Con- 
gress held in 1893, as auxiliary to the Columbian 
Exposition, he was chosen Chairman of the Com- 
mittee on Law Reform and Jurisprudence, and 
was for a time associate editor of "The American 
Law Register, " of Philadelphia. He is also the 
author of a treatise on "Expert Testimony," 
which has passed through two editions, and has 
edited a work entitled "Illinois Citations." 
besides doing much other valuable literary work 
of a similar character. 

ROGERS, John Gorin, jurist, ^vas born at 
Glasgow, Ky., Dec. 28, 1818, of English and early 
Virginian ancestry ; was educated at Center Col- 
lege, Danville, Ky., and at Transylvania Univer- 
sity, graduating from the latter institution in 
1841, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. For 
sixteen years he practiced in his native town, 
and, in 1857, removed to Chicago, where he soon 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



457 



attained professional prominence. In 1870 he 
was elected a Judge of the Cook County Circuit 
Court, continuing on the bench, througli repeated 
re-elections, iintil his death, which occurred 
suddenly, Jan. 10, 1887, four years before the 
expiration of the term for which he had been 
elected. 

ROGEKS PARK, a village and suburb 9 miles 
north of Chicago, on Lake Michigan and the 
Chicago & Northwestern and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways ; has a bank and two 
weekly newspapers ; is reached by electric street- 
car line from Chicago, and is a jiopular residence 
suburb. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1893. 

ROLL, John E., pioneer, was born in Green 
Village, N. J., June 4, 1814: came to Illinois in 
1830, and settled in Sangamon County. He 
assisted Abraham Lincoln in the construction of 
the flat-boat with which the latter descended tlie 
Mississippi River to New Orleans, in 1831. Mr. 
Roll, who was a mechanic and contractor, built 
a number of houses in Springfield, where he has 
since continued to reside. 

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. The earliest 
Christians to establish places of worship in Illi- 
nois were priests of the Catholic faith. Early 
Catholic missionaries were explorers and histori- 
ans as well as preachers. (See AUoitez; Bergier; 
Early MissionaricK; Gravier; Marquette.) The 
church went hand in hand with the represent- 
atives of the French Government, carrying in 
one hand the cross and in the other tlie flag of 
France, simultaneous!}- disseminating the doc- 
trines of Christianity and inculcating loyalty to 
the House of Bourbon. For nearly a hundred 
years, the self-sacrificing and devoted Catholic 
clergy of the seventeenth and eighteenth cen- 
turies ministered to the spiritual wants of the 
early French settlers and tlie natives. They were 
not without factional jealousies, however, and a 
severe blow was dealt to a branch of them in the 
order for the banishment of the Jesuits and tlie 
confiscation of their property. (See Early Mis- 
sionaries.) The sub.sequent occupation of the 
country by the English, with the contemporane- 
ous emigration of a considerable portion of the 
French west of the Mississippi, dissipated many 
congregations, Uj) to 1S30 Illinois was included 
in the diocese of ^lissouri ; but at that time it was 
constituted a separate diocese, under the episco- 
pal control of Rt. Rev. Joseph Rosatti. At that 
date there were few, if any, priests in Illinois. 
But Bishop Rosatti was a man of earnest purjjose 
and rare administrative ability. New parishes 
were organized as rapidly as circumstances 



would permit, and the growth of the church has 
been steady. By 1840 there were thirty-one 
parishes and twenty priests. In 1896 there are 
reported 698 parishes, 764 clergymen and a 
Catholic population exceeding 850,000. (See also 
UeligioHS Denominations. ) 

ROODHOUSE, a city in Greene County, 21 
miles south of Jacksonville, and at junction of 
three divisions of the Chicago & Alton Raili-oad; 
is in fertile agricultural and coal-raining region; 
city contains a flouring mill, grain-elevator, stock- 
yards, railway shops, water-works, electric light 
plant, two private banks, fine opera house, good 
.school buildings, one daily and two weekly 
papers. Pop (1890), 3,360; (1900), 2,351. 

ROODHOUSE, John, farmer and founder of 
the town of Roodhouse, in Greene County, 111., 
was born in Yorkshire, England, brought to 
America in childhood, his father settling in 
Greene County, 111., in 1831. In his early man- 
hood he opened a farm in Tazewell County, but 
finally returned to the paternal home in Greene 
County, where, on the location of the Jackson- 
ville Division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
he laid out the town of Roodhouse, at the junc- 
tion of the Louisiana and Kansas City branch 
with the main line. 

ROOT, Oeorge Frederick, musical composer 
and author, was born at Sheffield, Mass., August 
30, 1820. He was a natural musician, and, while 
employed on his father's farm, learned to play on 
various instruments. In 1838 he removed to Bos- 
ton, where he began his life-work. Besides 
teaching music in the public schools, he was 
emploj-ed to direct the musical service in two 
churches. From Boston he removed to New 
York, and, in 1850, went to Paris for purposes of 
musical study. In 1853 he made his first public 
essa}' as a composer in the song, "Hazel Dell,'" 
which became popular at once. From this time 
forward liis success as a song-wTiter was assured. 
His music, while not of a high artistic character, 
captivated the popular ear and appealed strongly 
to the heart. In 1860 he took up his residence in 
Chicago, where he conducted a musical journal 
and wrote those "war songs" which created and 
perpetuated his fame. Among the best known 
are "Rally Round the Flag"; "Just Before the 
Battle, Mother"; and "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp." 
Other popular songs by him are "Rosalie, the 
Prairie Flower"; "A Hundred Years Ago" ; and 
"The Old Folks are Gone." Besides songs he 
composed several cantatas and much .sacred 
music, also publishing many books of instruction 
and numerous collections of vocal and instru- 



458 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mental music. In 1872 tlie University of Chicago 
conferred on him the degree of Mus. Doc. Died, 
near Portland, Maine, AugiLst 6, ISO."). 

ROOTS, Benajah Guernsey, civil engineer, 
and educator, was born in Onondaga County 
N. Y. , April 20, 1811, and educated in the schools 
and academies of Central New York; began 
teaching in 1827, and. after spending a year at 
sea for the benefit of lii.s healtli, took a course in 
law and civil engineering. He was employed as 
a civil engineer on the Western Railroad of 
Massachusetts until 1838, when he came to Illi- 
nois and obtained employment on the railroad 
projected from Alton to Shawneetown, under 
the "internal improvement system"' of 1837. 
When that was suspended in 1839, he settled on 
a farm near the present site of Tamaroa, Perry 
County, and soon after opened a boarding school, 
continuing its management until 1846, when he 
became Principal of a seminary at Sparta. In 
1851 he went into the service of the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad, first as resident engineer in 
charge of surveys and construction, later as land 
agent and attorney. He was prominent in the 
introduction of the graded school system in Illi- 
nois and in the establishment of the State Nor- 
mal School at Bloomington and the University of 
Illinois at Champaign ; was a member of the 
State Board of Education from its organization, 
and served as delegate to the National Repub- 
lican Convention of 1868. Died, at !iis liome in 
Perry County, 111., May 9, 1888.— Philander Keep 
(Roots), son of the preceding, born in Tolland 
County, Conn., June 4, 1838, brought to Illinois 
the same year and educated in his father's school, 
and in an academy at CarroUton and the Wes- 
leyan University at Bloomington : at the age of 
17 belonged to a corps of engineers employed on 
a Southern railroad, and, during the war, served 
as a civil engineer in the construction and repair 
of military roads. Later, lie wa.s Deputy Sur- 
veyor-General of Nebraska; in 1871 became Chief 
Engineer on the Cairo & Fulton (now a part of 
the Iron Mountain) Railway ; then engaged in 
the banking bvisiness in Arkansas, first as cashier 
of a bank at Fort Smith and afterwards of the 
Merchants' National Bank at Little Rock, of 
Avhich his brother, Logan H. . was President. — 
Logan H. (Roots), another son, born near Tama- 
roa, Perry County, 111., March 22, 1841, was edu- 
cated at home and at the State Normal at 
Bloomington, meanwhile serving as principal 
of a high .school at Duquoin; in 1862 enlisted in 
the Eighty-first Illinois Volunteers, serving 
through the war and acting as Chief Commissary 



for General Sherman on the "March to the Sea," 
and participating in the great review in Wash- 
ington, in May, 1865. After the conclusion of 
the war he was appointed Collector of Internal 
Revenue for the First Arkansas District, was 
elected from that State to the Fortieth and 
Forty-first Congresses (1868 and 1870) — being, at 
the time, the youngest member in that body — and 
was appointed United States Marshal by Presi- 
dent Grant. He finally became President of the 
Merchants' National Bank at Little Rock, with 
which he remained nearly twenty years. Died, 
suddenly, of congestion of the brain. May 30, 
1893, leaving an estate valued at nearly one and 
a half millions, of which he gave a large share to 
charitable purposes and to the city of Little 
Rock, for the benefit of its hospitals and the im- 
provement of its parks. 

ROSE, James A., Secretary of State, was born 
at Golconda, Pope County, 111., Oct. 13, 1850. 
The foundation of his education was secured in 
the i>ublic schools of his native place, and, after 
a term in the Normal University at Normal, 111., 
at the age of 18 he took charge of a country 
school. Soon he was chosen Principal of the 
Golconda graded schools, was later made County 
Superintendent of Schools, and re-elected for a 
second term. During his second term he was 
admitted to the bar, and, resigning the office of 
Superintendent, was elected State's Attorney 
without opposition, being re-elected for anotlier 
term. In 1889, by appointment of Governor 
Fifer, he became one of the Trustees of the 
Pontiac Reformatory, serving until the next 
year, when he was transferred to the Board of 
Commissioners of the Southern Illinois Peniten- 
tiary at Chester, which position he continued to 
occupy until 1893. lu 1896 he was elected Secre- 
tar}' of State on tlie Republican ticket, his term 
exteniling to January-, 1901. 

ROSEVILLE, a village in Warren County, on 
the Rock Island Division of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton <t Quincy Raih'oad, 17 miles northwest of 
Bushnell ; has water and electric -light plants, two 
banks, public library and one newspaper Region 
agricultural and coal mining. Pop. (1900), 1,014. 

ROSS, Leonard Fulton, soldier, born in Fulton 
County, 111., July 18. 1823; was educated in the 
common schools and at Illinois College. Jackson- 
ville, studied law and admitted to the bar in 1845 ; 
the following year enlisted in the Fourth Illinois 
Volunteers for the Mexican War, became First 
Lieutenant and was commended for services at 
Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo ; also performed im- 
portant service as bearer of dispatches for Gen- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



459 



eral Taylor. After the war he served six years 
as Probate Judge. In May, 1861, he enlisted in 
the war for the Union, and was chosen Colonel 
of the Seventeenth Illinois Volunteers, serving 
with it in Missouri and Kentucky ; was commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General a few weeks after the 
capture of Fort Donelson, and, after the evacu- 
ation of Corinth, was assigned to the command 
of a division with headquarters at Bolivar, Tenn. 
He resigned in July, 1863, and, in 1867, was 
appointed by President Johnson Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Ninth District; has 
been three times a delegate to National Repub- 
lican Conventions and twice defeated as a candi- 
date for Congress in a Democratic District. 
Since the war he has devoted his attention 
largely to stock-raising, having a large stock- 
farm in Iowa. In his later years was President 
of a bank at Lewistown, 111. Died Jan. 17, 1901. 
ROSS, (Col.) William, pioneer, was born at 
Monson, Hampden County, Mass., April 2-1. 1792; 
removed with his father's family, in 1805, to 
Pittsfield, Mass., where he remained until his 
twentieth year, when he was commissioned an 
Ensign in the Twenty-first Regiment United 
States Infantry, serving through the War of 
1813- 14, and participating in the battle of Sack- 
ett's Harbor. During the latter part of his serv- 
ice he acted as drill-master at various points. 
Then, returning to Pittsfield, he carried on the 
business of blacksmithing as an employer, mean- 
while filling some local offices. In 1820, a com- 
pany consisting of himself and four brothers, 
with their families and a few others, started for 
the West, intending to settle in Illinois. Reach- 
ing the head-waters of the Allegheny overland, 
they transferred their wagons, teams and other 
property to flat-boats, descending that stream 
and the Ohio to Shawneetown, 111. Here they 
disembarked and, crossing the State, reached 
Upper Alton, where they found only one house, 
that of Maj. Charles W. Hunter. Leaving their 
families at Upper Alton, the brothers proceeded 
north, crossing the Illinois River near its mouth, 
until they reached a point in the western part of 
the present county of Pike, where the town of 
Atlas was afterwards located. Here they 
erected four rough log-cabins, on a beautiful 
prairie not far from the Mississippi, removing 
their families thither a few weeks later. They 
suffered the usual privations incident to life in a 
new country, not excepting sickness and death 
of some of their number. At the next session of 
the Legislature (1820-21) Pike County was estab- 
lished, embracing all that part of the State west 



and north of the Illinois, and including the 
pre.sent cities of Galena and Chicago. The Ross 
settlement became the nucleus of the town of 
Atlas, laid out by Colonel Ross and his associates 
in 1823, at an early day the rival of Quincy, and 
becoming the second county-seat of Pike County, 
so remaining from 1821: to 1833, when tlie seat of 
justice was removed to Pittsfield. During this 
period Colonel Ross was one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of the county, holding, simultane- 
ously or successively, the offices of Probate 
Judge, Circuit and County Clerk, Justice of the 
Peace, and others of a subordinate character. 
As Colonel of Militia, in 1832, he was ordered by 
Governor Reynolds to raise a company for the 
Black Hawk War, and, in four days, reported at 
Beardstown with twice the number of men 
called for. In 1834 he was elected to the lower 
branch of the General Assembly, also serving in 
the Senate during the three following sessions, a 
part of the time as President pro tern, of the last- 
named body. While in the General Assembly he 
was instrumental in securing legislation of great 
importance relating to Military Tract lands. 
The jear following the establishment of the 
county-seat at Pittsfield (1834) he became a citi- 
zen of that place, which he had the privilege of 
naming for his early home. He w^as a member 
of the Republican State Convention of 1856, and a 
delegate to the National Republican Convention 
of 1860, which nominated Mr. Lincoln for Presi- 
dent the first time. Beginning life poor he 
acquired considerable property ; was liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic, making a handsome 
donation to the first company organized in Pike 
County, for the suppression of the Rebellion. 
Died, at Pittsfield, May 31, 1878. 

BOSSVILLE, a village of Vermillion County, 
on the Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, 19 
miles north of Danville; has electric-light plant, 
water-works, tile and brick-works, two banks and 
two newspapers. Pop. (1890), 879; (1900), 1,435. 

ROUNDS, Sterling Parlter, public printer, 
was born in Berkshire, Vt., June 27, 1828; about 
1840 began learning the printer's trade at Ken- 
osha. Wis., and, in 1845, was foreman of the State 
printing office at Madison, afterward working in 
offices in Milwaukee, Racine and Buffalo, going 
to Chicago in 1851. Here he finally established 
a printer's warehouse, to which he later added an 
electrotj'pe foundry and the manufacture of 
presses, also commencing the issue of "Round's 
Printers' Cabinet," a trade-paper, which was 
continued during his life. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed by President Garfield Public Printer at 



460 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Washington, serving until 1885, when he removed 
to Omaha, Neb., and was identified with "The 
Republican," of that city, until his death, Dec. 
17, 1887. 

ROUNTREE, Hiram, County Judge, born in 
Rutherford County, N. C, Dec. 32, 1794; was 
brought to Kentucky in infancy, where he grew 
to manhood and served as an Ensign in the War 
of 1813 under General Shelby. In 1817 he re- 
moved to Illinois Territory, first locating in 
Madison County, where he taught school for two 
years near Edwardsville, but removed to Fayette 
County about the time of the removal of the 
State capital to Vandalia. On the organization 
of Montgomery County, in 1831, he was appointed 
to office there and ever afterwards resided at 
Hillsboro. For a number of years in the early 
history of the county, he held (at the same time) 
the offices of Clerk of the County Commissioners 
Court, Clerk of the Circuit Court, County 
Recorder, Justice of the Peace, Notary PubUc, 
Master in Chancery and Judge of Probate, besides 
that of Postmaster for the town of Hillsboro. In 
1826 he was elected Enrolling and Engrossing 
Clerk of the Senate and re-elected in 1830 ; served 
as Delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 
1847, and the next year was elected to the State 
Senate, serving in the Sixteenth and Seven- 
teenth General Assemblies. On retiring from 
the Senate (1852), he was elected County Judge 
without opposition, was re-elected to the same 
oflice in 1861, and again, in 1865, as the nominee 
of the Republicans. Judge Rountree was noted 
for his sound judgment and sterling integrity. 
Died, at Hillsboro, March 4, 1873. 

ROUTT, John L., soldier and Governor, was 
born at Eddyville, Ky., April 25, 1826, brought 
to Illinois in infancy and educated in the com- 
mon schools. Soon after coming of age he was 
elected and served one term as Sheriff of McLean 
County; in 1863 enlisted and became Captain of 
Company E, Ninety-fourth Illinois Volunteers. 
After the war he engaged in business in Bloom- 
ington, and was ajipointed by President Grant, 
successively. United States Marshal for the 
Southern District of Illinois, Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General and Territorial Governor of 
Colorado. On the admission of Colorado as a 
State, he was elected the first Governor under the 
State Government, and re-elected in 1890 — serv- 
ing, in all, three years. His home is in Denver. 
He has been extensively and successfully identi- 
fied with mining enterprises in Colorado. 

ROWELL, Jonathan H., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Haverhill, N. H., Feb. 10, 1833. He is a 



graduate of Eureka College and of the Law 
Department of the Chicago University. During 
the War of the Rebellion he served three years as 
company officer in the Seventeenth Illinois 
Infantry. In 1868 he was elected State's Attor- 
ney for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1880, 
was a Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket. In 1882 he was elected to Congress from 
the Fourteenth Illinois District and three times 
re-elected, serving until March, 1891. His home 
is at Bloomington. 

ROWETT, Richard, soldier, was born in Corn- 
wall, England, in 1830, came to the United 
States in 1851, finally settling on a farm near 
Carlinville, 111., and becoming a breeder of 
thorough-bred horses. In 1861 he entered the 
service as a Captain in the Seventh Illinois 
Volunteers and was successively promoted 
Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel ; was 
wounded in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth and 
AUatoona, especially distinguishing himself at the 
latter and being brevetted Brigadier-General for 
gallantry. After the war he returned to his 
stock-farm, but later held the positions of Canal 
Commissioner, Penitentiarj' Commissioner, Rep- 
resentative in the Thirtieth General Assem- 
bly and Collector of Internal Revenue for the 
Fourth (Quincy) District, until its consolidation 
with the Eighth District by President Cleveland. 
Died, in Chicago, July 13, 1887. 

RUSH MEDICAL COLLEGE, located in Chi- 
cago; incorporated by act of March 2, 1837, the 
charter having been prepared the previous year 
by Drs. Daniel Brainard and Josiah C. Goodhue. 
The extreme financial depression of the following 
year prevented the organization of a faculty 
until 1843. The institution was named in honor 
of Dr. Benjamin Rush, the eminent practitioner, 
medical author and teacher of Philadelpliia in the 
latter half of the eighteenth centirry. The first 
faculty consisted of four professors, and the first 
term opened on Dec. 4, 1843, with a class of 
twenty-two students. Three years' study was 
required for graduation, but only two annual 
terms of sixteen weeks each need be attended at 
the college itself. Instruction was given in a 
few rooms temporarily opened for that purpose. 
The next year a small building, costing between 
$3,000 and §4,000, was erected. This was re-ar- 
ranged and enlarged in 1855 at a cost of $15,000. 
The constant and rapid growth of the college 
necessitated the erection of a new building in 
1807, the cost of which was 870,000. This was 
destroyed in the fire of 1871, and another, costing 
§54,000, was erected in 1876 and a free dispensary 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



461 



added. In 1844 the Presbyterian Hospital was 
located on a portion of the college lot, and the 
two institutions connected, thus insuring abun- 
dant and stable facilities for clinical instruction. 
Shortly afterwards. Rush College became the 
medical department of Lake Forest University. 
The present faculty (1898) consists of 95 profes- 
sors, adjunct professors, lecturers and instructors 
of all grades, and over 600 students in attend- 
ance. The length of the annual terms is six 
months, and four j-ears of study are required for 
graduation, attendance ujjon at least three col- 
lege terms being compulsory. 

RUSHVILLE, the coimty-seat of Schuyler 
County, 50 miles northeast of Quincy and 11 
miles northwest of Beardstown ; is tlie southern 
terminus of the Buda and Rushville branch of the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The 
town was selected as the county-seat in 1826, 
the seat of justice being removed from a place 
called Beardstown, about five miles eastward 
(not the present Beardstown in Cass County), 
where it had been located at the time of the 
organization of Schuyler County, a year previous. 
At first the new seat of justice was called Rush- 
ton, in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but after- 
wards took its present name. It is a coal-mining, 
grain and fruit-growing region, and contains 
several manufactories, including flour-mills, brick 
and tile works; also has two bauks (State and 
private) and a public library. Four periodicals 
(one daily) are published here. Population 
(18S0), 1,662; (1890), 2,031; (1900), 2,293. 

RUSSELL, John, pioneer teacher and author, 
was born at Cavendish, Vt., Jul}' 31, 1793, and 
educated in the common schools of his native 
State and at Middlebury College, where he gradu- 
ated in 1818 — having obtained means to support 
himself, during his college course, by teaching 
and by the publication, before he had reached his 
20th year, of a volume entitled "The Authentic 
History of Vermont State Prison. " After gradu- 
ation he taught for a short time in Georgia ; but, 
early in the following year, joined his father on 
the way to Missouri. The next five years he 
spent in teaching in the "Bonhommie Bottom" 
on the Missouri River. During this period he 
published, anonymously, in "The St. Charles Mis- 
sourian, " a temperance allegory entitled "The 
Venomous Worm" (or "The Worm of the Still"), 
which gained a wide popularity and was early 
recognized by the compilers of school-readers as 
a sort of classic. Leaving this locality he taught 
a year in St. Louis, when he removed to Vandalia 
(then the capital of Illinois), after which he spent 



two years teaching in the Seminary at Upper 
Alton, which afterwards became Shurtleff College. 
In 1828 he removed to Greene County, locating 
at a point near the Illinois River to which he 
gave the name of Bluffdale. Here he was li- 
censed as a Baptist preacher, officiating in this ca- 
paoitj' only occasionally, wliile pursuing his 
calling as a teacher or writer for the press, to 
which he was an almost constant contributor 
during the last twenty -five years of his lite. 
About 1837 or 1838 he was editor of a .paper called 
"The Backwoodsman" at Grafton— then a part 
of Greene County, but now in Jersey County — to 
which lie afterwards continued to be a contribu- 
tor some time longer, and, in 1841-42, was editor 
of "The Advertiser, ' at Louisville, Ky. He was 
also, for several years, Principal of the Spring 
Hill Academy in East Fehciana Parish, La., 
meanwhile serving for a portion of the time as 
Superintendent of Public Schools. He was the 
author of a number of stories and sketches, some 
of which went through several editions, and, at 
the time of his death, had in preparation a his- 
tory of "The Black Hawk War," "Evidences of 
Christianity" and a "History of Illinois." He 
was an accomplished linguist, being able to read 
with fluency Greek, Latin, French, Spanish and 
Italian, besides having considerable familiarity 
with several otlier modern languages. In 1862 
lie received from the University of Chicago the 
degree of LL.D. Died. Jan. 2. 1863, and was 
buried on the old homestead at Bluffdale. 

RUSSELL, Martin J., politician and journal- 
ist, born in Chicago, Dec. 20, 1845. He was a 
nephew of Col. James A. Mulligan (see Mulligan, 
James A.) and served with credit as Adjutant- 
General on the stafif of the latter in the Civil 
War. In 1870 he became a reporter on "The 
Chicago Evening Post." and was advanced to 
the position of city editor. Subsequently he was 
connected with "The Times," and "The Tele- 
gram"; was also a member of the Board of Edu- 
cation of Hyde Park before the annexation of 
that village to Chicago, and has been one of the 
South Park Commissioners of the city last named. 
After the purchase of "The Chicago Times" by 
Carter H. Harrison he remained for a time on 
the editorial staff. In 1894 President Cleveland 
appointed liini Collector of tlie Port of Chicago. 
At the expiration of liis term of oflice lie resumed 
editorial work as editor-in-chief of "The Chron- 
icle," the organ of the Democratic party in 
Chicago. Died June 25, 1900. 

RUTHERFORD, Friend S., lawyer and sol- 
dier, was born in Schenectady. X. Y., Sept. 25, 



462 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



1830; studied law in Troy and removed to Illi- 
nois, settling at Edwardsville, and finally at 
Alton; was a Republican candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector in 185G, and, in 1860, a member of 
the National Republican Convention at Chicago, 
which nominated Mr. Lincoln for the Presidency. 
In September, 1863, he was commissioned Colonel 
of the Ninety-seventli Illinois Volunteers, and 
participated in the capture of Port Gibson and in 
the operations about Vicksburg — also leading in 
the attack on Arkansas Post, and subsequently 
serving in Louisiana, but died as the result of 
fatigue and exposure in the service, June 20, 
1864, one week before his promotion to the rank 
of Brigadier-General. — Reuben C. (Rutherford), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Troy, N. Y. , 
Sept. 29, 1833, but grew up in Vermont and New 
Hampshire ; received a degree in law when quite 
young, but afterwards fitted himself as a lec- 
turer on physiology and hygiene, upon which he 
lectured extensively in Jliehigan, Illinois and 
other States after coming west in 1849. During 
1854-55, in co-operation with Prof. J. B. Turner 
and others, he canvassed and lectured extensively 
throughout Illinois in support of the movement 
which resulted in the donation of public lands, 
by Congress, for the establishment of "Industrial 
Colleges" in the several States. The establish- 
ment of the University of Illinois, at Champaign, 
was the outgrowth of this movement. In 1856 he 
located at Quincy, where he resided some thirty 
years; in 1861, served for several months as the 
first Commissary of Subsistence at Cairo; was 
later associated with the State Quartermaster's 
Department, finally entering the secret service of 
the War Department, in which he remained until 
1867, retiring witli the rank of brevet Brigadier- 
General. In 1886, General Rutherford removed 
to New York City, where he died, June 24, 1895. — 
(ieorge V. (Rutherford), another brother, was 
born at Rutland. Vt. , 1830 ; was first admitted to 
the bar, but afterwards took charge of the con- 
struction of telegraph lines in some of the South- 
ern States; at the beginning of the Civil War 
became Assistant Quartermaster-General of the 
State of Illinois, at Springfield, under ex-Gov. 
John Wood, but subsequently entered the 
Quartermaster's service of the General Govern- 
ment in Washington, retiring after the war with 
the rank of Brigadier-General. He then returned 
to Quincy, 111., where he resided until 1872, when 
he engaged in manufacturing business at North- 
ampton, Mass., but finally removed to California 
for the benefit of his failing health. Died, at St. 
Helena, Cal. , August 38, 1872. 



RUTLAND, a village of La Salle County, on 
the Illinois Central Railroad. 25 miles south of La 
Salle: lias a bank, five churches, school, and a 
newspaper, with coal mines in the vicinity. Pop. 
(X890), 509: (1900), 893: (1903), 1,093. 

RUTLEDGE, (Rev.) William J., clergyman, 
Army Chaplain, born in Augusta County, Va., 
June 24, 1820: was converted at the age of 13 
years and, at 21, became a member of the Illinois 
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
serving various churches in the central and west- 
ern parts of the State — -also acting, for a time, as 
Agent of the Illinois Conference Female College 
at Jacksonville. From 1861 to 1863 he was Chap- 
lain of the Fourteentli Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teers. Returning from the war, he served as 
pastor of churches at Jacksonville, Bloomiugton, 
Quincy, Rnshville, Springfield, Griggsville and 
other points; from 1881 to "84 was Chaplain of 
the Illinois State Penitentiary at Joliet. Mr. 
Rutledge was one of the founders of the Grand 
Army of the Republic, and served for many years 
as Chaplain of the order for the Department of 
Illinois. In connection with the ministry, he 
has occupied a supernumerary relation since 
1885. Died in Jacksonville, April 14, 1900. 

RUTZ, Edward, State Treasurer, was born in 
a village in the Duchy of Baden, Germany, May 
5, 1839 ; came to America in 1848, locating on a 
farm in St. Clair County, 111. ; went to California 
in 18.57, and, early in 1861, enlisted in the Third 
United States Artillery at San Francisco, serving 
with the Army of the Potomac until his discharge 
in 1864, and taking part in every battle in which 
his command was engaged. After his return in 
1865, he located in St. Clair County, and was 
elected County Surveyor, served three consecu- 
tive terms as County Treasurer, and was elected 
State Treasurer three times — 1872, '76 and "80, 
About 1893 he removed to California, where he 
now resides. 

RYAN, Edward G., early editor and jurist, 
born at Newcastle House, Countj- Meath, Ireland, 
Nov. 13, 1810; was educated for the priesthood, 
but turned his attention to law, and, in 1830, 
came to New York and engaged in teaching 
while prosecuting his legal studies; in 1836 re- 
moved to Chicago, where he was admitted to the 
bar and was, for a time, associated in practice 
with Hugh T. Dickey. In April, 1840, Mr. Ryan 
assumed the editorship of a weekly paper in Chi- 
cago called "The Illinois Tribune," which he 
conducted for over a year, and which is remem- 
bered chiefly on accoimt of its bitter assaults on 
Judge John Pearson of Danville, who had 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



463 



aroused the hostility of some members of the 
Chicago bar by his rulings upon the bench. 
About 1843 Ryan removed to Milwaukee, "Wis., 
where he was, for a time, a partner of Matthew 
H. Carpenter (afterwards United States Senator), 
and was connected with a number of celebrated 
trials before the courts of that State, including 
the Barstow-Bashford case, which ended with 
Bashford becoming the first Republican Governor 
of "Wisconsin. In 187-4 he was appointed Chief 
Justice of "Wisconsin, serving until his death, 
which occurred at Madison, Oct. 19, 1880. He 
was a strong partisan, and, during the Civil "War, 
was an intense opponent of the war policy of the 
Government. In spite of infirmities of temper, 
he appears to have been a man of much learning 
and recognized legal abilitj-. 

RTAX, James, Roman Catholic Bishop, born 
in Ireland in 1848 and emigrated to America in 
childhood; was educated for the priesthood in 
Kentucky, and, after ordination, was made a pro- 
fessor in St. Joseph's Seminar}-, at Bardstown, 
Ky. In 1878 he removed to Illinois, attaching 
himself to the diocese of Peoria, and having 
charge of parishes at "Wataga and Danville. In 
1881 he became rector of the Ottawa parish, 
within the episcopal jurisdiction of the Arch- 
bishop of Chicago. In 1888 he was made Bishop 
of the see of Alton, the prior incumbent (Bishop 
Baltes) having died in 1886. 

SACS ASD FOXES, two confederated Indian 
tribes, who were among the most warlike and 
powerful of the aborigines of the Illinois Country. 
The Foxes called themselves the Musk-wah-ha- 
kee, a name compounded of two words, signify- 
ing "those of red earth." The French called 
them Ou-ta-ga-mies, that being their spelling of 
the name given them by other tribes, the mean- 
ing of which was "Foxes," and which was 
bestowed upon them because their totem (or 
armorial device, as it may be called) was a fox. 
They seem to have been driven westward from 
the northern shore of Lake Ontario, by way of 
Niagara and Mackinac, to the region around 
Green Bay, "Wis. — Concerning their allied breth- 
ren, the Sdcs, less is known. The name is vari- 
ously spelled in the Indian dialects — Ou-sa-kies, 
Sauks, etc. — and the term Sacs is unquestionably 
an abbreviated corruption. Black Hawk be- 
longed to this tribe. The Foxes and Sacs formed 
a confederation according to aboriginal tradition, 
on what is now known as the Sac River, near 
Green Bay, but the date of the alliance cannot 
be determined. The origin of the Sacs is equally 



uncertain. Black Hawk claimed that his tribe 
originall}' dwelt around Quebec, but, as to the 
authenticity of this claim, historical authorities 
differ widely. Subsequent to 1670 the history of 
the allied tribes is tolerably well defined. Their 
characteristics, location and habits are described 
at some length bj' Father AUouez, who visited 
them in 1666-67. He says that they were numer- 
ous and warlike, but depicts them as "penurious, 
avaricious, thievish and quarrelsome." That 
they were cordially detested by their neighbors 
is certain, and Judge James Hall calls them "the 
Ishmaelites of the lakes." They were unfriendly 
to the French, who attached to themselves other 
tribes, and. through the aid of the latter, had 
well-nigh exterminated them, when the Sacs and 
Foxes sued for peace, which was granted on 
terms most humiliating to the vanquished. By 
1718, however, they were virtually in possession 
of the region around Rock River in Illinois, and, 
four years later, through the aid of the Mascou- 
tinsand Kickapoos, they had expelled the Illinois, 
driving the last of that ill-fated tribe across the 
Illinois River. They abstained from taking part 
in the border wars that marked the close of the 
Revolutionary "War, and therefore did not par- 
ticipate in the treaty of Greenville in 179.5. At 
that date, according to Judge Hall, they claimed 
the country as far west as Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
and as far north as Prairie du Chien. They 
offered to co-operate with the United States 
Government in the "War of 1812, but this offer 
was declined, and a portion of the tribe, under 
the leadership of Black Hawk, enUsted on the 
side of the British. The Black Hawk War proved 
their political ruin. By the treaty of Rock Island 
they ceded vast tracts of land, including a large 
part of the eastern half of Iowa and a large body 
of land east of the Mississippi. (See Black Hawk 
War: Indian Treaties.) In 1842 the Government 
divided the nation into two bands, removing both 
to reservations in the farther West. One was 
located on the Osage River and the other on the 
south side of the Nee-ma-ha River, near the 
northwest corner of Kansas. From these reser- 
vations, there is little doubt, many of them have 
silently emigrated toward the Rocky Mountains, 
where the hoe might be laid aside for the rifle, 
the net and the sjiear of the hunter. A few 
years ago a part of these confederated tribes 
were located in the eastern part of Oklahoma. 

SAILOR SPRINGS, a village and health resort 
in Clay County, o miles north of Clay City, has 
an academy and a local paper. Population (1900), 
419; (1903, est.), 550. 



464 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



SALEM, an incorporated city, the county-seat 
of Marion County, on the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western, the Chicago & Eastern Illinois and the 
Illinois Southern Railroads, 71 miles east of St. 
Louis, and 16 miles northeast of Centralia; in 
agricultural and coal district. A leading indus- 
try is the culture, evaporation and shipment of 
fruit. The city has flour-mills, two banks and 
three weekly newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,493; 
(1900), 1,043. 

SALINE COUNTY, a southeastern county, 
organized in 1847, having an area of 380 square 
miles. It derives its name from the salt springs 
which are found in every part of the county. 
The northern portion is rolling and yields an 
abundance of coal of a qualitj' suitable for smith- 
ing. The bottoms are swampy, but heavily 
timbered, and saw-mills abound. Oak, hickory, 
sweet gum, mulberry, locust and sassafras are 
the prevailing varieties. Fruit and tobacco are 
extensively cultivated. The climate is mild and 
humid, and the vegetation varied. The soil of 
the low lands is rich, and, when drained, makes 
excellent farming lands. In some localities a 
good gray sandstone, soft enough to be worked, 
is quarried, and millstone grit is frequently found. 
In the southern half of tlie county are the Eagle 
Mountains, a line of hills having an altitude of 
some 4.50 to .500 feet above the level of the Mis- 
sissippi at Cairo, and believed by geologists to 
have been a part of the upheaval that gave birth 
to the Ozark Mountains in Missouri and Arkan- 
sas. The highest land in the county is 8G4 feet 
above sea-level. Tradition says that these hills 
are rich in silver ore, but it has not been found 
in paying quantities. Springs strongly impreg- 
nated with sulphur are found on the slopes. The 
county-seat was originally located at Raleigh, 
which was platted in 1848, but it was subse- 
quently removed to Harrisburg, which was laid 
out in 1859. Population of the county (1880), 
15,940; (1890), 19,342; (1900), 31,685. 

SALINE RIVER, a stream formed by the con- 
fluence of two brunches, both of which flow 
through portions of Saline County, uniting in 
Gallatin Count}'. The North Fork rises in Etamil- 
ton County and runs nearly south, while the 
South Fork drains part of Williamson County, 
and runs east through Saline. The river (which 
is little more than a creek), thus formed, runs 
southeast, entering the Ohio ten miles below 
Shawneetown. 

SALT MANUFACTURE. There is evidence 
going to show that the saline springs, in Gallatin 
County, were utilized by the aboriginal inhabit- 



ants in the making of salt, long before the advent 
of white settlers. There have been discovered, at 
various points, what appear to be the remains of 
evaporating kettles, composed of hardened clay 
and pounded shells, varying in diameter from 
three to four feet. In 1813, with a view to en- 
couraging the manufacture of salt from these 
springs, Congress granted to lUinois the use of 
36 square miles, the fee still remaining in the 
United States. These lands were leased by the 
State to private parties, but the income derived 
from them was comparativelj- small and fre- 
quently diiBcult of collection. The workmen 
were mostly slaves from Kentucky and Tennes- 
see, who are especially referred to in Article VI. , 
Section 3, of the Constitution of 1818. The salt 
made brought 65 per 100 pounds, and was shipped 
in keel-boats to various points on the Ohio, Mis- 
sissippi, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, while 
man}- purchasers came hundreds of miles on 
horseback and carried it away on pack animals. 
In 1837, the State treasury being empty and the 
General Assembly having decided to erect a peni- 
tentiary at Alton, Congress was petitioned to 
donate these lands to the State in fee, and per- 
mission was granted "to sell 30,000 acres of the 
Ohio Salines in GaUatin County, and apply the 
proceeds to such purposes as the Legislature 
might by law direct." The sale was made, one- 
half of the proceeds set apart for the building of 
the penitentiary, and one-half to the improve- 
ment of roads and rivers in the eastern part of 
the State. The manufacture of salt was carried 
on, however — for a time by lessees and subse- 
quently by owners — until 1873, about which time 
it was abandoned, chiefly because it had ceased 
to be profitable on account of competition with 
other districts possessing superior facilities. 
Some salt was manufactured in Vermilion County 
about 1824. The manufacture has been success- 
fully carried on in recent years, from the product 
of artesian wells, at St. John, in Perry County. 

SANDOVAL, a village of Marion County, at 
the crossing of the western branch of the Illinois 
Central Railroad, and the Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwestern. 6 miles north of Centralia. The 
town has coal mines and some manufactures, 
with banks and one newspaper. Population 
(1880), 564; (1890), 834; (1900), 1,258. 

SANDSTONE. The quantity of sandstone quar- 
ried in Illinois is comparatively insignificant, its 
value being less than one-fifth of one per cent of 
the value of the output of the entire country. 
In 1890 the State ranked twenty-fifth in the list 
of States producing this mineral, the total value 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



465 



of the stone quarried being but S1T,896, repre- 
senting 141,605 cubic feet, taken from ten quar- 
ries, which employed fortj'-six bands, and had an 
aggregate capital invested of $49,400. 

SANDWICH, a city in De Kalb County, incor- 
porated in ISia, on the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 58 miles southwest of Chicago. 
The principal industries are the manufacture of 
agricultural implements, hay presses, corn-sliell- 
ers, pumps and wind-mills. Sandwich has two 
private banks, two weekly and one semi-weekly 
papers. Pop. (1890), 3,516; (1900). 3,530; (1903), 
2,865. 

SANGAMON COUMT, a central county, 
organized under act of June 30, 1831, from parts 
of Bond and Madison Counties, and embracing 
the present counties of Sangamon, Cass, Menard, 
Mason, Tazewell, Logan, and parts of Morgan, 
McLean, Woodford, Marshall and Putnam. It 
was named for the river flowing through it. 
Though reduced in area somewhat, four years 
later, it extended to the Illinois River, but was 
reduced to its present limits by the setting apart 
of Menard. Logan and Dane (now Christian) 
Counties, in 1839. Henry Funderburk is believed 
to have been the first white settler, arriving 
there in 1817 and locating in what is now Cotton 
Hill Township, being followed, the next year, by 
William Drennan, Joseph Dodds, James McCoy, 
Robert Pulliam and others. John Kelly located 
on the present site of the city of Springfield in 
1818, and was there at the time of the selection 
of that place as the temporary seat of justice in 
1831. Other settlements were made at Auburn, 
Island Grove, and elsewhere, and population 
began to flow in rapidly. Remnants of the Potta- 
watomie and Eackapoo Indians were still there, 
but soon moved north or west. County organi- 
zation was effected in 1831, the first Board of 
County Commissioners being composed of Wil- 
liam Drennan, Zachariah Peter and Samuel Lee. 
John Reynolds (afterwards Governor) held the 
first term of Circuit Court, with John Taj'lor, 
Sheriff; Henry Starr, Prosecuting Attorney, and 
Charles R. Matheny, Circuit Clerk. A United 
States Land Office was established at Springfield 
in 1823, with Pascal P. Enos as Receiver, the 
first sale of lands taking place the same year. 
The soil of Sangamon County is exuberantly fer- 
tile, with rich underlying deposits of bituminous 
coal, which is mined in large quantities. The 
chief towns are Springfield, Auburn, Riverton, 
lUiopoHs and Pleasant Plains. The area of the 
county is 860 square miles. Population (1880), 
53,894; (1890), 61,195; (1900), 71,693. 



SAXGAMOX RITER, formed by the union of 
the North and South Forks, of which the former 
is the longer, or main branch. The North Fork 
rises in the northern part of Champaign County, 
whence it rims southwest to the city of Decatur, 
thence westward through Sangamon County, 
forming the north boundary of Christian County, 
and emptying into the Illinois River about 9 miles 
above Beardstown. The Sangamon is nearlj- 240 
miles long, including the North Fork. The 
South Fork flows through Christian Cotmty, and 
joins the North Fork about 6 miles east of 
Springfield. In the early history of the State the 
Sangamon was regarded as a navigable stream, 
and its improvement was one of the measures 
advocated by Abraham Lincoln in 1832, when he 
was for the first time a candidate (though unsuc- 
cessfully) for the Legislatm-e. In the spring of 
1832 a small steamer from Cincinnati, called the 
"Talisman," ascended the river to a point near 
Springfield. The event was celebrated with 
great rejoicing by the people, but the vessel 
encountered so much difficulty in getting out of 
the river that the experiment was never 
repeated. 

SAXGAMON & MORGAN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

SANGER, Lorenzo P., railway and canal con- 
tractor, was born at Littleton, N. H. , March 2, 
1809; brought in childhood to Livingston County, 
N. Y., where his father became a contractor on 
the Erie Canal, the son also being employed upon 
the same work. The latter subsequently became 
a contractor on the Pennsylvania Canal on his 
own account, being known as "the boy contract- 
or." Then, after a brief experience in mercantile 
business, and a year spent in the construction of a 
canal in Indiana, in 1836 he came to Illinois, and 
soon after became an extensive contractor on the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal, having charge of rock 
excavation at Lockport. He was also connected 
with the Rock River improvement scheme, and 
interested in a line of stages between Chicago 
and Galena, which, having been consolicfated 
with the line managed by the firm of Fink & 
Walker, finally became the Northwestern Stage 
Company, extending its operations throughout 
Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa 
and Missouri — Mr. Sanger having charge of the 
Western Division, for a time, with headquarters 
at St. Louis. In 1851 he became the head of the 
firm of Sanger, Camp & Co., contractors for the 
construction of the Western (or Illinois) Division 
of the Ohio & Mississippi (now the Baltimore & 
Ohio Southwestern) Railway, upon which he 



466 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA (jF ILLINOIS. 



was employed for several years. Other works 
with whicli he was connected were the North 
Missouri Railroad and the construction of the 
State Penitentiary at Joliet, as member of the 
firm of Sanger & Casey, for a time, also lessees of 
convict labor. In 1862 Mr. Sanger received from 
Governor Yates, by request of President Lincoln, 
a commission as Colonel, and was assigned to 
staff duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. After 
the war he became largely interested in stone 
quarries adjacent to Joliet ; also had an extensive 
contract, from the City of Chicago, for deepening 
the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Died, at Oakland, 
Gal., March 23, 1875, whither he had gone for the 
benefit of his health. — James ¥oung' (Sanger), 
brother of the preceding, was born at Sutton, 
Vt. , March 14, 1814 ; in boyhood spent some time 
in a large mercantile establishment at Pittsburg, 
Pa., later being associated with his father and 
elder brother in contracts on the Erie Canal and 
similar works in Pennsj'lvania. Ohio and Indi- 
ana. At the age of 22 he came with his father's 
family to St. Joseph, Mich., where they estab- 
lished a large supply stoi-e, and engaged in 
bridge-building and similar enterprises. At a 
later period, in connection with his father and 
his brother, L. P. Sanger, he was prominently 
connected with the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal — the aqueduct at Ottawa and 
the locks at Peru being constructed by them. 
About 1850 the Construction Company, of which 
he and his brother, L. P. Sanger, were leading 
members, undertook the construction of the Ohio 
& Mississippi (now Baltimore & Ohio Southwest- 
ern) Railroad, from St. Louis to Vincennes, Ind., 
and were prominently identified with other rail- 
road enterprises in Southern Illinois, Missouri and 
California. Died, July 3, 1867. when consum- 
mating arrangements for the performance of a 
large contract on the Union Pacific Railroad. 

SANITARY COMMISSION. (See Illinois San- 
itary Commission.) 

SAMTART DISTRICT OF CHICAGO. (See 
Chicago Drainage Canal.) 

SAUGANASH, the Indian name of a half-breed 
known as Capt. Billy Caldwell, the son of a 
British officer and a Pottawatomie woman, born 
in Canada about 1780; received an education 
from the Jesuits at Detroit, and was able to 
speak and write English and French, besides 
several Indian dialects ; was a friend of Tecum- 
seh's and, during the latter part of his life, a 
devoted friend of the whites. He took up his 
residence in Chicago about 1820, and, in 1826, 
was a Justice of the Peace, while nominally a 



subject of Great Britain and a Chief of the Otta- 
was and Pottawatomies. In 1828 the Govern- 
ment, in consideration of his services, built for 
him the first frame house ever erected in Chicago, 
which he occupied until his departure with his 
tribe for Council Bluffs in 1836. By a treaty. 
made Jan. 2, 1830, reservations were granted by 
the Government to Sauganash, Shaboua and 
other friendly Indians (.see Shabona). and 1,240 
acres on the North Branch of Chicago River set 
apart for Caldwell, whii-h he sold before leaving 
the country. Died, at Council Bluffs, Iowa, 
Sept. 28, 1841. 

SAVAGE, George S. F., D.D., clergyman, was 
born at Cromwell, Conn., Jan. 29, 1817; gi-adu- 
ated at Yale College in 1844; studied theology at 
Andover and New Haven, graduating in 1847 ; 
was ordained a home missionarj- the same year 
and spent twelve j-ears as pastor at St. Charles, 
111., for four years being corresponding editor of 
"The Prairie Herald"' and "The Congregational 
Herald."' For ten years he was in the service of 
the American Tract Society, and, during the Civil 
War, was engaged in sanitary and religious work 
in the army. In 1870 he was appointed Western 
Secretary of the Congi'egational Publishing 
Society, remaining two years, after whicli he be- 
came Financial Secretary of the Chicago Tlieo- 
logical Seminary. He has also been a Director 
of the institution since 1854, a Trustee of Beloit 
College since 1850, and, for several years, editor 
and publisher of "The Congregational Review." 

SAVANNA, a city in Carroll County, situated 
on the Mississippi River and the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Northern and the Chicago, Milwaukee 
& St. Paul Railways; is 10 miles west of Mount 
Carroll and about 20 miles north of Clinton, 
Iowa. It is an important shipping-point and con- 
tains several manufactories of machinery, lumber, 
flour, etc. It has two State banks, a public 
library, churches, two graded schools, township 
high school, and two daily and weekly news- 
papers. Pop. (1890), 3,097; (1900), 3,325. 

SATBROOK, a village of McLean County, on 
the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, 26 miles east 
of Bloomington; district agricultural; county 
fairs held here; the town has two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 851; (1900), 879. 

SCATES, Walter Bennett, jurist and soldier, 
was born at South Boston, Halifax County, Va. , 
Jan. 18, 1808; was taken in infancy to Hopkins- 
ville, Ky. , where he resided until 1831, having 
meanwhile learned the printer's trade at Nash- 
ville and studied law at Louisville. In 1831 he 
removed to Frankfort, Franklin County, 111., 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



467 



where, for a time, he was Countj' Surveyor. In 
1836, having been appointed Attorney-General, 
lie removed to Vandalia, then the seat of govern- 
ment, but resigned at the close of the same j-ear 
to accept the judgeship of the Third Judicial 
Circuit, and took up his residence at Shawnee- 
town. In 1841 he was one of five new Judges 
added to tlie Supreme Court bench, the others 
being Sidney Breese, Stephen A. Douglas, 
Thomas Ford and Samuel H. Treat. In that 
year he removed to Moxint Vernon, Jefferson 
County, and, in January, 1847, resigned his seat 
upon the bench to resume practice. The same 
year he was a member of the Constitutional Con- 
vention and Chairman of the Committee on 
Judiciary. In June, 1854, he again took a seat 
upon the Supreme Court bench, being chosen to 
succeed Lyman Trumbull, but resigned in May, 
18.57, and resumed practice in Chicago. In 
1862 he volunteered in defense of the Union, 
received a Major's commission and was assigned 
to duty on the staff of General McClernand ; was 
made. Assistant Adjutant-General and mustered 
out in January, 1866. In July, 1866, President 
Johnson appointed him Collector of Customs at 
Chicago, which position he filled until July 1, 
1869, when he was removed by President Grant, 
during the same period, being ex-officio custodian 
of United States funds, the office of Assistant 
Treasurer not having been then created. Died, 
at Evanston, Oct. 26, 1886. 

SCAMMOX, Jonathan Young', lawyer and 
banker, was born at Whitefield, Maine, July 27, 
1812 ; after graduating at Waterville (now Colby) 
University in 1831, he studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Hallowell, in 1835 remov- 
ing to Chicago, where he spent the remainder of 
his life. After a j^ear spent as deputy in the 
office of the Circuit Clerk of Cook County, during 
which he prepared a revision of the Illinois stat- 
utes, he was appointed attorney for the State 
Bank of Illinois in 1837, and, in 1839, became 
reporter of the Supreme Court, which office he 
held until 1845. In the meantime, he was associ- 
ated with several prominent lawyers, his first 
legal firm being that of Scammon, McCagg & 
Fuller, which was continued up to the fire of 
1871. A large operator in real estate and identi- 
fied with many enterprises of a public or benevo- 
lent character, his most important financial 
venture was in connection with the Chicago 
Marine & Fire Insurance Company, which con- 
ducted an extensive banking business for many 
years, and of which he was the President and 
leading spirit. As a citizen he was progressive. 



public-spirited and liberal. He was one of the 
main promoters and organizers of the old Galena 
& Chicago Union Railwaj-, the first railroad tc 
run west from Lake Michigan ; was also promi- 
nently identified with the founding of the Chi- 
cago public school system, a Trustee of the (old) 
Chicago University, and one of the founders of 
the Chicago Historical Society, of the Chicago 
Academy of Sciences and the Chicago Astro- 
nomical Society — being the first President 
of the latter body. He erected, at a cost of 
§30,000, the Fort Dearborn Observatory, in 
wliioh he caused to be placed the most power- 
ful telescope which had at that time been brought 
to the West. He also maintained the observatory 
at his own expense. He was the pioneer of 
Swedenborgianism in Chicago, and, in politics, a 
staunch Whig, and, later, an ardent Republican. 
In 1844 he was one of the founders of "The Chi- 
cago American," a paper designed to advance 
the candidacy of Henry Clay for the Presidency ; 
and, in 1872, when "The Chicago Tribune" 
espoused the Liberal Republican cause, he started 
"The Inter-Ocean" as a Republican organ, being, 
for some time, its sole proprietor and editor-in- 
chief. He was one of the first to encourage the 
adoption of the homeopathic system of medicine 
in Chicago, and was prominently connected with 
the founding of the Hahnemann Medical College 
and the Hahnemann Hospital, being a Trustee in 
both for many years. As a member of the Gen- 
eral Assembly he secured the passage of many 
important measures, among them being legisla- 
tion looking toward the bettering of the currency 
and the banking system. He accumulated a 
large fortune, but lost most of it by the fire of 
1871 and the panic of 1873. Died, in Chicago, 
March 17, 1890. 

SCARRITT, Nathan, pioneer, was born in Con- 
necticut, came to Edwardsville, 111. , in 1820, and, 
in 1821, located in Scarritt's Prairie, Madison 
County. His sons afterward became influential 
in business and Methodist church circles. Died, 
Dec. 12, 1847. 

SCENERY, NATURAL. Notwithstanding the 
uniformity of surface which characterizes a 
country containing no mountain ranges, but 
which is made up largely of natural prairies, 
tliere are a number of localities in Illinois where 
scenery of a picturesque, and even lx)ld and 
rugged cliaracter, maj' be found. One of the 
most striking of these features is produced by a 
spur or low range of hills from the Ozark Moun- 
tains of Missouri, projected across the southern 
part of tlie State from the vicinity of Grand 



468 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tower in Jackson County, through the northern 
part of Union, and through portions of William- 
son, Johnson, Saline, Pope and Hardin Counties. 
Grand Tower, the initial point in the western 
part of the State, is an isolated cliff of limestone, 
standing out in the channel of the Mississippi, 
and forming an island nearly 100 feet above low- 
water level. It has been a conspicuous landmark 
for navigators ever since the discovery of the 
Mississippi. "Fountain Bluff," a few miles 
above Grand Tower, is another conspicuous point 
immediately on the river bank, formed by some 
isolated hills about three miles long by a mile 
and a half wide, which have withstood the forces 
that excavated the valley now occupied by the 
Mississippi. About half a mile from the lower 
end of this hill, with a low valley between them, 
is a smaller eminence known as the "Devil's 
Bake Oven." The main chain of bluffs, known 
as the "Back Bone," is about five miles from the 
river, and rises to a height of nearly 700 feet 
above low-tide in the Gulf of Mexico, or more 
than 400 feet above the level of the river at 
Cairo. "Bald Knob" is a very prominent inland 
bluff promontory near Alta Pass on the line of 
the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, in the northern part 
of Union County, with an elevation above tide- 
water of 98.5 feet. The highest point in this 
range of hills is reached in the northeastern part 
of Pope County — the elevation at that point (as 
ascertained bj- Prof. Rolfe of the State University 
at Champaign) being 1,046 feet. — There is some 
striking scenery in the neighborhood of Grafton 
between Alton and the mouth of the Illinois, as 
well as some distance up the latter stream — 
though the landscape along the middle section of 
the Illinois is generally monotonous or only 
gently undulating, except at Peoria and a few 
other points, where bluffs rise to a considerable 
height. On the Upper Illinois, beginning at 
Peru, the scenery again becomes picture.sque, 
including the celebrated "Starved Rock," the 
site of La Salle's Fort St. Louis (which see). 
This rock rises to a perpendicular height of 
about 12,5 feet from the surface of the river at tlie 
ordinary stage. On the opposite side of the river, 
about four miles below Ottawa, is "Buffalo 
Rock," an isolated ridge of rock about two miles 
long by forty to sixty rods wide, evidently once 
an island at a period when the Illinois River 
occupied the whole valley. Additional interest 
is given to both these localities by their associ- 
ation with early history. Deer Park, on the Ver- 
milion River — some two miles from where it 
empties into the Illinois, just below "Starved 



Rock" — is a peculiar grotto-like formation, caused 
by a ravine which enters the Vermilion at this 
point. Ascending this ravine from its mouth, 
for a quarter of a mile, between almost perpen- 
dicular walls, the road terminates abruptly at a 
dome-like overhanging rock which widens at this 
point to about 150 feet in diameter at the base, 
with a height of about 75 feet. A clear spring 
of water gushes from the base of the cliff, and, at 
certain seasons of the year, a beautiul water-fall 
pours from the cliffs into a little lake at the bot- 
tom of the chasm. There is much other striking 
scenery higher up, on both the Illinois and Fox 
Rivers. — A point which arrested the attention of 
the earliest explorers in this region was Mount 
Joliet, near the city of that name. It is first 
mentioned by St. Cosme in 169S, and has been 
variously known as Jlon jolly, Mont Jolie, Mount 
Juliet, and Mount Joliet. It had an elevation, in 
early times, of about 30 feet with a level top 
1,300 by 225 feet. Prof. O. H. Marshall, in "The 
American Antiquarian," expresses the opinion 
that, originally, it was an island in the river, 
which, at a remote period, swept down the valley 
of the Des Plaines. Mount Joliet was a favorite 
rallying point of Illinois Indians, who were 
accustomed to hold their councils at its base. — 
The scenerj- along Rock River is not striking 
from its boldness, but it attracted the attention 
of early explorers by the picturesque beaut}' of 
its groves, undulating plains and sheets of water. 
The highest and most abrupt elevations are met 
with in Jo Daviess Countv, near the Wisconsin 
State line. Pilot Knob, a natural mound about 
three miles south of Galena and two miles from 
the Mississippi, has been a landmark well known 
to tourists and river men ever since the Upper 
Mississippi began to be navigated. Towering 
above the surrounding bluffs, it reaches an alti- 
tude of some 430 feet above the ordinary level of 
Fever River. A chain of some half dozen of these 
mounds extends some four or five miles in a north- 
easterly direction from Pilot Knob, Waddel's and 
Jackson's Mounds being conspicuous among 
them. There are also some castellated rocks 
around the city of Galena which are very strik- 
ing. Charles Mound, belonging to the system 
already referred to, is believed to be the highest 
elevation in the State. It stands near the Wis 
consin State line, and, according to Prof. Rolfe, 
has an altitude of 314 feet above the Illinois Cen- 
tral Railroad at Scales' Mound Station, and, 1,2.57 
feet above the Gulf of Mexico. 

SCHAUMBERG, a village in Schaumberg 
Township, Cook County. Population, 573. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



469 



SCHNEIDER, George, journalist and banker, 
was born at Pirmasens, Bavaria, Dec. 13, 1823. 
Being sentenced to death for his participation in 
the attempted rebellion of 1848, he escaped to 
America in 1849, going from New York to Cleve- 
land, and afterwards to St. Louis. There, in con- 
nection with his brother, he established a German 
daily — "The New Era" — which was intensely 
anti-slavery and exerted a decided political influ- 
ence, especially among persons of German birth. 
In 1851 he removed to Chicago, where he became 
editor of "The Staats Zeitung," in which he 
vigorousl)' opposed the Kansas-Nebraska bill on 
its introduction by Senator Douglas. His attitude 
and articles gave such offense to the partisan 
friends of this measure, that "Tlie Zeitung" was 
threatened with destruction by a mob in 1855. 
He early took advanced ground in opposition to 
slavery, and was a member of the convention of 
Anti-Nebraska editors, held at Decatur in 1856, 
and of the first Republican State Convention, held 
at Bloomington the same year, as well as of the 
National Republican Conventions of 1856 and 
1860, participating in the nomination of both 
John C. Fremont and Abraham Lincoln for the 
Presidency. In 1861 he was a member of the 
Chicago Union Defense Committee, and was 
appointed, by Mr. Lincoln, Consul-General at 
Elsinore, Denmark. Returning to America in 
1862, he disposed of his interest in "Tlie Staats 
Zeitung" and was appointed the first Collector of 
Internal Revenue for the Chicago District. On 
retiring from this office he engaged in banking, 
subsequently becoming President of the National 
Bank of Illinois, with which he was associated 
for a quarter of a century. In 1877 President 
Hayes tendered him the ministry to Switzerland, 
which he declined. In 1880 he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector for the State-at-large, also serving 
for a number of years as a member of the Repub- 
lican State Central Committee. 

SCHOFIELD. John McAllister, Major-General, 
was born in Chautauqua County. N. Y., Sept 29, 
1831; brought to Bristol, Kendall County, 111., in 
1843, and, two years later, removed to Freeport; 
-graduated from the L^nited States Military Acad- 
emy, in 1853, as classmate of Generals McPherson 
and Sheridan ; was assigned to the artillery ser- 
vice and served two years in Florida, after which 
he spent five years (1855-60) as an instructor at 
West Point. At the beginning of the Civil War 
he was on leave of absence, acting as Professor 
of Physics in Washington University at St. 
Louis, but, waiving his leave, he at once returned 
to duty and was appointed mustering officer; 



then, by permission of the War Department, 
entered the First Missouri Volunteers as Major, 
serving as Chief of Staff to General Lyon in the 
early battles in Missoiu-i, including Wilson's 
Creek. His subsequent career included the 
organization of the Missouri State Militia (1862), 
command of the Army of the Frontier in South- 
west Missouri, command of the Department of 
the Missouri and Ohio, participation in the 
Atlanta campaign and co-operation with Sher- 
man in the capture of the rebel Gen. Joseph E. 
Johnston in North Carolina— his army having 
been transferred for this purpose, from Tennessee 
by way of Washington. After the close of the 
war he went on a special mission to Mexico 
to investigate the French occupation of that 
coimtry; was commander of the Department of 
the Potomac, and served as Secretary of War, by 
appointment of President Johnson, from June, 
1868, to March, 1869. On retiring from the Cabi- 
net he was commissioned a full Major-General 
and held various Division and Department com- 
mands until 1886, when, on the death of General 
Sherman, he succeeded to the command of the 
Army, with headquarters at Washington. 
He was retired under the age limit. Sept. 29, 
1895. His present home is in Washington. 

SCHOLFIELD, John, jurist, was born in Clark 
County, 111., in 1834; acquired the rudiments of 
an education in the common schools during boy- 
hood, meanwhile gaining some knowledge of the 
higher branches through toilsome application to 
text-books without a preceptor. At the age of 
20 he entered the law school at Louisville, Ky., 
graduating two years later, and beginning prac- 
tice at Marshall, 111. He defrayed his expenses 
at the law school from the proceeds of the sale of 
a small piece of land to which he had fallen heir. 
In 1S56 he was elected State's Attorney, and, in 
1860, was chosen to represent his county in the 
Legislature. After serving one term he returned 
to his professional career and succeeded in build- 
ing up a profitable practice. In 1869-70 he repre- 
sented Clark and Cumberland Coxmties in the 
Constitutional Convention, and, in 1870, became 
Solicitor for the Vandalia Railroad. In 1873 he 
was elected to fill the vacancy on the bench of the 
Supreme Court of the State for the iliddle Grand 
Division, caused by the resignation of Judge 
Anthony Thornton, and re-elected without oppo- 
sition in 1879 and 1888. Died, in oflSce, Feb. 13, 
1893. It has been claimed that President Cleve- 
land would have tendered him the Chief Justice- 
ship of the United States Supreme Court, had he 
not insistently declined to accept the honor. 



470 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



SCHOOL-HOUSES, EARLY. The primitive 
school-houses of Illinois were built of logs, and 
were extremely rude, as regards both structure 
and furnishing. Indeed, the earliest pioneers 
rarely erected a special building to be used as a 
school-house. An old smoke-house, an abandoned 
dwelling, an old block-house, or the loft or one 
end of a settler's cabin not unf requently answered 
the purpose, and the church and the court-house 
were often made to accommodate the scliool. 
When a school-house, as such, was to be built, the 
men of the district gathered at the site selected, 
bringing their axes and a few other tools, with 
their ox-teams, and devoted four or five days to 
constructing a house into which, perhaps, not a 
nail was driven. Trees were cut from the public 
lands, and, without hewing, fashioned into a 
cabin. Sixteen feet square was usually con- 
sidered the proper dimensions. In the walls 
were cut two holes, one for a door to admit light 
and air, and the other for the open fireplace, from 
which rose a chimney, usually built of sticks and 
mud, on the outside. Danger of fire was averted 
by thickly lining' the inside of the chimue}' with 
clay mortar. Sometimes, but only with great 
labor, stone was substituted for mortar made 
from the clay soil. The chimneys were always 
wide, seldom less than six feet, and sometimes 
extending across one entire end of the building. 
The fuel used was wood cut directly from the 
forest, frequently in its green state, dragged to 
the spot in the form of logs or entire trees to be 
cut by the older pupils in lengths suited to the 
width of the chimney. Occasionallj- there was 
no chimney, the fire, in some of the most primi- 
tive structures, being built on the earth and the 
smoke escaping through a hole in the roof. In 
such houses a long board was set up on the wind- 
ward side, and shifted from side to side as the 
wind varied. Stones or logs answered for 
andirons, clapboards served as shovels, and no 
one complained of the lack of tongs. Roofs were 
made of roughly split clapboards, held in place 
by "weight poles" laid on the boards, and by .sup- 
ports starting from "eaves poles.'" The space 
between the logs, which constituted the walls of 
the building, was filled in with blocks of wood 
or "chinking," and the crevices, both exterior 
and interior, daubed over with clay mortar, in 
which straw was sometimes mixed to increase its 
adhesiveness. On one side of the structure one 
or two logs were sometimes cut out to allow the 
admission of light ; aud, as glass could not always 
be procured, rain and snow were excluded and 
light admitted by the use of greased paper. Over 



this space a board, attached to the outer wall by 
leather hinges, was sometimes suspended to keep 
out the storms. The placing of a glass window 
in a country school house at Edwardsville, in 
1824, was considered an important event. Ordi- 
narily the floor was of the natural earth, although 
this was sometimes covered with a layer of claj', 
firmly packed down. Only the more pretentious 
school-houses had "puncheon floors"; i. e., floors 
made of split logs roughly hewn. Few had 
"ceilings" (so-called), the latter being usuallj^ 
made of clapboards, sometimes of bark, on which 
was spread earth, to keep out the cold. The 
seats were also of puncheons (without backs) 
supported on four legs made of pieces of poles 
inserted through augur holes. No one had a desk, 
except the advanced pupils who were learning to 
write. For their convenience a broader and 
smoother puncheon was fastened into the wall 
by wooden pins, in such a way that it would 
slope downward toward the pupil, the front being 
supported by a brace extending from the wall. 
When a pupil was writing he faced the wall. 
When he had finished this task, he "reversed him- 
self" and faced the teacher and his schoolmates. 
These adjuncts completed the furnishings, with 
the exception of a split-bottomed chair for the 
teacher (who seldom had a desk) and a pail, or 
"piggin," of water, with a gourd for a drinking 
cup. Rough and uncouth as these structures 
were, they were evidences of public spirit and of 
appreciation of the advantages of educa,tion. 
They were built and maintained by mutual aid 
and sacrifice, and, in them, some of the great men 
of the State and Nation obtained that primary 
training which formed the foundation of their 
subsequent careers. (See Education.) 

SCHUYLER COUNTY, located in the western 
portion of the State, has an area of 430 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Philip Schuyler. 
The first American .settlers arrived in 1823, and. 
among the earliest pioneers, were Calvin Hobart, 
William H. Taylor and Orris JlcCartney. The 
county was organized from a portion of Pike 
County, in 182.3, the first Commissioners being 
Thomas Blair, Thomas MoKee and Samuel Ilor- 
ney. The Commissioners appointed to locate the 
county-seat, selected a site in the eastern part of 
the county about one mile west of the present 
village of Pleasant View, to which the name of 
Beardstown was given, and where the earliest 
court was held, Judge John York Sawyer presid- 
ing, with Hart Fellows as Clerk, and Orris JIc- 
Cartney, Slieriff. This location, however, proving 
unsatisfactory, new Commissioners were ap- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



471 



pointed, who, in the early part of 1826, selected 
tlie present site of the city of Rushville, some 
five miles west of the point originally chosen. 
The new seat of justice was first called Rushton, 
in honor of Dr. Benjamin Rush, but the name 
was afterwards clianged to Rushville. Ephraim 
Eggleston was the pioneer of Rushville. The 
surface of the county is rolling, and the region 
contains excellent farming land, which is well 
watered by the Illinois River and numerous 
creeks. Population (1890), 16,013; (1900), 16,129. 

SCHWATKA, Frederick, Arctic explorer, was 
born at Galena, 111., Sept. 29, 1849; graduated 
from the United States Military Academy in 1871, 
and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 
Third Cavalry, serving on the frontier until 1877, 
meantime studying law and medicine, being 
admitted to the bar in 1875, and graduating in 
medicine in 1876. Having his interest excited by 
reports of traces of Sir John Franklin's expedi- 
tion, found by the Esquimaux, he obtained leave 
of absence in 1878, and, with Wm. H. Gilder as 
second in command, sailed from New York in the 
"Eothen,'" June 19, for King William's Land. 
Tlie party returned, Sept. 23, 1880, having found 
and buried the skeletons of many of Franklin's 
party, besides discovering relics which tended to 
clear up the mystery of their fate. During this 
period he made a sledge journey of 3,251 miles. 
Again, in 1883, he headed an exploring expedition 
up the Yukon River. After a brief return to 
army duty he tendered his resignation in 1885, 
and the next year led a special expedition to 
Alaska, under the auspices of "The New York 
Times," later making a voyage of discovery 
among the Aleutian Islands. In 1889 he con- 
ducted an expedition to Northern Mexico, where 
he found many interesting relics of Aztec civili- 
zation and of the cliff and cave-dwellers. He 
received the Roquette Arctic Medal from the 
Geographical Society of Paris, and a medal from 
the Imperial Geograpliical Society of Russia ; also 
published several volumes relating to his re- 
searches, under the titles, "Along Alaska's 
Great River"; "The Franklin Search Under 
Lieutenant Sohwatka" ; "Nimrod of the North" ; 
and "Children of the Cold." Died, at Portland, 
Ore., Nov. 2, 1892. 

SCOTT, James W., journalist, was born in 
Walworth County, Wis., June 26, 1849, the son 
of a printer, editor and publisher. While a boy 
he accompanied his father to Galena, where the 
latter established a newspaper, and where he 
learned the printer's trade. After graduating 
from the Galena high school, he entered Beloit 



College, but left at the end of his sophomore year. 
Going to NewYork, he became interested in flori- 
culture, at the same time contributing short 
articles to horticultural periodicals. Later he 
was a compositor in Wasliington. His first news- 
paper venture was the publication of a weekly 
newspaper in Maryland in 1872. Returning to 
Illinois, conjointly with his father he started 
"The Industrial Press" at Galena, but, in 1875, 
removed to Chicago. There he purchased "The 
Daily National Hotel Reporter," from which he 
withdrew a few years later. In May, 1881, in 
conjunction with others, he organized The Chi- 
cago Herald Company, in which he ultimately 
secured a controlling interest. His journalistic 
and executive capability soon brought additional 
responsibilities. He was chosen President of the 
American Newspaper Publishers' Association, of 
the Chicago Press Club, and of the United Press 
— tlie latter being an organization for the collec- 
tion and dissemination of telegraphic news to 
journals throughout the United States and Can- 
ada. He was also conspicuously connected with 
the preliminary organization of the World's 
Columbian Exposition, and Chairman of the 
Press Committee. In 1893 he started an evening 
paper at Chicago, which he named "The Post." 
Early in 1895 he purchased "The Chicago Times," 
intending to consolidate it with "The Herald," 
but before the final consummation of his plans, 
he died suddenly, while on a business visit in 
New York, April 14, 1895. 

SCOTT, John M., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in St. Clair County, 111., August 1, 1824; his 
father being of Scotch-Irish descent and his 
mother a Virginian. His attendance upon dis- 
trict schools was supplemented by private tuition, 
and his early education was the best that the 
comparatively new country afforded. He read 
law at Belleville, was admitted to the bar in 
1848, removed to McLean County, which con- 
tinued to be his home for nearly fiftj' years. He 
served as County School Commissioner from 1849 
to 1853, and, in the latter year, waselected County 
Judge. In 1856 he was an unsuccessful Repub- 
lican candidate for the State Senate, frequently 
speaking from the same platform with Abraham 
Lincoln. In 1863 he was elected Judge of the 
Circuit Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit, to 
succeed David Davis on the elevation of the 
latter to the bench of the United States Supreme 
Court, and was re-elected in 1867. In 1870, a 
new judicial election being rendered necessary 
by the adoption of the new Constitution, Judge 
Scott was chosen Justice of the Supreme Court 



472 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



for a term of nine years ; was re-elected in 1879, 
but declined a renomination in 1888. The latter 
years of his life were devoted to his private 
affairs. Died, at Bloomington, Jan. 21, 1898. 
Shortly before his death Judge Scott published a 
volume containing a History of the Illinois 
Supreme Court, including brief sketches of the 
early occupants of the Supreme Court bench and 
early lawyers of the State. 

SCOTT, Matthew Thompson, agriculturist 
and real-estate operator, was born at Lexington, 
Ky., Feb. 34, 1828; graduated at Centre College 
in 1846, then spent several years looking after his 
father's landed interests in Ohio, when he came 
to Illinois and invested largely in lands for him- 
self and others. He laid out the town of Chenoa 
in 1856 ; lived in Springfield in 1870-73, when he 
removed to Bloomington, where he organized the 
McLean C<junty Coal Company, remaining as its 
head until his death; was also tlie founder of 
"The Bloomington Bulletin," in 1878. Died, at 
Bloomington, May 21, 1891. 

SCOTT, Owen, journalist and ex-Congressman, 
was born in Jackson Township, Effingham 
County, 111., July 6, 1848, reared on a farm, and, 
after receiving a thorough common-school edu- 
cation, became a teacher, and was, for eight 
years. Superintendent of Schools for his native 
county. In January, 1874, he was admitted to 
the bar, but abandoned practice, ten j-ears later, 
to engage in newspaper work. His first publi- 
cation was "The Effingham Democrat, " which he 
left to become proprietor and manager of "The 
Bloomington Bulletin." He was also publisher 
of "The Illinois Freemason." a monthly periodi- 
cal. Before removing to Bloomington he filled 
the offices of City Attorney and Mayor of Effing- 
ham, and also served as Deputy Collector of 
Internal Revenue. In 1890 he was elected as a 
Democrat from the Fourteenth Illinois District 
to the Fifty-second Congress. In 1893 he was a 
candidate for reelection, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent, Benjamin F. Funk. Dur- 
ing the past few years, Mr. Scott has been editor 
of "The Bloomington Leader." 

SCOTT COUNTY, lies in the western part of 
the State adjoining the Illinois River, and has an 
area of 348 square miles. The region was origi- 
nally owned by the Kickapoo Indians, who 
ceded it to the Government by the treaty of 
Edwardsville, July 30, 1819. Six months later 
(in January, 1830) a party of Kentuckians settled 
near Lynnville (now in Morgan County), their 
names being Thomas Stevens, James Scott, 
Alfred Miller, Thomas Allen, John Scott and 



Adam Miller. Allen erected the first house in the 
county, John Scott the second and Adam Miller 
the third. About the same time came Stephen 
M. Umpstead, whose wife was the first white 
woman in the county. Other pioneers were 
Jedediah Webster, Stephen Pierce, Joseph Dens- 
more, Jesse Roberts, and Samuel Bogard. The 
country was rough and the conveniences of civi- 
lization few and remote. Settlers took their corn 
to Edwardsville to be ground, and went to Alton 
for their mail. Turbulence early showed itself, 
and, in 1832, a band of "Regulators" was organized 
from the best citizens, who meted out a rough 
and ready sort of justice, until 1830, occasionally 
shooting a desperado at his cabin door. Scott 
County was cut off from Morgan and organized 
in 1839. It contains good farming land, much of 
it being originally timbered, and it is well 
watered by the Illinois River and numerous 
small streams. Winchester is the county-seat. 
Population of the county (1880), 10,741; (1890), 
10,304; (1900), 10,455. 

SCEIPPS, John L., journalist, was born near 
Cape Girardeau, Mo., Feb. 18, 1818; was taken to 
Rushville, 111., in childhood, and educated at 
McKendree College; studied law and came to 
Chicago in 1847, with the intention of practicing, 
but, a year or so later, bought a third interest in 
"The Chicago Tribune," which had been estab- 
lished during the previous year. In 1853 he 
withdrew from "The Tribune," and, in conjunc- 
tion with William Bross (afterwards Lieuten- 
ant-Governor), established "The Daily Demo- 
cratic Press," which was consolidated with "The 
Tribune" in July, 1858, under the name of "The 
Press and Tribune." Mr. Scripps remaining one 
of the editors of the new concern. In 1861 he 
was appointed, Viy Mr. Lincoln, Postmaster of the 
city of Chicago, .serving until 1865, when, having 
sold his interest in "The Tribune," he engaged in 
the banking business as a member of the firm of 
Scripps, Preston & Kean. His health, however, 
soon showed signs of failure, and he died, Sept. 
31, 1866, at Minneapolis, Minn., whither he had 
gone in hopes of restoration. Mr. Scripps was a 
finished and able writer who did much to elevate 
the standard of Chicago journalism. 

SCROCJOS, George, journalist, was born at 
Wilmington, Clinton, County, Ohio, Oct. 7, 1842 
— the son of Dr. John W. Scroggs, who came to 
Champaign County, 111., in 1851, and, in 1858, 
took charge of "The Central Illinois Gazette." In 
18615-67 Dr. Scroggs was active in securing the 
location of the State University at Champaign, 
afterwards serving as a member of the first Board 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



473 



of Trustees of that institution. The son, at the 
age of 15, became an apprentice in his father's 
printing oflfice, continuing until 1862, when he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and 
Twentyfifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, being 
promoted through the positions of Sergeant-Major 
and Second Lieutenant, and finally serving on 
the staffs of Gen. Jeff. C. Davis and Gen. James 
D. Morgan, but declining a commission as Adju- 
tant of the Sixtieth Illinois. He participated in 
the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga. Mission 
Ridge and the march with Sherman to the sea, in 
the latter being severely wounded at Bentonville, 
N. C. He remained in the service until July, 
1865. when he resigned ; then entered the Uni- 
versity at Champaign, later studied law, mean- 
while writing for "The Champaign Gazette and 
Union," of which he finally became sole propri- 
etor. In ISTT he was appointed an Aid-de-Camp 
on the staff of Governor CuUom, and, the follow- 
ing year, was elected to the Thirty-first General 
Assembly, but, before the close of the session 
(1879), received the appointment of United States 
Consul to Hamburg, Germany. He was com- 
pelled to surrender tliis position, a year later, on 
account of ill-health, and, returning home, died, 
Oct. 15, 1880. 

SEATOXVILLE, a village in Hall Township, 
Bureau County. Population (1900), 909. 

SECRETARIES OF STATE. The following is 
a hst of the Secretaries of State of Illinois from 
its admission into the Union down to tlie present 
time (1899), with the date and duration of the 
term of each incumbent: Elias Kent Kane, 
1818-32; Samuel D. Lockwood, 1822-23; David 
BlackweU. 1823-24; Morris Birkbeck, October, 
1824 to January, 1825 (failed of confirmation by 
the Senate) , George Forquer, 1825-38 ; Alexander 
Pope Field, 1828-40; Stephen A. Douglas, 1840-41 
(served thi-ee months — resigned to take a seat on 
the Supreme bench); Lyman Trumbull, 1841-43; 
Thompson Campbell, 1843-46; Horace S. Cooley, 
1846-50; David L. Gregg, 1850-53; Alexander 
Starne, 1853-57 ; Ozias M. Hatch. 1857-65 ; Sharon 
Tyndale, 1865-69; Edward Rummel. ' 1869-73; 
George H. Harlow, 1873-81; Henry D. Dement, 
1881-89; Isaac N. Pearson, 1889-93; William H. 

Hinrichsen, 1893-97; James A. Rose, 1897 . 

Xathaniel Pope and Joseph PhiUips were the only 
Secretaries of Illinois during the Territorial 
period, the former serving from 1809 to 1816, and 
the latter from 1816 to 1818. Under the first Con- 
stitution (1818) the office of the Secretary of 
State was filled by appointment by the Governor, 
by and with the advice and consent of the 



Senate, but without limitation as to term of 
office. By the Constitution of 1848, and again by 
that of 1870, that officer was made elective by 
the people at the same time as the Governor, for 
a term of four years. 

SECRET TREASONABLE SOCIETIES. Early 
in the War of the Rebellion there sprang up, at 
various points in the Northwest, organizations of 
persons disaffected toward the National Govern- 
ment. They were most numerous in Ohio, Indi- 
ana, Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri. At first 
they were known by such titles as "Circles of 
Honor," "Mutual Protective Associations," etc. 
But they had kindred aims and tlieir members 
were soon imited in one organization, styled 
"Knights of the Golden Circle." Its secrets 
having been partially disclosed, this body ceased 
to exist — or, it would be more correct to say, 
changed its name — being soon succeeded (1863) 
by an organization of similar character, called 
the "American Knights." These societies, as 
first formed, were rather political than military. 
The "American Knights" had more forcible 
aims, but this, in turn, was also exposed, and the 
order was re organized under the name of "Sons 
of Libert}'." The last named order started in 
Indiana, and, owing to its more perfect organi- 
zation, rapidly spread over the Northwest, 
acquiring much more strength and influence than 
its predecessors had done. The ultimate author- 
ity of the organization was vested in a Supreme 
Council, whose officers were a "supreme com- 
mander," "secretary of state," and "treasurer." 
Each State represented formed a division, under a 
' 'deputy grand commander. ' ' States were divided 
into military districts, imder "major-generals." 
County lodges were termed "temples." The 
order was virtually an officered army, and its 
aims were aggressive. It had its commander-in- 
chief, its brigades and its regiments. Three 
degrees were recognized, and the oaths of secrecy 
taken at each initiation surpassed, in binding 
force, either the oatli of allegiance or an oath 
taken in a court of justice. The maintenance of 
slavery, and forcible opposition to a coercive 
policy by the Government in dealing with seces- 
sion, were the pivotal doctrines of the order. Its 
methods and purposes were to discourage enlist- 
ments and resist a draft ; to aid and protect 
deserters; to disseminate treasonable literature; 
to aid the Confederates in destroying Government 
property. Clement L. Vallandigham, the expat- 
riated traitor, was at its head, and, in 1864, 
claimed that it had a numerical strength of 400,- 
000, of whom 65,000 were in Illinois. Many overt 



474 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



acts were committed, but the organization, hav- 
ing been exposed and defeated in its objects, dis- 
banded in 1865. (See Camp Douglas Conspiracy.) 
SELBY, Paul, editor, was born in Pickaway 
County, Ohio, July 20, 1825; removed with his 
pai'ents, in 1837, to Van Buren County, Iowa, but, 
at the age of 19, went to Southern Illinois, where 
he spent four years teaching, chiefly in Madison 
County. In 1848 he entered the preparatory 
department of Illinois College at Jacksonville, 
but left the institution during his junior year to 
assume the editorship of 'The Morgan Journal," 
at Jacksonville, with whicli he remained until 
the fall of 1858, covering the period of the 
organization of the Republican party, in which 
"The Journal" took an active part. He was a 
member of the Anti-Nebraska (afterwards known 
as Republican) State Convention, which met at 
Springfield, in October, 1854 (the first ever held in 
the State), and, on Feb. 22, 1856, attended and 
presided over a conference of Anti-Nebraska 
editors of the State at Decatur, called to devise a 
line of policy for the newly organizing Repub- 
lican party. (See Anti-Nebraska Editorial 
Convention.) This body appointed the first 
Republican State Central Committee and desig- 
nated the date of the Bloomington Convention 
of May 29, following, which put in nomination 
the first Republican State ticket ever named in 
Illinois, which ticket was elected in the following 
November. (See Bloomington Convention.) In 
1859 he prepared a pamphlet giving a history of 
the celebrated Canal scrip fraud, which was 
widely circulated. (See Canal Scrip Fraud.) 
Going South in the fall of 1859, he was engaged 
in teaching in the State of Louisiana until the 
last of June, 1861. Just two weeks before the 
fall of Fort Sumter he was denounced to his 
Southern neighbors as an "abolitionist" and 
falsely charged with having been connected with 
the "underground railroad," in letters from 
secession sympathizers in the North, whose per- 
sonal and political enmity he had incurred while 
conducting a Republican paper in Illinois, some 
of whom referred to Jefferson Davis, Senator 
Slidell, of Louisiana, and other Southern leaders 
as vouchers for their characters. He at once 
invited an investigation by the Board of Trus- 
tees of the institution, of which he was the 
Principal, when that body — although composed, 
for the most part, of Southern men — on the basis 
of testimonials from prominent citizens of Jack- 
sonville, and other evidence, adopted resolutions 
declaring the charges prompted by personal hos- 
tilitv. and delivered the letters of his accusers into 



his hands. Returning North with his family in 
July, 1861, he spent some nine months in the com- 
missary and transportation branches of the ser- 
vice at Cairo and at Paducah, Ky. In July, 1862, 
he became associate editor of "The Illinois State 
Journal" at Springfield, remaining until Novem- 
ber, 1865. The next six months were spent as 
Assistant Deputy Collector in the Custom House 
at New Orleans, but, returning North in June, 
1866, he soon after became identified with the 
Chicago press, serving, first upon the staff of "The 
Evening Journal" and, later, on "The Repub- 
lican." In May, 1868, he assumed the editorship 
of "The Quincy Whig," ultimately becoming 
part proprietor of that paper, but, in January, 
1874, resumed his old place on "The State Jour- 
nal," four years later becoming one of its propri- 
etors. In 1880 he was appointed by President 
Hayes Postmaster of Springfield, was reappointed 
by Arthur in 1884, but resigned in 1886. Mean- 
while he had sold his interest in "The Journal," 
but the following j-ear organized a new company 
for its pmchase, when he resumed his former 
position as editor. In 1889 he disposed of his 
holding in "The Journal," finally removing to 
Chicago, where he has been emplo3-ed in literarj' 
work. In all he has been engaged in editorial 
work over thirty -five years, of which eighteen 
were spent upon "The State Journal." In 1860 
Mr. Selby was complimented bj' his Alma JIater 
with the honorary degree of A. M. He lias been 
twice married, first to Miss Erra Post, of Spring- 
field, who died in November, 1865, leaving two 
daughters, and, in 1870, to Mrs. Mary J. Hitch- 
cock, of Quincy, by whom he had two children, 
both of whom died in infancy. 

SEMPLE, James, United States Senator, was 
born in Green County, Ky. , Jan. 5, 1798, of Scotch 
descent ; after learning the tanner"s trade, studied 
law and emigrated to Illinois in 1818, removing 
to Missouri four jears later, where he was ad- 
mitted to the bar. Returning to Illinois in 1828, 
he began practice at Edwardsville. but later 
became a citizen of Alton. During the Black 
Hawk War he served as Brigadier-General. He 
was thrice elected to the lower house of the 
Legislature (1832, '34 and '36), and was Speaker 
during the last two terms. In 1833 he was 
elected Attorney -General by the Legislature, but 
served only until the following year, and, in 
1837, was appointed Minister to Granada, South 
America. In 1843 he was appointed, and after- 
wards elected. United States Senator to fill the 
unexpired term of Samuel MoRoberts, at the 
expiration of his term (1847) retiring to private 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



475 



life. He laid out the town of Elsah, in Jersey 
County, just south of which he owned a large 
estate on the Mississippi bluffs, where he died. 
Dec. 20, 18G6. 

SENECA (formerly Crotty), a village of La 
Salle Count}', situated on the Illinois River, the 
Illinois & Michigan Canal and the Cliicago, Rock 
Island & Pacific and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railways, 13 miles east of 
Ottawa. It has a graded school, several 
churches, a bank, some manufactures, grain 
warehouses, coal mines, telephone system and 
one newspaper. Pop. (1890), 1,190; (1900), 1,036. 

SENN, (Dr.) Nicholas, physioan and surgeon, 
was born in the Canton of St. Gaul. Switzerland, 
Oct. 31, IS'W; was brought to America at 8 years 
of age, his parents settling at Washington, Wis. 
He received a grammar school education at Fond 
du Lac, and, in 1864, began the study of medi- 
cine, graduating at the Chicago Medical College 
in 1868. After some eighteen months spent as 
resident physician in the Cook County Hospital, 
he began practice at Ashford, Wis., but removed 
to Milwaukee in 1874, where he became attending 
physician of the Milwaukee Hospital. In 1877 he 
visited Europe, graduated the following year from 
the University of Munich, and, on his return, 
became Professor of the Principles of Surgery 
and Surgical Pathology in Rush Medical College 
in Chicago — also has held the chair of the Prac- 
tice of Surgery in the same institution. Dr. 
Senn has achieved great success and won an 
international reputation in the treatment of 
difficult cases of abdominal surgery. He is the 
author of a number of volumes on different 
branches of surgery which are recognized as 
standard authorities. A few years ago he pur- 
chased the extensive library of the late Dr. Will- 
iam Baum, Professor of Surgery in the University 
of Gottingen, which he presented to the New- 
berry Library of Chicago. In 1893, Dr. Senn was 
appointed Surgeon-General of the Illinois 
National Guard, and has also been President of 
the Association of Military Surgeons of the 
National Guard of the United States, besides 
being identified with various other medical 
bodies. Soon after the beginning of the Spanish- 
American War, he was appointed, by President 
McKinley, a Surgeon of Volunteers with the rank 
of Colonel, and rendered most efficient aid in the 
military branch of the service at Camp Chicka- 
mauga and in the Santiago campaign. 

SEXTON, (Col.) James A., Commander-in- 
Chief of Grand Army of the Republic, was t)orn 
in the city of Chicago, Jan. 5, 1844; in April, 



1861, being then only a little over 17, enlisted as a 
private soldier under the first call for troops 
it-sued by President Lincoln ; at the close of his 
terra was appointed a Sergeant, with authority to 
recruit a companj' wldch afterwards was attached 
to the Fifty-first Volunteer Infantry. Later, he 
was transferred to the Sixty-seventh witli the 
rank of Lieutenant, and, a few months after, to 
the Seventy-second with a commission as Captain 
of Company D, which he had recruited. As com- 
mander of his regiment, then constituting a part 
of the Seventeenth Army Corps, he participated 
in the battles of Columbia, Duck Creek, Spring 
Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and in the Nash- 
ville campaign. Both at Nashville and Franklin 
he was wounded, and again, at Spanish Fort, by a 
piece of shell which broke his leg. His regiment 
took part in seven battles and eleven skirmishes, 
and, while it went out 967 strong in oflScers and 
men, it returned with only 332, all told, although 
it had been recruited by 234 men. He was known 
as "The boy Captain," being only 18 years old 
when he received his first commission, and 21 
when, after participating in the Mobile cam- 
paign, he was mustered out with the rank of 
Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close of the war 
he engaged in planting in the Soutli, purchasing 
a plantation in Lowndes County, Ala., but, in 
1867, returned to Chicago, where he became a 
member of the firm of Cribben, Sexton & Co., 
stove manufacturers, from which he retired in 
1898. In 1884 he served as Presidential Elector 
on the Republican ticket for the Fourth District, 
and. in 1889, was appointed, by President Harrison, 
Postmaster of the city of Chicago, serving over 
five years. In 1888 he was chosen Department 
Commander of the Grand Array of the Republic 
for the State of Illinois, and, ten years later, to 
the position of Commander-in-Chief of the order, 
which he held at the time of his death. He had 
also been, for a number of years, one of the Trus- 
tees of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, 
and, during most of the time. President of the 
Board. Towards the close of the year 1898, he 
was appointed by President McKinley a member 
of the Commission to investigate the conduct of 
the .Spanish-American War, but, before the Com- 
mission had concluded its labors, was taken with 
"the grip," which developed into pneumonia, 
from which he died in Washington, Feb. 5, 1899. 
SEYMOUR, Georare Frnnklin, Protestant Epis- 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, Jan. H, 
1829; graduated from Columbia College in IS/iO, 
and from the General Theological Seminary 
(New York) in 1854. He received both minor 



476 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and major orders at tlie hands of Bishop Potter, 
being made deacon in 1854 and ordained priest in 
1855. For several years he was engaged in mis- 
sionary work. Dm-ing this period he was promi- 
nently identified with the founding of St. 
Stephen's College. After serving as rector in 
various parishes, in 1865 he was made Professor 
of Ecclesiastical History in the New York Semi- 
nary, and, ten years later, was chosen Dean of 
the institution, still retaining his professorship. 
Racine College conferred upon him the degree of 
S.T.D., in 1867, and Columbia that of LL.D. in 
1878. In 1874 he was elected Bishop of Illinois, 
but failed of confirmation in the House of Depu- 
ties. Upon the erection of the new diocese of 
Springfield (1877) he accepted and was conse- 
crated Bishop at Trinity Church, N. Y., June 11, 
1878. He was a prominent member of the Third 
Pan-Anglican Council (London, 1885), and has 
done much to foster the growth and extend the 
influence of his cliurch in his diocese. 

SHABBOXA, a village of De Kalb County, on 
the Iowa Division of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroad, 35 miles west of Aurora. 
Population (1890), 503; (1900), 587. 

SHABONA (or Shabbona), an Ottawa Chief, 
was born near the Jlauraee River, in Ohio, about 
1775, and served under Tecum.seh from 1807 to 
the battle of the Thames in 1813. In 1810 he 
accompanied Tecumseh and Capt. Billy Caldwell 
(see SauganasJi) to the homes of the Pottawato- 
mies and other tribes within the present limits of 
Illinois and Wisconsin, to secure their co-oper- 
ation in driving the white settlers out of the 
country. At the battle of the Thames, he was by 
the side of Tecumseh when he fell, and both he 
and Caldwell, losing faith in their British allies, 
soon after submitted to the United States through 
General Cass at Detroit. Sliabona was opposed 
to Black Hawk in 1832. and did much to thwart 
the plans of the latter and aid the whites. Hav- 
ing married a daughter of a Pottawatomie chief, 
who had a village on the Illinois River east of 
the present city of Ottawa, he lived there for 
some time, but finally removed 25 miles north to 
Shabona's Grove in De Kalb County. Here he 
remained till 1837, when he removed to Western 
Missouri. Black Hawk's followers having a 
reservation near bj', hostilities began between 
them, in which a son and nephew of Shabona 
were killed. He finally returned to his old home 
in Illinois, but found it occupied by whites, who 
drove him from the grove that bore his name. 
Some friends then bought for him twenty acres 
of land on Mazon Creek, near Morris, where he 



died, July 27, 1859. He is described as a noble 
specimen of his race. A life of him has been 
published by N. Matson (Chicago, 1878). 

SHANNON, a village of Carroll County, on the 
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway-, 18 miles 
southwest of Freeport. It is an important trade 
center, has a bank and one newspaper. Popu- 
lation (1890). 591; (1900), 678. 

SHAW, Aaron, former Congressman, born in 
Orange County, N. Y., in 1811; was educated at 
the Montgomery Academy, studied law and was 
admitted to the bar at Goshen in that State. In 
1833 he removed to Lawrence County, 111. He 
has held various important public offices. He 
was a member of the first Internal Improvement 
Convention of the State; was chosen State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in which body he 
served two terms; served four years as Judge of 
the Twenty-fifth Judicial Circuit; was elected to 
the Thirt}--fifth Congress in 1856. and to the 
Forty-eighth in 1882, as a Democrat. 

SHAW, James, lawyer, jurist, was born in Ire- 
land, May 3, 1832, brought to this country in in- 
fancy and grew up on a farm in Cass County, 111. ; 
graduated from Illinois College in 1857, and, after 
admission to the bar, began practice at Mount 
Carroll. In 1870 he was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, being re-elected 
in 1872, "76 and '78. He was Speaker of the 
House during the session of 1877, and one of the 
Republican leaders on the floor during the suc- 
ceeding session. In 1872 he was chosen a Presi- 
dential Elector, and, in 1891, to a seat on the 
Circuit bench from the Thirteenth Circuit, 
and, in 1897 was re-elected for the Fifteenth 
Circuit. 

SHAWNEETOWN, a city and the county-seat 
of Gallatin County, on the Ohio River 120 miles 
from its mouth and at the terminus of the Shaw- 
neetown Divisions of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western and the Louisville & Nashville Railroads; 
is one of the olde.st towns in the State, having 
been laid out in 1808, and noted for tlie number 
of prominent men who resided there at an early 
day. Coal is extensively mined in that .section, 
and Shawneetown is one of the largest shipping 
points for lumber, coal and farili products 
between Cairo and LouisviUe, navigation being 
open the year round. Some manufacturing is 
done here; the city has several mills, a foundry 
and machine shop, two or three banks, several 
churches, good schools and two weekly papers. 
Since the disastrous floods of 1884 and 1898, Shaw- 
neetown has reconstructed its levee system on a 
substantial scale, which is now believed to furnish 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OP ILLINOIS. 



477 



ample protection against the recurrence of similar 
disaster. Pop. (1900), 1,698; (1903, est.), 3,300. 

SHEAHAX, James Vf., journalist, was born in 
Baltimore, Md. , spent his earlj- life, after reacliing 
manhood, in Washington City as a Congressional 
Reporter, and, in 1847, reported the proceedings 
of tlie Illinois State Constitutional Convention at 
Springfield. Through the influence of Senator 
Douglas he was induced, in IS.'Ji, to accept the 
editorship of "The Young America" newspaper 
at Chicago, which was soon after changed to 
"The Chicago Times." Here he remained until 
the fall of 1860, when, "The Times" having been 
.sold and consolidated with "The Herald," a 
Buchanan-Breckenridge organ, he establislied a 
new paper called "The Morning Post." This he 
made representative of the views of the "War 
Democrats" as against "The Times," which was 
opposed to the war. In May, 1865, he sold the 
plant of "The Post" and it became "The Chicago 
Republican" — now "Inter Ocean." A few 
months later. Mr. Sheahan accepted a position as 
chief writer on the editorial staff of "The Chicago 
Tribune," which he retained until his death, 
June 17, 1883. 

SHEFFIELD, a prosperous village of Bureau 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railroad, 44 miles east of Rook Island; has valu- 
able coal mines, a bank and one newspaper. 
Population (1890), 993; (1900), 1,365. 

SHELBY COUNTY, lies south of the center of 
the State, and contains an area of 776 square 
miles. The tide of immigration to this county 
was at first from Kentucky, Tennessee and North 
Carolina, although later it began to set in from 
the Northern States. The first cabin in the 
county was built by Simeon Wakefield on what is 
now the site of Williamsburg, first called Cold 
Spring. Joseph Daniel was the earliest settler in 
what is now Shelbyville, pre-empting ten acres, 
which he soon afterward sold to Joseph Oliver, 
the pioneer merchant of the county, and father 
of the first white child born within its limits. 
Other pioneers were Shimei Wakefield, Levi 
Casey and Samuel Hall. In lieu of hats the early 
settlers wore caps made of squirrel or coon skin, 
with the tails dangling at the backs, and he was 
regarded as well dressed who boasted a fringed 
buckskin shirt and trousers, with moccasins. 
The county was formed in 1827, and Shelbj-ville 
made the countj'-seat. Both county and town 
are named in honor of Governor Shelby, of Ken- 
tucky. County Judge Joseph Oliver held the 
first court in the cabin of Barnett Bone, and 
Judge Theophilus W. Smith presided over the 



first Circuit Court in 1838. Coal is abundant, 
and limestone and sandstone are also found. The 
surface is somewhat rolling and well wooded. 
The Little Wabash and Kaskaskia Rivers flow 
through the central and southeastern portions. 
The county lies in the very heart of the great 
corn belt of the State, and has excellent transpor- 
tation facilities, being penetrated by four lines of 
railway. Population (1880), 30,370; (1890), 31,- 
191; (1900), 32,126. 

SHELBYYILLE, the county-seat and an incor- 
porated city of Shelby County, on the Kaskaskia 
River and two lines of railway, 33 miles southeast 
of Decatur. Agriculture is carried on exten- 
sively, and there is considerable coal mining in 
the immediate vicinity. The city has two floui-- 
ing mills, a handle factory, a creamery, one 
National and one State bank, one daily and four 
weekly papers and one monthly periodical, an 
Orphans' Home, ten churches, two graded 
schools, and a public library. Population (1890), 
3,163; (1900), 3,.546. 

SHELDOX, a village of Iroquois County, at the 
intersection of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago 
& St. Louis and tlie Toledo, Peoria & We.stern 
Railways, 9 miles east of Watseka; has two banks 
and a newspaper. The region is agricultural. 
Pop. (1890), 910; (1900), 1,103. 

SHELDON, Benjamin R., jurist, was born in 
Massachusetts in 1813, graduated from Williams 
College in 1831, studied law at the Yale Law 
School, and was admitted to practice in 1836. 
Emigrating to Illinois, he located temporarily at 
Hennepin, Putnam County, but soon removed to 
Galena, and finally to Rockford. In 1848 he was 
elected Circuit Judge of the Sixth Circuit, which 
afterwards being divided, he was assigned to the 
Fourteenth Circuit, remaining until 1870, when 
he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court, 
presiding as Chief Justice in 1877. He was re- 
elected in 1879, but retired in 1888, being suc- 
ceeded b}- the late Justice Bailej-. Died, April 
13, 1897. 

SHEPPARD, Nathan, author and lecturer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1834; graduated 
at Rochester Theological Seminary in 1859; dur- 
ing the Civil War was special correspondent of 
"The New York World" and "Tlie Chicago Jour- 
nal" and "Tribune," and, during the Franco- 
German War. of "The Cincinnati Gazette;" also 
served as special American correspondent of 
"The London Times," and was a contributor to 
"Frazer's Magazine" and "Temple Bar." In 1873 
he became a lecturer on Modern English Liter- 
ature and Rhetoric in Chicago University and, 



478 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



four years later, accepted a similar position in 
Allegheny College; also spent four years in 
Europe, lecturing in the principal towns of Great 
Britain and Ireland. In 1884 he founded the 
"Athenaeum" at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., of 
which he was President until his death, early in 
1888. "The Dickens Reader," "Character Read- 
ings from George Eliot" and "Essays of George 
Eliot" were among the volumes issued by him 
between 1881 and 1887. Died in New York City, 
Jan. 24, 1888. 

SHERMAN, Alson Smith, early Chicago Mayor, 
was born at Barre, Vt., April 21, 1811. remaining 
there until 1836, when he came to Chicago and 
began business as a contractor and builder. Sev- 
eral j'ears later he opened the first stone quarries 
at Lemont, 111. Mr. Sherman spent many years 
in the service of Chicago as a public official. 
From 1840 to 1842 he was Captain of a company 
of militia ; for two years served as Chief of the 
Fire Department, and was elected Alderman in 
1842, serving again in 1846. In 1844, he was 
chosen Mayor, his administration being marked 
by the first extensive public improvements made 
in Chicago. After his term as Mayor he did 
much to secure a better water supply for the 
city. He was especially interested in promoting 
common school education, being for several years 
a member of the City School Board. He was 
Vice-President of the first Board of Trustees of 
Northwestern University. Retired from active 
pursuits, Mr. Sherman is now (1899) spending a 
serene old age at Waukegan, 111. — Oren (Sherman) 
brother of the preceding and early Chicago mer- 
chant, was born at Barre, Vt. , March 5, 1816. 
After spending several years in a mercantile 
house in Montpelier, Vt. , at the age of twenty he 
came west, first to New Buffalo, Jlich. , and, in 
1836, to Chicago, opening a dry-goods store there 
the next spring. With various partners Mr. 
Sherman continued in a general mercantile busi- 
ness until 18.")3, at the same time being extensively 
engaged in the provision trade, one-half the entire 
transactions in pork in the city passing through 
his hands. Next he engaged in developing stone 
quarries at Lemont, 111. ; also became extensively 
interested in the marble business, continuing in 
this until a few years after the panic of 1873, 
when he retired in consequence of a shock of 
paralysis. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 15, 1898. 

SHERMAN, Elijah B., lawyer, was born at 
Fairfield. Vt., June 18, 1832— his family being 
distantly related to Roger .Sherman, a signer of 
the Declaration of Independence, and the late 
Gjn. W. T. .Sherman; gained his education in the 



common schools and at Middlebury College, 
where he graduated in 1860; began teaching, but 
soon after enlisted as a private in the war for the 
Union ; received a Lieutenant's commission, and 
served until captured on the eve of the battle at 
Antietam, when he was paroled and sent to Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, awaiting exchange. During 
this period he commenced reading law and, hav 
ing resigned his commission, graduated from the 
law department of Chicago University in 1864 
In 1876 he was elected Representative in the 
General Assembly from Cook County, and re- 
elected in 1878, and the following year appointed 
JIaster in Chancery of the United States District 
Court, a position wliich he still occupies He has 
repeatedly been called upon to deliver addresses 
on political, literary and patriotic occasions, one 
of these being before the alumni of his alma 
mater, in 1884, when he was complimented with 
the degree of LL.D. 

SHIELDS, James, soldier and United States 
Senator, was born in Ireland in 1810, emigrated 
to the United States at the age of sixteen, and 
began the practice of law at Kaskaskia in 1832. 
He was elected to the Legislature in 1836. and 
State Auditor in 1839. In 1843 he became a 
Judge of the Supreme Court of the State, and, in 
184.5, was made Commissioner of the General 
Land Office. In Juh-, 1846, he was commissioned 
Brigadier-General in the Mexican War gaining 
the brevet of Major-General at Cerro-Gordo, 
where he was severely wounded. He was again 
wounded at Chapultepec, and mustered out in 
1848. The same year he was appointed Governor 
of Oregon Territory. In 1849 the Democrats in 
the Illinois Legislature elected him Senator, and 
he resigned his office in Oregon. In 1856 he 
removed to Minnesota, and, in 1858, was chosen 
United States Senator from that State, his term 
expiring in 1859, when he established a residence 
in California. At the outbreak of the Civil War 
(1861) he was superintending a mine in Mexico, 
but at once hastened to Washington to tender his 
services to the Governmnet. He was commis- 
sioned Brigadier-General, and served with dis- 
tinction until March. 1863, when the effect of 
numerous wounds caused him to resign. He sub- 
sequently removed to Missouri, practicing law at 
CarroUton and serving in the Legislature of that 
State in 1874 and 1879. In the latter year he was 
elected United States Senator to fill out the unex- 
pired term of Senator Bogy, who had died in 
office — serving only six weeks, but being the only 
man in the history ot the country who filled the 
office of United States Senator from three differ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



479 



ent States. Died, at Ottumwa, Iowa, June 1, 
1879. 

SHIPMAN, a town of Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton Railway, 19 miles north-north- 
east of Alton and 14 miles southwest of Carlin- 
ville. Population (1890), 410; (1900), 396. 

SHIPMAJf, George E., M.D., physician and 
philanthropist, born in New York City, March 4, 
1830 ; graduated at the University of New York 
in 1839, and took a course in the College of Phy- 
sicians and Surgeons; practiced for a time at 
Peoria, 111., but, inl84(i, located in Chicago, where 
he assisted in organizing the first Homeopathic 
Hospital in that city, and, in 1855, was one of the 
first Trustees of Hahnemann College. In 1871 he 
established, in Chicago, the Foundlings" Home at 
his own expense, giving to it the latter years of 
his life. Died, Jan. 20. 1893. 

SHOREY, Daniel Lewis, lawyer and philan- 
thropist, was born at Jonesborough, Washington 
County, Maine, Jan. 31. 1824; educated at Phil- 
lips Academy, Andover, Mass., and at Dartmouth 
College, graduating from the latter in 18.)1 : 
taught two years in Washington City, meanwhile 
reading law, afterwards taking a course at Dane 
Law School, Cambridge ; was admitted to the bar 
in Boston in 1854, tlie next year locating at 
Davenport, Iowa, where he remained ten years. 
In 1865 he removed to Chicago, where he prose- 
cuted his profession until 1890, when he retired. 
Mr. Shorey was prominent in the establisliment 
of the Chicago Public Library, and a member of 
the first Library Board ; was also a prominent 
member of the Chicago Literary Club, and was a 
Director in the new University of Chicago and 
deeply interested in its prosperity. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 4, 1899. 

SHORT, (Rev.) William F., clergyman and 
educator, Tvas born in Ohio in 1829, brought to 
Jlorgan County, 111., in childhood, and lived upon 
a farm until 20 years of age, when he entered 
McKendree College, spending his senior year, 
however, at Wesleyan Universitj', Bloomington, 
where he graduated in 1854. He had meanwhile 
accepted a call to the Missouri Conference Semi- 
nary at Jackson, Mo. ; where he remained tliree 
years, when he returned to Illinois, serving 
churches at Jacksonville and elsewhere, for a 
part of the time being Pre.siding Elder of the 
.lacksonville District. In 1875 he was elected 
President of Illinois Female College at Jackson- 
ville, continuing in tliat position until 1893, when 
he was appointed Superintendent of the Illinois 
State Institution for the Blind at the same place, 
but resigned early in 1897. Dr. Short received 



the degree of D.D , conferred upon him by Ohio 
Wesleyan University. 

SHOUP, George L., United States Senator, 
was born at Kittanning. Pa., June 15, 1836; came 
to Illinois in 1852, his father locating on a stock- 
farm near Galesburg; in 1859 removed to Colo- 
rado, where lie engaged in mining and mercantile 
business until 1861, when he enlisted in a com- 
pany of scouts, being advanced from the rank of 
First Lieutenant to the Colonelcy of the Third 
Colorado Cavalry, meanwhile serving as Delegate 
to the State Constitutional Convention of 1864. 
Retiring to private life, he again engaged in mer- 
cantile and mining business, first in Nevada and 
then in Idaho; served two terms in the Terri- 
torial Legislature of the latter, was appointed 
Territorial Governor in 1889 and, in 1890, was 
chosen the first Governor of the State, in October 
of the same j-ear being elected to the United 
States Senate, and re-elected in 1895 for a second 
term, which ends in 1901. Senator Shoup is one 
of the few Western Senators who remained faith- 
ful to the regular Republican organization, dui"ing 
the political campaign of 1896. 

SHOWALTER, John W., jurist, was born in 
Mason Count}', Ky., Feb. 8, 1844; resided some 
j-ears in Scott County in that State, and was 
educated in the local schools, at Maysville and 
Ohio University, finally graduating at Yale Col- 
lege in 1867; came to Chicago in 1869, studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1870. He 
returned to Kentucky after the fire of 1871, but, 
in 1872, again came to Chicago and entered the 
employment of the firm of Moore & Caulfield, 
with whom he had been before the fire. In 1879 
he became a member of the firm of Abbott, 
Oliver & Showalter (later, OUver & Showalter), 
where he remained until his appointment as 
United States Circuit Judge, in March, 1895. 
Died, in Chicago, Deo. 12, 1898. 

SHUMAN, Andrew, journalist and Lieutenant- 
Governor, was born at Manor, Lancaster County, 
Pa., Nov. 8, 1830. His father dying in 1837, he 
was reared by an uncle. At the age of 15 he 
became an apprentice in the oflSce of "The Lan- 
caster Union and Sentinel." A year later he ac- 
companied his employer to Auburn, N.Y. .working 
for two years on "The Daily Advertiser" of that 
cit}'. then known as Governor Seward's "home 
organ." At the age of 18 he edited, published 
and distributed — during his leisure hours — a 
small weekl}' paper called "The Auburnian." At 
the conclusion of his apprenticeship he was em- 
ployed, for a year or two, in editing and publish- 
ing "The Cayuga Chief." a temperance journal. 



480 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In 1851 he entered Hamilton College, but, before 
the completion of his junior year, consented, at 
the solicitation of friends of William H. Seward, 
to assume editorial control of "The Syracuse 
Daily Journal. " In July, 1856, he came to Chi- 
cago, to accept an editorial position on "The 
Evening Journal" of that city, later becoming 
editor-in-chief and President of the Journal Com- 
pany. From 1865 to 1870 (first by executive 
appointment and afterward by popular election) 
he was a Commissioner of tlie Illinois State Peni- 
tentiary at Joliet, resigning the office four years 
before the expiration of liis term. In 1876 lie 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor on the Repub- 
lican ticket. Owing to declining health, he 
abandoned active journalistic work in 1888, 
dying in Cliicago, May 5. 1890. His home during 
the latter 3-ears of his life was at Evanston. 
Governor Shuman was author of a romance 
entitled "Loves of a Lawyer," besides numerous 
addresses before literary, commercial and scien- 
tific associations. 

SHUMWAY, Dorice Dwight, merchant, was 
born at Williamsburg. Worcester County, Mass., 
Sept. 38, 1813, descended from French Huguenot 
ancestry; came to Zanosville, Ohio, in 1837, and 
to Montgomery County, III., in 1841; married a 
daughter of Hiram Rountree. an early resident 
of Hillsboro, and, in 1843, located in Christian 
County ; was engaged for a time in merchandis- 
ing at Taylorville, but retired in 18.58, tliereafter 
giving his attention to a large landed estate. In 
1846 lie was chosen Representative in the General 
Assembly, served in the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1847, and four years as County Judge of 
Christian County. Died, May 9, 1870. — Hiram 
P. (Shumway), eldest son of the preceding, was 
born in Montgomery Count}-, 111., June, 1843; 
spent his boyhood on a farm in Cliristian County 
and in his father's store at Taylorville ; took an 
academy course and, in 1864, engaged in mercan- 
tile business; was Representative in the Twenty- 
eighth General Assembly and Senator in the 
Thirty-sixth and Thirtj'-seventh, afterwards 
removing to Springfield, where he engaged in 
the stone business. 

SHURTLEFF C01LE(JE, an institution 
locateil at Upper Alton, and the third estab- 
lished in Illinois. It was originally incorporated 
as the "Alton College" in 1831, under a special 
charter which was not accepted, but re-incorpo- 
rated in 1835, in an "omnibus bill" with Illi- 
nois and McKendree Colleges. (See Early Col- 
leges.) Its primal origin was a school at Rock 
Spring in St. Clair County, founded about 1824, 



by Rev. John M. Peck. This became the "Rock 
Spring Seminary" in 1827, and, about 1831, was 
united with an academy at Upper Alton. This 
was the nucleus of "Alton" (afterward "Shurt- 
leff") College. As far as its denominational 
control is concerned, it has always been domi- 
nated by Baptist influence. Dr. Peck's original 
idea was to found a school for teaching theology 
and Biblical literature, but this project was at 
first inhibited by the State. Hubbard Loomis 
and John Russell were among the first instruc- 
tors. Later, Dr. Benjamin Shurtleff donated the 
college $10,000, and the institution was named in 
his honor. College classes were not organized 
until 1840, and several years elapsed before a class 
graduated. Its endowment in 1898 was over 
§126,000, in addition to §135,000 worth of real and 
personal property. About 355 students were in 
attendance. Besides preparatory and collegiate 
departments, the college also maintains a theo- 
logical school. It has a faculty of twenty 
instructors and is co-educational. 

SIBLEY, a village of Ford County, on the Chi- 
cago Division of the Wabash Railway, 105 miles 
south-southwest of Chicago; has banks and a 
weekly newspaper. The district is agricultural. 
Population (1890), 404; (1900), 444. 

SIBLEY, Joseph, lawyer and jurist, was born 
at Westfield, Mass., in 1818; learned the trade of 
a whip-maker and afterwards engaged in mer- 
chandising. In 1843 he began the study of law 
at Syracuse, N. Y., and, upon admission to the 
bar, came west, finally settling at Nauvoo, Han- 
cock County. He maintained a neutral attitude 
during the Mormon troubles, thus giving offense 
to a section of the community. In 1847 he was 
an unsuccessful candidate for the Legislature, 
but was elected in 1850, and re-elected in 18.53. 
In 1853 he removed to Warsaw, and, in 1855, was 
elected Judge of the Circuit Court, and re-elected 
in 1861, '67 and '73, being assigned to the bench 
of the Appellate Court of the Second District, in 
1877. His residence, after 1865, was at Quincy, 
where he died, June 18, 1897. 

SIDELL, a village of Vermillion County, on the 
Chicago & Eastern Illinois and Cincinnati, Hamil- 
ton & Dayton Railroads; has a bank, electric 
liglit plant and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 776. 

SIDNEY, a village of Champaign County, on 
the main lineof the Wabash Railway, at the junc- 
tion of a branch to Champaign, 48 miles east-north- 
east of Decatur. It is in a farming district ; has a 
bank and a newspaper. Population, (1900), 564. 

SIM, (Dr.) TVilliam, pioneer phj-sician, was 
born at Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1795, came to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



481 



America in early manhood, and was the first phy- 
sician to settle at Golconda, in Pope County, 
which he represented iu the Fourth and Fifth 
General Assemblies (1824 and "28). He married 
a Miss Elizabetli Jack of Pliiladelphia, making 
the journey from Golconda to Philadelphia for 
that purpose on horseback. He had a family of 
five children, one son, Dr. Francis L. Sim, rising 
to distinction as a phj'sician, and, for a time, 
being President of a Medical College at Memphis, 
Tenn. The elder Dr. Sim died at Golconda, in 
1868. 

SIMS, James, early legislator and Methodist 
preacher, was a native of South Carolina, but 
removed to Kentucky in earl}' manhood, tlience 
to St. Clair County, 111., and, in 1820, to Sanga- 
mon County, wliere he was elected, in 1822, as the 
first Representative from that county in the 
Third General Assembly. At the succeeding ses- 
sion of the Legislature, he was one of those who 
voted against the Convention resolution designed 
to prepare the way for making Illinois a slave 
State. Mr. Sims resided for a time in Menard 
County, but finally removed to Morgan. 

SINGER, Horace M., capitalist, was born in 
Sehneotady, N. Y., Oct. 1, 1823; came to Chicago 
in 1836 and found employment on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, serving as superintendent of 
repairs upon the Canal until 1853. Wliile thus 
employed he became one of the proprietors of 
the stone-quarries at Lemont, managed by the 
firm of Singer & Talcott until about 1890, when 
they became tlie property of the Western Stone 
Company. Originally a Democrat, he became a 
Republican during the Civil War, and served as a 
member of the Twenty-fifth General Assemblj' 
(1867) for Cook County, was elected County Com- 
missioner in 1870, and was Chairman of the 
Republican County Central Committee in 1880. 
He was also associated with several financial 
institutions, being a director of the First National 
Bank and of the Auditorium Company of Chi- 
cago, and a member of the Union League and 
Calumet Clubs. Died, at Pasadena, Cal, Dec. 
28, 1896. 

SINOLETOX, James W., Congressman, born 
at Paxton, Va., Nov. 23, 1811; was educated at 
the Winchester (Va.) Academy, and removed to 
Illinois in 1833, settling first at Mount Sterling, 
Brown County, and, some twenty years later, 
near Quincy. By profession he was a lawyer, 
and was prominent in political and commercial 
affairs. In his later years he devoted consider- 
able attention to stock-raising. He was elected 
Brigadier-General of the Illinois militia in 1844, 



being identified to some extent with the "Mor- 
mon War"; was a member of the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1863, served six terms in 
the Legislature, and was elected, on the Demo- 
cratic ticket, to Congress in 1878, and again in 
1880. In 1882 he ran as an independent Demo- 
crat, but was defeated by the regular nominee of 
his party, James M. Riggs. During the War of 
the Rebellion he was one of the most conspicuous 
leaders of the "peace party." He constructed 
the Quincy & Toledo (now part of the Wabash) 
and tlie Quincy, Alton & St. Louis (now part of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy) Railways, 
being President of both companies. His death 
occurred at Baltimore, Md., April 4, 1892. 

SINJiET, John S., pioneer, was born at Lex- 
ington, Ky., March 10, 1796; at three years of age, 
taken by his parents to Missouri ; enlisted in the 
War of 1812, but, soon after the war, came to 
Illinois, and, about 1818, settled in what is now 
Christian County, locating on land constituting 
a part of the present city of Taylorville. In 1840 
he removed to Tazewell County, dying there, Jan. 
13, 1873. 

SKINNER, Mark, jurist, was born at Manches- 
ter, Vt., Sept. 13, 1813; graduated from Middle- 
bury College in 1833, studied law, and, in 1836, 
came to Chicago; was admitted to the bar in 
1839, became City Attorney in 1840, later Master 
in Chancery for Cook County, and finally L^nited 
States District Attorney under President Tyler. 
As member of the House Finance Committee in 
the Fifteenth General Assembly (1846-48), he 
aided influentially in securing the adoption of 
measures for refunding and paying the State 
debt. In 18.51 he was elected Judge of the Court 
of Common Pleas (now Superior Court) of Cook 
County, but declined a re election in 18.53. Origi- 
nally a Democrat, Judge Skinner was an ardent 
opponent of the Kansas-Nebraska Bill and a 
liberal supporter of the Government policj' dur- 
ing the rebellion. He liberally aided the United 
States Sanitary Commission and was identified 
with all the leading charities of the city. 
Among the great business enterprises with wliich 
he was officially associated were the Galena & Chi- 
cago Union and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railwajs (in each of which he was a Director), 
the Chicago Marine & Fire Insurance Company, 
the Gas-Light and Coke Company and others. 
Died, Sept. 16. 1887. Judge Skinner's only sur- 
viving son was killed in the trenches before 
Petersburg, the last year of the Civil War. 

SKINNER, Otis Ainsworth, clergyman and 
author, was born at Royalton, Vt., July 3, 1807; 



482 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



taught for some time, became a Universalist 
minister, serving churclies in Baltimore, Boston 
and New York between 1831 and 1857; then 
came to Elgin, 111., was elected President of Lom- 
bard University at Galesburg, but the following 
year took charge of a church at Joliet. Died, at 
Naperville, Sept. 18, 1861. He wrote several vol- 
umes on religious topics, and, at different times, 
edited religious periodicals at Baltimore, Haver- 
hill, Ma.ss., and Boston. 

SKINNER, Ozias C, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Floyd, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1817; in 
1836, removed to Illinois, settling in Peoria 
County, where he engaged in farming. In 1838 
he began the study of law at Greenville, Ohio, 
and was admitted to the bar of that State in 1840. 
Eighteen months later he returned to Illinois, 
and began practice at Carthage, Hancock Count}', 
removing to Quincy in 1844. During the "Mor- 
mon War" he served as Aid-de-camp to Governor 
Ford. In 1848 he was elected to the lower liouse 
of the Sixteenth General Assembly, and, for a 
short time, served as Prosecuting Attorney for 
the district including Adams and Brown Coun- 
ties. In 1851 he was elected Judge of the (then) 
Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, and, in 1855, suc- 
ceeded Judge S. H. Treat on the Supreme bench, 
resigning this position in April, 1858, two months 
before tlie expiration of his term. He was a 
large land owner and had extensive agricultural 
interests. He built, and was the first President 
of the Carthage & Quincy Railroad, now a part 
of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy system. He 
was a prominent member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1869, serving as Chairman of the 
Committee on Judiciary. Died in 1877. 

SLADE, Charles, early Congressman ; his early 
history, including date and place of birth, are 
unknown. In 1820 he was elected Representative 
from Washington County in the Second General 
Assembly, and, in 1826, was re-elected to the 
same body for Clinton and Washington. In 1833 
he was elected one of the three Congressmen 
from Illinois, representing the First District. 
After attending the first session of the Twenty- 
third Congress, while on his way home, he was 
attacked with cholera, dying near Vincennes, 
Ind., July 11, 1834. 

SLADE, James P., ex -State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction, was born at Westerlo, Albany 
County, N. Y., Feb. 9, 1837, and spent his boy- 
hood with his parents on a farm, except while 
absent at school ; in 1856 removed to Belleville, 
III., where he soon became connected with the 
public scliools, serving for a number of years as 



Principal of the Belleville High School. While 
connected with the Belleville schools, he was 
elected County Superintendent, remaining in 
office some ten years ; later had charge of Almira 
College at Greenville, Bond County, served six 
years as Superintendent of Schools at East St. 
Louis and, in 1878, was elected State Superintend- 
ent of Public Instruction as the nominee of the 
Republican party. On retirement from the 
office of State Superintendent, he resumed his 
place at the head of Almira College, but, for the 
past few years, has been Superintendent of 
Schools at East St. Louis. 

SLATERT AGITATION OF 1823-24. (See 
Slctfei-y and Slave Laws.) 

SLAVERY AND SLAVE LAWS. African slaves 
were first brought into the Illinois country by a 
Frenchman named Pierre F. Renault, about 
1722. At that time the present State formed a 
part of Louisiana, and the traffic in slaves was 
regulated by French royal edicts. When Great 
Britain acquired the territorj-, at the close of the 
French and Indian War, the former subjects of 
France were guaranteed security for their per- 
sons "and effects." and no interference with 
slavery was attempted. Ui)on the conquest of 
Illinois by Virginia (see Clark. George Rogers). 
the French very generalh- professed allegiance to 
that commonwealth, and, in her deed of cession 
to the United States. Virginia expressl}' stipulated 
for the protection of the "rights and liberties" 
of the French citizens. This was construed as 
recognizing the right of property in negro 
slaves. Even the Ordinance of 1787, while pro- 
hibiting slavery in the Northwest Territory, pre- 
served to the settlers (reference being especially 
made to the French and Canadians) "of the Kas- 
kaskias, St. Vincents and neighboring villages, 
their laws and customs, now (then) in force, 
relative to the descent and conveyance of prop- 
erty. " A conservative construction of tliis clause 
was. that while it prohibited the extension of 
slavery and the importation of slaves, the status 
of those who were at that time in involuntary 
servitude, and of their descendants, was left un- 
changed. There were those, however, who denied 
the constitutionality of the Ordinance in toto, 
on the ground that Congress had exceeded its 
powers in its passage. There was also a party 
which claimed that all children of slaves, born 
after 1787, were free from birth. In 1794 a con- 
vention was held at Vincennes, pursuant to a call 
from Governor Harrison, and a memorial to Con- 
gress was adopted, praying for the repeal — or. at 
least a modification — of the sixth clause of the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



483 



Ordinance of 1787. The first Congressional Com- 
mittee, to which this petition was referred, 
reported adversely upon it ; but a second commit- 
tee recommended the suspension of the operation 
of the clause in question for ten years. But no 
action was taken by tlie National Legislature, 
and, in 1807, a counter petition, extensivelj' 
signed, was forwarded to that body, and Congress 
left the matter in statu quo. It is worthy of note 
that some of the most earnest opponents of the 
measure were Representatives from Southern 
Slave States, John Randolph, of Virginia, being 
one of them. The pro-slavery party in the State 
then prepared wliat is popularly known as the 
"Indenture Law," which was one of the first acts 
adopted by Governor Edwards and his Council, 
- and was re-enacted by the first Territorial Legis- 
lature in 1812. It was entitled, "An Act relating 
to the Introduction of Negroes and Mulattoes into 
this Territory," and gave permission to bring 
slaves above 1.5 years of age into the State, when 
they might be registered and kept in servitude 
within certain limitations. Slaves under that 
age might also be brought in, registered, and held 
in bondage until they reached the age of 35, if 
males, and 30, if females. The issue of registered 
slaves were to serve their mother's master until 
the age of 30 or 28, according to sex. The effect 
of this legislation was rapidlj' to increase the 
number of slaves. The Constitution of 1818 pro- 
hibited the introduction of slavery thereafter — 
that is to say, after its adoption. In 1822 the 
slave-holding party, with their supporters, began 
to agitate the question of so amending the 
organic law as to make Illinois a slave State. To 
effect such a change the calling of a convention 
was necessary, and, for eighteen months, the 
struggle between "conventionists" and their 
opponents was bitter and fierce. The question 
was submitted to a popular vote on August 2, 
1824, the result of the count showing 4,972 votes 
for such convention and 6,640 against. This 
decisive result settled the question of slave-hold- 
ing in Illinois for all future time, though the 
existence of slavery in the State continued to be 
recognized by the National Census until 1840. 
The number, according to the census of 1810, was 
168; in 1820 they had increased to 917. Then 
the niunber began to diminish, being reduced in 
1830 to 747, and, in 1840 (the last census which 
shows any portion of the population held in 
bondage), it was 331. 

Hooper Warren — who has been mentioned else- 
where as editor of "The Edwardsville Spectator, ' ' 
and a leading factor in securing the defeat of the 



scheme to make Illinois a slave State in 1822 — in 
an article in the first number of "The Genius of 
Liberty" (Januan,-, 1841). speaking of that con- 
test, says there were, at its beginning, only three 
papers in the State — "The Intelligencer" at Van- 
dalia, "The Gazette" at Shawneetown, and "The 
Spectator" at Edwardsville. The first two of 
these, at the outset, favored the Convention 
scheme, while "The Spectator" opposed it. The 
management of the campaign on the part of the 
pro-slavery party was assigned to Emanuel J. 
West, Theophilus W. Smith and Oliver L. Kellj-, 
and a paper was established by the name of "The 
Illinois Republican." with Smith as editor. 
Among the active opponents of the measure were 
George Churchill, Thomas Lippincott, Samuel D. 
Lockwood, Henry Starr (afterwards of Cincin- 
nati), Rev. John M. Peck and Rev. James 
Lemen, of St. Clair County. Others who con- 
tributed to the cause were Daniel P. Cook. Morris 

Birkbeck, Dr. Hugh .Steel and Burton of 

Jackson County, Dr. Henry Perrine of Bond; 
William Leggett of Edwardsville (afterwards 
editor of "The New York Evening Pest"), Ben- 
jamin Lundj- (then of Missouri), David Blackwell 
and Rev. John Dew, of St. Clair Countj-. Still 
others were Nathaniel Pope (Judge of the United 
States District Court). William B. Archer, Wil- 
liam H. Brown and Benjamin Mills (of Vandalia), 
John Tillson, Dr. Horatio Newhall, George For- 
quer. Col. Thomas Mather, Thomas Ford, Judge 
David J. Baker, Charles W. Hunter and Henry H. 
Snow (of Alton). This testimony is of interest 
as coming from one who probably had more to do 
with defeating the scheme, with the exception of 
Gov. Edward Coles. Outside of the more elabor- 
ate Histories of Illinois, the most accurate and 
detailed accounts of this particular period are to 
be found in "Sketch of Edward Coles" by the late 
E. B. Washburne, and "Early Movement in Illi- 
nois for the Legalization of Slavery," an ad- 
dress before the Chicago Historical Society 
(1864), by Hon. William H. Brown, of Chicago. 
(See also, Coles. Edxcard; Warren, Hooper: Broivn, 
William H.; Churchill, George; Lippincott, 
ntbmas,- and Newspapers, Early, elsewhere in this 
volume. ) 

SLOAN, Wesley, legislator and jurist, was 
born in Dorchester Covmty, Md., Feb. 20,. 1806. 
At the age of 17, having received a fair academic 
education, he accompanied his parents to Phila- 
delphia, where, for a year, he was employed in a 
wholesale grocerj-. His father dying, he returned 
to Maryland and engaged in teaching, at the 
same time studying law, and being admitted to 



484 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the bar in 1831. He came to Illinois in 1838, 
going first to Chicago, and afterward to Kaskas- 
kia, finally settling at Golconda in 1839, which 
continued to be his home the remainder of his 
life. In 1848 he was elected to the Legislature, 
and re-elected in 1850, '52, and '56, serving three 
times as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. 
He was one of the members of the first State 
Board of Education, created by Act of Feb. 18, 
1857, and took a prominent part in the founding 
and organization of the State educational insti- 
tutions. In 1857 he was elected to the bench of 
the Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, and re-elected in 
1861, but declined a re-election for a third term. 
Died, Jan. 15, 1887. 

SMITH, Abner, jurist, was born at Orange, 
Franklin County, Mass., August 4, 1843, of an 
old New England family, whose ancestors came 
to Massachusetts Colony about 1630; was edu- 
cated in the public schools and at Middlebury 
College, Vt., graduating from the latter in 1866. 
After graduation he spent a year as a teacher in 
Newton Academy, at Shoreham, Vt., coming to 
Chicago in 1867, and entering upon the study of 
law, being admitted to the bar in 1868. The next 
twenty-five years were spent in the practice of 
his profession in Chicago, within that time serv- 
ing as the attorney of several important corpo- 
rations. In 1893 he was elected a Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, and re-elected 
in 1897, his term of service continuing until 
1903. 

SMITH, (Dr.) Charles Gilman, physician, was 
born at Exeter, N. H., Jan. 4, 1828, received his 
early education at Phillips Academy, in his native 
place, finally graduating from Harvard Univer- 
sity in 1847. He soon after commenced the study 
of medicine in the Harvard Medical School, but 
completed his course at the University of Penn- 
sylvania in 1851. After two years spent as 
attending physician of the Alms House in South 
Boston, Mass., in 1853 lie came to Chicago, wliere 
he soon acquired an extensive practice. During 
the Civil War he was one of six jjhysicians 
employed by the Government for the treatment 
of prisoners of war in hospital at Camp Douglas. 
In 1868 he visited Europe for the purpose of 
observing tlie management of liospitals in Ger- 
many, France and England, on his return being 
invited to lecture in the Woman's Medical College 
in Chicago, and also becoming consulting phy- 
sician in the Women's and Children's Hospital, 
as well as in the Presbyterian Hospital — a position 
which he continued to occupy- for the remainder 
of his life, gaining a wide reputation in the treat- 



ment of women's and children's diseases. Died, 
Jan. 10, 1894. 

SMITH, David Allen, lawyer, was born near 
Richmond, Va., June 18, 1809; removed with his 
father, at an early day, to Pulaski, Tenn. ; at 17 
went to Courtland, Lawrence County, Ala., 
where he studied law with Judge Bramlette and 
began practice. His father, dying about 1831, left 
him the owner of a number of slaves whom, in 
1837, he brought to Carlinville, 111., and emanci- 
pated, giving bond that they should not become 
a charge to the State. In 1839 he removed to 
Jacksonville, where he practiced law until his 
death. Col. John J. Hardin was his partner at 
the time of his death on the battle-field of Buena 
Vista. Mr. Smith was a Trustee and generous 
patron of Illinois College, for a quarter of a cen- 
tury, but never held any political office. As a 
lawyer he was conscientious and faithful to the 
interests of his clients ; as a citizen, liberal, pub- 
lic-spirited and patriotic. He contributed liber- 
ally to the support of the Government dur- 
ing the war for the Union. Died, at Anoka, 
Minn., July 13, 1865, where he had gone to 
accompany an invalid son. — Thomas William 
(Smith), eldest son of the preceding, born at 
Courtland, Ala., Sept. 27, 1832; died at Clear- 
water, Minn., Oct. 29, 1865. He gi'aduated at 
Illinois College in 1852, studied law and served 
as Captain in the Tenth Illinois Volunteers, 
until, broken in health, he returned home to 
die. 

SMITH, Dietrich C, ex-Congressman, was 
born at Ostfriesland, Hanover, April 4, 1840, in 
boyhood came to the United States, and, since 
1849, has been a resident of Pekin, Tazewell 
County. In 1861 he enlisted in the Eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, was promoted to a Lieutenancy, 
and, while so serving, was severely wounded at 
Shiloh. Later, he was attached to the One Hun- 
dred and Thirty-ninth Illinois Infantry, and was 
mu.stered out of service as Captain of Companj- C 
of that regiment. His business is that of banker 
and manufacturer, besides which he has had con- 
siderable experience in the construction and 
management of railroads. He was a member of 
the Thirtieth General Assemblj-, and, in 1880, was 
elected Representative in Congress from what 
was then the Thirteenth District, on the Repub- 
lican ticket, defeating Adlai E. Stevenson, after- 
wards Vice-President. In 1882, his county (Taze- 
well) having been attached to the district for 
many years represented by Wm. M. Springer, he 
was defeated by the latter as a candidate for re- 
election. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



485 



SMITH, George, one of Chicago's pioneers and 
early bankers, was born in Aberdeenshire, Soot- 
land, March 8, 1808. It was his early intention 
to study medicine, and he entered Aberdeen Col- 
lege with this end in view, but was forced to quit 
the institution at the end of two years, because 
of impaired vision. In 1833 he came to America, 
and, in 1834, settled in Chicago, where he resided 
until 1861, meanwhile spending one year in Scot- 
land. He invested largely in real estate in Chi- 
cago and Wisconsin, at one time owning a 
considerable portion of the present site of Mil- 
waukee. In 1837 he secured the charter for the 
Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, 
whose headquarters were at Milwaukee. He was 
really the owner of the company, although Alex- 
ander Mitchell, of Slilwaukee, was its Secretary. 
Under this charter Mr. Smith was able to iSfeue 
$1,500,000 in certificates, which circulated freely 
as currenc}'. In 1839 he founded Chicago's first 
private banking house. About 1843 he was inter- 
ested in a storage and commission business in 
Chicago, with a Mr. Weljster as partner. He 
was a Director in the old Galena & Chicago 
Union Railroad (now a part of the Chicago & 
Northwestern), and aided it, while in course of 
construction, by loans of money ; was also a 
charter member of the Chicago Board of Trade, 
organized in 1848. In 18.54, the State of Wiscon- 
sin having prohibited the circulation of the Wis- 
consin Marine and Fire Insurance certificates 
above mentioned, Mr. Smith sold out the com- 
pany to his partner, Mitchell, and bought two 
Georgia bank charters, which, together, em- 
powered him to issue §3,000,000 in currency. The 
notes were duly issued in Georgia, and put into 
circulation in Illinois, over the counter of George 
Smith & Co.'s Chicago bank. About 18.56 Mr. 
Smith began winding up his affairs in Chicago, 
meanwhile spending most of his time in Scotland, 
but, returning in 1860, made extensive invest- 
ments in railroad and other American securities, 
which netted him large profits. The amount of 
capital which he is reputed to have taken with 
him to his native land has been estimated at 
$10,000,000, though he retained considerable 
tracts of valuable lands in Wisconsin and about 
Chicago. Among those who were associated 
with him in business, either as employes or 
otherwise, and who have since been prominently 
identified with Chicago business aflfairs, were 
Hon. Charles B. Farwell, E. I. Tinkham (after- 
wards a prominent banker of Chicago), E. W. 
Willard, now of Newport. R. I., and others. Mr. 
Smith made several visits, during the last forty 



years, to the United States, but divided his time 
chiefly between Scotland (where he was the 
owner of a castle) and London. Died Oct. 7, 1899. 

SMITH, George W., soldier, lawyer and State 
Treasurer, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., Jan. 
8, 1837. It was his intention to acquire a col- 
legiate education, but his father's business 
embarrassments having compelled the abandon- 
ment of his studies, at 17 of years age he went 
to Arkansas and taught school for two years. In 
1856 he returned to Albany and began the study 
of law, graduating from the law school in 1858. 
In October of that year he removed to Chicago, 
where he remained continuously in practice, with 
the exception of the years 1862-65, when he was 
serving in the Union army, and 1867-68, when he 
filled the office of State Treasurer. He was mus- 
tered into service, August 27, 1862, as a Captain in 
the Eighty-eighth Illinois Infantry — the second 
Board of Trade regiment. At Stone River, he 
was seriously wounded and captured. After 
four days' confinement, he was aided by a negro 
to escape. He made his way to the Union lines, 
but was granted leave of absence, being incapaci- 
tated for service. On his return to duty he 
joined his regiment in the Chattanooga cam- 
paign, and was officially complimented for his 
bravery at Gordon's Mills. At Mission Ridge he 
was again severelj- wounded, and was once more 
personally complimented in the official report. 
At Kenesaw Mountain (June 27, 1864), Capt. 
Smith commanded the regiment after the killing 
of Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler, and was pro- 
moted to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy for bravery on 
the field. He led the charge at Franklin, and 
was brevetted Colonel, and thanked by the com- 
mander for his gallant service. In the spring of 
1865 he was brevetted Brigadier-General, and, in 
June following, was mustered out. Returning 
to Chicago, he resumed the practice of his pro- 
fession, and gained a prominent position at the 
bar. In 1866 lie was elected State Treasurer, and, 
after the expiration of his term, in January, 
1869, held no public office. General Smith was, 
for many years, a Trustee of the Chicago Histor- 
ical Society, and Vice-President of the Board. 
Died, in Chicago, Sept. 16, 1898. 

SMITH, George W., lawyer and Congressman, 
was born in Putnam County, Ohio, August 18, 
1846. When he was four years old, his father 
removed to Waj'ne County. 111., settling on a 
farm. He attended the common schools and 
graduated from the literary department of Mc- 
Kendree College, at Lebanon, in 1868. In his 
youth he learned the trade of a blacksmith, but 



486 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



later determined to study law. After reading for 
a time at Fairfield, 111., he entered the Law 
Department of the Bloomington (Ind.) Univer- 
sity, graduating there in 1870. The same year he 
was admitted to the bar in Illinois, and has since 
practiced at Murphy sboro. In 1880 he was a 
Republican Presidential Elector, and, in 1888, was 
elected a Republican Representative to Congress 
from the Twentieth Illinois District, and has 
been continuously re-elected, now (1899) serving 
his sixth consecutive term as Representative 
from the Twenty-second District. 

SMITH, Giles Alexander, soldier, and Assist- 
ant Postmaster-General, was born in Jefferson 
County, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1829; engaged in dry- 
goods business in Cincinnati and Bloomington, 
111., in 1861 being proprietor of a hotel in the 
latter place; became a Captain in the Eighth 
Missouri Volunteers, was engaged at Forts Henry 
and Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth, and promoted 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel in 1863; led his 
regiment on the first attack on Vicksburg. and 
was severely wounded at Arkansas Post ; was pro- 
moted Brigadier-General in August, 1863. for 
gallant and meritorious conduct; led a brigade 
of the Fifteenth Army Corps at Chattanooga and 
Missionary Ridge, as also in the Atlanta cam- 
paign, and a division of the Seventeenth Corps in 
the "March to the Sea." After the surrender of 
Lee he was transferred to the Twenty -fifth Army 
Corps, became Major-General in 1865, and 
resigned in 1866, having declined a commission 
as Colonel in the regular army ; about 1869 was 
appointed, by President Grant. Second Assistant 
Postmaster-General, but resigned on account of 
failing health in 1873. Died, at Bloomington, 
Nov. 8, 1876. General Smith was one of the 
founders of the Society of the Army of the 
Tennessee. 

SMITH, GustaTUS Adolphus, soldier, was born 
in Philadelphia, Dec. 36, 1820; at 16 joined two 
brothers who had located at Springfield, Ohio, 
where he learned the trade of a carriage-maker. 
In December, 1837, he arrived at Decatur, 111., 
but soon after located at Springfield, where he 
resided some six years. Then, returning to 
Decatur, he devoted his attention to carriage 
manufacture, doing a large business with the 
South, but losing heavily as the result of the 
war. An original Whig, he became a Democrat 
on the dissolution of the Whig party, but early 
took ground in favor of the Union after the firing 
on Fort Sumter; was offered and accepted the 
colonelcy of the . Thirty-fifth Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers, at the same time assisting Governor 



Yates in the selection of Camp Butler as a camp 
of recruiting and instruction. Having been 
assigned to duty in Missouri, in the summer of 
1861, he proceeded to Jefferson City, joined Fre- 
mont at Carthage in that State, and made a 
forced march to Springfield, afterwards taking 
part in the campaign in Arkansas and in the 
battle of Pea Ridge, where he had a horse shot 
under him and was severely (and, it was supposed, 
fatally) wounded, not recovering until 1868. 
Being compelled to return home, he received 
authority to raise an independent brigade, but 
was unable to accompany it to the field. In Sep- 
tember, 1863, he was commissioned a Brigadier- 
General by President Lincoln, "for meritorious 
conduct," but was unable to enter into active 
service on account of his wound. Later, he was 
assigned to the command of a convalescent camp 
at Murfreesboro, Tenn., under Gen. George H. 
Thomas. In 186-1 he took part in securing tho 
second election of President Lincoln, and, in the 
early part of 1865, was commissioned by Gov- 
ernor Oglesby Colonel of a new regiment (the 
One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Illinois), but, on 
account of his wounds, was assigned to court- 
martial duty, remaining in the service until 
January, 1866, when he was mustered out with 
the brevet rank of Brigadier-General. During 
the second year of his service he was presented 
with a magnificent sword by the rank and file of 
his regiment (the Thirty-fifth), for brave and gal- 
lant conduct at Pea Ridge. After retiring from 
the army, he engaged in cotton planting in Ala- 
bama, but was not successful ; in 1868, canvassed 
Alabama for General Grant for President, but 
declined a nomination in his own favor for Con- 
gress. In 1870 he was appointed, by General 
Grant, United States Collection and Disbursing 
Agent for the District of New Mexico, where he 
continued to reside. 

SMITH, John Corson, soldier, ex-Lieutenant- 
Governor and ex-State Treasurer, was born in 
Philadelphia, Feb. 13, 1833. At the age of 16 he 
was apprenticed to a carpenter and builder. In 
1854 he came to Chicago, and worked at his trade, 
for a time, but soon removed to Galena, where he 
finally engaged in business as a contractor. In 
1863 he enlisted as a private in the Seventy-fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, but, having received author- 
ity from Governor Yates, raised a company, of 
which he was chosen Captain, and which was 
incorporated in the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infan- 
try. Of this regiment he was soon elected Major. 
After a short service about Cincinnati, Ohio, 
and Covington and Newport, Ky., the Ninety- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



487 



sixth was sent to the front, and took part (among 
other battles) in the second engagement at Fort 
Donelson and in the bloody fight at Franklin, 
Tenn. Later, Major Smith was assigned to staff 
duty under Generals Baird and Steedman, serv- 
ing through the Tullahoma campaign, and par- 
ticipating in the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge. Being promoted 
to a Lieutenant-Colonelcy, he rejoined his regi- 
ment, and was given command of a brigade. In 
the Atlanta campaign he served gallantly, tak- 
ing a conspicuous part in its long series of bloody 
engagements, and being severely wounded at 
Kenesaw Mountain. In February, 186.5, he was 
brevetted Colonel, and, in June, 186.">. Brigadier- 
General. Soon after his return to Galena he was 
appointed Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue, 
but was legislated out of oflSce in 1872. In 1873 
he removed to Chicago and embarked in business. 
In 1874-76 he was a member (and Secretary) of 
the Illinois Board of Commissione?'s to the Cen- 
tennial Exposition at Philadelphia. In 1875 he 
was appointed Chief Grain-Inspector at Chicago, 
and held the office for several years. In 1873 and 
"76 he was a delegate to the National Republican 
Conventions of those years, and, in 1878, was 
elected State Treasurer, as he was again in 1883. 
In 1884 he was elected Lieutenant-Governor, serv- 
ing until 1889. He is a prominent Mason, Knight 
Templar and Odd Fellow, as well as a distin- 
guished member of the Order of Nobles of the 
Mystic Shrine, and was prominently connected 
with the erection of the "Masonic Temple Build- 
ing" in Chicago. 

SMITH, John Eugene, soldier, was born in 
Switzerland, August 3. 1816, the son of an officer 
who had served under Napoleon, and after the 
downfall of the latter, emigrated to Philadelphia. 
The subject of this sketch received an academic 
education and became a jeweler ; in 1861 entered 
the volunteer service as Colonel of the Forty-fifth 
Illinois Infantry ; took part in the capture of 
Forts Henry and Donelson, in the battle of Shiloh 
and siege of Corinth ; was promoted a Brigadier- 
General in November, 1863, and placed in com- 
mand of a division in the Sixteenth Army Corps ; 
led the Third Division of the Seventeenth Army 
Corps in the Vieksburg campaign, later being 
transferred to the Fifteenth, and taking part in 
the battle of Missionary Ridge and the Atlanta 
and Carolina campaigns of 1864-6.5. He received 
the brevet rank of Major-General of Volunteers 
in January, 186.5, and, on his muster-out from the 
volunteer service, became Colonel of the Twenty- 
seventh United States Infantry, being transferred, 



in 1870, to the Fourteenth. In 1867 his services 
at Vieksburg and Savannah were further recog- 
nized by conferring upon him the brevets of Brig- 
adier and Major-General in the regular army. 
In May, 1881, he was retired, afterwards residing 
in Chicago, where he died, Jan. 39, 1897. 

SMITH, Joseph, the founder of the Mormon 
sect, was born at Sharon, Vt., Deo. 33, 180.5. In 
1815 his parents removed to Palmyra, N. Y., and 
still later to Manchester. He early showed a 
dreamy mental cast, and claimed to be able to 
locate stolen articles by means of a magic stone. 
In 1820 he claimed to have seen a vision, but his 
pretensions were ridiculed by his acquaintances. 
His story of the revelation of the golden plates 
by the angel Moroni, and of the latter's instruc- 
tions to him, is well known. With the aid of 
Martin Harris and Oliver Cowdery he prepared 
the "Book of Mormon," alleging that he had 
deciphered it from heavensent characters, 
through the aid of miraculous spectacles. This 
was published in 1830. In later years Smith 
claimed to have received supplementary reve- 
lations, which so taxed the credulity of his fol- 
lowers that some of them apostatized. He also 
claimed supernatural power, such as exorcism, 
etc. He soon gained followers in considerable 
numbers, whom, in 1833, he led west, a part 
settling at Kirtland, Ohio, and the remainder in 
Jackson County, Mo. Driven out of Ohio five 
years later, the bulk of the sect found the waj' to 
their friends in Missouri, whence they were 
finally expelled after man}' conflicts with the 
authorities. Smith, with the other refugees, fled 
to Hancock County, 111., founding the city of 
Nauvoo, which was incorporated in 1840. Here 
was begun, in the following year, the erection of a 
great temple, but again he aroused the hostility 
of the authorities, although soon wielding con- 
siderable political power. After various unsuc- 
cessful attempts to arrest him in 1844, Smith and 
a number of his followers were induced to sur- 
render themselves under the promise of protection 
from violence and a fair trial. Having been 
taken to Carthage, the county-seat, all were dis- 
charged under recognizance to appear at court 
except Smith and his brother Hjrum, who were 
held under the new charge of "treason," and were 
placed in jail. So intense had been the feeling 
against the Mormons, that Governor Ford called 
out the militia to preserve the peace; but it is 
evident that the feeling among the latter was in 
sympathy with that of the populace. Most of 
the militia were disbanded after Smith's arrest, 
one company being left on duty at Carthage, 



488 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



from whom only eight men were detailed to 
guard the jail. In this condition of affairs a mob 
of 150 disguised men, alleged to be from Warsaw, 
appeared before tlie jail on the evening of June 
27, and, forcing the guards — who made only a 
feeble resistance, — Joseph Smith and his brother 
Hyrum were both shot down, while a friend, who 
had remained with them, was wounded. The fate 
of Smith undoubtedly went far to win for him 
the reputation of martyr, and give a new impulse 
to the Mormon faith. (See Morvions; Nauvoo. ) 

SMITH, Justin Almerin, D.D., clergyman 
and editor, was born at Ticonderoga, N. Y. , Dec. 
39, 1819, educated at New Hampton Literary and 
Theological Institute and Union College, gradu- 
ating from the latter in 1843 ; served a year as 
Principal of the Union Academy at Bennington, 
Vt., followed by four years of pastoral work, 
when he assumed the pastorate of the First Bap- 
tist church at Rochester, N. Y., wliere he 
remained five years. Then (1853) he removed to 
Chicago to assume the editorship of "The Chris- 
tian Times" (now "The Standard"), with which 
he was associated for the remainder of his life. 
Meanwhile he assisted in organizing three Baptist 
churches in Chicago, serving two of them as 
pastor for a considerable period; made an ex- 
tended tour of Europe in 1869, attending the 
Vatican Council at Rome; was a Trustee and 
one of the founders of the old Chicago Univer- 
sity, and Trustee and Lecturer of the Baptist 
Theological Seminary; was also the author of 
several religious works. Died, at Morgan Park, 
near Chicago, Feb. 4, 1896. 

SMITH, Perry H., lawyer and politician, was 
born in Augusta, Oneida County, N. Y., March 
18, 1838 ; entered Hamilton College at the age of 
14 and graduated, second in his class, at IS ; began 
reading law and was admitted to the bar on com- 
ing of age in 1849. Then, removing to Appleton, 
Wis., when 33 years of age he was elected a 
Judge, served later in both branches of the 
Legislature, and, in 1857, became Vice-President 
of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Railway, 
retaining the same position in tlie reorganized 
corporation when it became the Chicago & 
Northwestern. In 1856 Mr. Smith came to Chi- 
cago and resided there till his death, on Palm 
Sunday of 1885. He was prominent in railway 
circles and in the councils of the Democratic 
party, being the recognized representative of Mr. 
Tilden's interests in the Northwest in the cam- 
paign of 1876. 

SMITH, Robert, Congressman and lawyer, 
was born at Petersborough, N. H., June 12. 1802; 



was educated and admitted to the bar in his 
native town, settled at Alton, III., in 1833, and 
engaged in practice. In 1836 he was elected to 
the General Assembly from Madison County, 
and re-elected in 1838. In 1843 he was elected to 
the Twenty-eighth Congress, and twice re-elected, 
serving three successive terms. During the Civil 
War he was commissioned Paymaster, with the 
rank of Major, and was stationed at St. Louis. 
He was largely interested in the construction of 
water power at Minneapolis, Minn., and also in 
railroad enterprises in Illinois. He was a promi- 
nent Mason and a public-spirited citizen. Died, 
at Alton, Dec. 20. 1867. 

SMITH, Samuel Lisle, lawyer, was born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., in 1817, and, belonging to a 
wealthy family, enjoyed superior educational 
advantages, taking a course in the Yale Law 
School at an age too early to admit of his receiv- 
ing a degree. In 1836 he came to Illinois, to look 
after some lauded interests of his father's in the 
vicinity of Peru. Returning east within the next 
two years, he obtained his diploma, and, again 
coming west, located in Chicago in 1838, and, 
for a time, occupied an office with the well-known 
law firm of Butterfield & Collins. In 1839 he was 
elected City Attorney and, at the great Whig 
meeting at Springfield, in June, 1840, was one of 
the principal speakers, establishing a reputation 
as one of the most brilliant campaign orators in 
the West. As an admirer of Henry Clay, he was 
active in the Presidential campaign of 1844, and 
was also a prominent speaker at the River and 
Harbor Convention at Chicago, in 1847. With a 
keen sense of humor, brilliant, witty and a mas- 
ter of repartee and invective, he achieved popu- 
larity, both at the bar and on the lecture 
platform, and had tlie promise of future success, 
which was unfortunately marred by his convivial 
habits. Died of cholera, in Chicago, July 30, 1854. 
Mr. Smith married the daughter of Dr. Potts, of 
Philadelphia, an eminent clergjman of the 
Episcopal Church. 

SMITH, Sidney, jurist, was born in Washing- 
ton County, N. Y., May 13, 1829; studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Albion, in that State, 
in 1851 ; came to Chicago in 1856 and entered 
into partnership with Grant Goodrich and Will- 
iam W. Farwell, both of whom were afterwards 
elected to places on the bench — the first in the 
Superior, and the latter in the Circuit Court. In 
1879 Judge Smith was elected to the Superior 
Court of Cook County, serving until 1885, when 
he became the attorney of the Chicago Board of 
Trade. He was the Republican candidate for 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



489 



Mayor, in opposition to Carter H. Harrison, in 
1885, and is believed by many to have been 
honestly elected, though defeated on the face of 
the returns. A recount was ordered by the court, 
but so much delay was incurred and so many 
obstacles placed in the way of carrying the order 
into effect, that Judge Smith abandoned the con- 
test in disgust, although making material gains 
as far as it had gone. During his professional 
career he was connected, as counsel, with some of 
the most important trials before the Chicago 
courts ; was also one of the Directors of the Chi- 
cago Public Library, on its organization in 1871. 
Died suddenly, in Chicago, Oct. 6, 1898. 

SMITH, Theophilus Washington, Judge and 
politician, was born in New York City, Sept. 28, 
1784, served for a time in the United States navy, 
was a law student in the office of Aaron Burr, 
was admitted to the bar in his native State in 
1805, and, in 1816, came west, finally locating at 
Edwardsville, where he soon became a prominent 
figure in early State history. In 1820 he was an 
unsuccessful candidate before the Legislature for 
the office of Attorney -General, being defeated by 
Samuel D. Lockwood, but was elected to the 
State Senate in 1822, serving four years. In 1823 
he was one of the leaders of the "Conventionist" 
party, whose aim was to adopt a new Constitution 
which would legalize slavery in Illinois, during 
this period being the editor of the leading organ 
of the pro-slavery party. In 1825 he was elected 
one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme 
Court, but resigned, Dec. 26, 1843. He was im- 
peached in 1832 on charges alleging oppressive 
conduct, corruption, and other high misdemean- 
ors in office, but secured a negative acquittal, a 
two-thirds vote being necessary to conviction. 
The vote in the Senate stood twelve for convic- 
tion (on a part of the charges) to ten for acquittal, 
four being excused from voting. During the 
Black Hawk War he served as Quartermaster- 
Greneral on the Governor's staff. As a jurist, lie 
was charged by his political opponents with 
being unable to divest himself of his partisan 
bias, and even with privately advising counsel, in 
political causes, of defects in the record, which 
they (the counsel) had not discovered. He was 
also a member of the first Board of Commission- 
ers of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, appointed in 
1823. Died, in Chicago, May 6, 1846. 

SMITH, William Henry, journalist, Associ- 
ated Press Manager, was born in Columbia 
County, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1833; at three years of age 
was taken by his parents to Ohio, where lie 
enjoyed the best educational advantages that 



State at the time afforded. After completing his 
school course he began teaching, and, for a time, 
served as tutor in a Western college, but soon 
turned his attention to journalism, at first as 
assistant editor of a weekly publication at Cincin- 
nati, still later becoming its editor, and, in 1855, 
city editor of "The Cincinnati Gazette," with 
which he was connected in a more responsible 
position at the beginning of the war, incidentally 
doing work upon "The Literary Review." His 
connection with a leading paper enabled him to 
exert a strong influence in support of the Govern- 
ment. This he used most faithfully in assisting 
to raise troops in the first years of the war, and, 
in 1863, in bringing forward and securing the 
election of John Brough as a Union candidate for 
Governor in opposition to Clement L. Vallandi- 
gham, the Democratic candidate. In 1864 he was 
nominated and elected Secretary of State, being 
re-elected two years later. After retiring from 
office he returned to journalism at Cincinnati, as 
editor of "The Evening Chronicle," from which 
he retired in 1870 to become Agent of the West- 
ern Associated Press, with headquarters, at first 
at Cleveland, but later at Chicago. His success 
in this line was demonstrated by the final union 
of the New York and Western Associated Press 
organizations under his management, continuing 
until 1893, when he retired. Mr. Smith was a 
strong personal friend of President Hayes, by 
whom he was appointed Collector of the Port of 
Chicago in 1877. While engaged in official duties 
he found time to do considerable literary work, 
having published, several years ago, "The St. Clair 
Papers," in two volumes, and a life of Charles 
Hammond, besides contributions to periodicals. 
After retiring from the management of the 
Associated Press, he was engaged upon a "His- 
tory of American Politics" and a "Life of Ruther- 
ford B. Hayes," which are said to have been well 
advanced at the time of his death, which took 
place at his home, at Lake Forest, 111., July 27, 
1896. 

SMITH, William M., merchant, stock-breeder 
and politician, was born near Frankfort, Ky., 
May 23, 1827; in 1846 accompanied his father's 
family to Lexington, McLean County, 111., where 
they settled. A few years later he bought forty 
acres of government land, finally increasing his 
holdings to 800 acres, and becoming a breeder of 
fine stock. Still later he added to his agricultural 
pursuits the business of a merchant. Having 
early identified himself with the Republican 
party, he remained a firm adherent of its prin- 
ciples during the Civil War, and, while declining 



490 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



a commission tendered him by Governor Yates, 
devoted his time and means liberally to the re- 
cruiting and organization of regiments for serv- 
ice in the field, and procuring supplies for the 
sick and wounded. In 1866 he was elected to the 
lower house of the Legislature, and was re-elected 
in 1868 and "70, serving, during his last term, as 
Speaker. In 1877 he was appointed by Governor 
Cullom a member of the Railroad and Warehouse 
Commission, of which body he served as President 
until 1883. He was a man of remarkably genial 
temperament, liberal impulses, and wide popu- 
larity. Died, March 25, 1886. 

SMITH, William Sooy, soldier and civil engi- 
neer, was born at Tarlton, Pickaway County, 
Ohio, July 23, 1830 ; graduated at Ohio University 
in 1849, and, at the United States Military Acad- 
emy, in 1853, having among his classmates, at the 
latter, Generals McPherson, Schofield and Sheri- 
dan. Coming to Chicago the following year, he 
first found employment as an engineer on the 
Illinois Central Railroad, but later became assist- 
ant of Lieutenant-Colonel Graham in engineer 
service on the lakes ; a year later took charge of 
a select school in Buffalo -, in 1857 made the first 
surveys for the International Bridge at Niagara 
Falls, then went into the service of extensive 
locomotive and bridge- works at Trenton, N. J., 
in their interest making a visit to Cuba, and also 
superintending the construction of a bridge 
across the Savannah River. The war intervening, 
he returned North and was appointed Lieutenant- 
Colonel and assigned to duty as Assistant Adju- 
tant-General at Camp Denisou, Ohio, but, in 
June, 1862, was commissioned Colonel of the 
Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers, participating in the 
West Virginia campaigns, and later, at Shiloh and 
Perryville. In April. 1862. he was promoted 
Brigadier-General of volunteers, commanding 
divisions in the Army of the Ohio until the fall 
of 1862, when he joined Grant and took part in 
the Vicksburg campaign, as commander of the 
First Division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. 
Subsequently he was made Chief of the Cavalry 
Department, serving on the staffs of Grant and 
Sherman, until compelled to resign, in 1864, on 
account of impaired health. During the war 
General Smith rendered valuable service to the 
Union csCuse in great emergencies, by his knowl- 
edge of engineering. On retiring to private life 
he resumed his profession at Chicago, and since 
has been employed by the Government on some 
of its most stupendous works on the lakes, and 
has also planned several of the most important 
railroad bridges across the Missouri and other 



streams. He has been much consulted in refer- 
ence to municipal engineering, and his name is 
connected with a number of the gigantic edifices 
in Chicago. 

SMITHBORO, a village and railroad junction 
in Bond County, 3 miles east of Greenville. 
Population. 393; (1900), 314 

SNAPP, Henry, Congressman, born in Livings- 
ton County, N. Y., June 30, 1822, came to Illinois 
with his father when 11 years old, and, having 
read law at Joliet, was admitted to the bar in 
1847. He practiced in Will County for twenty 
years before entering public life. In 1868 he was 
elected to the State Senate and occupied a seat in 
that body until his election, in 1871, to the Forty- 
second Congress, by the Republicans of the (then) 
Sixth Illinois District, as successor to B. C. Cook, 
who had resigned. Died, at Joliet, Nov. 23, 1895. 

SNOW, Herman W., ex-Congressman, was born 
in La Porte County, Ind., July 3, 1836, but was 
reared in Kentucky, working upon a farm for 
five years, while yet in his minority becoming a 
resident of Illinois. For several years he was a 
school teacher, meanwhile studying law and 
being admitted to the bar. Early in the war he 
enlisted as a private in the One Hundred and 
Thirty-ninth Illinois Volunteers, rising to the 
rank of Captain. His term of service having 
expired, he re-enlisted in the One Hundred and 
Fifty-first Illinois, and was mustered out with 
the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. After the close 
of the war he resumed teaching at the Chicago 
High School, and later served in the General 
Assembly (1873-74) as Representative from Wood- 
ford County. In 1890 he was elected, as a Demo- 
crat, to represent the Ninth Illinois District in 
Congress, but was defeated by his Republican 
opponent in 1893. 

S^OWHOOK, WiUiam B., first Collector of 
Customs at Chicago, was born in Ireland in 1804; 
at the age of eight years was brought to New 
York, where he learned the printer's trade, 
and worked for some time in the same office 
with Horace Greeley. At 16 he went back to 
Ireland, remaining two years, but, returning to 
the United States, began the study of law ; was 
also employed on the Passaic Canal; in 1836, 
came to Chicago, and was soon after associated 
with William B. Ogden in a contract on the Illi- 
nois & Michigan Canal, which lasted until 1841. 
As early as 1840 he became prominent as a leader 
in the Democratic party, and, in 1846, received 
from President Polk an appointment as first Col- 
lector of Customs for Chicago (having previously 
served as Special Surveyor of the Port, while 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



491 



attaelied to the District of Detroit) ; in 1853, was 
re-appointed to the CoUectorship by President 
Pierce, serving two years. During the "Mormon 
War" (1844) he organized and equipped, at his 
own expense, the Montgomery Guards, and was 
commissioned Colonel, but tlie disturbances were 
brouglit to an end before the order to march. 
From 18.56 he devoted his attention chiefly to Iiis 
practice, but, in 1862, was one of the Democrats 
of Chicago who took part in a movement to sus- 
tain the Government by stimulating enlistments ; 
was also a member of the Convention which 
nominated Mr. Greeley for President in 1872. 
Died, in Chicago, May 5, 1882. 

SNYDER, Adam Wilson, pioneer lawyer, and 
early Congressman, was born at Connellsville, 
Pa., Oct. 6, 1T99. In early life he followed the 
occupation of wool-curling for a livelihood, 
attending school in the winter. In 1815, he emi- 
grated to Columbus, Ohio, and afterwards settled 
in Ridge Prairie, St. Clair County, 111. Being 
offered a situation in a wool-curling and fulling 
mill at Cahokia, he removed thither in 1817. He 
formed the friendship of Judge Jesse B. Thomas, 
and, through the latter's encouragement and aid, 
studied law and gained a solid professional, poli- 
tical, social and financial position. In 1830 he 
was elected State Senator from St. Clair County, 
and re-elected for two successive terms. He 
served through the Black Hawk War as private, 
Adjutant and Captain. In 1833 he removed to 
Belleville, and, in 1834, was defeated for Congress 
by Governor Reynolds, whom he, in turn, defeated 
in 1836. Two years later Reynolds again defeated 
him for the same position, and, in 1840, he was 
elected State Senator. In 1841 he was the Demo- 
cratic nominee for Governor. The election was 
held Ln August, ,1842, but, in Maj' preceding, he 
died at his home in Belleville. His place on the 
ticket was filled by Thomas Ford, who was 
elected.— William H. (Snyder), son of the pre- 
ceding, was born in St. Clair County, 111., July 
12, 1825 ; educated at McKendree College, studied 
law with Lieutenant-Governor Koerner, and was 
admitted to practice in 1845; also served for a 
time as Postmaster of the city of Belleville, and, 
during the Mexican War, as First-Lieutenant and 
Adjutant of the Fifth Illinois Volunteers. From 
1850 to '54 he represented his county in the Legis- 
lature ; in 1855 was appointed, by Governor Mat- 
teson. State's Attorney, which position he filled 
for two years. He was an unsuccessful candidate 
for the ofl^ce of Secretary of State in 183C, and, 
in 1857, was elected a Judge of the Twenty- 
fourth Circuit, was re-elected for the Third Cir- 



cuit in '73, '79 and '85. He was also a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. Died, 
at Belleville, Dec. 24, 1892. 

SOLDIERS' AND SAILORS' HOME, a State 
charitable institution, founded by act of the 
Legislature in 1885, and located at Quincy, 
Adams County. The object of its establish- 
ment was to provide a comfortable home for 
such disabled or dependent veterans of the 
United States land or naval forces as had 
honorably served during the Civil War. It 
was opened for the reception of veterans on 
March 3, 1887, the first cost of site and build- 
ings having been about §350,000. The total num- 
ber of inmates admitted up to June 30, 1894, was 
2,813; the number in attendance during the two 
previous years 988, and the whole number present 
on Nov. 10, 1894, 1,088. The value of property at 
that time was .?393,636.08. Considerable appro- 
priations have been made for additions to the 
buildings at subsequent sessions of the Legisla- 
ture. The General Government pays to the State 
SlOO per year for each veteran supported at the 
Home. 

SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME, ILLINOIS, an 
institution, created by act of 1865, for the main- 
tenance and education of children of deceased 
soldiers of the Civil War. An eighty-acre tract, 
one mile north of Normal, was selected as the 
site, and the first principal building was com- 
pleted and opened for the admission of benefici- 
aries on June 1, 1869. Its first cost was $135,000, 
the site having been donated. Repairs and the 
construction of new buildings, from time to 
time, have considerablj- increased this sum. In 
1875 the benefits of the institution were extended, 
by legislative enactment, to the children of sol- 
diers who had died after the close of the war. 
The aggregate number of inmates, in 1894, was 
572, of whom 323 were males and 249 females. 

SOLDIERS' WIDOWS' HOME. Provision was 
made for the establishment of this institution by 
the Thirty-ninth General Assembly, in an act, 
approved, June 13, 1895, appropriating §20,000 for 
the purchase of a site, the erection of building's 
and furnishing the same. It is designed for the 
reception and care of the mothers, wives, widows 
and daughters of such honorably discharged 
soldiers or sailors, in the United States service, as 
may have died, or may be physically or men- 
tally unable to provide for the families natu- 
rally dependent on them, provided that such 
persons have been residents of the State for 
at least one year previous to admission, and 
are without means or ability for self-support. 



492 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



The affairs of the Home are managed by a 
boaid of five trustees, of whom two are men and 
three women, the former to be members of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and of different 
political parties, and the latter members of the 
Women's Relief Corps of this State. T^he institu- 
tion was located at Wilmington, occupying a 
site of seventeen acres, where it was formally 
opened in a house of eighteen rooms, March 11, 
189G. with twenty-six applications for admit- 
tance. The plan contemplates an early enlarge- 
ment by the erection of additional cottages. 

SORENTO, a village of Bond County, at the 
intersection of the Jacksonville & St. Louis and 
the Toledo. St. Louis & Western Railways, 14 
miles southeast of Litchfield; has a bank and a 
newspaper. Its interests are agricultural and 
mining. Pop. (1890), 538; (1900), 1,000. 

SOULARD, James Gaston, pioneer, born of 
French ancestry in St. Louis, Mo., July 15, 1798; 
resided there until 1821, when, having married 
the daughter of a soldier of the Revolution, he 
received an appointment at Fort Snelling, near 
the present city of St. Paul, then under command 
of Col. Snelling, who was his wife's brother-in- 
law. The Fort was reached after a tedious jour- 
ney by fiat-boat and overland, late in the fall of 
1821, his wife accompanying him. Three j'ears 
later they returned to St. Louis, where, being an 
engineer, he was engaged for several years in 
surveying. In 1827 he removed with his family 
to Galena, for the next six years had charge of a 
store of the Gratiot Brothers, early business men 
of that locality. Towards the close of this period 
he received the appointment of County Recorder, 
also holding the position of County Surveyor and 
Postmaster of Galena at the same time. His 
later years were devoted to farming and horti- 
culture, his death taking place, Sept. 17, 1878. 
Mr. Soulard was probably the first man to engage 
in freighting between Galena and Chicago. 
"The Galena Advertiser" of Sept. 14, 1829, makes 
mention of a wagon-load of lead sent by him to 
Chicago, his team taking back a load of salt, the 
paper remarking: "This is the first wagon that 
has ever passed from the Mississippi River to 
Chicago." Great results were predicted from 
the exchange of commodities between the lake 
and the lead mine district. — Mrs. Eliza M. 
Hunt (Soulard), wife of the preceding, was born 
at Detroit, Dec. 18, 1804, her father being Col. 
Thomas A. Hunt, who had taken part in the 
Battle of Bunker Hill and remained in the armj- 
until his death, at St. Louis, in 1807. His descend- 
ants have maintained their connection with the 



army ever since, a son being a prominent artillery 
officer at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mrs. Soular 
was married at St. Louis, in 1820, and survive 
her husband some sixteen years, dying at Galena 
August 11, 1894. She had resided in Galenp 
nearl)- seventy years, and at the date of her 
death, in the 90th year of her age, she was that 
city's oldest resident. 

SOUTH CHICAGO & WESTERN INDIANA 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago & Western Indiana 
Railroad.) 

SOUTH DANVILLE, a suburb of the city of 
Danville, Vermilion County. Population (1890), 
799; (1900), 898. 

SOUTHEAST & ST. LOUIS RAILWAY. (See 
LoiiisviUe d- Nashville Railroad.) 

SOUTH ELGIN, a village of Kane County, 
near the citv of Elgin. Population (1900), 515. 

SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE, 
located at Albion. Edwards County, incorporated 
in 1891 ; had a faculty of ten teachers with 219 
pupils (1897-98) — about equally male and female. 
Besides classical, scientific, normal, music and 
fine arts departments, instruction is given in pre- 
paratory studies and business education. Its 
property is valued at §16,500. 

SOUTHERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
located at Anna, Union County, founded by act 
of the Legislature in 1869. The original site com- 
prised 290 acres and cost a little more than 
122,000, of which one-fourth was donated by citi- 
zens of the county. The construction of build- 
ings was begun in 1869, but it was not until 
March, 1875, that the north wing (the first com- 
pleted) was ready for occupancy. Other portions 
were completed a year later. The Trustees pur- 
chased 160 additional acres in 1883. The first 
cost (up to September, 1876) was nearly §635,000. 
In 1881 one wing of the main building was de- 
stroyed by fire, and was subsequently rebuilt ; the 
patients being, meanwhile, cared for in temporary 
wooden barracks. The total value of lands and 
buildings belonging to the State, June 30, 1894. 
was estimated at §738,580, and, of property of all 
sorts, at §833,700. Tlie wooden barracks were 
later converted into a permanent ward, additions 
made to the main buildings, a detached building 
for the accommodation of 300 patients erected, 
numerous outbuildings put up and general im- 
provements made. A second fire on the night of 
Jan. 3, 1895, destroyed a large part of the main 
building, inflicting a loss upon the State of 
§175,000. Provision was made for rebuilding by 
the Legislature of that year. The institution has 
capacity for about 750 patients. 




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E 



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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



493 



SOUTHERN ILLINOIS NORMAL UNIYER- 
SITY, established in 1S69, and located, after 
competitive bidding, at Carbondale, which offered 
lands and bonds at first estimated to be of the 
value of §229,000, but which later depreciated, 
through shrinkage, to 175,000. Construction was 
commenced in Ma}', 1870, and the first or main 
building was completed and appropriately dedi- 
cated in July, 1874. Its cost was §26.5,000, but it 
was destroyed by fire, Nov. 26, 188.3. In Febru- 
ary, 1887, a new structure was completed at a cost 
of $150,000. Two normal courses of instruction 
are given — classical and scientific — each extend- 
ing over a period of four years. The conditions 
of admission require that the pupil shall be 16 
years of age, and shall possess the qualifications 
enabling him to pass examination for a second- 
grade teacher's certificate. Those unable to do so 
may enter a preparatory department for six 
months. Pupils who pledge themselves to teach 
in the public schools, not less than half the time 
of their attendance at the University, receive 
free tuition with a small charge for incidentals, 
while others pay a tuition fee. The number of 
students in attendance for the year 1897-98 was 
720, coming from forty-seven counties, chiefly in 
the -southern half of the State, with represent- 
atives from eight other States. The teaching 
faculty for the same year consisted, besides the 
President, of sixteen instructors in the various 
departments, of whom five were ladies and 
eleven gentlemen. 

SOUTHERN PENITENTIARY, THE, located 
near Chester, on the Mississippi River. Its erec- 
tion was rendered necessar}- by the overcrowding 
of the Northern Penitentiary. (See Northern 
Pe7iitentiary.) The law providing for its estab- 
lishment required the Commissioners to select a 
site convenient of access, adjacent to stone and 
timber, and having a high elevation, with a never 
failing supply of water. In 1877, 122 acres were 
purchased at Chester, and the erection of build- 
ings commenced. The first appropriation was of 
8200,000, and 1300,000 was added in 1879. By 
March, 1878, 200 convicts were received, and 
their labor was utilized in the completion of the 
buildings, which are constructed upon approved 
modern principles. The prison receives convicts 
sent from the southern portion of the State, and 
has accommodation for some 1,200 prisoners. In 
connection with this peni,tentiary is an asylum 
for insane convicts, the erection of which was 
provided for by the Legislature in 1889. 

SOUTH UROYE, a village of De Kalb County. 
Population (1890), 730. 



SPALDING, Jesse, manufacturer. Collector of 
Customs and Street Railway President, was born 
at Athens, Bradford County, Pa., April 15, 1833; 
early commenced lumbering on the Susquehanna, 
and, at 23, began dealing on his own account. In 
1857 he removed to Chicago, and soon after bought 
the property of the New York Lumber Company 
at the mouth of the Menominee River in Wiscon- 
sin, where, with different partners, and finally 
practically alone, he has carried on the business 
of lumber manufacture on a large scale ever 
since. In 1881 he was appointed, by President 
Arthur, Collector of the Port of Chicago, and, in 
1889, received from President Harrison an 
appointment as one of the Government Directors 
of the Union Pacific Railway. Mr. Spalding was 
a zealous supporter of the Government during 
the War of the Rebellion and rendered valuable 
aid in the construction and equipment of Camp 
Douglas and the barracks at Chicago for the 
returning soldiers, receiving Auditor's warrants 
in paj'ment, when no funds in the State treasury 
were available for the purpose. He was associ- 
ated with William B. Ogden and others in the 
project for connecting Green Bay and Sturgeon 
Bay by a ship canal, which was completed in 
1883, and, on the death of Mr. Ogden, succeeded 
to the Presidency of the Canal Company, serving 
until 1893, when the canal was turned over to the 
General Government. He has also been identified 
with many other public enterprises intimately 
connected with the development and prosperity 
of Chicago, and, in July, 1899, became President 
of the Chicago Union Traction Company, having 
control of the North and West Chicago Street 
Railway Systems. 

SPALDING, John Lancaster, Catholic Bishop, 
was born in Lebanon, Ky., June 2, 1840; educated 
in the United States and in Europe, ordained a 
priest in the Catholic Church in 1863, and there- 
upon attached to the cathedral at Louisville, as 
assistant. In 1869 he organized a congregation 
of colored people, and built for their use the 
Church of St. Augustine, having been assigned 
to that parish as pastor. Soon afterwards he was 
appointed Secretary to the- Bishop and made 
Chancellor of the Diocese. In 1873 he was trans- 
ferred from Louisville to New York, where he 
was attached to the missionary parish of St. 
Michael's. He had, by this time, achieved no little 
fame as a pulpit orator and lecturer. When 
the diocese of Peoria, 111., was created, in 1877, the 
choice of the Pope fell upon him for the new see, 
and he was consecrated Bishop, on May 1 of that 
year, by Cardinal McCloskey at New York. His 



494 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



administration has been characterized by both 
energy and success. He has devoted much atten- 
tion to the subject of emigration, and has brought 
about the founding of many new settlements in 
the far West. He was also largely instrumental 
in bringing about the founding of the Catholic 
University at Washington. He is a frequent 
<'ontributor to tlie reviews, and the author of a 
number of religious works. 

SPANISH INVASION OF ILLINOIS. In the 
month of June, 1779, soon after the declaration 
of war between Spain and Great Britain, an expe- 
dition was organized in Canada, to attack the 
Spanish posts along tlie Mississippi. Simultane- 
ously, a force was to be dispatched from Pensa- 
cola against New Orleans, then commanded by 
a young Spanish Colonel, Don Bernardo de 
Galvez. Secret instructions had been sent to 
British Commandants, all through the Western 
country, to cooperate with both expeditions. De 
Galvez, having learned of the scheme through 
intercepted letters, resolved to forestall the attack 
by becoming the assailant. At the head of a 
force of 670 men, he set out and captured Baton 
Rouge, Fort Mancliac and Natchez, almost with- 
out opposition. The British in Canada, being 
ignorant of what had been going on in the South, 
in February following dispatched a force from 
Mackinac to support the expedition from Pensa- 
cola, and, incidentally, to subdue the American 
rebels while en route. Cahokia and Kaskaskia 
were contemplated points of attack, as well as 
the Spanish forts at St. Louis and St. Genevieve. 
This movement was planned by Capt. Patrick 
Sinclair, commandant at Mackinac, but Captain 
Hesse was placed in charge of the expedition, 
wliich numbered some 750 men, including a force 
of Indians led by a chief named Wabasha. The 
British arrived before St. Louis, early on the 
morning of May 20, 1780, taking the Spaniards 
by surprise. Meanwhile Col. George Rogers 
Clark, having been apprised of the project, 
arrived at Caliokia from the falls of the Ohio, 
twenty-four hours in advance of the attack, his 
presence and readiness to co-operate with the 
Spanish, no doubt, contributing to the defeat of 
the expedition. The accounts of what followed 
are conflicting, the number of killed on the St. 
Louis shore being variously estimated from seven 
or eight to sixty-eight — the last being the esti- 
mate of Capt. Sinclair in his official report. All 
agree, however, that the invading party was 
forced to retreat in great haste. Colonel Mont- 
gomery, who had been in command at Cahokia, 
with a force of 350 and a party of Spanish allies. 



pursued the retreating invaders as far as the 
Rock River, destroying many Indian villages on 
the way. This movement on the part of the 
British served as a pretext for an attempted re- 
prisal, undertaken by the Spaniards, with the aid 
of a number of Cahokians, early in 1781. Starting 
early in January, this latter expedition crossed 
IlUnois, with the design of attacking Fort St. 
Joseph, at the head of Lake Michigan, which had 
been captured from the English by Thomas Brady 
and afterwards retaken. The Spaniards were com- 
manded by Don Eugenio Pourre, and supported 
by a force of Cahokians and Indians. The fort 
was easily taken and the British flag replaced by 
the ensign of Spain. The affair was regarded as 
of but little moment, at the time, the post being 
evacuated In a few days, and the Spaniards 
returning to St. Louis. Yet it led to serious 
international complications, and the "conquest" 
was seriously urged by the Spanish ministry as 
giving that country a right to tlie territory trav- 
ersed. This claim was supported by France 
before the signing of the Treaty of Paris, but 
was defeated, through the combined efforts of 
Messrs. Jay, Franklin and Adams, the American 
Commissioners in charge of the peace negoti- 
ations with England. 

SPARKS, (Capt.) David R., manufacturer and 
legislator, was born near Lanesville, Ind., in 
1823; in 1836, removed with his parents to Ma- 
coupin County, 111. ; in 18-17, enlisted for the 
Mexican War, crossing the plains to Santa Fe, 
New Mexico. In 1850 he made the overland trip 
to California, returning the next year by the 
Isthmus of Panama. In 1855 he engaged in the 
milling business at Staunton, Macoupin County, 
but, in 1860, made a third trip across the plains 
in search of gold, taking a quartz-mill which was 
erected near where Central City, Colo., now is, 
and which was the second steam-engine in that 
region. He returned home in time to vote for 
Stephen A. Douglas for President, the same year, 
but became a stalwart Republican, two weeks 
later, when tlie advocates of secession began to 
develop their policy after the election of Lincoln. 
In 1861 he enlisted, under the call for 500, 000 vol- 
unteers following the first battle of Bull Run, and 
was commissioned a Captain in the Third Illinois 
Cavalry (Col. Eugene A. Carr). serving two and a 
half years, during which time he took part in 
several hard-fought battles, and being present at 
the fall of Vicksburg. At the end of his service 
he became associated with his former partner in 
the erection of a large flouring mill at Litchfield, 
but, in 1869, the firm bought an extensive flour- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



495 



ing mill at Alton, of which he became the princi- 
pal owner in 1881, and which has since been 
greatly enlarged and improved, until it is now one 
of the most extensive establishments of its kind 
in the State. Capt. Sparks was elected to the 
House of Representatives in 1888, and to the State 
Senate in 1894, serving in the sessions of 1895 and 
'97; was also strongly supported as a candidate 
for the Republican nomination for Congress in 
1896. 

SPARKS, William A. J., ex-Congressman, was 
born near New Albany, Ind., Nov. 19, 1828, at 8 
years of age was brought by his parents to Illi- 
nois, and shortly afterwards left an orphan. 
Thrown on his own resources, he found work 
upon a farm, his attendance at the district 
schools being limited to the winter months. 
Later, he passed through lIcKendree College, 
supporting himself, meanwhile, by teaching, 
graduating in 1850. He read law with Judge 
Sidney Breese, and was admitted to the bar in 
1851. His first public office was that of Receiver 
of the Land Office at Edwardsville, to which he 
was appointed by President Pierce in 1853, re- 
maining until 1856, when he was chosen Presi- 
dential Elector on the Democratic ticket. The 
same year he was elected to the lower house of 
the Gieneral Assembly, and, in 1863-64, served in 
the State Senate for the unexpired term of James 
M. Rodgers, deceased. He was a delegate to the 
National Democratic Convention in 1868, and a 
Democratic Representative in Congress from 1875 
to 1888. In 1885 lie was appointed, by President 
Cleveland, Commissioner of the General Land 
Office in Washington, retiring, by resignation, in 
1887. His home is at Carlyle. 

SPARTA & ST. GENETTETE RAILROAD. 
(See Centralia & Chester Railroad.) 

SPEED, Joshna Fry, merchant, and intimate 
friend of Abraham Lincoln ; was educated in the 
local schools and at St. Joseph's College, Bards- 
town, Ky., after which he spent some time in a 
wholesale mercantile establishment in Louisville. 
About 1835 he came to Springfield, 111., where he 
engaged in the mercantile business, later becom- 
ing the intimate friend and associate of Abraham 
Lincoln, to whom he offered the privilege of 
sharing a room over his store, when Mr. Lincoln 
removed from New Salem to Springfield, in 1836. 
Mr. Speed returned to Kentucky in 1842, but the 
friendship with Mr. Lincoln, which was of a 
most devoted character, continued until the 
death of the latter. Having located in Jefferson 
County, Ky., Mr. Speed was elected to the Legis- 
lature in 1848, but was never again willing to 



accept office, though often solicited to do so. In 
1851 he removed to Louisville, where he acquired 
a handsome fortune in the real-estate business. 
On the breaking out of the rebellion in 1861, he 
heartily embraced the cause of the Union, and. 
during the war, was entrusted with many deli- 
cate and important duties in the interest of the 
Government, by Mr. Lincoln, whom he frequently 
visited in Washington. His death occurred at 
Louisville, May 29, 1882.— James (.Speed), an 
older brother of the preceding, was a prominent 
Unionist of Kentucky, and, after the war, a 
leading Republican of that State, serving as dele- 
gate to the National Republican Conventions of 
1872 and 1876. In 1864 he was appointed Attor- 
ney-General by Mr. Lincoln and served until 1866. 
when he resigned on account of disagreement 
with President Jolinson. He died in 1887, at the 
age of 75 years. 

SPOON RIVER, rises in Bureau County, flows 
southward through Stark County into Peoria, 
tlience southwest through Knox, and to the south 
and southeast, through Fulton County, entering 
the Illinois River opposite Havana. It is about 
150 miles long. 

SPRINGER, (ReT.) Francis, D.D., educator 
and Army Chaplain, born in Franklin County, 
Pa., March 19, 1810; was left an orphan at an 
early age, and educated at Pennsylvania College, 
Gettysburg; entered the Lutheran ministry in 
1836, and, in 1839, removed to Springfield, 111., 
where he preached and taught school; in 1847 
became President of Hillsboro College, which, in 
18.52, was removed to Springfield and became Illi- 
nois State University, now known as Concordia 
Seminary. Later, he served for a time as Super- 
intendent of Schools for the city of Springfield, 
but, in September, 1861, resigned to accept the 
Chaplaincy of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry ; by suc- 
cessive resignations and appointments, held the 
positions of Chaplain of the First Arkansas Infan- 
try (1863-64) and Post Chaplain at Fort Smith, 
Ark., serving in the latter position until April, 
1867, when he was commissioned Chaplain of the 
United States Army. Tliis position lie resigned 
while stationed at Fort Harker, Kan., August 23, 
1867. During a considerable part of his incum- 
bency as Chaplain at Fort Smitli, he acted as 
Agent of the Bureau of Refugees and Freedmen, 
performing important service in caring for non- 
combatants rendered homeless by the vicissitudes 
of war. After the war he served, for a time, as 
Superintendent of Schools for Montgomery 
County, 111. ; was instrumental in the founding 
of Carthage (111.) College, and was a member of 



496 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



its Board of Control at the time of his death. He 
was elected Chaplain of the Illinois House of 
Representatives at the session of the Thirty-fifth 
General Assembly (1887), and Chaplain of the 
Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of 
Illinois for two consecutive terms (1890-"92). 
He was also member of the Stephenson Post, 
No. 30, G. A. R. , at Springfield, and served as its 
Chaplain from January, 1884, to liis death, which 
occurred at Springfield, Oct. 21, 18G2. 

SPRINGER, William McKendree, ex-Congress- 
man, Justice of United States Court, was born in 
Sullivan County, Ind.. May 30, 1836. In 1848 he 
removed with his parents to Jacksonville, 111., 
was fitted for college in the public high school at 
Jacksonville, under tlie tuition of the late Dr. 
Bateman, entered Illinois College, remaining 
three years, when he removed to the Indiana 
State University, graduating there in 1858. The 
following year he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice in Logan County, but soon 
after removed to Springfield. He entered public 
life as Secretary of the Constitutional Convention 
of 1862. In 1871-72 lie represented Sangamon 
County in the Legislature, and, in 1874, was 
elected to Congress from the Tliirteenth Illinois 
District as a Democrat. From that time until 
the close of the Fifty-third Congress (1895), he 
served in Congress continuously, and was recog- 
nized as one of the leaders of his party on the 
floor, being at the liead of many important com- 
mittees when that party was in the ascendanc}-, 
and a candidate for the Democratic caucus nomi- 
nation for Speaker, iu 1893. In 1894 he was the 
candidate of his jiarty for Congress for the 
eleventh time, but was defeated by his Repub- 
lican opponent, James A. Connolly. In 1895 
President Cleveland appointed him United 
States District Judge for Indian Territory. 

SPRINGFIELD, the State capital, and the 
county-seat of Sangamon County, situated five 
miles south of the Sangamon River and 185 miles 
southwest of Chicago; is an important railway 
center. The first settlement on the site of the 
present city was made by John Kelly in 1819. 
On April 10, 1821, it was selected, by the first 
Board of County Commissioners, as the temporary 
county-seat of Sangamon County, the organi- 
zation of which had been authorized by act of 
tlie Legislature in January previous, and the 
name Springfield was given to it. In 1823 the 
selection was made permanent. The latter j-ear 
the first sale of lands took place, the original site 
being entered by Pascal P. Enos, Elijah lies and 
Thomas Cox. The town was platted about the 



same time, and the name "Calhoun" was given to 
a section in the northwest quarter of the present 
city — this being the "hey-day" of the South 
Carolina statesman's greatest popularity — but 
the change was not popularly accepted, and the 
new name was soon dropped. It was incorpo- 
rated as a town, April 2, 1833, and as a city, April 
6, 1840; and re-incorporated, under the general, 
law in 1882. It was made the State capital by 
act of the Legislature, passed at the session of 
1837, which went into effect, July 4, 1839, and the 
Legislature first convened there in December of 
the latter year. The general surface is flat, 
though there is rolling ground to the west. The 
city has excellent water-works, a paid fire-depart- 
ment, six banks, electric street railways, gas and 
electric lighting, commodious hotels, fine 
churches, numerous handsome residences, beauti- 
ful parks, thorough sewerage, and is one of the 
best paved and handsomest cities in the State. 
The city proper, in 1890, contained an area of four 
square miles, but has since been enlarged by the 
annexation of the following suburbs: North 
Springfield, April 7, 1891 ; West Springfield, Jan. 
4, 1898 ; and South Springfield and the village of 
Laurel, April 5, 1898. These additions give to 
the present city an area of 5.84 square miles. 
The jjopulation of the original city, according to 
the census of 1880, was 19,743, and, in 1890, 24,963, 
while that of the annexed suburbs, at the last 
census, was 2,109 — making a total of 29,072. The 
latest school census (1898) showed a total popu- 
lation of 33,375— population by census (1900), 
34.159. Besides the State House, the city has a 
handsome United States Government Building 
for United States Court and post-oflfice purposes, 
a county courthouse (the former State capitol). 
a city hall and (State) Executive Mansion. 
Springfield was the home of Abraham Lincoln. 
His former residence has been donated to the 
State, and his tomb and monument are in the 
beautiful Oak Ridge cemetery, adjoining tlie 
city. Springfield is an important coal-mining 
center, and has many important industries, 
notablj' a watch factory, rolling mills, and exten- 
sive manufactories of agricultural implements 
and furniture. It is also the permanent location 
of the State Fairs, for which extensive buildings 
have been erected on the Fair Grounds north of 
the city. There are three daily papers — two morn- 
ing and one evening — published here, besides 
various other publications. Pop. (1900), 34,159, 

SPRINGFIELD, EFFINGHAM & SOUTH- 
EASTERN RAILRO.iD. (See St. Louis, Indian- 
apolis & Eastern Railroad. ) 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



497 



SPRnGFlELD & ILLINOIS SOUTHEAST- 
FRX RAILROAD. (See Baltimore cfr Ohio 
Southwestern Railroad. ) 

SPRINGFIELD & NORTHWESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Chicago, Peoria & St Louis 
Bailroad of Illinois.) 

SPRING VALLEY, an incorporated city in 
Bureau County, at intersection of the Chicago & 
Northwestern, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the 
Toluca, Marquette & Northern Railways, 100 
miles southwest of Chicago. It lies in a coal- 
mining region and lias important manufacturing 
interests as well. It has two banks, electric 
street and interurban railways, and two news- 
papers. Population (1890). 3,887; (1900), 6,214. 

ST. .IGATHA'S SCHOOL, an institution for 
young ladies, at Springfield, under the patronage 
of the Bishop of the Episcopal Church, incorpo- 
rated in 1889. It has a faculty of eight teachers 
giving instruction in the preparatory and higher 
branches, including music and fine arts. It 
reported fifty-five pupils in 1894, and real estate 
valued at §15,000. 

ST. ALBAN'S ACADEMY, a boys' and young 
men's school at Knoxville, 111., incorporated in 
1896 under the auspices of the Episcopal Church ; 
in 1898 had a faculty of seven teachers, with 
forty-five pupils, and property valued at SGI, 100, 
of which §54,000 was real estate. Instruction is 
given in the classical and scientific branches, 
besides music and preparatory studies. 

ST. ANNE, a village of Kankakee County, 
at the crossing of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois 
and the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railwaj-s, 60 miles south of Chicago. The 
town has two banks, tile and brick factory, and a 
weekly newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,000. 

ST. CHARLES, a city in Kane County, on both 
sides of Fox River, at intersection of the Chicago 
& Northwestern and the Chicago Great Western 
Railways; 38 miles west of Chicago and 10 miles 
south of Elgin. The river furnishes excellent 
water-power, which is being utilized by a number 
of important manufacturing enterprises. The 
city is connected with Chicago and many towns 
in the Fox River valley by interurb<,n electric 
trolley lines ; is also the seat of the State Home 
for Boys. Pop. (1890), 1,690; (1900), 2,67.5. 

ST. CLAIR, Arthnr, first Governor of the 
Northwest Territory, was born of titled ancestry 
at Thurso, Scotland, in 1734; came to .\.merica in 
17'i7 as an ensign, having purchased his commis- 
sion, participated in the capture of Louisburg, 
Canada, in 1758, and fought under Wolfe at 



Quebec. In 1764 he settled in Pennsylvania, 
where he ama,ssed a moderate fortune, and be- 
came prominent in public affairs. He served with 
distinction during the Revolutionarj- War, rising 
to the rank of Major-General, and succeeding 
General Gates in command at Ticonderoga, but, 
later, was censm'ed by Washington for his hasty 
evacuation of the post, though finally vindicated 
by a military court. His Revolutionarj' record, 
however, was generally good, and even distin- 
guished. He represented Pennsylvania in the 
Continental Congress, and presided over that 
body in 1787. He served as Governor of the 
Northwest Territory (including the present State 
of Illinois) from 1789 to 1802. As an executive 
he was not successful, being unpopular because 
of his arbitrariness. In November, 1791, he 
suffered a serious defeat by the Indians in the 
valley between the Miami and the Wabash. In 
this campaign he was badly crippled by the gout, 
and had to be carried on a litter ; he was again 
vindicated by a Congressional investigation. His 
first visit to the Illinois Country was made in 
1790, when he organized St. Clair County, which 
was named in his honor. In 1802 President Jef- 
ferson removed him from the governorship of 
Ohio Territory, of which he had continued to be 
the Governor after its separation from Indiana 
and Illinois. The remainder of his life was 
.spent in comparative penury. Shortly before his 
decease, he was granted an annuity by the Penn- 
sylvania Legislature and by Congress. Died, at 
Greensburg, Pa., August 31, 1818. 

ST. CLAIR COUNTY, the first county organ- 
ized within the territory comprised in the pres- 
ent State of Illinois — the whole region west 
of the Ohio River having been first placed under 
civil jurisdiction, under the name of "Illinois 
County," by an act of the Virginia House of 
Delegates, passed in October, 1778, a few months 
after the capture of Kaskaskia by Col. George 
Rogers Clark. (See Illinois; also Clark, George 
Rogers.) St. Clair County was finally set oft 
by an order of Gov. Arthur St Clair, on occa- 
sion of his first visit to the "Illinois Country, "' 
in April, 1790 — more than two years after his 
assumption of tlie duties of Governor of the 
Northwest Territorj-, which then comprehended 
the "Illinois Country" as well as the whole 
region within tlie present States of Ohio, Indiana, 
Michigan and AVisconsin. Governor St. Clair's 
order, which bears date, April 27, 1790, defines 
the boundaries of the new county — which took 
his own name — as follows: "Beginning at the 
mouth of the Little Michillimackanack River, 



498 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ninning thence southerly in a direct line to the 
mouth of the little river above Fort Massac upon 
the Ohio River; thence with the said river to its 
junction with the Mississippi ; thence up the 
Mississippi to the mouth of the Illinois, and so up 
the Illinois River to the place of beginning, with 
all the adjacent islands of said rivers. Illinois and 
Mississippi." The "Little Michillimackanack," 
■the initial point mentioned in this description — 
also variously spelled "Makina" and "Macki- 
naw," the latter being the name by which the 
stream is now known — empties into the Illinois 
River on the south side a few miles below 
Pekin. in Tazewell County. The boundaries 
of St. Clair County, as given by Gov. St. Clair, 
indicate the imperfect knowledge of the topog- 
raphy of the "Illinois Country" existing in 
that day, as a line drawn south from the mouth 
of the Mackinaw River, instead of reaching the 
Ohio "above Fort Massac." would have followed 
the longitude of the present city of Springfield, 
striking the Mississippi about the northwestern 
corner of Jackson County, twenty-five miles west 
of the mouth of the Ohio. The object of Gov- 
ernor St. Clair's order was. of course, to include 
the settled portions of the Illinois Country in the 
new county ; and, if it had had the eflfect intended, 
the eastern border of the county would have fol- 
lowed a line some fiftj' miles farther eastward, 
along the eastern border of Marion, Jefferson, 
Franklin, Williamson and Johnson Counties, 
reaching the Ohio River about the present site of 
Metropolis City in Massac County, and embracing 
about one-half of the area of the present State of 
Illinois. For all practical purposes it embraced 
all the Illinois Country, as it included that por- 
tion in which the white settlements were located. 
(See St. Clair, Arthur; also Illinois Country.) 
The early records of St. Clair County are in the 
French language ; its first settlers and its early 
civilization were French, and the first church to 
inculcate the doctrine of Christianity was the 
Roman Catholic. The first proceedings in court 
under the common law were had in 1796. The 
first Justices of the Peace were appointed in 1807, 
and, as there was no penitentiary, the whipping- 
post and pillory played an important part in the 
code of penalties, these punishments being im- 
partially meted out as late as the time of Judge 
(afterwards Governor) Reynolds, to "the lame, the 
halt and the blind," for such offenses as the lar- 
ceny of a silk handkerchief. At first three 
places — Cahokia, Prairie du Rocher and Kaskas- 
kia — were named as county-seats by Governor St. 
Clair; but Randolph County having been set off 



in 1895, Cahokia became the county-seat of the 
older county, so remaining until 1813, when 
Belleville was selected as the seat of justice. At 
that time it was a mere cornfield owned by 
George Blair, although settlements had previously 
been established in Ridge Prairie and at Badgley. 
Judge Jesse B. Thomas held his first court in a 
log-cabin, but a rude court house was erected in 
1814, and, the same year, George E. Blair estab- 
lished a hostelry, Joseph Kerr opened a store, 
and, in 1817, additional improvements were 
inaugurated by Daniel Murray and others, from 
Baltimore. John H. Dennis and the Mitchells 
and Wests (from Virginia) settled soon after- 
ward, becoming farmers and mechanics. Belle- 
ville was incorporated in 1819. In 1825 Governor 
Edwards bought the large landed interests of 
Etienne Personeau, a large French land-owner, 
ordered a new survey of the town and infused fresh 
life into its development. Settlers began to arrive 
in large numbers, mainly Virginians, who brought 
with them their slaves, the right to hold which 
was. for many years, a fruitful and perennial 
source of strife. Emigrants from Germany 
began to arrive at an early day, and now a large 
proportion of the population of Belleville and St. 
Clair County is made up of that nationality. The 
county, as at present organized, lies on the west- 
ern border of tlie south half of the State, immedi- 
ately opposite St. Louis, and comprises some 680 
square miles. Three-fourths of it are underlaid 
by a vein of coal, six to eight feet thick, and 
about one hundred feet below the surface. Con- 
siderable wheat is raised. The principal towns 
are Belleville, East St. Louis. Lebanon and Mas- 
coutah. Population of the county (1880), 61,806; 
(1890), 66,571; (1900). 86,685. 

ST. JOHN', an incorporated village of Perry 
County, on the Illinois Central Railway, one mile 
north of Duquoin. Coal is mined and salt manu- 
factured here. Population about 500. 

ST. JOSEPH, a village of Champaign County, 
on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railway, 10 miles east of Champaign; has inter- 
urban railroad connection. Pop. (1900), 637. 

ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, (Chicago), founded 
in 1860, by the Sisters of Charity. Having been de- 
stroyed in the fire of 1871, it was rebuilt in the 
following year. In 1893 it was reconstructed, en- 
larged and made thoroughly modern in its appoint- 
ments. It can accommodate about 250 patients. 
The Sistersattend to the nursing, and conduct the 
domestic and financial affairs. The medical staff 
comprises ten physicans and surgeons, among 
whom are some of the most eminent in Chicago. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



499 



ST. LOUIS, ALTOX & CHICAGO RAILROAD. 

(See Chicago & Alton Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, ALTON & SPRINGFIELD RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Luttis. Chicago &- St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, ALTOX & TERRE HAUTE 
RAILOAD, a corporation formerly operating an 
extensive system of railroads in Illinois. The Terre 
Haute & Alton Railroad Company (the original 
corporation) was chartered in January, 1851, 
work begun in 1853, and the main line from 
Terre Haute to Alton (172.5 miles) completed, 
March 1, 1856. The Belleville & lUinoistown 
branch (from Belleville to East St. Louis) was 
chartered in 1853, and completed between the 
points named in the title, in the fall of 18.54. 
This corporation secured authority to construct 
an extension from lUinoistown (now East St. 
Louis) to Alton, which was completed in October, 
1856, giving the first railroad connection between 
Alton & St. Louis. Simultaneously with this, 
these two roads (tlie Terre Haute & Alton and 
the Belleville & lUinoistown) were consolidated 
under a single charter by special act of the Legis- 
lature in February, 1854, the consolidated line 
•taking the name of the Terre Haute. Alton & St. 
Louis Railroad. Subsequently the road became 
financially embarassed. was sold under foreclosure 
and reorganized, in 1863, under the name of the 
St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. June 
1, 1867, the main line (from Terre Haute to St. 
Louis) was leased for nietj'-nine years to the 
Indianapolis & St. Louis Railway Company (an 
Indiana corporation) guaranteed by certain other 
lines, but the lease was subsequently broken by 
the insolvency of the lessee and some of the 
guarantors. The Indianapolis & St. Louis went 
into the hands of a receiver in 1883, and was sold 
under foreclosure, in July of the same year, its 
interest being absorbed by the Cleveland, Cin- 
cinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, by whicli 
the main Line is now operated. The properties 
officially reported as remaining in the hands of 
the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad. 
June 30, 1895. beside the Belleville Branch (14.40 
miles), included the following leased and subsidi- 
ary Unes: Belleville & Soutliern Illinois — "Cairo 
Short Line" (56.40 miles) ; Belleville & Eldorado, 
(50.20 miles); Belleville & Carondelet (17.30 
miles); St. Louis Southern and branches (47.27 
miles), and Chicago, St. Louis & Paducah Rail- 
way (53.50 miles). All the.se have been le?sed, 
since the close of the fiscal year 1895, to the Illi- 
nois Central. (For sketches of these several 
roads see headings of each. ) 



ST. LOUIS, CHICAGO & ST. PAUL RAIL. 
ROAD, (Bluff Line), a line running from Spring- 
field to Granite City, 111., (opposite St. Louis), 
102.1 miles, with a branch from Lock Haven to 
Grafton, 111., 8.4 miles — total length of line in 
Illinois, 110.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge, laid with 56 to 70-pound steel rails. — (His- 
tory.) The road was originally incorporated 
under the name of the St. Louis, Jerseyville & 
Springfield Railroad, built from Bates to Grafton 
in 1882, and absorbed by the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific Railway Company ; was surrendered by the 
receivers of the latter in 1886, and pas.sed under 
the control of the bond-holders, by whom it was 
transferred to a corporation known as the St. 
Louis & Central Illinois Railroad Company. In 
June. 1887, the St. Louis, Alton & Springfield 
Railroad Company was organized, with power to 
build extensions from Newbern to Alton, and 
from Bates to Springfield, which was done. In 
October, 1890, a receiver was appointed, followed 
bj' a reorganization under the present name (St. 
Louis, Chicago & St. Paul). Default was made 
on the interest and, in June following, it was 
again placed in the hands of receivers, by whom 
it was operated until 1898. The total earnings 
and income for the fiscal year 1897-98 were 
$318,815, operating expenses, .1373,270; total 
capitalization, §4,853,526, of which, 11,500,000 
was in the form of stock and §1,235 000 in income 
bonds. 

ST. LOUIS, INDIANAPOLIS & EASTERN 
RAILROAD, a railroad line 90 miles in length, 
extending from Switz City. Ind.. to Efl!ingham, 
111. — 56 miles being within the State of Illinois. 
It is of standard gauge and the track laid chiefly 
with iron rails.— (History.) Tlie orginal corpo- 
ration was chartered in 1869 as the Springfield, 
ElEngliam & Quincy Railway Company. It was 
built as a narrow-gauge line by the Cincinnati, 
Effingham & Quincy Construction Company, 
which went into the hands of a receiver in 1878. 
The road was completed by the receiver in 1880, 
and, in 1885, restored to the Construction Com- 
pany by the discharge of the receiver. For a 
short time it was operated in connection with 
the Bloomfield Railroad of Indiana, but was 
reorganized in 1886 as the Indiana & IlUnois 
Southern Railroad, and the gauge changed to 
standard in 1887. Having made default in the 
payment of interest, it was sold imder foreclosure 
in 1890 and purchased in the interest of the bond- 
holders, by whom it was conveyed to the St. 
Louis, Indianapolis & Eastern Railroad Company, 
in whose name the line is operated. Its business 



500 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



is limited, and chiefly local. The total earnings 
in 1898 were ?65.583and the expenditures $09,112. 
Its capital stock was $740,900; bonded debt, 
§978.000, other indebtedness increasing the total 
capital investment to §1,816,736. 

ST. LOUIS, JACKSONVILLE & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago d- Alton Railroad. ) 

ST. LOUIS, JERSEYVILLE & SPRINGFIELD 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis, Chicago <& St. Paul 
Railroad. ) 

ST. LOUIS, MOUNT CARMEL & NEW AL- 
BANT RAILROAD. (See Louisville, Evansinllc 
& St. Louis (Consolidated) Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS, PEORIA & NORTHERN RAIL- 
WAY, known as "Peoria Short Line," a corpo- 
ration organized, Feb. 29, 1896, to take over and 
unite the properties of the St. Louis & Eastern, 
the St. Louis & Peoria and the North and South 
Railways, and to extend the same due north 
from Springfield to Peoria (60 miles), and thence 
to Fulton or East Clinton, 111., on the Upper Jlis- 
sissippi. The line extends from Springfield to 
Glen Carbon (84.46 miles), with trackage facilities 
over the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis Railroad 
and the Merchants" Terminal Bridge (18 miles) 
to St. Louis. — (History.) This road has been 
made up of three sections or divisions. (1) The 
initial section of the line was constructed under 
the name of the St. Louis & Chicago Railroad of 
Illinois, incorporated in 1885, and opened from 
Mount Olive to Alhambra in 1887. It passed 
into the hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure in 1889. and reorganized, in 1890, as the St. 
Louis & Peoria Railroad. The St. Louis & East- 
em, chartered in 1889, built the line from Glen 
Carbon to Marine, which was opened in 1893 ; the 
following j'ear, bought the St. Louis & Peoria 
line, and, in 1895, constructed the link (8 miles) 
between Alhambra and Marine. (3) The North 
& South Railroad Company of Illinois, organized 
in 1890, as successor to the St. Louis & Chicago 
Railway Company, proceeded in the construction 
of the line (50.46 miles) from Mt. OUve to Spring- 
field, which was subsequently leased to the Chi- 
cago, Peoria & St. Louis, then under the 
management of the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railway. The latter corporation having 
defaulted, the property passed into the hands of 
a receiver. By expiration of the lease in Decem- 
ber, 1896, the property reverted to the proprietary 
Company, which took possession, Jan. 1, 1896. 
The St. Louis & Southeastern then bought the 
line outright, and it was incorporated as a part of 
the new organization under the name of the St. 
Louis, Peoria & Northern Railway, the North 



& South Railroad going out of existence. In 
May, 1899, the St. Louis. Peoria & Northern was 
sold to the reorganized Chicago & Alton Railroad 
Company, to be operated as a short line between 
Peoria & St. Louis. 

ST. LOUIS, ROCK ISLAND & CHICAGO 
RAILROAD. (See Chicago, Burlington <fc Quincy 
Ra ilroad. ) 

ST. LOUIS SOUTHERN RAILROAD, a line 
running from Pinckneyville, 111., via Murphys- 
boro, to Carbondale. The company is also the 
lessee of the Carbondale & Shawneetowu Rail- 
road, extending from Carbondale to Marion, 17.5 
miles — total, 50.5 miles. The track is of standard 
gauge and laid with 56 and 60-pound steel rails. 
The company was organized in August, 1886, to 
succeed to the property of the St. Louis Coal Rail- 
road (organized in 1879) and the St. Louis Central 
Railway ; and was leased for 980 years from Dec. 
1, 1886, to the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute 
Railroad Company, at an annual rental equal to 
thirty per cent of the gross earnings, with a mini- 
mum guarantee of §32,000, which is sufficient 
to pay the interest on the first mortgage bonds. 
During the year 1896 this line passed under lease 
from the St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Rail- . 
road Company, into the hands of the Illinois 
Central Railroad Company. 

ST. LOUIS, SPRINGFIELD & TINCENNES 
RAILROAD COMPANY, a corporation organized 
in July, 1899, to take over the property of the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway in the 
State of Illinois, known as the Ohio & Mississippi 
and the Springfield & Illinois Southeastern 
Railways — the former extending from Vin- 
cennes, Ind., to East St. Louis, and the latter 
from Beardstowu to Shawneetown. The prop- 
erty was sold under foreclosure, at Cincinnati, 
July 10, 1899, and transferred, for purposes of 
reorganization, into the hands of the new cor- 
poration, July 28, 1899. (For history of the 
several lines see Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern 
Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS, VANDALIA & TERRE HAUTE 
RAILROAD. This line extends from East St. 
Louis eastward across the State, to the Indiana 
State line, a distance of 158.3 miles. The Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company is the 
lessee. The track is single, of standard gauge, 
and laid with steel rails. The outstanding capi- 
tal stock, in 1898, was §3,924,058, the bonded debt, 
§4,496,000, and the floating debt, §218,480.— (His- 
tory ) The St. Louis. Tandalia & Terre Haute 
Railroad was chartered in 1865, opened in 1870 
and leased to the Terre Haute & Indianapolis 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



501 



Railroad, for itself and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis R;iilroad. 

ST. LOUIS & CAIRO RAILROAD, extends 
from East St. Louis to Cairo, III., 151.6 miles, with 
a branch from Jlillstadt Junction to High Prairie, 
II miles. The track is of standard gauge and laid 
mainly with steel rails. — (Histobv.) The origi- 
nal charter was granted to tlie Cairo & 3t. Louis 
Railroad Company, Feb. IG, 1865, and the road 
opened, March 1, 1875. Subsequently it passed 
into the hands of a receiver, was sold under fore- 
closure, July 14, 1881, and was taken charge of 
by a new company under its present name, Feb. 
1, 1882. On Feb. 1, 1886, it was leased to the 
^Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company for forty-five 
years, and now constitutes the Illinois Division 
of that line, giving it a connection with St. 
Louis. (See Mobile & Ohio Railu-mj.) 

ST. LOUIS & CENTRAL ILLINOIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See St. Louis, aiicago & St. Paul 
Railroad.) 

ST. LOUIS & CHICAGO RAILROAD (of 
Illinois). (See St. Louis, Peoria d' Xorfhern 
Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS & EASTERN RAILROAD. (See 
St. Louis. Peoria d- Xorilieru Railway.) 

ST. LOUIS & PEORIA RAILWAY. (See 
St. Louis, Peoria <£- Xorthern Raihcay.) 

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL, located in Chicago. 
It was chartered in 1865, its incorporators, in 
their initial statement, substantially declaring 
their object to be the establishment of a free hos- 
pital under the control of the Protestant Epis- 
copal Church, whicli should be open to the 
afflicted poor, without distinction of race or 
creed. The hospital was opened on a small scale, 
but steadily increased until 1879, when re-incor- 
poration was effected under the general law. In 
1885 a new building was erected on land donated 
for that purpose, at a cost exceeding SISO.OOO, 
exclusive of §20.000 for furnishing. 'While its 
primary object has been to afford accommoda- 
tion, with medical and surgical care, gratuitously, 
to the needy poor, the institution also provides a 
considerable number of comfortable, well-fur- 
nished private rooms for patients who are able 
and willing to pay for the same. It contains an 
amphitheater for surgical operations and clinics, 
and has a free dispensary for out-patients. Dur- 
ing the past few years important additions 
have been made, the number of beds increased, 
and provision made for a training school for 
nurses. The medical staff (1896) consists of 
thirteen physicians and surgeons and two 
pathologist?. 



ST. MART'S SCHOOL, a young ladies' semi- 
nary, under the patronage of the Episcopal 
Church, at Knoxville, Knox County, 111. ; was 
incorporated in 1858, in 1898 had a faculty of four- 
teen teachers, giving instruction to 113 pupils. 
The branches taught include the classics, the 
sciences, fine arts, music and preparatory studies. 
The institution has a library of 2,200 volumes, 
and owns projjerty valued at 5130,500, of which 
§100,000 is real estate. 

STAGER, Anson, soldier and Telegraph Super- 
intendent, was l)orn in Ontario County, N. Y., 
April 20, 182.J ; at 16 years of age entered the serv- 
ice of Henry O'Reilly, a printer who afterwards 
became a pioneer in building telegraph lines, and 
with whom he became associated in various enter- 
prises of this character. Having introduced 
several improvements in the construction of bat- 
teries and the arrangement of wires, he was, in 
1852, made General Superintendent of the princi- 
pal lines in the West, and, on the organization of 
the 'Western Union Company, was retained in 
this position. Earlj- in the Civil War he was 
entrusted witli the management of telegraph 
lines in Southern Ohio and along the 'Virginia 
border, and, in October following, was appointed 
General Superintendent of Government tele- 
graphs, remaining in tliis position until Septem- 
ber, 1868, his services being recognized in his 
promotion to a brevet Brigadier-Generalship of 
'Volunteers. In 1869 General Stager returned to 
Chicago and, in addition to his duties as General 
Superintenident, engaged in the promotion of a 
number of enterprises connected with the manu- 
facture of electrical appliances and other ' 
branches of the business. One of these was the 
consolidation of the telephone companies, of 
which he became President, as also of the West- 
ern Edison Electric Light Company, besides being 
a Director in several other corporations. Died, 
in Chicago, March 26, 1885. 

STANDISH, John 'Van Xess, a lineal descendant 
of Capt. Allies Standish, the Pilgrim leader, was 
born at Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 26, 1825. His early 
years were spent on a farm, but a love of knowl- 
edge and books became his ruling passion, and he 
devoted several years to study, in the "Liberal 
Institute" at Lebanon, X. H., finally graduating, 
with the degree of A. B., at Norwich University 
in the class of 1847. Later, he received the 
degree of A.M.. in due course, from his Alma 
Mater in 1855; that of Ph.D. from Knox College, 
in 1883. of LL.D from St. Lawrence University 
in 1893. and from Norwich, in 1898. Dr. Standish 
chose the profession of a teacher, and has spent 



502 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



over fifty years in its pursuit in connection with 
private and public schools and the College, of 
which more than forty years were as Professor and 
President of liOmbard University at Galesburg. 
He has also lectured and conducted Teachers' 
Institutes all over the State, and, in 1859, was 
elected President of the State Teachers" Associ- 
ation. He made three visits to the Old World — 
in 1879, '82-83, and '91 -92— and, during his second 
trip, traveled over 40,000 miles, visiting nearly 
every country of Europe, including the "Land of 
the Midnight Sun," besides Northern Africa 
from the Mediterranean to the De.sert of Sahara, 
Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor. A lover 
of art, he has visited nearly all the principal 
museums and picture galleries of the world. In 
politics he is a Republican, and, in opposition to 
many college men, a firm believer in the doctrine 
of protection. In religion, he is a Universalist. 

STAPP, James T. B., State Auditor, was born 
in Woodford County, Ky., April 13, 1804; at the 
age of 12 accompanied his widowed mother to 
Kaskaskia, 111., where she settled; before he was 
20 years old, was employed as a clerk in the office 
of the State Auditor, and, upon the resignation of 
that officer, was appointed his successor, being 
twice thereafter elected by the Legislature, serv- 
ing nearly five years. He resigned the auditor- 
ship to accept tlie Presidency of the State Bank 
at Vandalia, which post he filled for thirteen 
years; acted as Aid-de-canip on Governor Rey- 
nolds staff in the Black Hawk War, and served 
as Adjutant of the Tliird Illinois Volunteers dur- 
ing the war with Mexico. President Taylor 
appointed Mr. Stapp Receiver of the United 
States Land Office at Vandalia, which office he 
held during the Fillmore administration, resign- 
ing in 18.55. Two years later lie removed to 
Decatur, where he continued to reside until his 
death in 1876. A handsome Methodist cliapel, 
erected by him in that city, bears his name. 

STARK COUNTY, an interior coimty in the 
northern half of the State, lying west of the Illi- 
nois River ; has an area of 290 square miles. It 
has a rich, alluvial soil, well watered by numer- 
ous small streams. The principal industries are 
agriculture and stock-raising, and the chief 
towns are Toulon and Wyoming. The county 
was erected from Putnam and Knox in 1839, and 
named in honor of General Stark, of Revolution- 
ary fame. The earliest settler was Lsaac B. 
Essex, who built a cabin on Spoon River, in 1828, 
and gave his name to a township. Of other pio- 
neer families, the Buswells, Smiths, Spencers and 



Eastmans came from New England; the Thom- 
ases, Moores, Holgates. Fullers and Wliittakers 
from Pennsylvania; the Coxes from Ohio; tlie 
Perrys and Parkers from Virginia ; the McClana- 
bans from Kentucky ; the Hendersons from Ten- 
nessee ; the Lees and Hazens from New Jersey ; 
the Halls from England, and the Turnbulls and 
Olivers from Scotland. The pioneer church was 
the Congregational at Toulon. Population (1880), 
11.207; (1890), 9,982; (1900), 10,186. 

STARVED ROCK, a celebrated rock or cliff on 
the south side of Illinois River, in La Salle 
County, upon wliich the French explorer. La 
Salle, and his lieutenant, Tonty, erected a fort in 
1682, whicli they named Fort St. Louis. It was 
one mile north of the supposed location of the 
Indian village of La Vantum, the metropolis, so 
to speak, of the Illinois Indians about the time of 
the arrival of the first French explorers. The 
population of this village, in 1680, according to 
Father Membre. was some seven or eight thou- 
sand. Both La Vantum and Fort St. Louis were 
repeatedly attacked by the Iroquois. The Illinois 
were temporarily driven from La Vantum, but 
the French, for the time being, successfully 
defended their fortification. In 1702 the fort was 
abandoned as a militarj' post, but continued to 
be used as a French trading-post until 1718 
when it was burned by Indians. The Illinois 
were not again molested until 1722, when the 
Foxes made an unsuccessful attack upon them. 
The larger portion of the tribe, however, resolved 
to cast in their fortunes with other tribes on the 
Mississippi River. Tliose who remained fell an 
easy prey to the foes by whom they were sur- 
rounded. In 1769 they were attacked from the 
north by tribes %vho desired to avenge the murder 
of Pontiac. Finding themselves hard pressed, 
they betook themselves to the bluff where Fort 
St. Louis had formerly stood. Here they were 
besieged for twelve days, when, destitute of food 
or water, they made a gallant but hopeless sortie. 
According to a tradition handed down among the 
Indians, all were massacred by the besiegers in 
an attempt to escape by night, except one half- 
breed, who succeeded in evading his pursuers. 
This sanguinary catastrophe has given the rock 
its popular name. Elmer Baldwin, in his History 
of La Salle County (1877), says: "The bones of 
the victims lay scattered about tlie cliff in pro- 
fusion after the settlement by tlie whites, and 
are still found mingled plentifully with the soil. " 
(See La Salle, Robert Cavelier; Tonty; Fort St. 
Louis.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLI^'OIS. 



503 



STAKXE, Alexander, Secretary of State and 
State Treasurer, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
Nov. 21, 1813; in the spring of 1836 removed to 
Illinois, settling at Griggsville, Pike County, 
where he opened a general store. From 1839 to 
'42 he served as Couituissioner of Pike County, 
and, in the latter year, was elected to the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and re-elected in 
1844. Having, in the meanwhile, disposed of his 
store at Griggsville and removed to Pittsfleld, he 
was appointed, by Judge Purple, Clerk of the 
Circuit Court, and elected to the same office for 
four years, when it was made elective. In 1853 
he was elected Secretary of State, when he 
removed to Springfield, returning to Griggsville 
at the expiration of his term in 1857, to assume 
the Presidenc}' of the old Hannibal and Naples 
Railroad (now a part of the Wabash system). 
He represented Pike and Brown Counties in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1862, and the same 
year was elected State Treasurer. He thereupon 
again removed to Springfield, where he resided 
until his death, being, with his sons, extensively 
engaged in coal mining. In 1870, and again in 
1872, he was elected State Senator from San- 
gamon County. He died at Springfield, March 
31, 1886. 

STATE BA>'K OF ILLINOIS. The first legis- 
lation, having for its object the establishment of 
a bank within the territory which now consti- 
tutes the State of Illinois, was the passage, by 
the Territorial Legislature of 1816, of an act 
incorporating the "Bank of Illinois at Shawnee- 
town, with branches at Edwardsville and Kas- 
kaskia." In the Second General Assembly of 
the State (1820) an act was passed, over the 
Governor's veto and in defiance of the adverse 
judgment of the Council of Revision, establish- 
ing a State Bank at Vandalia with branches at 
Shawneetown, Edwardsville, and Brownsville in 
Jackson County. This was, in effect, a recliarter- 
ing of the banks at Shawneetown and Edwards- 
ville. So far as the former is concerned, it seems 
to have been well managed; but the official 
conduct of the officers of the latter, on the basis 
of charges made by Governor Edwards in 1826, 
was made the subject of a legislative investiga- 
tion, which (although it resulted in nothing) 
seems to have had some basis of fact, in view of 
the losses finally sustained in winding up its 
affairs — that of the General Government amount- 
ing to S54,000. Grave charges were made in this 
connection against men who were then, or 
afterwards became, prominent in State affairs, 
including one Justice of the Supreme Court and 
one (still later) a United States Senator. The 



e-vperiment was disastrous, as, ten years later 
(1831), it was found necessary for the State to 
incur a debt of §100,000 to redeem the outstand- 
ing circulation. Influenced, however, by the 
popular demand for an increase in the "circu- 
lating medium," the State continued its experi- 
ment of becoming a stockholder in banks 
managed by its citizens, and accordingly we find 
it, in 1835, legislating in the same direction for 
the establishing of a central "Bank of Illinois" 
at Springfield, with branches at other points as 
might be required, not to exceed six in number. 
One of these branches was established at Van- 
dalia and another at Chicago, furnishing the first 
banking institution of the latter city. Two 
j-ears later, when the State was entering upon 
its scheme of internal improvement, laws were 
enacted increasing the capital stock of these 
banks to 84,000,000 in the aggregate. Following 
the example of similar in.stitutions elsewhere, 
they suspended specie payments a few months 
later, but were protected by "stay laws" and 
other devices until 1842, when tlie internal 
imi^rovement scheme having been finally aban- 
doned, they fell in general collapse. The State 
ceased to be a stock-holder in 1843, and the banks 
were put in course of litiuidation, though it 
required several years to coinjjlete the work. 

STATE CAPITALS. The first State capital of 
Illinois was Kaskaskia, where the first Territorial 
Legislature convened, Nov. 25, 1812. At that 
time there were but five counties in the State — 
St. Clair and Randolph being the most important, 
and Kaskaskia being the county-seat of the 
latter. Illinois was admitted into the Union as a 
State in 1818, and the first Constitution provided 
that the seat of government should remain at 
Kaskaskia until removed by legislative enact- 
ment. That instrument, however, made it obli- 
gatory upon the Legislature, at its first session, 
to petition Congress for a grant of not more than 
four sections of land, on which should be erected 
a town, which should remain the seat of govern- 
ment for twenty years. The petition was duly 
presented and granted ; and, in accordance with 
the power granted by the Constitution, a Board 
of five Commissioners selected the site of the 
present city of Vandalia, then a point in the 
wilderness twenty miles north of any settle- 
ment. But so great was the faith of speculators 
in the future of the proposed city, that town lots 
were soon selling at SlOO to §780 each. The Com- 
missioners, in obedience to law, erected a plain 
two-story frame building — scarcely more than a 
commodious shanty — to which the State offices 
■were removed in December, 1820. This building 



504 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



was burned, Dec. 9, 1823, and a brick structiire 
erected in its place. Later, when tlie question of 
a second removal of the capital began to be agi- 
tated, the citizens of Vandalia assumed the risk 
of erecting a new, brick State House, costing 
§16,000. Of this amount $6,000 was reimbursed 
by the Governor from the contingent fund, and 
the balance (§10,000) %vas appropriated iu 1837, 
when tlie seat of government was removed to 
Springfield, by vote of the Tenth General Assem- 
bly on tlie fourth ballot. The other places receiv- 
ing the principal vote at the time of tlie removal 
to Springfield, were Jacksonville, Vandalia, 
Peoria, Alton and Illiopolis — Springfield receiv- 
ing the largest vote at eacli ballot. The law 
removing the capital appropriated .$.50,000 from 
the State Treasury, provided that a like amount 
should be raised by private subscription and 
guaranteed bj- bond, and that at least two acres 
of land sliould be donated as a site. Two State 
Houses have been erected at Springfield, the first 
cost of the present one (including furnishing) 
having been a little in excess of §4,000,000. 
Abraham Lincoln, who was a member of the 
Legislature from Sangamon County at the time, 
was an influential factor in securing the removal 
of the capital to Springfield. 

STATE DEBT. Tlie State debt, which proved 
so formidable a burden upon the State of Illinois 
for a generation, and, for a part of that period, 
seriously checked its prosperity, was the direct 
outgrowth of the internal improvement scheme 
entered upon in 1837. (See Internal Improvement 
Policy. ) At the time this enterprise was under- 
taken the aggregate debt of the State was less 
than §400,000 — accumulated within the preceding 
six years. Two years later (1838) it had increased 
to over §6,500,000, while the total valuation of 
real and personal property, for the purposes of 
taxation, was less than §60,000,000, and the aggre- 
gate receipts of the State treasury, for tlie same 
year, amounted to less than §150,000. At the 
same time, the disbursements, for the support of 
the State Government alone, had grown to more 
than twice the receipts. This disparity continued 
until the declining credit of the State forced upon 
the managers of public affairs an involuntary 
economy, when the means could no longer be 
secured for more lavish expenditures. The first 
bonds issued at the inception of the internal 
improvement scheme sold at a premium of 5 per 
cent, but rapidly declined until they were hawked 
in the markets of New York and London at a dis- 
count, in some cases falling into the hands of 
brokers who failed before completing their con- 



tracts, thus causing a direct loss to the State. If 
the internal improvement scheme was ill-advised, 
the time chosen to carry it into effect was most 
unfortunate, as it came simultaneously with the 
panic of 1837, rendering the disaster all the more 
complete. Of the various works undertaken by 
the State, only the Illinois & Michigan Canal 
brought a return, all the others resulting in more 
or less complete loss. The internal improvement 
scheme was abandoned in 1839-40, but not until 
State bonds exceeding §13,000,000 had been 
issued. For two years longer the State struggled 
witli its embarrassments, increased by the failure 
of the State Bank in February, 1842, and, by that 
of the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, a few 
months later, with the proceeds of more than two 
and a half millions of the State's bonds in their 
possession. Thus left without credit, or means 
even of paying the accruing interest, there were 
those who regarded the State as hopelessly bank- 
rupt, and advocated repudiation as the only 
means of escape. Better counsels prevailed, how- 
ever : the Constitution of 1848 put the State on a 
basis of strict economy in the matter of salaries 
and general expenditures, with restrictions upon 
the Legislature in reference to incurring in- 
debtedness, while the beneficent "two-mill tax" 
gave assurance to its creditors that its debts 
would be paid. While the growth of the State, 
in wealth and population, had previously been 
checked by the fear of excessive taxation, it now 
entered upon a new career of prosperity, in spite 
of its burdens— its increase in population, be- 
tween 1850 and 18C0, amounting to over 100 per 
cent. The movement of the State debt after 1840 
— when the internal improvement scheme was 
abandoned — chiefly by accretions of unpaid inter- 
est, has been estimated as follows: 1842. §15,- 
637,9.50; 1844, §14,633,969; 1846, §16,389,817; 1848, 
§16,661,795. It reached its maximum in 18.53 — 
the first year of Governor Matteson's administra- 
tion — when it was officially reported at §16,724,- 
177. At this time the work of extinguishment 
began, and was prosecuted under successive 
administrations, except during the war, wlien 
the vast expense incurred in sending troops to 
the field caused an increase. During Governor 
Bissell's administration, the reduction amounted 
to over §3,000,000; during Oglesby's, to over five 
and a quarter million, besides two and a quarter 
million paid on interest. In 1880 the debt had 
been reduced to §281,0.59.11, and, before the close 
of 1882, it had been entirely extinguished, except 
a balance of §18, .500 in bonds, which, having been 
called in years previously and never presented for 




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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



505 



payment, are supposed to have been lost. ^See 
Macali.iter and Stebbi}ts Boyids.) 

STATE GUARDIANS FOR (ilRLS, a bureau 
organized for the care of female juvenile delin- 
quents, by act of June 3, 1893. The Board consists 
of seven members, nominated by the Executive 
and confirmed by the Senate, and who consti- 
tute a bo<ly politic and corporate. Not more than 
two of the members may reside in the same Con- 
gressional District and, of the seven members, 
four must be women. (See also Home for Female 
Juvenile Offenders.) The term of office is six 
years. 

STATE HOUSE, located at Springfield. Its 
construction was begun under an act passed by 
the Legislature in February, 1807, and completed 
in 1887. It stands in a park of about eight acres, 
donated to the State by the citizens of Spring- 
field. A provision of the State Constitution of 
1870 prohibited the expenditure of any sum in 
excess of $3,500,000 in the erection and furnishing 
of the building, without previous approval of such 
additional expenditure by the people. This 
amount proving insufficient, the Legislature, at 
its session of 1885, passed an act making an addi- 
tional appropriation of $531,712, which having 
been approved by popular vote at the general 
election of 1886, the expenditure was made and 
the capitol completed during the following j-ear, 
thus raising the total cost of construction and fur- 
nishing to a little in excess of $4,000,000. The 
building is cruciform as to its ground plan, and 
classic in its stj-le of architecture ; its extreme 
dimensions (including porticoes), from north [to 
south, being 379 feet, and, from east to west, 286 
feet. The walls are of dressed Joliet limestone, 
while the porticoes, which are spacious and 
lofty, are of sandstone, supported by polished 
columns of gray granite. The three stories of 
the building are surmounted by a Mansard roof, 
with two turrets and a central dome of stately 
dimensions. Its extreme height, to the top of 
the iron flag-staff, which rises from a lantern 
springing from the dome, is 364 feet. 

STATE NORMAL UNIVERSITY, an institu 
tion for the education of teachers, organized 
under an act of the General Assembly, passed 
Feb, 18, 1857. This act placed the work of 
organization in the hands of a board of fifteen 
persons, which was styled "The Board of Educa- 
tion of the State of Illinois," and was constituted 
as follows: C. B. Denio of Jo Daviess County; 
Simeon Wright of Lee ; Daniel Wilkins of Mc- 
Lean ; Charles E. Hovey of Peoria ; George P. Rex 
of Pike; Samuel W. Moulton of Shelby; John 



Gillespie of Jasper; George Bunsen of St. Clair? 
Wesley Sloan of Pope; Ninian W. Edwards of 
Sangamon ; John R. Eden of Moultrie ; Flavel 
Moseley and William Wells of Cook ; Albert R. 
Shannon of White ; and the Superintendent oV 
Public Instruction, ex-offieio. The object of the 
University, as defined in the organizing law, is 
to qualify teachers for the public schools of the 
State, and the course of instruction to be given 
embraces "the art of teaching, and all branches 
which pertain to a common-school education ; in 
the elements of the natural sciences, including 
agricultural chemistrj', animal and vegetable 
phj-siologj- ; in the fundamental laws of the 
United States and of the State of Illinois in 
regard to the rights and duties of citizens, and 
such other studies as the Board of Education may, 
from time to time, prescribe." Various cities 
competed for the location of the institution, 
Bloomington being finally selected, its bid, in- 
cluding 160 acres of land, being estimated as 
equivalent to $141,725. The corner-stone was 
laid on September 29, 1857, and the first building 
was ready for permanent occupancy in Septem- 
lier, 1860. Previously, however, it had been 
sufficiently advanced to permit of its being used, 
and the first commencement exercises were held 
on June 29 of the latter year. Three years 
earlier, the academic department had been organ- 
ized under the charge of Charles E. Hovey. The 
first cost, including furniture, etc., was not far 
from $200,000. Gratuitous instruction is given to 
two pupils from each county, and to three from 
each Senatorial District. The departments are : 
Grammar school, high school, normal department 
and model school, all of which are overcrowded. 
The whole number of students in attendance on 
the institution during the school year, 1897-98, 
was 1,197, of whom 891 were in the normal 
department and 306 in the practice school depart- 
ment, including representatives from 86 coun- 
ties of the State, with a few pupils from other 
States on the payment of tuition. The teacliing 
faculty (including the President and Librarian) 
for the same year, was made up of twenty-six 
members — twelve ladies and fourteen gentlemen. 
The expenditures for the year 1897-98 aggregated 
§47,626.92, against $66,528.69 for 1896-97. Nearly 
$22,000 of the amount expended during the latter 
year was on account of the construction of a 
gymnasium building. 

STATE PROPERTY. The United States Cen- 
sus of 1890 gave the value of real and personal 
property belonging to the State as follows: Pub- 
lic lands, §328,000; buildings, $22,164,000: mis- 



506 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ceUaneous property, §2,650,000— total, $25,142,000. 
The land may be subdivided thus: Camp-grounds 
of the Illinois National Guard near Springfield 
(donated), .$40,000; Illinois and Michigan Canal, 
$168,000; Illinois University lands, in Illinois 
(donated by the General Government), §41,000, in 
Minnesota (similarly donated), .S79.000. The 
buildings comprise those connected with the 
charitable, penal and educational institutions of 
the State, besides the State Arsenal, two build- 
ings for the use of the Appellate Courts (at 
Ottawa and Mount Vernon), the State House, 
the Executive Mansion, and locks and dams 
erected at Henry and Copperas Creek. Of the 
miscellaneous property, $120,000 represents the 
equipment of the Illinois National Guard ; $1,9.59,- 
000 the value of the movable property of public 
buildings; $550,000 the endowment fund of the 
University of Illinois; and .?21,000 the movable 
property of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. The 
figures given relative to the value of the public 
buildings include only the first appropriations 
for their erection. Considerable sums have 
since been expended upon some of them in repairs, 
enlargements and improvements. 

STATE TREASURERS. The only Treasurer 
of Illinois during the Territorial period was John 
Thomas, who served from 1812 to 1818, and 
became the first incumbent under the State 
Government. Under the Constitution of 1818 
the Treasurer was elected, biennially, by joint vote 
of the two Houses of the General Assembly ; by 
the Constitution of 1848, this oflicer was made 
elective by the people for the same period, with- 
out limitations as to number of terms ; under the 
Constitution of 1870, the manner of election and 
duration of term are unchanged, but the incum- 
bent is ineligible to re-election, for two years 
from expiration of the term for which he may 
have been chosen. The following is a list of the 
State Treasurers, from the date of the admission 
of the State into the Union down to the present 
time (1899), with the date and duration of the 
term of each; John Thomas, 1818-19; Robert K. 
McLaughlin, 1819-23; Abner Field, 1823-27; 
James Hall, 1827-31; John Dement. 1831-36; 
Charles Gregory, 1836-37; John D. Whiteside, 
1837-41; Milton Carpenter, 1841-48; John Moore, 
1848-57; James Miller, 1857-59; WilUam Butler, 
18.59-63; Alexander Starne, 1863-65; James H. 
Beveridge, 1865-67; George W. Smith, 1867-69; 
firastus N. Bates, 1869-73 ; Edward Rutz, 1873-75 ; 
Thomas S. Ridgway, 1875-77; Edward Rutz, 
1877-79, John C. Smith. 1879-81; Edward Rutz, 
1881-83, John C. Smith, 1883-85; Jacob Gross, 



1885-87; John R. Tanner, 1887-89; Charles 
Becker, 1889-91; Edward S. Wilson, 1891-93; 
RufusN. Ramsay, 1893-95; Henry Wulff, 1895-97; 
Henry L. Hertz, 1897-99; Floyd K. Whittemore, 
1899- . 

STAUNTON, a village in the southeast corner 
of Macoupin County, on the Chicago, Peoria it 
St. Louis and the Wabash Railways; is 36 miles 
northeast of St. Louis, and 14 miles southwest of 
Litchfield. Agriculture and coal-mining are the 
industries of the surrounding region. Staunton 
has two banks, eight churches and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1880), 1,358 ; (1890), 2,209 ; 
(1900), 2,786. 

STEEL PRODUCTION. In the manufacture 
of steel, Illinois has long ranked as the second 
State in the Union in the amount of its output, 
and, during the period between 1880 and 1890, 
tlie increase in production was 241 per cent. In 
1880 there were but six steel works in the State; 
in 1890 these had increased to fourteen ; and the 
production of steel of all kinds (in tons of 2,000 
pounds) had risen from 254,569 tons to 868,250. 
Of the 3,837,039 tons of Bessemer steel ingots, or 
direct castings, produced in the United States in 
1890, 22 per cent were turned out in Illinois, 
nearly all the steel produced in the State being 
made by that process. From the tonnage of 
ingots, as given above, Illinois produced 622,260 
pounds of steel rails. — more than 30 per cent of 
the aggregate for the entire country. This fact 
is noteworthy, inasmuch as the competition in 
the manufacture of Bessemer steel rails, since 
1880, has been so great that many rail mills have 
converted their steel into forms other than rails, 
experience having proved their production to 
any considerable extent, during the past few 
years, unprofitable except in works favorably 
located for obtaining cheap raw material, or 
operated under the latest and most approved 
methods of manufacture. Open-hearth steel is 
no longer made in Illinois, but the manufacture 
of crucible steel is slightly increasing, the out- 
put in 1890 being 445 tons, as against 130 in 1880. 
For purposes requiring special grades of steel the 
product of the crucible process will be always 
in demand, but the high cost of manufacture 
prevents it, in a majority of instances, from 
successfully competing in price with the other 
processes mentioned. 

STEPHENSON, Benjamin, pioneer and early 
politician, came to Illinois from Kentucky in 
1809, and was appointed the fir.st Sheriff of 
Randolph County by Governor Edwards under 
the Territorial Government; afterwards served 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



507 



as a Colonel of Illinois militia during the War of 
1812; represented Illinois Territory as Delegate 
in Congress, 1814-16, and, on his retirement from 
Congress, became Register of the Land Office at 
Edwardsville. finally dying at Edwardsville — Col. 
James W. (Stephenson), a son of the preceding, 
was a soldier during the Black Hawk War, after- 
wards became a prominent politician in the north- 
western part of the State, served as Register of 
the Land Office at Galena and, in 1838, received 
the Democratic nomination for Grovernor, but 
withdrew before the election. 

STEPHEXSON, (Br.) BcDJamin FrankUn, 
physician and soldier, was born in Wayne 
County, 111., Oct. 30, 1822, and accompanied his 
parent.s, in 1825, to Sangamon County, where the 
family settled. His early educational advantages 
were meager, and he did not study his profession 
(medicine) until after reaching his majority, 
graduating from Rush Medical College, Chicago, 
in 1850. He began practice at Petersburg, but, 
in April, 1862, was mustered into the volunteer 
army as Surgeon of the Fourteenth Illinois 
Infantry. After a little over two years service he 
was mustered out in June, 1864, when he took up 
his residence in Springfield, and. for a year, was 
engaged in the drug business there. In 1865 he 
resumed professional practice. He lacked tenac- 
ity of purpose, however, was indifferent to money, 
and alwaj-s willing to give his own services and 
orders for medicine to the poor. Hence, his prac- 
tice was not lucrative. He was one of the leaders 
in the organization of the Grand Army of the 
Republic (which see), in connection with which 
he is most widely known ; but his services in its 
cause failed to receive, during his lifetime, the 
recognition which they deserved, nor did the 
organization promptly flourish, as he had hoped. 
He finally returned with his family to Peters- 
burg. Died, at Rock Creek, Menard, County, 111.. 
August 30, 1871. 

STEPHENSON COUXTY, a northwestern 
county, with an area of 560 square miles. The 
soil is rich, productive and well timbered. Fruit- 
culture and stock-raising are among the chief 
industries. Not until 1827 did the aborigines quit 
the locality, and the county was organized, ten 
years later, and named for Gen. Benjamin 
Stephenson. A man named Kirker, who had 
been in the employment of Colonel Gratiot as a 
lead-miner, near Galena, is said to have built the 
first cabin within the present limits of what was 
called Burr Oak Grove, and set himself up as an 
Indian-trader in 1826, but only remained a short 
time. He was followed, the next year, by Oliver 



W. Kellogg, who took Kirker's place, built a 
more pretentious dwelling and became the first 
permanent settler. Later came AVilliam Wad- 
dams, the Montagues, Baker, Kilpatrick, Preston, 
the Goddards, and others whose names are linked 
with the county's early history. The first house 
in Freeport was built by William Baker. Organi- 
zation was effected in 1837, the total poll being 
eighty-four votes. The earliest teacher was Nel- 
son Martin, who is said to have taught a school 
of some twelve pupils, in a house which stood on 
the site of the present city of Freeport. Popula- 
tion (1880), 31,963; (1890), 31,338; (1900), 34,933. 

STERLING, a flourishing city on the north 
bank of Rock River, in Whiteside County, 109 
miles west of Chicago, 29 miles east of Clinton, 
Iowa, and 52 miles east-northeast of Rock Island. 
It has ample railway facilities, fui'nished by the 
Chicago, Burlington it Quincy, the Sterling et 
Peoria, and the Chicago & Northwestern Rail- 
roads. It contains fourteen cliurches, an opera 
house, high and grade schools, Carnegie library. 
Government postoffice building, three banks, 
electric street and interurban car lines, electric 
and gas lighting, water-works, paved streets and 
sidewalks, fire department and four newspaper 
offices, two issuing daily editions. It has fine 
water-power, and is an important manufacturing 
center, its works turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages, paper, barbed-wire, school furni- 
ture, burial caskets, pumps, sash, doors, etc. It 
also has the Sterling Iron Works, besides foundries 
and machine shops. The river here flows through 
charming scenery. Pop. (1890), 5,824; (1900), 6,309. 

STETENS, Bradford a., ex-Congressman, was 
born at Bo.scawen (afterwards Webster), N. H., 
Jan. 3, 1813. After attending schools in New 
Hampshire and at Montreal, he entered Dart- 
mouth College, graduating therefrom in 1835. 
During the six years following, he devoted him- 
self to teaching, at Hopkinsville, Ky., and New 
York City. In 1843 he removed to Bureau 
County, 111., where he became a merchant and 
farmer. In 1868 he was chairman of the Board 
of Supervisors, and, in 1870, was elected to Con- 
gress, as an Independent Democrat, for the Fifth 
District. 

STEVENSON, Adlai E., ex-Vice-President of 
the United States, was born in Christian County, 
Ky., Oct. 23, 1835. In 1852 he removed with his 
parents to Bloomington, McLean County, 111., 
where the family settled: was educated at the 
Illinois Wesleyan L^niversity and at Centre Col- 
lege. Kj-., was admitted to the bar in 1858 and 
began practice at Jletamora, Woodford County, 



508 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



where he was Master in Chancery, 1861-65, and 
State's Attorney, 1865-69. In 1864 he was candi- 
date for Presidential Elector on the Democratic 
ticket. In 1869 he returned to Bloomington, 
where he has since resided. In 1874, and again 
in 1876, he was an unsuccessful candidate of his 
party for Congress, but was elected as a Green- 
back Democrat in 1878, though defeated in 1880 
and 1882. In 1877 he was appointed by President 
Hayes a member of the Board of Visitors to 
West Point. During the first administration of 
President Cleveland (1885-89) he was First Assist- 
ant Postmaster General; was a member of the 
National Democratic Conventions of 1884 and 
1893, being Chairman of the Illinois delegation 
the latter year. In 1893 he received his party's 
nomination for the Vice-Presidencj-, and was 
elected to that office, serving until 1897. Since 
retiring from office he has resumed his residence 
at Bloomington. 

STEWARD, Lewis, manufacturer and former 
Congressman, was born in Wayne County, Pa., 
Nov. 30, 1824, and received a common school 
education. At the age of 14 he accompanied his 
parents to Kendall County, 111., where he after- 
wards resided, being engaged in farming and the 
manufacture of agricultural implements at 
Piano. He studied law but never practiced. In 
1876 he was an unsuccessful candidate for Gov- 
ernor on the Democratic ticket, being defeated 
by Shelby M. Cullom. In 1890 the Democrats of 
the Eighth Illinois District elected him to Con- 
gress. In 1892 he was again a candidate, but was 
defeated by his Reijublican opponent, Robert A. 
Childs, by the narrow margin of 37 votes, and. 
In 1894, was again defeated, this time being pitted 
against Albert J. Hopkins. Mr. Steward died at 
liis home at Piano, August 36, 1896. 

STEWARDSON, a town of Shelby County, at 
the intersection of the Toledo, St. Louis & Kan- 
sas City Railway with the Altamont brancli of 
the Wabash, 12 miles southeast of Shelby ville; 
is in a grain "and lumber region ; has a bank and 
a weekly paper. Population, (1900), 677. 

STICKffEY, William H., pioneer lawyer, was 
born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 9, 1809, studied law 
and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati in 
1831, and, in Illinois in 1834, being at that time a 
resident of Shawneetown; was elected State's 
Attorney by the Legislature, in 1839. for the cir- 
cuit embracing some fourteen counties in the 
southern and southeastern part of the State ; for 
a time also, about 1835-36, officiated as editor of 
"The Gallatin Democrat," and "The Illinois 
Advertiser," published at Shawneetown. In 1846 



Mr. Stickney was elected to the lower branch of 
the General Assembly from Gallatin County, and, 
twenty-eight years later — having come to Chi- 
cago in 1848 — to the same body from Cook 
County, serving in the somewhat famous Twenty- 
ninth Assembly. He also held the office of 
Police Justice for some thirteen years, from 1860 
onward. He lived to an advanced age, dying in 
Chicago, Feb. 14, 1898, being at the time the 
oldest surviving member of the Chicago bar. 

STILES, Isaac Newton, lawyer and soldier, 
born at Suffield, Conn., July 16, 1833; was ad- 
mitted to the bar at Lafayette, Ind., in 1855, 
became Prosecuting Attorney, a member of the 
Legislature and an effective speaker in the Fre- 
mont campaign of 1856 ; enlisted as a private sol- 
dier at the beginning of the war, went to the 
field as Adjutant, was captured at Malvern Hill, 
and, after six weeks' confinement in Libby 
prison, exchanged and returned to duty; was 
promoted Major, Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel, 
and brevetted Brigadier-General for meritorious 
service. After the war he practiced his profes- 
sion in Chicago, though almost totally blind. 
Died, Jan. 18, 1895. 

STILLMAN, Stephen, first State Senator from 
Sangamon County, 111., was a native of Massachu- 
setts who came, with his widowed mother, to 
Sangamon County in 1820, and settled near 
Williamsville, where he became the first Post- 
master in the first postoffice in the State north of 
the Sangamon River. In 1822, Mr. Stillman was 
elected as the first State Senator from Sangamon 
County, serving four years, and. at his first session, 
being one of the opponents of the pro-slavery 
Convention resolution. He died, in Peoria, some- 
where between 1835 and 1840. 

STILLMAN VALLEY, village in Ogle County, 
on Chicago Great Western and the Chicago, Mil- 
waukee & St. Paul Railways; site of first battle 
Black Hawk War; has graded schools, four 
churches, a bank and a newspaper. Pop. , 475. 

STITES, Samuel, pioneer, was born near 
Mount Bethel, Somerset County, N. J., Oct. 31, 
1776; died, August 16, 1839, on his farm, which 
subsequently became the site of the city of Tren- 
ton, in Clinton County, 111. He was descended 
from John Stites, M.D., who was born in Eng- 
land in 1595, emigrated to America, and died at 
Hempstead, L. I., in 1717, at the age of 122 years. 
The family removed to New Jersey in the latter 
part of the seventeenth century. Samuel was a 
cousin of Benjamin Stites, the first white man to 
settle within the present limits of Cincinnati, and 
various members of the family were prominent in 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



509 



the settlement of the upper Ohio Valley as early 
as 1788. Samuel Stites married, Sept. 14, 1794, 
Martha Martin, daughter of Ephraim Martin, 
and grand- daughter of Col. Ephraim Martin, both 
soldiers of the New Jersey line during the Revo- 
lutionary War — with the last named of whoni 
he had (in connection with John Cleves Symmes) 
been intimately associated in the purchase and 
settlement of the Miami Valley. In 1800 he 
removed to Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1803 to 
Greene County, and, in 1818, in company with his 
son-in-law. Anthony Wayne Casad, to St. Clair 
County, 111., settling near Union Grove. Later, he 
removed to O'Fallon, and, still later, to Clinton 
County. He left a large family, several members 
of which became prominent pioneers in the 
movements toward Minnesota and Kansas. 

STOLBRAND, Carlos John Mueller, soldier, 
was bom in Sweden, May 11, 1821 ; at the age of 
18, enlisted in the Royal Artillery of his native 
land, serving through the campaign of Schleswig- 
Holstein (1848) ; came to the United States soon 
after, and, in 1861, enlisted in the first battalion 
of Illinois Light Artillery, finally becoming Chief 
of Artillery under Gen. John A. Logan. When 
the latter became commander of the Fifteenth 
Arm}- Corps, Col. Stolbrand was placed at the 
head of the artillery brigade; in February, 1865, 
was made Brigadier-General, and mustered out 
in Januarj', 1866. After the war he went South, 
and was Secretary of the South Carolina Consti- 
tutional Convention of 1868. The same year he 
was a delegate to the Republican National Con- 
vention at Chicago, and a Presidential Elector. 
He was an inventor and patented various im- 
provements in steam engines and boilers; was 
also Superintendent of Public Buildings at 
Charleston, S. C, under President Harrison. 
Died, at Charleston, Feb. 3, 1894. 

STONE, Daniel, early lawyer and legislator, 
was a native of Vermont and graduate of Middle- 
bury College; became a member of the Spring- 
field (111.) bar in 1833, and, in 1836, was elected 
to the General Assembly — being one of the cele- 
brated "Long Nine" from Sangamon County, and 
joining Abraham Lincoln in his protest against 
a series of pro-slavery resolutions which had been 
adopted by the House. In 1837 he was a Circuit 
Court Judge and, being assigned to the north- 
western part of the State, removed to Galena, 
but was legislated out of office, when he left the 
State, dying a few years later, in Essex County, 
N. J. 

STONE, Horatio 0., pioneer, was born in 
Ontario (now Monroe) County, N. Y., Jan. 2, 



1811 ; in boyhood learned the trade of shoemaker, 
and later acted as overseer of laborers on the 
Lackawanna Canal. In 1831, having located in 
Wayne County, Mich., he was drafted for the 
Black Hawk War, serving twenty-two days under 
Gen. Jacob Brown. In January, 1835, he came 
to Chicago and, having made a fortunate specu- 
lation in real estate in that early day, a few 
months later entered upon the grocery and pro- 
vision trade, which he afterwards extended to 
grain; finally giving his chief attention to real 
estate, in which he was remarkably successful, 
leaving a large fortune at his death, which 
occurred in Chicago, June 20, 1877. 

STONE, (Rev.) Luther, Baptist clergyman, 
was born in the town of Oxford, Worcester 
County, Mass., Sept. 26, 1815, and spent his boy- 
hood on a farm. After acquiring a common 
school education, he prepared for college at Lei- 
cester Academy, and, in 1835, entered Brown 
University, graduating in the class of 1839. He 
then spent three years at the Theological Insti- 
tute at Newton, Mass. ; was ordained to the 
ministry at Oxford, in 1843, but, coming west the 
next year, entered upon evangelical work in 
Rock Island, Davenport, Burlington and neigh- 
boring towns. Later, he was pastor of the First 
Baptist Church at Rockford, 111. In 1847 Mr. 
Stone came to Chicago and established "The 
Watchman of the Prairies," which survives to- 
day under the name of "The Standard," and has 
become the leading Baptist organ in the West. 
After six years of editorial work, he took up 
evangelistic work in Chicago, among the poor 
and criminal classes. During the Civil War he 
conducted religious services at Camp Douglas, 
Soldiers' Rest and the Marine Hospital. He was 
associated in the conduct and promotion of many 
educational and charitable institutions. He did 
much for the First Baptist Church of Chicago, 
and, during the latter years of his life, was 
attached to the Immanuel Baptist Church, 
which he labored to establish. Died, in July, 
1890. 

STONE, Melville E., journalist, banker, Man- 
ager of Associated Press, born at Hudson, 111., 
August 18, 1848. Coming to Chicago in 1860, he 
graduated from the local high school in 1867, 
and, in 1870, acquired the sole proprietorship of 
a foundry and machine shop. Finding himself 
without resources after the great fire of 1871, he 
embarked in journalism, rising, through the suc- 
cessive grades of reporter, city editor, assistant 
editor and Washington correspondent, to the 
position of editor-in-chief of his own journal. 



510 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He was connected with various Chicago dailies 
between 1871 and 1875, and, on Christmas Day 
of the latter year, issued the first number of "The 
Chicago Daily News." He gradually disposed of 
his interest in this journal, entirely severing 
his connection therewith in 1888. Since that 
date he has been engaged in banking in the city 
of Chicago, and is also General Manager of the 
Associated Press. 

STONE, Samuel, philanthropist, was born at 
Chesterfield, Mass., Dec. 6, 1798; left an orphan 
at seven years of age, after a short term in Lei- 
cester Academy, and several years in a wholesale 
store in Boston, at the age of 19 removed to 
Rochester, N. Y., to take charge of interests in 
the "Holland Purchase," belonging to his father's 
estate ; in 1843-49, was a resident of ^Detroit and 
interested in some of the early railroad enter- 
prises centering there, but the latter year re- 
moved to Milwaukee, being there associated with 
Ezra Cornell in telegraph construction. In 1859 
he became a citizen of Chicago, where he was 
one of the founders of the Chicago Historical 
Society, and a liberal patron of many enterprises 
of a public and benevolent character. Died, May 
4, 1876. 

STONE FORT, a village in the counties of 
Saline and Williamson. It is situated on the Cairo 
Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & 
St. Louis Railway, 57 miles northeast of Cairo. 
Population (1900), 479. 

STOREY, Wilbur F., journalist and news- 
paper publisher, was born at Salisbury. Vt., Dec. 
19, 1819. He began to learn the printer's trade 
at 12, and, before he was 19, was part owner of a 
Democratic paper called "The Herald," published 
at La Porte, Ind. Later, he either edited or con- 
trolled journals published at Mishawaka, Ind., 
and Jackson and Detroit, Mich. In January, 
1861, he became the principal owner of "The 
Chicago Times," then the leading Democratic 
organ of Chicago. His paper soon came to be 
regarded as the organ of the anti-war party 
throughout the Northwest, and, in June, 1863, 
was suppressed by a military order issued by 
General Burnside, which was subsequently 
revoked by President Lincoln. The net result 
was an increase in "The Times' " notoriety and 
circulation. Other charges, of an equally grave 
nature, relating to its sources of income, its char- 
acter as a family newspaper, etc., were repeatedly 
made, but to all these Mr. Storey turned a deaf 
ear. He lost heavily in the fire of 1871, but, in 
1872, appeared as the editor of "The Times," 
then destitute of political ties. About 1876 his 



health began to decline. Medical aid failed to 
afford relief, and, in August, 1884, he was ad- 
judged to be of unsound mind, and his estate was 
placed in the hands of a conservator. On the 
27th of the following October (1884), he died at 
his home in Chicago. 

STORRS, Emery Alexander, lawyer, was born 
at Hinsdale, Cattaraugus County, N. Y., August 
12, 1835; began the studj' of law with his father, 
later pursued a legal course at Buffalo, and, in 
1853, was admitted to the bar; spent two years 
(1857-59) in New York City, the latter year 're- 
moving to Chicago, where he attained greaj 
prominence as an advocate at the bar, as well as 
an orator on other occasions. Politically a 
Republican, he took an active part in Presidential 
campaigns, being a delegate-at-large from Illinois 
to the National Republican Conventions of 1868, 
'72, and '80, and serving as one of the Vice-Presi- 
dents in 1873. Ematic in habits and a master of 
epigram and repartee, many of his speeches are 
quoted with relish and appreciation by those who 
were his contemporaries at the Chicago bar. 
Died suddenly, while in attendance on the Su- 
preme Court at Ottawa, Sept. 12, 1885. 

STRAWN, Jacob, agriculturist and stock- 
dealer, born in Somerset County, Pa., May 30, 
1800; removed to Licking County, Ohio, in 1817, 
and to Illinois, in 1831, settling four miles south- 
west of Jacksonville. He was one of the first to 
demonstrate the possibilities of Illinois as a live- 
stock state. Unpretentious and despising mere 
show, he illustrated the virtues of industry, fru- 
gality and honesty. At his death — which occurred 
August 23, 1865 — he left an estate estimated in 
value at about §1,000,000, acquired by industry 
and business enterprise. He was a zealous 
Unionist during the war, at one time contributing 
§10,000 to the Christian Commission. 

STREATOR, a city (laid out in 1868 and incor- 
porated in 1882) in the southern part of La Salle 
County, 93 miles southwest of Chicago ; situated 
on the Vermilion River and a central point for 
five railroads. It is surrounded by a rich agri- 
cultural country, and is underlaid by coal seams 
(two of which are worked) and by shale and 
various clay products of value, adapted to the 
manufacture of fire and building-brick, drain- 
pipe, etc. The city is tlioroughlj- modern, having 
gas, electric hghting, street railways, water- 
works, a good fire-department, and a large, im- 
proved public park. Churclies and schools are 
numerous, as are also fine public and private 
buildings. One of the cliief industries is the 
manufacture of glass, including rolled-plate. 



mSTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



511 



window-glass, flint and Boliemiau ware and glass 
bottles. Other successful industries are foundries 
and machine shops, flour mills, and clay working 
establishments. There are several banks, and 
three daily and weekly papers are published here. 
The estimated property valuation, in 1884, was 
•S12. 000,00(1, Streator boasts some handsome 
public buihiings, especially the Government po.st- 
oflice and the Carnegie public library building, 
both of which have been erected within the past 
few years. Pop. (1890), 11,414; (1900), 14,079. 

STREET, Joseph M., pioneer and early politi- 
cian, settled at Shawneetown about 1813, coming 
from Kentucky, though believed to have been a 
native of Eastern Virginia. In 1827 he was a 
Brigadier-General of militia, and appears to have 
been prominent in the affairs of that section of 
the State. His correspondence with Governor 
Edwards, about this time, shows him to have been 
a man of far more than ordinary education, with 
a good opinion of his merits and capabilities. He 
was a most persistent applicant for office, making 
urgent appeals to Governor Edwards, Henry Clay 
and other politicians in Kentucky, Virginia and 
Washington, on the ground of his poverty and 
large familj-. In 1827 he received the ofi'er of 
the clerkship of the new county of Peoria, but, 
on visiting that region, was disgusted with the 
prospect; returning to Shawneetown, bought a 
farm in Sangamon County, but. before the close 
of the year, was appointed Indian Agent at 
Prairie du Chien. This was during the difficul- 
ties with the Winnebago Indians, upon which he 
made voluminous reports to the Secretary of 
War. Mr. Street was a son-in-law of Gen. 
Thomas Posey, a Revolutionary soldier, who was 
prominent in the early history of Indiana and its 
last Territorial Governor. (See Posey, (Oen.) 
Thomas. ) 

STREETER, Alson J., farmer and politician, 
was born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., in 1823; 
at the age of two years accompanied his father to 
Illinois, the family settling at Dixon, Lee County, 
He attended Knox College for three years, and, 
in 1849. went to California, where he spent two 
years in gold mining. Returning to Illinois, he 
purchased a farm of 240 acres near New Windsor, 
Mercer County, to which he has since added sev- 
eral thousand acres. In 1872 he was elected to 
the lower house of the Twenty-eighth General 
Assembly as a Democrat, but, in 1873, allied him- 
self with the Greenback party, whose candidate 
for Congress he was in 1878. and for Governor in 
1880, when he received nearly 3,000 votes more 
than his party's Presidential nominee, in Illinois. 



In 1884 he was elected State Senator by a coali- 
tion of Greenbackers and Democrats in the 
Twenty-fourth Senatorial District, but acted as 
an independent throughout his entire term. 

STROJfG, William Emerson, soldier, was born 
at Granville, N. Y.. in 1840; from 13 years of age, 
spent his early life in Wisconsin, studied law and 
was admitted to the bar at Racine in 1861. The 
same year he enlisted under the first call for 
troops, took part, as Captain of a Wisconsin Com- 
pany, in the first battle of Bull Run; was 
afterwards promoted and assigned to duty as 
Inspector-General in the West, participated in 
the Vicksburg and Atlanta campaigns, being 
finally advanced to the rank of Brigadier-Gen- 
eral. After some fifteen months spent in the 
position of Inspector-General of the Freedmen's 
Bureau (1865-66), he located in Chicago, and 
became connected with several important busi- 
ness enterprises, besides assisting, as an oflficer on 
the staff of Governor CuUom, in the organization 
of the Illinois National Guard. He was elected 
on the first Board of Directors of the World's 
Columbian Expcsition, and, while making a tour 
of Europe in the interest of that enterprise, died, 
at Florence, Italy, April 10, 1891. 

STUART, John Todd, lawyer and Congress- 
man, born near Lexington, Ky., Nov. 10, 1807— 
the son of Robert Stuart, a Presbyterian minister 
and Professor of Languages in Transylvania 
University, and related, on the maternal side, to 
the Todd family, of whom Mrs. Abraham Lincoln 
was a member. He graduated at Centre College, 
Danville, in 1826, and, after studying law, re- 
moved to Springfield, 111., in 1828, and began 
practice. In 1832 he was elected Representative 
in the General Assembly, re-elected in 1834, and, 
in 1836, defeated, as the Whig candidate for Con- 
gress, by Wm. L. May, though elected, two years 
later, over Stephen A. Douglas, and again in 1840. 
In 1837, Abraham Lincoln, who had been 
studying law under Mr. Stuart's advice and 
instruction, became his partner, the relation- 
ship continuing until 1841. He served in the 
State Senate, 1849-53, was the Bell-Everett 
candidate for Governor in 1860, and was 
elected to Congress, as a Democrat, for a third 
time, in 1862, but, in 1864, was defeated by 
Shelby M. CuUom, his former pupil. During the 
latter years of his life, Mr. Stuart was head of the 
law firm of Stuart, Edwards & Brown. Died, at 
Springfield, Nov. 28. 1885. 

STIIRGES, Solomon, merchant and banker, 
was born at Fairfield, Conn., April 21, 1796, early 
manifested a passion for the sea and. in 1810, 



512 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



made a voyage, on a vessel of which his brother 
vFas captain, from New York to Georgetown, 
D. C, intending to continue it to Lisbon. At 
Georgetown he was induced to accept a position 
as clerk vrith a Mr. Williams, where he was 
associated with two other youths, as fellow-em- 
ployes, who became eminent bankers and 
capitalists — W. W. Corcoran, afterwards the 
well-known banker of Washington, and George 
W. Peabody, who had a successful banking career 
in England, and won a name as one of the most 
liberal and public-spirited of philanthropists. 
During the War of 1813 young Sturges joined a 
volunteer infantry company, where he had, for 
comrades, George W. Peabody and Francis S. Key, 
the latter author of the popular national song, 
"The Star Spangled Banner." In 1814 Mr. 
Sturges accepted a clerkship in the store of his 
brother-in-law, Ebenezer Buckingham, at Put- 
nam, Muskingum County, Ohio, two years later 
becoming a partner in the concern, where he 
developed that business capacity which laid the 
foundation for his future wealth. Before steam- 
ers navigated the waters of the Ohio and Missis- 
sippi Rivers, he piloted flat-boats, loaded with 
produce and merchandise, to New Orleans, return- 
ing overland. During one of his visits to that 
city, he witnessed the arrival of the "Washing- 
ton," the first steamer to descend the Mississippi, 
as. in 1817, he saw tlie arrival of the "Walk-in- 
the-Water" at Detroit, the first steamer to arrive 
from Buffalo — the occasion of his visit to Detroit 
being to carrj' funds to General Cass to pay off 
the United States troops. About 1849 he was 
associated with the construction of the Wabash 
& Erie Canal, from the Ohio River to Terre Haute, 
Ind., advancing money for the prosecution of the 
work, for which was reimbursed by the State. In 
1854 he came to Chicago, and, in partnership 
with his brothers-in-law, C. P. and Alvali Buck- 
ingham, erected the first large grain-elevator in 
that city, on land leased from the Illinois Central 
Railroad Company, following it, two years later, 
by another of equal capacity. For a time, sub- 
stantially all the grain coming into Chicago, by 
railroad, passed into these elevators. In 1857 he 
established the private banking house of Solomon 
Sturges & Sons, which, shortly after his death, 
under the management of his son, George Stur- 
ges, became the Northwestern National Bank of 
Chicago. He was intensely patriotic and, on the 
breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, used 
of his means freely in support of the Govern- 
ment, equipping the Sturges Rifles, an independ- 
ent company, at a cost of §20,000. He was also a 



subscriber to the first loan made by the Govern- 
ment, during this period, taking $100,000 in 
Government bonds. While devoted to his bi'.si- 
ness, he was a hater of shams and corruption, and 
contributed freely to Christian and benevolent 
enterprises. Died, at the home of a daughter, at 
Zanesville, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1864, leaving a large 
fortune acquired b_y legitimate trade. 

STURTEVAXT, Julian Munson, D.D., LL.D., 
clerg3'man and educator, was born at Warren, 
Litchfield County, Conn., July 26, 1805: spent his 
}-outh in Summit County, Ohio, meanwhile pre- 
paring for college; in 1822, entered Yale College 
as the classmate of the celebrated Elizur Wright, 
graduating in 1826. After two years as Princi- 
pal of an academy at Canaan, Conn., he entered 
Yale Divinity School, graduating there in 1829; 
then came west, and, after spending a year in 
superintending the erection of buildings, in De- 
cember, 1830, as sole tutor, began instrriction to <* 
class of nine pupils in what is now Illinois Col- 
lege, at Jacksonville. Having been joined, the 
following year, by Dr. Edward Beecher as Presi- 
dent, Mr. Sturtevant assumed the chair of Mathe- 
matics, Natural Philosophy and Astronomy, 
which he retained until 1844, when, by the 
retirement of Dr. Beecher, he succeeded to the 
offices of President and Professor of Intellectual 
and Moral Philosophy. Here he labored, inces- 
santly and unselfishly, as a teacher during term 
time, and, as financial agent during vacations, 
in the interest of the institution of which he had 
been one of the chief founders, serving until 1876, 
when he resigned the Presidency, giving his 
attention, for the next ten years, to the duties of 
Professor of Mental Science and Science of Gov- 
ernment, which he had discharged from 1870. 
In 1886 he retired from the institution entirely, 
having given to its service fifty-six years of his 
life. In 1863, Dr. Sturtevant visited Europe in 
the interest of the Union cause, delivering effec- 
tive addresses at a number of points in England. 
He was a frequent contributor to the weekly 
religious and periodical press, and was the author 
of "Economics, or the Science of Wealth" (1876) 
— a text-book on political economy, and "Keys 
of Sect, or the Church of the New Testament" 
(1879), besides frequently occupying the pulpits 
of local and distant churches — having been early 
ordained a Congregational minister. He received 
the degree of D.D. from the University of Mis- 
souri and that of LL.D. from Iowa University. 
Died, in Jacksonville, Feb. 11, 1886. — Julian M. 
(Sturtevant), Jr., son of the preceding, was born 
• at Jacksonville, 111.. Feb. 2, 1834; fitted for col- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



513 



lege in the preparatory department of Illinois 
College and graduated from the college (proper) 
in 1854. After leaving college he served as 
teacher in the Jacksonville public schools one 
year, then spent a year as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of theology at 
Andover Theological Seminary, graduating there 
in 1859, meanwhile having discharged the duties 
of Chaplain of the Connecticut State's prison in 
1858. He was ordained a minister of the Con- 
gregational Church at Hannibal, Mo., in 1860, 
remaining as pastor in that city nine years. He 
has since been engaged in pastoral work in New 
York City (1869-70), Ottawa. 111., (1870-73) ; Den- 
ver, Colo., (1873-77); Grkinell, Iowa, (1877-84); 
Cleveland, Ohio, (1884-90); Galesburg, III., 
(1890-93), and Aurora, (1893-97). Since leaving 
the Congregational church at Aurora, Dr. Sturte- 
vant lias been engaged in pastoral work iu Chi- 
cago. He was also editor of "The Congrega- 
tionalist" of Iowa (1881-84), and, at different 
periods, has served as Trustee of Colorado, 
Marietta and Knox Colleges; being still an 
honored member of the Knox College Board. 
He received the degree of D.D from Illinois 
College, in 1879. 

SUBLETTE, a station and village on tlie lUi- 
nois Central Railroad, in Lee County, 8 miles 
northwest of Mendota. Population, (1900). 306. 

SUFFRAGE, in general, the right or privilege 
cf voting. The qualifications of electors (or 
Voters), in the choice of public officers in Illinois, 
are fixed by the State Constitution (Art. VII.), 
except as to school officers, which are prescribed 
by law. Under the State Constitution the exer- 
cise of the right to vote is limited to persons who 
Were electors at the time of the adoption of the 
Constitution of 1848, or who are native or natu- 
ralized male citizens of the United States, of the 
age of 21 years or over, who have been residents 
of the State one year, of the county ninety days, 
and of the district (or precinct) in which they 
offer to vote, 30 days. Under an act passed in 
1891, women, of 21 j-ears of age and upwards, are 
entitled to vote for school officers, and are also 
eligible to such offices under the same conditions, 
as to age and residence, as male citizens. (See 
Elections; Australian Ballot.) 

SULLIVAJi, a city and county-seat of Moultrie 
County, 25 miles southeast of Decatur and 14 
miles northwest of Mattoon ; is on three lines of 
railway. It is in an agricultural and stock-rais- 
ing region; contains two State banks and four 
weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 1,305; 
(1890), 1,468; (1900), 2,399; (1900, est.), 3,100. 



SULLIVAX, William K., journalist, was born 
at Waterford, Ireland, Nov. 10, 1843; educated &(, 
the Waterford Model School and in Dublin ; came 
to the United States in 1863, and, after teaching 
for a time in Kane County, in 1864 enlisted in the 
One Hundred and Forty-first Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers. Then, after a brief season spent in 
teaching and on a visit to his native land, he 
began work as a reporter on New York papers, 
later being employed on "The Chicago Tribime'' 
and "The Evening Journal," on the latter, at 
different times, holding the position of city edi- 
tor, managing editor and correspondent. He 
was also a Representative from Cook County in 
the Twenty-seventh General Assembly, for tliree 
years a member of the Chicago Board of Edu- 
cation, and appointed United States Consul to the 
Bermudas by President Harrison, resigning in 
1892. Died, in Chicago, January 17, 1899. 

SULLIVAXT, Michael Lucas, agriculturist, 
was born at Franklinton (a suburb of Columbus, 
Ohio), August 6, 1807; was educated at Ohio 
University and Centre College, Ky., and — after 
being engaged in the improvement of an immense 
tract of land inlierited from his father near his 
birtli-place, devoting much attention, meanwhile, 
to tlie raising of improved stock — in 1854 sold his 
Ohio lands and bought 80,000 acres, chiefly in 
Champaign and Piatt Counties, 111., where he 
began farming on a larger scale than before. The 
enterprise proved a financial failure, and he was 
finally compelled to sell a considerable portion of 
his estate in Champaign County, known as Broad 
Lands, to John T. Alexander (see Alexander, 
John T.), retiring to a farm of 40,000 acres at 
Burr Oaks, 111. He died, at Henderson, Ky., Jan. 
29, 1879. 

SUMMERFIELD, a village of St. Clair County, 
on the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railwa}^ 
27 miles east of St. Louis ; was the home of Gen. 
Fred. Hecker. Population (1900), 360. 

SUMNER, a city of Lawrence County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 19 miles 
west of Vincennes, Ind. ; has a fine school house, 
four churches, two banks, two flour mills, tele- 
phones, and one weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890), 
1,037; (1900), 1,268. 

SUPERIMENDENTS OF PUBLIC HVSTRUC 
TIOX. The office of State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction was created by act of the 
Legislature, at a special session held in 1854, its 
duties previous to that time, from 1845, Iiaving 
been discharged by the Secretary of State as 
Superintendent, ex-officio. The following is a list 
of the incumbents from the date of the formal 



514 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



creation of tlie office down to the present time 
(1899), with tlie date and duration of the term of 
eaoli Ninian "W. Edwards (by appointment of 
the Governor), 1854-57; William H. Powell (by 
election), 1857-59; Newton Bateman, 1859-63; 
John P. Brooks, 1863-65; Newton Bateman, 
1865-75; Samuel W. Etter, 1875-79; James P. 
Slade, 1879-83; Henry Raab, 1883-87; Richard 
Edwards, 1887-91; Henry Raab, 1891-95; Samuel 
M. IngUs, 1895-98; James H. Freeman, Jxine, 
1898, to January, 1899 (by appointment of the 
Governor, to fill the unexpired term of Prof. 
Inglis, who died in office, June 1, 1898) ; Alfred 
Baylis, 1899—. 

Previous to 1870 the tenure of the office was 
two years, but, by the Constitution adopted that 
year, it was extended to four years, the elections 
occurring on the even years between those for 
Governor and other State officers except State 
Treasurer. 

SUPREME COURT, JUDGES OF THE. The 
following is a list of Justices of the Supreme 
Court of Illinois who have held office since the 
organization of the State Government, with the 
period of their respective incumbencies : Joseph 
Phillips, 1818-22 (resigned); Thomas C. Browne, 
1818 48 (term expired on adoption of new Con- 
stitution) ; William P. Foster, Oct. 9, 1818, to 
July 7, 1819 (resigned), John Reynolds, 1818-25; 
Thomas Reynolds (vice Phillips"), 1822-25; Wil- 
liam Wilson (vice Foster) 1819-48 (term expired 
on adoption of new Constitution) ; Samuel D 
Lockwood, 1825-48 (term expired on adoption of 
new Constitution) ; Theophilus W. Smith, 1825-43 
(resigned); Thomas Ford, Feb. 15, 1841, to Au- 
gust 1, 1842 (resigned) ; Sidney Breese, Feb. 15, 
1841, to Dec. 19, 1842 (resigned)— also (by re-elec- 
tions), 1857-78 (died in office) ; Walter B. Scates, 
1841-47 (resigned)— also (vice Trumbull), 1854-57 
(resigned); Samuel H. Treat, 1841-55 (resigned); 
Stephen A. Douglas, 1841-42 (resigned); John D. 
Caton (vice Ford) August, 1842, to ilarch, 1843— 
also (vice Robinson and by successive re-elec- 
tions). May, 1843 to January, 1864 (resigned) ; 
James Semple (vice Breese), Jan. 14, 1843, to 
April 16, 1843 (resigned) ; Richard M. Young (vice 
Smith), 1843-47 (resigned); John ^M. Robinson 
(vice Ford), Jan. 14, 1843, to April 27, 1843 (died 
in office); Jesse B. Thomas, Jr., (vice Douglas), 
1843-45 (resigned) — ^also (vice Young), 1847-48; 
James Shields (vice Semple), 1843-45 (resigned) ; 
Norman H. Purple (vice Thomas), 1843-48 (retired 
under Constitution of 1848) ; Gustavus Koerner 
(vice Shields), 1845-48 (retired by Constitution) ; 
William A. Denning (vice Scates), 1847-48 (re- 



tired by Constitution) ; Lyman Trumbull, 1848-53 
(resigned); Ozias C. Skinner (vice Treat), 1855-5S 
(resigned); Pinkney H. Walker (vice Skinner), 
1858-85 (deceased) ; Corydon Beckwith (by ap- 
pointment, vice Caton), Jan. 7, 1864, to June 6, 
1864; Charles B. Lawrence (one term), 1864-73; 
Anthony Thornton, 1870-73 (resigned); Jolm M. 
Scott (two terms), 1870-88; Benjamm R. Sheldon 
(two terms), 1870-88; William K. McAllister, 
1870-75 (resigned) ; John Scholfield (vice Thorn- 
ton), 1873 93 (died); T. Lyie Dickey (vice 
McAllister), 1875-85 (died) ; David J. Baker (ap- 
pointed, vice Breese), July 9, 1878, to June 2, 
1879— also, 1888-97; John H. Mulkey, 1879-88; 
Damon G. Tunnicliffe (appointed, vice Walker), 
Feb. 15, 1885, to June 1, 1885; Simeon P. Shope, 
1885-94, Joseph M. Bailey, 1888-95 (died in office). 
The Supreme Court, as at present constituted 
(1899), is as follows: Carroll C. Boggs, elected, 
1897; Jesse J. Phillips (vice Scholfield, deceased) 
elected, 1893, and re-elected, 1897; Jacob W. Wil- 
kin, elected, 1888, and re-elected, 1897; Joseph 
N. Carter, elected, 1894; Alfred M. Craig, elec- 
ted, 1873, and re-elected, 1882 and "91; James H. 
Cartwright (vice Bailey), elected, 1895, and re- 
elected, 1897 ; Benjamin D. Magruder (vice 
Dickey), elected, 1885, "88 and '97. The terms of 
Justices Boggs, Phillips, Wilkin, Cart\vright and 
Magruder expire in 1906 ; that of Justice Carter 
on 1903; and Justice Craig's, in 1900. Under the 
Constitution of 1818, the Justices of the Supreme 
Court were chosen by joint ballot of the Legisla- 
ture, but, under the Constitutions of 1848 and 
1870, by popular vote for terms of nine years 
each. (See Judicial System; also sketches of 
individual members of the Supreme Court under 
their proper names.) 

SURVEYS, EARLY GOVERMttENT. The first 
United States law passed on the subject of Gov- 
ernment surveys was dated. May 20, 1785. After 
reserving certain lands to be allotted by way of 
pensions and to be donated for school purposes, 
it provided for the division of the remaining pub- 
lic lands among the original thirteen States. 
This, however, was, in effect, repealed by the Ordi- 
nance of 1788. The latter provided for a rectan- 
gular system of surveys which, with but little 
modification, has remained in force ever since. 
Briefly outlined, the system is as follows: Town- 
ships, six miles square, are laid out from principal 
bases, each township containing thirty-six sec- 
tions of one square mile, numbered consecutively, 
the numeration to commence at the upper right 
hand corner of the township. The first principal 
meridian (84° 51' west of Greenwich), coincided 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



515 



with the line dividing Indiana and Oliio. The 
second (1° 37' farther west) had direct relation 
to surveys in Eastern Illinois. The third (89° 10' 
30" west of Greenwich) and the fourth (90° 29' 
56" west) governed the remainder of Illinois sur- 
veys. The first Public Surveyor was Thomas 
Hutchins, who was called "the geographer." 
(See Hutcliins, Tliomas.) 

STVEET, (Gen.) Benjamin J., soldier, was 
born at Kirkland, Oneida County, N. Y., April 
24, 1832; came with his father, in 18-18, to Sheboy- 
gan, Wis , studied law, was elected to the State 
Senate in 1859, and, in 18C1, enlisted in the Sixth 
Wisconsin Volunteers, being commissioned Major 
in 1862. Later, he resigned and, returning home, 
assisted in the organization of the Twenty-first 
and Twenty-second regiments, being elected 
Colonel of the former, and with it taking part in 
the campaign in Western Kentucky and Tennes- 
see. In 1863 he was assigned to command at 
Camp Douglas, and was there on the exposure, 
in November, 1864, of the conspiracy to release 
the rebel prisoners. (See Camp Douglas Conspir- 
acy.) The service which he rendered in the 
defeat of this bold and dangerous conspiracy 
evinced his courage and sagacity, and was of 
inestimable value to the country. After the 
war. General Sweet located at Lombard, near 
Chicago, was appointed Pension Agent at Chi- 
cago, afterwards served as Supervisor of Internal 
Revenue, and, in 1872, became Deputy Commis- 
sioner of Internal Revenue at Washington. Died, 
in Washington, Jan. 1, 1874. — Miss Ada C. 
iSweet), for eight years (1874-82) the efficient 
Pension Agent at Chicago, is General Sweefs 
daughter. 

SWEETSER, A. C, soldier and Department 
Commander G. A. R., was born in Oxford County, 
Maine, in 1839; came to Bloomington, 111., in 
18.57 ; enlisted at the beginning of the Civil War 
in the Eighth Illinois Volunteers and, later, in the 
Thirty-ninth; at the battle of Wierbottom 
Church, Va , in June, 1864, was shot through 
both legs, necessitating the amputation of one of 
them. After the war he held several offices of 
trust, including those of City Collector of Bloom- 
ington and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue 
for the Springfield District ; in 1887 was elected 
Department Commander of the Grand Army of 
the Republic for Illinois. Died, at Bloomington, 
March 23, 1896. 

SWETT, Leonard, lawyer, was born near 
Turner, Maine, August 11, 1825, was educated at 
W^aterville College (now Colby University), but 
left before graduation , read law in Portland, and, 



while seeking a location in the West, enlisted in 
an Indiana regiment for the Mexican War, being 
attacked by climatic fever, was discharged before 
completmg his term of enlistment. He soon 
after came to Bloomington, 111., where he became 
the intimate friend of Abraham Lincoln and 
David Davis, traveling the circuit with them for 
a number of years. He early became active in 
State politics, was a member of the Republican 
State Convention of 1856, was elected to the 
lower house of the General Assembly in 1858, 
and, in 1860, was a zealous supjxn-ter of Mr. Lin- 
coln as a Presidential Elector for the State-at 
large. In 1863 he received the Republican 
nomination for Congress in his District, but was 
defeated. Removing to Chicago in 1865, he 
gained increased distinction as a lavryer, espe- 
cially in the management of criminal cases. In 
1872 he was a supporter of Horace Greeley for 
President, but later returned to the Republican 
party, and, in the National Republican Conven- 
tion of 1888, presented the name of Judge 
Gresham for nomination for the Presidency. 
Died, June 8, 1889. 

SWIGERT, Charles Philip, ex-Auditor of Pub- 
lic Accounts, was born in the Province of Baden, 
Germany, Nov. 27, 1843, brought by his parents 
to Chicago, IlL, in childhood, and, in his boy- 
hood, attended the Scammon School in that city. 
In 1854 his family removed to a farm in Kanka- 
kee County, where, between the ages of 12 and 
18, he assisted his father in "breaking" between 
400 and 500 acres of prairie land. On the break- 
ing out of the war, in 1861, although scarcely 18 
years of age, he enlisted as a private in the Forty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and, in April, 
1862, was one of twenty heroic volunteers who 
ran the blockade, on the gunboat Carondelet, at 
Island No. 10, assisting materially in the reduc- 
tion of that rebel stronghold, which resulted in 
the capture of 7,000 prisoners. At the battle of 
Farmington, Miss., during the siege of Corinth, 
in May, 1862, he had his right arm torn from its 
socket by a six-pound cannon-ball, compelling his 
retirement from the army. Returning home, 
after many weeks spent in liospital at Jefferson 
Barracks and Quincy, 111., he received his final 
discharge, Dec. 21, 1862, spent a year in school, 
also took a course in Bryant & Stratton's Com- 
mercial College in Chicago, and having learned 
to write with his left hand, taught for a time in 
Kankakee County ; served as letter-carrier in Chi- 
cago, and for a year as Deputy County Clerk of 
Kankakee County, followed by two terms (1867- 
69) as a student in the Soldiers" College at Fulton. 



516 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



111. The latter year he entered upon the duties 
of Treasurer of Kankakee County, serving, by 
successive re-elections, until 1880, when he re- 
signed to take the position of State Auditor, to 
which he was elected a second time in 1884. In 
all these positions Mr. Svvigert has proved him- 
self an ui^right, capable and high-minded public 
official. Of late years his residence has been in 
Chicago. 

SWING, (Rev.) David, clergyman and pulpit 
orator, was born of German ancestry, at Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, August 23, 1836. After 1837 (his 
father dying about this time), the family resided 
for a time at Reedsburgh, and, later, on a farm 
near AVilliamsburgh, in Clermont County, in the 
same State. In 1853, having graduated from the 
Miami (Ohio) University, he commenced the 
study of theology, but, in 1854, accepted the 
position of Professor of Languages in his Alma 
Mater, which he continued to fill for thirteen 
years. His first pastorate was in connection with 
the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Chi- 
cago, which he assumed in 1866. His church 
edifice was destroyed in the great Chicago fire, 
but was later rebuilt. As a preacher he was 
popular ; but, in April, 1874, he was placed on trial, 
before an ecclesiastical court of his own denomi- 
nation, on charges of heresy. He was acquitted 
by the trial court, but, before the appeal taken by 
the prosecution could be heard, he personally 
withdrew from affiliation with the denomination. 
Shortly afterward he became pastor of an inde- 
pendent religious organization known as the 
"Central Church," preaching, first at McVicker's 
Theatre and, afterward, at Central Music Hall, 
Chicago. He was a fluent and popular speaker 
on all themes, a frequent and valued contributor 
to numerous magazines, as well as the author of 
several volumes. Among his best known books 
are "Motives of Life," "Truths for To-day," and 
"Club Essays." Died, in Chicago, Oct. 3, 1S94. 

SYCAMORE, the county-seat of De Kalb 
County (founded in 1836), 56 miles west of Chi- 
cago, at the intersection of the Chicago & North- 
western and the Chicago Great Western Rail- 
roads; lies in a region devoted to agriculture, 
dairying and stock-raising. The city itself con- 
tains several factories, the principal products 
being agricultural implements, flour, insulated 
wire, brick, tile, varnish, furniture, soap and 
carriages and wagons. There are also works for 
canning vegetables and fruit, besides two creamer- 
ies. The town is lighted by electricity, and has 
high-pressure water-works. There are eleven 
churches, three graded public schools and a 



young ladies" seminary. Population (1880), 
3,028; (1890), 2,987; (1900), 3,653. 

TAFT, Lorado, sculptor, was born at Elmwood, 
Peoria County, lU., April 29, 1860; at an early 
age evinced a predilection for sculpture and 
began modeling; graduated at the University of 
Illinois in 1880, then went to Paris and studied 
sculpture in the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts 
until 1885. The following year he settled in Chi 
cago, finally becoming associated with the Chi- 
cago Art Institute. He has been a lecturer on 
art in the Chicago University. Mr. Taft fur- 
nished the decorations of the Horticultural Build- 
ing on the World's Fair Grounds, in 1893. 

TALCOTTj Mancel, business man, was born 
in Rome, N. Y., Oct. 12, 1817; attended the com- 
mon schools until 17 years of age, when he set 
out for the West, traveling on foot from Detroit 
to Chicago, and thence to Park Ridge, where he 
worked at farming until 1850. Then, having 
followed the occupation of a miner for some time, 
in California, with some success, he united with 
Horace M. Singer in establishing the firm of 
Singer & Talcott, stone-dealers, which lasted dur- 
ing most of his life. He served as a member of 
the Chicago City Council, on the Board of County 
Commissioners, as a member of the Police Board, 
and was one of the founders of the First National 
Bank, and President, for several years, of the 
Stock Yards National Bank. Liberal and pubUc- 
spirited, he contributed freely to works of 
charity. Died, June 5, 1878. 

TALCOTT, (Capt.) William, soldier of the 
War of 1812 and pioneer, was born in Gilead, 
Conn., March 6, 1774; emigrated to Rome, Oneida 
County, N. Y., in 1810, and engaged in farming; 
served as a Lieutenant in the Oneida County 
militia dui-ing the War of 1812-14, being stationed 
at Sackett's Harbor under the command of Gen. 
Winfield Scott. In 1835, in company with his 
eldest son, Thomas B. Talcott, he made an ex- 
tended tour through the West, finally selecting a 
location in Illinois at the junction of Rock River 
and the Pecatonica, where the town of Rockton 
now stands — there being only two white families, 
at that time, within the present limits of Winne- 
bago County. Two years later (1837), he brouglit 
his family to this point, with his sons took up a 
considerable body of Government land and 
erected two mills, to which customers came 
from a long distance. In 1838 Captain Talcott 
took part in the organization of the first Congre- 
gational Church in that section of the State. A 
zealous anti-slavery man, he supported James G- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



517 



Birney (the Liberty candidate for President) in 
18-tt, continuing to act with that party until the 
organization of the Republican party in 1856; 
was deeply interested in the War for the Union, 
but died before its conclusion, Sept. 2, 1864. — 
Maj. Thomas B. (Talcott), oldest son of the pre- 
ceding, was born at Hebron, Conn , April 17, 
1806; was taken to Rome, N. Y., by his father in 
infancy, and, after reaching maturity, engaged 
in mercantile business with his brother in Che- 
mung County ; in 1835 accompanied his father in 
a tour through the West, finally locating at 
Rockton, where he engaged in agriculture. On 
the organization of Winnebago County, in 1836, 
he was elected one of the first County Commis- 
sioners, and, in 1850, to the State Senate, serving 
four years. He also held various local offices. 
Died, Sept. 30, 1894.— Hon. Wait (Talcott), second 
son of Capt. William Talcott, was born at He- 
bron, Conn., Oct. 17, 1807, and taken to Rome, 
N. Y., where he remained until his 19th year, 
when he engaged in business at Booneville and, 
still later, in Utica; in 1838, removed to Illinois 
and joined his fatiier at Rockton, finally 
becoming a citizen of Rockford, where, in his 
later years, he was extensively engaged in manu- 
facturing, having become, in 1854, with his 
brother Sylvester, a partner of the firm of J. H. 
Manny & Co., in the manufacture of the Manny 
reaper and mower. He was an original anti- 
slavery man and, at one time,a Free-Soil candidate 
for Congress, but became a zealous Republican 
and ardent friend of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
employed as an attorney in the famous suit of 
McCormick vs. the Manny Reaper Company for 
infringement of patent. In 1854 he was elected 
to the State Senate, succeeding his brother, 
Thomas B., and was the first Collector of Internal 
Revenue in the Second District, appointed by Mr. 
Lincoln in 1862, and continuing in office some 
five years. Though too old for active service in 
the field, during the Civil War, he voluntarily 
hired a substitute to take his place. Mr. Talcott 
■was one of the original incorporators and Trus- 
tees of Beloit College, and a founder of Rookford 
Female Seminary, remaining a trustee of each 
for many years. Died, June 7, 1890.— SylTester 
(Talcott), third son of William Talcott, born at 
Rome, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1810; when of age. engaged 
in mercantile business in Chemung Count}-; in 
1837 removed, with other members of the family, 
to Winnebago County, 111., where he joined his 
father in the entrj- of Government lands and the 
erection of mills, as already detailed. He became 
one of the first Justices of the Peace in Winne- 



bago County, also served as Supervisor for a 
number of years and, although a farmer, became 
interested, in 1854, with his brother Wait, 
in the Manny Reaper Company at Rockford. 
He also followed the example of his brother, 
just named, in furnishing a substitute for the 
War of the Rebellion, though too old for service 
himself Died, June 19, 1885.— Henry Walter 
(Talcott), fourth son of William Talcott, was 
born at Rome, N. Y., Feb. 13, 1814; came with 
his father to Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and 
was connected with his father and brothers in busi- 
ness. Died, Dec. 9, 1870.— Dwight Lewis (Tal- 
cott), oldest son of Henry Walter Talcott, born 
in Winnebago County; at the age of 17 years 
enlisted at Belvidere, in January, 1864. as a soldier 
in the Xinth Illinois Volunteer Infautrj' ; served 
as provost guard some two months at Fort Picker- 
ing, near Memphis, and later took part in many 
of the important battles of that year in Missis- 
sippi and Tennessee. Having been captured at 
Campbellsville, Tenn. , he was taken to Anderson- 
ville, Ga., where he suffered all the horrors of 
that famous prison-pen, until March, 1865, when 
he was released, arriving at home a helpless 
skeleton, the day after Abraham Lincoln's assas- 
sination. Mr. Talcott subsequently settled in 
Muscatine County, Iowa. 

TALLULA, a prosperous village of Menard 
County, on the Jacksonville branch of the Clii- 
cago & Alton Railway, 24 miles northeast of 
Jacksonville; is in the midst of a grain, coal- 
mining, and stock-growing region; has a local 
bank and newspaper. Pop. (1890), 445 ; (1900), 639. 

TAMARO.V,a village in Perry County, situated 
at the junction of the Illinois Central with the 
Wabash, Chester & Western Railroad. 8 miles 
north of Duquoin, and 57 miles east-southeast of 
Belleville. It has a bank, a newspaper office, a 
large public school, five churches and two flour- 
ing mills. Coal is mined here and exported in 
large quantities. Pop. (1900), 8.53. 

TAMAROA & MOUNT ^TIRNON RAILROAD. 
(See n'abash, Chester & Western Railroad.) 

TANNER, Edward Allen, clergyman and edu- 
cator, was born of New England ancestry, at 
AVaverly, 111., Nov. 29, 1837— being the first child 
who could claim nativity there; was educated 
ill the local schools and at Illinois College, 
graduating from the latter in 1857; spent four 
years teaching in his native place and at Jack- 
sonville; then accepted the Professorship of 
Latin in Pacific University at Portland. Oregon, 
remaining four years, when he returned to his 
Alma Mater (1865), assuming there the chair of 



518 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Latin and Rhetoric. In 1881 he was appointed 
financial agent of the latter institution, and, in 
1883, its Piesident. While in Oregon he had 
been ordained a minister of the Congregational 
Church, and, for a considerable period during 
his connection with Illinois College, officiated as 
Chaplain of the Central Hospital for tlie Insane 
at Jacksonville, besides supplying local and 
other pulpits. He labored earnestly for the 
benefit of the institution under his charge, and, 
during his incumbency, added materially to its 
endowment and resources. Died, at Jackson- 
ville, Feb. 8, 1892. 

TAXXER, John R., Governor, was born in 
Warrick County, Iml., April 4, 1844, and brought 
to Soutliern Illinois in boyhood, where he grew 
up on a farm in tlie vicinity of Carbondale, 
enjoying only such educational advantages as 
were afforded by the common school ; in 18G3, at 
■ the age of 19, enlisted in the Ninety -eighth Illi- 
nois Volunteers, serving until June, 1865, when 
he was transferred to the Sixty-first, and finally 
mustered out in September following. All the 
male members of Governor Tanner's family were 
soldiers of the late war, his father dying in a 
rebel prison at Columbus, MLss., one of his bro- 
thers suffering the same fate from wounds at Nash- 
ville, Tenn., and another brother dying in hospital 
at Pine Bluff, Ark. Only one of this patriotic 
family, besides Governor Tanner, still survives — 
Mr. J. M. Tanner of Clay County, who left the 
service with the rank of Lieutenant of the Thir- 
teenth Illinois Cavalry. Returning from the 
war, Mr. Tanner established himself in business 
as a farmer in Claj' County, later engaging suc- 
cessfully in the milling and lumber business as 
the partner of his brother. The public positions 
held by him, since the war, include those of 
Sheriff of Clay County (1870-73), Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit Court (1873-76), and State Senator (1880-83). 
During the latter year he received the appoint- 
ment of United States Marshal for the Southern 
District of Illinois, serving until after the acces- 
sion of President Cleveland in 1885. In 1886, he 
was the Republican nominee for State Treasurer 
and was elected by an unusually large majority ; 
in 1891 was appointed, by Governor Fifer, a 
member of the Railroad and Warehouse Commis- 
sion, but, in 1892, received the appointment of 
Assistant United States Treasurer at Chicago, 
continuing in the latter office until December, 
189.S. For ten years (1874-84) he was a member 
of the Republican State Central Committee, re- 
turning to that body in 1894, when he was chosen 
Chairman and conducted the campaign which 



resulted in the unprecedented Republican suc- 
cesses of that year. In 1896 he received the 
nomination of his party for Governor, and was 
elected over Gov. John P. Altgeld, his Demo- 
cratic opponent, by a plurality of over 113,000, 
and a majority, over all, of nearly 90,000 votes. 

TA>'NER, Tazewell B., jurist, was born in 
Henry County, Va., and came to Jefferson 
County, 111, about 1846 or '47, at first taking a 
position as teacher and Superintendent of Public 
Schools. Later, he was connected with "The 
Jeffersonian," a Democratic paper at Mount Ver- 
non, and, in 1849, went to the gold regions of 
California, meeting with reasonable success as a 
miner. Returning in a year or two, he was 
elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, and, while in 
the discliarge of his duties, prosecuted the study 
of law, finally, on admission to the bar, entering 
into partnership with the late Col. Thomas S. 
Casey. In 1854 he was elected Representative in 
the Nineteenth General Assembly, and was in- 
strumental in securing the appropriation for the 
erection of a Supreme Court building at Mount 
Vernon. In 1863 he served as a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of that year ; was 
elected Circuit Judge in 1873, and, in 1877, was 
assigned to duty on the Appellate bench, but, at 
the expiration of his term, declined a re-election 
and resumed the practice of his profession at 
Mount Vernon. Died, March 25, 1880. 

TAXATION, in its legal sense, the mode of 
raising revenue. In its general sense its purposes 
are the support of the State and local govern- 
ments, the promotion of the public good by 
fostering education and works of public improve- 
ment, the protection of society by the preser- 
vation of order and the punishment of crime, and 
the support of the helpless and destitute. In 
practice, and as prescribed by the Constitution, 
the raising of revenue is required to be done "by 
levying a tax by valuation, so that every person 
and corporation shall pay a tax in proportion to 
the value of his, her or its property — such value 
to be ascertained by some person or persons, to bo 
elected or appointed in such manner as the Gen- 
eral Assembly shall direct, and not otherwise. " 
(State Constitution, 1870 — Art. Revenue, Sec. 1.) 
The person selected under the law to make this 
valuation is the Assessor of the county or the 
township (in counties under township organiza- 
tion), and he is required to make a return to the 
County Board at its July meeting each year — the 
latter having authority to hear complaints of tax- 
payers and adjust inequalities when found to 
exist. It is made the duty of tlie Assessor to 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



519 



include in his return, as real-estate, all lands and 
the buildings or other improvements erected 
thereon; and, under the head of personal prop- 
erty, all tangible effects, besides moneys, credits, 
bonds or stocks, sliares of stock of companies or 
corporations, investments, annuities, franchises, 
royalties, etc. Property used for school, church 
or cemeterj' purposes, as well as public buildings 
and other property belonging to the State and 
General Government, municipalities, publio 
charities, public libraries, agricultural and scien- 
tific societies, are declared exempt. Xominally, 
all property subject to taxation is required to be 
assessed at its cash valuation ; but, in reality, the 
valuation, of late years, has been on a basis of 
twenty-five to thirty-three per cent of its esti- 
mated cash value. In the larger cities, however, 
the valuation is often much lower tlian this, 
while very large amounts escape assessment 
altogether. The Revenue Act, passed at the 
special session of the Fortieth General Assembly 
(1898), requires the Assessor to make a return of 
ah property subject to taxation in his district, at 
its cash valuation, upon which a Board of Review 
fixes a tax on the basis of twenty per cent of 
such cash valuation. An abstract of the property 
assessment of each county goes before the State 
Board of Equalization, at its annual meeting in 
August, for the purpose of comparison and equal- 
izing valuations between coimties, but the Board 
has no power to modify the assessments of indi- 
vidual tax-payers. (See State Board of Equali- 
zation.) This Board has exclusive power to fix 
the valuation for purposes of taxation of the 
capital stock or franchises of companies (except 
certain specified manufacturing corporations) , in- 
corporated under the State laws, together with the 
"railroad track" and "rolling stock" of railroads, 
and the capital stock of railroads and telegraph 
lines, and to fix the distribution of tlie latter 
between counties in which thej- lie. — The Consti- 
tution of 1848 empowered tlie Legislature to 
impose a capitation tax, of not less than fifty 
cents nor more than one doUar, upon each free 
white male citizen entitled to the right of suf- 
frage, between the ages of 21 and 60 years, but the 
Constitution of 1870 grants no such power, 
though it authorizes the extension of the "objects 
and subjects of taxation" in accordance with the 
principle contained in the first section of the 
Revenue Article. — Special assessments in cities, 
for the construction of sewers, pavements, etc., 
being local and in the form of benefits, cannot 
be said to come under the head of general tax- 
ation. The same is to be said of revenue derived 



from fines and penalties, which are forms of 
punishment for specific offenses, and go to the 
benefit of certain specified funds. 

TAYLOR, Abner, ex-Congressman, is a native 
of Maine, and a resident of Chicago. He has been 
in active business all his life as contractor, builder 
and merchant, and, for some time, a member of 
the wliolesale dry -goods firm of J. V. Farwell & 
Co. , of Chicago. He was a member of the Thirty- 
fourth General Aosembly, a delegate to the 
National Republican Convention of 1884, and 
represented the First IlUnois District in the Fifty- 
first and Fifty-second Congresses. 1889 to 1893. 
Mr. Taylor was one of the contractors for the 
erection of tlie new State Capitol of Texas. 

T.VTLOR, Benjamin Franklin, journalist, poet 
and lecturer, was born at Lowville, N. Y., July 
19, 1819; graduated at Madison University in 
1839, the next year becoming literary and dra- 
matic critic of "The Chicago Evening Journal." 
Here, in a few years, he acquired a wide reputa- 
tion as a journalist and poet, and was much in 
demand as a lecturer on literary topics. His 
letters from the field during the Rebelhon, as 
war correspondent of "The Evening Journal," 
won for him even a greater p9pularity, and were 
complimented by translation into more than one 
European language. After the war, he gave his 
attention more unreservedly to literature, his 
principal works appearing after that date. His 
publications in book form, including both prose 
and poetry, comprise the following- "Attractions 
of Language" (1845); "January and June" 
(1853); "Pictures in Camp and Field" (1871), 
"The World on Wheels" (1873); "Old Time Pic- 
tures and Sheaves of Rhyme" (1874); "Songs of 
Yesterday" (1877); "Summer Savory Gleaned 
from Rural Nooks" (1879); "Between the Gates" 
— pictures of California life — (1881); "Dulce 
Domum. the Burden of Song" (1884), and "Theo- 
philus Trent, or Old Times in the Oak Openings,' 
a novel (1887). The last was in the hands o' the 
publishers at his death, Feb. 27, 1887. Among 
his most popular poems are "The Isle of the Long 
Ago," "The Old Village Choir," and "Rhymes of 
the River." "The London Times" complimented 
Mr. Taylor with the title of "Tlie Oliver Gold- 
smith of America." 

TAYLOR, Edmund Dick, early Indian-trader 
and legislator, was born at Fairfield C. H , Ya.. 
Oct. 18, 1802 — the son of a commissary in the 
army of the Revolution, under General Greene, 
and a cousin of General (later. President) Zachary 
Taylor ; left his native State in his youth and, at 
an early day, came to Spnngfield, 111., where he 



520 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



opened an Indian-trading post and general store ; 
was elected from Sangamon County to the lower 
branch of the Seventli General Assembly (1830) 
and re-elected in 1832 — the latter year being a 
competitor of Abraham Lincoln, whom he 
defeated. In 183-1 he was elected to the State 
Senate and, at tlie next session of the Legislature, 
was one of tlie celebrated "Long Nine" who 
secured the removal of the State Capital to 
Springfield. He resigned before the close o/ his 
term to accept, from President Jackson, the ap- 
pointment of Receiver of Public Moneys at Chi- 
cago. Here he became one of the promoters of 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (1837). 
serving as one of the Commissioners to secure 
subscriptions of stock, and was also active in 
advocating the construction of the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal. The title of "Colonel," by 
which he was known during most of his life, was 
acquired by service, with that rank, on the staff 
of Gov. John Reynolds, during the Black Hawk 
War of 1833. After coming to Cliicago, Colonel 
Taylor became one of the Trustees of the Chicago 
branch of the State Bank, and was later identified 
with various banking enterprises, as also a some- 
what extensive operator in real estate. An active 
Democrat in the early part of his career in Illi- 
nois, Colonel Taylor was one of the members of 
his party to take ground against the Kansas- Neb 
raska bill in 1854, and advocated the election of 
General Bissell to the governorship in 1856. In 
1860 he was again in line with his party in sup- 
port of Senator Douglas for the Presidency, and 
was an opponent of the war policy of the Govern- 
ment still later, as shown by his participation in 
tlie celebrated "Peace Convention" at Spring- 
field, of June 17, 1863. In the latter years of his 
life he became extensively interested in coal 
lands in La Salle and adjoining counties, and, 
for a considerable time, served as President of the 
Northern Illinois Coal & Mining Company, his 
home, during a part of this period, being at 
Mendota. Died, in Chicago, Dec. 4, 1891. 

TAYLORVILLE, a city and county-seat of 
Christian County, on the South Fork of the Sanga- 
mon River and on the Wabash Railwaj' at its 
point of intersection with the Springfield Division 
of the Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern. It is 
about 27 miles southeast of Springfield, and 
28 miles southwest of Decatur. It has several 
banks, flour mills, paper mill, electric light and 
gas plants, water-works, two coal mines, carriage 
and wagon shops, a manufactory of farming 
implements, two daily and weekly papers, nine 
churches and five graded and township high 



schools. Much coal is mined in this vicinity. 
Pop. (1890), 3,839; (1900), 4,248. 

TAZEWELL COUNTY, a central county on 
the Illinois River ; was first settled in 1823 and 
organized in 1827 ; has an area of 650 square miles 
— was named for Governor Tazewell of Virginia. 
It is drained by the Illinois and Mackinaw Rivers 
and traversed by several lines of railway. The 
surface is generally level, the soil alluvial and 
rich, but, requiring drainage, especially on the 
river bottoms. Gravel, coal and sandstone are 
found, but, generally speaking, Tazewell is an 
agricultural county. The cereals are extensively 
cultivated; wool is also clipped, and there are 
dairy interests of some importance. Distilling is 
extensively conducted at Pekin, the county -seat, 
which is also the seat of other mechanical indus- 
tries. (See also Pekin.) Population of the 
county (1880), 29,666; (1890), 29,556; (1900), 33,221. 

TEMPLE, John Taylor, M.D., early Chicago 
physician, born in Virginia in 1804, graduated in 
medicine at Middlebury College, Vt., in 1830, and, 
in 1833. arrived in Chicago. At this time he had 
a contract for carrying the United States mail 
from Chicago to Fort Howard, near Green Bay, 
and the following year undertook a similar con- 
tract between Chicago and Ottawa. Having sold 
these out three years later, he devoted his atten- 
tion to the practice of his profession, though 
interested, for a time, in contracts for the con- 
struction of the Illinois & Michigan Canal. Dr. 
Temple was instrumental in erecting the first 
house (after Rev. Jesse Walker's missionary 
station at Wolf Point), for public religious 
worship in Chicago, and, although himself a 
Baptist, it was used in common by Protestant 
denominations. He was a member of the first 
Board of Trustees of Rush Medical College, 
though he later became a convert to homeopathy, 
and finally, removing to St. Louis, assisted in 
founding the St. Louis School of Homeopathy, 
dying there. Feb. 24. 1877. 
"tenure of office. (See Elections.) 

TERRE HAUTE, ALTON & ST. LOUIS 
RAILROAD. (See St. Louis. Alton & Terre 
Haute Railroad.) 

TERRE HAUTE & ALTON RAILROAD (See 
St. Louis, Alton & Terre Haute Railroad.) 

TERRE HAUTE & INDIANAPOLIS RAIL- 
ROAD, a corporation operating no line of its own 
within the State, but the lessee and operator of 
the following lines (which see): St. Louis, 
Vandalia & Terre Haute, 158.3 miles; Terre 
Haute & Peoria. 145.12 miles; East St. Louis 
& Carondelet, 12.74 miles — totallength of leased 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



521 



lines in Illinois, 316.16 miles. The Terre Haute 
& Indianapolis Railroad was incorporated in 
Indiana in 1847, as the Terre Haute & Rich- 
mond, completed a line between the points 
named in the title, in 18.i2. and took its present 
name in 1866. The Pennsylvania Railroad Com- 
pany purchased a controlling interest iq its stock 
in 1893. 

TERRE HAUTE & PEORIA RAILROAD, 
(Vandalia Line), a line of road extending from 
Terre Haute. Ind., to Peoria. 111., 145.12 miles, 
with 28.78 miles of trackage, making in all 173.9 
miles in operation, all being in Illinois — operated 
by the Terre Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Com- 
pany. The gauge is standard, and the rails are 
steel. (History. ) It was organized Feb. 7, 1887, 
successor to the Illinois Midland Railroad. The 
latter was made up by the consolidation (Nov. 4. 
1874) of three lines: (1) The Peoria, Atlanta & 
Decatur Railroad, chartered in 1869 and opened in 
1874; (2) the Paris & Decatur Railroad, chartered 
in 1861 and opened in December, 1872 ; and (3) the 
Paris & Terre Haute Railroad, chartered in 1873 
and opened in 1874 — the consolidated lines 
assuming the name of the Illinois Midland Rail- 
road. In 1886 the Ilhnois Midland was sold under 
foreclosure and, in Februarj-, 1887, reorganized 
as the Terre Haute & Peoria Railroad. In 1892 
it was leased for ninet3'-nine years to the Terre 
Haute & Indianapolis Railroad Company, and is 
operated as a part of the "Vandalia System." 
The capital stock (1898) was .53,764,200; funded 
debt, $3,230,000,— total capital invested, §6,227,- 
481. 

TEUTOPOLIS, a village of Emngham County, 
on the Terre Haute & IndianapoUs Railroad, 4 
miles east of Effingham; was originally settled 
by a colony of Germans from Cincinnati. Popu- 
lation (1900), 498. 

THOMAS, Horace H., lawyer and legislator. 
was born in Vermont, Dec. 18. 1831, graduated at 
Middlebury College, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Chicago, where he commenced 
practice. At the outbreak of the rebelUon he 
enlisted and was commissioned Assistant Adju- 
tant-General of the Army of the Ohio. At the 
close of the war he took up his residence in Ten- 
nessee, serving as Quartermaster upon the staff 
of Governor Brownlow. In 1867 he returned to 
Cliicago and resumed practice. He was elected 
a Representative in the Legislature in 1878 and 
re-elected in 1880, being chosen Speaker of the 
House during his latter term. In 1888 he was 
elected State Senator from the Sixth District, 
serving during the sessions of the Thirty-sixth 



and Thirty-seventh General As.semblies. In 
1897, General Thomas was appointed United 
States Appraiser in connection with the Custom 
House in Cliicago. 

THOMAS, Jesse Burgess, jurist and United 
States Senator, was born at Hagerstown, Md., 
claiming direct descent from Lord Baltimore. 
Taken west in childhood, he grew to manhood 
and settled at Lawrenceburg, Indiana Territory, 
in 1803; in 180.5 was Speaker of the Territorial 
Legislature and, later, represented the Territory 
as Delegate in Congress. On the organization of 
Illinois Territory (which he had favored), he 
removed to Kaskaskia, was appointed one of the 
first Judges for the new Territory, and, in 1818, 
as Delegate from St. Clair County, presided over 
the first State Constitutional Convention, and, on 
the admission of the State, became one of the 
first United States Senators — Governor Edwards 
being his colleague. Though an avowed advo- 
cate of slavery, he gained no little prominence 
as the author of the celebrated "Missouri Com- 
promise," adopted in 1820. He was re-elected to 
the Senate in 1823, .serving until 1829. He sub- 
sequently removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where 
he died by suicide, May 4, 18.53. — Jesse Burgess 
(Thomas), Jr., nephew of the United States Sena- 
tor of the same name, was born at Lebanon, Ohio, 
July 31, 1806, was educated at Transylvania 
University, and, being admitted to the bar. 
located at Edwardsville. 111. He first appeared 
in connection with pubhc affairs as Secretary of 
the State Senate in 1830, being re-elected in 1832 ; 
in 1834 was elected Representative in the General 
Assembly from Madison Coimty, but, in Febru- 
ary following, was appointed Attorney-General, 
serving only one year. He afterwards held the 
position of Circuit Judge (1837-39). his home being 
then in Springfield; in 1843 he became Associ- 
ate Justice of the Supreme Court, by appointment 
of the Governor, as successor to Stephen A. Doug- 
las, and was afterwards elected to the same 
office by the Legislature, remaining until 1848. 
During a part of his professional career he was 
the partner of David Prickett and WiUiam L. 
May, at Springfield, and afterwards a member of 
the Galena bar, finally removing to Chicago, 
where he died, Feb. 21, 1850.— Jesse B. (Thomas) 
third, clergyman and son of the last named ; bom 
at Edwardsville, 111., July 29, 1832; educated at 
Kenyon College, Ohio, and Rochester (N. Y.) 
Theological Seminary ; practiced law for a time 
in Chicago, but finally entered the Baptist minis- 
try, serving churches at Waukegan, 111.. Brook- 
lyn, N. Y., and San Francisco (1862-69). He 



522 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



then became pastor of the Michigan Avenue Bap- 
tist Church, in Chicago, remaining until 1874, 
when he returned to Brooklyn. In 1887 he 
became Professor of Biblical History in the 
Theological Seminary at Newton, Mass., where he 
has since resided. He is the author of several 
volumes, and. in 18G6, received the degree of D.D. 
from the old University of Chicago. 

THOMAS, John, pioneer and soldier of the 
Black Hawk War, was born in Wythe County, 
Va.. Jan. 11, 1800. At the age of 18 he accom- 
panied his parents to St. Clair County, 111., where 
the family located in what was then called the 
Alexander settlement, near the present site of 
Shiloh. When he was 22 he rented a farm 
(although he had not enough money to buy a 
horse) and married. Six years later he bought 
and stocked a farm, and, from that time forward, 
rapidly accumulated real property, until he 
became one of the most extensive owners of farm- 
ing land in St. Clair County. In early life he 
was fond of military exercise, holding various 
offices in local organizations and serving as a 
Colonel in the Black Hawk War. In 1824 he was 
one of the leaders of the party opposed to the 
amendment of the State Constitution to sanction 
slavery, was a zealous opponent of the Kansas- 
Nebraska bill in 18.54, and a firm supporter of the 
Republican party from the date of its formation. 
He was elected to the lower house of the General 
Assembly in 1838, "02, "04, '72 and "74; and to the 
State Senate in 1878, serving four years in the 
latter body. Died, at Belleville, Dec. 16, 1894, in 
the 95th year of his age. 

THOMAS, John R., ex-Congressman, was born 
at Mount Vernon, 111., Oct. 11, 1846. He served 
in the Union Army during the War of the Rebel- 
lion, rising from the ranks to a captaincy. After 
his return home he studied law, and was admit- 
ted to the bar in 1869. From 1872 to 1876 he was 
State's Attorney, and, from 1879 to 1889, repre- 
sented his District in Congress. In 1897, Mr. 
Thomas was appointed by President McKinley 
an additional United States District Judge for 
Indian Territory. His home is now at Vanita, 
in that Territor3-. 

THOMAS, William, pioneer lawyer and legis- 
lator, was born in what is now Allen County, 
Ky., Nov. 23, 1802; received a rudimentary edu- 
cation, and served as deputy of his father (who 
was Sheriff), and afterwards of the County Clerk ; 
studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1823 ; 
in 1826 removed to Jacksonville, 111., where he 
taught school, served as a private in the Winne- 
bago War (182T), and at the session of 1828-29, 



reported the proceedings of the General Assem- 
bly for "'The Vandalia Intelligencer" ; was State's 
Attorney and School Commissioner of Morgan 
County; served as Quartermaster and Commis- 
sary in the Black Hawk War (1831-32), first under 
Gen. Joseph Duncan and, a year later, under 
General Whiteside ; in 1839 was appointed Circuit 
Judge, but legislated out of office two years later. 
It was as a member of the Legislature, however, 
that he gained the greatest prominence, first as 
State Senator in 1834-40, and Representative in 
1846-48 and 1850-52, when he was especially influ- 
ential in the legislation which resulted in estab- 
lishing the institutions for the Deaf and Dumb 
and the Blind, and the Hospital for the Insane 
(the first in the State) at Jacksonville — serving, 
for a time, as a member of the Board of Trustees 
of the latter. He was also prominent in connec- 
tion with many enterprises of a local character, 
including the establishment of the Illinois Female 
College, to which, although without children of 
his own, he was a liberal contributor. During 
the first year of the war he was a member of the 
Board of Army Auditors by appointment of Gov- 
ernor Yates. Died, at Jacksonville, August 22, 
1889. 

THORNTON, Anthony, jurist, was born in 
Bourbon County, Ky., Nov. 9, 1814 — being 
descended from a 'Virginia family. After the 
usual primary instruction in the common schools, 
he spent two years in a high school at Gallatin, 
Tenn., when he entered Centre College at Dan- 
ville, Ky., afterwards continuing his studies at 
Miami University, Ohio, where he graduated in 
1834. Having studied law with an uncle at 
Paris, Ky., he was licensed to practice in 1836, 
when he left his native State with a view to set- 
tling in Missouri, but, visiting his uncle, Gen. 
William F. Thornton, at Shelby ville. III., was 
induced to establish himself in practice there. 
He served as a member of the State Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1862, and as Represent- 
ative in the Seventeenth General Assembly 
(1850-52) for Shelby County. In 1864 he was 
elected to the Thirty-ninth Congress, and, in 
1870, to the IlUnois Supreme Court, but served 
only until 1873, when he resigned. In 1879 
Judge Thornton removed to Decatur, 111., but 
subsequentlj' returned to Shelbyville, where 
(1898) he now resides. 

THORNTON, William Fitzhugh, Commissioner 
of the Illinois & Michigan Canal, was bom in 
Hanover County, Va., Oct. 4, 1789; in 1806, went 
to Alexandria, Va., where he conducted a drug 
business for a time, also acting as associate 



.HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



523 



editor of "The Alexandria Gazette.'^. Subse- 
quently removing to Washington City, he con- 
ducted a paper there in the interest of John 
Quincy Adams for the Presidency. During the 
War of 1812-14 he served as a Captain of carah}-, 
and, for a time, as staff-officer of General Winder. 
On occasion of the visit of Marquis La Fayette to 
America (182-1-25) he accompanied the distin- 
guished Frenchman from Baltimore to Rich- 
mond. In 1829 he removed to Kentucky, and, 
in 1833, to Shelby ville. 111., where he soon after 
engaged in mercantile business, to which he 
added a banking and brokerage business in 1859, 
witli which he was actively associated until his 
death. In 1836, he was appointed, by Governor 
Duncan, one of the Commissioners of the Illinois 
& Michigan Canal, serving as President of the 
Board until 1842. In 1840, he made a visit to 
London, as financial agent of the State, in the 
interest of the Canal, and succeeded in making a 
sale of bonds to the amount of 81,000,000 on what 
were then considered favorable terms. General 
Thornton was an ardent Whig until the organi- 
zation of the Republican party, when he became 
a Democrat. Died, at Shelbyville, Oct. 21, 
1873. 

TILLSON, John, pioneer, was born at Halifax, 
Mass., March 13, 1796; came to Illinois in 1819, 
locating at Hillsboro, Montgomery County, where 
he became a prominent and enterprising operator 
in real estate, doing a large business for eastern 
parties; was one of the founders of Hillsboro 
Academy and an influential and liberal friend of 
Illinois College, being a Trustee of the latter 
from its establishment until his death ; was sup- 
ported in the Legislature of 1827 for State Treas- 
urer, but defeated by James Hall. Died, at 
Peoria, May 11, 1853. — Christiana Holmes (Till- 
son), wife of the preceding, was born at Kingston, 
Mass., Oct. 10, 1798; married to John Tillson in 
1822, and immediately came to Illinois to reside ; 
was a woman of rare culture and refinement, and 
deeply interested in benevolent enterprises. 
Died, in New York City, May 29, 1872— Charles 
Holmes (Tillson), son of John and Christiana 
Holmes Tillson, was born at Hillsboro, 111., Sept. 
15, 1823; educated at Hillsboro Academy and 
Illinois College, graduating from the latter in 
1844; studied law in St. Louis and at Transj-l- 
vania Uni%-ersity, was admitted to the bar in St. 
Louis and practiced there some j'ears — also served 
several terms in the City Council, and was a 
member of the National Guard of Missouri in the 
War of the Rebellion. Died, Nov. 25, 1865.— 
John (Tillson), Jr., another son, was born at 



Hillsboro. 111., Oct. 12, 1825; educated at Hills- 
boro Academy and Illinois College, but did not 
graduate from the latter ; graduated from Tran- 
sj'lvania Law School, Ky., in 1847, and was 
admitted to the bar at Quinc}-, 111., the same 
year: practiced two years at Galena, when he 
returned to Quincy. In 1861 he enlisted in the 
Tenth Regiment Illinois Volunteers, became its 
Lieutenant-Colonel, on the promotion of Col. J. D. 
Morgan to Brigadier-General, was advanced to 
the colonelcy, and, in July. 1865, was mustered 
out with the rank of brevet Brigadier-General ; 
for two years later held a commission as Captain 
in the regular army. During a portion of 1869-70 
he was editor of "The Quincy Whig"; in 1873 
was elected Representative in the Twenty-eighth 
General Assembh- to succeed Nehemiah Bushnell, 
who had died in office, and, dm-ing the same year, 
was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for 
the Quincy District, serving until 1881. Died, 
August 6, 1892. 

TILLSOX, Robert, pioneer, was born in Hali- 
fax County. Mass., August 12, 1800; came to Illi- 
nois in 1822, and was employed, for several years, 
as a clerk in the land agency of his brother, John 
Tillson, at Hillsboro. In 1826 he engaged in the 
mercantile business with Charles Holmes, Jr., in 
St. Louis, but, in 1828, removed to Quincy, 111., 
where he opened the first general store in that 
city; also served as Postmaster for some ten 
years During this period he built tlie first two- 
story frame building erected in Quincy, up to 
that date. Retiring from the mercantile business 
in 1840 he engaged in real estate, ultimately 
becoming the proprietor of considerable property 
of this character; was also a contractor for fur- 
nisliing cavalry accouterments to the Government 
during the war. Soon after the war he erected 
one of the handsomest business blocks existing 
in the city at that time. Died, in Quincy, Dec. 
27, 1892. 

TINCHER, John L., banker, was born in Ken- 
tucky iu 1821 ; brought by his parents to Vermil- 
ion County, Ind.. in 1829. and left an orphan at 
17; attended school in Coles County, 111., and 
was employed as clerk in a store at Danville, 
1843-53. He then became a member of the firm 
of Tincher & English, merchants, later establish- 
ing a bank, which became the First National 
Bank of Danville. In 1864 Mr. Tincher was 
elected Representative iu the Twenty-fourth 
General Assembly and, two years later, to the 
Senate, being re-elected in 1870. He was also a 
member of the State Constitutional Convention 
of 1869-70. Died, in Springfield, Dec. 17, 1871, 



524 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



w)iile in attendance on the adjourned session of 
tliat year. 

TIPTON, Thomas F., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio, August 29, 1833 ; 
has been a resident of McLean County, 111., from 
the age of 10 years, his present home being at 
Bloomington. He was admitted to the bar in 
1857, and, from January, 1867, to December, 1868, 
was State's Attorney for the Eighth Judicial 
Circuit. In 1870 he was elected Judge of the 
same circuit, and under the new Constitution, 
was chosen Judge of the new Fourteenth Circuit. 
From 1877 to 1879 he represented the (then) 
Thirteenth Illinois District in Congress, but, in 
1878, was defeated by Adlai E. Stevenson, the 
Democratic nominee. In 1891 he was re-elected 
to a seat on the Circuit bench for the Bloomington 
Circuit, but resumed practice at the expiration 
of his term in 1897. 

TISKILWA, a village of Bureau County, on the 
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, 7 miles 
southwest of Princeton; has creameries and 
cheese factories, churches, school, library, water- 
works, bank and a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 965. 

TODD, (Col.) John, soldier, was born in Mont- 
gomery County, Pa., in 1750; took part in the 
battle of Point Pleasant, Va., in 1774, as Adju- 
tant-General of General Lewis; settled as a 
lawyer at Fincastle, Va., and, in 1775, removed 
to Fayette County, Ky., the next year locating 
near Lexington. He was one of the first two 
Delegates from Kentucky County to the Virginia 
House of Burgesses, and, in 1778, accompanied 
Col. George Rogers Clark on his exijedition 
against Kaskaskia and Vincennes. In Decem- 
ber, 1778, he was appointed by Gov. Patrick 
Henry, Lieutenant-Commandant of IlUnois 
County, embracing the region northwest of the 
Ohio River, serving two j-ears; in 1780, was again 
a member of the Virginia Legislature, where he 
procured grants of land for public schools and 
introduced a bill for negro-emancipation. He 
was killed by Indians, at the battle of Blue 
Licks, Ky., August 19, 1783. 

TODD, (Dr.) John, physician, born near Lex- 
ington. Ky., April 27, 1787, was one of the earli- 
est graduates of Trans3'lvania University, also 
graduating at the Medical University of Pliila- 
delphia ; was appointed Surgeon-General of Ken- 
tucky troops in the War of 1812, and captured at 
tne battle of River Raisin. Returning to Lex- 
ington after his release, he practiced there and 
at Bardstown, removed to Edwardsville, 111., in 
1817, and, in 1827, to Springfield, where he had 
been appointed Register of the Land Office by 



President John Quincy Adams, but was removed 
by Jackson in 1829. Dr. Todd continued to reside 
at Springfield until his death, which occurred, 
Jan. 9, 1865. He was a grandson of John Todd, 
who was apgointed Commandant of Illinois 
County by Go%'. Patrick Henry in 1778, and an 
uncle of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln. — John Blair 
Smith (Todd), son of the preceding, was born at 
Lexington, Ky., April 4, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1817 ; graduated at the United 
States Military Academy in 1837, serving after- 
wards in the Florida and Mexican wars and on 
the frontier; resigned, and was an Indian-trader 
in Dakota, 1856-61 ; the latter year, took his 
seat as a Delegate in Congress from Dakota, 
then served as Brigadier-General of Volun- 
teers, 1861-62; was again Delegate in Congress 
in 1863-65, Speaker of the Dakota Legislature 
in 1867, and Governor of the Territory, 1869-71. 
Died, at Yankton City, Jan. 5, 1872. 

TOLEDO, a village and the county-seat of 
Cumberland County, on the Illinois Central Rail- 
road; founded in 1854 ; has five cliurches, a graded 
school, two banks, creamery, flour mill, elevator, 
and two weekly newspapers. There are no manu- 
factories, the leading industry in the surrounding 
country being agriculture. Pop. (1890), 676; 
(1900). 818. 

TOLEDO, CIIVCIJfNATI & ST. LOUIS RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas Cits 
Railroad.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WARSAW RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILROAD. 
(See Toledo. Peoria & Western Railwai/.) 

TOLEDO, PEORIA & WESTERN RAILWAY, 
a line of railroad wholly within the State of Illi- 
nois, extending from Effner, at the Indiana State 
line, west to the Mississippi River at Warsaw. 
The length of the whole line is 230.7 miles, owned 
entirely by the companj'. It is made up of a 
division from Eflner to Peoria (110.9 miles) — 
which is practically an air-line throughout nearly 
its entire length — and the Peoria and Warsaw 
Division (108.8 miles) with branches from La 
Harpe to Iowa Junction (10.4 miles) and 0.6 of a 
mile connecting with the Keokuk bridge at 
Hamilton. — (History.) The original charter for 
this line was granted, in 1863, under the name of 
the Toledo, Peoria & Warsaw Railroad ; the main 
line was completed in 1868. and the La Harpe & 
Iowa Junction branch in 1873. Default was 
made in 1873. the road sold under foreclosure, in 
1880, and reorganized as the Toledo, Peoria & 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



525 



years to the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway 
Company. The latter defaulted in Jul}', 1884, 
and, a year later, the Toledo, Peoria & Western 
was transferred to trustees for the first mortgage 
bond-holders, was sold under foreclosure in 
October, 1886, and, in March, 1887, the present 
company, under the name of the Toledo, Peoria 
& Western Railway Company, was organized for 
the purpose of taking over the property. In 1893 
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company obtained a 
controlling interest in the stock, and, in 1894, an 
agreement, for joint ownership and management, 
was entered into between that corporation and 
the Chicago. Burlington & Quiucy Railroad Com- 
pany. The total capitalization, in 1898, was 
$9,712,433, of which $4,076,900 was in .stock and 
§4,895,000 in bonds. 

TOLEDO, ST. LOUIS & KANSAS CITY KAIL- 
ROAD. This Line crosses the State in a northeast 
direction from East St. Louis to Humrick, near 
the Indiana State line, with Toledo as its eastern 
terminus. Tlie length of the entire line is 450.73 
miles, of which 179i/2 miles are operated in Illi- 
nois. — (History.) The Illinois portion of the 
line grew out of the union of charters granted to 
the Tuscola, Charleston & Vincennes and the 
Charleston, Neoga & St. Louis Railroad Com- 
panies, which were consolidated in 1881 witli 
certain Indiana lines under the name of the 
Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Raih-oad. During 
1882 a narrow-gauge road was constructed from 
Ridge Farm, in Vermilion County, to East St. 
Louis (172 miles). In 1885 this was sold under 
foreclosure and, in June, 1886, consolidated with 
the main line under the name of the Toledo, St. 
Louis & Kansas City Railroad. The whole line 
was changed to standard gauge in 1887-89, and 
otherwise materially improved, but, in 1893, 
went into the hands of receivers. Plans of re- 
organization liave been under consideration, but 
the receivers were still in control in 1898. 

TOLEDO, WABASH k WESTERN RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash liailroad.) 

TOLONO, a city in Champaign County, situ- 
ated at the intersection of tlie Wabash and the 
Illinois Central Railroads, 9 miles south of Cham- 
paign and 37 miles east-northeast of Decatur. It 
is the business center of a prosperous agricultural 
region. The town has five cliurches. a graded 
school, a bank, a button factory, and a weekly 
newspaper. Population (1880), 905; (1890), 902; 
(1900), 845. 

TONICA, a village of La Salle County, on the 
Illinois Central Railway, 9 miles south of La Salle ; 
the district is agricultural, but the place has some 



manufactures and a newspaper. Population 
(1890), 473; (1900). 497. 

TONTV, Chevalier Henry de, explorer and sol 
dier, born at Gaeta, Italy, about 1650 What is 
now known as the Tontine system of insurance 
undoubtedly originated with his father. The 
yoimger Tonty was adventurous, and, even as a 
youth, took part in numerous land and naval 
encounters. In the course of his experience he 
lost a hand, which was replaced by an iron or 
copper substitute. He embarked with La Salle 
in 1678, and aided in the construction of a fort at 
Niagara. He advanced into tlie country of the 
Illinois and established friendly relations with 
them, only to witness tlie defeat of his putative 
savage allies by the Iroquois. After various 
encounters (chiefly under the direction of La 
Salle) with the Indians in Illinois, he returned 
to Green Bay in 1681. The .same year— under La 
Salle's orders — he began the erection of Fort St. 
Louis, on what is now called "Starved Rock" in 
La Salle County. In 1682 he descended the Mis- 
sissippi to its mouth, with La Salle, but was 
ordered back to Mackinaw for assistance. In 
1684 he returned to Illinois and successfully 
repulsed the Iroquois from Fort St. Louis. In 
1686 he again descended the Mississippi in search 
of La Salle. Disheartened by the death of his 
commander and the loss of his early comrades, 
he took up his residence with the Illinois Indians. 
Among them he was found by Iberville in 1700, 
as a hunter and fur-trader. He died, in Mobile, 
in September. 1704. He was La Salle's most effi- 
cient coadjutor, and next to his ill-fated leader, 
did more than any other of the early French 
explorers to make Illinois known to the civilized 
world. 

TOPOtrRAPHT. Illinois is, generally speak- 
ing, an elevated table-land. If low water at 
Cairo be adopted as the maximum depression, and 
the summits of the two ridges hereinafter men- 
tioned as the highest points of elevation, the alti- 
tude of this table land above the sea-level varies 
from 300 to 850 feet, the mean elevation being 
about 600 feet. The State has no mountain 
chains, and its few hills are probably the result 
of unequal denudation during the drift epoch. 
In some localities, particularly in the valley of 
tlie upper Mississippi, the streams have cut 
cliannels from 200 to 300 feet deep through the 
nearly horizontal strata, and here are found pre- 
cipitous scarps, but. for tlie most part, the 
fundamental rocks are covered by a thick layer 
of detrital material. In the northwest there is a 
broken tract of uneven ground; the central por- 



526 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ticn of the State is almost wholly flat prairie, 
and, in the alluvial lands in the State, there are 
many deep Talleys, eroded by the action of 
streams. The surface generally slopes toward 
the south and southwest, but the uniformity is 
broken by two ridges, which cross the State, one 
in either extremity. The northern ridge crosses 
the Rock River at Grand Detour and the Illinois 
at Split Rock, with an extreme altitude of 800 to 
850 feet above sea level, though the altitude of 
Jtount Morris, in Ogle County, exceeds 900 feet. 
That in the .south consists of a range of hills in 
the latitude of Jonesboro, and extending from 
Shawneetown to Grand Tower. These hills are 
also about 800 feet above the level of the ocean. 
The highest point in the State is in Jo Daviess 
County, just south of the Wisconsin State line 
(near Scale's Mound) reaching an elevation of 
1,257 feet above sea-level, while the highest in 
the south is in the northeast corner of Pope 
County — 1,046 feet — a spur of the Ozark moun- 
tains. The following statistics regarding eleva- 
tions are taken from a report of Prof. C. W. 
Rolfe, of the University of Illinois, based on 
observations made under the auspices of the Illi- 
nois Board of World's Fair Commissioners: The 
lowest gauge of the Ohio river, at its mouth 
(above sea-level), is 268.58 feet, and the mean 
level of Lake Michigan at Chicago 581.28 feet. 
The altitudes of a few prominent points are as 
follows: Highest point in Jackson County, 695 
feet; "Bald Knob" in Union County, 985; high- 
est point in Cook County (Barrington), 818; in La 
Salle County (Mendota), 747; in Livingston 
(Strawn), 770; in Will (Monee), 804; in Pike 
(Arden), 790; in Lake (Lake Zurich), 880; in 
Bureau, 910; in Boone, 1,010; in Lee (Carnahan), 
1,017; in Stephenson (Waddam's Grove), 1,018; 
in Kane (Briar Hill), 974; in Winnebago, 985. 
The elevations of important towns are : Peoria, 
465; Jacksonville, 603; Springfield, 596; Gales- 
burg, 755; Joliet, 537; Rockford, 728; Blooming- 
ton, 821. Outside of the immediate valleys of 
the streams, and a few isolated groves or copses, 
little timber is found in the northern and central 
portions of the State, and such growth as there 
is, lacks the thriftiness characteristic of the for- 
ests in the Ohio valley. These forests cover a 
belt extending some sixty miles north of Cairo. 
and, while the}' generally include few coniferous 
trees, they abound in various species of oak, 
black and white walnut, white and yellow pop- 
lar, ash, elm, sugar-maple, linden, honey locust, 
Cottonwood, mulberry, sycamore, pecan, persim- 
mon, and (in the immediate valley of the Ohio) 



the cypress. From a commercial point of view, 
Illinois loses nothing through the lack of timbei 
over three-fourths of the State's area. Chicago 
is an accessible market for the product of the 
forests of the upper lakes, so that the supply of 
lumber is ample, while extensive coal-fields sup- 
ply abundant fuel. The rich soil of the prairies, 
with its abundance of organic matter (see Geo- 
logical Formations), more than compensates for 
the want of pine forests, whose soil is ill adapted 
to agriculture. About two-thirds of the entire 
boundary of the State consists of navigable 
waters. These, with their tributary streams, 
ensure sufficient drainage. 

TORRENS LAND TITLE SYSTEM. A system 
for the registration of titles to, and incumbrances 
upon, land, as well as transfers thereof, intended 
to remove all unnecessary obstructions to the 
cheap, simple and safe sale, acquisition and 
transfer of realty. The system has been in suc- 
cessful operation in Canada, Australia, New Zea- 
land and British Columbia for many years, and 
it is also in force in some States in the American 
Union. An act providing for its introduction 
into Illinois was first passed by the Twenty- 
ninth General Assembly, and approved, June 13, 
1895. The final legislation in reference thereto 
was enacted by the succeeding Legislature, and 
was approved. May 1, 1897. It is far more elabo- 
rate in its consideration of details, and is believed 
to be, in many respects, much better adapted to 
accomplish the ends in view, than was the origi- 
nal act of 1895. The law is applicable only to 
counties of the first and second class, and can be 
adopted in no countj" except by a vote of a 
majoritj' of the qualified voters of the same — the 
vote "for" or "against" to be taken at either the 
November or Ajuril elections, or at an election 
for the choice of Judges. Thus far the only 
county to adopt the S3-stem has been Cook, and 
there it encountered strong opposition on the 
part of certain parties of influence and wealth. 
After its adoption, a test case was brought, rais- 
ing the question of the constitutionality of the 
act. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court, 
which tribunal finally upheld the law. — The 
Torrens system substitutes a certificate of regis- 
tration and of transfer for the more elaborate 
deeds and mortgages in use for centm-ies. Under 
it there can be no actual transfer of a title until 
the same is entered upon the public land legis- 
ter, kept in the office of the Registrar, in which 
case the deed or mortgage becomes a mere power 
of attorney to authorize the transfer to be made, 
upon the principle of an ordinary stock transfer. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



527 



or of the registration of a United States bond, 
the actual transfer and public notice thereof 
being simultaneous. A brief synopsis of the pro- 
visions of the Illinois statute is given below; 
Recorders of deeds are made Registrars, and 
required to give bonds of either $50,000 or $200,- 
000, according to the population of the county. 
Any person or corporation, having an interest in 
land, may make application to any court having 
chancery jurisdiction, to have his title thereto 
registered. Such application must be in vrrit- 
ing, signed and verified by oath, and must con- 
form, in matters of specification and detail, with 
the requirements of the act. The court may refer 
the application to one of the standing examiners 
appointed by the Registrar, who are required to 
be competent attorneys and to give bond to ex- 
amine into the title, as well as the truth of the 
applicant's statements. Immediately upon the 
filing of the application, notice thereof is given 
by the clerk, through publication and the issuance 
of a summons to be served, as in other proceed- 
ings in chancery, against all persons mentioned 
in the petition as having or claiming any inter- 
est in the property described. Any person inter- 
ested, whether named as a defendant or not, may 
enter an appearance within the time allowed. A 
failure to enter an appearance is regarded as a 
confession by default. The court, in passing 
upon the application, is in no case bound by the 
examiner's report, but may require other and 
further proof ; and, in its final adjudication, passes 
upon all questions of title and incumbrance, 
directing the Registrar to register the title in the 
party in whom it is to be vested, and making 
provision as to the manner and order in which 
incumbrances thereon shall appear upon the 
certificate to be issued. An appeal may be 
allowed to the Supreme Court, if prayed at the 
time of entering the decree, upon like terms as 
in other cases in chancer)'; and a writ of error 
may be sued out from that tribunal within two 
years after the entry of the order or decree. 
The period last mentioned may be said to be the 
statutory period of limitation, after which the 
decree of the court must be regarded as final, 
although safeguards are provided for those who 
may have been defrauded, and for a few other 
classes of persons. Upon the filing of the order 
or decree of the court, it becomes the duty of the 
Registrar to issue a certificate of title, the form 
ol which is prescribed by the act, making such 
notations at the end as shall show and preserve 
the priorities of all estates, mortgages, incum- 
brances and changes to which the owner's title is 



subject. For the purpose of preserving evidence 
of the owners handwriting, a receipt for the 
certificate, duly witnessed or acknowledged, is 
required of him, which is preserved in the Regis- 
trar's oflSce. In case any registered owner 
should desire to transfer the whole or any part of 
his estate, or any interest therein, he is required 
to execute a conveyance to the transferee, which, 
together with the certificate of title last issued, 
must be surrendered to the Registrar. That 
official thereupon issues a new certificate, stamp- 
ing the word "cancelled" across the surrendered 
certificate, as well as upon the corresponding 
entry in his books of record. When land is first 
brought within the operation of the act, the 
receiver of the certificate of title is required to 
pay to the Registrar one-tenth of one per cent of 
the value of the land, the aggregate so received 
to be dejiosited with and invested by the Coxmty 
Treasurer, and reserved as an indemnity fund 
for the reimbursement of persons sustaining any 
loss through any omission, mistake or malfea- 
sance of the Registrar or his subordinates. The 
advantage claimed for the Torrens system is, 
chieflj', that titles registered thereunder can be 
dealt with more safely, quickly and inexpensively 
than under the old system ; it being possible to 
close the entire transaction within an hour or 
two, without the need of an abstract of title, 
while (as the law is administered in Cook County) 
the cost of transfer is only $3. It is asserted that 
a title, once registered, can be dealt with almost 
as quickly and cheaply, and quite as safely, as 
shares of stock or registered bonds. 

TOULOJf, the county-seat of Stark County, on 
the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad, 37 miles north- 
northwest of Peoria, and 11 miles southeast of 
Gal va. Besides the county court- house, the town 
has five churches and a high school, an academy, 
steam granite works, two banks, and two weekly 
papers. Population (1880), 967; (1890), 945; (1900), 
1,0.57. 

TOWER HILL, a village of Shelby County, on 
tlie Cleveland, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis 
and the Baltimore & Ohio Soutliwestern Rail- 
roads, 7 miles east of Pana; has bank, grain ele- 
vators, and coal mine. Pop. (1900), 615. 

TOW>'SHE>'D. Richard VI., lawyer and Con- 
gressman, was born in Prince George's County, 
Md., April .30, 1840. Between the ages of 10 
and 18 he attended public and private schools 
at "Washington, D. C. In 1858 he came to 
Illinois, where he began teaching, at the same 
time reading law with S. S. Marshall, at Mc- 
Leansboro, where he was admitted to the bar 



528 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in 18G2, and where he began practice. From 1863 
to 1868 he was Circuit Clerk of Hamilton County, 
and, from 1868 to 1872, Prosecuting Attorney for 
the Twelfth Judicial Circuit. In 1873 he removed 
to Shawneetown, where he became an oificer of 
the Gallatin Xational Bank. From 1C64 to 187.5 
he was a member of the Democratic State Cen- 
tral Committee, and a delegate to the National 
Democratic Convention at Baltimore, in 1872. 
For twelve years (1877 to 1889) he represented 
his District in Congress; was re-elected in 1888, 
but died, March 9, 1889, a few days after the 
beginning of his seventh term. 

TRACY, John M., artist, was born in Illinois 
about 1842 ; served in an Illinois regiment during 
the Civil War; studied painting in Paris in 
1866-76; established himself as a portrait painter 
in St. Louis and, later, won a high reputation as 
a painter of animals, being regarded as an author- 
ity on the anatomy of the horse and the dog. 
Died, at Ocean Springs, Miss., March 20, 1893. 

TREASURERS. (See State Treasurers.) 

TREAT, Samuel Hubbel, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Plainfield, Otsego County, N. Y. , 
June 21, 1811, worked on his father's farm and 
studied law at Richfield, where he was admitted 
to practice. In 1834 he came to Springfield, 111. , 
traveling most of the way on foot. Here he 
formed a partnership with George Forquer, who 
had held the offices of Secretary of State and 
Attorney-General. In 1839 he was appointed a 
Circuit Judge, and, on the reorganization of the 
Supreme Court in 1841, was elevated to the 
Supreme bench, being acting Chief Justice at the 
time of the adoption of the Constitution of 1848. 
Having been elected to the Supreme bench under 
the new Constitution, he remained in office until 
March, 18.55, when he resigned to take the posi- 
tion of Judge of the United States District Court 
for the Southern District of Illinois, to which he 
had been appointed by President Pierce. This 
position lie continued to occupy until his death, 
which occurred at Springfield, March 27, 1887. 
Judge Treat's judicial career was one of the long- 
est in the history of the State, covering a period 
of forty-eight years, of which fourteen were 
spent upon the Supreme bench, and thirty-two 
in the position of Judge of the United States Dis- 
trict Court. 

TREATIES. (See Greenville, Treaty of; Indian 
Treaties. ) 

TREE, Lambert, jurist, diplomat and ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Washington, D. C, Nov. 
29, 1832, of an ancestry distinguished in the War 
of the Revolution. He received a superior clas- 



sical and professional education, and was admit- 
ted to the bar, at Washington, in October, 185.5. 
Removing to Chicago soon afterward, his profes- 
sional career has been chiefly connected with 
that city. In 1864 he was chosen President of 
the Law Institute, and served as Judge of the 
Circuit Court of Cook County, from 1870 to 1875, 
when he resigned. The three following years he 
spent in foreign travel, returning to Chicago in 
1878. In that year, and again in 1880, he was 
the Democratic candidate for Congress from the 
Fourth Illinois District, but was defeated by his 
Republican opponent. In 1885 he was the candi- 
date of his party for United States Senator, biit 
was defeated by John A. Logan, by one vote. In 
1884 he was a member of the National Democratic 
Convention which first nominated Grover Cleve- 
land, and, in July, 1885, President Cleveland 
appointed him Minister to Belgium, conferring 
the Russian mission upon him in September, 1888. 
On March 3, 1889, he resigned this post and 
returned home. In 1890 he was appointed by 
President Harrison a Commissioner to the Inter- 
national Monetary Conference at Washington. 
The year before he had attended (altliougli not as 
a delegate) the International Conference, at Brus- 
sels, looking to the suppression of the slave-trade, 
where he exerted all his influence on the side of 
liumanity. In 1892 Belgium conferred upon him 
the distinction of "Councillor of Honor" upon its 
commission to the World's Columbian Exposi- 
tion. In 1896 Judge Tree was one of the most 
earnest opponents of the free-silver policy, and, 
after the Spanish-American War, a zealoiis advo- 
cate of the policj- of retaining the territory 
acquired from Spain. 

TREMONT,a town of Tazewell County, on the 
Peoria Division of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago et St. Louis Railway, 9 miles southeast 
of Pekin; has two banks, two telephone 
exchanges, and one newspaper. Pop. (1900), 768. 

TRENTON, a town of Clinton County, on the 
Baltimore & Ohio Southwestern Railway, 31 miles 
east of St. Louis ; in agricultural district ; has 
creamery, milk condensery, two coal mines, six 
churches, a public school and one newspaper 
Pop. (1890), 1,384; (1900). 1,706; (1904), about 2,000. 

TROY, a village of Madison County, on the 
Terre Haute & Indianapolis railroad, 21 miles 
northeast of St. Louis; has churches, a bank and 
a newspaper. Pop. (1900), 1,080. 

TRUITT, James Madison, lawyer and soldier, 
a native of Trimble County, Ky., was born Feb. 
12. 1842, but lived in Illinois since 1843, his father 
having settled near Carrollton that year; was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



529 



educated at Hillsboro and at McKendree College ; 
enlisted in the One Hundred and Seventeenth 
Illiuuis Volunteers in 18t)3, and was promoted 
from the ranks to Lieutenant. After the war he 
studied law with Jesse J. Phillips, now of the 
Supreme Court, and, in 1872, was elected to the 
Twenty-eighth General Assembly, and, in 1888, a 
Presidential Elector on the Republican ticket. 
Mr. Truitt has been twice a prominent but unsuc- 
cessful candidate for the Republican nomination 
for Attorney-General. His home is at Hillsboro, 
where he is engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion. Died July 26, 1900. 

TRUMBllLL, Lyman, statesman, was born at 
Colche.ster, Conn., Oct. 12, 1813, descended from 
a historical family, being a grand-nephew of 
Gov. Jonathan Trumbull, of Connecticut, from 
whom the name "Brother Jonathan" was derived 
as an appellation for Americans. Having received 
an academic education in his native town, at the 
age of 16 he began teaching a district school near 
his home, went South four years later, and en- 
gaged in teaching at Greenville, Ga. Here he 
studied law with Judge Hiram Warner, after- 
wards of the Supreme Court, and was admitted to 
the bar in 1837. Leaving Georgia the same year, he 
came to Illinois on horseback, visiting Vandalia, 
Belleville, Jacksonville, Springfield, Tremont and 
La Salle, and finally reaching Chicago, then a 
village of four or five thousand inhabitants. At 
Jacksonville he obtained a license to practice 
from Judge Lockwood. and, after visiting Michi- 
gan and his native State, he settled at Belleville, 
which continued to be his home for twenty years. 
His entrance into public life began with his elec- 
tion as Representative in the General Assembly 
in 1840. This was followed, in February, 1841, 
by his appointment by Governor Carlin, Secre- 
tary of State, as the successor of Stephen A. 
Douglas, who, after holding the position only two 
months, had resigned to accept a seat on the 
Supreme bench. Here he remained two years, 
when he was removed by Governor Ford, March 
4, 1843, but, five 3'ears later (1848), was elected a 
Justice of the Supreme Court, was re-elected in 
1852, but resigned in 18.53 on account of impaired 
health. A year later (lS.i4) he was elected to 
Congress fronx the Belleville District as an anti- 
Nebraska Democrat, but. before taking his seat, 
was promoted to the United States Senate, as the 
successor of General Shields in the memorable con- 
test of 18.5.5. which resulted in the defeat of Abra- 
ham Lincoln. Senator TrumbulPs career of 
eighteen years in the United States Senate (being 
re-elected in 1861 and 18G7) is one of the most 



memorable in tlie history of tliat body, covering, 
as it does, the whole history of the war for the 
Union, and tlie period of reconstruction which 
followed it. During this period, as Chairman of 
the Senate Committee on Judiciary, he had more 
to do in shaping legislation on war and recon- 
struction measures than any other single member 
of that body. While he disagreed with a large 
majority of his Republican associates on the ques- 
tion of Andrew Johnson's impeacliment, he was 
always found in sympathy with them on the vital 
questions affecting the war and restoration of the 
Union. The Civil Rights Bill and Freedmen's 
Bureau Bills were shaped by his liand. In 1872 
he joined in the "Liberal Republican" movement 
and afterwards co-operated with the Democratic 
party, being their candidate for Governor in 
1880. From 1863 his home was in Cliicago, 
where, after retiring from the Senate, he con- 
tinued in the practice of his profession until his 
death, which occurred in that city, June 2.5, 1896. 
TUG MILLS. These were a sort of primitive 
machine used in grinding corn in Territorial and 
early State days. The mechanism consisted of an 
upright shaft, into the upper end of which were 
fastened bars, resembling those in the capstan of 
a ship. Into the outer end of each of these bars 
was driven a pin. A belt, made of a broad strip 
of ox-hide, twisted into a sort of rope, was 
stretched around these pins and wrapped twice 
around a circular piece of wood called a trundle 
head, through which passed a perpendicular flat 
bar of iron, which turned the millstone, usually 
about eighteen inches in diameter. From the 
upright shaft projected a beam, to which were 
hitched one or two horses, whicli furnished the 
motive power. Oxen were sometimes employed 
as motive power in lieu of horses. These rudi- 
mentary contrivances were capable of grinding 
about twelve bushels of corn, each, per day. 

TULET, Murray Floyd, lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Louisville, Ky., March 4, 1827. of English 
extraction and descended from the earl}' settlers 
of Virginia. His father died in 1832, and, eleven 
years later, his mother, having married Col. 
Richard J. Hamilton, for many years a prominent 
lawyer of Chicago, removed with her family to 
that city. Young Tuley began reading law with 
his step-father and completed his studies at the 
Louisville Law Institute in 1847, the same year 
being admitted to the bar in Chicago. About the 
same time he enlisted in the Fifth Illinois Volun- 
teers for service in the Slexican War, and was 
<'ommissioned First Lieutenant. The war having 
ended, he settled at Santa Fe, N. M., where he 



530 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



practiced law, also served as Attorney-General 
and in the Territorial Legislature. Returning to 
Chicago in 1854, he was associated in practice, 
successively, with Andrew Harvie, Judge Gar_v 
and J. N. Barker, and finally as head of the firm 
of Tuley, Stiles & Lewis. From 1869 to 1873 he 
was Corporation Counsel, and during this time 
framed the General Incorporation Act for Cities, 
under which the City of Chicago was reincor- 
porated. In 1879 he was elevated to the bench 
of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and re- 
elected every six years thereafter, his last election 
being in 1897. He is now serving his fourth 
term, some ten years of his incumbency having 
been spent in the capacity of Chief Justice. 

TUKNICLIFFE, Damon G., lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Herkimer County, N. Y., August 30, 
1829; at the age of 20, emigrated to Illinois, set- 
tling in Vermont, Fulton County, where, for a 
time, he was engaged in mercantile pursuits. He 
subsequently studied law, and was admitted to 
the bar in 18.53. In 1854 he established himself 
at Macomb, McDonough Count}', where he built 
up a large and lucrative practice. In 1868 he 
was chosen Presidential Elector on the Repub- 
lican ticket, and, from February to June, 1885, 
by appointment of Governor Oglesby, occupied a 
seat on the bench of the Supreme Court, vice 
Pinkney H. Walker, deceased, who had been one 
of his first professional preceptors. 

TURCHIN, John Basil (Ivan Vasilevitch Tur- 
chinoff), soldier, engineer and author, was born 
in Russia, Jan. 30, 1822. He graduated from the 
artillery school at St. Petersburg, in 1841, and 
was commissioned ensign; participated in the 
Hungarian campaign of 1849, and, in 1852, was 
assigned to the staff of the Imperial Guards; 
served through the Crimean "War. rising to the 
rank of Colonel, and being made senior staff 
ofiBcer of the active corps. In 1856 he came to 
this country, settling in Chicago, and, for five 
years, was in the service of the Illinois Central 
Railway Company as topographical engineer. In 
1861 he was commissioned Colonel of the Nine- 
teenth Illinois Volunteers, and, after leading his 
regiment in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama, 
was, on July 7, 1863, promoted to a Brigadier- 
Generalship, being attached to the Army of the 
Cumberland until 1864, when he resigned. After 
the war he was, for six years, solicitor of patents 
at Chicago, but, in 1873, returned to engineering. 
In 1879 he established a Polish colony at Radom, 
in Washington County, in this State, and settled 
as a farmer. He is an occasional contributor to 
the press, writing usually on military or scientific 



subjects, and is tlie author of the "Campaign and 
Battle of Chickamauga" (Chicago, 1888). 

TURNER (now WEST CHIC.VGO), a town and 
manufacturing center in Winfield Township, Du 
Page County, 30 miles west of Chicago, at tlie 
junction of two divisions of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quincy, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and the 
Chicago it Nortliwestern Railroads. The town 
has a rolling- mill, manufactories of wagons and 
pumps, and railroad repair shops. It also has five 
churches, a graded school and two newspapers. 
Pop. (1900). 1,877; with suburb, 3,270. 

TURNER, (Col.) Henry L., soldier and real- 
estate operator, was born at Oberlin, Ohio, 
August 26, 1845, and received a part of his edu- 
cation in the college there. During the Civil 
War he served as First Lieutenant in the One 
Hundred and Fiftieth Ohio Volunteers, and 
later, with the same rank in a colored regiment, 
taking part in the operations about Richmond, 
the capture of Fort Fisher, of AVilmington and of 
Gen. Joe Johnston's army. Coming to Chi- 
cago after the close of the war, he became con- 
nected with the business office of "The Advance, " 
but later was employed in the banking house of 
Jay Cooke & Co., in Philadelphia. On the failure 
of that concern, in 1872, lie returned to Chicago 
and bought "The Advance," which he conducted 
some two years, when he sold out and engaged in 
the real estate business, with which he has since 
been identified — being President of the Chicago 
Real Estate Board in 1888. He has also been 
President of the Western Publishing Company 
and a Trustee of Oberlin College. Colonel Turner 
is an enthusiastic member of the Illinois National 
Guard and, on the declaration of war between the 
United States and Spain, in April, 1898, promptly 
resumed his connection with the First Regiment 
of the Guard, and finally led it to Santiago de 
Cuba during the fighting there — his regiment 
being the only one from Illinois to see actual serv- 
ice in the field during the progress of the war. 
Colonel Turner won the admiration of his com- 
mand and the entire nation by the manner in 
which he discharged his duty. Tlie regiment 
was mustered out at Chicago, Nov. 17, 1898, when 
he retired to private life. 

TURNER, John Bice, Railway President, was 
born at Colchester, Delaware Count}-, N. Y., Jan. 
14, 1799; after a Virief business career in his 
native State, he became identified with the con- 
struction and operation of railroads. Among the 
works with which he was thus connected, were 
the Delaware Division of the New York & Erie 
and the Troy & Sclienectady Roads. In 1843 he 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



531 



came to Chicago, having previously purchased a 
large body of land at Blue Island. In 1847 lie 
joined with W. B. Ogden and others, in resusci- 
tating the Galena & Chicago Union Railway, 
which had been incorporated in 1836. He became 
President of the Company in 1850, and assisted in 
constructing various sections of road in Northern 
Illinois and Wisconsin, which have since become 
portions of the Chicago & Northwestern system. 
He was also one of the original Directors of the 
North Side Street Railway Company, organized 
in 1859. Died, Feb. 26, 1871. 

TURNER, Jonathan Baldwin, educator and 
agriculturist, was born in Templeton, Mass., Dec. 
7, 1805 ; grew up on a farm and, before reaching 
his majority, began teaching in a country school. 
After spending a short time in an academy at 
Salem, in 1827 he entered the preparatory depart- 
ment of Yale College, supporting himself, in part, 
by manual labor and teaching in a gymnasium. 
In 1829 he matriculated in the classical depart- 
ment at Yale, graduated in 1833, and the same 
year accepted a position as tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege at Jacksonville, 111., which had been opened, 
three years previous, by the late Dr. J. M. Sturte- 
vant. In the next fourteen years he gave in- 
struction in nearly every branch embraced in the 
college curriculum, though holding, during most 
of this period, the chair of Rhetoric and English 
Literature. In 1847 he retired from college 
duties to give attention to scientific agriculture, 
in which he had always manifested a deep inter- 
est. The cultivation and sale of the Osage orange 
as a hedge plant now occupied his attention for 
many years, and its successful introduction in 
Illinois and other Western States — where the 
absence of timber rendered some substitute a 
necessity for fencing purposes — was largely due 
to his efforts. At the same time he took a deep 
interest in the cause of practical scientific edu- 
cation for the industrial classes, and, about 18.50, 
began formulating that sj-stem of industrial edu- 
cation which, after twelve years of labor and 
agitation, he had the satisfaction of seeing 
recognized in the act adopted by Congress, and 
approved by President Lincoln, in July, 1862, 
making liberal donations of public lands for the 
establishment of "Industrial Colleges" in the 
several States, out of which grew the University 
of Illinois at Champaign. While Professor Tur- 
ner had zealous colaborers in this field, in Illinois 
and elsewhere, to him, more than to any other 
single man in the Nation, belongs the credit for 
this magnificent achievement. (See Education, 
and University of Illinois.) He was also one of 



the chief factors in founding and building up 
the Illinois State Teachers' Association, and the 
State Agricultural and Horticultural Societies. 
His address on "The Millennium of Labor." 
delivered at the first State Agricultural Fair at 
Springfield, in 1853, is still remembered as mark- 
ing an era in industrial progress in IlUnois. A 
zealous champion of free thought, in both political 
and religious affairs, he long bore the reproach 
which attached to the radical Abolitionist, only 
to enjoy, in later years, the respect universally 
accorded to those who had the courage and 
independence to avow their honest convictions. 
Prof. Turner was twice an unsuccessful candidate 
for Congress — once as a Republican and once as 
an "Independent" — and wrote much on political, 
religious and educational topics. The evening of 
an honored and useful life was spent among 
friends in Jacksonville, which was his home for 
more than sixtj- j'ears, his death taking place in 
that city, Jan. 10, 1899, at the advanced age of 
93 years.— Mrs. Mary Turner Carriel, at the pres- 
ent time (1899) one of the Trustees of the Univer- 
sity of Illinois, is Prof. Turner's onlj' daughter. 

TURNER, Tliomas J., lawyer and Congress- 
man, born in Trumbull County, Ohio, April 5, 
1815. Leaving home at the age of 18, he spent 
three years in Indiana and in the mining dis- 
tricts about Galena and in Southern Wisconsin, 
locating in Stephenson County, in 1836, where he 
was admitted to the bar in 1840, and elected 
Probate Judge in 1841. Soon afterwards Gov- 
ernor Ford appointed him Prosecuting Attorney, 
in which capacity he secured the conviction and 
punislmient of the murderers of Colonel Daven- 
port. In 1846 he was elected to Congress as a 
Democrat, and, the following year, founded "The 
Prairie Democrat" (afterward "The Freeport 
Bulletin"), the first newspaper published in the 
county. Elected to the Legislature in 18.54, he 
was chosen Speaker of the House, the next year 
becoming the first Mayor of Freeport. He was a 
member of the Peace Conference of 18G1, and, in 
May of that year, was commissioned, by Governor 
Yates. Colonel of the Fifteenth Illinois Volun- 
teers, but resigned in 1862. He served as a mem- 
ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1869-70, 
and, in 1871, was again elected to the Legisla- 
ture, where he received the Democratic caucus 
nomination for United States Senator against 
General Logan, In 1871 he removed to Chicago, 
and was twice an unsuccessful candidate for the 
office of State's Attorney. In February, 1874, he 
went to Hot Springs, Ark., for medical treatment, 
and died there, April 3 following. 



532 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



TL'SCOLA, a city and the county-seat of 
Douglas County, located at the intersection of the 
Illinois Central and two other trunk lines of rail- 
way, 22 miles south of Champaign, and 36 miles 
east of Decatur. Besides a brick court-house it 
has five churches, a graded school, a national 
bank, two weekly newspapers and two establish- 
ments for the manufacture of carriages and 
wagons. Population (1880), 1,457; (1890), 1,897; 
(1900), 2,.569. 

TUSCOLA, CHARLESTON & VINCENNES 
RAILROAD. (See Toledo, St. Louis <& Kansas 
City Railroad.) 

TUTHILL, Richard Stanley, jurist, was born 
at Vergennes, Jackson County, III., Nov. 10, 1841. 
After passing tlirough the common schools of his 
native county, he took a preparatory course in a 
high school at St. Louis and in Illinois College, 
Jacksonville, when he entered Middlebury Col- 
lege, Vt., graduating there in 1863, Immediately 
thereafter he joined the Federal army at Vicks- 
burg, and, after serving for some time in a com- 
pany of scouts attached to General Logan's 
command, was commissioned a Lieutenant in the 
First Michigan Light Artillery, with which he 
served until the close of the war, meanwhile 
being twice promoted. During this time he was 
with General Sherman in the march to Meridian, 
and in the Atlanta campaign, also took part with 
General Thomas in the operations against the 
rebel General Hood in Tennessee, and in the 
battle of Nasliville. Having resigned his com- 
mission in May, 1865, he took up the study of 
law, which he had prosecuted as he had opportu- 
nity while in tlie army, and was admitted to the 
bar at Nashville in 1866, afterwards serving for 
a time as Prosecuting Attorney on tlie Nashville 
circuit. In 1873 he removed to Chicago, two 
years later was elected City Attorney and re- 
elected in 1877 ; was a delegate to the Republican 
National Convention of 1880 and, in 1884, was 
appointed LTnited States District Attorney for 
the Nortliern District, serving until 1886. In 
1887 he was elected Judge of the Circuit Court of 
Cook County to fill the vacancy caused by the 
death of Judge Rogers, was re-elected for a full 
term in 1891, and again in 1897. 

TTXDALE, Sharon, Secretary of State, born in 
Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 19, 1816; at the age of 17 
came to Belleville, 111., and was engaged for a 
time in mercantile business, later being employed 
in a surveyor's corps under the internal improve- 
ment system of 1837. Having married in 1839, 
he returned soon after to Philadelphia, where he 
engaged in mercantile business with his father ; 



then came to Illinois, a second time, in 1845, spend- 
ing a year or two in business at Peoria. About 
1847 he returned to Belleville and entered upon a 
course of mathematical study, with a view to 
fitting himself more thoroughly for the profession 
of a civil engineer. In 1851 he graduated in 
engineering at Cambridge, Mass., after which he 
was employed for a time on the Sunbury & Erie 
Railroad, and later on certain Illinois railroads. 
In 1857 he was elected County Surveyor of St. 
Clair County, and, in 1861, by appointment of 
President Lincoln, became Postmaster of the city 
of Belleville. He held this position until 1864, 
when he received the Republican nomination for 
Secretary of State and was elected, remaining in 
oifice four years. He was an earnest advocate, 
and virtually author, of the first act for the regis- 
tration of voters in Illinois, passed at the session 
of 1865. After retiring from office in 1869, he 
continued to reside in Springfield, and was em- 
ployed for a time in the survey of the Gilman, 
Clinton & Springfield Railway — now the Spring- 
field Division of the Illinois Central. At an early 
hour on the morning of April 29, 1871, while 
going from his home to the I'ailroad station at 
Springfield, to take the train for St. Louis, he was 
assassinated upon the street by shooting, as sup- 
posed for the purpose of robbery — his dead body 
being found a few hours later at the scene of the 
tragedy. Mr. Tyndale was a brother of Gen. 
Hector Tyndale of Pennsylvania, who won a 
high reputation by his services during the war. 
His second wife, who survived him, was a 
daughter of Shadrach Penn, an editor of con- 
siderable reputation who was the contemporary 
and rival of George D. Prentice at Louisville, for 
some years. 

"UXDEROROUND RAILROAD," THE. A 
history of IlUnois would be incomplete without 
reference to the unique system which existed 
there, as in other Northern States, from forty to 
seventy years ago, known by the somewhat mys- 
terious title of "The Underground Railroad." 
The origin of the term has been traced (probably 
in a spirit of facetiousness) to the expression of 
a Kentucky planter who, having pursued a fugi- 
tive slave across the Ohio River, was so surprised 
by his sudden disappearance, as soon as he had 
reached the opposite shore, that he was led to 
remark, "The nigger must have gone off on an 
underground road." From "underground road" 
to "underground railroad," the transition would 
appear to have been easy, especially in view of 
the increased facility with which the work was 
performed when railroads came into use. For 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



533 



readers of the present generation, it may be well 
to explain what "The Underground Railroad" 
really was. It may be defined as the figurative 
appellation for a spontaneous movement in the 
free States — extending, sometimes, into the 
slave States themselves — to assist slaves in their 
efforts to escape from bondage to freedom. The 
movement dates back to a period close to the 
Revolutionary War, long before it received a 
definite name. Assistance given to fugitives 
from one State by citizens of another, became a 
cause of complaint almost as soon as the Govern- 
ment was organized. In fact, the first President 
himself lost a slave who took refuge at Ports- 
mouth, N. H., where the public sentiment was 
so strong against his return, that the patriotic 
and philosophic "Father of his Country" chose 
to let him remain unmolested, rather than "excite 
a mob or riot, or even uneasy sensations, in the 
minds of well-disposed citizens." That the mat- 
ter was already one of concern in the minds of 
slaveholders, is shown by the fact that a provision 
was inserted in the Constitution for their concili- 
ation, guaranteeing the return of fugitives from 
labor, as well as from justice, from one State to 
another. 

In 179.3 Congress passed the first Fugitive Slave 
Law, which was signed by President Washing- 
ton. This law provided that the owner, his 
agent or attorney, might follow the slave into 
any State or Territory, and, upon oath or afl!i- 
davit before a court or magistrate, be entitled 
to a warrant for his return. Any person who 
should hinder the arrest of the fugitive, or who 
should harbor, aid or assist him, kno^ving him 
to be such, was subject to a fine of S.JOO for each 
offense. — In 18.50, fifty -seven years later, the first 
act having proved inefficacious, or conditions 
having changed, a second and more stringent 
law was enacted. This is the one usually referred 
to in discussions of the subject. It provided for 
an increased fine, not to exceed §1,000, and im- 
prisonment not exceeding six months, with 
liability for civil damages to the party injured. 
No proof of ownership was required beyond the 
statement of a claimant, and the accused was not 
permitted to testify for himself. The fee of the 
United States Conmiissioner, before whom the 
case was tried, was ten dollars if he found for 
the claimant: if not, five dollars. This seemed 
to many an indirect form of liriberv ; clearly, it 
made it to the Judge's pecuniary advantage to 
decide in favor of the claimant. The law made 
it possible and easy for a wliite man to arrest, 
and carry into slavery, any free negro who could 



not immediately prove, by other witnesses, that 
he was born free, or had purchased his freedom. 

Instead of discouraging the disposition, on 
the part of the opponents of slavery, to aid fugi- 
tives in their efforts to reach a region where 
they would be secure in their freedom, the effect 
of the Fugitive Slave Law of 18.50 (as that of 1793 
had been in a smaller degree) was the very oppo- 
site of that intended bj- its authors — unless, 
indeed, thej' meant to make matters worse. The 
provisions of the act seemed, to many people, so 
unfair, so one-sided, that they rebelled in spirit 
and refused to be made parties to its enforce 
ment. The law aroused the anti-slavery senti- 
ment of the North, and stimulated the active 
friends of the fugitives to take greater risks in 
their behalf. New efforts on the part of the 
slaveholders were met by a determination to 
evade, hinder and nullify the law. 

And here a strange anomaly is presented. The 
slaveholder, in attempting to recover his slave, 
was acting within his con.stitutioual and legal 
rights. The slave was liis projierty in law. He 
had purchased or inherited his bondman on the 
.same plane with his horse or his land, and, ^part 
from the right to hold a human being in bond- 
age, regarded his legal rights to the one as good 
as the other. From a legal standpoint his posi- 
tion was impregnable. The slave was his, repre- 
senting so much of money value, and whoever 
was instrumental in the loss of that slave was, 
both theoretically and technically, a partner in 
robbery. Therefore he looked on "The Under- 
ground Railway " as the work of thieves, and en- 
tertained bitter hatred toward all concerned in its 
operation. On the other hand, men who were, 
in all other respects, good citizens — often relig- 
iously devout and pillars of the church — became 
bold and flagrant violators of the law in relation 
to this sort of property. They set at nought a 
plain provision of the Constitution and the act of 
Congre-ss for its enforcement. Without hope of 
personal gain or reward, at the risk of fine and 
imprisonment, with the certainty of social ostra- 
cism and bitter opposition, they harbored the 
fugitive and helped him forward on every 
occasion. And why? Because they saw in him 
a man. with the same inherent right to "life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness' " that they 
themselves possessed. To tliein this was a higher 
law than any Legislature. State or National, could 
enact. They denied tliat tliere could be truly 
such a thing as property in man. Believing that 
the law violated human rights, they justified 
themselves in rendering it null and void. 



534 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



For the most part, the "Underground Rail- 
road" operators and promoters were plain, 
obscure men, without hope of fame or desire for 
notoriety. Yet there were some whose names 
are conspicuous in history, such as Wendell 
Phillips, Thomas Wentworth Higginson and 
Theodore Parker of Massachusetts; Gerrit Smith 
and Thurlow Weed of New York: Joshua R. 
Giddings of Ohio, and Owen Lovejoy of Illinois. 
These had their followers and sympathizers in 
all the Northern States, and even in some por- 
tions of the South. It is a curious fact, that 
some of the most active spirits connected with 
the "Underground Railroad" were natives of the 
South, or had resided there long enough to 
become thoroughly accjuainted with the "insti- 
tution." Levi Coffin, who had the reputation of 
being the "President of the Underground Rail- 
road'" — at least so far as the region west of the 
Ohio was concerned — was an active operator on 
the line in North Carolina before his removal 
from that State to Indiana in 1826. Indeed, as a 
system, it is claimed to have had its origin at 
Guilford College, in the "Old North State" in 
1819, though the evidence of this may not be 
conclusive. 

Owing to the peculiar nature of their business, 
no official reports were made, no lists of officers, 
conductors, station agents or operators preserved, 
and few records kept which are now accessible. 
Consequently, we are dependent chiefly upon the 
personal recollection of individual operators for 
a history of their transactions. Each station on 
the road was the house of a "friend" and it is 
significant, in this connection, that in every 
settlement of Friends, or Quakers, there was 
sure to be a house of refuge for the slave. For 
this reason it was, perhaps, that one of the most 
frequently traveled lines extended from Vir- 
ginia and Maryland tliruugh Ea.stern Pennsyl- 
vania, and then on towards New York or directly 
to Canada. From the proximity of Ohio to 
Virginia and Kentucky, and the fact that it 
offered the shortest route tlirough free soil to 
Canada, it was traversed by more lines than any 
other State, although Indiana was pretty 
thoroughly "grid-ironed" by roads to freedom. 
In all. however, the routes were irregular, often 
zigzag, for purposes of security, and the "con- 
ductor" was any one who conveyed fugitives from 
one station to another The "train" was some- 
times a farm-wagon, loaded with produce for 
market at some town (or depot) on the line, fre- 
quently a closed carriage, and it is related that 
once, in Ohio, a number of carriages conveying 



a large party, were made to represent a funeral 
procession. Occasionally the train ran on foot, 
for convenience of sidetracking into the woods 
or a cornfield, in case of pursuit by a wild loco- 
motive. 

Then, again, there were not wanting lawyers 
who, in case the operator, conductor or station 
agent got into trouble, were ready, without fee or 
reward, to defend either him or his human 
freight in the courts. These included such 
names of national repute as Salmon P. Chase, 
Thaddeus Stevens, Charles Sumner, William H. 
Seward, Rutherford B. Hayes, Richard H. Dana, 
and Isaac N. Arnold, while, taking the whole 
country over, their "name was legion." And 
there were a few men of wealth, like Thomas 
Garrett of Delaware, willing to contribute money 
by thousands to their assistance. Although 
technically acting in violation of law — or, as 
claimed by themselves, in obedience to a "higher 
law" — the time has already come when there is a 
disposition to look upon the actors as, in a certain 
sense, heroes, and their deeds as fitly belonging 
to the field of romance. 

The most comprehensive collection of material 
relating to the history of this movement has 
been furnished in a recent volume entitled, "The 
Underground Railroad from Slavery to Free- 
dom," by Prof. Wilbur H. Siebert, of Ohio State 
University ; and, while it is not wholly free from 
errors, both as to individual names and facts, it 
will probably remain as the best compilation of 
history bearing on this subject — especially as the 
principal actors are fast passing away. One of 
the interesting features of Prof. Siebert's book is 
a map purporting to give the principal routes 
and stations in the States northwest of the Ohio, 
yet the accuracy of this, as well as the correct- 
ness of personal names given, has been questioned 
by some best informed on the subject. As 
might be expected from its geographical position 
between two slave States — Kentucky and Mis- 
souri — on the one hand, and the lakes offering a 
highway to Canada on the other, it is naturally 
to be assumed that Illinois would be an attract- 
ive field, both for the fugitive and his sympa- 
thizer. 

The period of greatest activity of the system in 
this State was between 1840 and 18G1 — the latter 
being the year when the pro-slavery party in the 
South, by their attempt forcibly to dissolve the 
Union, took the business out of the hands of the 
secret agents of the "Underground Railroad." 
and — in a certain sense — placed it in the hands 
of the Union armies. It was in 1841 that Abra- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



535 



liam Lincoln — then a conservative opponent of 
tlie extension of slavery — on an appeal from a 
judgment, rendered by the Circuit Court in Taze- 
well Count}', in favor of the holder of a note 
given for the service of the indentured slave- 
girl "Kance," obtained a decision from the 
Supreme Court of Illinois upholding the doctrine 
that the girl was free under the Ordinance of 
1787 and the State Constitution, and that the 
note, given to the person who claimed to be her 
owner, was void. And it is a somewhat curious 
coincidence that the same Abraham Lincoln, as 
President of the United States, in the second 
year of the War of the Rebellion, issued tlie 
Proclamation of Emancipation which finally 
resulted in striking the shackles from the limbs 
of every slave in the Union. 

In the practical operation of aiding fugitives 
in Illinois, it was natural that the towns along 
tlie border upon the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, 
should have served as a sort of entrepots, or 
initial stations, for the reception of this class of 
freight — especially if adjacent to some anti- 
slavery community. This was the case at Ches- 
ter, from which access was easy to Sparta, where 
a colony of Covenanters, or Seceders, was 
located, and whence a route extended, by way of 
Oakdale, Nashville and Centralia, in the direction 
of Chicago. Alton offered convenient access to 
Bond County, where there was a community of 
anti-slavery people at an early day, or the fugi- 
tives could be forwarded northward by way of 
Jerseyville, \Vav«rly and Jacksonville, about 
each of which there was a strong anti-slavery 
sentiment. Quincv, in spite of an intense hos- 
tility among the mass of the community to any- 
thing savoring of abolitionism, became tlie 
theater of grea-t activity on the part of the 
opponents of the institution, especiallj' after the 
advent there of Dr. David Nelson and Dr. Rich- 
ard Eells, botli of whom had rendered themselves 
obnoxious to the people of Missouri by extending 
aid to fugitives. The former was a practical 
abolitionist who, having freed his slaves in his 
native State of Virginia, removed to Missouri and 
attempted to establisli Marion College, a few miles 
from Palmyra, but was soon driven to Illinois. 
Locating near Quincy, he founded the "Mission 
Institute" there, at which he continued to dis- 
seminate his anti-slavery views, while educating 
young men for missionary work. The "Insti- 
tute" was finally burned by emissaries from Mis- 
souri, while three j-oung men wlio had been 
connected with it, having been caught in Mis- 
souri, were condemned to twelve years" confine- 



ment in the penitentiary of that State — partly on 
the testimony of a negro, although a negro was 
not then a legal witness in the courts against a 
white man. Dr. Eells was prosecuted before 
Stephen A. Douglas (then a Judge of the Circuit 
Court), and fined for aiding a fugitive to escape, 
and the judgment against him was finallj- con- 
firmed bj' the Supreme Court after liis death, in 
18,52, ten years after the original indictment. 

A map in Professor Siebert's book, showing the 
routes and principal stations of the "Undergound 
Railroad," makes mention of the following places 
in Illinois, in addition to those already referred 
to; Carlinville, in Macoupin County; Paj'son 
and Mendon, in Adams; Washington, in Taze- 
well ; Jletamora, in Woodford ; Magnolia, in Put- 
nam; Galesburg, in Knox; Princeton (the home 
of Owen Lovejoy and the Bryants), in Bureau; 
and many more. Ottawa appears to have been 
the meeting point of a number of lines, as well 
as the home of a strong colony of practical abo- 
litionists. Cairo also became an important 
transfer station for fugitives arriving by river, 
after the completion of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road, especially as it offered the speediest way of 
reacliing Cliicago, towards which nearly all the 
lines converged. It was here that the fugitives 
could be most safelj' disposed of by placing them 
upon vessels, which, without stopping at inter- 
mediate ports, could soon land them on Canadian 
soil. 

As to methods, these differed according to cir- 
cumstances, the emergencies of the occasion, or 
the taste, convenience or resources of the oper- 
ator. Deacon Levi Morse, of Woodford County, 
near Metamora, liad a route towards Magnolia, 
Putnam County; and his favorite "car" was a 
farm wagon in whicli there was a double bottom. 
The passengers were snugly placed below, and 
grain sacks, filled with bran or other light material, 
were laid over, so that the whole presented the 
appearance of an ordinary load of grain on its 
way to market. The same was true as to stations 
and routes. One, who was an operator, says; 
"Wherever an abolitionist happened on a fugi- 
tive, or the converse, there was a station, for the 
time, and the route was to the next anti-slavery 
man to the east or the north. As a general rule, 
the agent preferred not to know anything beyond 
the operation of his own immediate section of the 
road. If he knew nothing about the operations 
of another, and the other knew nothing of his, 
they could not be witnesses in court. 

We have it on the authority of Judge Harvey B. 
Hurd, of Chicago, that runaways were usually 



536 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS 



forwarded from that city to Canada by way of the 
Lakes, there being several steamers available for 
that purpose. On one occasion thirteen were 
put aboard a vessel under the eyes of a United 
States Marshal and his deputies. The fugitives, 
secreted in a woodslied, one by one took the 
places of colored stevedores carrying wood 
aboard the ship. Possibly the term, "There's a 
nigger in the woodpile,"' may have originated in 
this incident. Thirteen was an "unlucky num- 
ber" in this instance — for the masters. 

Among the notable trials for assisting runaways 
in violation of the Fugitive Slave Law, in addi- 
tion to the case of Dr. Eells, already mentioned, 
were those of Owen Lovejoy of Princeton, and 
Deacon Gushing of Will County, both of whom 
were defended by Judge James Collins of Chi- 
cago. Jolm Hossack and Dr. Joseph Stout of 
Ottawa, with some half-dozen of their neighbors 
and friends, were tried at Ottawa, in 1859, for 
assisting a fugitive and acquitted on a techni- 
cality. A strong array of attorneys, afterwards 
widely known through the northern part of the 
State, appeared for the defense, including Isaac 
N. Arnold, Joseph Knox, B. C. Cook, J. V. Eus- 
tace, Edward S. Leland and E. C. Larned. Joseph 
T. Morse, of Woodford County, was also arrested, 
taken to Peoria and committed to jail, but 
acquitted on trial. 

Another noteworthy case was that of Dr. 
Samuel Willard (now of Chicago) and his father, 
Julius A. Willard, charged with assisting in the 
escape of a fugitive at Jacksonville, in 1843, when 
the Doctor was a student in Illinois College. 
"The National Corporation Reporter," a few 
years ago. gave an account of this affair, together 
with a letter from Dr. Willard, in which he states 
that, after protracted litigation, during which 
the case was carried to the Supreme Court, it was 
ended by his pleading guilty before Judge Samuel 
D. Lockwood, when he was fined one dollar and 
costs— the latter amounting to twenty dollars. 
The Doctor frankly adds: "My father, as well 
as myself, helped many fugitives afterwards." 
It did not always happen, however, that offenders 
escaped so easily. 

Judge Harvey B. Hurd, already referred to, 
and an active anti-slavery man in the days of the 
Fugitive Slave Law, relates the following: Once, 
when the trial of a fugitive was going on before 
Justice Kercheval, in a room on the second floor 
of a two-story frame building on Clark Street in 
the city of Chicago, the crowd in attendance 
filled the room, the stairway and the adjoining 
sidewalk In some way the prisoner got mixed 



in with the audience, and passed down over the 
heads of those on the stairs, where the ofiBcers 
were unable to follow. 

In another case, tried before United States 
Commissioner Geo. W. Meeker, the result was 
made to hinge upon a point in the indictment to 
the effect that the fugitive was "copper-colored." 
The Commissioner, as the story goes, being in- 
clined to favor public sentiment, called for a large 
copper cent, that he might make comparison. 
The decision was. that the prisoner was "oflF 
color," so to speak, and he was hustled out of the 
room before the officers could re-arrest him, as 
they had been instructed to do. 

Dr. Samuel Willard, in a review of Professor 
Sieberfs book, published in "The Dial" of Chi 
cago, makes mention of Henry Irving and Will- 
iam Chauncey Carter as among his active allies 
at Jacksonville, with Rev. Bilious Pond and 
Deacon Lymau of Farmington (near the present 
village of Farmingdale in Sangamon County), 
Luther Ransom of Springfield, Andrew Borders 
of Randolph County, Joseph Gerrish of Jersey 
and William T. Allan of Henry, as their coadju- 
tors in other parts of the State. Other active 
agents or promoters, in the same field, included 
such names as Dr. Charles V. Dyer, Philo Carpen- 
ter, Calvin De Wolf. L. C. P. Freer, Zebina East- 
man, James H. Collins, Harvey B. Hurd, J. Young 
Scammon, Col. J. F. Farnsworth and others of 
Chicago, whose names have already been men- 
tioned; Rev. Asa Turner, Deacon Ballard, J. K. 
Van Dorn and Erastus Benton, of Quincy and 
Adams Count}' : President Rufus Blanchard of 
Knox College, Galesburg ; John Leeper of Bond ; 
the late Prof. J. B. Turner and Eliliu Wolcott of 
Jacksonville; Capt- Parker Morse and his four 
sons — Joseph T., Levi P., Parker, Jr., and Mark 
— of Woodford County ; Rev. William Sloane of 
Randolph ; William Strawn of La Salle, besides a 
host who were willing to aid their fellow men in 
their aspirations to freedom, without advertising 
their own exploits. 

Among the incidents of "Underground Rail- 
road" in Illinois is one which had some importance 
politically, having for its climax a dramatic scene 
in Congress, but of which, so far as known, no 
full account has ever been written. About 18.55, 
Ephraim Lombard, a Mississippi planter, but a 
New Englander by birth, purchased a large body 
of prairie land in the northeastern part of Stark 
County, and, taking up his residence temporarily 
in the village of Bradford, began its improve- 
ment. He had brouglit with liim from Mississippi 
a negro, gray-lviired ami bent with age, a slave 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



537 



of probably no great value. "Old Mose, " as he 
was called, soon came to be well known and a 
favorite in the neighborhood. Lombard boldly 
stated that he had brought him there as a slave ; 
that, by virtue of the Dred Scott decision (then 
of recent date), he had a constitutional right to 
take his slaves wherever he pleased, and that 
"Old Mose" was just as much his property in 
Illinois as in Mississippi. It soon became evident 
to some, that his bringing of the negro to Illinois 
was an experiment to test the law and the feel- 
ings of the Northern people. This being the case, 
a shrewd play would have been to let him have 
his way till other slaves should have been 
brought to stock the new plantation. But this 
was too slow a process for the abolitionists, to 
whom the holding of a slave in the free State of 
Illinois appeared an unbearable outrage. It was 
feared that he might take the old negro back to 
Mississippi and fail to bring any others. It was 
reported, also, that "Old Mose" was ill-treated; 
that he was given only tlie coarsest food in a 
back shed, as if he were a horse or a dog, instead 
of being permitted to eat at table with the family. 
The prairie citizen of that time was very par- 
ticular upon this point of etiquette. The hired 
man or woman, debarred from the table of his or 
her employer, would not have remained a day. 
A quiet consultation with "Old Mose" revealed 
the fact that he would hail the gift of freedom 
joyously. Accordingly, one Peter Risedorf, and 
another equally daring, met him by the light of 
the stars and, before morning, he was placed in 
the care of Owen Lovejoy, at Princeton, twenty 
miles away. From there he was speedily 
"franked" by the member of Congress to friends 
in Canada. 

There was a great commotion in Bradford over 
the "stealing" of "Old Mose." Lombard and his 
friends denounced the act in terms bitter and 
profane, and threatened vengeance upon tlie per- 
petrators. The conductors were known only to a 
few, and they kept their secret well. Lovejoy "s 
part in the affair, however, soon leaked out. 
Lombard returned to Mississippi, where he 
related his experiences to Mr. Singleton, the 
Representative in Congress from his district. 
During the next session of Congress, Singleton 
took occasion, in a speech, to sneer at Lovejoy as a 
"nigger-stealer." citing the case of "Old Mose." 
Mr. Lovejo)- replied in his usual fervid and 
dramatic style, making a speech which ensured 
his election to Congress for life — "Is it desired to 
call attention to this fact of my assisting fugitive 
slaves?" he said. "&n-en Lovejoy lives at Prince- 



ton, 111., three-quarters of a mile east of the 
village, and he aids every slave that comes to his 
door and asks it. Thou invisible Demon of 
Slavery, dost thou think to cross my humble 
threshold and forbid me to give bread to the 
hungry and shelter to the homeless? I bid you 
defiance, in the name of ni}' God!" 

With another incident of an amusing charac- 
ter tliis article may be closed; Hon. J. Young 
Scammon, of Chicago, being accused of conniving 
at the escape of a slave from officers of the law, 
was asked by the court what he would do if sum- 
moned as one of a posse to pursue and capture a 
fugitive. "I would certainly obey the summons," 
he repUed, "but — I sliould probably stub my toe 
and fall down before I reached him. ' 

Note.— Those who wish to pursue the subject of the 
" Underground Railroad " in Illinois further, are referred 
to the work of Dr. Siebert, already mentioned, and to the 
various County Histories which have been issued and may 
be found in the public libraries; also for interesting Inci- 
dents, to "Reminiscences of Levi Coffin," Johnson's 
•■ From Dixie to Canada," Petit's Sketches, •'Still, Under- 
ground Railroad," and a pamphlet of the same title by 
James H. Fairchild, ex-President of t)berlin College. 

UXDERWOOD, William H., lawyer, legislator 
and jurist, was born at Schoharie Court House, 
N. Y., Feb. 21, 1818, and, after admission to the 
bar, removed to Belleville, III., where he began 
practice in 1840. The following year he was 
elected State's Attorney, and re-elected in 1843. 
In 1846 lie was chosen a member of the lower 
house of the General Assembly, and, in 1848-54, 
sat as Judge of the Second Circuit. During this 
period he declined a nomination to Congress, 
although equivalent to an election. In 1856 he 
was elected State Senator, and re-elected in 1860. 
He was a member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1869-70, and, in 1870, was again elected to 
the Senate, retiring to private life in 1872. Died, 
Sept. 23, 1875. 

UNIOX COUNTY, one of the fifteen counties 
into which Illinois was divided at the time of its 
admission as a State — having been organized, 
under the Territorial Government, in January, 
1818. It is situated in the southern division of 
the State, bounded on the west by the Mississippi 
River, and has an area of 400 square miles. The 
eastern and interior portions are drained by the 
Cache River and Clear Creek. The western part 
of the county comprises the broad, rich bottom 
lands lying along the Mississippi, but is subject 
to frequent overflow, while the eastern portion is 
hilly, and most of its area originally heavily tim- 
bered. The county is especially rich in minerals. 
Iron-ore, lead, bituminous coal, chalk, alum and 



538 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



potter's clay are found in considerable abun- 
dance. Several lines of railway (the most impor- 
tant being the Illinois Central) either cross or 
tap the county. Tlie chief occupation is agri- 
culture, altliough manufacturing is carried on to 
a limited extent. Fruit is extensively cultivated. 
Jonesboro is the county-seat, and Cobden and 
Anna important shipping stations. The latter is 
the location of the Southern Hospital for the 
Insane. The population of the county, in 1890, 
was 21,529. Being next to St. Clair, Randolph 
and Gallatin, one of the earliest settled counties 
in the State, many prominent men found their 
first home, on coming into tlie State, at Jones- 
boro, and this region, for a time, exerted a strong 
influence in public affairs. Pop. (1900), 22,610. 

UJiION LEAGUE OF AMERICA, a secret poUt- 
ical and patriotic order whicli had its origin 
early in the late Civil War, for the avowed pur- 
pose of sustaining the caase of the Union and 
counteracting the machinations of the secret 
organizations designed to promote the success of 
the Rebellion. The first regular Council of the 
order was organized at Pekin, Tazewell County, 
June 25, 1862, consisting of eleven members, as 
follows; John W. Glasgow, Dr. D. A. Cheever, 
Hart Montgomery, Maj. Richard N. Cullom 
(father of Senator Cullom), Alexander Small, 
Rev. J. W. M. Vernon, George H. Harlow (after- 
ward Secretary of State), Charles Turner, Col. 
Jonathan Merriam, Henry Pratt and L. F. Gar- 
rett. One of the number was a Union refugee 
from Tennessee, who dictated the first oath from 
memory, as administered to members of a some- 
what similar order which had been organized 
among the Unionists of his own State. It sol- 
emnly pledged the taker, (1) to preserve invio- 
late the secrets and business of the order; (2) to 
"support, maintain, protect and defend the civil 
liberties of the Union of these United States 
against all enemies, either domestic or foreign, 
at all times and under all circumstances," even 
''if necessary, to the sacrifice of life""; (3) to aid 
in electing only true Union men to offices of 
trust in the town, county. State and General 
Government ; (4) to assist, protect and defend 
any member of the order who might be in peril 
from his connection with the order, and (5) to 
obey all laws, rules or regulations of any Comicil 
to which the taker of the oath might be attaclied. 
The oath was taken upon the Bible, the Decla- 
ration of Independence and Constitution of the 
United States, the taker pledging his sacred 
honor to its fulfillment. A special reason for the 
organization existed in the activity, about this 



time, of the "Knights of the Golden Circle," a 
disloyal organization which had been introduced 
from the South, and which afterwards took the 
name, in the North, of "American Knights" and 
"Sons of Liberty. ' " (See Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) Three months later, the organization had 
extended to a number of other counties of the 
State and, on the 25th of September following, 
the first State Council met at Bloomington — 
twelve counties being represented — and a State 
organization was effected. At this meeting the 
following general officers were chosen: Grand 
President — -Judge Mark Bangs, of Marshall 
County (now of Cliicago) ; Grand Vice-President 
— Prof. Daniel Wilkin, of McLean ; Grand Secre- 
tary — George H. Harlow, of Tazewell; Grand 
Treasurer — H. S. Austin, of Peoria, Grand Mar- 
shal— J. R. Gorin, of Macon; Grand Herald^ 
A. Gould, of Henry ; Grand Sentinel — John E. 
Rosette, of Sangamon. An Executive Committee 
was also appointed, consisting of Joseph Medill 
of "The Chicago Tribune"; Dr. A. J. McFar- 
land, of Morgan County ; J. K. Warren, of Macon ; 
Rev, J. C. Rybolt, of La Salle; the President, 
Judge Bangs; Enoch Emery, of Peoria; and 
John E. Rosette. Under the direction of this 
Committee, with Mr. Medill as its Chairman, 
the constitution and by-laws were tlioroughly 
revised and a new ritual adopted, which materi- 
ally clianged the phraseologj^ and removed some 
of the ci-udities of the original obligation, as well 
as increased the beauty and impressiveness of 
the initiator}' ceremonies. New signs, grips and 
pass-words were also adopted, whicli were finally 
accepted by the various organizations of the 
order throughout the Union, which, by this time, 
included many soldiers in the army, as well as 
civilians. The second Grand (or State) Council 
was held at Springfield, January 14, 1863, with 
only seven counties represented. The limited 
representation was discouraging, but the mem- 
bers took heart from the inspiring words of Gov- 
ernor Yates, addressed to a committee of the 
order who waited upon him. At a special ses- 
sion of the Executive Committee, held at Peoria, 
six days later, a vigorous campaign was 
mapped out, under which agents were sent 
into nearly every county in the State. In Oc- 
tober, 1862, the strength of the order in Illi- 
nois was estimated at three to five thousand; 
a few months later, the number of enrolled 
members had increased to 50,000 — so rapid 
had been the growth of the order. On March 
25, 1863, a Grand Council met in Chicago — 
404 Councils in Illinois being represented, with 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



539 



a number from Oliio, Indiana, Michigan, Wiscon- 
sin, Iowa and Minnesota. At this meeting a 
Committee was appointed to prepare a plan of 
organization for a Xational Grand Council, which 
was carried out at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 20th 
of Maj- following — the constitution, ritual and 
signs of the Illinois organization being adopted 
with sUght modifications. The i<- vised obligation 
— taken upon the Bible, the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence and the Constitution of the United 
States — bound members of the League to "sup- 
port, protect and defend the Government of the 
United States and the flag thereof, against all 
enemies, foreign and domestic," and to"beartrue 
faith and allegiance to the same"; to "defend 
the State against invasion or insurrection"; to 
support only "true and reliable men" for offices 
of trust and profit; to protect and defend 
worthy members, and to preserve inviolate the 
secrets of the order. The address to new mem- 
bers was a model of impressiveness and a powerful 
appeal to their patriotism. The organization 
extended rapidly, not only throughout the North- 
west, but in the South also, especially in the 
army. In 186-i the number of Councils in Illinois 
was estimated at 1.300, with a membersliip of 
175,000; and it is estimated that the total mem- 
bership, throughout the Union, was 2,000,000. 
The influence of the silent, but zealous and effect- 
ive, operations of the organization, was shown, 
not only in the stimulus given to enlistments and 
support of the war policy of the Government, 
but in the raising of supplies for the sick and 
wounded soldiers in the field. AVithin a few 
weeks before the fall of Vicksburg, over .?25,000 in 
cash, besides large quantities of stores, were sent 
to Col. John AVilliams (then in charge of the 
Sanitary Bureau at Springfield), as the direct 
result of appeals made through circulars sent out 
by the officers of the "League." Large contri- 
butions of money and supplies also reached the 
sick and wounded in hospital through the medium 
of the Sanitary Commission in Chicago. Zealous 
efforts were made by the opposition to get at the 
secrets of the order, and, in one case, a complete 
copj" of the ritual was published by one of their 
organs : but the effect was so far the reverse of 
what was anticipated, that this line of attack was 
not continued. During the stormy se.ssion of the 
Legislature in 1863, the League is said to have 
rendered effective service in protecting Gov- 
ernor Yates from threatened assassination. It 
continued its silent but effective operations until 
the complete overthrow of the rebellion, when it 
ceased to exist as a political organization. 



UMTED ST.ITES SENATORS. The follow- 
ing is a list of United States senators from Illinois, 
from the date of the admission of the State into 
the Union until 1899, with the date and duration 
of the term of each: Ninian Edwards, 1818-24; 
Jesse B. Thomas, Sr., 1818-39; John McLean, 
182-1-20 and 1829-30; EUas Kent Kane, 1825-35; 
David Jewett Baker, Nov. 13 to Dec. 11, 1830; 
John M. Robinson, 1830-41 ; William L. D. Ewing, 
1835-37 ; Richard M. Young, 1837-4;? ; Samuel Mc- 
Roberts, 1841-43; Sidney Breese, 1843-49; James 
Semple, 1843-47; Stephen A. Douglas, 1847-61; 
James Shields, 1849-55; Lyman Trumbull, 1855-73; 
Orville H. Browning, 1861-63; William A. Rich- 
ardson, 1863-65; Richard Yates, 1865-71; John A. 
Logan, 1871-77 and 1879-86; Richard J. Oglesby, 
1873-79; David Davis, 1877-83; Shelby M. Cullom, 
first elected in 1883, and re-elected in '89 and '95, 
his third term expiring in 1901; Charles B. Far- 
well, 1887-91; John McAuley Palmer, 1891-97; 
William E. Mason, elected in 1897, for the term 
expiring, March 4, 1903. 

UMVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The New). One 
of the leading educational institutions of the 
country, located at Chicago. It is the outgrowth 
of an attempt, put forth b}- the American Educa- 
tional Society (organized at Washington in 1888). 
to supply the place which tlie original institution 
of the same name had been designed to fill. (See 
University of Chicago— Tlie Old.) The following 
year, Mr. John D. Rockefeller of New York ten- 
dered a contribution of §600, 000 toward the endow- 
ment of the enterprise, conditioned upon securing 
additional pledges to the amount of §400,000 by 
June 1, 1890. The offer was accepted, and the 
sum promptly raised. In addition, a site, covering 
four blocks of laud in the city of Chicago, was 
secured — two and one-half blocks being acquired 
by purchase for §282,500, and one and one-half 
(valued at §125,000) donated by Mr. Marshall 
Field. A charter was secured and an organiza- 
tion effected, Sept. 10, 1890. The Presidency of 
the institution was tendered to, and accepted by. 
Dr. William R. Harper. Since that time the 
University has been the recipient of other gener- 
ous benefactions by Mr. Rockefeller and others, 
until the aggregate donations (1898) exceed §10,- 
000.000. Of this amount over one-half has been 
contributed by Mr. Rockefeller, while he has 
pledged himself to make additional contributions 
of §2,000,000, conditioned upon the raising of a 
like sum, from other donors, by Jan. 1, 1900. The 
buildings erected on the campus, prior to 1896. 
include a chemical laboratory costing §182,000; a 
lecture hall, §150,000; a physical laboratory 



540 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



§150,000; a museum, $100,000; an academy dor- 
mitory, 530,000; three dormitories for women. 
§150,000; two dormitories for men, §100,000, to 
which several important additions were made 
during 1896 and 97. The faculty embraces over 
150 instructors, selected with reference to their 
fitness for their respective departments from 
among the most eminent scholars in America and 
Europe. Women are admitted as students and 
graduated upon an equality with men. The work 
of practical instruction began in October, 1893, 
with 589 registered students, coming from nearly 
every Northern State, and including 250 gradu- 
ates from other institutions, to which accessions 
were made, during the year, raising the aggregate 
to over 900. The second year the number ex- 
ceeded 1,100; the third, it rose to 1,750, and the 
fourth (1895-96), to some 2,000, including repre- 
sentatives from every State of the Union, besides 
many from foreign countries. Special featiu'es 
of the institution include the admission of gradu- 
ates from other institutions to a post-graduate 
course, and tlie University Extension Division, 
whicli is conducted largely by means of lecture 
courses, in other cities, or through lecture centers 
in the vicinity of the University, non-resident 
students having the privilege of written exami- 
nations. The various libraries embrace over 
300,000 volumes, of which nearly 60,000 belong 
to what are called the "Departmental Libraries," 
besides a large and valuable collection of maps 
and pamphlets. 

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO (The Old), an 
educational institution at Chicago, under the 
care of the Baptist denomination, for some years 
known as the Douglas University. Senator 
Stephen A. Douglas offered, in 1854, to donate ten 
acres of land, in what was then near the southern 
border of the city of Chicago, as a site for an 
institution of learning, provided buildings cost- 
ing §100,000, be erected thereon within a stipu- 
lated time. The corner-stone of the main building 
was laid, July 4, 1857, but the financial panic of 
that year prevented its completion, and Mr. Doug- 
las extended the time, and finally deeded the 
land to tlie trustees without reserve. For eighteen 
years the institution led a precarious existence, 
struggling under a heavy debt. By 1885, mort- 
gages to the amount of §320,000 having accumu- 
lated, the trustees abandoned furtlier effort, and 
acquiesced in the sale of the property under fore- 
closure proceedings. The original plan of the 
institution contemplated preparatory and col- 
legiate departments, together with a college of 
law and a theological school. 



UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, the leading edu- 
cational institution under control of the State, 
located at Urbana and adjoining the city of 
Champaign. The Legislature at the session of 1863 
accepted a grant of 480,000 acres of land under 
Act of Congress, approved July 2, 1862, making an 
appropriation of public lands to States — 30,000 
acres for each Senator and eacli Repre.sentative in 
Congress — establishing colleges for teaching agri- 
culture and the mechanic arts, though not to the 
exclusion of classical and scientific studies. Land- 
scrip under this grant was issued and placed in 
the hands of Governor Yates, and a Board of 
Trustees appointed under the State law was organ- 
ized in March, 1867, the institution being located 
the same year. Departments and courses of study 
were established, and Dr. John M. Gregory, of 
Michigan, was chosen Regent (President). — The 
landscrip issued to Illinois was sold at an early 
day for what it wonld bring in open market, 
except 25,000 acres, whicli was located in Ne- 
braska and Minnesota. This has recently been 
sold, realizing a larger sum than was received 
for all the scrip otherwise disposed of. The entire 
sum thus secured for permanent endowment ag- 
gregates §613,026. The University revenues were 
further increased by donations from Congress to 
each institution organized under the Act of 1862, 
of §15,000 per annum for the maintenance of an 
Agricultural Experiment Station, and, in 1890, of 
a similar amount for instruction — the latter to be 
increased §1,000 annually until it should reach 
§25,000.— A mechanical building was erected in 
1871, and this is claimed to have been the first of 
its kind in America intended for strictly educa- 
tional purposes. What was called "the main 
building" was formally opened in December, 
1873. Other buildings embrace a "Science Hall," 
opened in 1892; a new "Engineering Hall, " 1894; 
a fine Library Building, 1897. Eleven other prin- 
cipal structures and a number of smaller ones 
have been erected as conditions required. The 
value of property aggregates nearly §2,500,000, and 
appropriations from the State, for all purposes, 
previous to 1904, foot up §5,123,517.90.— Since 
1871 the institution has been open to women. 
Tlie courses of study embrace agriculture, chem- 
istry, polytechnics, military tactics, natural and 
general sciences, languages and literature, eco- 
nomics, household science, trade and commerce. 
The Graduate School dates from 1891. In 1896 
the Chicago College of Pharmacy was connected 
with the University: a College of Law and a 
Library School were opened in 1897, and the same 
year the Chicago College of Physicians and [Sur- 




<1 



o 

z 

O 
02 

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HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



541 



geons was affiliated as the College of Medicine — a 
School of Dentistry being added to the latter in 
1901. In 1885 the State Laboratory of Natural 
History was transferred from Normal, III., and an 
Agricultural Experiment Station entablished in 
1888, from which bulletins are sent to fanners 
throughout the State who may desire them. — The 
fir.st name of the Institution was "Illinois Indus- 
trial University," but, in 188.5, this was changed 
to "University of Illinois."' In 1887 the Trustees 
(of wliom there are nine) were made elective by 
popular vote — three being elected every two 
years, each holding office six years. Dr. Gregory, 
having resigned the office of Regent in 1880, was 
succeeded by Dr. Selini H. Peabody, who had 
been Professor of Meclianical and Civil Engineer- 
ing. Dr. Peabody resigned in 1891. The duties 
of Regent were then discharged by Prof. Thomas 
J. Burrill until August, 1894, when Dr. Andrew 
Sloan Draper, former State Superintendent of 
Public Instruction of the State of New York, was 
installed as President, serving until 1904. — The 
corps of instruction (1904) includes over 100 Pro- 
fessors, 60 Associate and Assistant Professors and 
300 Instructors and Assistants, besides special 
lecturers, demonstrators and clerks. The num- 
ber of students has increased rapidly in recent 
years, as shown by the following totals for suc- 
cessive years from 1890-91 to 1903-04, inclusive: 
519; 583; 714; 743; 810; 852; 1.075; 1,582; 1,824; 
2,234; 2,505; 2,932; 3,289; 3,589. Of the last num- 
ber, 2,271 were men and 718 women. During 
1903-04 there were in all departments at Urbana, 
2,547 students (206 being in the Preparatory Aca- 
demy) ; and in the three Professional Departments 
in Chicago, 1,042, of whom 694 were in the Col- 
lege of Medicine, 185 in the School of Pharmacy, 
and 163 in the School of Dentistry. The Univer- 
sity Library contains 63.700 volumes and 14,500 
pamphlets, not including 5,3.50 volumes and 
15,850 pamphlets in the State Laboratory of Nat- 
ural History. — The University occupies a con- 
spicuous and attractive site, embracing 220 acres 
adjacent to the line between Urbana and Cham- 
paign, and near the residence portion of the two 
cities. The athletic field of 11 acres, on which 
stand the gymnasium and armory, is enclosed 
with an ornamental iron fence. The campus, 
otherwise, is an open and beautiful park with 
fine landscape effects. 

TNORGAXIZED COUNTIES. In addition to 
the 102 counties into which Illinois is divided, 
acts were passed by the General Assembly, 
at different times, providing for the organiza- 
tion of a number of others, a few of which 



were subsequentlj' organized under different 
names, but the majority of which were never 
organized at all — the proposition for such or- 
ganization being rejected by vote of the people 
within the proposed boundaries, or allowed to 
lapse bj' non-action. These unorganized coun- 
ties, with the date of the several acts authorizing 
them, t.nd the territory which tliey were in- 
tended to include, were as follows: Allen 
County (1841) — comprising portions of Sanga- 
mon, Morgan and Macoupin Counties; Audobon 
(Audubon) County (1843) — from portions of Mont- 
gomery, Fa^-ette and Shelby; Benton County 
(1843) — from Morgan, Greene and Macoupin; 
Coffee County (1837) — with substantially the 
same territory now comprised within the bound- 
aries of Stark County, authorized two years 
later; Dane County (1839) — name changed to 
Christian in 1840; Harrison County (1855)^ 
from McLean, Champaign and Vermilion, com- 
prising territory since partially incorporated 
in Ford County; Holmes County (1857) — from 
Champaign and Vermilion; Marquette County 
(1843), changed (1847) to Highland— compris- 
ing the northern portion of Adams, (this act 
was accepted, with Colvimbus as the county- 
seat, but organization finally vacated) ; Michi- 
gan County (1837) — from a part of Cook; Milton 
County (1843) — from the south part of Vermil- 
ion; Okaw County (1841) — comprising .substan- 
tially the same territory as Moultrie, organized 
under act of 1843; Oregon County (1851) — from 
parts of Sangamon, Morgan and Macoupin Coun- 
ties, and covering substantially the same terri- 
tory as proposed to be incorporated in Allen 
County ten years earlier. The last act of this 
character was passed in 1867, when an attempt 
was made to organize Lincoln Coxinty out oJ 
parts of Champaign and Vermilion, but whicli 
failed for want of an affirmative vote. 

UPPER ALTON, a city of Madison County, 
situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, about 
1^ miles northeast of Alton— laid out in 1816. It 
has several churches, and is the seat of Shurtleff 
College and the Western Military Academy, the 
former founded about 1831, and controlled by the 
Baptist denomination. Beds of excellent clay are 
found in the vicinity and utilized in pottery 
manufacture. Pop. (1890), 1,803; (1900), 2,373. 

UPTON, George Putnam, journalist, was born 
at Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 25, 1834; graduated from 
Brown University in 1854, removed to Chicago 
in 1855, and began newspaper work on "The 
Native American," the following year taking 
the place of city editor of "The Evening Joiu-- 



542 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



nal. " In 1862, Mr. Upton became musical critic 
on "The Chicago Tribune," serving for a time 
also as its war correspondent in the field, later 
(about 1881) taking a place on the general edi- 
torial staff, which he still retains. He is regarded 
as an authority on musical and dramatic topics. 
Mr. Upton is also a stockholder in, and, for sev- 
eral years, has been Vice-President of the "Trib- 
une" Company. Besides numerous contributions 
to magazines, his works include: "Letters of 
Peregrine Pickle" (1869) ; "Memories, a Story of 
German Love," translated from the German of 
Max Muller (1879) ; "Woman in Music" (1880) ; 
"Lives of German Composers" (3 vols. — 1883-84); 
besides four volumes of standard operas, oratorios, 
cantatas, and symphonies (1885-88). 

URBANA, a flourishing city, the county-seat 
of Champaign County, on the "Big Four," the 
Illinois Central and the Wabash Railways: 130 
miles south of Chicago and 31 miles west of Dan- 
ville; in agricultural and coal-mining region. 
The mechanical industries include extensive rail- 
road shops, manufacture of brick, suspenders and 
lawn-mowers. The Cunningham Deaconesses' 
Home and Orphanage is located here. The city 
has water-works, gas and electric light plants, 
electric car-lines (local and interurban), superior 
schools, nine churches, three banks and three 
new.spapers. Urbana is the seat of the University 
of Illinois. Pop. (1890). 3,511; (1900), 5,728. 

USREY, William J., editor and soldier, was 
born at Washington (near Natchez), Miss., May 
16. 1827; was educated at Natchez, and, before 
reaching manhood, came to Macon County, 111., 
where he engaged in teaching until 1846, when 
he enlisted as a private in Company C, Fourth 
Illinois Volunteers, for the Mexican War. In 
1855, he joined with a Mr. Wingate in the estab- 
lishment, at Decatur, of "The Illinois State Chron- 
icle, " of which he soon after took sole charge, 
conducting the paper until 1861, when he enlisted 
in the Thirty-fifth Illinois Volunteers and was 
appointed Adjutant. Although born and edu- 
cated in a slave State, Mr. Usrey was an earnest 
opponent of slavery, as proved by the attitude of 
his paper in opposition to the Kansas-Nebraska 
Bill. He was one of the most zealous endorsers 
of the proposition for a conference of the Anti- 
Nebraska editors of the State of Illinois, to agree 
upon a line of policy in opposition to the further 
extension of slavery, and, when that body met at 
Decatur, on Feb. 22, 1856, he served as its Secre- 
tary, thus taking a prominent part in the initial 
steps which resulted in the organization of the 
Republican party in Illinois. (See Ariti-Nebraska 



Editorial Convention.) After returning from 
the war he resumed his place as editor of "The 
Chronicle," but finally retired from newspaper 
work in 1871. He was twice Postmaster of the 
city of Decatur, first previous to 1850, and again 
under the administration of President Grant; 
served also as a member of the City Council and 
was a member of the local Post of the G. A. R., 
and Secretary of the Macon County Association 
of Mexican War Veterans. Died, at Decatur, 
Jan. 20, 1894. 

UTICA, (also called North Utica), a village of 
La Salle County, on the Illinois & Michigan 
Canal and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
Railway, 10 miles west of Ottawa, situated on the 
Illinois River opposite "Starved Rock," also 
believed to stand on the site of the Kaskaskia 
village found by the French Explorer, La Salle, 
when he first visited Illinois. "Utica cement" is 
produced here ; it also has several factories or 
mills, besides banks and a weekly paper. Popu- 
lation (1880), 767; (1890), 1,094; (1900), 1,150. 

VAX ARNAM, John, lawyer and soldier, was 
born at Plattsburg, N. Y., March 3, 1820. Hav- 
ing lost his father at iive years of age, he went to 
live with a farmer, but ran away in his boyhood; 
later, began teaching, studied law, and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in New York City, beginning 
practice at Marshall, Mich. In 1858 he removed 
to Chicago, and, as a member of the firm of 
Walker, Van Arnam & Dexter, became promi- 
nent as a criminal lawyer and railroad attorney, 
being for a time Solicitor of the Chicago, Burling- 
ton & Quinc}' Railroad. In 1862 he assisted in 
organizing the One Hundred and Twenty-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry and was commissioned 
its Colonel, but was compelled to resign on 
account of illness. After spending some time in 
California, he resumed practice in Chicago in 
1865. His later years were spent in California, 
dying at San Diego, in that State, April 6, 1890. 

VANDALIA, the principal city and county-seat 
of Fayette County. It is situated on the Kas- 
kaskia River, 30 miles north of Centralia, 62 
miles south by west of Decatur, and 68 miles 
east-northeast of St. Louis. It is an intersecting 
point for the Illinois Central and the St. Louis, 
Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroads. It was the 
capital of the State from 1820 to 1839, the seat of 
government being removed to Springfield, the 
latter year, in accordance with act of the General 
Assembly passed at the session of 1837. It con- 
tains a court house (old State Capitol building), 
six churches, two banks, three weekly papers, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



543 



graded school, flour, saw and paper mills, foundry, 
stave and heading mill, carriage and wagon 
and brick works. Pop. (1890). 2,144 ; (1900), 2 665. 

VANDEVEER, Horatio 31., pioneer lawyer, 
was born in Washington County, Ind., March 1, 
1816; came with his family to Illinois at an early 
age, settling on Clear Creek, now in Christian 
County; taught school and studied law, using 
books borrowed from the late Hon. John T. Stuart 
of Springfield ; was elected first County Recorder 
of Christian County and. soon after, appointed 
Circuit Clerk, flUing both otfices tliree years. 
He also held the ofiice of County Judge from 1848 
to 18.57 ; was twice chosen Representative in the 
General Assembly (1843 and 1850) and once to the 
State Senate (1862); in 1846, enlisted and was 
chosen Captain of a company for the Mexican 
War. but, having been rejected on account of the 
quota being full, was appointed Assistant -Quarter- 
master, in this capacit}- serving on the stall of 
General Taylor at the battle of Buena Vista. 
Among other offices held by Mr. Vandeveer, were 
those of Postmaster of Taylorville, Master in 
Chancery, Presidential Elector (1848), Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and 
Judge of the Circuit Court (1870-79). In 1868 
Judge Vandeveer established the private banking 
firm of H. M. Vandeveer & Co., at Taylorville, 
which, in conjunction with his sons, he continued 
successfully during the remainder of his life. 
Died. March 12, 1894. 

VAN HOUSE, William C, Railway Manager 
and President, was born in Will County, 111., 
February, 1843 ; began his career as a telegraph 
operator on ihe Illinois Central Railroad in 1856, 
was attached to the Michigan Central and Chi- 
cago & Alton Railroads ',18.58-72), later being 
General Manager or General Superintendent of 
various other lines (1872-79). He next served as 
General Superintendent of the Chicago, Milwau- 
kee & St. Paul, but soon after became General 
Manager of the Canadian Pacific, which he 
assisted to construct to the Pacific Coast; was 
elected Vice-President of the line in 1884, and its 
President in 1888. His services have been recog- 
nized by conferring upon him the order of 
knighthood by the British Government. 

VASSEl'R, Soel C, pioneer Indian-trader, was 
born of French parentage in Canada, Dec. 25, 
1799; at the age of 17 made a trip with a trading 
party to the West, crossing Wisconsin by way of 
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, the route pursued 
by Joliet and Marquette in 1673 ; later, was associ- 
ated with Guidon S. Hubbard in the service of 
the American Fur Company, in 1820 visiting the 



region now embraced in Iroquois County, where 
he and Hubbard subsequently established a trad- 
ing post among the Pottawatomie Indians, 
believed to have been the site of the present town 
of Iroquois. The way of reaching their station 
from Chicago was by the Chicago and Des 
Plaines Rivers to the Kankakee, and ascending 
the latter and the Iroquois. Here Vasseur re- 
mained in trade imtil the removal of the Indians 
west of the Mississippi, in which he served as 
agent of the Government. While in the Iroquois 
region he married Watseka. a somewhat famous 
Pottawatomie woman, for whom the town of 
Watseka was named, and who had previously 
been the Indian wife of a fellow-trader. His 
later years were spent at Bourbonnais Grove, in 
Kankakee County, where he died, Dec. 13, 1879. 

VENICE, a city of Madison County, on the 
Mississippi River opposite St. Louis and 3 miles 
north of East St. Louis ; is touched by six trunk 
lines of railroad, and at the eastern approach to 
the new "Merchants" Bridge," with its round- 
house, has two ferries to St. Louis, street car line, 
electric lights, water-works, some manufactures 
and a newspaper. Pop. (1890), 932; (1900), 2,450. 

VENICE & "CARONDELET RAILROAD. (See 
Louisville, Evcnsvillf <fc St. Louis (Consolidated) 
Railroad.) 

VERMILION COUNTY, an eastern county, 
bordering on the Indiana State line, and drained 
by the Vermilion and Little Vermilion Rivers, 
from which it takes its name. It was originally 
organized in 1826. when it extended north to 
Lake Michigan. Its present area is 926 square 
miles. The discovery of salt springs, in 1819. 
aided in attracting immigration to this region, 
but the manufacture of salt was abandoned 
many years ago. Early settlers were Seymour 
Treat. James Butler, Henry Johnston, Harvey 
Lidington, Gurdon S. Hubbard and Daniel W. 
Beckwith. James Butler and Achilles Morgan 
were the first County Commissioners. Many 
interesting fossil remains have been found, 
among them the skeleton of a mastodon (1868). 
Fire clay is found in large quantities, and two 
coal seams cross the county. The surface is level 
and the soil fertile. Corn is the chief agricultural 
product, although oats, wheat, rj-e. and potatoes 
are extensively cultivated. Stock-raising and 
wool-growing are important industries. There 
are also several manufactories, chiefly at Dan- 
ville, which is the county -seat. Coal mining 
is carried on extensively, especially in the vicin- 
ity of Danville. Population (1880), 41,588; (1890), 
49,905; (1900), 65,635. 



544 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



VERMILION RITER, a tributary of the Illi- 
nois; rises in Ford and the northern part of 
McLean County, and, running northwestward 
through Livingston and the southern part of 
La Salle Counties, enters the Illinois River 
nearly opposite the city of La Salle ; has a length 
of about 80 miles. 

VERMILION RIVER, an affluent of the Wa- 
bash, formed by the union of the North, Middle 
and South Forks, which rise in Illinois, and 
come together near Danv-Ile in this State. It 
flows southeastward, and enters the Wabash in 
Vermilion County, Ind. The main stream is 
about 28 miles long. The South Fork, however, 
which rises in Champaign Count}' and runs east- 
ward, has a length of nearly 75 miles. The 
Little Vermilion River enters the Wabash about 
7 or 8 miles below the Vermilion, which is some- 
times called the Big Vermilion, by way of 
distinction. 

VERMONT, a village in Fulton Coimty, at 
junction of Galesburg and St. Louis Division of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 24 
miles north of Beardstown ; has a carriage manu- 
factory, flour and saw-mills, brick and tile works, 
electric light plant, besides two banks, four 
churches, two graded schools, and one weekly 
newspaper. An artesian well has been sunk here 
to the depth of 3.600 feet. Pop. (1900), 1,195. 

VERSAILLES, a town of Brown County, on 
the Wabash Railway, 48 miles east of Quincy ; is 
in a timber and agricultural district; has a bank 
and weekly newspaper. Population (1900), 524. 

VIENNA, the county-seat of Johnson County, 
situated on the Cairo and Vincennes branch of 
the Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis 
Railroad, 36 miles north-northwest of Cairo. It 
has a court house, several churches, a graded 
school, banks and two weekly newspapers. 
Population (1880), 494; (1890), 838; (1900), 1,317. 

VIOO, Francois, pioneer and early Indian- 
trader, was born at Mondovi, Sardinia (Western 
Italy), in 1747, served as a private soldier, first at 
Havana and afterwards at New Orleans. When 
he left the Spanish army he came to St. Louis, 
then the militarj' headquarters of Spain for Upper 
Louisiana, where he became a partner of Com- 
mandant de Leba, and was extensively engaged 
in the fur-trade among the Indians on the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers. On the occupation of 
Kaskaskia by Col. George Rogers Clark in 177)S. 
he rendered valuable aid to the Americans, turn- 
ing out supplies to feed Clark's destitute soldiers, 
and accepting Virginia Continental monej-, at 
par, in paj-ment, incurring liabilities in excess of 



$20,000. This, followed by the confiscation policy 
of the British Colonel Hamilton, at Vincennes, 
where Vigo had considerable property, reduced 
him to extreme penury. H. W. Beckwith says 
that, towards the close of his life, he lived on his 
little homestead near Vincennes, in great poverty 
but cheerful to the last He was never recom- 
pensed during his life for his sacrifices in behalf 
of the American cause, though a tardy restitution 
was attempted, after his death, by the United 
States Government, for the benefit of his heirs. 
He died, at a ripe old age, at Vincennes, Ind., 
March 22, 1835. 

VILLA RIDGE, a village of Pulaski County, 
on the Illinois Central Railway, 10 miles north of 
Cairo. Population, 500. 

VINCENNES, Jean Baptiste Bissot, a Canadian 
explorer, born at Quebec, January, 1688, of aris- 
tocratic and wealthy ancestry. He was closely 
connected with Louis Joliet — probablj* his 
brother-in-law, although some historians say that 
he was the latter's nephew. He entered the 
Canadian army as ensign in 1701, and had a long 
and varied experience as an Indian fighter. 
About 1725 he took up his residence on what is 
now the site of the present city of Vincennes, 
Ind., which is named in his honor. Here he 
erected an earth fort and established a trading- 
post. In 1726, under orders, he co-operated with 
D'Artaguiette (then the French Governor of Illi- 
nois) in an expedition against the Chickasaws. 
The expedition resulted disastrously. Vincennes 
and D'Artaguiette were captured and burned 
at the stake, together with Father Senat (a 
Jesuit priest) and otliers of the command. 
(See also D'Artagnidte; French Governors of 
Illinois.) 

VIRDEN, a city of Macoupin County, on the 
Chicago & Alton and the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railroads, 21 miles south by west from 
Springfield, and 31 miles east-southeast of Jack- 
sonville. It has five churches, two banks, two 
newspapers, telephone service, electric lights, 
grain elevators, machine shop, and extensive coal 
mines. Pop.(1900), 2,280; (school censusl903),3,651. 

VIRGINIA, an incorporated city, the county- 
seat of Cass County, situated at the intersection of 
the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis, with the Spring- 
field Division of the Baltimore & Ohio South- 
western Railroad. 15 miles north of Jacksonville, 
and 33 miles west-northwest of Springfield, It 
lies in the heart of a rich agricultural region. 
There is a flouring mill here, besides manu- 
factories of wagons and cigars. The city has two 
National and one State bank, five chui-ches, a 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



545 



high school, and two weekly papers. Pop (1890), 
1.602; (1900), 1.600. 

VOCKE, William, lawyer, was born at Min- 
ilen, Westplialia (Germany), in 1839, tlie son of a 
Government Secretarj- iu the Prussian service. 
Having lost his father at an early age, he emi- 
grated to America in 1856, and, after a short 
stay in New York, came to Chicago, where he 
found employment as a paper-carrier for "The 
Staats-Zeitung," meanwhile giving liis attention 
to the study of law. Later, he became associated 
with a real-estate firm; on the commencement 
of the Civil War, enlisted as a private in a 
three months' regiment, and, finally, in the 
Twenty-fourth Illinois (the first Hecker regi- 
ment), in which he rose to the rank of Captain. 
Returning from the army, he was employed as 
city editor of "The Staats-Zeitung, ' ' but, in 
1865, became Clerk of the Chicago Police Court, 
serving until 18G9. Meanwhile he Iiad been 
admitted to the bar, and, on retirement from 
office, began practice, but, in 1870, was elected 
Representative in the Twenty-seventh General 
Assembly, in which he bore a leading part in 
framing "the burnt record act" made necessary 
by the fire of 1871. He has since been engaged 
in tlie practice of his profession, having been, 
for a number of years, attorney for the German 
Consulate at Chicago, also serving, for several 
years, on the Chicago Board of Education. Mr. 
Vocke is a man of high literary tastes, as shown 
by his publication, in 1869, of a volume of poems 
translated from the German, which has been 
highly commended, besides a legal work on 
"The Administration of Justice in the United 
States, and a Synopsis of the Mode of Procedure 
in our Federal and State Coui-ts and All Federal 
and State Laws relating to Subjects of Interest 
to Aliens," whicli has been published in the Ger- 
man Language, and is highly valued by German 
lawyers and business men. Mr. Vocke was a 
member of the Republican National Convention 
of 1872 at Philadelphia, which nominated General 
Grant for the Presidency a second time. 

VOLK, Leonard Wells, a distinguished Illinois 
sculptor, born at Wellstown (afterwards Wells), 
N. Y., Nov. 7, 1828. Later, his father, who was 
a marble cutter, removed to Pittsfield, JIass., 
and, at the age of 16, Leonard began work in his 
shop. In 1848 he came west and began model- 
ing in clay and drawing at St. Louis, being only 
self-taught. He married a cousin of Stephen A. 
Douglas, and the latter, in 1855, aided him in 
the prosecution of his art studies in Italy. Two 
years afterward he settled in Chicago, where he 



modeled the first portrait bust ever made in the 
city, having for his subject his first patron — the 
"Little Giant." The next year (18.58) he made a 
life-size marble statue of Douglas. In 1860 he 
made a portrait bust of Abraliam Lincoln, which 
passed into the possession of the Chicago His- 
torical Society and was destroyed in the great fire 
of 1871. In 1868-69, and again in 1871-73, he 
revisited Italy for purposes of study. In 1867 he 
was elected academician of the Chicago Academy, 
and was its President for eight years. He was 
genial, companionable and charitable, and always 
ready to assist his younger and less fortunate pro- 
fessional brethren. His best known works are the 
Douglas Monument, in Chicago, several soldiers' 
monuments in different parts of the country, 
the statuary for the Henry Keep mausoleum at 
Watertown, N. Y. , life-size statues of Lincoln 
and Douglas, in the State House at Springfield, 
and numerous portrait busts of men eminent 
in political, ecclesiastical and commercial Ufe. ■ 
Died, at Osceola, Wis., August 18, 1895. 

TOSS, Arno, journalist, lawyer and .soldier, 
born in Prussia, April 16, 1821 ; emigrated to the 
United States and was admitted to the bar in 
Chicago, in 1848, the same year becoming editor 
of "The Staats-Zeitung": was elected City 
Attorney in 18.52, and again in 1853; in 1861 
became Major of the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, but 
afterwards assisted in organizing tlie Twelfth 
Cavalry, of which he was commissioned Colonel, 
still later serving with his command in Vir- 
ginia. He was at Harper's Ferry at the time of 
the capture of that place in September, 1862, but 
succeeded in cutting his way, with his command, 
through the rebel lines, escaping into Pennsyl- 
vania. Compelled by ill-health to leave the serv- 
ice in 1863, he retired to a farm in Will County, 
but, in 1869, I'eturned to Chicago, where he served 
as Master in Chancery and was elected to the 
lower branch of the General Assembly in 1876, 
but declined a re-election in 1878. Died, in Chi- 
cago, March 23, 1888. 

WABASH, CHESTER & WESTERN RAIL- 

ROAD, a railway running from Chester to Mount 
Vernon, 111. , 63. 33 miles, with a branch extend- 
ing from Chester to Menard. 1.5 miles; total 
mileage, 64.83. It is of standard gauge, and 
almost entirely laid with 60-pound steel rails. — 
(History.) It was organized, Feb. 20, 1878. as 
successor to the Iron Mountain, Chester & East- 
ern Railroad. During the fiscal year 1893-94 the 
Company purchased the Tamaroa & Mount Ver- 
non Railroad, extending from Mount Vernon to 



546 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Tamaroa, 23.5 miles. Capital stock (1898), 51,- 
250,000; bonded indebtedness, $690,000; total 
capitalization, §3,028,573. 

WABASH COUNTY, situated in the southeast 
corner of the State ; area 330 square miles. The 
county was carved out from Edwards in 1824. 
and the first court house built at Centerville, in 
Maj', 1826. Later, Mount Carmel was made the 
county-seat. (See 3Ioiinf Carmrl.) The Wabash 
River drains the county on the east; other 
streams are the Bon Pas, Coffee and Crawfish 
Creeks. The surface is undulating with a fair 
growtli of timber. The chief industries are the 
raising of live-stock and the cultivation of cere- 
als. The wool-crop is likewise valuable. The 
county is crossed by the Louisville. Evansville & 
St. Louis and the Cairo and Viucenues Division 
of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railroads. Population (1880), 4,945; (1890), 
11,860; (1900), 12,583. 

WABASH RAILROAD, an extensive railroad 
system connecting the cities of Detroit and 
Toledo, on the east, with Kansas City and Council 
Bluffs, on the west, with branches to Chicago, St. 
Louis, Quincy and Altamont, 111., and to Keokuk 
and Des Moines, Iowa. The total mileage (1898) 
is 1,874.96 miles, of which 677.4 miles are in Illi- 
nois — all of the latter being the property of the 
company, besides 176.7 miles of yard-tracks, sid- 
ings and spurs. The company has trackage^ 
privileges over the Toledo, Peoria & "Western (6.5 
miles) between Elvaston and Keokuk bridge, and 
over the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy (21.8 
miles) between Camp Point and Quincy. — (His- 
tory.) A considerable portion of this road in 
Illinois is constructed on the line upon which the 
Northern Cross Railroad was projected, in the 
"internal improvement" scheme adopted in 1837, 
and embraces the only section of road completed 
under that scheme — that between the Illinois 
River and Springfield. (1) The construction of 
this section was begun by the State, May 11, 
1837, the first rail laid. May 9, 1838, the road 
completed to Jacksonville. Jan. 1, 1840, and to 
Springfield, May 13, 1843. It was operated for a 
time by "mule power," but the income was in- 
sufficient to keep the line in repair and it was 
finally abandoned. In 1847 the line was sold for 
$21,100 toN. H. Ridgelyand Thomas Mather of 
Springfield, and liy them transferred to New 
York capitalists, who organized the Sangamon & 
Morgan Railroad Company, reconstructed the 
road from Springfield to Naples and opened it for 
business in 1849. (3) In 1853 two corporations 
were organized in Ohio and Indiana, respectively. 



under the name of the Toledo & Illinois Railroad 
and the Lake Erie. Wabash & St. Louis Railroad, 
which were consolidated as the Toledo, Wabash 
& Western Railroad, June 25, 1856. In 1858 
these lines were sold separately under foreclo- 
sure, and finally reorganized, under a special char- 
ter granted by the Illinois Legislature, under the 
name of the Great Western Railroad Company. 
(3) The Quincy & Toledo Railroad, extending 
from Camp Point to the Illinois River opjxisite 
Meredosia, was constructed in 1858-59, and that, 
with the Illinois & Southern Iowa (from Clay- 
ton to Keokuk), was united, July 1, 1865, with 
the eastern divisions extending to Toledo, the 
new organization taking the name of the main 
line, (Toledo, Wabash & Western). (4) The 
Hannibal & Naples Division (49.6 miles), from 
Bluffs to Hannibal. Mo., was chartered in 1863, 
opened for business in 1870 and leased to the 
Toledo, Wabash & Western. The latter defaulted 
on its interest in 1875, was placed in the hands 
of a receiver and, in 1877, was turned over to a 
new company under the name of the Wabash 
Railway Company. (5) In 1868 the company, 
as it then existed, promoted and secured the con- 
struction, and afterwards acquired the owner- 
ship, of a line extending from Decatur to East St. 
Louis (110.5 miles) under the name of the Deca- 
tur & East St. Louis Railroad. (6) The Eel River 
Railroad, from Butler to Logansport, Ind., was 
acquired in 1877, and afterwards extended to 
Detroit under the name of the Detroit, Butler & 
St. Louis Railroad, completing the connection 
from Logansport to Detroit. — In November, 1879, 
the Wabash. St. Louis & Pacific Railway Com- 
pany was organized, took the property and con- 
solidated it with certain lines west of the 
Mississippi, of which tlie chief was the St. Louis, 
Kansas City & Northern. A line had been pro- 
jected from Decatur to Chicago as early as 1870, 
but, not having been constructed in 1881, the 
Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific purchased what was 
known as the Chicago & Paducah Railroad, 
imiting with the main line at Bement, and (by 
way of the Decatur and St. Louis Division) giv- 
ing a direct line between Chicago and St. Louis. 
At this time the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific wai 
ojierating the following additional leased lines: 
Pekin, Lincoln & Decatiu' (67.2 miles) ; Hannibal 
& Central Missouri (70.2 miles); Lafayette. Mun- 
cie & Bloomington (36.7 miles), and the Lafayette 
Bloomingtou & Muncie (80 miles). A connection 
between Cliicago on the west and Toledo and 
Detroit on the east was established over the 
Grand Trunk road in 1882, but. in 1890, the com- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



547 



pany constructed a line from Montpelier, Ohio, to 
Clark, Ind. (149.7 miles), thence by track lease 
to Chicago (17. .5 miles), giving an independent 
line between Chicago and Detroit by what is 
known to investors as the Detroit & Chicago 
Division. 

The total mileage of the Wabash, St. Louis & 
Pacific system, in 1884, amounted to over 3,600 
miles ; but, in May of that year, default having 
been made in the payment of interest, the work 
of disintegration began. The main line east of 
the Mississippi and that on the west were sepa- 
rated, the latter taking the name of the "Wabash 
Western." The Eastern Division was placed in 
the hands of a receiver, so remaining until May, 
1889, when the two divisions, having been 
bought in by a purchasing committee, were 
consolidated under the present name. The total 
earnings and income of the road in Illinois, for 
the fiscal year 1898, were $4,403,621, and the 
expenses 54,836,110. The total capital invested 
(1898) was $139,889,643, including capital stock 
of $52,000,000 and bonds to the amount of §81,- 
534.000. 

WABASH RIVER, rises in northwestern Ohio, 
passes into Indiana, and runs northwest to Him- 
tington. It then flows nearly due west to Logans- 
port, thence southwest to Covington, finally 
turning southward to Terre Haute, a few miles 
below which it strikes the western boundary of 
Indiana. It forms the boundary between Illinois 
and Indiana (taking into account its numerous 
windings) for some 200 miles. Below Vincennes 
it runs in a south-southwesterly direction, and 
enters the Ohio at the south-west extremity of 
Indiana, near latitude 37° 49' nortli. Its length 
is estimated at 557 miles. 

WABASH & MISSISSIPPI RAILROAD. 
(See Illinois Central Railroad.) 

WABASH, ST. LOUIS & PACIFIC RAIL- 
ROAD. (See Wabash Railroad. ) 

WABASH & WESTERN RAILROAD. (See 
Wabash Railroad.) 

WAIT, William Smith, pioneer, and original 
suggestor of the Illinois Central Railroad, was 
bom in Portland, Maine, March 5, 1789, and edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native place. 
In his youth he entered a book-publishing house 
in which his fatlier was a partner, and was for a 
time associated with the publication of a weekly 
paper. Later the business was conducted at 
Boston, and extended over the Eastern, Middle, 
and Southern States, the subject of this sketch 
making extensive tours in the interest of the 
firm. In 1817 he made a tour to the West, 



reaching St. Louis, and, early in the following 
year, visited Bond County, 111., where he made 
his first entry of land from the Government. 
Returning to Boston a few months later, he con- 
tinued in the service of the publishing firm until 
1820, when he again came to Illinois, and, in 
1831, began farming in Ripley Township, Bond 
County. Returning East in 1824, he spent the 
next ten years in the employment of the publish- 
ing firm, with occasional visits to Illinois. In 
1835 he located permanently near Greenville, 
Bond Coxmty, and engaged extensively in farm- 
ing and fruit-raising, planting one of the largest 
apple orchards in the State at that early day. In 
1845 he presided as chairman over the National 
Industrial Convention in New York, and, in 
1848, was nominated as the candidate of the 
National Reform Association for Vice-President 
on the ticket with Gerrit Smith of New York, 
but declined. He was also prominent in County 
and State Agricultural Societies. Mr Wait has 
been credited with being one of the first (if not 
the very first) to suggest the construction of the 
Illinois Central Railroad, which he did as early 
as 1835; was also one of the prime movers in the 
construction of the Mississippi & Atlantic Rail- 
road — now the "Vandalia Line" — giving much 
time to the latter enterprise from 1846 for many 
years, and was one of the original incorporators 
of the St. Louis & Illinois Bridge Company. 
Died, July 17, 1865. 

WALKER, Cyrus, pioneer, lawyer, born in 
Rockbridge County, Va., May 14, 1791; was taken 
while an infant to Adair County, Ky., and came 
to Macomb, 111. , in 1833, being the second lawyer 
to locate in McDonough County. He had a wide 
reputation as a successful advocate, especially in 
criminal cases, and practiced extensively in the 
courts of Western Illinois and also in Iowa. Died, 
Dec. 1, 1875. Mr. Walker was uncle of the late 
Pinkney H. Walker of the Supreme Court, who 
studied law with him. He was Whig candidate 
for Presidential Elector for the State-at-large in 
1840. 

WALKER, James Barr, clergyman, was born 
in Philadelphia, July 29, 1805; in his youth 
served as errand-boy in a country store near 
Pittsburg and spent four years in a printing 
office ; then became clerk in the office of Mordecai 
M. Noah, in New York, studied law and gradu- 
ated from Western Reserve College, Ohio; edited 
various religious papers, including "The Watch- 
man of the Prairies" (now "The Advance") of 
Chicago, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery 
of Chicago, and for some time was lecturer on 



548 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"Harmony between Science and Revealed Reli- 
gion" at Oberlin College and Chicago Theological 
Seminary. He was author of several volumes, 
one of which — "The Philosophy of the Plan of 
Salvation," publislied anonymously under the 
editorship of Prof. Calvin E. Stowe (1855) — ran 
through several editions and was translated into 
five different languages, including Hindustanee. 
Died, at Wheaton, 111.. March 6, 1887. 

W.4LKER, James Monroe, corporation lawyer 
and Railway President, was born at Clare'mont, 
N. H., Feb. 14, 1820. At fifteen he removed with 
his parents to a farm in Michigan ; was educated 
at Oberlin, Ohio, and at the University of Michi- 
gan, Ann Arbor, graduating from the latter in 
1849. He then entered a law office as clerk and 
student, was admitted to the bar the next year, 
and soon after elected Prosecuting Attorney of 
Washtenaw County ; was also local attorney for 
the Michigan Central Railway, for which, after 
his removal to Chicago in 1853, he became Gen- 
eral Solicitor. Two years later the firm of Sedg- 
wick & Walker, which had been organized in 
Michigan, became attorne3's for the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, and, until his 
death, Mr. Walker was associated with this com- 
pany, eitlier as General Solicitor, General Counsel 
or President, filling the latter position from 1870 
to 1875. Mr. Walker organized both the Chicago 
and Kansas City stock-yards, and was President 
of these corporations, as also of the Wilmington 
Coal Company, down to the time of his death, 
which occurred on Jan. 33, 1881, as a result of 
heart disease. 

WALKER, (Rev.) Jesse, Methodist Episcopal 
missionary, was born in Rockingham County, 
Va., June 9, 1766; in 1800 removed to Tennessee, 
became a traveling preacher in 1803, and. in 
1806, came to Illinois under the presiding-elder- 
ship of Rev. William McKendree (afterwards 
Bishop), locating first at Turkey Hill, St. Clair 
County. In 1807 he held a camp meeting near 
Edwardsville — the first on Illinois soil. Later, 
he transferred his labors to Northern Illinois; 
was at Peoria in 1834; at Ottawa in 1835, and 
devoted much time to missionary work among 
the Pottawatomies, maintaining a school among 
them for a time. He visited Chicago in 1826, and 
there is evidence that he was a prominent resident 
there for several years, occupying a log house, 
which he used as a church and living-room, on 
"Wolf Point" at the jimction of the North and 
South Branches of the Chicago River. While 
acting as superintendent of the Fox River mis- 
sion, his residence appears to have been at Plain- 



field, in the northern part of Will County. Died, 
Oct. 5, 1835. 

WALKER, Plnkney H., lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Adair County, Ky., June 18, 1815. 
His boyhood was chiefly passed in farm work and 
as clerk in a general store ; in 1884 he came to Illi- 
nois, settling at Rushville, where he worked in a 
store for four years. In 1838 he removed to 
Macomb, where he began attendance at an acad- 
emy and the study of law with his uncle, Cjrus 
Walker, a leading lawyer of his time. He was 
admitted to the bar in 1839, practicing at Macomb 
until 1848, when he returned to Rushville. In 
1853 he was elected Judge of the Fifth Judicial 
Circuit, to fill a vacancy, and re-elected in 1855. 
This position he resigned in 1858, having been 
appointed, by Governor Bissell. to fill the vacancy 
on the bench of the Supreme Coui-t occasioned by 
tlie resignation of Judge Skinner. Two months 
later he was elected to the same position, and 
re-elected in 1867 and "76. He presided as Chief 
Justice from January, 1864, to June, "67, and 
again from June, 1874, to June, '75. Before the 
expiration of his last term he died, Feb. 7, 1885. 

WALL, George Willard, lawyer, poUticiau and 
Judge, was born at Cliillicothe, Ohio, April 23, 
1839; brought to Perry County, 111., in infancy, 
and received his preparatorj- education at McKen. 
dree College, finally graduating from the Uni- 
versity of Michigan in 1858, and from the 
Cincmnati Law School in 1859, when he began 
practice at Duquoin, 111. He was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1863, and. from 
1864 to '68, served as State's Attorney for the 
Third Judicial District ; was also a Delegate to the 
State Constitutional Convention of 1869-70. In 
1873 he was an unsuccessful Democratic candi- 
date for Congress, although running ahead of his 
ticket. In 1877 he was elected to the bench of 
the Third Circuit, and re-elected in '79, '85 and 
'91, much of the time since 1877 being on duty 
upon the Appellate bench. His home is at 
Duquoin. 

WALLACE, (Rev.) Peter, D.D., clergyman 
and soldier; was born in Mason County, Ky., 
April 11, 1813; taken in infancy to Brown 
County, Ohio, where he grew up on a farm until 
15 years of age, when he was apprenticed to a 
carpenter; at the age of 20 came to Illinois, 
where he became a contractor and builder, fol- 
lowing this occupation for a number of years. He 
was converted in 1835 at Springfield, 111., and, 
some years later, having decided to enter the 
ministry, was admitted to the Illinois Conference 
as a deacon by Bishop E. S. Janes in 1855, and 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



549 



placed in charge of the Danville Circuit. Two 
years later he was ordained by Bishop Scott, and, 
in the next few years, held pastorates at various 
places in the central and eastern parts of the 
State. From 1867 to 1874 he was Presiding Elder 
of the Mattoon and Quincy Districts, and, for six 
years, held the position of President of the Board 
of Trustees of Chaddock College at Quincy, from 
which he received the degree of D.D. in 1881. 
In the second year of the Civil War he raised a 
company in Sangamon County, was chosen 
its Captain and assigned to the Seventy-third 
Illinois Volunteers, known as the "preachers' 
regiment" — all of its officers being ministers. In 
1864 he was compelled by ill-health to resign his 
commission. While pastor of the church at Say- 
brook, 111. , he was offered the position of Post- 
master of that place, which he decided to accept, 
and was allowed to retire from the active minis- 
try. On retirement from ofHce, in 1884, he 
removed to Chicago. In 1889 he was appointed 
by Governor Fifer the first Chaplain of the Sol- 
diers' and Sailors" Home at Quincy, but retired 
some four years afterward, when he returned to 
Chicago. Dr. Wallace was an eloquent and 
effective preacher and continued to preacli, at 
intervals, until within a short time of his decease, 
which occurred in Chicago, Feb. 21, 1897. in his 
84th year. A zealous patriot, he frec|uently 
spoke very effectively upon the political rostrum. 
Originall}' a Wliig, lie became a Republican on 
the organization of that party, and took pride in 
the fact that the first vote he ever cast was for 
Abraham Lincoln, for Representative in tlie Legis- 
lature, in 1834. He was a Knight Templar, Vice- 
President of the Tippecanoe Club of Chicago, 
and, at his death, Cliaplain of America Post, No. 
708, G. A. R. 

WALLACE, WilUam Henry Lamb, lawyer and 
soldier, was born at Urbana, Ohio, July 8, 1821 ; 
brought to Illinois in 1833, his father settling 
near La Salle and, afterwards, at Mount Morris, 
Ogle County, where young Wallace attended the 
Rock River Seminary ; was admitted to the bar in 
1845 ; in 1846 enlisted as a private in the First Illi- 
nois Volunteers (Col. John J. Hardin's regiment), 
for the Mexican War, rising to the rank of Adju- 
tant and participting in the battle of Buena Vista 
(where his commander was killed), and in other 
engagements. Returning to his profession at 
Ottawa, he served as District Attorney (18.52-56), 
then became partner of his father-in-law, Col. 
T. Lyle Dickey, afterwards of the Supreme Court. 
In April, 1861, he was one of the first to answer 
the call for troops by enlisting, and became Colo- 



nel of the Eleventh Illinois (three-months' 
men), afterwards re-enlisting for three years. 
As commander of a brigade he participated in 
the capture of Forts Henry and Donelson, in Feb- 
ruary, 1862, receiving promotion as Brigadier- 
General for gallantry. At Pittsburg Landing 
(Shiloh), as commander of Gen. C. F. Smith's 
Division, devolving on him on account of the 
illness of his superior officer, he showed great 
courage, but fell mortally wounded, dying at 
Ch&rleston. Tenn., April 10. 1862. His career 
promised great brilliancy and his loss was greatly 
deplored. —Martin R. M. ( Wallace), brother of 
the preceding, was born at Urbana. Ohio, Sept. 
29, 1829, came to La Salle County, 111., with his 
father's family and was educated in the local 
schools and at Rock River Seminary ; studied law 
at Ottawa, and was admitted to the bar in 1856, 
soon after locating in Chicago. In 1861 he 
assisted in organizing the Fourth Regiment Illi- 
nois Cavalry, of which he became Lieutenant- 
Colonel, and was complimented, in 1865, with tlie 
rank of brevet Brigadier-General. After tlie 
war he served as Assessor of Internal Revenue 
(1866-69); County Judge (1869-77); Prosecuting 
Attorney (1884); and, for many years past, has 
been one of the Justices of the Peace of the city 
of Chicago. 

WALNUT, a town of Bureau County, on the 
Mendota and Fulton branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington & Quincy Railroad, 26 miles west of 
Mendota; is in a farming and stock-raising dis- 
trict ; has two banks and two newspapers. Popu- 
lation (1890), 605; (1900), 791. 

WAR OF 1812. Upon the declaration of war 
by Congress, in June, 1812, the Pottawatomies, 
and most of the other tribes of Indians in the 
Territory of Illinois, strongly sympathized with 
the British. The savages had been hostile and 
restless for some time previous, and blockhouses 
and family forts had been erected at a number 
of points, especially in the settlements most 
exposed to the incursions of the savages. Gov- 
ernor Edwards, becoming apprehensive of an 
outbreak, constructed Fort Russell, a few miles 
from Edwardsville. Taking the field in person, 
he made this his headquarters, and collected a 
force of 250 mounted volunteers, wlio were later 
reinforced by two companies of rangers, under 
Col. William Ru.ssell, numbering about 100 men. 
An independent company of twenty-one spies, of 
which Jolm Reynolds — afterwards Governor — 
was a member, was also formed and led by Capt. 
Samuel Judy. The Governor organized his little 
army into two regiments under Colonels Rector 



550 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and Stephenson, Colonel Russell serving as 
second to the commander-in chief, other mem- 
bers of his staff being Secretary Nathaniel Pope 
and Robert K. McLaughlin. On Oct. 18, 1812, 
Governor Edwards, with his men, set out for 
Peoria, where it was expected that their force 
would meet that of General Hopkins, who had 
been sent from Kentucky with a force of 2,000 
men. En route, two Kickapoo villages were 
burned, and a number of Indians unnecessarily 
slain by Edwards' party. Hopkins liad orders to 
disperse the Indians on the Illinois and Wabash 
Rivers, and destroy their villages. He deter- 
mined, however, on reaching the headwaters of 
the Vermilion to proceed no farther. Governor 
Edwards reached the head of Peoria Lake, but, 
failing to meet Hopkins, returned to Fort Russell. 
About the same time Capt. Thomas E. Craig led 
a party, in two boats, up the Illinois River to 
Peoria. His boats, as he alleged, having been 
fired upon in the night by Indians, who were har- 
bored and protected by the French citizens of 
Peoria, he burned the greater part of the village, 
and capturing the population, carried them down 
the river, putting them on shore, in the early part 
of the winter, just below Alton. Other desultory 
expeditions marked the campaigns of 1813 and 
1814. The Indians meanwhile gaining courage, 
remote settlements were continually harassed 
by marauding bands. Later in 18U, an expedi- 
tion, led bj' Major (afterwards President) Zachary 
Taylor, ascended the Mississippi as far as Rock 
Island, where he found a large force of Indians, 
supported by British regulars with artillerj'. 
Finding himself unable to cope with so formida- 
ble a foe. Major Taylor retreated down the river. 
On the site of the present town of AVarsaw he 
threw up fortifications, which he named Fort 
Edwards, from which point he was subsequently 
compelled to retreat. The same year the British, 
with their Indian allies, descended from Macki- 
nac, captured Prairie du Chien, and burned Forts 
Madison and Johnston, after which tliey retired 
to Cap au Gris. The treaty of Ghent, signed 
Dec. 24, 1814, closed the war, although no formal 
treaties were made with the tribes until the year 
following. 

WAR OF THE REBELLION. At the outbreak 
of the Civil War, the executive chair, in Illinois, 
was occupied by Gov. Richard Yates. Immedi- 
ately upon the issuance of President Lincoln's 
first call for troops (April 15, 1861), the Governor 
issued his proclamation summoning the Legisla- 
ture together in special session and, the same 
day, issued a call for "six regiments of militia," 



the quota assigned to the State under call of the 
President. Public excitement was at fever heat, 
and dormant patriotism in both sexes was 
aroused as never before. Party lines were 
broken down and, with comparatively few excep- 
tions, the mass of the peojjle were actuated by a 
common sentiment of patriotism. On April 19, 
Governor Yates was instructed, by the Secretary 
of "War, to take possession of Cairo as an important 
strategic point. At that time, the State militia 
organizations were few in number and poorly 
equipped, consisting chiefly of independent coin- 
panies in the larger cities. The Governor acted 
with great promptitude, and. on April 21. seven 
companies, numbering 595 men, commanded by 
Gen. Richard K. Swift of Chicago, were en route 
to Cairo. The first volunteer company to tender 
its services, in response to Governor Yates' proc- 
lamation, on April 16, was tlie Zouave Grays of 
Springfield. Eleven otlier companies were ten- 
dered the same day, and. by the evening of the 
18th, the number had been increased to fifty. 
Simultaneously with these pi'oceedings, Chicago 
bankers tendered to the Governor a war loan of 
8500,000, and those of Springfield, 8100,000. The 
Legislature, at its special session, passed acts in- 
creasing the efficiency of the militia law, and 
provided for the creation of a war fund of 82,- 
000,000. Besides the six regiments already called 
for, the raising of ten additional volunteer regi- 
ments and one battery of light artillery was 
authorized. The last of the six regiments, 
apportioned to Illinois under the fir.st presidential 
call, was dispatched to Cairo early in May. The 
six regiments were numbered the Seventh to 
Twelfth, inclusive — the earlier numbers, First to 
Sixth, being conceded to the six regiments which 
had served in the war with Mexico. The regi- 
ments were commanded, respectively, by Colonels 
John Cook, Richard J. Oglesby, Eleazer A. Paine, 
James D. Morgan, William H. L. Wallace, and 
John Mc Arthur, constituting the "First Brigade 
of Illinois Volunteers." Benjamin M. Prentiss, 
having been chosen Brigadier-General on arrival 
at Cairo, assumed command, relieving General 
Swift. The quota under the second call, consist- 
ing of ten regiments, was mustered into service 
within sixty days, 200 companies being tendered 
immediately. Many more volunteered than could 
be accepted, and large numbers crossed to Mis- 
souri and enlisted in regiments forming in that 
State. During June and July the Secretarj' of 
War authorized Governor Yates to recruit twenty- 
two additional regiments (seventeen infantry and 
five cavalry), which were promptly raised. On 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



551 



July 23, the day following the defeat of the Union 
army at Bull Run, President Lincoln called for 
500,000 more volunteers. Governor Yates im- 
mediately responded with an offer to the War 
Department of sixteen more regiments (thirteen 
of infantry and three of cavalr}-), and a battalion 
of artillery, adding, that the State claimed it as 
her right, to do her full share toward the preser- 
vation of the Union. Under suiipleniental author- 
ity, received from the Secretarj' of War in 
August, 1861, twelve additional regiments of in- 
fantry and five of cavalry were raised, and, by De- 
cember, 1861, the State had 43,000 volunteers in 
the field and 17,000 in camps of instruction. 
Other calls were made in July and August, 18i;2, 
each for 300,000 men. Illinois" quota, under both 
calls, was over 52,000 men, no regard being paid 
to the fact that the State had already furnished 
16,000 troops in excess of its quotas under previ- 
ous calls. Unless this number of volunteers was 
raised by September 1, a draft would be ordered. 
The tax was a severe one, inasmuch as it would 
fall chiefly upon the prosperous citizens, the float- 
ing population, the idle and the extremelj' poor 
having already followed the army's march, either 
as soldiers or as camp-followers. But recruiting 
was actively carried on, and, aided by liberal 
bounties in many of the counties, in less than a 
fortnight the 53,000 new troops were secured, the 
volunteers coming largely from the substantial 
classes — agricultural, mercantile, artisan and 
professional. By the end of December, fifty nine 
regiments and four batteries had been dispatched 
to the front, besides a considerable number to fill 
up regiments already in the field, which had suf- 
fered severely from battle, exposure and disease. 
At this time, Illinois had an aggregate of over 
135,000 enlisted men in the field. The issue of 
President Lincoln's preliminary proclamation of 
emancipation, in September, 1862, was met bj' a 
storm of hostile criticism from his political 
opponents, who — aided by the absence of so 
large a proportion of the loyal population of the 
State in the field — were able to carry the elec- 
tions of that year. Consequently, when the 
Twenty-third General Assembly convened in 
regular session at Springfield, on Jan. 5, 1863, a 
large majority of that body was not only opposed 
to both the National and State administrations, 
but avowedly opposed to the further prosecution 
of the war under the existing policy. The Leg- 
islature reconvened in June, but was prorogued 
by Governor Yates Between Oct. 1, 1863, and 
July 1, 1864, 16,000 veterans re-enlisted and 
87,000 new voliinteers were enrolled; and, by the 



date last mentioned, Illinois had furnished to the 
Union army 344,490 men, being 14,.596 in ex- 
cess of the allotted quotas, constituting fifteen 
per cent of the entire population. These were 
comprised in 151 regiments of infantry, 17 of 
cavalry and two complete regiments of artillery, 
besides twelve independent batteries. The total 
losses of Illinois organizations, during the war, 
has been reported at 34,834, of which 5,874 were 
killed in battle, 4,030 died from wounds, 33,786 
from disease and 3,154 from other causes — being 
a total of thirteen per cent of the entire force of 
the State in the service. The part which Illinois 
played in the contest was conspicuous for patriot- 
ism, promptness in respon.se to every call, and 
the bravery and efficiency of its troops in the 
field — reflecting honor upon the State and its his- 
tory. Nor were its loyal citizens — who, while 
staying at home, furnished moral and material 
support to the men at the front — less worthy of 
praise than those who volunteered. By uphold- 
ing the Government — National and State — and 
by their zeal and energy in collecting and sending 
forward immense quantities of supplies — surgical, 
medical and other — often at no little sacrifice, 
they contributed much to the success of the 
Union arms. (See also Camp Douglas; Camp 
Douglas Conspiracy; Secret Treasonable Soci- 
eties.) 

WAR OF THE REBELLION (History of Illi 
Nois Regiments). The following is a list of -the 
various military organizations mustered into the 
service during the Civil War (1861-65), with the 
terms of service and a summary of the more 
important events in the history of each, while 
in the field : 

Seventh Inf.\ntry. Illinois having sent six 
regiments to the Mexican War, by courtesy the 
numbering of the regiments which took jjart in 
tlie war for the L'nion began with number 
Seven. A number of regiments which responded 
to the first call of the President, claimed the right 
to be recognized as the first regiment in the 
field, but the honor was finally accorded to that 
organized at Springfield by Col. John Cook, and 
hence his regiment was numbered Seventh. It 
was mustered into the service, April 25. 1861, and 
remained at Mound Cit}- during the three months' 
service, the period of its first enlistment. It was 
subsequently reorganized and mustered for the 
three years' service, July 35, 1861, and was 
engaged in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Corinth, Cherokee. Allatoona Pass. Salkahatchie 
Swamp, Bentonville and Columbia. The regi- 
ment re-enlisted as veterans at Pulaski, Tenn., 



552 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Dec. 22, 1863; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 9, 1865, and paid off and discharged at 
Springfield, July 11. 

Eighth Infantry. Organized at Springfield, 
and mustered in for three month.s" service, April 
26, 1861, Richard J. Oglesby of Decatur, being 
appointed Colonel. It remained at Cairo during 
its term of service, when it was mustered out. 
July 25, 1861. it was reorganized and mustered in 
for three years' service. It participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Port Gibson, 
Thompson Hill, Raymond, Champion Hill, Vicks- 
burg, Brownsville, and Spanish Fort ; re»enlisted 
as veterans, March 24, 1864 : was mustered out at 
Baton Rouge, May 4. 1866, paid off and dis- 
charged. May 13. having served five \-eai-s. 

XiNTH Infantry. Mustered into the service 
at Springfield, April 26, 1861. for the term of 
three months, under Col. Eleazer A. Paine. It 
was reorganized at Cairo, in August, for three 
years, being composed of companies from St. 
Clair, Madison, Montgomery, Pulaski, Alexander 
and Mercer Counties ; was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, Jackson (Tenn.). Meed Creek 
Swamps, Salem, Wyatt, Florence, Montezuma, 
Athens and Grenada. The regiment was mounted, 
March 15, 1863. and so continued during the 
remainder of its service. Mustered out at Louis- 
ville, July 9, 186.5. 

Tenth Infantry*. Organized and mustered 
into the service for three months, on April 29, 
1861, at Cairo, and on July 29, 1861, was mustered 
into the service for three years, with Col. James 
D. Morgan in command. It was engaged at 
Sykeston, Xew Madrid, Corinth, Missionarj- 
Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw, 
Chattahoochie, Savannah and Bentonville. Re- 
enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, and mustered 
out of service, July 4, 1865, at Louisville, and 
received final discharge and pay, Juh' 11, 1865, 
at Chicago. 

Eleventh Lnf.^ntry-. Organized at Spring- 
field and mustered into service. April 30, 1861. 
for three months. July 30, the regiment was 
mustered out, and re-enlisted for three years' 
service. It was engaged at Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh. Corinth, Tallahatchie, Vicksburg, Liver- 
pool Heights, Yazoo City, Spanish Fort and 
Fort Blakely. W. H. L. Wallace, afterwards 
Brigadier-General and killed at Shiloh, was its 
first Colonel. Mustered out of service, at Baton 
Rouge, July 14, 1865 ; paid off and discharged at 
Springfield. 

Twelfth Infantry'. Mustered into service 
for three years, August 1, 1861 ; was engaged at 



Columbus, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Lay's 
Ferry, Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw, 
Nickajack Creek, Bald Knob. Decatur, Ezra 
Church, Atlanta, AUatoona and Goldsboro. On 
Jan. 16. 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans. John McArthur was its first Colonel, sue 
ceeded by Augustus L. Chetlain, both being 
promoted to Brigadier-Generalships. Mustered 
out of service at Louisville, Ky., July 10, 186.5, 
and received final pay and discharge, at Spring- 
field, July 18. 

Thirteenth Infantry. One of the regiments 
organized under the act known as the "Ten Regi- 
ment Bill" ; was mustered into service on May 24, 
1861, for three years, at Dixon, with John B. 
Wyman as Colonel; was engaged at Chickasaw 
Bajou, Arkansas Post, Ticksburg. Jackson, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Rossville and Ringgold Gap. 
Mustered out at Springfield, June 18, 1864, hav- 
ing served three years and two months. 

Fourteenth Infantry'. One of the regiments 
raised under the "Ten Regiment Bill," which 
anticipated the requirements of the General 
Government by organizing, equipping and dril- 
ling a regiment in each Congressional District in 
the State for thirty days, unless sooner required 
for service b\' the L'nited States. It was mustered 
in at Jacksonville for three years. May 25, 1861, 
under command of John M. Palmer as its first 
Colonel; was engaged at Shiloh, Corinth, Meta- 
mora, Vicksburg. Jackson, Fort Beauregard and 
Meridian ; consolidated with the Fifteenth Infan- 
try, as a veteran battalion (both regiments hav- 
ing enlisted as veterans), on July 1, 1864. In 
October, 1864, the major part of the battalion 
was captured bj- General Hood and sent to 
Ander.sonviUe. The remainder participated in 
the "March. to the Sea," and through the cam- 
paign in the Carolinas. In the spring of 1865 the 
battalion organization was discontinued, both 
regiments liaving been filled up by recruits. Tlie 
regiment was mustered out at Fort Leaven- 
worth, Kan., Sept. 16, 1865; and arrived at 
Springfield, 111., Sept. 22, 2865, where it received 
final payment and discharge. The aggregate 
number of men who belonged to this organization 
was 1,980, and the aggregate mustered out at 
Fort Leavenworth, 480. During its four years 
and four montlis of service, the regiment 
marched 4.490 miles, traveled by rail, 2,330 miles, 
and, by river, 4,490 miles — making an aggregate 
of 11,670 miles. 

Fifteenth Infantry. Raised under the "Ten 
Regiment Act," in the (then) First Congressional 
District; was organized at Freeport, and mv.s- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



553 



tered into service, May 24, 1861. It was engaged 
at Sedalia, Sliiloh, Corinth, Metamora Hill, 
Vicksburg, Fort Beauregard, Champion Hill, 
Allatoona and Bentonville. In March. 1864, the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, and. in July, 

1864, was consolidated with the Fourteenth Infan- 
try as a Veteran Battalion. At Big Shanty and 
Ackworth a large portion of the battalion was 
captured by General Hood. At Raleigh the 
Veteran Battalion was discontinued and the 
Fifteenth reorganized. From July 1. to Sept. 1, 

1865. the regiment was stationed at Forts Leaven- 
worth and Kearnej-. Having been mustered out 
at Fort Leavenworth, it was sent to Springfield 
for final payment and discharge — having served 
four years and four months. Miles marched, 
4,299; miles by rail. 2.403, miles by steamer, 
4,310; men enlisted from date of organization, 
1,963; strength at date of muster-out, 640. 

Sixteenth Infantry. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Quincy under the "Ten-Regi- 
ment Act," Maj' 24, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New Madrid, Tiptonville. Corinth, 
Buzzards' Roost. Resaca, Rome, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Chattahoochie River, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Savannah, Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Averysboro and Bentonville. In December, 
1864, the regiment re-enlisted as veterans; was 
mustered out at Louisville. Kj-. . July 8, 1865, 
after a term of service of four years and three 
months, and, a week later, arrived at Spring- 
field, where it received its final pay and discharge 
papers. 

Seventeenth Inf.\ntry. Mustered into the 
service at Peoria. 111., on May 24, 1861; was 
engaged at Fredericktown (Mo.), Greenfield 
(Ark.), Shiloh, Corinth, Hatchie and Vicksburg. 
In May, 1864, the term of enlistment having 
expired, the regiment was ordered to Springfield 
for pay and discharge. Those men and officers 
who re-enlisted, and those wliose term had not 
expired, were consolidated with the Eighth Infan- 
try, which was mustered out in the spring of 1866. 

Eighteenth Infantry. Organized under the 
provisions of the "Ten Regiment Bill," at Anna, 
and mustered into the service on May 28, 1861, 
the term of enlistment being for three years. 
The regiment participated in the capture of Fort 
McHenry, and was actively engaged at Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth. It was mustered 
out at Little Rock. Dec. 16, 1865, and Dec. 31, 
thereafter, arrived at Springfield, 111., for pay- 
ment and discharge. The aggregate enlistments 
in the regiment, from its organization to date of 
discharge (rank and file), numbered 2.043. 



Nineteenth Infantry. Mustered into the 
United States service for three years. June IT, 
1861, at Chicago, embracing four companies 
which had been accepted under the call for three 
months' men; participated in the battle of 
Stone River and in the TuUahoma and Chatta- 
nooga campaigns; was also engaged at Davis' 
Cross Roads, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and 
Resaca. It was mustered out of service on July 
9, 1864, at Chicago. Originally consisting of 
nearly 1,000 men, besides a large number of 
recruits received during the war, its strength at 
the final muster-out was less than 350. 

Twentieth Infantry Organized, May 14. 
1861, at Joliet, and June 13, 1861, and mustered 
into the service for a term of three years. It 
participated in the following engagements, bat- 
tles, sieges, etc. : Fredericktown (Mo. ), Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Thompson's Planta- 
tion, Champion Hills, Big Black River, Vicks- 
burg. Kenesaw Mountain and Atlanta. Aftef 
marching through the Carolinas. the regiment- 
was finally ordered to Louisville, where it was 
mustered out, July 16, 1865. receiving its final 
discharge at Chicago, on July 24. 

Twenty-first Infantry. Organized under 
the "Ten Regiment Bill,'' from the (then) Sev- 
enth Congressional District, at Mattoon, and 
mustered into service for three years, June 28, 
1861. Its first Colonel was U. S. Grant, who was 
in command until August 7, when he was com- 
missioned Brigadier-General. It was engaged 
at Fredericktown (Mo), Corinth, Perry ville, Mur- 
freesboro, Literty Gap, Chickamauga, Jonesboro, 
FrankHn and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans, at Chattanooga, in February, 1864. 
From June, 1864, to December, 1865, it was on 
duty in Texas. Mustered out at San Antonio. 
Dec. 16, 1865, and paid off and discliarged at 
Springfield, Jan. 18, 1866. 

Twenty-second Infantry. Organized at 
Belleville, and mustered into service, for three 
years, at Casey ville, 111., June 25, 1861; was 
engaged at Belmont, Charleston (Mo. ), Sikestown, 
Tiptonville, Farmington, Corinth, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Missionarj- Ridge, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, and all the battles of the Atlanta 
campaign, except Rocky Face Ridge. It was 
mustered out at Springfield, July 7, 1864, the vet- 
erans and recruits, whose term of service had not 
expired, being consolidated with the Forty -second 
Regiment IlUnois Infantry Volunteers. 

Twenty-third Infantry. Tlie organization 
of the Twenty-third Infantry Volunteers com- 
menced, at Chicago, under the popular name of 



554 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



the "Irish Brigade," immediately upon the 
opening of hostilities at Sumter. The formal 
muster of the regiment, under the command of 
Col. James A. Mulligan, was made, June 15, 1861, 
at Chicago, when it was occupying barracks 
known as Kane"s brewery near the river on 
West Polk Street. It was early ordered to North- 
ern Missouri, and was doing garrison duty at 
Lexington, when, in September, 18G1, it surren- 
dered with the rest of the garrison, to the forces 
under the rebel General Price, and was paroled. 
From Oct. 8, 1861, to June 14, 1862, it was detailed 
to guard prisoners at Camp Douglas. Thereafter 
it participated in engagements in the Virginias, 
as follows: at South Fork, Greenland Gap, Phi- 
lippi, Hedgeville, Leetown, Maryland Heights, 
Snicker's Gap, Kernstown, Cedar Creek, Win- 
chester, Charlestown, Berryville, Opequan Creek, 
Fisher's Hill, Harrisonburg, Hatcher's Run and 
Petersburg. It also took part in the siege of 
Richmond and the pursuit of Lee, being present 
at the surrender at Appomattox. In January 
and February, 1864, the regiment re-enlisted as 
veterans, at Greenland Gap, W. Va. In August, 
1864, the ten companies of the Regiment, then 
numbering 440, were consolidated into five com- 
panies and designated, "Battalion, Twenty-third 
Regiment, Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry. " 
The regiment was thanked by Congress for its 
part at Lexington, and was authorized to inscribe 
Lexington upon its colors. (See also Mulligan, 
James A.) 

Twenty-fourth Infantry, (known as the 
First Hecker Regiment). Organized at Chicago, 
with two companies — to-wit: the Union Cadets 
and the Lincoln Rifles — from the three months' 
service, in June, 1861, and mu.stered in, July 8, 
1861. It participated in the battles of Perryville, 
Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Resaca, Kenesaw 
Mountain and other engagements in the Atlanta 
campaign. It was mustered out of service at 
Chicago, August 6, 1864. A fraction of the regi- 
ment, which had been recruited in the field, and 
whose term of service had not expired at the date 
of muster-out, was organized into one company 
and attached to the Third Brigade, First Divi- 
sion, Fourteenth Army Corps, and mustered out 
at Camp Butler, August 1, 1865. 

TwENTY'-FiFTH INFANTRY. Organized from 
the counties of Kankakee, Iroquois, Ford, Vermil- 
ion, Douglas, Coles, Champaign and Edgar, and 
mustered into service at St. Louis. August 4. 1861. 
It participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone 
River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, in the 
siege of Corinth, the battle of Kenesaw Moun- 



tain, the siege of Atlanta, and innumerable skir- 
mishes ; was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 5, 
1864. During its three years' service the regi- 
ment traveled 4,962 miles, of which 3,252 were on 
foot, the remainder by steamboat and railroad. 

TwENTY'-siXTH INFANTRY. Mustered into serv- 
ice, consisting of seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 31, 1861. On Jan. 1, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans. It was authorized by the 
commanding General to inscribe upon its ban- 
ners "New Madrid" ; "Island No. 10;" "Farming- 
ton;" "Siege of Corinth;" "luka;'' "Corinth — 
3d and 4th, 1862;" "Resaca;" "Kenesaw;" "Ezra 
Church;" "Atlanta;" "Jonesboro;" "Griswold- 
ville;" "McAllister;" "Savannah;" "Columbia," 
and "Bentonville. " It was mustered out at 
Louisville, July 20, 1865, and paid off and 
discharged, at Springfield, July 28 — the regiment 
having marched, during its four years of service. 
6,931 miles, and fought twenty-eight hard battles, 
besides innumerable skirmishes. 

Twenty-seventh Infantry. First organized, 
with only seven companies, at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861, and organization completed by 
the addition of three more companies, at Cairo, 
on September 1. It took part in the battle of Bel- 
mont, the siege of Island No. 10, and the battles 
of Farniington, Nashville 5Iurfreesboro, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Dallas, Pine Top 
Mountain and Kenesaw Mountain, as well as in 
the investment of Atlanta; was relieved from 
duty, August 25, 1864, while at the front, and 
mustered out at Springfield, September 20. Its 
veterans, with the recruits whose term of serv- 
ice had not expired, were consolidated with the 
Ninth Infantry. 

Twenty-eighth Infantry. Composed of 
companies from Pike, Fulton, Schuyler, Mason, 
Scott and Menard Counties; was organized at 
Springfield, August 15, 1861, and mustered into 
service for three years. It participated in the 
battles of Shiloh and Metamora, the siege of 
Vicksburg and the battles of Jackson, Mississippi, 
and Fort Beauregard, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. From 
June, 1864, to March. 1866, it was stationed in 
Texas, and was mustered out at Brownsville, in 
that State, March 15, 1866, having served four 
j'ears and seven months. It was discharged, at 
Springfield, May 13, 1866. 

Twenty-ninth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice at Springfield, August 19, 1861, and was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the 
sieges of Corinth. Vicksburg and Mobile. Eight 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



555 



companies were detailed for duty at Holly Springs, 
and were there captured by General Van Dorn, 
in December, 1863, but were exchanged, six 
months later. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, from June, 1864, to 
November, 1865, was on duty in Texas. It was 
mustered out of service in that State, Nov. 6, 
1865, and received final discharge on November 28. 

Thirtieth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, August 28, 1861 ; was engaged at Belmont, 
Fort Donelson, the siege of Corinth, Medan 
Station, Raymond, Champion Hills, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, Big Shanty, Atlanta, 
Savannah, Pocotaligo, Orangeburg, Columbia, 
Cheraw, and Fayetteville ; mustered out, July 
17, 1865, and received final payment and discharge 
at Springfield, July 27, 1865. 

Thirty-first Infantry. Organized at Cairo, 
and there mustered into service on Sept. 18, 
1861 ; was engaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, 
Shilob, in the two expeditions against Vicks- 
burg, at Thompson's Hill, Ingram Heights, Ray- 
mond, Jackson, Champion Hill, Big Shanty, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Lovejoy Station and 
Jonesboro; also participated in the "March to 
the Sea" and took part in the battles and skir- 
mishes at Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville and 
Bentonville. A majority of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans in March, 1864. It was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 19, 1865, and 
finally discharged at Springfield, July 23. 

Thirty-second Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield and mustered into service, Dec. 31, 
1861. By special authority from the War Depart- 
ment, it originally consisted of ten companies of 
infantry, one of cavalrj', and a battery. It was 
engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the sieges 
of Corinth and Vicksburg, and in the battles of 
La Grange, Grand Junction, Metamora. Harrison- 
burg, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, 
Allatoona, Savannah, Columbia, Cheraw and 
Bentonville. In January, 1864, the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, and, in June, 1865, was 
ordered to Fort Leavenworth. Mustered out 
there, Sept. 16, 1865, and finally discharged at 
Springfield. 

Thirty-third Infantry. Organized and mus- 
tered into service at Springfield in September, 
1861: was engaged at Fredericktown (Mo.), Port 
Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, the 
assault and siege of Vicksburg, siege of Jackson, 
Fort Esperanza, and in the expedition against 
Mobile. The regiment veteranized at Vicksburg. 
Jan 1,1864; was mustered out, at the same point, 
Nov. 24. ISC'), and finally discharged at Spring- 



field, Dec. 6 and 7, 1865. The aggregate enroll- 
ment of the regiment was between 1,900 and 
2.000. 

Thirty-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, Sept. 7, 1861 ; was engaged at Shiloh, 
Corinth, Murfreesboro, Rocky Face Ridge, Re- 
saca. Big Shanty. Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro. and, after participating in the "March 
to the Sea" and through tlie Carolinas, took part 
in the battle of Bentonville. After the surrender 
of Johnston, the regiment went with Sherman's 
Army to Washington, D. C, and took part in the 
grand review. May 24, 1865; left Washington, 
June 12, and arrived at Louisville, Ky., June 18, 
where it was mustered out, on July 12 ; was dis- 
charged and paid at Chicago, July 17, 1865. 

Thirty-fifth Infantry. Organized at De- 
catur on July 3, 1861, and its services tendered to 
the President, being accepted by the Secretary of 
War as "Col. G. A. Smith's Independent Regi- 
ment of Illinois Volunteers," on July 23, and 
mustered into service at St. Louis, August 12. It 
was engaged at Pea Ridge and in the siege of 
Corinth, also participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville. Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas and 
Kenesaw. Its final muster-out took place at 
Springfield, Sept. 27, 1864. the regiment having 
marched (exclusive of railroad and steamboat 
transportation) 3.056 miles. 

Thirty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Hammond, near Aurora, 111., and mustered into 
service, Sept. 23, 1861, for a term of three years. 
The regiment, at its organization, numbered 965 
officers and enlisted men, and had two companies 
of Cavalry ("A" and "B"), 186 oflScers and 
men. It was engaged at Leetown, Pea Ridge, 
Perryville. Stone River, Chickamauga, the siege 
of Chattanooga. Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face 
Ridge. Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope Church, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Jones- 
boro, Franklin and Nashville. Mustered out, 
Oct. 8, 1865, and disbanded, at Springfield, Oct. 
27, having marched and been transported, during 
its term of service, more than 10,000 miles. 

Thirty-seventh Infantry. Familiarly known 
as "Fremont Rifles"; organized in August, 1861, 
and mustered into service, Sept. 18. The regi- 
ment was presented with battle-flags by the Chi- 
cago Board of Trade. It participated in the 
battles of Pea Ridge, Neosho, Prairie Grove and 
Chalk Bluffs, the siege of Vicksburg, and in the 
battles of Yazoo City and Morgan's Bend. In 
October, 1863. it was ordered to the defen.se of the 
frontier along the Rio Grande: re-enlislod as 



556 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



veterans in February, 1864; took part in the 
siege and storming of Fort Blakely and the cap- 
ture of Mobile; from July. 1865, to May, 1866, 
was again on duty in Texas ; was mustered out 
at Houston. May 15, 1866. and finally discharged 
at Springfield, May 31, having traveled some 
17,000 miles, of which nearly 3,300 were by 
marching. 

Thirty-eighth Infantry. Organized at 
Springfield, in September, 1861. The regiment 
was engaged in the battles of Fredericktown, 
Perryville, Knob Gap, Stone River, Liberty Gap, 
Chickamauga, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta. Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville ; 
re-enlisted as veterans in February, 1864; from 
June to December, 1865, was on duty in Louisi- 
ana and Texas; was mustered out at Victoria, 
Texas, Dec. 31, 1865, and received final discharge 
at Springfield. 

Thirty-ninth Infantry. The organization of 
this Regiment was commenced as soon as the 
news of the firing on Fort Sumter reached Chi- 
cago. General Thomas O. Osborne was one of its 
contemplated field officers, and labored zealously 
to get it accepted under the first call for troops, 
but did not accomplish his object. The regiment 
had already assumed the name of the "Yates 
Phalanx" in honor of Governor Yates. It was 
accepted by the War Department on the day 
succeeding the first Bull Run disaster (July 22, 
1861), and Austin Light, of Chicago, was appointed 
Colonel. Under his direction the organization was 
completed, and the regiment left Camp Mather, 
Chicago, on the morning of Oct. 13, 1861. It par- 
ticipated in the battles of Winchester, Malvern 
Hill (the second), Morris Island, Fort Wagner, 
Drury's Bluff, and in numerous engagements 
before Petersburg and Richmond, including the 
capture of Fort Gregg, and was present at Lee's 
surrender at Appomattox. In the meantime the 
regiment re-enlisted as veterans, at Hilton Head, 
S. C, in September, 1863. It was miLstered out 
at Norfolk, Dec. 6, 1865, and received final dis- 
charge at Chicago, December 16. 

Fortieth Infantry. Enlisted from the coun- 
ties of Franklin, Hamilton, Wayne, White, 
Wabash, Marion, Clay and Fayette, and mustered 
into service for three years at Springfield, 
August 10, 1861. It was engaged at Shiloh, in 
the siege of Corinth, at Jackson (Miss.), in the 
siege of Vick.sburg, at Missionary Ridge, New 
Hope Church, Black Jack Knob, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain. Atlanta, Jonesboro, Ezra Chapel, Gris- 
woldville, siege of Savannah, Columbia (S. C), 
and Bentonville. It re-enlisted, as veterans, at 



Scottsboro, Ala., Jan. 1, 1864, and was mustered 
out at Louisville, July 24, 1865, receiving final 
discharge at Springfield. 

Forty-first Infantry. Organized at Decatur 
during July and August, 1861, and was mustered 
into service, August 5. It was engaged at Fort 
Donelson. Shiloh, the .siege of Corinth, the second 
battle of Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg and 
Jackson, in the Red River campaign, at Guntown, 
Kenesaw Mountain and AUatoona. and partici- 
pated in the "March to the Sea." It re-enlisted. 
as veterans. March IT. 1864. at Vicksburg, and 
was consolidated with the Fifty-third Infantry. 
Jan. 4. 1865, forming Companies G and H. 

Forty-second Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, July 22, 1861 ; was engaged at Island No. 10, 
the siege of Corinth, battles of Farmington. 
Columbia (Tenn.), was besieged at Nashville, 
engaged at Stone River, in the TuUahoma cam- 
paign, at Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Rocky 
Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, New Hope 
Church, Pine and Kenesaw Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro. Lovejoy Station, 
Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. It re- 
enlisted, as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864; was stationed 
in Texas from July to December, 1865; was mus- 
tered out at Indianola. in that State, Dec. 18, 
1865, and finally discharged, at Springfield, Jan. 
12, 1866. 

Forty-third Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field in September, 1861, and mustered into 
service on Oct. 12. The regiment took part in 
the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and in the 
campaigns in West Tennessee, Missi.ssippi and 
Arkansas; was mustered out at Little Rock. 
Nov. 30, 1865, and returned to Springfield for 
final pay and discharge, Dec. 14. 1865. 

Forty-fourth Infantry. Organized in Au- 
gust, 1861, at Chicago, and mustered into service, 
Sept. 13, 1861 ; was engaged at Pea Ridge, 
Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Shelby- 
ville, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Missionarj' 
Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Adairsville, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Gulp's Farm, Chattahoochie 
River, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Franklin and Nashville. The regiment re-enlisted 
as veterans in Tennessee, in January, 1864. 
From June to September, 1865, it was stationed 
in Louisiana and Texas, was mustered out at 
Port Lavaca, Sept. 25, 1865, and received final 
discharge, at Springfield, three weeks later. 

Forty-fifth Infantry. Originally called 
the "Washburne Lead Mine Regiment"; was 
organized at Galena, July 28, 1861, and mustered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



557 



into service at Chicago, Dec. 2.5, 1861. It was 
engaged at Fort Douelson. Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, battle of Medan, the campaign against 
Vicksburg, the Meridian raid, the Atlanta cam- 
paign, the "March to the Sea," and the advance 
through the Carolinas. The regiment veteran- 
ized in January, 1864; was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Louisville, Ky., July 12, 186.5, and arrived 
in Chicago, July 15, 1865, for final pay and dis- 
charge. Distance marched in four years, 1,750 
miles. 

Forty-sixth Inf.\ntry. Organized at Spring 
field, Dec. 28, 1861 : was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son, Shiloh, the siege of Corinth, battle of 
Metamora, siege of Vicksburg (where five com- 
panies of the regiment were captured), in the 
reduction of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, 
and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered in 
as a veteran regiment, Jan. 4, 1864. From May, 

1865, to January, 1866, it was on duty in Louisi- 
ana; vpas mustered out at Baton Rouge, Jan. 20, 

1866, and, on Feb. 1, 1866, finally paid and dis- 
charged at Springfield. 

Forty-seventh Inf.\ntry. Organized and 
mustered into service at Peoria, 111., on August 
16, 1861. The regiment took part in tlie expe- 
dition against New Madrid and Island No. 10; 
also participated in the battles of Farmington, 
luka, the second battle of Corinth, the capture 
of Jackson, the siege of Vicksburg. the Red 
River expedition and the battle of Pleasant Hill, 
and in the struggle at Lake Chicot, It was 
ordered to Cliicago to assist in quelling an antici- 
pated riot, in 1864, but. returning to the front, 
took part in the reduction of Spanisli Fort and 
the capture of Mobile; was mustered out, Jan. 
21, 1866, at Selma, Ala., and ordered to Spring- 
field, where it received final pay and discharge. 
Those members of the regiment who did not re-en- 
list as veterans were mustered out, Oct. 11. 1864. 

Forty-eighth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, September, 1861, and participated in battles 
and sieges as follows: Fort Henry and Fort 
Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth (siege of), Vicksburg 
(first expedition against), Mi.ssionary Ridge, as 
well as in the Atlanta campaign and the "March 
to the Sea." The regiment re-enlisted as veter- 
ans, at Scottsboro. Ala.. Jan. 1. 1864; was mus- 
tered out, August 15, 186.5, at Little Rock, Ark., 
and ordered to Springfield for final discharge, 
arriving, August 21, 1865. The distance marched 
was 3.000 miles; moved by water. 5.000; by rail- 
road. 3.450~total, 11,4.50 

Forty-ninth Infantry. Organized at Spring- 
field, 111., Dec. 31. 1861; was engaged at Fort 



Donelson, Shiloli and Little Rock ; took part in 
the campaign against Meridian and in the Red 
River expedition, being in the battle of Pleasant 
Hill, .Jan. 15, 1864; three- fourths of the regiment 
re-enlisted and were mustered in as veterans, 
returning.- to Illinois on furlough. The non- 
veterans took part in the battle of Tupelo. The 
regiment participated in the battle of Nashville, 
and was mustered out, Sept. 9, 1865, at Paducah, 
Ky., and arrived at Springfield, Sept, 15, 1865, 
for final payment and discharge. 

Fiftieth Infantry. Organized at Quincy, in 
August, 1861, and mustered into service, Sept. 12, 
1861 ; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the 
siege of Corinth, the second battle of Corinth, 
Allatoona and Bentouville, besides many minor 
engagements. The regiment was mounted, Nov. 
17, 1863; re-enlisted as veterans, Jan. 1, 1864, was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, and 
reached Springfield, tlie following day, for final 
pa}' and discliarge. 

Fifty-first Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, Dec. 24, 1861 ; was engaged at New Madrid, 
Island No. 10, Farmington, the siege of Corintli, 
Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, 
Rocky Face Ridge, Re.saca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Slountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jones- 
boro. Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville. The 
regiment was mustered in as veterans, Feb. 16, 
1864; from July to September, 1865, was on duty 
in Texas, and mustered out, Sept. 25, 1865, at 
Camp Irwin, Texas, arriving at Springfield, III., 
Oct. 15, 1865, for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty-second Infantry. Organized at Ge- 
neva in November, 1861. and mustered into serv- 
ice, Nov. 19. The regiment participated in the 
following battles, sieges and expeditions ; Shiloh, 
Corinth (siege and second battle of), luka. Town 
Creek, Snake Creek Gap, Re.saca, Lay's Ferry, 
Rome Cross Roads, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Nickajack Creek, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro 
and Bentonville. It veteranized, Jan. 9, 1864 ; 
was mustered out at Louisville, July 4, 1865, 
and received final payment and discharge at 
Springfield, July 13. 

Fifty-third Infantry. Organized at Ottawa 
in the winter of 1861-62. and ordered to Chicago, 
Feb 27, 1862, to complete its organization. It 
took part in the siege of Corintli, and was engaged 
at Davis' Bridge, the siege of Vicksburg, in tlie 
Jleridian campaign, at Jackson, the siege of 
Atlanta, the "March to the Sea." the capture of 
Savannah and tlie campaign in the Carolinas, 
including the battle of Bentonville. The regi- 
ment was mu.stered out of service at Louisville, 



558 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



July 22, 1865, and received final discharge, at 
Chicago, July 28. It marched 2,855 miles, and 
was transported by boat and cars, 4,168 miles. 
Over 1,800 officers and men belonged to the regi- 
ment during its term of service. 

Fifty-fourth Infantry. Organized at Anna, 
in November, 1861, as a part of the "Kentucky 
Brigade," and was mustered into service, Feb. 
18, 1862. No complete history of the regiment 
can be given, owing to the loss of its official 
records. It served mainly in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see, Mississipjii and Arkansas, and always effect- 
ively. Three -fourths of the men re-enlisted as 
veterans, in January, 1864. Six companies were 
captured by the rebel General Shelby, in August, 
1864, and were exchanged, the following De- 
cember. The regiment was mustered out at 
Little Rock, Oct. 15, 1865; arrived at Springfield, 
Oct. 26, and was discharged. During its organi- 
zation, the regiment bad 1,343 enlisted men and 
71 commissioned officers. 

Fifty-fifth Infa.vtry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, and mustered into service, Oct. 31, 1861. 
The regiment originally formed a part of the 
"Douglas Brigade,'' being chiefly recruited from 
the young farmers of Fulton, McDonough, 
Grundy, La Salle, De Kalb, Kane and Winnebago 
Counties. It participated in the battles of Shiloh 
and Corinth, and in the Tallahatchie campaign; 
in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas 
Post, around Vioksburg, and at Missionary Ridge ; 
was in the Atlanta campaign, notably in the 
battles of Kenesaw Mountain and Jonesboro. In 
all, it was engaged in thirty -one battles, and was 
128 days under fire. The total mileage traveled 
amounted to 11.965, of which 3,240 miles were 
actuallj' marched. Re-enlisted as veterans, while 
at Larkinsville, Tenn.,was mustered out at Little 
Rock, August 14, 1865, receiving final discharge 
at Chicago, the same month. 

Fifty-sixth I.nfantry. Organized with com- 
panies principally enlisted from the counties of 
Massac, Pope, Gallatin, Saline, White, Hamilton, 
Franklin and Wayne, and mustered in at Camp 
Mather, near Shawneetown. The regiment par- 
ticipated in the siege, and second battle, of 
Corinth, the Yazoo expedition, the siege of 
Vicksl>urg — being engaged at Champion Hills, 
and in numerous assaults ; also took part in the 
battles of Missionary Ridge and Resaca, and in 
the campaign in the Carolinas, including the 
battle of Bentonville. Some 200 members of the 
regiment perished in a wreck off Cape Hatteras, 
March 31, 1865. It was mustered out in Arkan- 
sas, August 12, 1865. 



Fifty-seventh Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, Dec. 26, 1861, at Chicago; took part in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, the siege of 
Corinth, and the second battle at that point ; was 
also engaged at Resaca, Rome Cross Roads and 
Allatoona; participated in the investment and 
capture of Savannah, and the campaign through 
the Carolinas, including the battle of Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Louisville, July 7, 
1865, and received final discharge at Chicago, 
July 14. 

Fifty-eighth Infantry. Recruited at Chi- 
cago, Feb. 11, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, a large number of the 
regiment being captured during the latter engage- 
ment, but subsequent!)' exchanged. It took part 
in the siege of Corinth and the battle of luka, 
after which detachments were sent to Springfield 
for recruiting and for guarding prisoners. 
Returning to the front, the regiment was engaged 
in the capture of Meridian, the Red River cam- 
paign, tlie taking of Fort de Russey, and in many 
minor battles in Louisiana. It was mustered out 
at Montgomery, Ala., April 1, 1866, and ordered 
to Springfield for final payment and discharge. 

Fifty-ninth Infantry. Originally known as 
the Ninth Missouri Infantry, although wholly 
recruited in Illinois. It was organized at St. 
Louis, Sept. 18, 1861, the name being changed to 
the Fifty-ninth Illinois, Feb. 12, 1862, by order of 
the War Department. It was engaged at Pea 
Ridge, formed part of the reserve at Farmington, 
took part at Perryville, Nolansville, Knob Gap 
and Murfreesboro, in the TuUahoma campaign 
and the siege of Chattanooga, in the battles of 
Missionarj- Ridge, Resaca. Adairsville, Kingston, 
Dallas, Ackworth, Pine Top, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Smyrna, Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin and 
Nashville. Having re-enli,sted as veterans, the 
reginient was ordered to Texas, in June, 1865, 
where it was mustered out, December, 1863, 
receiving its final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixtieth Infantry. Organized at Anna, 111., 
Feb. 17, 1862; took part in the siege of Corinth 
and was besieged at Nashville. The regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans while at the front, in 
January, 1864; participated in the battles of 
Buzzard's Roost, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, 
Rome, Dallas, New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Nickajack, Peach Tree Creek. Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Averysboro and Bentonville; was 
mustered out at Louisville, July 31, 1865, and 
received final discharge at Springfield. 

Sixty-first Infantry. Organized at Carroll- 
ton, 111., three full companies being mustered 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



559 



in, Feb. 5, 1862. On Febraarj' 21, the regiment, 
being still incomplete, moved to Benton Bar- 
racks, Mo. , wliere a sufficient number of recruits 
joined to make nine full companies. Tlie regiment 
was engaged at Shiloh and Bolivar, took part 
in the Yazoo expedition, and re-enlisted as veter- 
ans early in 1864. Later, it took part in the battle 
of Wilkinson's Pike (near Murfreesboro), and 
other engagements near that point : was mustered 
out at Xashville, Tenn., Sept. 8, 186.5, and paid 
off and discharged at Springfield, Septem- 
ber 27. 

Sixty-second Inf.vxtry. Organized at Anna, 
111., April 10, 1862; after being engaged in several 
skirmishes, the regiment sustained a loss of 170 
men, who were captured and paroled at Holly 
Springs, Miss., by the rebel General Van Dorn, 
where the regimental records were destroyed. 
The regiment took part in forcing the evacuation 
of Little Rock; re-enlisted, as veterans. Jan. 9, 
1864 ; was mustered out at Little Rock, March 6, 
1866, and ordered to Springfield for final payment 
and discharge. 

Sixty-third Inf.\ntry. Organized at Anna, 
in December. 1861, and mustered into service, 
April 10, 1862. It participated in the first invest- 
ment of Vicksburg, the capture of Richmond 
Hill, La. , and in the battle of Slissionary Ridge. 
On Jan. 1. 1864, 272 men re-enlisted as veterans. 
It took part in the capture of Savannah and in 
Sherman's march through the Carolinas, partici- 
pating in its important battles and skirmishes; 
was mustered out at Louisville, July 13, 1865, 
reaching Springfield, July 16. The total distance 
traveled was 6,453 miles, of which 2,250 was on 
the march. 

SiXTY-FOCRTH INFANTRY. Organized at Spring- 
field, December. 1861, as the '"First Battalion of 
Yates Sharp Shooters." The last company was 
mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861. The regiment was 
engaged at New Madrid, the siege of Corinth, 
Chambers' Creek, the second battle of Corinth, 
Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Decatur, the 
siege of Atlanta, the investment of Savannah and 
the battle of Bentonville ; re-enlisted as veterans, 
in Januarj-, 1864 ; was mustered out at Louisville, 
July 11, 1865, and finally discharged, at Chicago, 
July 18. 

Sixty-fifth Isfaxtry. Originally known as 
the "Scotch Regiment"; was organized at Chi- 
cago, and mustered in. May 1, 1862. It was cap- 
tured and paroled at Harper's Ferry, and ordered 
to Chicago; was exchanged in April, 1863; took 
part in Burnside's defense of Knoxville; re-en- 
listed as veterans in March. 1864, and participated 



in the Atlanta campaign and the "March to the 
Sea." It was engaged in battles at Columbia 
(Tenn.), Franklin and Nashville, and later near 
Federal Point and Smithtown, N. C, being mus- 
tered out, July 13, 186.i, and receiving final pay- 
ment and discharge at Chicago. July 26, 1865. 

Sixty-sixth Infantry. Organized at Benton 
Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., during September 
and October, 1861— being designed as a regiment 
of "Western Sharp Shooters" from Illinois, Mis- 
souri, Wisconsin. Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana and 
Ohio. It was mustered in, Nov. 23, 1861, was 
engaged at Mount Zion (Mo.), Fort Donelson, 
Shiloh, the siege of Corinth. luka. the second 
battle of Corinth, in the Atlanta campaign, the 
"March to the Sea" and the campaign through 
the Carolinas. The regiment was variously 
known as the Fourteenth Jlissouri Volunteers, 
Birge's Western Sharpshooters, and the Sixty- 
sixth riinois Infantry. The latter (and final) 
name was conferred by the Secretary of War, 
Nov. 20, 1862. It re-enlisted (for the veteran 
service), in December, 1863, was mustered out at 
Camp Logan, Ky., July 7, 1865, and paid off and 
discharged at Springfield. July 15. 

Sixty-setenth Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, June 13, 1862, for three montlis' service, in 
response to an urgent call for the defense of 
Washington. The .Sixty-seventh, by doing guard 
duty at the camps at Chicago and Springfield, 
relieved the veterans, who were sent to the front. 

Sixty-eighth Infantry. Enlisted in response 
to a call made by the Governor, early in the sum- 
mer of 1862. for State troops to serve for three 
months as State Militia, and was mustered in 
early in June, 1862. It was afterwards nmstered 
into the United States service as Illinois Volun- 
teers, by petition of the men, and received 
marching orders, July 5, 1862 ; mustered out, at 
Springfield, Sept. 26. 1862 — many of the men re- 
enlisting in other regiments. 

Sixty'-ninth Infantry'. Organized at Camp 
Douglas, Chicago, and mustered into service for 
three months, June 14, 1862. It remained on 
duty at Camp Douglas, guarding the camp and 
rebel prisoners. 

Seventieth Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, and mustered in, July 4, 
1862. It remained at Camp Butler doing guard 
duty. Its term of service was three months. 

Seventy-first Inf.\ntry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, July 26. 1862, at Chicago, for three months. 
Its service was confined to garrison duty in Illi- 
nois and Kentucky, being niustereu out at Chi- 
cago, Oct. 29, 1862. 



660 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Seventy-second Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, as the First Regiment of the Chicago Board 
of Trade, and mustered into service for three 
years, August 23, 1863. It was engaged at Cliam- 
pion Hill, Vicksburg, Natchez, Franklin, Nash- 
ville, Spanish , Fort and Fort Blakely; mustered 
out of service, at Vicksburg. August 6, ISe.'i, and 
discharged at Chicago. 

Seventy-third Infantry. Recruited from 
the counties of Adams, Champaign, Christian, 
Hancock, Jackson, Logan, Piatt, Pike, Sanga- 
mon, Tazewell and Vermilion, and mustered into 
service at Springfield, August 21, 1863, 900 strong. 
It participated in the battles of Stone River, 
Perryville, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, 
Re.saca, Adairsville, Burnt Hickory, Pine and 
Lost Mountains, New Hope Church. Kenesaw 
Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Spring Hill, Frank- 
lin and Nashville ; was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 13, 1865, and, a few days later, vent to 
Springfield to receive pay and final discharge. 

Seventy-fourth Inf.^ntry'. Organized at 
Rockford, in August, 1863, and mustered into 
service September 4. It was recruited from Win- 
nebago, Ogle and Stephenson Counties. This regi- 
ment was engaged at Perryville, Murfreesboro 
and Nolansville, took part in the TuUahoma 
campaign, and the battles of Missionary Ridge, 
Resaca, Adairsville, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Tunnel Hill, and Rocky Face Ridge, the siege of 
Atlanta, and the battles of Sjiring Hill, Franklin 
and Nashville. It was mustered out at Nashville, 
June 10. 1865, with 343 officers and men, the 
aggregate number enrolled having been 1,001. 

•Seventy-fifth Infantry'. Organized at 
Dixon, and mustered into service, Sept. 3. 1862. 
The regiment participated in the battles of Perry- 
ville, Nolansville, Stone River, Lookout Mountain, 
Dalton, Resaca, Marietta, Kenesaw, Franklin and 
Nashville; was mustered out at Nashville, June 
13, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, July 
1, following. 

Seventy'-sixth Infantry. Organized at Kan- 
kakee, 111. , in August, 1862, and mustered into the 
service, August 23, 1862 ; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the engagement at Jackson, the cam- 
paign against Meridian, the expedition to Yazoo 
City, and the capture of Mobile, was ordered to 
Texas in June, 1865, and mustered out at Galves- 
ton, July 22, 1865, being paid off and disbanded 
at Chicago, August 4, 1865 — having traveled 
10,000 miles. 

Seventy-seventh Infantry'. Organized and 
mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862, at Peoria; 
was engaged in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, 



Arkansas Post, the siege of Vicksburg (including 
the battle of Champion Hills), the capture of 
Jackson, the Red River expedition, and the bat- 
tles of Sabine Cross Roads and Pleasant Hill ; the 
reduction of Forts Gaines and Morgan, and the 
capture of Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely and Mobile. 
It was mustered out of service at Mobile, July 
10, 1865, and ordered to Springfield for final pay- 
ment and discharge, where it arrived, July23, 186.5, 
having participated in sixteen battles and sieges. 

Seventy'-eighth Infantry'. Organized at 
Quincy, and mustered into service, Sept. 1, 1863; 
participated in the battles of Chickamaiiga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Rome, 
New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Averysboro and 
Benton ville; was mustered out, June 7, 1865, and 
sent to Chicago, where it was paid off and dis- 
charged, June 12, 1865. 

Seventy-ninth Infantry'. Organized at Ma.t- 
toon, in August. 1863, and mustered into service, 
August 28, 1863; participated in the battles of 
Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kene- 
saw Mountain, Dallas, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Franklin and Nashville; was 
mustered out, June 13, 1865; arrived at Camp 
Butler, June 15, and, on June 33, received final 
pay and discharge. 

Eightieth Infantry'. Organized at Centralia, 
111., in August, 1862, and mustered into service, 
August 25, 1863. It was engaged at Perryville, 
Dug"s Gap, Sand Mountain and Blunt's Farm, 
surrendering to Forrest at the latter point. After 
being exchanged, it particii>ated in the battles of 
Wauhatcliie, Missionary Ridge, Dalton, Resaca, 
Adairsville, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Mountain, 
Kene.saw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station and Nash- 
ville. The regiment traveled 6,000 miles and 
participated in more than twenty engagements. 
It was mustered out of service, June 10, 1865, and 
proceeded to Camp Butler for final pay and 
discharge. 

Eighty-first Infantry. Recruited from the 
counties of Perry, Franklin, Williamson, .Jack- 
son, Union, Pulaski and Alexander, and mustered 
into service at Anna. August 26, 1862. It partici- 
pated in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond, 
Jackson, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, and 
in the siege and capture of Vicksburg. Later, 
the regiment was engaged at Fort de Russey, 
Alexandria, Guntown and Nashville, besides 
assisting in the investment of Mobile. It was 
mustered out at Chicago. August 5. 1864. 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



561 



Eighty-second Infantry. Sometimes called 
the "Second Ilecker Regiment," in honor of Col- 
onel Frederick Hecker, its first Colonel, and for 
merly Colonel of the Twentj'-fourth Illinois 
Infantry — being chiefly composed of German 
members of Cliicago. It was organized at Spring- 
field, Sept. 26, 1862, and mustered into service, 
Oct. 33, 1862; participated in the battles of 
Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, Wauhatchie, Or- 
chard Knob, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, New 
Hope Church, Dallas. Marietta, Pine Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Bentonville ; was 
mustered out of service, June 9, 1865, and 
returned to Chicago, June 16 — having marched, 
during its time of service, 2, .503 miles. 

Eighty-third Infantry. Organized at Mon- 
mouth in August, 1862, and mustered into serv- 
ice, August 21. It participated in repelling the 
rebel attack on Fort Donelson, and in numerous 
hard-fought skirmishes in Tennessee, but was 
chiefly engaged in the performance of heavy 
guard duty and in protecting lines of communi- 
cation. The regiment was mustered out at Nash- 
ville, June 26, 186.5, and finally paid off and 
discharged at Chicago, July 4, following. 

Eighty-fourth Infantry. Organized at 
Quincj-, in August, 1862, and mustered into serv- 
ice, Sept. 1, 1862, with 939 men and officers. The 
regiment was authorized to inscribe upon its 
battle-flag the names of Perryville, Stone River, 
Woodbury, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, 
Missionary Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Burnt Hickory, Kenesaw Moun- 
tain, Smyrna, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Sta- 
tion, Franklin, and Nashville. It was mustered 
out, June 8, 1865. 

Eighty-fifth Infantry. Organized at Peoria, 
about Sept. 1, 1862, and ordered to Louisville. It 
took part in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, 
Chickamauga, Knoxville, Dalton, Rocky-Face 
Ridge, Resaca, Rome, Dallas, Kenesaw, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Savannah, Ben- 
tonville, Goldsboro and Raleigh; was mustered 
out at Washington, D. C, June 5, 1865, and 
sent to Springfield, where the regiment was 
paid off and discharged on the 20th of the same 
month. 

Eighty-sixth Infantry. Mustered into serv- 
ice, August 27, 1862, at Peoria, at which time it 
numbered 923 men, rank and file. It took part 
in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Mis- 
sionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca. Rome, 
Dalhis, Kenesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Jonesboro, 
Averygboro and Bentonville; was mustered out 
on June 6, 1865, at Washington, D. C, arriving 



on June 11, at Chicago, where, ten days later, the 
men received their pay and final discharge. 

Eighty-seventh Infantry. Enlisted in Au- 
gust, 1862 ; was composed of companies from 
Hamilton, Edwards, Wayne and White Counties; 
was organized in the latter part of August, 1862, 
at Shawneetown; mustered in, Oct. 3, 1862, the 
muster to take effect from August 2. It took 
part in the siege and capture of Warrenton and 
Jackson, and in the entire campaign through 
Louisiana and Southern Missis-sippi, participating 
in the battle of Sabine Cross Roads and in numer- 
ous skirmishes among the bayous, being mustered 
out. June 16, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, 
where it arrived, June 24, 1865, and was paid off 
and disbanded at Camp Butler, on July 2. 

Eighty-eighth Infantry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1862, and known as the 
"Second Board of Trade Regiment." It was 
mustered in, Sept. 4, 1862 ; was engaged at Perry- 
ville, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary 
Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Adairsville, 
New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Mud Creek, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro, Lovejoy Station, Franklin 
and NashviUe; was mustered out, June 9, 1865, 
at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June 13, 1865, where it received final pay and 
discharge, June 22, 1865. 

Eighty-ninth Infantry. Called the "Rail- 
road Regiment"; was organized by the railroad 
companies of Illinois, at Chicago, in August, 
1862, and mustered into service on the 2Tth of 
that month. It fought at Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Knoxville, Resaca, 
Rocky Face Ridge, Pickett's Blills, Kenesaw 
Jlountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, 
Lovejoy's Station, Spring Hill, Columbia. Frank- 
lin and Nashville; was mustered out, June 10, 
1865, in the field near Nashville, Tenn. : arrived 
at Chicago two days later, and was finally dis- 
charged, June 24, after a service of two years, 
nine months and twenty seven days. 

Ninetieth Infajjtry. Mustered into service 
at Chicago, Sept. 7, 1862 ; participated in the siege 
of Vicksburg and the campaign against Jackson, 
and was engaged at Missionary Ridge, Resaca, 
Dallas, New Hope Church. Big Shanty, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Marietta, Nickajack Creek, Rosswell, 
Atlanta, Jonesboro and Fort McAllister. After 
the review at Washington, the regiment was 
mustered out, June 6, and returned to Chicago, 
June 9, 1865, where it was finally discharged. 

IviNETY-FiRST Infantry. Organized at Camp 
Butler, near Springfield, in August, 1862, and 



562 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



mustered in on Sept. 8, 1862 ; participated in the 
campaigns against Vicksburg and New Orleans, 
and all along the southwestern frontier in 
Louisiana and Texas, as well as in the investiture 
and capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at 
Mobile, July 13, 186.5, starting for home the same 
day, and being finally paid off and discharged on 
July 38, following. 

Ninety-second Infantry (Mounted). Organ- 
ized and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862, 
being recruited from Ogle, Stephenson and Car- 
roll Counties. During its term of service, the 
Ninety-second was in more than sixty battles and 
skirmishes, including Ringgold, Chickamauga, 
and the numerous engagements on the "March 
to the Sea," and during the pursuit of Johnston 
through the Carolinas. It was mustered out at 
Concord, N. C, and paid and discharged from the 
•service at Chicago, July 10, 1865. 

Ninety-third 1nf.\ntry. Organized at Chi- 
cago, in September, 1863, and mustered in, Oct. 
13, 998 strong. It participated in the movements 
against Jackson and Vicksburg, and was engaged 
at Champion Hills and at Fort Fisher; also was 
engaged in the liattles of Missionary Ridge, 
Dallas, Resaca, and many minor engagements, 
following Sherman in his campaign though the 
Carolinas. Mustered out of service, June 33, 
186.5, and, on the 35th, arrived at Chicago, receiv- 
ing final payment and discharge, July 7, 1865, the 
regiment having marched 3,554 miles, traveled 
by water, 3,296 miles, and, by railroad, 1,337 
miles — total, 6,087 miles. 

Ninety-fourth Infantry'. Organized at 
Bloomington in August, 1863, and enlisted wholly 
in McLean County. After some warm experi 
ence in Southwest Missouri, the regiment took 
part in the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and 
was, later, actively engaged in the campaigns in 
Louisiana and Texas. It participated in the cap- 
ture of Mobile, leading the final assault. After 
several months of garrison duty, the regiment was 
mustered out at Galveston, Texas, on July 17, 
1865, reaching Bloomington on August 9, follow- 
ing, having served just three years, marched 1,200 
miles, traveled by railroad 610 miles, and, by 
steamer, 6,000 miles, and taken part in nine bat- 
tles, sieges and skirmishes. 

Ninety-fifth Infantry. Organized at Rock- 
ford and mustered into service, Sept. 4, 1862. It 
was recruited from the counties of McHenry and 
Boone — three companies from the latter and 
seven from tlie former. It took part in the cam- 
paigns in Northern Mississippi and against Vicks- 
burg, in the Red River expedition, the campaigns 



against Price in Missouri and Arkansas, against 
Mobile and around Atlanta. Among the battles 
in which the regiment was engaged were those 
of the Tallahatchie River, Grand Gulf, Raymond, 
Champion Hills, Fort de Russey, Old River, 
Cloutierville, Mansura, Yellow Bayou, Guntown, 
Nashville, Spanish Fort, Fort Blakely, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Atlanta. Ezra 
Church, Jonesboro, Love joy Station and Nash- 
ville. The distance traveled by the regiment, 
while in the service, was 9,960 miles. It was 
transferred to the Forty-seventh Illinois Infan- 
try, August 25, 1865. 

Ninety-sixth Infantry. Recruited during 
the months of July and August, 1863, and mus- 
tered into service, as a regiment, Sept. 6, 1863. 
The battles engaged in included Fort Donelson, 
Spring Hill, Franklin, Triune, Liberty Gap, 
Shelbyville. Chickamauga, Wauhatchie, Lookout 
Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Rocky Face Ridge, 
Resaca, Kingston, New Hope Church, Dallas, 
Pine Mountain, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna 
Camp Ground, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Rough 
and Ready, Jonesboro, Lovejoy's Station, Frank- 
lin and Nashville. Its date of final pay and dis- 
charge was June 30, 1865. 

Ninety-seventh Infantry. Organized in 
August and September. 1863, and mustered in on 
Sept. 16 ; participated in the battles of Chickasaw 
Bluff's, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion 
Hills, Black River, Vicksburg, Jackson and 
Mobile. On July 29, 1865, it was mustered out 
and proceeded homeward, reaching Springfield, 
August 10, after an absence of three years, less a 
few days. 

Ninety-eighth Infantry. Organized at Cen- 
tralia, September, 1862, and mustered in, Sept. 3 ; 
took part in engagements at Chickamauga, Mc- 
Minnville, Farmington and Selma, besides many 
others of less note. It was mustered out, June 
27, 1865, the recruits being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Illinois Volunteers. The regiment 
arrived at Springfield, June 30, and received final 
payment and discharge, July 7, 1865. 

Ninety-ninth Infantry. Organized in Pike 
County and mustered in at Florence, August 33, 
1863; participated in the following battles and 
skirmishes: Beaver Creek, Hartsville, Magnolia 
Hills, Raymond, Champion Hills, Black River, 
Vicksburg, Jackson, Fort Esperanza, Grand 
Coteau, Fish River, Spanish Fort and Blakely: 
days under fire, 63; miles traveled, 5,900; men 
killed in battle, 38; men died of wounds and 
disease, 149; men discharged for disability, 137; 
men deserted, 35; officers killed in battle, 3; 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



563 



officers died, 2; officers resigned, 26. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Baton Rouge, July 31, 
1865, and paid off and discharged, August 9, 
following. 

One Hundredth Inf.4.ntry. Organized at 
Joliet, in August, 1862, and mustered in, August 
30. The entire regiment was recruited in Will 
County. It was engaged at Bardstowu, Stone 
River, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and 
Nashville; was mustered out of service, June 12, 
1865, at Nashville, Tenn., and arrived at Chicago, 
June 15, where it received final payment and 
discharge. 

One Hundred .^nd First Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Jacksonville during the latter part of the 
month of August, 1862, and, on Sept. 2, 1862, 
was mustered in. It participated in the battles 
of Wauhatchie, Chattanooga, Resaca, New Hope 
Church, Kenesaw and Pine Mountains, Peach 
Tree Creek, Atlanta, Averysboro and Bentonville. 
On Dec. 20, 1862, five companies were captured 
at Holly Springs, Miss., paroled and sent to 
Jefferson Barracks, Mo. , and formally exchanged 
in June, 1863. On the 7th of June, 1865, it was 
mustered out, and started for Springfield, where, 
on the 21st of June, it was paid off and disbanded. 

One Hundred and Second Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Knoxville, in August. 1862. and mustered 
in, September 1 and 2. It was engaged at Resaca, 
Camp Creek, Burnt Hickory, Big Shanty, Peach 
Tree Creek and Averysboro; mustered out of 
service June 6. 1805, and started home, arriving 
at Chicago on the 9th, and, June 14, received 
final payment and di-scharge. 

OsE Hundred and Third Infantry. Re- 
cruited wholly in Fulton County, and mustered 
into the service, Oct. 2, 1862. It took part in 
the Grierson raid, the sieges of Vicksburg, Jack- 
son, Atlanta and Savannah, and the battles of 
Missionary Ridge. Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Dal- 
las, Kenesaw Mountain and Oris wolds vi lie; was 
also in the campaign through the Carolinas. 
The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, 
June 21. and received final discharge at Chi- 
cago, Jul}' 9, 1865. The original strength of 
the regiment was 808, and 84 recruits were 
enlisted. 

One Hundred and Fourth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Ottawa, in August. 1862, and composed 
almost entirely of La Salle County men. The 
regiment was engaged in the battles of Harts- 
ville, Chickamauga, Lookout Jlountain, Mission- 
ary Ridge, Resaca, Peach Tree Creek. Utoy 
Creek, Jonesboro and Bentonville. besides many 
6e\ere skirmishes ; was mustered out at Washing- 



ton, D. C, June 6, 1865, and, a few days later, 
received final discharge at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Fifth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service, Sept. 3, 1863, at Dixon, and 
participated in the Atlanta campaign, being 
engaged at Resaca, Peach Tree Creek and 
Atlanta, and almost constantly skirmishing, 
also took part in the "March to the Sea" and the 
campaign in the Carolinas, including the siege of 
Savannah and the battl&s of Averysboro and 
Bentonville. It was mustered out at Washing- 
ton, D. C, June 7, 1865, and paid off and dis- 
charged at Chicago, June 17. 

One Hundred and Sixth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Lincoln, Sept. 18, 1862. 
eight of the ten companies having been recruited 
in Logan County, the other two being from San- 
gamon and Menard Counties. It aided in the 
defense of Jackson, Tenn., where Company "C"' 
was captured and paroled, being exchanged in 
the summer of 1863; took part in the siege of 
Vicksburg, the Yazoo expedition, the capture of 
Little Rock, the battle of Clarendon, and per- 
formed service at various points in Arkansas. It 
was mustered out, July 12, 1865, at Pine Bluff, 
Ark , and arrived at Springfield, July 24, 1865, 
where it received final payment and discharge 

One Hundred and Seventh Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Springfield, Sept. 4, 1862; 
was composed of six companies from DeWitt and 
four companies from Piatt County. It was 
engaged at Campbell's Station, Dandridge, 
Rocky-Face Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Atlanta, Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville and 
Fort Anderson, and mustered out, June 21, 1865, 
at Salisbury, N. C, reaching Springfield, for 
final pajment and discharge, July 2, 1865. 

One Hu.n'dred and Eighth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Peoria, and mustered into service, August 
28, 1862; took' part in the first expedition against 
Vicksburg and in the battles of Arkansas Post 
(Fort Hindman), Port Gibson and Champion 
Hills; in the capture of Vicksburg, the battle of 
Guntown, the reduction of Spanish Fort, and the 
capture of Mobile. It was mustered out at Vicks- 
burg, August 5, 1865, and received final discharge 
at Chicago, August 11. 

One Hundred and Ninth Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Union and Pulaski Counties and 
mustered into the service, Sept. 11, 1862. Owing 
to its number being greatly reduced, it was con- 
solidated with the Eleventh Infantry in April, 
1863. (.See Eleventh Infantry.) 

One Hundred .\nd Tenth Infantry. Organ- 
ized at Anna and mustered in, Sept. 11, 1862 ; was 



5G-1 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



engaged at Stone River, Woodbury, and in 
numerous skirmishes in Kentucky and Tennessee. 
In May, 1803, the regiment was consolidated, its 
numbers having been greatly reduced. Subse- 
quently it participated in the battles of Chicka- 
mauga and Missionary Ridge, the battles around 
Atlanta and the campaign through the Carolinas, 
being present at Johnston's surrender. The regi- 
ment was mustered out at Washington, D. C, 
June 5, 1865, and received final discharge at 
Chicago, June 15. The enlisted men whose term 
of service had not expired at date of muster-out, 
were consolidated into four companies and trans- 
ferred to the Sixtieth Illinois Veteran Volunteer 
Infantry. 

One Hundred and Eleventh Infantry. Re- 
cruited from Marion, Clay, Washington, Clinton 
and Wayne Counties, and mustered into the serv- 
ice at Salem, Sept. 18, 1862. The regiment aided 
in the capture of Decatur, Ala. ; took part in the 
Atlanta campaign, being engaged at Resaca, 
Dallas, Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro ; partici- 
pated in the "March to the Sea" and the cam- 
paign in the Carolinas, taking part in the battles 
of Fort McAllister and Bentonville. It was mus- 
tered out at Washington, D. C, June 7, 1865, 
receiving final discharge at Springfield, June 37, 
having traveled 3,736 miles, of which 1,836 was 
on the march. 

One Hundred and Twelfth Infantry. Mus- 
tered into service at Peoria, Sept. 30 and 33, 
1863; participated in the campaign in East Ten- 
nessee, under Burnside, and in that against 
Atlanta, under Sherman; was also engaged in 
the battles of Columbia, Franklin and Nashville, 
and the capture of Fort Anderson and Wilming- 
ton. It was mustered out at Goldsboro, N. C, 
June 30, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago, 
July 7. 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirteenth Infantry. 
Left Camp Hancock (near Chicago) for the front, 
Nov. 6, 1863; was engaged in the Tallahatchie 
expedition, participated in the battle of Chicka- 
saw Bayou, and was sent North to guard prison- 
ers and recruit. The regiment also took part in 
the siege and captiu-e of Vicksburg, was mustered 
out, June 30, 1865, and finally discharged at Chi- 
cago, five days later. 

One Hundred and Fourteenth Infantry. 
Organized in July and August, 1863, and mustered 
in at Springfield, Sept. 18, being recruited from 
Cass, Menard and Sangamon Counties. The regi- 
ment participated in the battle of Jackson (Miss. ), 
the siege and capture of Vicksburg, and in the 
battles of Guntown and Harrisville, the pursuit 



of Price through Missouri, the battle of Nash- 
ville, and the capture of Mobile. It was mustered 
out at Vicksburg. August 3, 1865, receiving final 
payment and discharge at Springfield. August 15, 
1865. 

One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry. 
Ordered to the front from Springfield, Oct. 4, 
1862; was engaged at Cliickamauga, Chattanooga, 
Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, Resaca and in all 
the principal battles of the Atlanta campaign, 
and in the defense of Nashville and pursuit of 
Hood; was mustered out of service, June 11, 
1865, and received final pay and discharge, June 
23, 1865, at Springfield. 

One Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry'. 
Recruited almost wholly from Macon County, 
numbering 980 oflicers and men when it started 
from Decatur for the front on Nov. 8, 1862. It 
participated in the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, 
Arkansas Post, Champion Hills, Black River 
Bridge, Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Big 
Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, Stone Mountain, 
Atlanta, Fort McAllister and Bentonville, and 
was mustered out, June 7, 1865, near Washington, 
D. C. 

One Hundred and Seventeenth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Sept. 
19, 1862; participated in the Meridian campaign, 
the Red River expedition (assisting in the cap- 
ture of Fort de Russey), and in the battles of 
Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Franklin, 
Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. It 
was mustered out at Springfield, August 5, 1865, 
having traveled 9,276 miles, 2,307 of which were 
marched. 

One Hundred and Eighteenth Infantry-. 
Organized and mustered into the service at 
Springfield, Nov. 7, 1863 ; was engaged at Chicka- 
saw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham- 
pion Hills, Black River Bridge, Jackson (Miss.), 
Grand Coteau, Jackson (La. ), and Amite River. 
The regiment was mounted, Oct. 11, 1863, and 
dismounted. May 22, 1865. Oct. 1, 1865, it was 
mustered out, and finally discharged, Oct. 13. 
At the date of the muster-in, the regiment num- 
bered 830 men and oflicers, received 283 recruits, 
making a total of 1,103; at muster-out it num- 
bered 523. Distance marched, 3,000 miles; total 
distance traveled, 5,700 miles. 

One Hundred and Nineteenth Infantry. 
Organized at Quincy, in September, 1862, and 
was mustered into the United States service, 
October 10 ; was engaged in the Red River cam- 
paign and in the battles of Shreveport, Yellow 
Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, Spanish Fort and Fort 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



565 



Blakely. Its final muster-out took place at 
Mobile, August 26, 1865, and its discharge at 
Springfield. 

One Hundred and Twentiety Infantry. 
Mustered into the service, Oct. 28, 1863, at Spring- 
field ; was mustered out, Sept. 7, 1865. and received 
final payment and discharge, September 10, at 
Springfield. 

One Hundred and Twenty-first Infan- 
try. (The organization of this regiment was not 
completed.) 

On^e Hundred and Twenty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Carlinville, in August, 1862, 
and mustered into the service. Sept. 4, with 960 
enlisted men. It participated in the battles of 
Tupelo and Nashville, and in the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, and was mustered 
out, July 15, 1865, at Mobile, and finally dis- 
charged at Springfield, August 4. 

One Hundred and Twenty-third Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Mattoon, Sept. 6, 
1862; participated in the battles of Perry ville, 
Milton, Hoover's Gap, and Farmington ; also took 
part in the entire Atlanta campaign, marching 
as cavalry and fighting as infantry. Later, it 
served as mounted infantry in Kentucky, Tennes- 
see and Alabama, taking a prominent part in the 
capture of Selma. The regiment was discharged 
at Springfield, July 11, 1865 — the recruits, whose 
terms had not expired, being transferred to the 
Sixty-first Volunteer Infantry. 

One Hundred and Twenty-fourth Infan- 
try. Mustered into the service, Sept. 10, 1862, at 
Springfield ; took part in the Vicksburg campaign 
and in the battles of Port Gibson, Raymond and 
Champion Hills, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
Meridian raid, the Yazoo expedition, and the 
capture of Mobile. On the 16th of August. 1865. 
eleven days less than three years after the first 
company went into camp at Springfield, the regi- 
ment was mustered out at Chicago. Colonel 
Howe's history of the battle-flag of the regiment, 
stated that it had been borne 4,100 miles, in four- 
teen skirimishes, ten battles and two sieges of 
forty-seven days and nights, and thirteen days 
and nights, respectively. 

One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service, Sept. 3, 1862; par- 
ticipated in the battles of Perryville, Chicka- 
mauga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, 
Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta and Jonesboro, and in 
the "Ma'ch to the Sea" and the Carolina cam- 
paign, being engaged at Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It was mustered out at Washington, D. C, 
June 9, 1865, and finally discharged at Chicago. 



One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Infan- 
try. Organized at Alton and mustered in, Sept. 4, 
1862, and participated in the siege of Vicksburg. 
Six companies were engaged in skirmish line, near 
Humboldt, Tenn., and the regiment took part in 
the capture of Little Rock and in the fight at 
Clarendon, Ark. It was mustered out Julj' 12, 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Chicago. Sept. 6, 
1862; took part in the first campaign against 
Vicksburg. and in the battle of Arkansas Post, 
the siege of Vicksburg under Grant, the cajjture 
of Jackson (Miss.), the battles of Missionary 
Ridge and Lookout Mountain, the Meridian raid, 
and in the fighting at Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw 
Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro; also accom- 
panied Sherman in his march through Georgia 
and the Carolinas, taking part in the battle of 
Bentonville ; was mustered out at Chicago. June 
17. 1865. 

One Hundred and Twenty-eighth Infan- 
try. Mustered in, Dec. 18, 1862, but remained 
in service less than five months, when, its num- 
ber of officers and men having been reduced from 
860 to 161 (largely by desertions), a number of 
officers were dismissed, and the few remaining 
officers and men were formed into a detachment, 
and transferred to another Illinois regiment. 

One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Infan- 
try. Organized at Pontiac, in August, 1863, and 
mustered into the service Sept. 8. Prior to May. 
1864, the regiment was chiefly engaged in garri- 
son duty. It marched with Sherman in the 
Atlanta campaign and tlirough Georgia and the 
Carolinas, and took part in the battles of Resaca, 
Buzzard's Roost. Lost Mountain. Dallas, Peach 
Tree Creek. Atlanta, Averysboro and Benton- 
ville. It received final pay and discharge at Chi- 
ca'-o, June 10, 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield and mustered into 
service, Oct. 25, 1862 ; was engaged at Port Gib- 
son. Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, Vicks- 
burg, Jackson (Miss.), and in the Red River 
expedition. While on this expedition almost the 
entire regiment was captured at the battle of 
Mansfield, and not paroled until near the close of 
the war. The remaining officers and men were 
consolidated with the Seventy-seventh Infantry 
in January, 1865, and participated in the capture 
of Mobile. Six months later its regimental re- 
organization, as the One Hundred and Thirtieth, 
was ordered. It was mu.stered out at New 
Orleans, August 15. 1865, and discharged at 
Springfield, August 31. 



566 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



One Hundred and Thibty-first Infajc- 
TRY. Organized in September, 1863, and mus- 
tered into the service, Nov. 13, with 815 men, 
exclusive of oiScers. In October, 1863, it was 
consolidated with the Twenty-ninth Infantry, 
and ceased to exist as a separate organization. 
Up to that time the regiment had been in but a 
few conflicts and in no pitched battle. 

One Hundred and Thirty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in for 
100 days from June 1, 1864. The regiment re- 
mained on duty at Paducali until the expiration 
of its service, wlien it moved to Chicago, and 
was mustered out, Oct. 17, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty -third Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, and mustered in 
for one hundred days, May 31, 1864 ; was engaged 
during its term of service in guarding prisoners 
of war at Rock Island ; was mustered out, Sept. 
4, 1864, at Camp Butler. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago and mustered in, 
May 31, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to 
garrison duty at Columbus, Ky., and mustered 
out of service, Oct. 25, 1864, at Chicago. 

One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered in for 100-days" service at Mat- 
toon, June 6, 1864, having a strength of 852 men. 
It was chiefly engaged, during its term of service, 
in doing garrison duty and guarding railroads. 
It was mustered out at Springfield, Sept. 28, 1864. 

One Hundred .\nd Thirty-sixth Infan- 
try. Enlisted about the first of May, 1864, for 
100 days, and went into camp at Centralia, 111., 
but was not mustered into service until June 1, 
following. Its principal service was garrison 
duty, with occasional scouts and raids amongst 
guerrillas. At the end of its term of service the 
regiment re-enlisted for fifteen days; was mus- 
tered out at Springfield, Oct. 23, 1864, and dis- 
charged eight daj-s later 

One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Inf.\n- 
try. Organized at Quincy, with ex-Gov. John 
Wood as its Colonel, and mustered in, June 5, 
1864, for 100 days. Was on duty at Memphis, 
Tenn , and mustered out of service at Spring- 
field. 111.. Sept. 4, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infan- 
try Organized at Quincy, and mustered in, 
June 31, 1864, for 100 days; was assigned to garri- 
son duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and in 
Western Missouri. It was mustered out of serv- 
ice at Springfield, 111., Oct. 14, 1864. 

One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service as a 100-day's regi- 



ment, at Peoria, June 1, 1864; was engaged in 
garrison duty at Columbus and Cairo, in making 
reprisals for guerrilla raids, and in the pursuit of 
the Confederate General Price in Missouri. The 
latter -service was rendered, at the President's 
request, after the term of enlistment had expired. 
It was mustered out at Peoria, Oct. 25, 1864, hav- 
ing been in the service nearly five months. 

One Hundred and Fouetieth Inf.antry. 
Organized as a 100-days" regiment, at Springfield, 
June 18, 1864, and mustered into service on that 
date. The regiment was engaged in guarding 
railroads between Memphis and Holly Springs.and 
in garrison duty at Memphis. After the term of 
enlistment had expired and the regiment had 
been mustered out, it aided in the pm-suit of 
General Price through Missouri; was finally dis- 
charged at Chicago, after seri-ing about five 
months 

One Hundred and Forty-first Infan- 
try. Mustered into service as a 100- days' regi- 
ment, at Elgin, June 16, 1864 — strength, 843 men; 
departed for the field, June 27, 1864; was mus- 
tered out at Chicago, Oct. 10, 1864. 

One Hundred and Forty-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Freeport as a battalion of 
eight companies, and sent to Camp Butler, where 
two companies were added and the regiment 
mustered into service for 100 days, June IS, 1864. 
It was ordered to Memphis, Tenn., five days later, 
and assigned to duty at White's Station, eleven 
miles from that city, where it was employed in 
guarding the Memphis & Charleston railroad. 
It was mustered out at Chicago, on Oct, 27, 1864, 
the men having voluntarily served one month 
beyond tlieir term of enlistment. 

One Hundred and Forty-third Infan- 
try. Organized at Mattoon, and mustered in, 
June 11, 1864, for 100 days. It was assigned to 
garrison duty, and mustered out at Mattoon, 
Sept. 26, 1864. 

One Hundred .a.nd Forty-fourth Inf.as- 
try. Organized at Alton, in 1864, as a one-year 
regiment; was mustered into the service, Oct. 21, 
its strength being 1,159 men. It was mustered 
out, July 14, 1865. 

One Hundred and Forty-fifth Infan- 
try. Mustered into service at Springfield, June 
9, 1864; .strength, 880 men. It departed for the 
field, June 12, 1864; was mustered out, Sept. 33, 
1864. 

One Hundred and Forty-sixth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Sept. 18, 1864, for 
one year. Was assigned to tlie dut}' of guarding 
drafted men at Brighton, Quincy, Jacksonville 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



567 



and Springfield, and mustered out at Springfield, 
July 5, 1865. 

OxE Hundred ajsd Forty-seventh Ixf.o- 
TRY. Organized at Chicago, and mustered into 
service for one year, Feb. 18 and 19, 1865; was 
engaged chiefly on guard or garrison duty, in 
scouting and in skirmishLug with guerrillas. 
Mustered out at Nashville, Jan. 22, 1866, and 
received final discharge at Springfield, Feb. 4. 
One Hundred -\^nd Forty-eighth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21, 1865, for 
the term of one year : was assigned to garrison 
and guard duty and mustered out, Sept. 5, 1865, 
at Nashville, Tenn ; arrived at Springfield, Sept. 
9, 1865, where it was paid off and discharged. 

One Hundred and Forty-ninth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 11, 1865, 
and mustered in for one year; was engaged in 
garrison and guard duty ; mustered out, Jan. 27, 
1866, at Dalton, Ga., and ordered to Springfield, 
where it received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fiftieth Infantry. 
Organized at Springfield, and mustered in, Feb. 14, 
1865, for one year ; was on duty in Tennessee and 
Georgia, guarding railroads and garrisoning 
towns. It was mustered out, Jan. 16, 1866, at 
Atlanta, Ga., and ordered to Springfield, where it 
received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty'-first Ixfantry'. 
This regiment was organized at Quincy, 111., 
and mustered into the United States service, 
Feb. 23, 1865, and was composed of companies 
from various parts of the State, recruited, under 
the call of Dec. 19, 1864. It was engaged in 
guard duty, with a few guerrilla skirmishes, and 
was present at the surrender of General War- 
ford's army, at Kingston, Ga. ; was mustered out 
at Columbus, Ga.. Jan. 24, 1866, and ordered to 
Springfield, where it received final payment and 
discharge, Feb. 8. 1866. 

One Hundred and Fifty'-second Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in, 
Feb. 18, 1865, for one year ; was mustered out of 
service, to date Sept. 11, at Memphis, Tenn., and 
arrived at Camp Butler, Sept. 9, 1865, where it 
received final payment and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-third Infan- 
try. Organized at Chicago, and mustered in, 
Feb. 27, 1865, for one year; was not engaged in 
any battles. It was mustered out, Sept. 15, 1865, 
and moved to Springfield, 111., and, Sept. 24, 
received final pay and discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fourth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield, Feb. 21. 1865, 
for one year. Sept. 18. 1865, the regiment was 



mustered out at Nashville, Tenn., and ordered to 
Springfield for final payment and discharge, 
where it arrived, Sept. 22 ; was paid oft and dis- 
charged at Camp Butler, Sept. 29. 

One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Infan- 
try. Organized at Springfield and mustered in 
Feb. 28, 1865, for one year, 904 strong. On Sept. 
4, 1865, it was mustered out of service, and moved 
to Camp Butler, where it received final pay and 
discharge. 

One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Infan- 
try'. Organized and mustered in during the 
months of February and March, 1865, from the 
northern counties of the State, for the term of 
one year. The officers of the regiment have left 
no written record of its history, but its service 
seems to have been rendered chiefly in Tennessee 
in the neighborhood of Memphis, Nashville and 
Chattanooga. Judging by the muster-rolls of 
the Adjutant-General, the regiment would appear 
to have been greatly depleted by desertions and 
otherwise, the remnant being finally mustered 
out, Sept. 20, 1865. 

First Cavalry. Organized — consisting of 
seven companies. A, B, C, D, E, F and G— at 
Alton, in 1861, and mustered into the United 
States service, July 3. After some service in 
Missouri, the regiment participated in the battle 
of Lexington, in that State, and was surrendered, 
with the remainder of the garrison, Sept. 20, 1861. 
The ofiicers were paroled, and the men sworn not 
to take up arms again until discharged. No ex- 
change having been eft'ected in November, the 
non-commissioned ofiicers and privates were 
ordered to Springfield and discharged. In June, 
1862, the regiment was reorganized at Benton 
Barracks, Mo., being afterwards employed in 
guarding supply trains and supply depots at 
various points. Mustered out, at Benton Bar- 
racks, July 14, 1862. 

Second Cavalry*. Organized at Springfield 
and mustered into service, August 12, 1861, with 
Company M (which joined the regiment some 
months later), numbering 47 commissioned offi- 
cers and 1,040 enlisted men. This number was in- 
creased by recruits and re-enlistments, during its 
four and a half year's term of service, to 2,236 
enlisted men and 145 commissioned oflScers. It 
was engaged at Belmont ; a portion of the regi- 
ment took part in the battles at Fort Henry, 
Fort Donelson and Shiloh, another portion at 
Merriweather's Ferry, Bolivar and Holly Springs, 
and participated in the investment of Vicksburg. 
In January, 1864. the major part of the regiment 
re-enlisted as veterans, later, participating in the 



568 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Red River expedition and tlie investment of Fort 
Blakely. It was mustered out at San Antonio, 
Tex., Xov. 33, 1865, and finally paid and dis- 
charged a't Springfield, Jan. S, 1866. 

Third Cavalry. Compo.sed of twelve com- 
panies, from various localities in the State, the 
grand total oif company officers and enlisted men, 
under the first organization, being 1,433. It was 
organized at Springfield, in August, 1861 ; partici- 
pated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Haines" Bluff, 
Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion Hills, 
Black River Bridge, and the siege of Vicksburg. 
In July, 1864, a large portion of the regiment re- 
enlisted as veterans. The remainder were mus- 
tered out, Sept. 5, 1864. The veterans participated 
in the repulse of Forrest, at Memphis, and in the 
battles of Lawrenceburg, Spring Hill, Campbells- 
ville and Franklin. From May to October, 1865, 
engaged in service against the Indians in the 
Northwest The regiment was mustered out at 
Springfield, Oct. IS, 1865. 

Fourth Cavalry. Mustered into service, 
Sept. 36, 1861, and participated in the battles of 
Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, and Shiloh; in the 
siege of Corinth, and in many engagements of 
less historic note ; was mustered out at Springfield 
in November, 1864. By order of the War Depart- 
ment, of June 18, 1865, the members of the 
regiment whose terms had not expired, were con- 
solidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry. 

Fifth Cavalry. Organized at Camp Butler, 
in November, 1861 ; took part in the Meridian 
raid and the expedition against Jackson, Miss., 
and in numerous minor expeditions, doing effect- 
ive work at Canton, Grenada, Woodville, and 
other points. On Jan. 1, 1864, a large portion of 
the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. Its final 
muster-out took place, Oct. 37, 1865, and it re- 
ceived final payment and discharge, October 30. 

Sixth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
Nov. 19, 1861 ; participated in Sherman's advance 
ujx)!! Grenada ; in the Grierson raid through Mis- 
sissippi and Louisiana, the siege of Port Hudson, 
the battles of Moscow (Tenn), West Point (Miss.), 
Franklin and Nashville; re-enlisted as veterans, 
March 30, 1864; was mustered out at Selma, Ala., 
Nov. 5, 1865, and received discharge, November 
20, at Springfield. 

Seventh Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
and was mustered_into service, Oct. 13, 1861. It 
participated in the battles of Farmington, luka, 
Corinth (second battle) ; in Grierson's raid 
through Mississippi and Louisiana; in the en- 
gagement at Plain's Store (La.), and the invest- 
ment of Port Hudson. In March, 1864, 388 



officers and men re-enlisted as veterans. The 
non-veterans were engaged at Guntown, and the 
entire regiment took part in the battle of Frank- 
lin. After the close of hostilities, it was stationed 
in Alabama and Mississippi, until the latter part 
of October, 1865 ; was mustered out at Nashville, 
and finally discharged at Springfield, Nov. 17, 
1865. 

Eighth Cavalry. Organized at St. Charles, 
111., and mustered in, Sept. 18, 1861. The regi- 
ment was ordered to Virginia, and participated 
in the general advance on Manassas in March, 
1863; was engaged at Mechanicsville, Gaines' 
Hill, Malvern Hill, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Middle- 
town, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericks- 
burg, Sulphur Springs, Warrenton, Rapidan 
Station, Northern Neck, Gettysburg, Williams- 
burg, Funkstown, Falling Water, Chester Gap 
Sandy Hook, Culpepper, Brandy Station, and in 
many raids and skirmishes. It was mustered 
out of service at Benton Barracks, Mo., July 17, 
1865, and ordered to Chicago, where it received 
final payment and discharge. 

Ninth C-4.valry Organized at Chicago, in 
the autumn of 1861, and mustered in, November 
30 ; was engaged at Coldwater, Grenada, Wyatt, 
Saulsbury, Moscow, Guntown, Pontotoc, Tupelo, 
Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creek, Lawrence- 
burg, Campellsville, Franklin and Nashville. 
The regiment re-enlisted as veterans, March 16, 
1864; was mustered out of service at Selma, Ala., 
Oct. 31, 1865, and ordered to Springfield, where 
the men received final payment and discharge. 

Tenth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield in 
the latter part of September, 1861, and mustered 
into service, Nov. 25, 1861 ; was engaged at Prairie 
Grove, Cotton Plant, Arkansas Post, in the 
Yazoo Pass expedition, at Richmond (La.), 
Brownsville, Bayou Jletoe, Baj'ou La Fourche 
and Little Rock. In February, 1864, a large 
portion of the regiment re enlisted as veter- 
ans, the non-veterans accompanying General 
Banks in his Red River expedition. On Jan. 27, 
1865, the veterans, and recruits were consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, and all reorganized 
under the name of the Tenth Illinois Veteran 
Volunteer Cavalry. Mustered out of service at 
San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 22, 1865, and received 
final discharge at Springfield, Jan. 6, 1866. 

Eleventh Cavalry. Robert G. IngersoU of 
Peoria, and Basil D. Meeks, of Woodford County, 
obtained permission to raise a regiment of 
cavalry, and recruiting commenced in October, 
1861. The regiment was recruited from the 
counties of Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Woodford, 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



569 



Marshall, Stark, Knox, Henderson and Warren; 
was mustered into the service at Peoria, Dec. 30, 
1861, and was first under fire at Shiloh, It also 
took part in the raid in the rear of Corinth, and 
in the battles of Bolivar, Corinth (second battle), 
luka, Lexington and Jackson (Tenn.); in Mc- 
Pherson's expedition to Canton and Sherman's 
Meridian raid, in the relief of Yazoo City, and in 
numerous less important raids and skirmishes. 
Most of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans in 
December, 1863; the non-veterans being mus- 
tered out at Memphis, in the autumn of 1S64. The 
veterans were mustered out at the same place, 
Sept. 30, 1865, and discharged at Springfield, 
October 20. 

Twelfth Cavalry. Organized at Springfield, 
in February, 1863, and remained there guarding 
rebel prisoners until June 35, when it was 
mounted and sent to Martinsburg, Va. It was 
engaged at Fredericksburg. Williamsport. Falling 
Waters, the Rapidan and Stevensburg. On Nov. 
26, 1863, the regiment was relieved from service 
and ordered home to reorganize as veterans. 
Subsequently it joined Banks in the Red River 
expedition and in Davidson's expedition against 
Mobile. While at Memphis the Twelfth Cavalry 
was consolidated into an eight-company organi- 
zation, and the Fourth Cavalry, having previously 
been consolidated into a battalion of five com- 
panies, was consolidated with the Twelfth, The 
consolidated regiment was mustered out at 
Houston, Texas, May 29, 1866, and, on June 18, 
received final pay and discharge at Springfield. 

Thirteenth Cavalry. Organized at Chicago, 
in December, 1861 ; moved to the front from 
Benton Barracks, Mo., in February, 1862, and 
was engaged in the following battles and skir- 
mishes (all in Missouri and Arkansas) ; Putnam's 
Ferry, Cotton Plant, Union City (twice). Camp 
Pillow, Bloomfield (first and second battles). Van 
Buren, AUen, Eleven Point River, Jackson, 
White River, Chalk Bluff, Bushy Creek, near 
Helena, Grand Prairie, White River, Deadman's 
Lake, Brownsville, Bayou Metoe, Austin, Little 
Rock, Benton, Batesville, Pine Bluff, Arkadel- 
phia, Okolona, Little Missouri River, Prairie du 
Anne, Camden, Jenkins' Ferry, Cross Roads, 
Mount Elba, Douglas Landing and Monticello. 
The regiment was mustered out, August 31, 1865, 
and received final pay and discharge at Spring- 
field, Sept. 13, 1865. 

Fourteenth Cavalry. Mustered into service 
at Peoria, in January and February, 1863; par- 
ticipated in the battle of Cumberland Gap, in the 
defense of Knoxville and the pursuit of Long- 



street, in the engagements at Bean Station and 
Dandridge, in the Macon raid, and in the cavalry 
battle at Sunshine Church. In the latter Gen- 
eral Stoneman surrendered, but the Fourteenth 
cut its way out. On their retreat the men were 
betrayed by a guide and the regiment badly cut 
up and scattered, those escaping being hunted by 
soldiers with bloodhounds. Later, it was engaged 
at Waynesboro and in the battles of Franklin and 
Nashville, and was mustered out at Nashville, 
July 31, 1805, having marched over 10,000 miles, 
exclusive of duty done by detachments. 

Fifteenth Cavalry'. Composed of companies 
originally independent, attached to infantry regi- 
ments and acting as such; participated in the 
battles of Fort Donelson and Shiloh, and in the 
siege and capture of Corinth. Regimental or- 
ganization was effected in the spring of 1863, and 
thereafter it was engaged chiefly in scouting and 
post duty. It was mustered out at Springfield, 
August 25, 1864, the recruits (whose term of 
service had not expired) being consolidated with 
the Tenth Cavalry. 

Sixteenth Cavalry. Composed principally 
of Chicago men — Thieleman's and Schambeck'a 
Cavalry Companies, raised at the outset of the 
war, forming the nucleus of the regiment. The 
former served as General Sherman's body-guard 
for some time. Captain Thieleman was made a 
Major and authorized to raise a battalion, the 
two companies named thenceforth being knowrr . 
as Thieleman's Battalion. In September, 1863, 
the War Department authorized the extension of 
the battalion to a regiment, and, on the 11th of 
June, 1863, the regimental organization was com- 
pleted. It took part in the East Tennessee cam- 
paign, a portion of the regiment aiding in the 
defense of Knoxville, a part garrisoning Cumber- 
and Gap, and one battalion being captured by 
Longstreet. The regiment also participated in 
the battles of Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzard's 
Roost, Resaca, Kingston, Cassville, Carterville, 
Allatoona, Kenesaw, Lost Mountain, Mines 
Ridge, Powder Springs, Chattahoochie, Atlanta, 
Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville. It arrived 
in Chicago, August 23, 1865, for final payment 
and discharge, having marched about 5.000 miles 
and engaged in thirty-one battles, besides numer- 
ous skirmishes. 

Seventeenth Cavalry. Mustered into serv- 
ice in January and February, 1864 ; aided in the 
repulse of Price at Jefferson City, Mo., and was 
engaged at Booneville. Independence, Mine 
Creek, and Fort Scott, besides doing garrison 
duty, scouting and raiding. It was mustered 



570 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



out in November and December, 1865, at Leaven- 
worth, Kan. Gov. John L. Beveridge, who had 
previously been a Captain and Major of the 
Eighth Cavalry, was the Colonel of this regi- 
ment. 

First Light Artillery. Consisted of ten 
batteries. Battery A was organized under tlie 
first call for State troops, April 21, 1861, but not 
mustered into the three years' service until July 
16; was engaged at Fort Donelson, Shiloh, 
Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the Atlanta cam- 
paign ; was in reserve at Champion Hills and 
Nashville, and mustered out July 3, 1865, at 
Chicago. 

Battery B was organized in April, 1861, en- 
gaged at Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, in the 
siege of Corinth and at La Grange, Holly Springs, 
Memphis, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, the 
siege of Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond 
(La.), the Atlanta campaign and the battle of 
Nashville. The Battery was reorganized by con- 
solidation with Battery A, and mustered out at 
Chicago, July 2, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, Sept. 2, 1861 ; 
was engaged at Fort Donelson and at Shiloh, 
and mustered out, July 28, 1865, at Chicago. 

Batter}- E was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into service, Dec. 19, 1861 ; was engaged 
at Shiloh, Corinth, Jackson, Vicksburg, Gun- 
town, Pontotoc, Tupelo and Nashville, and mus- 
tered out at Louisville, Dec. 24, 1864. 

Battery F was recruited at Dixon and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, Feb. 25, 1862. It took 
part in the siege of Corinth and the Yocona 
expedition, and was consolidated with the other 
batteries in the regiment, March 7, 1865. 

Battery G was organized at Cairo and mus- 
tered in Sept. 28, 1861 ; was engaged in the siege 
and the second battle of Corinth, and mustered 
out at Springfield, July 24, 1865. 

Battery H was recruited in and about Chicago, 
during January and February, 1862; participated 
in the battle of Shiloh, siege of Vicksburg, and 
in the Atlanta campaign, the "March to the 
Sea," and through the Carolinas with Sherman. 

Battery I was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered in, Feb. 10, 1862; was engaged at 
Shiloh, in the Tallahatchie raid, the sieges of 
Vicksburg and Jackson, and in the battles of 
Chattanooga and Vicksburg It veteranized, 
March 17, 1864, and was mustered out, July 26, 
1865. 

Battery K was organized at Shawneetown and 
mustered in, Jan. 9, 1862, participated in Burn- 



side's campaign in Tennessee, and in the capture 
of Knoxville. Part of the men were mustered 
out at Springfield in June, 1865, and the re- 
manider at Chicago in July. 

Battery M was organized at Camp Douglas and 
mustered into the service, August 12, 1862, for 
three years. It served through the Chickamauga 
campaign, being engaged at Chickamauga; also 
was engaged at Missionary Ridge, was besieged 
at Chattanooga, and took part in all the impor- 
tant battles of the Atlanta campaign. It was 
mustered out at Chicago, July 24, 1864, having 
traveled 3,102 miles and been under fire 178 days. 

Second Light Artillery. Consisted of nine 
batteries. Battery A was organized at Peoria, 
and mustered into service. May 23, 1861 ; served 
in Missouri and Arkansas, doing brilliant work 
at Pea Ridge. It was mustered out of service at 
Springfield, July 27, 1865. 

Battery D was organized at Cairo, and mustered 
into service in December, 1861 ; was engaged at 
Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Jackson, 
Meridian and Decatur, and mustered out at 
Louisville, Nov. 21, 1864. 

Battery E was organized at St. Louis, Mo., in 
August, 1861, and mustered into service, August 
20, at that point. It was engaged at Fort Donel- 
son and Shiloh, and in the siege of Corinth and 
the Yocona expedition^was consolidated with 
Battery A. 

Battery F was organized at Cape Girardeau, 
Mo., and mu.stered in, Dec. 11, 1861 ; was engaged 
at Shiloh, in the siege and second battle of 
Corinth, and the Meridian campaign; also 
at Kenesaw, Atlanta and Jonesboro. It was 
mustered out, July 27, 1865, at Springfield. 

Battery H was organized at Springfield, De- 
cember, 1861, and mustered in, Dec. 31, 1861 ; was 
engaged at Fort Donelson and in the siege of 
Fort Pillow; veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, was 
mounted as cavalry the following summer, and 
mustered out at Springfield. July 29, 1865. 

Battery I was recruited in Will County, and 
mustered into service at Camp Butler, Dec. 31, 
1861. It participated in the siege of Island No. 
10, in the advance upon Cornith, and in the 
battles of Perryville, Chickamauga, Lookout 
Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. 
It veteranized, Jan. 1, 1864, marched with Sher- 
man to Atlanta, and thence to Savannah and 
through the Carolinas, and was mustered out at 
Springfield. 

Battery K was organized at Springfield and 
mustered in Dec. 31, 1863; was engaged at Fort 
Pillow, the capture of Clarkston, Mo., and the 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



571 



siege of Vicksburg. It was mustered out, July 
14, 1865, at Chicago. 

Battery L was organized at Chicago and mus- 
tered in, Feb. 28, 1863; participated in the ad- 
vance on Corintli, the battle of Hatchie and the 
advance on the Tallahatchie, and was mustered 
out at Chicago, August 9, 1865. 

Battery M was organized at Chicago, and mus- 
tered in at Springfield, June, 1862 ; was engaged 
at Jonesboro, Blue Spring, Blountsville and 
Rogersville, being finally consolidated with 
other batteries of the regiment. 

Chicago Board of Trade Battery. Organ- 
ized through the efforts of the Chicago Board of 
Trade, which raised $15,000 for its equipment, 
within forty-eight hours. It was mustered into 
service, August 1, 1862, was engaged at Law- 
renceburg, Murfreesboro, Stone River, Chicka- 
mauga, Farmington, Decatur (Ga.), Atlanta, 
Lovejoy Station, Nashville, Selma and Columbus 
(Ga. ) It was mustered out at Chicago, June 30, 
1865, and paid in full, July 3, having marched 
5,268 miles and traveled bj' rail 1,231 miles. The 
battery was in eleven of the hardest battles 
fought in the West, and in twenty-six minor 
battles, being in action forty-two times while on 
scouts, reconnoissances or outpost duty. 

Chicago Mercantile Battery. Recruited 
and organized under the auspices of the Mercan- 
tile Association, an association of prominent and 
patriotic merchants of the City of Chicago. It 
was mustered into service, August 29, 1862, at 
Camp Douglas, participated in the Tallahatchie 
and Yazoo expeditions, the first attack upon 
Vicksburg, the battle of Arkansas Post, the siege 
of Vicksburg, the battles of Magnolia Hills, 
Champion Hills, Black River Bridge and Jackson 
(Miss.); also took part in Banks' Red River ex- 
pedition; was mustered out at Chicago, and 
received final payment, July 10, 1865, having 
traveled, by river, sea and land, over 11,000 
miles. 

Springfield Light Artillery. Recruited 
principally from the cities of Springfield, Belle- 
ville and Wenona, and mustered into service at 
Springfield, for the term of three years, August 
21, 1863. numbering 199 men and officers. It 
participated in the capture of Little Rock and in 
the Red River expedition, and was mustered out 
at Springfield, 114 strong, June 30, 1865. 

Cogswell's Battery, Light Artillery. 
Organized at Ottawa. 111., and mustered in, Nov. 
11, 1861, as Company A (Artillery) Fifty-third 
Illinois Volunteers, Colonel Cushman command- 
ing the regiment. It participated in the 



advance on Corinth, the siege of Vicksburg, the 
battle of Missionary Ridge, anl the capture of 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely, near Mobile. The 
regiment was mustered out at Springfield, August 
14, 1865, having served three years and nine 
months, marched over 7,500 miles, and partici- 
pated in seven sieges and battles. 

Sturges Rifles. An independent company, 
organized at Chicago, armed, equipped and sub- 
sisted for nearly two months, by the patriotic 
generosity of Mr. Solomon Sturges ; was mustered 
into service. May 6, 1861 ; in June following, was 
ordered to West Virginia, serving as body- 
guard of General McClellan; was engaged at 
Rich Mountain, in the siege of Yorktown, and in 
the seven days' battle of the Chickahominy. A 
Iiortion of the company was at Antietam, the 
remainder having been detached as foragers, 
scouts, etc. It was mustered out at Washington, 
Nov. 25, 1862. 

WAR, THE SPANISH -AMERICAS. The 
oppressions and misrule w-hich had character- 
ized the administration of affairs by the Spanish 
Government and its agents for generations, in the 
Island of Cuba, culminated, in April, 1898, in 
mutual declarations of war between Spain and 
the United States. The causes leading up to this 
result were the injurious effects upon American 
commerce and the interests of American citizens 
owning property in Cuba, as well as the constant 
expense imposed upon the Government of the 
United .States in the maintenance of a large navy 
along the South Atlantic coast to suppress fili- 
bustering, superadded to the friction and unrest 
produced among the people of this country by the 
long continuance of disorders and abuses so near 
to our own shores, which aroused the .sympathy 
and indignation of the entire civilized world. 
For three years a large proportion of the Cuban 
population had been in open rebellion against the 
Spanish Government, and, while the latter had 
imported a large army to the island and sub- 
jected the insurgents and their families and 
sympathizers to the grossest cruelties, not even 
excepting torture and starvation itself, their 
policy had failed to bring the insurgents into 
subjection or to restore order. In this condition 
of affairs the United States Government had 
endeavored, through negotiation, to secure a miti- 
gation of the evils complained of, by a modifica- 
tion of the Spanish policy of government in the 
island ; but all suggestions in this direction had 
either been resented by Spain as unwarrantable 
interference in her affairs, or promises of reform, 
when made, had been as invariably broken. 



572 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



In the meantime an increasing sentiment liad 
been growing up in the UniteJ States in favor of 
conceding belligerent rights to tlie Cuban insur- 
gents, or tlie recognition of their independence, 
which found expression in measures proposed in 
Congress — all offers of friendly intervention by 
the United States having been rejected by Spain 
with evidences of indignation. Compelled, at 
last, to recognize its inability to subdue the insur- 
rection, the Spanish Government, in November, 
1897, made a pretense of tendering autonomj' to 
the Cuban people, with the privilege of amnesty 
to the insurgents on laying down their arms. 
The long duration of the war and the outrages 
perpetrated upon the helpless "reconcentrados," 
coupled with the increased confidence of the 
insurgents in the final triumph of their cause, 
rendered this movement — even if intended to be 
carried out to the lettei- — of no avail. The 
proffer came too late, and was promptly rejected. 
In this condition of affairs and with a view to 
greater security for American interests, the 
American battleship Maine was ordered to 
Havana, on Jan. 34, 1898. It arrived in Havana 
Harbor the following day, and was anchored at a 
point designated by the Spanish commander. On 
the night of February 15, following, it was blown 
up and destroyed by some force, as shown by after 
investigation, applied from without. Of a crew 
of 354 men belonging to the vessel at the time, 
266 were either killed outright by the explosion, 
or died from tlieir wounds. Not only tlie Ameri- 
can people, but the entire civilized world, was 
shocked by the catastrophe. An act of horrible 
treachery had been perpetrated against an 
American vessel and its crew on a peaceful mis- 
sion in the harbor of a professedly friendly na- 
tion. 

The successive steps leading to actual hostili- 
ties were rapid and eventful. One of the earliest 
and most significant of these was the passage, by 
a unanimous vote of both houses of Congress, on 
March 9, of an appropriation placing §.50,000, 000 
in the hands of the President as an emergency 
fund for purposes of national defense. This was 
followed, two days later, by an order for the 
mobilization of the army. The more important 
events following this step were: An order, under 
date of April .5, withdrawing American consuls 
from Spanish stations ; the departure, on April 9. 
of Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee from Havana; 
April 19. the adoption by Congress of concurrent 
resolutions declaring Cuba independent and 
directing the President to use the land and naval 
forces of the United States to put an end to 



Spanish authority in the island; April 20, the 
sending to the Spanish Government, by the Presi- 
dent, of an ultimatum in accordance with ihis 
act; April 21, the delivery to Minister Woodford, 
at Madrid, of his passports without waiting for 
the presentation of the ultimatum, with the 
departure of the Spanisli Minister from Washing- 
ton ; April 23, the issue of a call by the President 
for 125,000 volunters; April 24, the final declara- 
tion of war by Spain ; April 25, the adoption by 
Congress of a resolution declaring that war had 
existed from April 21 ; on the same date an order 
to Admiral Dewey, in command of the Asiatic 
Squadron at Hongkong, to sail for Manila with a 
view to investing that city and blockading 
Philippine ports. 

The chief events subsequent to the declaration 
of war embraced the following; May 1, the 
destruction by Admiral Dewey's squadron of the 
Spanish fleet in the harbor of Manila; May 19, 
the arrival of the Spanish Admiral Cervera's fleet 
at Santiago de Cuba; Slay 25, a second call by 
the President for 75,000 volunteers; July 3, the 
attemjit of Cervera's fleet to escape, and its 
destruction off Santiago; July 17, the surrender 
of Santiago to the forces under General Shatter; 
July 30, the statement by the President, through 
the French Ambassador at Washington, of the 
terms on which the United States would consent 
to make peace ; August 9, acceptance of the peace 
terms by Spain, followed, three days later, by the 
signing of the peace protocol; September 9, the 
appointment by the President of Peace Commis- 
sioners on the part of the United States ; Sept. 18, 
the announcement of the Peace Commissioners 
selected by Spain ; October 1, the beginning of the 
Peace Conference by the representatives of the 
two powers, at Paris, and the formal signing, on 
December 10, of the peace treaty, including the 
recognition by Spain of tlie freedom of Cuba, 
with the transfer to the United States of Porto 
Rico and her other West India islands, together 
with the surrender of the Philippines for a con- 
sideration of $20,000,000. 

Seldom, if ever, in the history of nations have 
such vast and far-reaching results been accom- 
plished within so short a period. The war, 
which practically began with the destruction of 
the Spanish fleet in Manila Harbor — an event 
which aroused the enthusiasm of tlie whole 
American people, and won the respect and 
admiration of other nations — was practically 
ended by the surrender of Santiago and the 
declaration by the President of the conditions of 
peace just three months later. Succeeding 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



573 



events, up to the formal signing of the peace 
treat}', were merely the recognition of results 
previously determined. 

History of Illinois Regiments. — The part 
played by Illinois in connection with these events 
may be briefly summarized in the history of Illi- 
nois regiments and other organizations. Under 
the first call of the President for 125,000 volun- 
teers, eight regiments — seven of infantry and one 
of cavalry — were assigned to Illinois, to which 
■was subsequently added, on application through 
Governor Tanner, one battery of light artil- 
lery. The infantry regiments were made up 
of the Illinois National Guard, nimibered 
consecutively from one to seven, and were 
practically mobilized at their home stations 
within forty-eight hours from the receipt of the 
call, and began to arrive at Camp Tanner, near 
Springfield, the place of rendezvous, on April 26, 
the day after the issue of the Governor's calL 
The record of Illinois troops is conspicuous for 
the promptness of their response and the com- 
pleteness of their organization — in this respect 
being unsurpassed by those of any other State. 
Under the call of May 25 for an additional force 
of 75,000 men, the quota assigned to Illinois was 
two regiments, which were promptly furnished, 
taking the names of the Eighth and Ninth. The 
first of these belonged to the Illinois National 
Guard, as the regiments mustered in under the 
first call liad done, while the Ninth was one of a 
number of "Provisional Regiments" which had 
tendered their services to the Government. Some 
twenty-five other regiments of this class, more or 
less complete, stood ready to perfect their organi- 
zations should there be occasion for their serv- 
ices. The aggregate strength of Illinois organi- 
zations at date of muster out from the United 
States service was 13,280—11,789 men and 491 
officers. 

First Regiment Ilunois Volunteers (orig- 
inally Illinois National Guard) was organized at 
Chicago, and mustered into the United States 
service at Camp Tanner (Springfield), under the 
command of Col. Henry L. Turner, May 13, 1898; 
left Springfield for Camp Tliomas (Chickamauga) 
May 17; assigned to First Brigade, Third 
Division, of the First Army Corps; started for 
Tampa, Fla., June 2, but soon after arrival there 
was transferred to Picnic Island, and assigned to 
provost duty in place of the First United States 
Infantry. On June 30 the bulk of the regiment 
embarked for Cuba, but was detained in the har- 
bor at Key West until July 5, when the vessel 
sailed for Santiago, arriving in Guantanamo Bay 



on the evening of the 8th. Disembarking on 
the 10th, the whole regiment arrived on the 
firing line on the 11th, spent several days and 
nights in the trenches before Santiago, and 
were present at the surrender of that city 
on the 17th. Two companies had previously 
been detached for the scarcely less perilous duty 
of service in the fever hospitals and in caring 
for tlieir wounded comrades. The next month 
was spent on guard duty in the captured city, 
until August 25, when, depleted in numbers and 
weakened by fever, the bulk of the regiment was 
transferred by hospital boats to Camp Wikoff, on 
Montauk Point, L. I. The members of the regi- 
ment able to travel left Camp Wikoff, September 
8, for Chicago, arriving two days later, where they 
met an enthusiastic reception and were mustered 
out, November 17, 1,235 strong (rank and file)— a 
considerable number of recruits having joined the 
regiment just before leaving Tampa. The record 
of the First was conspicuous by the fact that it 
was the only Illinois regiment to see service in 
Cuba during the progress of actual hostiUties 
Before leaving Tampa some eighty members of tlie 
regiment were detailed for engineering duty in 
Porto Rico, sailed for that island on July 12, and 
were among the first to perform service there. 
The First suffered severely from yellow fever 
while in Cuba, but, as a regiment, while in the 
service, made a brilliant record, wliich was highly 
complimented in the official reports of its com- 
manding officers. 

Second Reglment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry (originally Second I. N. G.). This regi- 
ment, also from Chicago, began to arrive at 
Springfield, April 27, 1898 — at tliat time number- 
ing 1,202 men and 47 officers, under command of 
CoL George M. Moulton; was mustered in 
between May 4 and May 15; on May 17 started 
for Tampa, Fla., but en route its destination was 
changed to Jacksonville, where, as a part of the 
Seventh Army Corps, under command of Gen. 
Fitzhugh Lee, it assisted in the dedication of 
Camp Cuba Libre. October 25 it was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remainingat "Camp Lee" until 
December 8, when two battalions embarked for 
Havana, landing on the 15th, being followed, a 
few days later, by the Third Battalion, and sta- 
tioned at Camp Columbia. From Dec. 17 to Jan. 
11, 1899, Colonel Moulton served as Chief of 
Police for the city of Havana. On March 28 to 30 
the regiment left Camp Columbia in detach- 
ments for Augusta, Ga., where it arrived April 
5, and was mustered out, April 26, 1,051 strong 
(rank and file), and returned to Chicago. Dur- 



574 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ing its stay in Cuba the regiment did not lose a 
man. A history of tliis regiment lias been 
written bj- Rev. H. W. Bolton, its late Cliaplain. 

THffiD Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, composed of companies of the Illinois 
National Guard from the counties of La Salle. 
Livingston, Kane, Kankakee, McHenry, Ogle, 
Will, and Winnebago, under command of Col. 
Fred Bennitt, reported at Springfield, with 1,170 
men and 50 officers, on April 27 ; was mustered 
in May 7, 1898; transferred from Springfield to 
Camp Thomas (Chickamauga), May 14: on July 
22 left Chickamauga for Porto Rico ; on the 28th 
sailed from Newport News, on the liner St. Louis, 
arriving at Ponce, Porto Rico, on July 31 ; soon 
after disembarking captured Arroyo, and assisted 
in the capture of Guayama, which was the 
beginning of General Brooke's advance across 
the island to San Juan, when intelligence was 
received of the signing of the peace protocol by 
Spain. From August 13 to October 1 the Third 
continued in the performance of guard duty in 
Porto Rico; on October 23, 986 men and 39 offi- 
cers took transport for home by way of New York, 
arriving in Chicago, November 11, the several 
companies being mustered out at their respective 
home stations. Its strength at final muster-out 
was 1,273 men and officers. This regiment had 
the distinction of being one of the first to see 
service in Porto Rico, but suffered severely from 
fever and other diseases during the three months 
of its stay in the island. 

Fourth Illinois Volunteer Inf.a.ntry, com- 
posed of companies from Champaign, Coles, 
Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jackson, 
Jeflierson, Slontgomery, Richland, and St. Clair 
counties; mustered into the service at Spring- 
field, May 20, under command of Col. Casimer 
Andel; started immediately for Tampa, Fla., but 
en route its destination was changed to Jackson- 
ville, where it was stationed at Camp Cuba Libre 
as a part of tlie Seventh Corjjs under command of 
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee; in October was transferred 
to Savannah, Ga., remaining at Camp Onward 
until about the first of January, when the regi- 
ment took ship for Havana. Here the regiment 
was stationed at Camp Columbia until April 4, 
1899, when it returned to Augusta, Ga., and was 
mustered out at Camp Mackenzie (Augusta), May 
2, the companies returning to their respective 
home stations. During a part of its stay at 
Jacksonville, and again at Savannah, the regi- 
ment was employed on guard duty. While at 
Jacksonville Colonel Andel was suspended by 
court-martial, and finally tendered his resigna- 



tion, his place being supplied by Lieut. -Col. Eben 
Swift, of the Ninth. 

Fifth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry was the first regiment to report, and was 
mustered in at Springfield, May 7, 1898, under 
command of Col. James S. Culver, being finally 
composed of twelve companies from Pike, Chris- 
tian, Sangamon, McLean, Montgomery, Adams, 
Tazewell, Macon, Morgan, Peoria, and Fulton 
counties; on May 14 left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas (Chickamauga, Ga. ), being assigned to 
the command of General Brooke ; August 3 left 
Chickamauga for Newport News, Va., with the 
expectation of embarking for Porto Rico — a 
previous order of July 26 to the same purport 
having been countermanded; at Ne^vport News 
embarked on the transport Obdam, but again the 
order was rescinded, and, after remaining on 
board thirty-six hours, the regiment was disem- 
barked. The next move was made to Lexington. 
Ky., where the regiment — having lost hope of 
reaching "the front" — remained until Sept 5, 
when it returned to Springfield for final muster- 
out. This regiment was composed of some of the 
best material in the State, and anxious for active 
service, but after a succession of disappoint- 
ments, was compelled to return to its home sta- 
tion without meeting the enemy. After its arrival 
at Springfield the regiment was furloughed for 
thirty days and finallj' mustered out, October 16, 
numbering 1,213 men and 47 officers. 

Sixth Regiment Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, consisting of twelve companies from the 
counties of Rock Island, Knox, Whiteside, Lee, 
Carroll, Stephenson, Henry, Warren, Bureau, and 
Jo Daviess, was mustered in May 11, 1898, under 
command of Col. D. Jack Foster ; on May 17 left 
Springfield for Camp Alger, Va. ; July 5 the 
.regiment moved to Charleston, S. C, where a 
part embarked for Siboney, Cuba, but the whole 
regiment was soon after united in General 
Miles' expedition for the invasion of Porto Rico, 
landing at Guanico on July 2.5, and advancing 
into the interior as far as Adjunta and Utuado. 
After several weeks' service in the interior, the 
regiment returned to Ponce, and on September 7 
took transport for the return home, arrived at 
Springfield a week later, and was mustered out 
November 25, the regiment at that time consist- 
ing of 1,239 men and 49 officers. 

Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry 
(known as the "Hibernian Rifles"). Two 
battalions of this regiment reported at Spring, 
field, April 27, with 33 officers and 765 enlisted 
men, being afterwards increased to the maxi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



575 



mum ; was miistered into the United States serv- 
ice, under command of Col. JIarciis Kavanagh, 
5Iay 18, 1898; on May 28 started for Camp Alger, 
Va. ; was afterwards encamped at Thoroughfare 
Gap and Camp Meade ; on September 9 returned 
to Springfield, was furloughed for thirty days, 
and mustered out, October 20, numbering 1,260 
men and 49 officers. Like the Fifth, the Seventh 
saw no actual service in the field. 

Eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry (col- 
ored regiment), mustered into the service at 
Springfield under the second call of the Presi- 
dent, July 23, 1898, being composed wholly' of 
Afro- Americans under officers of their own race, 
with Col. John R. Marshall in command, the 
muster-roll showing 1,195 men and 76 officers. 
The six companies, from A to F, were from Chi- 
cago, the other five being, respectively, from 
Bloomington, Springfield, Quincy, Litchfield, 
Mound City and Metropolis, and Cairo. The 
regiment having tendered their services to 
relieve the First Illinois on duty at Santiago de 
Cuba, it started for Cuba, August 8, by way of 
New York ; immediately on arrival at Santiago, 
a week later, was assigned to duty, but subse- 
quently transferred to San Luis, where Colone, 
Marshall was made military governor. The 
major part of the regiment remained here until 
ordered home early in March, 1899, arrived at 
Chicago, March lo, and was mustered out, April 
3, 1,226 strong, rank and file, having been in 
service nine months and six days. 

Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was 
organized from the counties of Southern Illinois, 
and mustered in at Springfield under the second 
call of the President, July 4-11, 1898, under com- 
mand of Col. James R. Campbell; arrived at 
Camp Cuba Libre (Jacksonville, Fla.), August 9; 
two months later was transferred to Savannah, 
Ga. ; was moved to Havana in December, where 
it remained until May, 1899, when it returned to 
Augusta, Ga., and was mustered out there, May 
20, 1899, at that time consisting of 1,09.5 men and 
46 officers. From Augusta the several companies 
returned to their respective home stations. The 
Ninth was the only "Provisional Regiment" from 
Illinois mustered into the service during the 
war, the other regiments all belonging to the 
National Guard. 

F^RST Illinois Cavalry was organized at Chi- 
cago immediately after the President's first call, 
seven companies being recruited from Chicago, 
two from Bloomington, and one each from 
Springfield. Elkhart, and Lacon; was mustered in 
at Springfield, May 21, 1898, under command of 



Col. Edward C. Young; left Springfield for Camp 
Thomas, Ga., May 30, remaining there until 
August 24, when it returned to Fort Sheridan, 
near Chicago, where it was stationed until October 
11, when it was mustered out, at that time con- 
sisting of 1,158 men and 50 officers. Although 
the regiment saw no active service in the field, it 
established an excellent record for itself in respect 
to discipline. 

First Engineering Corps, consisting of 80 
men detailed from the First Illinois Volunteers, 
were among the first Illinois soldiers to see serv- 
ice in Porto Rico, accompanying General Miles' 
expedition in the latter part of July, and being 
engaged for a time in the construction of bridges 
in aid of the intended advance across the island. 
On September 8 they embarked for the return 
home, arrived at Chicago, September 17, and 
were mustered out November 20. 

Battery A (I. N. G.), from Danville, 111., was 
mustered in under a special order of the War 
Department, May 12, 1898, under command of 
Capt. Oscar P. Yaeger, consisting of 118 men; 
left Springfield for Camp Thomas, Ga., May 19, 
and, two months later, joined in General Miles' 
Porto Rico expedition, landing at Guanico on 
August 3, and taking part in the affair at Gua 
yama on the 12th. News of peace having been 
received, the Battery returned to Ponce, where 
it remained until September 7, when it started 
on the return home by way of New York, arrived 
at Danville, September 17, was furloughed for 
sixty days, and mustered out November 25. Tlie 
Battery was equipped with modern breech-load- 
ing rapid-firing guns, operated by pi-actical artil- 
lerists and prepared for effective service. 

N.WAL Reser%'es. — One of the earliest steps 
taken by the Government after it became ap- 
parent that hostilities could not be averted, was 
to begin preparation for strengthening the naval 
arm of the service. The existence of the "Naval 
Militia," first organized in 1893, placed Illinois in 
an exceptionally favorable position for making a 
prompt response to the call of the Government, as 
well as furnishing a superior class of men for 
service — a fact evidenced during the operations 
in the West Indies. Gen. Jolin McXulta, as head 
of the local committee, was active in calling the 
attention of the Navy Department to the value of 
the service to be rendered by this organization, 
which resulted in its being enlisted practically as 
a body, taking the name of "Naval Reserves" — 
all but eighty -eight of the number passing the 
physical examination, the places of these beirg 
promptly filled by new recruits. The first de- 



576 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



tachment of over 200 left Chicago May 2, under 
the command of Lieut. -Com. John M. Hawley, 
followed soon after by the remainder of the First 
Battalion, making the whole number from Chi- 
cago 400, with 267, constituting the Second Bat- 
talion, from other towns of the State. The latter 
was made up of 147 men from Moline, 58 from 
Quincy, and 62 from Alton — making a total from 
the State of 667. This does not include others, 
not belonging to this organization, who enlisted 
for service in the navy during the war, which 
raised the whole number for the State over 1,000. 
The Reserves enlisted from Illinois occupied a 
diflferent relation to the Government from that 
of the "naval militia" of other States, which 
retained their State organizations, while those 
from Illinois were regularly mustered into the 
United ^States service. The recruits from Illinois 
were embarked at Key West, Norfolk and New 
York, and distributed among fifty-two different 
vessels, including nearly every vessel belonging 
to the North Atlantic Squadron. They saw serv- 
ice in nearly every department from the position 
of stokers in the hold to that of gunners in the 
turrets of the big battleships, the largest number 
(60) being assigned to the famous battleship Ore- 
gon, while the cruiser Yale followed with 47 ; the 
Harvard with Z5; Cincinnati, 27; Yankton, 19; 
Franklin, 18 ; Montgomery and Indiana, each, 17 ; 
Hector, 14; Marietta, 11; Wilmington and Lan- 
caster, 10 each, and others down to one each. 
Illinois sailors thus had the privilege of partici- 
pating in the brilliant affair of July 3, which 
resulted in the destruction of Cervera's fleet off 
Santiago, as also in nearly every other event in 
the West Indies of less importance, without the 
loss of a man while in the service, although 
among the most exposed. They were mustered 
out at different times, as they could be spared 
from the service, or the vessels to which they 
•were attached went out of commission, a portion 
serving out their full term of one year. The 
Reserves from Chicago retain their organization 
under the name of "Naval Reserve Veterans," 
with headquarters in the Masonic Temple Build- 
ing, Chicago. 

WARD, James H., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Chicago, Nov. 30, 18.53, and educated in tlie 
Chicago public schools and at the Universitj' of 
Notre Dame, graduating from the latter in 1873. 
Three years later he graduated from the Union 
College of Law, Chicago, and was admitted to 
the bar. Since then he has continued to practice 
his profession in his native city. In 1879 he was 
elected Supervisor of the town of West Chicago, 



and, in 1884, was a candidate for Presidential 
Elector on the Democratic ticket, and tlie same 
year, was the successful candidate of his party 
for Congress in the Third Illinois District, serv- 
ing one term. 

WI>NEBAGO INDI.VXS, a tribe of the Da 
cota, or Sioux, stock, wliich at one time occupied 
a part of Northern Illinois. The word Winne- 
bago is a corruption of the French Ouinebe- 
goutz, Ouimbegouc, etc., the diphthong "ou" 
taking the place of the consonant "w," which is 
wanting in the French alphabet. These were, 
in turn, French misspellings of an Algonquin 
term meaning "fetid," which the latter tribe 
applied to the Winnebagoes because they had 
come from the western ocean — the salt (or 
"fetid") water. In their advance towards the 
East the Winnebagoes early invaded the country 
of the Illinois, but were finally driven north- 
ward by the latter, who surpassed them in num- 
bers rather than in bravery. The invaders 
settled in Wisconsin, near the Fox River, and 
here they were first visited by the Jesuit Fathers 
in the seventeenth century. (See Jesuit Rela- 
tions.) The Winnebagoes are commonly re- 
garded as a Wisconsin tribe; yet, that they 
claimed territorial rights in Illinois is shown by 
the fact that the treaty of Prairie du Chien 
(August 1, 1829), alludes to a Winnebago village 
located in what is now Jo Daviess County, near 
the mouth of the Pecatonica River. While, as a 
rule, the tribe, if left to itself, was disposed to 
live in amity with the whites, it was carried 
away by the eloquence and diplomacy of 
Tecumseh and the cajoleries of "The Prophet."' 
General Harrison especially alludes to the brav- 
ery of the Winnebago warriors at Tippecanoe' 
which he attributees in part, however, to a super- 
stitious faith in "The Prophet." In June or 
July, 1827, an unprovoked and brutal outrage by 
the whites upon an imoffending and practically 
defenseless party of Winnebagoes, near Prairie 
du Chien brought on what is known as the 
'Winnebago War." (See Winnebago ll'ar.) 
The tribe took no part in the Black Hawk War, 
largely because of the great influence and slirewd 
tactic of their chief, Naw-caw. By treaties 
executed in 1832 and 1837 the Winnebagoes ceded 
to the United States all their lands lying ea.st of 
the Jlississippi. Thej* were finally removed west 
of that river, and, after many shiftings of loca- 
tion, were placed upon the Omaha Reservation in 
Eastern Nebraska, where their industry, thrift 
and peaceable disposition elicited higli praise 
from Government officials. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



577 



WARNER, Vespasian, lawyer and Member of 
Congress, was born in De Witt County. 111. , April 
23, 1842, and has lived all his life in his native 
county — his present residence being Clinton. 
After a short course in Lombard University, 
while studying law in the office of Hon. Law- 
rence Weldon. at Clinton, he enlisted as a private 
soldier of the Twentieth Illinois Volunteers, in 
June, 1861, serving until July, 1866, when he was 
mustered out with the rank of Captain and 
brevet Major. He received a gunshot wound at 
Shiloh, but continued to serve in the Army of 
the Tennessee imtil the evacuation of Atlanta, 
when he was ordered North on account of dis 
abilit}'. His last service was in fighting Indians 
on the plains. After the war he completed his 
law studies at Harvard Universitj", graduating in 
1868, when he entered into a law partnership 
with Clifton H. Moore of Clinton. He served as 
Judge- Advocate General of the Illinois National 
Guard for several years, with the rank of Colonel. 
under the administrations of Governors Hamil- 
ton, Oglesby and Fifer, and, in 1894, was nomi- 
nated and elected, as a Republican, to the 
Fifty-fourth Congress for the Thirteenth District, 
being re-elected in 1896, and again in 1898. In 
the Fiftj'-fifth Congress, Mr. Warner was a mem- 
ber of the Committees on Agi'iculture and Invalid 
Pensions, and Chairman of the Committee on 
Revision of the Laws. 

WARREN, a village in Jo Daviess County, at 
intersection of the Illinois Central and the Chi- 
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railways, 26 miles 
west-northwest of Freeport and 27 miles east by 
north of Galena. The surrounding region is 
agricultural and stock-raising ; there are also lead 
mines in the vicinity. Tobacco is grown to some 
extent. Warren has a flouring mill, tin factory, 
creamery and stone quarries, a State bank, water 
supply from artesian wells, fire department, gas 
plant, two weekly newspapers, five churches, a 
high school, an academy and a public library. 
Pop. (1890V 1,172; (1900), 1,.327. 

WARREX, Calvin A., lawyer, was born in 
Essex County, N. Y. , June 3. 1807; in his youth, 
worked for a time, as a typographer, in the office 
of '"The Northern Spectator,'" at Poultney, Vt., 
side by side with Horace Greeley, afterwards the 
founder of "The New York Tribune." Later, he 
became one of the publishers of "The Palladiimi" 
at Ballston, N. Y., but, in 1832, removed to 
Hamilton County, Ohio, where he began the 
study of law, completing his course at Tran.syl- 
vania University, Ky., in 1834, and beginning 
practice at. Batavia, Ohio, as the partner of 



Thomas Morris, then a United States Senator 
from Ohio, whose daughter he married, thereby 
becoming the brother-in-law of the late Isaac N. 
Morris, of Quincy, 111. In 1836, Mr. Warren 
came to Quincy, Adams County, 111 , but soon 
after removed to W^arsaw in Hancock County, 
where he resided until 1839, when he returned to 
Quincy. Here he continued in practice, either 
alone or as a partner, at different times, of sev- 
eral of the leading attorneys of that city. 
Although he held no office except that of Master 
in Chancery, which he occupied for some sixteen 
years, the possession of an inexliaustible fund of 
humor, with strong practical sense and decided 
ability as a speaker, gave liim great popularity 
at the bar and upon the stump, and made him a 
recognized leader in the ranks of the Democratic 
party, of which he was a life-long member. He 
.served as Presidential Elector on the Pierce 
ticket in 1852, and was the nominee of his party 
for the same position on one or two other occa- 
sions. Died, at Quincy, Feb. 22, 1881. 

WARRE\, Hooper, jnoneer journalist, was 
born at Walpole, N. H., in 1790; learned the print- 
er's trade on the Rutland (Vt.) "Herald"; in 
1814 went to Delaware, whence, three years later, 
he emigrated to Kentucky, working for a time 
on a paper at Frankfort. In 1818 he came to St. 
Louis and worked in the office of the old "Mis- 
souri Gazette" (the predecessor of "The Repub- 
lican"), and also acted as the agent of a lumber 
company at Cairo, III., when the whole popula- 
tion of that place consisted of one family domi- 
ciled on a grounded flat-boat. In March. 1819, 
he established, at Edwardsville, the third paper 
in Illinois, its predecessors being "Tlie Illinois 
Intelligencer," at Kaskaskia, and "The Illinois 
Emigrant," at Shawneetown. The name given 
to the new paper was "The Spectator,"' and the 
contest over the effort to introduce a pro-slavery 
clause in the State Constitution soon brought it 
into prominence. Backed by Governor Coles, 
Congressman Daniel P. Cook. Judge S. D. Lock- 
wood, Rev. Thomas Lippincott, Judge Wm. H. 
Brown (afterwards of Chicago). George Churchill 
and other opponents of slavery, "The Spectator" 
made a sturdy fight in opposition to the scheme, 
which ended in defeat of the measure by the 
rejection at the polls, in 1824, of the proposition 
for a Constitutional Convention. Warren left 
the Edwardsville paper in 1825, and was. for a 
time, associated with "The National Crisis," an 
anti-slavery paper at Cincinnati, but soon re- 
turned to Illinois and established "The Sangamon 
Spectator"" — the first paper ever published at the 



578 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



present State capital. This he sold out in 1839, 
and, for the next tliree years, was connected 
with "The Advertiser and Upper Mississippi Her- 
ald," at Galena. Abandoning this field in 1832, 
he removed to Hennepin, where, within the next 
five years, he held the offices of Clerk of the Cir- 
cuit and County Commis.sioners" Courts and ex 
ofRcio Recorder of Deeds. In 1836 he began the 
publication of the tliird paper in Chicago — "The 
Commercial Advertiser" (a weeklj') — wliich was 
continued a little more than a year, wlien it was 
abandoned, and he settled on a farm at Henry. 
Marshall County. His further newspaper ven- 
tures were, as the associate of Zebina Eastman, in 
the publication of "The Genius of Liberty," at 
Lowell, La Salle County, and "The Western 
Citizen" — afterwards "The Free West" — in Chi- 
cago. (See Eastman, Zebina, and Lundy, Ben- 
jamin.) On the discontinuance of "The Free 
West" in 1856. he again retired to his farm at 
Henry, where he spent the remainder of his days. 
While returning home from a visit to Chicago, 
in August, 1864, he was taken ill at Mendota, 
dying there on the 32d of the month. 

WARREN, John Esaias, diplomatist and real- 
estate operator, was born in Troy, N. Y., in 1836, 
graduated at Union College and was connected 
with the American Legation to Spain during the 
administration of President Pierce ; in 1859-60 
was a member of the Minnesota Legislature and, 
in 1861-63, Mayor of St. Paul; in 1867, came to 
Chicago, where, while engaged In real-estate 
business, he became known to the press as the 
author of a series of articles entitled "Topics of 
the Time." In 1886 he took up his residence in 
Brussels, Belgium, wliere he died, July 6, 1896. 
Mr. Warren was author of several volumes of 
travel, of which "An Attache in Spain" and 
"Para" are most important. 

WARREN COUNTY. A western county, 
created by act of the Legislature, in 1825, but 
not fully organized until 1830, having at tliat time 
about 350 inhabitants ; has an area of 540 square 
miles, and was named for Gen. Joseph Warren. 
It is drained by the Henderson River and its 
affluents, and is traversed by the Chicago, Bur- 
lington Sz Quincy (two divisions), the Iowa 
Central and the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
Railroads. Bituminous coal is mined and lime- 
stone is quarried in large quantities. The countj-'s 
early development was retarded in consequence 
of having become the "seat of war," during the 
Black Hawk War. The principal products are 
grain and live-stock, although manufacturing is 
carried on to some extent. The county-seat and 



chief city is Monmouth (which see). Roseville 
is a shipping point. Population (1880), 32,938. 
(1890), 21,381; (1900), 23,163. 

WARRENSBURG, a town of Macon County, 
on Peoria Division 111. Cent. Railway, 9 miles 
northwest of Decatur; has elevators, canning 
factory, a bank and newspaper. Pop. (1900), 503. 

WARSAW, the largest town in Hancock 
County, and admirably situated for trade. It 
stands on a bluff on tlie Jlississippi River, some 
three miles below Keokuk, and about 40 miles 
above Quincy. It is the western terminus of the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railway, and lies 116 
miles west-southwest of Peoria. Old Fort 
Edwards, established by Gen. Zachary Taylor, 
during the War of 1812, was located within the 
limits of the present city of Warsaw, opposite the 
mouth of the Des Moines River. An iron 
foundry, a large woolen mill, a plow factory 
and cooperage works are its principal manufac- 
turing establishments. The channel of the Missis- 
sippi admits of the passage of the largest steamers 
up to this point. Warsaw has eight churches, a 
system of common schools comprising one high 
and three grammar schools, a National bank and 
two weekly newspapers. Population (1880), 3,105j 
(1890), 2,721; (1900), 2,335. 

WASHBURN, a village of Woodford County, on 
a branch of the Chicago & Alton Railway 35 
miles northeast of Peoria; has banks and a 
weekly paper ; the district is agricultural. Popu- 
lation (1890), 598; (1900), 703. 

WASHBURNE, Elihu Benjamin, Congressman 
and diplomatist, was born at Livermore, Maine, 
Sept. 23, 1816; in early life learned the trade of a 
printer, but graduated from Harvard Law School 
and was admitted to the bar in 1840. Coming 
west, he settled at Galena, forming a partnership 
with Cliarles S. Hempstead, for the practice of 
law, in 1841. He was a stalwart Whig, and, as 
such, was elected to Congress in 1852. He con- 
tinued to represent his District until 1869, taking 
a prominent position, as a Republican, on the 
organization of that party. On account of his 
long service he was known as the "Father of the 
House," administering the Speaker's oath three 
times to Scliuyler Colfax and once to James G. 
Blaine. He was appointed Secretary of State by 
General Grant in 1869, but surrendered his port- 
folio to become Envoy to France, in wliich ca- 
pacity he achieved great distinction. He was the 
only official representative of a foreign govern- 
ment who remained in Paris, during the siege of 
that city by the Germans (1870-71) and the reign 
of the "Commune." For his conduct he was 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



57'.' 



honored by the Governments of France and Ger- 
many alike. On his return to the United States, 
he made his home in Chicago, where he devoted 
his latter years chiefly to literary labor, and 
where he died, Oct. 22, 1887. He was strongly 
favored as a candidate for the Presidency in 1880. 
WASHINGTON, a city in Tazewell County, 
situated at the intersection of the Chicago & 
Alton, the Atchison. Topeka & Santa Fe, and the 
Toledo, Peoria & Western Railroads. It is 21 
miles west of EI Paso, and 13 miles east of Peoria. 
Carriages, plows and farming implements con- 
stitute the manufactured output. It is also an 
important shipping-point for farm products. It 
lias electric light and water-works plants, eight 
churches, a graded school, two banks and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,301; (1900), 1,451. 

WASHINGTON COUNTY, an interior county of 
Southern Illinois, east of St Louis ; is drained by 
the Kaskaskia River and the Elkhorn, Beaucoup 
and Muddy Creeks; was organized in 1818, and 
has an area of 540 square miles. The surface is 
diversified, well watered and timbered. The 
soil is of variable fertility. Corn, wheat and 
oats are the chief agricultural products. Manu- 
facturing is carried on to some extent, among 
the products being agricultural implements, 
flour, carriages and wagons. The most impor- 
tant town is Nashville, which is also the county- 
seat. Population (1890), 19,262; (1900), 19,526. 
Washington was one of the fifteen counties into 
which Illinois was divided at the organization of 
the State Government, being one of the last 
three created during the Territorial period — the 
other two being Franklin and Union. 

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, a village of Cook 
County, on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
and the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. 
Louis Railways, 12 miles southwest of Chicago; 
has a graded school, female seminary, military 
scliool, a car factory, several churches and a 
newspaper. Annexed to City of Chicago, 1890. 

WATAGA, a village of Knox County, on the 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 8 miles 
northeast of Galesburg. Population (1900), 545, 
WATERLOO, the county-seat and chief town 
of Monroe County, on the Illinois Division of the 
Mobile & Ohio Railroad, 24 miles east of south 
from St. Louis. The region is chiefly agricultural, 
but underlaid with coal. Its industries embrace 
two flour mills, a plow factory, distillery, cream- 
ery, two ice plants, and some minor concerns. 
The city has municipal water and electric light 
plants, four churches, a graded school and two 
newspapers. Pop. (1890), 1,860; (1900), 2,114. 



WATERMAN, Arba Nelson, lawyer and jurist, 
was born at Greensboro, Orleans County. Vt., 
Feb. 3, 1836. After receiving an academic edu- 
cation and teaching for a time, he read law at 
MontpeUer and, later, passed through the Albany 
Law School. In 1861 he was admitted to the 
bar, removed to Joliet, 111., and opened an office. 
In 1862 he enlisted as a private in the One Hun- 
dredth Illinois Volunteers, serving with the 
Army of the Cumberland for two years, and 
being mustered out in August, 1864, with the 
rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. On leaving the 
army. Colonel Waterman commenced practice in 
C4iicago. In 1873-74 he represented the Eleventh 
Ward in the City Council. In 1887 he was elected 
to the bench of the Cook County Circuit Court, 
and was re-elected in 1891 and, again, in 1897. In 
1890 he was assigned as one of the Judges of the 
Appellate Court. 

W-ATSEKA, the county-seat of Iroquois County, 
situated on the Iroquois River, at tlie mouth of 
Sugar Creek, and at the intersection of the Chi- 
cago & Eastern Illinois and the Toledo, Peoria & 
Western Railroads, 77 miles south of Chicago, 46 
miles north of Danville and 14 miles east of 
Oilman. It has flour-mills, brick and tile works 
and foundries, besides several churches, banks, a 
graded school and three weekly newspapers. 
Artesian well water is obtained by boring to the 
depth of 100 to 160 feet, and some forty flowing 
streams from these shafts are in the place. Popu- 
lation (1890), 2,017; (1900), 2,505. 

WATTS, Amos, jurist, was born in St. Clair 
County, III., Oct. 25, 1821, but removed to Wash- 
ington County in bojhood, and was elected County 
Clerk in 1847, '49 and '53, and State's Attorney 
for the Second Judicial District in 1856 and '60 ; 
then became editor and proprietor of a news- 
paper, later resuming the practice of law, and, in 
1873, was elected Circuit Judge, remaining in 
office until his death, at Nashville, III Dec. 6, 
1888. 

WAUKEGAN, the county-seat and principal 
city of Lake County, situated on tlie shore of 
Lake Michigan and on the Chicago & North- 
western Railroad, about 36 miles north by we.st 
from Chicago, and 50 miles south of Milwaukee; 
is also the northern terminus of the Elgin, Joliet 
& Eastern Railroad and connected by electric 
lines with Chicago and Fox Lake. Lake Michigan 
is about 80 miles wide opposite this point. 
Waukegan was first known as "Little Fort," 
from the remains of an old fort that stood on its 
site. The principal pait of tlie city is built on a 
bluff, which rises abruptly to the height of about 



680 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



fifty feet. Between the bluff and the shore is a 
flat tract about 400 yards wide which is occupied 
by gardens, dwellings, warehouses and manu- 
factories. Tlie manufactures include steel-wire, 
refined sugar, scales, agricultural implements, 
brass and iron products, sash, doors and blinds, 
leather, beer, etc. i tlie city has paved streets, gas 
and electric light plants, three banks, eight or 
ten churches, graded and high schools and two 
newspapers. A large trade in grain, lumber, coal 
and dairy products is carried on. Pop. (1890), 
4,915; (1900), 9,436. 

WAUKEGAN & SOUTHWESTERN RAIL- 
WAY. (See Elgin, Joliet d- Eastern Hailicciy.) 

AVAA'ERLY, a city in Morgan County, 18 miles 
southeast of Jacksonville, on the Jacksonville & 
St. Louis and the Chicago, Peoria & St. Louis 
Railroads. It was originally settled by enter- 
prising emigrants from New England, whose 
descendants constitute a large proportion of tlie 
population. It is tlie center of a rich agricultural 
region, has a fine graded school, six or seven 
churches, two banks, two newspapers and tile 
works. Population (1880), 1,124; (1890), 1,337; 
(1900). 1,573. 

WAYNE, ((Jen.) Anthony, soldier, was born in 
Chester County, Pa., Jan. 1, 1745, of Anglo-Irish 
descent, graduated as a Surveyor, and first prac- 
ticed his profession in Nova Scotia. During the 
years immediately antecedent to the Revolution 
he was prominent in the colonial councils of his 
native State, to which he had returned in 1767, 
where he became a member of the "Committee of 
Safety." On June 3. 1776, he was commissioned 
Colonel of the Fourtli Regiment of Pennsylvania 
troops in the Continental army, and, dui-ing the 
War of the Revolution, was conspicuous for liis 
courage and ability as a leader. One of his most 
daring and successful acliievements was the cap- 
ture of Stony Point, in 1779, when — the works 
having been carried and Wayne having received, 
what was supposed to be, his death-wound — he 
entered tlie fort, supported by his aids. For this 
service he was awarded a gold medal by Con- 
gi'ess. He also took a conspicuous part in the 
investiture and capture of Yorktown. In October, 
1788, he was brevetted Major-General. In 1784 
he was elected to the Pennsylvania Legislature. 
A few years later he settled in Georgia, which 
State he represented in Congress for seven 
months, when his seat was declared vacant after 
contest. In April, 1792, he was confirmed as 
General-in-Chief of the United States Army, on 
nomination of President Washington. His con- 
nection with Illinois history began shortly after 



St. Clair's defeat, when he led a force into Ohio 
(1783) and erected a stockade at Greenville, 
which he named Fort Recovery ; hia object being 
to subdue the hostile savage tribes. In this he 
was eminently successful and, on August 3, 
1793, after a victorious campaign, negotiated the 
Treaty of Greenville, as broad in its provisions as 
it was far-reaching in its influence. He was a 
daring fighter, and although Washington called 
him "prudent," his dauntlessness earned for him 
the sobriquet of "Mad Anthony." In matters of 
dress he was punctilious, and, on this account, 
he was sometimes dubbed "Dandy Wayne. ' He 
was one of the few white oflBcers whom all the 
Western Indian tribes at once feared and re- 
spected. They named him "Black Snake" and 
"Tornado." He died at Presque Isle near Erie, 
Dec. 15, 1796. Thirteen years afterward his 
remains were removed by one of his sons, and 
interred in Badnor churchyard, in his native 
count}'. The Pennsylvania Historical Society 
erected a marble monument over his grave, and 
appropriately dedicated it on July 4 of the same 
year. 

WAYNE COUNTY, in the southeast quarter of 
the State ; has an area of 720 square miles ; was 
organized in 1819, and named for Gen. Anthony 
Wayne. The county is watered and drained bj- 
tlie Little Wabash and its branches, notably the 
Skillet Fork. At the first election held in the 
count}', only fifteen votes were cast. Early life 
was exceedingly primitive, the first settlers 
poimding corn into meal with a wooden pestle, 
a hollowed stump being used as a mortar. The 
first mill erected (of the antique South Carolina 
pattern) charged 25 cents per bushel for grinding. 
Prairie and woodland make up the surface, and 
tlie soil is fertile. Railroad facilities are furnished 
by the Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis and the 
Baltimore & Ohio (Southwestern) Railroads. 
Corn, oats, tobacco, wheat, hay and wool are the 
chief agricultural products. Saw mills are numer- 
ous and there are also carriage and wagon facto- 
ries. Fairfield is the county-seat. Population 
(18.S0), 21,291; (1890), 23,806; (1900), 27,626. 

WEAS, THE, a branch of the Miami tribe of 
Indians. They called themselves "We-wee- 
hahs," and were spoken of by the French as "Oui- 
at-anons" and "Oui-as. " Other corruptions of 
the name were common among the British and 
American colonists. In 1718 they had a village 
at Chicago, but abandoned it through fear of 
their hostile neighbors, the Chippewas and Potta- 
watomies. The Weas were, at one time, brave 
and warlike ; but their numbers were reduced by 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



081 



constant warfare and disease, and, in the end, 
debauchery enervated and demoralized them. 
They were removed west of the Mississippi and 
given a reservation in Miami County, Kan. This 
they ultimately sold, and, under the leadership 
of Baptiste Peoria, united with their few remain- 
ing brethren of the Miamis and with the remnant 
of the Ill-i-ni under the title of the "confederated 
tribes," and settled in Indian Territory. (See also 
Mia m is : Pia n kesli a ics.) 

WEBB, Edwin B., early lawyer and politician, 
was born about 1802, came to the vicinity of 
Carmi, White County, III, about 1828 to 1830, 
and, still later, studied law at Transylvania Uni- 
versity. He held the office of Prosecuting 
Attorney of White Count}", and, in 1834. was 
elected to the lower branch of the General 
Assembly, serving, by successive re-elections, 
until 18-12, and. in the Senate, from 1842 to '46. 
During his service in the House he was a col- 
league and political and personal friend of 
Abraham Lincoln. He opposed the internal 
improvement scheme of 1837, predicting many 
of the disasters wliich were actuallj- realized a 
few j-ears later. He was a candidate for Presi- 
dential Elector on the Whig ticket, in 1844 and 
'48, and, in 18.52, received the nomination for 
Governor as the opponent of Joel A. Matteson, 
two years later, being an unsuccessful candidate 
for Justice of the Supreme Court in opposition to 
Judge W. B. Scates. While practicing law at 
Carmi, he was also a partner of his brother in 
the mercantile business. Died, Oct. 14. 1858. in 
the 56th year of liis age. 

TVEBB, Henry Living'ston, soldier and pioneer 
(an elder brother of James Watson Webb, a noted 
New York journalist), was born at Claverack, 
N. Y., Feb. 6, 1795; served as a soldier in the 
War of 1812, came to Southern Illinois in 1817, 
and became one of the founders of the town of 
America near the mouth of the Ohio; was Repre- 
sentative in the Fourth and Eleventh General 
Assemblies, a Major in the Black Hawk War and 
Captain of volunteers and, afterwards, Colonel of 
regulars, in the Mexican War. In 1860 he went 
to Texas and served, for a time, in a semi-mili- 
tary capacity under the Confederate Govern- 
ment; returned to Illinois in 1869, and died, at 
Makanda. Oct. 5, 1876. 

WEBSTER, Fletcher, lawyer and soldier, was 
bom at Portsmouth, N. H., July 23, 1813; gradu- 
ated at Harvard in 1833, and studied law with 
his father (Daniel Webster) ; in 1837, located at 
Peru, 111., where he practiced three years. His 
father having been appointed Secretary of State 



in 1841, the son became his private secretary, 
was also Secretary of Legation to Caleb Gushing 
(Minister to China) in 1843, a member of the 
Massachusetts Legislature in 1847, and Surveyor 
of the Port of Boston, 1850-61 ; the latter year 
became Colonel of the Twelfth Massachusetts 
Volunteers, and was killed in the second battle 
of Bull Run, August 30. 1862. 

WEBSTER, Joseph Daua, civil engineer and 
soldier, was born at Old Hampton, N. H., 
August 25, 1811. He graduated from Dart- 
mouth College in 1832, and afterwards read 
law at Newburyport, Mass. His natural incli- 
nation was for engineering, and, after serv- 
ing for a time in the Engineer and War offices, 
at Washington, was made a United States civil 
engineer (1835) and, on July 7, 1838, entered the 
army as Second Lieutenant of Topographical 
Engineers. He served through the Mexican 
War, was made First Lieutenant in 1849, and 
promoted to a captaincy, in March, 1853. Thir- 
teen months later he resigned, removing to Chi- 
cago, where he made his permanent home, and 
soon after was identified, for a time, with the 
proprietorship of "'The Chicago Tribune." He 
was President of the commission that perfected 
the Chicago sewerage system, and designed and 
executed the raising of the grade of a large por- 
tion of the city from two to eight feet, whole 
blocks of buildings being raised by jack screws, 
while new foundations were inserted. At the 
outbreak of the Civil War he tendered his serv- 
ices to the Government and superintended the 
erection of the fortifications at Cairo, 111., and 
Paducah, Ky. On April 7, 1861, he was com- 
missioned Paymaster of Volunteers, with the 
rank of Major, and, in February, 1862, Colonel of 
the First Illinois Artillery. For several months 
he was chief of General Grant's staff, participat- 
ing in the capture of Forts Donelson and Henry, 
and in the battle of Shiloh, in the latter as Chief 
of Artillery. In October, 1862, the War Depart- 
ment detailed him to make a survey of the Illi 
nois & Michigan Canal, and. the following month, 
he was commissioned Brigadier-General of 
Volunteers, serving as Militarj- Governor of Mem- 
phis and Superintendent of military railroad.s. 
He was again chief of staff to General Grant 
during the Vicksburg campaign, and, from 1864 
until the close of the war, occupied the same 
relation to General Sherman. He was brevetted 
Major-General of Volunteers, March 13, 1865, but, 
resigning Nov. 6. following, returned to Chicago, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. From 
1869 to 1872 he was A.ssessor of Internal Revenue 



682 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



there, and, later. Assistant United States Treas- 
urer, and, in July, 1872, was appointed Collector 
of Internal Revenue. Died, at Chicago, Marcli 
13, 1876. 

WELCH, William R., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in Jessamine Coimty, Ky., Jan. 22. 1828, 
educated at Transylvania University, Lexington, 
graduating from the academic department in 
1847, and, from the law school, in 1851. In 1864 he 
removed to Carhnville, Macoupin County, 111., 
which place he made his permanent home. In 
1877 he was elected to the bench of the Fifth 
Circuit, and re-elected in 1879 and "85. In 1884 
he was assigned to the bench of the Appellate 
Court for the Second District. Died. Sept. 1, 
1888. 

WELUOX, Lawrence, one of the Judges of the 
United .States Court of Claims, Washington, 
D. C, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, in 
1829 ; while a child, removed with his parents to 
Madison County, and was educated in the com- 
mon schools, the local academy and at Wittenberg 
College, Springfield, in the same State; read law 
with Hon. R. A. Harrison, a jirominent member 
of the Ohio bar, and was admitted to practice in 
1854, meanwhile, in 1852-53, having served as a 
clerk in the ofBce of the Secretary of State at 
Columbus. In 1854 he removed to Illinois, locat- 
ing at Clinton, DeWitt County, where he engaged 
in practice ; in 1860 was elected a Representative 
in the Twenty-second General Assembly, was 
also chosen a Presidential Elector the same year, 
and assisted in the first election of Abraham 
Lincoln to the Presidency. Early in 1861 he 
resigned his seat in the Legislature to accept the 
position of United States District Attorney for 
the Southern District of Illinois, tendered him by 
President Lincoln, but resigned the latter office 
in 1866 and, the following year, removed to 
Bloomington, where he continued the practice of 
his profession until 1883, when he was appointed, 
by President Artluir, an Associate Justice of the 
United States Court of Claims at Washington — 
a position which he still (1899) continues to fill. 
Judge Weldon is among the remaining few who 
rode the circuit and practiced law with Mr. Lin- 
coln. From the time of coming to the State in 
1854 to 1860, he was one of Mr. Lincoln's most 
intimate traveling companions in the old 
Eighth Circuit, which extended from Sangamon 
County on the west to Vermilion on the east, and 
of which Judge David Davis, afterwards of the 
Supreme Court of the United States and United 
States Senator, was the presiding Justice. The 
Judge holds in his memory many pleasant remi- 



niscences of that day, especially of the easter'j 
portion of the District, where he was accustomed 
to meet the late Senator Voorhees, Senator Mc- 
Donald and other leading lawyers of Indiana, as 
well as the historic men whom he met at the 
State capital. 

WELLS, Albert W., lawyer and legislator, was 
born at Woodstock, Conn., May 9, 1839, and 
enjoyed only such educational and other advan- 
tages as belonged to the average New England 
boy of that period. During his boyhood liis 
family removed to Xew Jersey, where lie attended 
an academy, later, graduating from Columbia 
College and Law School in New York Cit}-, and 
began practice with State Senator Robert Allen 
at Red Bank, N". J. During the Civil War he 
enlisted in a New Jersey regiment and took part 
in the battle of Gettysburg, resuming his profes- 
sion at the close of the war. Coming west in 
1870, he settled in Quincy, 111., where he con- 
tinued practice. lu 1886 he was elected to the 
House of Representatives from Adams County, 
as a Democrat, and re-elected two years later. 
In 1890 he was advanced to the Senate, where, 
by reelection in 1894, he served continuously 
until his death in office, March 5, 1897. His 
abilities and long service — covering the sessions 
of the Thirty-fifth to the Fortieth General Assem- 
blies — placed him at the head of the Democratic 
side of the Senate during the latter part of his 
legislative career. 

WELLS, William, soldier and victim of the 
Fort Dearborn massacre, was born in Kentucky, 
about 1770. When a boy of 12, he was captured 
by the Miami Indians, whose chief. Little Turtle, 
adopted him, giving him his daughter in mar- 
riage when he grew to manhood. He was highly 
esteemed by the tribe as a warrior, and. in 1790, 
was present at the battle where Gen. Arthur St. 
Clair was defeated. He then realized that he 
was fighting against his own race, and informed 
his father-in-law that he intended to ally himself 
with the whites. Leaving the Miamis. he made 
his way to General Wayne, who made him Cap- 
tain of a company of scouts. After the treaty of 
Greenville (1795) he settled on a farm near Fort 
Wayne, where he was joined by his Indian wife. 
Here he acted as Indian Agent and Justice of the 
Peace. In 1812 he learned of the contemplated 
evacuation of Fort Dearborn, and, at the head of 
thirty Miamis, he set out for the post, his inten- 
tion being to furnish a body-guard to the non- 
combatants on their proposed march to Fort 
Wayne. On August 13. he marched out of the 
fort with fifteen of his duskv warriors behind 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



683 



him, the remainder bringing up the rear. Before 
a mile and a half had been traveled, the party fell 
into an Indian ambuscade, and an indiscrimi- 
nate massacre followed. (See Fort Dearborn.) 
The Miamis fled, and Captain Wells' body was 
riddled with bullets, his head cvit off and his 
heart taken out. He was an uncle of Mrs. Heald, 
wife of the commander of Fort Dearborn. 

WELLS, William Harvey, educator, was born 
in Tolland, Conn., Feb. 27, 1813; lived on a farm 
until 17 years old, attending scliool irregularly, 
but made such progress that he became succes- 
sively a teacher in the Teachers' Seminary at 
Andoverand Newburyport, and, finally. Principal 
of the State Normal School at Westfield, Mass. 
In 1856 he accepted the position of Superintend- 
ent of Public Schools for the citj' of Chicago, 
serving till 1864, when he resigned. He was an 
organizer of the Massachusetts State Teachers' 
Association, one of the first editors of "The 
Massachusetts Teacher" and prominently con- 
nected with various benevolent, educational and 
learned societies ; was also author of several text- 
books, and assisted in the revision of "Webster's 
Unabridged Dictionary." Died, Jan. 21, 1885. 

WENONA, city on the eastern border of Mar- 
shall County, 20 miles south of La Salle, has 
zinc works, public and parochial schools, a 
weekly paper, two banks, and five churches. A 
good quality of soft coal is mined here. Popu- 
lation (1880)", 911; (1890), 1,0.53; (1900), 1,486. 

WENTWORTH, John, early journaUst and 
Congressman, was born at Sandwich, N. H., 
March 5, 1815, graduated from Dartmouth Col- 
lege in 1836, and came to Chicago the same year, 
where he became editor of "The Chicago Demo- 
crat, " which had been estabhshed by John Cal- 
houn three years previous. He soon after became 
proprietor of "The Democrat," of which he con- 
tinued to be the publisher until it was merged 
into "The Chicago Tribune," July 24, 1864. He 
also studied law, and was admitted to the Illinois 
bar in 1841. He served in Congress as a Demo- 
crat from 1843 to 1851, and again from 1853 to 
1855, but left the Democratic party on the repeal 
of the Missouri Compromise. He was elected 
Mayor of Chicago in 1857, and again in 1860, 
during his incumbency introducing a number of 
important municipal reforms ; was a member of 
the Constitutional Convention of 1862, and twice 
served on the Board of Education. He again 
represented Illinois in Congress as a Republican 
from 1865 to 1867 — making fourteen years of 
service in that body. In 1872 he joined in the 
Greelev movement, but later renewed his alle- 



giance to the Republican party. In 187i ;4r. Went- 
worth published an elaborate genealogical work 
in three volumes, entitled "History of the Went- 
worth Family." A volume of "Congressional 
Reminiscences" and two by him on "Early Oii- 
cago, " published in connection with the Fergus 
Historical Series, contain some valuable informa- 
tion on early local and national history. On 
account of his extraordinary height he received 
the sobriquet of "Long John," by which he was 
familiarly known throughout the State. Died, 
in Chicago, Oct. 16, 1888. 

WEST, Edward M., merchant and banker, was 
born in Virginia, May 2, 1814; came with his 
father to Illinois in 1818 ; in 1829 became a clerk 
in the Recorder's office at EdwardsviUe, also 
served as deputy postmaster, and, in 1833, took a 
position in the United States Land Office there. 
Two years later he engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness, wliich he prosecuted over thirty years — 
meanwhile filling the office of County Treasurer, 
ex-officio Superintendent of Schools, and Delegate 
to the Constitutional Convention of 1847. In 1867, 
in conjunction with W. R. Prickett, he established 
a bank at EdwardsviUe, with which he was con- 
nected until his death, Oct. 31, 1887. Mr. West 
officiated frequently as a "local preacher" of the 
Methodist Church, in which capacity he showed 
much ability as a public speaker. 

WEST, Mary Allen, educator and philanthro- 
pist, was born at Galesburg, 111., July 81, 1837; 
graduated at Knox Seminary in 1854 and taught 
until 1873, when she was elected County Super- 
intendent of Schools, serving niae years. She 
took an active and influential interest in educa- 
tional and reformatory movements, was for two 
years editor of "Our Home Monthly," in Phila- 
delphia, and also a contributor to other journals, 
besides being editor-in-chief of "The Union Sig- 
nal," Chicago, the organ of the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union — in which she held tlie 
position of President ; was also President, in the 
latter days of her life, of the Illinois AVoman's 
Press Association of Chicago, that city having 
become her home in 1885. In 1892, Miss West 
started on a tour of the world for the benefit of 
her health, but died at Tokio, Japan, Dec. 1, 1892. 
WESTERN HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, 
an institution for the treatment of the insane, 
located at Watertown, Rock Island County, in 
accordance with an act of the General Assembly, 
approved. May 22, 1895. The Thirty-ninth Gen- 
eral Assembly made an appropriation of §100,000 
for the erection of fire-proof buildings, while 
Rock Island County donated a tract of 400 acres 



684 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of land valued at S40, 000. The site selected bj- the 
Commissioners, is a commanding one overlooking 
the Mississippi River, eight miles above Rock 
Island, and five and a half miles from Moline, and 
the buildings are of the most modern style of con- 
struction. Watertown is reached by two lines of 
railroad — the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy — besides the 
Mississippi River. The erection of buildings was 
begun in 1896, and they were opened for the 
reception of patients in 1898. They have a ca- 
pacity for 800 patients. 

WESTERN MILITARY ACADEMY, an insti 
tution located at Upper Alton, Madison County, 
incorporated in 1892; has a faculty of eight mem- 
bers and reports eighty pupils for 1897-98, with 
property valued at §70,000. The institution gives 
instruction in literary and scientific branches, 
besides preparatory and business courses. 

WESTERN NORMAL COLLEGE, located at 
Bushnell, McDonough County; incorporated in 
1888. It is co-educational, has a corps of twelve 
instructors and reported 500 pupils for 1897-98, 
300 males and 200 females. 

WESTERN SPRINGS, a village of Cook 
County, and residence suburb of tlie city of Chi- 
cago, on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail- 
road, 15 miles west of the initial station. 
Population (1890), 451; (1900), 662. 

WESTERN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, 
located in Chicago and controlled by the Protes- 
tant Episcopal Church. It was founded in 1883 
through the munificence of Dr. Tolman Wheeler, 
and was opened for students two years later. It 
has two buildings, of a superior order of archi- 
tecture — one including the school and lecture 
rooms and the other a dormitorj-. A hospital 
and gymnasium are attached to the latter, and a 
school for boys is conducted on the first floor of 
the main building, which is known as Wheeler 
Hall. The institution is under the general super- 
vision of Rt. Rev. William E. McLaren, Protes- 
tant Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Illinois. 

WESTFIELD, village of Clark County, on Cin., 
Ham. & Dayton R. R., 10 ni. s.-e. of Charleston; 
seat of Westfield College: has a bank, five 
churches and two new.spapers. Pop. (1900). 830. 

WEST SALEM, a town of Edwards County, on 
the Peoria-Evansville Div. 111. Cent. R. R.. 13 
miles northeast of Albion; has a bank and a 
weekly paper. Pop. (1890), 476; (1900), 700. 

WETHERELL, Emma Abbott, vocalist, was 
born in Chicago, D<v^. 9, 1849; in her childhood 
attracted attention while singing with her father 
(a poor musician) in hotels and on tlie streets in 



Chicago, Peoria and elsewhere; at 18 years of 
age, went to New York to study, earning her way 
by giving concerts en route, and receiving aid 
and encouragement from Clara Louisa Kellogg; 
in New York was patronized by Henry Ward 
Beeoher and others, and aided in securing the 
training of European masters. Compelled to sur- 
mount many obstacles from poverty and other 
causes, her after success in her profession was 
phenomenal. Died, during a professional tour, 
at Salt Lake City, Jan. 5, 1891. Miss Abbott 
married her manager, Eugene Wetherell, who 
died before her. 

WHEATON, a city and the county-seat of Du 
Page Count}', situated on the Chicago & North- 
western Railway, 25 miles west of Chicago. Agri- 
culture and stock-raising are the chief industries 
in the surrounding region. The citj' owns a new 
water-v.-crks plant (costing 860,000) and has a 
public library valued at $75,000, the gift of a 
resident, Mr. John Quincy Adams; has a court 
house, electric light plant, sewerage and drainage 
system, seven churches, three graded schools, 
four weekly newspapers and a State bank. 
Wheaton is the seat of Wheaton College (which 
see). Population (1880), 1,160; (1890), 1,622; 
(1900). 2.345. 

WHEATON COLLEGE, an educational insti- 
tution located at Wheaton, Du Page County, and 
under Congregational control. It was founded 
iu 1853, as the Illinois Institute, and was char- 
tered under its present name in 1860. Its early 
existence was one of struggle, but of late years it 
has been established on a better foundation, in 
1898 having §54,000 invested in productive funds, 
and property aggregating .? 136 000. The faculty 
comprises fifteen professors, and, in 1898, there 
were 321 students in attendance. It is co-edu- 
cational and instruction is given in business and 
preparatory studies, as well as the fine arts, 
music and classical literature. 

WHEELER, David Hilton, D.D., LL.D., clergy- 
man, was born at Ithaca, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1839; 
graduated at Rock River Seminary, Mount 
Morris, in 1851; edited "The Carroll County 
Republican" and held a professorship in Cornell 
College, Iowa, (1857-61) ; was United States Con- 
sul at Geneva, Switzerland, (1861-66) ; Professorof 
English Literature in Northwestern University 
(1867-75); edited "The Methodist" in New York, 
seven years, and was President of Allegheny 
College (1883-87); received the degree of D.D. 
from Cornell College in 1867, and that of LL.D. 
from the Northwestern University in 1881. He 
is the author of "Brigandage in South Italy" 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



58& 



(two volumes, 1864) and "By-Ways of Literature" 
(1883), besides some translations. 

WHEELER, Hamilton K., ex-Congressman, 
was bom at Ballston, N. Y., August 5, 1848, but 
emigrated with his parents to Illinois in 1853; 
remained on a farm imtil 19 years of age, his 
educational advantages being limited to three 
months" attendance upon a district school each 
year. In 1871, he was admitted to the bar at 
Kankakee, where he has since continued to prac- 
tice. In 1884 he was elected to represent the Six- 
teenth District in the State Senate, where he 
served on many important committees, being 
Chairman of that on the Judicial Department. 
In 1892 he was elected Representative in Con- 
gress from the Ninth Illinois District, on the 
Republican ticket. 

WHEELING) a town on the northern border of 
Cook County, on the Wisconsin Central Railway. 
Population (1890). 811; (1900), 331. 

WHISTLER, (Maj.) John, soldier and builder 
of the first Fort Dearborn, was bom in Ulster, Ire- 
land, about 1756; served under Burgoyne in the 
Revolution, and was with the force sirrrendered 
by that officer at Saratoga, in 1777. After the 
peace he returned to the United States, settled at 
Hagerstown, Md., and entered the United States 
Army, serving at first in the ranks and being 
severely wounded in the disastrous Indian cam- 
paigns of 1791. Later, he was promoted to a 
captaincy and, in the summer of 1803, sent with 
his company, to the head of Lake Michigan, 
where he constructed the first Fort Dearborn 
within the limits of tlie present city of Chicago, 
remaining in command until 1811, when he was 
succeeded by Captain Heald. He received the 
brevet rank of Major, in 1815 was appointed 
military store- keeper at Newport. Ky., and after- 
wards at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, 
where he died, Sept. 3, 1829. Lieut. William 
Whistler, his son, who was with his father, for a 
time, in old Fort Dearborn — but transferred, in 
1809, to Fort Wayne — was of the force included 
in Hull's surrender at Detroit in 1812. After 
his exchange he was promoted to a captaincy, to 
the rank of Major in 1826 and to a Lieutenant-Colo- 
nelcy in 1845, dying at Newport, Ky., in 1863. 
James Abbott McNiel Whistler, the celebrated, 
but eccentric artist of that name, is a grandson 
of the first Major Whistler. 

WHITE, George E., ex-Congressman, was born 
in Massacliusetts in 1848 ; after graduating, at the 
age of 16, he enlisted as a private in the Fifty- 
seventh Massachusetts Veteran Volunteers, serv- 
ing under General Grant in the campaign 



against Richmond from the battle of the Wilder- 
ness until the surrender of Lee. Having taken a 
course in a commercial college at Worcester, 
Mass., in 1867 he came to Chicago, securing em- 
ployment in a lumber yard, but a year later 
began business on his own account, which he has 
successfully conducted. In 1878 he was elected 
to the State Senate, as a Republican, from one of 
the Chicago Districts, and re-elected four years 
later, serving in that body eight years. He 
decUned a nomination for Congress in 1884, but 
accepted in 1894, and was elected for the Fifth 
District, as he was again in 1896, but was 
defeated, in 1898, by Edward T. Noonan, Demo- 
crat. 

WHITE, Horace, journalist, was bom at Cole- 
brook, N. H., August 10, 1834; in 1853 graduated 
at Beloit College, Wis., whither his father had 
removed in 1837 ; engaged in journalism as city 
editor of "The Chicago Evening Journal," later 
becoming agent of the Associated Press, and, in 
1857, an editorial writer on "The Chicago Trib- 
une," during a part of the war acting as its 
Washington correspondent. He also served, in 
1856, as Assistant Secretary of the Kansas 
National Committee, and, later, as Secretary of 
the Republican State Central Committee. In 
1864 he purchased an interest in "The Tribune," 
a year or so later becoming editor-in-chief, but 
retired in October, 1874. After a protracted 
European tour, he vmited with Carl Schurz and 
E. L. Godkin of "The Nation," in the purchase 
and reorganization of "The New York Evening 
Post," of which he is now editor-in-chief. 

WHITE, Jnlins, soldier, was bom in Cazen- 
ovia, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1816; removed to Illinois 
in 1836, residing there and in Wisconsin, where 
he was a member of the Legislature of 1849 ; in 
1861 was made Collector of Customs at Chicago, 
but resigned to assume the colonelcy of the 
Thirty -seventh Illinois Volunteers, which he 
commanded on the Fremont expedition to South- 
west Missouri. He afterwards served with Gen- 
eral Curtiss in Arkansas, participated in the 
battle of Pea Ridge and was promoted to the 
rank of Brigadier-General. He was subsequently 
assigned to the Department of the Shenandoah, 
but finding his position at Martinsburg, W. Va., 
untenable, retired to Harper's Ferry, voluntarily 
serving under Colonel Miles, his inferior in com- 
mand. When this post was surrendered (Sept. 
15, 1862), he was made a prisoner, but released 
under parole ; was tried by a court of inquiry at 
his own request, and acquitted, the court finding 
that he had acted with courage and capability. 



686 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



He resigned in 1864, and, in March, 1865, was 
brevetted Major-General of Volunteers. Died, 
at Evanston, May 12, 1890. 

WHITE COUNTY, situated in the southeastern 
quarter of tlie State, and bounded on the east by 
the Wabash River; was organized in 1816, being 
the tenth county organized during the Territorial 
period: area, 500 square miles. The county is 
crossed by three railroads and drained by the 
Wabash and Little Wabash Rivers. The surface 
consists of prairie and woodland, and the soil is, 
for the most part, highly productive. The princi- 
pal agricultural products are corn, wheat, oats, 
potatoes, tobacco, fruit, butter, sorghum and 
wool. The principal industrial establishments 
are carriage factories, saw mills and flour mills. 
Carmi is the county-seat. Other towns are En- 
field, Grayville and Norris City. Population 
(1880), 23,087; (1890), 25,005; (1900), 25,386. 

WHITEHALL, a city in Greene County, at the 
intersection of the Cliicago & Alton and the 
Cliicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroads, 65 miles 
north of St. Louis and 24 miles south-southwest 
of Jacksonville; in rich farming region; has 
stoneware and sewer-pipe factories, foundry and 
machine shop, flour mill, elevators, wagon shops, 
creamery, water system, sanitarium, lieating, 
electric light and power system, nurseries and 
fruit-supply houses, and two poultry packing 
liouses; also has five churches, a graded school, 
two banks and three newspapers — one daily. Pop- 
ulation (1890), 1,961; (1900), 2,030. 

WHITEHOUSE, Henry John, Protestant Epis 
copal Bishop, was born in New York City, August 
19, 1803; graduated from Columbia College in 
1821, and from the (New York) General Tlieolog- 
ical Seminary in 1824. After ordination he was 
rector of various parishes in Pennsylvania and 
New York until 1851, when he was chosen Assist- 
ant Bishop of Illinois, succeeding Bishop Chase 
in 1852. In 1867, l)y invitation of the Archbishop 
of Canterbury, he delivered the opening sermon 
before the Pan-Anglican Conference held in 
England. During this visit he received the 
degree of D.D. from Oxford University, and that 
of LL.D. from Cambridge. His rigid views as a 
churchman and a disciplinarian, were illustrated 
in his prosecution of Rev. Charles Edward 
Cheney, which resulted in the formation of the 
Reformed Episcopal Church. He was a brilliant 
orator and a trenchant and unyielding controver- 
sialist. Died, in Chicago, August 10, 1874. 

WHITESIDE COriVTY, in the northwestern 
portion of the State bordering on the Mississippi 
River; created by act of the Legislature passed in 



1836, and named for Capt. Samuel Whiteside, a 
noted Indian fighter ; area, 700 square miles. The 
surface is level, diversified by prairies and wood- 
land, and the soil is extremely fertile. The 
county-seat was first fixed at Lyndon, then at 
Sterling, and finally at Morrison, its present 
location. The Rock River crosses the county 
and furnishes abundant water power for numer- 
ous factories, turning out agricultural imple- 
ments, carriages and wagons, furniture, woolen 
goods, flour and wrapping paper. There are also 
di.stilling and brewing interests, besides saw and 
planing mills. Corn is the staple agricultural 
product, although all the leading cereals are 
extensively grown. The principal towns are 
Morrison, Sterling, Fulton and Rock Falls. Popu- 
lation (1880), 30,885; (IStlO). 30,854; (1900), 34.710. 

WHITESIDE, William, pioneer and soldier of 
the Revolution, emigrated from the frontier of 
North Carolina to Kentucky, and thence, in 1793, 
to the present limits of Monroe County, 111., 
erecting a fort between Cahokia and Kaskaskia, 
which became widely known as "Whiteside 
Station." He served as a Justice of the Peace, 
and was active in organizing the militia during 
the War of 1812-14, dying at the old Station in 
1815. — Jolin (Whiteside), a brother of the preced- 
ing, and also a Revolutionary soldier, came to 
Illinois at tlie same time, as also did WiHiani B. 
and Samuel, sons of the two brothers, respec- 
tively. All of them became famous as Indian 
fighters. The two latter served as Captains of 
companies of "Rangers" in the War of 1812, 
Samuel taking part in the battle of Rt)ck Island 
in 1814, and contributing greatly to tlie success 
of the day. During the Black Hawk War (1832) 
he attained the rank of Brigadier-General. 
Whiteside County was named in his honor. He 
made one of the earliest improvements in Ridge 
Prairie, a rich section of Madison County, and 
represented that countj' in the First General 
Assembly. William B. served as Sheriff of Madi- 
son County for a number of years. — John D. 
(Whiteside), another member of this liistoric 
family, became very prominent, serving in the 
lower House of the Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and 
Fourteenth General Assemblies, and in the Sen- 
ate of the Tenth, from Monroe County; was a 
Presidential Elector in 1836, State Treasurer 
(1837-41) and a member of the State Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1847. General Whiteside, as 
he was known, was tlie .second of James Shields 
in the famous Shields and Lincoln duel (so-called) 
in 1842, and, as such, carried the challenge of the 
former to Mr. Lincoln. (See Duels.) 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



587 



WHITING, Lorenzo D., legislator, was born 
in Wayne County, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1819; came to 
Illinois in 1838, but did not settle there perma- 
nently until 1849, when he located in Bureau 
County. He was a Representative from that 
county in the Twenty-sixth General Assembly 
(1869), and a member of the Senate continuously 
from 1871 to 1887, serving in the latter through 
eight General Assemblies. Died at his home 
near Tiskihva, Bureau County, 111., Oct. 10, 
1889. 

WHITIJfG, Richard H., Congressman, was 
born at West Hartford, Conn., June 17, 1826, and 
received a common school education. In 1862 he 
was commissioned Paymaster in the Volunteer 
Army of the Union, and resigned in 1866. Hav- 
ing removed to Illinois, he was appointed Assist- 
ant Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Fifth 
Illinois District, in Februarj-, 1870, and so contin- 
ued until the abolition of the office in 1873. On 
retiring from the Assessorship he was appointed 
Collector of Internal Revenue, and served until 
March 4, 1875, when he resigned to take his seat 
as Republican Representative in Congress from 
the Peoria District, to which he had been elected 
in November, 1874. After the expiration of his 
term he held no public office, but was a member 
of the Republican National Convention of 1884. 
Died, at the Continental Hotel, in New York 
City, May 24, 1888. 

WHIT>'ET, James W., pioneer lawyer and 
early teacher, known by the nickname of "Lord 
Coke"; came to Illinois in Territorial days (be- 
lieved to have been about 1800) ; resided for some 
time at or near Edwardsville, then became a 
teacher at Atlas, Pike County, and, stiU later, the 
first Circuit and County Clerk of that county. 
Though nominally a lawyer, he had little if any 
practice. He acquired the title, by which he was 
popularly known for a quarter of a century, by 
his custom of visiting the State Capital, during 
the sessions of the General Assembly, when 
he would organize the lobbyists and visit- 
ors about the capital — of which there were an 
unusual number in those days — into what was 
called the "Third House." Having been regu- 
larly chosen to preside under the name of 
"Speaker of the Lobby," he would deliver a mes- 
sage full of practical hits and jokes, aimed at 
members of the two houses and others, which 
would be received with cheers and laughter. 
The meetings of the "Third House," being held 
in the evening, were attended by many members 
and visitors in lieu of other forms of entertain- 
ment. Mr. Whitney's home, in his latter years. 



was at Pittsfield. He resided for a time at 
Quincy. Died, Dec. 13, 1860, aged over 80 years. 

WHITTEMORE, Floyd K., State Treasurer, is 
a native of New York, came at an early age, with 
his parents, to Sycamore, 111., where he was edu- 
cated in the high school there. He purposed 
becoming a lawyer, but, on the election of the 
late James H. Beveridge State Treasurer, in 1864, 
accepted the position of clerk in the office. 
Later, he was employed as a clerk in the banking 
liouse of Jacob Bunn in Springfield, and, on the 
organization of the State National Bank, was 
chosen cashier of that Institution, retaining the 
position some twenty years. After the appoint- 
ment of Hon. John R. Tanner to the position of 
Assistant Treasurer of the United States, at Chi- 
cago, in 1892, Mr. Whittemore became cashier in 
that office, and, in 1865, Assistant State Treas- 
rure under the administration of State Treasurer 
Henry Wulff. In 1898 he was elected State 
Treasurer, receiving a plurality of 43,450 over 
his Democratic opponent. 

WICKERSHAM, (CoL) Dudley, soldier and 
merchant, was born in Woodford County, Ky., 
Nov. 22, 1819; came to Springfield, 111., in 1843, 
and served as a member of the Fourth Regiment 
Illinois Volimteers (Col. E. D. Baker's) through 
the Mexican War. On the return of peace he 
engaged in the dry-goods trade in Springfield, 
until 1861, when he enlisted in the Tenth Regi- 
ment Illinois Cavalry, serving, first as Lieutenant- 
Colonel and then as Colonel, until May, 1864, 
when, his regiment having been consolidated 
with the Fifteenth Cavalry, he resigned. After 
the war, he held the office of Assessor of Internal 
Revenue for several years, after which he en- 
gaged in the grocery trade. Died, in Springfield, 
August 8, 1898. 

WIDEN, Raphael, pioneer and early legislator, 
was a native of Sweden, who, having been taken 
to France at eight years of age, was educated for 
a Catholic priest. Coming to the United States 
in 1815, he was at Cahokia. 111., in 1818, where, 
during the same year, he married into a French 
family of that place. He served in the House of 
Representatives from Randolph County, in the 
Second and Third General Assemblies (1820-24), 
and as Senator in the Fourth and Fifth (1824-28). 
During his last term in the House, he was one of 
those who voted against the pro-slavery Con- 
vention resolution. He died of cholera, at Kas- 
kaskia, in 1833. 

WIKE, Scott, lawyer and ex-Congressman, was 
born at Meadville. Pa,, April 6. 1834; at 4 years 
of age removed with his parents to Quincy. 111., 



588 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



and, in 1844, to Pike County. Having graduated 
from Lombard University, Galesburg, in 1857, he 
began reading law with Judge O. C. Skinner of 
Quincy. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, 
but, before commencing practice, spent a year at 
Harvard Law School, graduating there in 1859. 
Immediately thereafter he opened an office at 
Pittsfield, 111., and has resided there ever since. 
In politics he has always been a strong Democrat. 
He served two terms in the Legislature (1863-67) 
and, in 1874, was chosen Representative from his 
District in Congress, being re-elected in 1888 and, 
again, in 1890. In 1893 he was appointed by 
President Cleveland Tliird Assistant Secretary 
of the Treasury, which position he continued 
to fill until March, 1897, when he resumed the 
practice of law at Pittsfield. Died Jan. 15, 1901 
WILEY, (Col.) Benjamin Ladd, soldier, was 
born in Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio. 
March 25, 1821, came to Illinois in 1845 and began 
life at Vienna, Johnson County, as a teacher. 
In 1846 he enlisted for the Jlexican War. as a 
member of the Fifth (Colonel Newby's) Regiment 
Illinois Volunteers, serving chiefly in New 
Mexico until mustered out in 1848. A year later 
he removed to Jonesboro, where he spent some 
time at the carpenter's trade, after which he 
became clerk in a store, meanwhile assisting to 
edit "The Jonesboro Gazette" until 18.53; then 
became traveling salesman for a St. Louis firm, 
but later engaged in the hardware trade at 
Jonesboro, in which he continued for several 
years. In 1856 he was the Republican candidate 
for Congress for the Ninth District, receiving 
4,000 votes, while Fremont, the Republican can- 
didate for President, received only 825 in the 
same district. In 1857 he opened a real estate 
office in Jonesboro in conjunction with David L. 
Phillips and Col. J. W. Ashley, with which he 
was connected until 1860, when he removed to 
Makanda, Jackson County. In September, 1861, 
he was mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel of the 
Fifth Illinois Cavalry, later serving in Missouri 
and Arkansas under Generals Steele and Curtiss, 
being, a part of the time, in command of the First 
Brigade of Cavalry, and, in the advance on Vicks- 
burg, having command of the right wing of 
General Grant's cavalry. Being disabled by 
rheumatism at the end of the siege, he tendered 
his resignation, and was immediately appointed 
Enrolling Officer at Cairo, serving in this capac- 
ity until May, 1865, when he was mustered out. 
In 1869 he was appointed by Governor Palmer 
one of the Commissioners to locate the Southern 
Illinois Hospital for the Insane, and served as 



Secretary of the Board until the institution wa": 
opened at Anna, in May, 1871. In 1869 he was 
defeated as a candidate for County Judge of 
Jackson County, and, in 1872, for the State Sen- 
ate, by a small majority in a strongly Democratic 
District; in 1876 was the Republican candidate 
for Congress, in the Eighteenth District, against 
William Hartzell, but was defeated by only 
twenty votes, while carrying six out of the ten 
counties comprising the District. In the latter 
years of his life. Colonel Wiley was engaged quite 
extensively in fruit-growing at Makanda, Jack- 
son County, where he died, March 22, 1890. 

WILKIE, Franc Bansrs, journalist, was born 
in Saratoga County, N. Y. , Jul}- 2, 1830; took a 
partial course at Union College, after which he 
edited papers at Schenectady, N. Y. , Elgin, 111., 
and Davenport and Dubuque, Iowa ; also serving, 
during a part of the Civil War, as the western 
war correspondent of "The New York Times." 
In 1863 he became an editorial writer on "The 
Chicago Times," remaining with that paper, 
with the exception of a brief interval, imtil 1888 
— a part of the time as its European correspond- 
ent. He was the author of a series of sketches 
over the nom de plume of "Poliuto," and of a 
volume of reminiscences under the title, 
"Thirty-five Years of Journalism," published 
shortly before his death, which took place, April 
12, 1892. 

WILKIN, Jacob W., Justice of the Supreme 
Court, was born in Licking County, Ohio, June 
7, 1837 ; removed with his parents to Illinois, at 
12 years of age, and was educated at McKendree 
College ; served three years in the War for the 
Union; studied law with Judge Scholfield and 
was admitted to the bar in 1866. In 1872, he was 
chosen Presidential Elector on the Republican 
ticket, and, in 1879, elected Judge of the Circuit 
Court and reelected in 1885 — the latter year 
being assigned to the Appellate bench for the 
Fourth District, where he remained until his 
election to the Supreme bench in 1888, being 
re-elected to the latter office in 1897. His home 
is at Danville. 

WILKINSON, Ira 0., lawyer and Judge, was 
born in Virginia in 1822, and accompanied his 
father to Jacksonville (1835), where he was edu- 
cated. During a short .service as Deputy Clerk of 
Morgan County, he concei%'ed a fondness for the 
profession of the law, and, after a course of studj' 
under Judge William Thomas, was admitted to 
practice in 1847. Richard Yates (afterwards Gov- 
ernor and Senator) was his fii-st partner. In 1845 
he removed to Rock Island, and, six vears later. 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



089 



was elected a Circuit Judge, being again closen 
to the same position in 1861. At the expiration 
of his second term he removed to Chicago. 
Died, at Jacksonville, August 24, 1894. 

WILKINSON, John P.. early merchant, was 
born, Dec. 14, 1790, in New Kent County, Va., 
emigrated first to Kentucky, and, in 1828, settled 
in Jacksonville, 111., where he engaged in mer- 
cantile business. Mr. Wilkinson was a liberal 
friend of Illinois College and Jacksonville Female 
Academy, of each of which he was a Trustee 
from their origin until his death, which occurred, 
during a business visit to St. Louis, in December, 
1841. 

WILL, Conrad, pioneer physician and early 
legislator, was born in Philadelphia, June 4, 1778; 
about 1804 removed to Somerset County Pa., and, 
in 1813, to Kaskaskia, 111. He was a physician 
by profession, but having leased the saline lands 
on the Big Muddy, in the vicinity of what after- 
wards became the town of Brownsville, he 
engaged in the manufacture of salt, removing 
thither in 1815, and becoming one of the founders 
of Brownsville, afterwards the first county-seat 
of Jackson County. On the organization of 
Jackson County, in 1816, he became a member of 
the first Board of County Commissioners, and, in 
1818, served as Delegate from that county in the 
Convention which framed the first State Consti- 
tution. Thereafter he served continuously as a 
member of the Legi.slature from 1818 to "34 — first 
as Senator in the First General Assembly, then 
as Representative in the Second, Tliird, Fourth 
and Fifth, and again as Senator in the Sixth, 
Seventh, Eighth and Ninth — his career being 
conspicuous for long service. He died in ofifice, 
June 11, 1834. Dr. Will was short of stature, 
fleshy, of jovial disposition and fond of playing 
practical jokes upon his associates, but very 
popular, as shown by his successive elections to 
the Legislature. He has been called "The Father 
of Jackson County." Will County, organized by 
act of the Legislature two years after his death, 
was named in his honor. 

WILL COUNTY, a northeastern county, em- 
bracing 850 square miles, named in honor of Dr. 
Conrad Will, an early politician and legislator. 
Early explorations of the territory were made 
in 1829, when white settlers were few. The bluff 
west of Joliet is said to have been first occupied 
by David and Benjamin Maggard, Joseph 
Smith, the Mormon "apostle," expounded his 
peculiar doctrines at "the Point" in 1831. Sev- 
eral of the early settlers fled from the country 
during (or after) a raid by the Sac Indians. 



There is a legend, seemingly well supported, to 
the effect that the first lumber, sawed to build 
the first frame house in Chicago (that of P. F. W. 
Peck), was sawed at Plainfield. Will County, 
originally a part of Cook, was separately erected 
in 1836, Joliet being made the county-seat. 
Agriculture, quarrying and manufacturing are 
the chief industries. Joliet, Lockport and Wil- 
mington are the principal towns. Population 
(1880), .'■)3.422; (1890), 62,007; (1900), 74,764. 

WILLARD, Frances Elizabeth, teacher and 
reformer, was born at Church ville, N. Y., Sept. 
28, 1839. graduated from the Northwestern 
Female College at Evanston, 111., in 1859, and, in 
1802, accepted the Professorship of Natural 
Sciences in that institution. During 1866-67 she 
was the Principal of the Genessee Wesleyan 
Seminary. The next two years she devoted to 
travel and study abroad, meanwhile contribut- 
ing to various periodicals. From 1871 to 1874 she 
was Professor of Esthetics in the Northwestern 
University and dean of the AVoman's College. 
She was always an enthusiastic champion of 
temperance, and, in 1874, abandoned her profes- 
sion to identify herself with the Woman's Chris- 
tian Temperance Union. For five years she was 
Corresponding Secretary of the national body, 
and, from 1879, its President. While Secretary 
she organized the Home Protective Association, 
and prepared a petition to the Illinois Legislature, 
to which nearly 200,000 names were attached, 
asking for the granting to women of the right to 
vote on the license question. In 1878 she suc- 
ceeded her brother, Oliver A. Willard (who had 
died), as editor of "The Chicago Evening Post," 
but, a few months later, withdrew, and, in 1882, 
was elected as a member of the executive com- 
mittee of the National Prohibition party. In 
1886 she became leader of the White Cross Move- 
ment for the protection of women, and succeeded 
in securing favorable legislation, in this direc- 
tion, in twelve States. In 1883 she founded the 
World's Christian Temperance Union, and, in 
1888, was chosen its President, as also President 
of the International Council of Women. The 
latter years of her life were spent chiefly abroad, 
much of the time as the guest and co-worker of 
Lady Henry Somerset, of England, during which 
she devoted much attention to investigating the 
condition of women in the Orient. Miss Willard 
was a prolific and highly valued contributor to 
the magazines, and (besides numerous pamphlets) 
published several volumes, including "Nineteen 
Beautiful Years" (a tribute to her sister); 
"Woman in Temperance"; "How to Win," and 



590 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



"Woman in the Pulpit.'' Died, in New York, 
Feb. 18, 1898. 

WILLARI), Samuel, A.M., M.D., LL.D., phy- 
sician and educator, was born in Lunenberg, 
Vt., Dec. 30, 1831 — the lineal descendant of Maj. 
Simon Willard, one of the founders of Concord, 
Mass., and prominent in "King Philip's War," 
and of his son, Rev. Dr. Samuel Willard, of the 
Old South Church. Boston, and seventh President 
of Harvard College. The subject of this sketch 
was taken in his infancy to Boston, and, in 1831, 
to Carrollton, 111. , where his father pursued the 
avocation of a druggist. After a preparatory 
course at Shui-tleff College, Upper Alton, in 1836 
he entered the freshman class in Illinois College 
at Jacksonville, but withdrew the foUowiug year, 
re-entering college in 1840 and graduating in the 
class of 1843, as a classmate of Dr. Newton Bate- 
man, afterwards State Superintendent of Public 
Instruction and President of ICnox College, and 
Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, now of Elmira, N. Y. 
The next year he spent as Tutor in Illinois Col- 
lege, when he began the study of medicine at 
Quincy, graduating from the Medical Department 
of Illinois College in 1848. During a part of the 
latter j'ear he edited a Free-Soil campaign paper 
("The Tribune") at Quincy, and, later, "The 
Western Temperance Magazine" at the same 
place. In 1849 ]ie began the practice of his pro- 
fession at St. Louis, but the next year removed 
to CoUinsville, III. , remaining until 1857, when he 
took charge of the Department of Languages in 
the newly organized State Normal University at 
Normal. The second year of the Civil War (1863) 
he enlisted as a private in the Ninety-seventh 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but was soon after 
commissioned as Suigeou with the rank of Major, 
participating in the campaigns in Tennessee and 
in the first attack upon Vicksburg. Being dis- 
abled by an attack of paralysis, in February, 1863, 
he was compelled to resign, when he had suffici- 
ently recovered accepting a position in the ofKce 
of Provost Marshal General Oakes, at Spring- 
field, where he remained until the close of the 
war. He then became Grand Secretary of the 
Independent Order of Odd-Fellows for the State 
of Illinois — a position which he had held from 
1856 to 1863 — remaining under his second appoint- 
ment from 1865 to "69. The next year he served 
as Superintendent of Schools at Springfield, 
meanwhile assisting in founding the Springfield 
public library, and serving as its first librarian. 
In 18T0 he accepted the professorship of History 
in the West Side High School of Chicago, 
which, with the exception of two years (1884-86), 



he continued to occupy for more than twenty- 
five years, retiring in 1898. In the meantime. 
Dr. Willard has been a laborious literary worker, 
having been, for a considerable period, editor, or 
assistant-editor, of "The Illinois Teacher," a con- 
tributor to "The Century Magazine" and "The 
Dial" of Chicago, besides having published a 
"Digest of the Laws of Odd Fellowship" in six- 
teen volumes, begun while he was Grand Secre- 
tary of the Order in 1864, and continued in 1873 
and '83; a ".Synopsis of Historj' and Historical 
Chart," covering the period from B. C. 800 
to A. D. 1876 — of which he has had a second 
edition in course of preparation. Of late years 
he has been engaged upon a "Historical Diction- 
ary of Names and Places," which will include 
some 13,000 topics, and which promises to be the 
most important work of his life. Previous to the 
war he was an avowed Abolitionist and operator 
on the "Underground Railroad," who made no 
concealment of his opinions, and. on one or two 
occasions, was called to answer for them in 
prosecutions under the "Fugitive Slave Act." 
(See "Underground Railroad.") His friend 
and classmate, the late Dr. Bateman, says of 
him: "Dr. Willard is a sound thinker; a clear 
and forcible writer; of broad and accurate 
scholarship; conscientious, genial and kindly, 
and a most estimable gentleman." 

WILLIAMS, Archibald, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Montgomery County, Ky., June 10, 
1801 ; with moderate advantages but natural 
fondness for study, he chose the profession of 
law, and was admitted to the bar in Tennessee 
in 1828, coming to Quincj', lU., the following 
year. He was elected to the General Assembly 
three times — serving in the Senate in 1832-36, and 
in the House, 1836-40; was United States District 
Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, by 
appointment of President Taylor, 1849-53; was 
twice the candidate of his party (the Whig) for 
United States Senator, and appointed by Presi- 
dent Lincoln, in 1861, United States District 
Judge for the State of Kansas. His abilities and 
high character were widely recognized. Died, 
in Quincy, Sept. 21, 1863— His son, John H., an 
attorney at Quincy, served as Judge of the Cir- 
cuit Court 1879-85.— Another son, Abraham Lin- 
coln, was twice elected Attorney-General of 
Kansas. 

WILLIAMS, Erastus Smith, lawyer and ju- 
rist, was born at Salem, N. Y., May 22, 1831. In 
1842 he removed to Chicago, where, after reading 
law, he was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1854 
he was appointed Master in Chancery, which 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



591 



office he filled until 1863, when he was elected a 
Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook Coimty. 
After re-election in 1870 he became Chief Justice, 
and, at the same time, heard most of the cases on 
the equity side of the court. In 1879 he was a 
candidate for re-election as a RepubUcau, but 
was defeated ^vith the part}' ticket. After his 
retirement from the bench he resumed private 
practice. Died, Feb. 24, 1884. 

WILLIAMS, James R., Congressman, was 
born in 'White County, 111., Dec. 27, 1830, at the 
age of 25 graduated from the Indiana State Uni- 
versity, at Bloomington, and, in 1876, from the 
Union College of Law. Chicago, since then being 
an active and successful practitioner at Carmi. 
In 1880 he was appointed Master in Chancery and 
served two years. From 1882 to 1886 he was 
County Judge. In 1892 he was a nominee on 
the Democratic ticket for Presidential Elector. 
He was elected to represent the Nineteenth Illi- 
nois District in the Fifty-first Congress at a 
special election held to fill the vacancy occasioned 
by the death of R. W. Townshend, was re-elected 
in 1890 and 1892. but defeated by Orlando Burrell 
(Republican) for re-election in the newly organ- 
ized Twentieth District in 1894. In 1898 he was 
again a candidate and elected to the Fifty sixth 
Congress. 

WILLIAMS, John, pioneer merchant, was 
bom in Bath County, Ky., Sept. 11, 1808; be- 
tween 14 and 16 years of age was clerk in a store 
in hia native State; then, joining his parents, 
who had settled on a tract of land in a part of 
Sangamon (now Menard) County, 111., he found 
employment as clerk in the store of Major Elijali 
lies, at Springfield, whom he succeeded in busi- 
ness at the age of 22, continuing it without inter- 
ruption until 1880. In 1856 Mr. Williams was 
the Republican candidate for Congress in the 
Springfield District, and, in 1861, was appointed 
Commissary-General for the State, rendering 
valuable service in furnishing supplies for State 
troops, in camps of instruction and while proceed- 
ing to the field, in the first years of the war ; was 
also chief officer of the Illinois Sanitary Commis- 
sion for two years, and, as one of the intimate 
personal friends of Mr. Lincoln, was chosen to 
accompany the remains of the martyred President, 
from Washington to Springfield, for burial. 
Liberal, enterprising and public-spirited, his name 
■was associated with nearh- everj- public enter- 
prise of importance in Springfield during his 
business career — being one of the founders, and, 
for eleven years President, of the First National 
Bank; a chief promoter in the construction of 



what is now the Springfield Division of the Illi- 
nois Central Railroad, and the Springfield and 
Peoria line; a Director of the Springfield Iron 
Company ; one of the Commissioners who con- 
structed the Springfield water-works, and an 
officer of the Lincoln Monument Association, 
from 1865 to his death. May 29, 1890. 

WILLIAMS, Xorman, lawyer, was born at 
Woodstock, Vt., Feb. 1, 1833, being related, on 
both the paternal and maternal sides, to some of 
the most prominent families of New England. 
He fitted for college at Union Academy, Meriden, 
and graduated from the University of Vermont 
in the cla.ss of 1855. After taking a course in 
the Albany Law School and with a law firm in 
his native town, he was admitted to practice in 
both New York and Vermont, removed to Chi- 
cago in 1858, and, in 1860. became a member of 
the firm of King. Kales & Williams, still later 
forming a partnership with Gen. John L. Thomp- 
son, which ended with the death of the latter in 
1888. In a professional capacity he assisted in 
the organization of the Pullman Palace Car Com- 
pany, and was a member of its Board of Directors ; 
also assisted in organizing tlie Western Electric 
Company, and was prominently identified with 
the Chicago Telephone Company and the Western 
Union Telegraph Companj-. In 1881 he served as 
the United States Commissioner to the Electrical 
Exposition at Paris. In conjunction with his 
brother (Edward H. Williams) he assisted in 
founding the public library at Woodstock. Vt., 
which, in honor of his father, received the name 
of "The Norman Williams Public Library." 
With Col. Huntington W. Jackson and J. Mc- 
Gregor Adams, Mr. Williams was named, in the 
will of the late Jolin Crerar, as an executor of tlie 
Crerar estate and one of the Trustees of the 
Crerar Public Library, and became its first Presi- 
dent; was also a Director of the Chicago Pub- 
lic Library, and trustee of a number of large 
estates. Mr. Williams was a son-in-law of the 
late Judge John D. Caton, and his oldest daughter 
became the wife of Major-General Wesley Mer- 
ritt, a few months before his death, which oc- 
curred at Hampton Beach, N. H., June 19, 1899 
— his remains being interred in his native town 
of Woodstock, Vt. 

WILLIAMS, Robert Ebenezer, lawyer, born 
Dec. 3, 1825, at Clarksville, Pa., his grandfathers 
on both sides being soldiers of the Revolutionary 
War. In 1830 his parents removed to Washing- 
ton in the same State, where in boyhood he 
worked as a mechanic in his father's shop, 
attending a common school in the winter until 



&92 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



he reached the age of 17 years, when he entei-ed 
Washington College, remaining for more than a 
year. He then began teaching, and, in 1845 
went to Kentuckj'. where he pursued the business 
of a teacher for four years. Then he entered 
Bethany College in West Virginia, at the same 
time prosecuting his law studies, but left at the 
close of his jiuiior j-ear, when, having been 
licensed to practice, he removed to Clinton, 
Texas. Here he accepted, from a retired lawyer, 
the loan of a law library, which he afterwards 
purchased; served for two years as State's Attor- 
ney, and, in 1856, came to Bloomington. 111., 
where he spent the remainder of his life in the 
practice of his profession. Much of his time was 
devoted to practice as a railroad attorney, espe- 
cially in connection with the Chicago & Alton and 
the Illinois Central Railroads, in which he 
acquired prominence and wealth. He was a hfe- 
long Democrat and, in 1868, was the unsuccessful 
candidate of his party for Attorney-General of 
the State. The last three years of his life he had 
been in bad health, dying at Bloomington, Feb. 
15, 1899. 

WILLIAMS, Samuel, Bank President, was born 
in Adams County, Ohio, July 11, 1820; came to 
Winnebago County, 111., in 1835, and, in 1842, 
removed to Iroquois County, where he held vari- 
ous local offices, including that of Count}- Judge, 
to which he was elected in 1861. During his 
later j-ears he had been President of the Watseka 
Citizens" Bank. Died, June 16, 1896. 

WILLIAMSON, Rollin Samuel, legislator and 
jurist, was born at Cornwall, Vt. , May 23, 1839. 
At the age of 14 he went to Boston, where he 
began life as a telegraph messenger boy. In 
two years he had become a skillful operator, and, 
as such, was employed in various offices in New 
England and New York. In 1857 he came to 
Chicago seeking employment and, through the 
fortunate correction of an error on the part of 
the receiver of a message, secured the position of 
operator and station agent at Palatine, Cook 
County. Here he read law during his leisure 
time without a preceptor, and, in 1870, was 
admitted to the bar. The same year he was 
elected to the lower House of the General 
Assembly and, in 1872, to the Senate. In 1880 he 
was elected to the bench of the Superior Court of 
Cook County, and. in 1887, was chosen a Judge 
of the Cook County Circuit Court. Died, Au- 
gust 10, 1889. 

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, in the southern part 
of the State, originally set off from Franklin and 
organized in 1839. The county is well watered. 



the principal streams being the Big Muddy and 
the South Fork of the Saline. The surface is 
imdulating and the soil fertile. The region was 
originally well covered with forests. All tlie 
cereals (as well as potatoes) are cultivated, and 
ricli meadows encourage stock-raising. Coal and 
sandstone underlie the entire county. Area, 440 
square miles; population (1880), 19,324: (1890) 
22,226; (1900), 27,796. 

WILLIAMSA'ILLE, village of Sangamon Coun- 
ty, on Chicago & Alton Railroad, 12 miles north 
of Springfield : has a bank, elevator, 3 churches, 
a newspaper and coal-mines. Pop. (1900), 573. 

WILLIS, Jonathan Clay, soldier and former 
Railroad and Warehouse Commissioner, was born 
in Sumner County, Tenn., June 27, 1826; brought 
to Gallatin County, 111., in 1834, and settled at 
Golconda in 1843; was elected Sheriff of Pope 
County in 1856, removed to Metropolis in 1859, 
and engaged in the wharf-boat and commission 
business. He entered the service as Quarter- 
master of the Forty -eighth Illinois Volunteei-s in 
1861, but was compelled to resign on account of 
injuries, in 1863; was elected Representative iv 
the Twenty-sixth General Assembly (1868), 
appointed Collector of Internal Revenue in 1869, 
and Railway and Warehouse Commissioner in 
1892, as the successor of John R. Tanner, serving 
until 1893. 

WILMETTE, a village in Cook County, 14 miles 
north of Chicago, on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railroad, a handsome suburb of Cliicago on the 
shore of Lake Michigan ; principal streets paved 
and shaded with fine forest trees; has public 
library and good schools. Pop. (1900), 2,300. 

WILMINGTON, a city of Will County, on the 
Kankakee River and the Chicago & Alton Rail- 
road, 53 miles from Chicago and 15 south-south- 
west of Joliet; has considerable manufactures, 
two National banks, a graded school, churches 
and one newspaper. Wilmington is the location 
of the Illinois Soldiers" Widows' Home. Popu- 
lation (1890), 1,576; (1900), 1,420. 

WILSON, Charles Lush, journalist, was born 
in Fairfield County, Conn., Oct. 10, 1818, edu- 
cated in the common schools and at an academy 
in his native State, and, in 1835, removed to Chi- 
cago, entering the employment of his- older 
brothers, who were connected with the construc- 
tion of the Illinois & Jlichigan Canal at Joliet. 
His brother, Richard L., having assimied charge 
of "The Chicago Daily Journal"' (the successor 
of "The Chicago American"), inI1844, Charles L. 
took a position in the office, ultimately securing 
a partnership, which continued until the death 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



593 



of liis brother in 1856, when he succeeded to the 
ownership of the paper. Mr. Wilson was an 
ardent friend and supporter of Abraham Lincoln 
for the United States Senate in 1858, but, in 1860, 
favored the nomination of Mr. Seward for the 
Presidency, though earnestl)' supporting Mr. Lin- 
coln after his nomination. In 1861 he was 
appointed Secretary of the American Legation at 
London, serving with the late Minister Charles 
Francis Adams, until 1864, when he resigned and 
resumed his connection with "The Journal." In 
1875 his health began to fail, and three years 
later, having gone to San Antonio, Tex. , in the 
hope of receiving benefit from a change of cli- 
mate, he died in that city, March 9, 1878. — 
Richard Lush (Wilson), an older brother of the 
preceding, the first editor and publisher of "The 
Chicago Evening Journal," the oldest paper of 
consecutive publication in Chicago, was a native 
of New York. Coming to Chicago with his 
bi-other John L., in 1834, they soon after estab- 
lished themselves in business on the Illinois & 
Michigan Canal, then in course of construction. 
In 1844 he took charge of "The Chicago Daily 
Journal" for a publishing committee which had 
purchased the material of "The Chicago Ameri- 
can," but soon after became principal proprietor. 
In April, 1847, %vhile firing a salute in honor of 
the victory of Buena Vista, he lost an arm and 
was otherwise injured by the explosion of the can- 
non. Early in 1849, he was appointed, by Presi- 
dent Taylor, Postmaster of the city of Chicago, 
but, having failed of confirmation, was compelled 
to retire in favor of a successor appointed by 
Millard Fillmore, eleven months later. Mr. 
Wilson publislied a little volume in 1843 entitled 
"A Trip to Santa Fe," and, a few years later, 
a story of travel imder the title, "Short Ravel- 
lings from a Long Yarn." Died, December, 1856. 
— John Lu.sh (Wilson), another brother, also a 
native of New York, came to Illinois in 1834, was 
afterwards associated with his brothers in busi- 
ness, being for a time business manager of "Tlie 
Chicago Journal;" also served one term as Sher- 
iff of Cook County. Died, in Cliicago, April 13, 
1888. 

WILSON, Isaac Grant, jurist, was born at 
Middleburj", N. Y., April 26, 1817, graduated 
from Brown University in 1838. and the same 
year came to Chicago, wliitlier his father's 
family had preceded liim in 1835. After reading 
law for two years, he entered the senior class at 
Cambridge (Mass.) Law Scliool, graduating in 
1841. In August of that year he opened an 
office at Elgin, and, for ten years "rode the cir- 



cuit." In 1851 he was elected to the bench of 
the Thirteentli Judicial Circuit to fill a vacancy, 
and re-elected for a full term in 1855, and again 
in "61. In November of the latter year he was 
commissioned the first Colonel of the Fifty- 
second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, but resigned, 
a few weeks later, and resumed his place upon 
the bench. From 1867 to 1879 he devoted him- 
self to private practice, which was largely in 
the Federal Courts. In 1879 he resumed his seat 
upon the bench (this time for the Twelfth Cir- 
cuit), and was at once designated as one of the 
Judges of the Appellate Court at Chicago, of 
whicli tribunal he became Chief Justice in 1881. 
In 1885 he was re-elected Circuit Judge, but died, 
about the close of his term, at Geneva, June 8, 
1891. 

WILSON, James Grant, soldier and author, 
was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, April 28, 1832, 
and, when only a year old, was brought by his 
father, William Wilson, to America. The family 
settled at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where James 
Grant was educated at College Hill and under 
private teachers. After finishing his studies he 
became his father's partner in business, but, in 
1855, went abroad, and, shortly after his return, 
removed to Chicago, where he founded tlie first 
literary paper established in the Northwest. At 
the outbreak of the Civil War, he disposed of his 
journal to enlist in the Fifteenth Illinois Cavalry, 
of which he was commissioned Major and after- 
wards promoted to the colonelcy. In August, 
1863, while at New Orleans, by advice of General 
Grant, lie accepted a commission as Colonel of 
the Fourth Regiment United States Colored 
Cavalry, and was assigned, as Aid-de-oamp, to 
the staff of the Commander of the Department of 
the Gulf, filling this po.st until April, 1865. 
When General Banks was relieved. Colonel Wil- 
son was brevetted Brigadier-General and placed 
in command at Port Hudson, resigning in July, 
1865, since which time his home has been in New 
York. He is best known as an author, having 
published numerous addresses, and being a fre- 
quent contributor to American and European 
magazines. Among larger works which he has 
written or edited are "Biographical Sketches of 
Illinois Officers"; "Love in Letters"; "Life of 
General U. S. Grant"; "Life and Letters of 
Fitz Greene Halleck"; "Poets and Poetry of 
Scotland"; "Bryant and His Friends", and 
"Appleton's Cyclopedia of American Biography.'' 

WILSON, James Harrison, soldier and mili- 
tary engineer, was bom near Shawneetown, 111., 
Sept. 2, 1837. His grandfather, Alexander Wil- 



594 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



son, was one of the pioneers of Illinois, and 
his father (Harrison Wilson) was an ensign dur- 
ing the War of 1812 and a Captain in the Black 
Hawk War. His brother (Bluford Wilson) 
served as Assistant Adjutant-General of Volun- 
teers during the Civil War, and as Solicitor of the 
United States Treasury during the '"whisky ring" 
prosecutions. James H. was educated in the 
common schools, at McKendree College, and 
the United States Military Academy at West 
Point, graduating from the latter in 1860, and 
being assigned to the Topographical Engineer 
Corjis. In September, 1861, he was promoted to 
a First Lieutenancj', then served as Chief Topo- 
graphical Engineer of the Port Royal expedition 
until March, 1862; was afterwards attached to 
the Department of tlie South, being present at 
the bombardment of Fort Pulaski ; was Aid-de- 
camp to McCIellan, and participated in the bat- 
tles of South Mountain and Antietam ; was made 
Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers in November, 
1862; was Chief Topographical Engineer and 
Inspector-General of the Army of the Tennessee 
until October, 1863, being actively engaged in 
the operations around Vicksburg; was made 
Captain of Engineers in May, 1863, and Brigadier- 
General of Volunteers, Oct. 31, following. He 
also conducted operations preliminary to tlie 
battle of Chattanooga and Missionary Ridge, and 
for the relief of Knoxville. Later, he was placed 
in command of the Third Division of the cavalry 
corps of the Army of the Potomac, serving from 
May to August, 1864, under General Sheridan. 
Subsequenth- he was transferred to the Depart- 
ment of the Mississippi, where he so distinguished 
himself that, on April 20. 1865, he was made 
Major-General of Volunteers. In twenty-eight 
days he captured five fortified cities, twenty- 
three stands of colors, 288 guns and 6,820 prison- 
ers — among the latter being Jefferson Davis. He 
was mustered out of the volunteer service in 
January, 1866, and, on July 28, following, was 
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the Thirty- 
fifth United States Infantry, being also brevetted 
Major-General in the regular army. On Dec. 31, 
1870, he returned to civil life, and was afterwards 
largely engaged in railroad and engineering oper- 
ations, especially in West Virginia. Promptly 
after the declaration of war with Spain (1898) 
General Wilson was appointed, by the President, 
Major-General of Volunteers, serving until its 
close. He is the author of '"China: Travels and 
Investigations in the Middle Kingdom" ; "Life of 
Andrew J. Alexander"; and the ""Life of Gen. 
U. S. Grant," in conjunction with Charles A. 



Dana. His home, in recent years, has been in 
New York. 

WILSON, John M., lawyer and jurist, was 
born in New Hampshire in 1802, graduated at 
Bowdoin College in 1821 — tlie classmate of Frank- 
lin Pierce and Nathaniel Ha\vthorne ; studied law 
in New Hampshire and came to Illinois in 1835, 
locating at Joliet; removed to Chicago in 1841, 
where he was the partner of Norman B. Judd, 
serving, at different periods, as attorney of the 
Chicago & Rock Island, the Lake Shore & Michi- 
gan Southern and the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railways; was Judge of the Court of Common 
Pleas of Cook County, 1853-59, when he became 
Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of Chicago, 
serving until 1868. Died, Dec. 7, 1888. 

WILSOX, John P., lawyer, was born in White- 
side County, 111.. July 3, 1844; educated in the 
common schools and at Knox College, Galesburg, 
graduating from the latter in 1865; two years 
later was admitted to the bar in Chicago, and 
speedily attained prominence in his profession. 
During the World's Fair period he was retained 
as coimsel by the Committee on Grounds and 
Buildings, and was prominently connected, as 
counsel for the city, with the Lake Front litiga- 
tion. 

WILSON, Robert L., early legislator, was born 
in Washington County, Pa., Sept. 11, 1805, taken 
to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1810, graduated at Frank- 
lin College in 1831, studied law and, in 1833. 
removed to Atliens (now in Menard County), 111. ; 
was elected Representative in 1836, and was one 
of the members from Sangamon County, known 
as the "Long Nine," who assisted in securing the 
removal of the State Capital to Springfield. Mr. 
Wilson removed to Sterling, Whiteside County, 
in 1840, was elected five times Circuit Clerk and 
served eight years as Probate Judge. Immedi- 
ately after the fall of Fort Sumter, he enlisted as 
private in a battalion in Washington City under 
command of Cassius M. Clay, for guard duty 
until the arrival of the Seventh New York Regi- 
ment. He subsequently assisted in raising 
troops in Illinois, was appointed Paj^master by 
Lincoln, serving at Washington, St. Louis, and, 
after the fall of Vicksburg, at Springfield — being 
mustered out in November, 1865. Died, in White- 
side County, 1880. 

WILSON, Robert S., lawyer and jurist, was 
born at Montrose, Susquehanna County, Pa., Nov. 
6, 1812; learned the printer's art, then studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in Allegheny 
County, about 1833; in 1836 removed to Ann 
Arbor, Mich. , where he served as Probate Judge 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



595 



i-.aJ State Senator; in 1850 came to Chicago, was 
elected Judge of the Recorder's Court in 1853, 
and re-elected in 1858, serving ten years, and 
proving "a terror to evil-doers." Died, at Law- 
rence. Mich., Dec. 23, 1882. 

WILSON, William, early jurist, was born in 
Loudoun Coiuity, Va., April 27, 1794; studied law 
with Hon. Jolm Cook, a distinguished lawyer, 
and minister to France in the early part of the 
centurj- ; in 1817 removed to Kentucky, soon after 
came to IlUnois, two years later locating in Wliite 
County, near Carmi, which continued to be his 
home during the remainder of his life. In 1819 
he was appointed Associate Justice of the 
Supreme Court as successor to William P. 
Foster, who is described by Governor Ford as 
"a great rascal and no lawyer," and who held 
office onlj' about nine months. Judge Wilson 
was re-elected to the Supreme bench, as Chief- 
Justice, in 1825, being then only a little over 30 
years old, and held office until the reorganization 
of the Supreme Court under the Constitution of 
1848 — a period of over twenty-nine j'ears, and, 
-vith the exception of Judge Browne's, the long- 
est term of service in tlie historj' of the court. 
He died at his home in White County, April 29, 
1857. A Whig in early life, he allied himself 
with the Democratic party on the dissolution of 
the former. Hon. James C. ConkUng, of Spring- 
field, says of him, "as a writer, his style was clear 
and distinct; as a lawyer, his judgment was 
sound and discriminating.'' 

WINCHESTER, a city and county-seat of Scott 
County, founded in 1839, situated on Big Sandy 
Creek and on the line of the Chicago, Burlington 
& Quincy Railroad, 29 miles south of Beardstov>-n 
and 84 miles north by west of St. Louis. While 
the surrounding region is agricultural and largely 
devoted to wheat growing, there is some coal 
mining. Winchester is an important .shipping- 
point, having three grain elevators, two flouring 
mills, and a coal mine employing fifty miners. 
There are four Protestant and one Catholic 
church, a court house, a high school, a graded 
school building, two banks and two weekly news- 
papers. Population (1880), 1,626; (1890), 1,542; 
(1900), 1,711. 

WIXDSOR, a city of Shelby County at the cross- 
ing of tlie Cleveland. Cincinnati. Chicago & St. 
Louis and the Wabash Railways. 11 miles north- 
east of Shelbyville. Population (1880), 768; 
n890). 888; (1900), 866. 

WIXES, Frederick Howard, clergyman and 
sociologist, was bom in Philadelphia. Pa., April 
9, 1838, graduated at 'Washington (Pa.) College 



in 1857, and. after serving as tutor there for a 
short time, entered Princeton Theological Semi- 
nary, but was compelled temporarily to discon- 
tinue his studies on account of a weakness of 
the eyes. The Presbyterj- of St. Louis licensed 
him to preach in 1860, and. in 1802, he w-as com- 
missioned Hospital Chaplain in the Union army. 
During 1862-64 he was stationed at Springfield, 
Mo., participating in the battle of Springfield on 
Jan. 8, 1863, and being personally mentioned for 
bravery on the field in the official report. Re- 
entering the seminary at Princeton in 1804, he 
graduated in 1865, and at once accepted a call to 
the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church of 
Springfield, 111., which he filled for four years. 
In 1869 he was appointed Secretary of the newly 
created Board of Commissioners of Public Chari- 
ties of Illinois, in which capacity he continued 
until 1893, when he resigned. For the next four 
years he was chiefly engaged in literary work, in 
lecturing before universities on topics connected 
with social science, in aiding in the organization 
of charitable work, and in the conduct of a 
thorough investigation into the relations between 
liquor legislation and crime. At an early period 
he took a prominent part in organizing the 
various Boards of Public Charities of the United 
States into an organization known as the National 
Conference of Charities and Corrections, and, at 
the Louisville meeting (1883), was elected its 
President. At the International Penitentiary 
Congress at Stockholm (1878) he was the official 
delegate from Illinois. On his return, as a result 
of his observations while abroad, he submitted 
to the Legislature a report strongly advocating 
the construction of the Kankakee Hospital for 
the Insane, then about to be built, upon the 
"detached ward'' or "village" plan, a depai'ture 
from then existing methods, which marks an era 
in the treatment of insane in the United States. 
Mr. Wines conducted the investigation into the 
condition and nmnber of the defective, depend- 
ent and delinquent classes throughout the coun- 
try, his report constituting a separate volume 
under the "Tenth Census," and rendered a simi- 
lar service in connection witli the eleventh 
census (1890). In 1887 he was elected Secretary 
of the National Prison Association, succeeding to 
the post formerly held by his father. Enoch Cobb 
Wines. D.D., LL.D. After the inauguration of 
Governor Tanner in 1897, he resumed his former 
position of Secretary of the Board of Public 
Charities, remaining until 1899, when he again 
tendered his resignation, having received the 
appointment to the position of Assistant Director 



1196 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



of the Twelfth Census, which he now holds. He 
is the author of "Crime and Reformation" (1895) ; 
of a voluminous series of reports ; also of numer- 
ous pamphlets and brochures, among which may 
be mentioned "The County Jail System; An 
Argument for its Abolition" (18T8) ; "The Kanka- 
kee Hospital" (1883); "Provision for the Insane 
in the United States" (1885); "Conditional 
Liberation, or the Paroling of Prisoners" (1886), 
and "American Prisons in the Tenth Census" 
(1888). 

WINES, Walter B., lawyer (brother of Freder- 
ick H. Wines), was born in Boston, Mass., Oct. 
10, 1848, received his primary education at Willis- 
ton Academy, East Hampton, Mass., after which, 
he entered MidJlebury College, Vt., taking a 
classical course and graduating there. He after- 
wards became a student in the law department 
of Columbia College, N. Y., graduating in 1871, 
being admitted to the bar the same year and 
commencing practice in New York City. In 1879 
he CAine to Springfield, 111., and was, for a time, 
identified with the bar of that city. Later, he 
removed to Chicago, where he has been engaged 
in literary and journalistic work. 

WINNEBAGO COUNTY, situated in the 
"northern tier," bordering on the Wisconsin 
State line; was organized, under an act passed in 
1836, from La Salle and Jo Daviess Counties, and 
has an area of 553 square miles. The county is 
drained by the Rock and Pecatonica Rivers. 
The surface is rolling prairie and the soil fertile. 
The geology is simple, the quaternary deposits 
being underlaid by the Galena blue and buff 
limestone, adapted for building purposes. All 
the cereals are raised in abundance, the chief 
product being corn. The Winnebago Indians 
(who gave name to the county) formerly lived 
on the west side of the Rock River, and the Potta- 
watomies on the east, but both tribes removed 
westward in 1835. (As to manufacturing inter- 
ests, see Rockford.) Population (1880), 30, .505; 
(1890), 39,938; (1900), 47,845 

WINNEBAGO WAR. The name given to an 
Indian disturbance which had its origin in 1837, 
during the administration of Gov. Ninian 
Edwards. The Indians had been quiet since the 
conclusion of the War of 1813, but a few isolated 
outrages were sufficient to start terrified "run- 
ners" in all directions. In the nortliern portion 
of the State, from Galena to Chicago (then Fort 
Dearborn) the alarm was intense. The meagre 
militia force of the State was summoned and 
volunteers were called for. Meanwhile. 600 
United States Regular Infantry, under command 



of Gen. Henry Atkinson, put in an appearance. 
Besides the infantry, Atkinson had at his disposal 
some 130 mounted sharpshooters. The origin of 
the disturbance was as follows: The Winne- 
bagoes attacked a band of Chippewas, who were 
(by treaty) imder Government potection, several 
of the latter being killed. For participation in 
this offense, four Winnebago Indians were sum- 
marily apprehended, surrendered to the Chippe- 
was and shot. Meanwhile, some dispute had 
arisen as to the title of the lands, claimed by the 
Winnebagoes in the vicinity of Galeiua, which 
had been occupied by white miners. Repeated 
acts of hostility and of reprisal, along the Upper 
Mississippi, intensified mutual distrust. A gather- 
ing of the Indians around two keel-boats, laden 
with supplies for Fort Snelling, which had 
anchored near Prairie du Chien and opposite a 
Winnebago camp, was regarded by the whites as 
a hostile act. Liquor was freely distributed, and 
there is historical evidence that a half-dozen 
drunken squaws were carried off and shamefully 
maltreated. Several hundred warriors assembled 
to avenge the deception which had been practiced 
upon them. They laid in ambush for the boats 
on their return trip. The first passed too rapidly 
to be successfully assailed, but the second 
grounded and was savagely, yet unsuccessfully, 
attacked. The presence of General Atkinson's 
forces prevented an actual outbreak, and, on his 
demand, the great Winnebago Chief, Red Bird, 
with six other leading men of the tribe, sur- 
rendered themselves as hostages to save their 
nation from extermination. A majority of these 
were, after trial, acquitted. Red Bird, however, 
unable to endure confinement, literally pined to 
death in prison, dying on Feb. 16, 1838. He is 
described as having been a savage of superior 
intelligence and noble character. A treaty of 
peace was concluded with the Winnebagoes in a 
council held at Prairie du Chien, a few months 
later, but the affair seems to have produced as 
much alarm among the Indians as it did among 
the whites. (For W^tnnebagfoJndtans see page 576. ) 

WINNETKA, a village of Cook County, on the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railway, I61/2 miles 
north of Chicago. It stands eighty feet above 
the level of Lake Micliigan, has good schools 
(being the seat of the Winnetka Institute), sev- 
eral churches, and is a popular residence town. 
Population (1880). 584; (1890), 1,079; (1900), 1,833. 

WINSTON, Frederick Hampton, lawyer, was 
born in Liberty County, Ga., Nov. 20. 1830, was 
brought to Woodford County, Ky., in 1835, left 
an orphan at 12, and attended the common 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



597 



schools until 18, when, returning to Georgia, he 
engaged in cotton manufacture. He finally 
began the study of law with United States Sena- 
tor W. C. Dawson, and graduated from Harvard 
Law School in 1852; spent some time in the office 
of W. M. Evarts in New York, was admitted to 
the bar and came to Chicago in 1853, where he 
formed a partnership with Norman B. Judd, 
afterwards being associated with Judge Henry 
W. Blodgett; served as general solicitor of the 
Lake Shore and Michigan Southern, the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific and the Pittsburgh, Fort 
Wayne & Chicago Railways — remaining with the 
latter twenty years. In 1885 he was appointed, 
by President Cleveland, Minister to Persia, but 
resigned tlie following year, and traveled exten- 
sivelj' in Russia, Scandinavia and other foreign 
countries. Mr. Winston was a delegate to the 
Democratic National Conventions of 1868, "76 and 
84; first President of the Stock Yards at Jersey 
City, for twelve years President of the Lincoln 
Park Commission, and a Director of the Lincoln 
National Bank. 

WISCONSIN CENTRAL LINES. The Wiscon- 
sin Central Company was organized, June 17, 
1887, and subsequently acquired the Minnesota, 
St. Croix & Wisconsin, the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota, the Chippewa Falls & Western, the St. 
Paul & St. Croix Falls, the Wisconsin Central, the 
Penokee, and the Packwaukee & Montebello Rail- 
roads, and assumed the leases of the Mihvaukee 
& Lake Winnebago and the Wisconsin & Minne- 
sota Roads. On July 1, 1888, the company began 
to operate the entire Wisconsin Central system, 
with the exception of the Wisconsin Central 
Railroad and the leased Milwaukee & Lake Win- 
nebago, which remained in charge of the Wis- 
consin Central Railroad mortgage trustees until 
Nov. 1, 1889, when these, too, passed under the 
control of the Wisconsin Central Company. The 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Company is a re- 
organization (Oct. 1, 1879) of a company formed 
Jan. 1, 1871. The Wisconsin Central and the 
Wisconsin Central Railroad Companies, though 
differing in name, are a financial unit; the 
former holding most of the first mortgage bonds 
of tlie latter, and substantially all its notes, stocks 
and income bonds, but, for legal reasons (such as 
the protection of land titles), it is necessary that 
separate corporations be maintained. On April 
1, 1890, the Wisconsin Central Company executed 
a lease to the Northern Pacific Railroad, but this 
was set aside by the courts, on Sept. 27, 1893, for 
non-payment of rent, and was finally canceled. 
On the same day receivers were appointed to 



insure the protection of all interests. The total 
mileage is 415.46 miles, of which the Company 
owns 258.90— only .10 of a mile in Illinois. A 
line, 58.10 miles in length, with 8.44 miles of 
side-track (total, 66.54 miles), lying wholly within 
the State of Illinois, is operated by the Chicago & 
Wisconsin and furnishes the allied line an en- 
trance into Chicago. 

WITHROW, Thomas F., lawyer, was born in 
Virginia in March, 1833, removed with his parents 
to Ohio in childhood, attended tlie Western 
Reserve College, and, after the death of his 
father, taught school and worked as a printer, 
later, editing a paper at Mount Vernon. In 1855 
he removed to Janesville, Wis., where he again 
engaged in journalistic work, studied law, was 
admitted to the bar in Iowa in 1857, settled at 
Des Moines and served as private secretary of 
Governors Lowe and Kirkwood. In 1860 he 
became Supreme Court Reporter; served as 
Chairman of the Republican State Central Com- 
mittee in 1863 and, in 1866, became associated 
with the Rock Island Railroad in the capacity of 
local attorney, was made chief law officer of the 
Company in 1873, and removed to Chicago, and, 
in 1890, was promoted to the position of General 
Counsel. Died, in Chicago, Feb. 3, 1893. 

WOLCOTT, (Dr.) Alexander, early Indian 
Agent, was born at East Windsor, Conn., Feb. 
14, 1790; graduated from Y'ale College in 1809, 
and, after a course in medicine, was commis- 
sioned, in 1812, Surgeon's Mate in the United 
States Army. In 1820 he was appointed Indian 
Agent at Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), as suc- 
cessor to Charles Jouett — the first Agent— who 
had been appointed a United States Judge in 
Arkansas. The same year he accompanied Gen- 
eral Lewis Cass and Henry Schoolcraft on tlieir 
tour among the Indians of the Northwest; was 
married in 1823 to Ellen Marion Kinzie, a 
daughter of Col. John Kinzie, the first perma- 
nent settler of Chicago ; in 1825 was appointed a 
Justice of the Peace for Peoria County, which 
then included Cook County; was a Judge of 
Election in 1830. and one of the purchasers of a 
block of ground in the heart of the present city 
of Chicago, at the first sale of lots, held Sept. 27, 
1830, but tlied before the close of the year. Dr. 
Wolcott appears to Iiave been a high-minded and 
honorable man, as well as far in advance of the 
mass of pioneers in point of education and intel- 
ligence. 

WOMAN'S MEDICAL COLLEGE OF CHI- 
CAGO. (See Northtcestern University Woman's 
Medical School.) 



698 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



WOMAX Sl'FFRAtiE. (See Suffrage.) 

WOOD, Ben!Son, law yer and Cougressman, was 
born in Susquehanna County, Pa., in 1839; re- 
ceived a common school and academic education ; 
at the age of 20 came to Illinois, and, for two 
years, taught school in Lee County. He tlien 
enlisted as a soldier in an Illinois regiment, 
attaining the rank of Captain of Infantry; after 
the war, graduated from the Law Department of 
the old Chicago University, and has since been 
engaged in the practice of his profession. He 
was elected a member of the Twenty-eighth Gen- 
eral Assembly (1872) and was a delegate to the 
Republican National Conventions of 1876 and 
1888 ; also served as Mayor of the city of Effing- 
ham, where he now resides. In 1894 he was 
elected to the Fifty-fourth Congress by the 
Republicans of the Nineteenth District, which has 
uniformly returned a Democrat, and, in oflice, 
proved himself a most industrious and efficient 
member. Mr. Wood was defeated as a candidate 
for re-election in 1896. 

WOOD, John, pioneer, Lieutenant-Governor 
and Governor, was born at Moravia, N. Y., Dec. 
20, 1798 — his father being a Revolutionary soldier 
who had served as Surgeon and Cajitain in the 
army. At the age of 21 years young Wood re- 
moved to Illinois, settling in what is now Adams 
County, and building the iirst log-cabin on the site 
of the present city of Quincy. He was a member 
of the upper house of the Seventeenth and Eight- 
eenth General Assemblies, and was elected Lieu- 
tenant-Governor in 18.59 on the same ticket with 
Governor Bissell, and served out the unexpired 
term of the latter, who died in office. (See Bis- 
sell. William H.) He was succeeded by Richard 
Yates in 1861. In February of that year he was 
appointed one of the five Commissioners from 
Illinois to the "Peace Conference" at Wash- 
ington, to consider methods for averting 
civil war. The following May he was appointed 
Quartermaster-General for the State by Governor 
Yates, and assisted most efficiently in fitting out 
the troops for the field. In June, 1864, he was 
commissioned Colonel of the One Hundred and 
Thirty-seventh Illinois Volunteers (100-days' men) 
and mustered out of service the following Sep- 
tember. Died, at Quincy. June 11. 1880. He 
was liberal, patriotic and public-spirited. His 
fellow-citizens of Quincy erected a monument to 
his memory, which was appropriately dedicated, 
July 4. 188.'?. 

WOODFORD COUNTY, situated a little nortli 
of the center of the State, bounded on the west 
by the Illinois River; organized in 1S41 : area. 



540 square miles. The surface is generally level, 
except along the Illinois River, the soil fertile 
and well watered. The county lies in the north- 
ern section of the great coal field of the State. 
Eureka is the county-seat. Other thriving cities 
anil towns are Metamora, Miiionk, El Paso and 
Roanoke. Corn, oats, wheat, potatoes and barley 
are the principal crops. The chief mechanical 
industries are fiour manufacture, carriage and 
wagon-making, and saddlery and harness work. 
Population (1890), 21,429; (1900), 21,822. 

WOODHULL, a village of Henry County, on 
Keithsburg branch Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroad, l.") miles west of Galva; has a bank, 
electric lights, water works, brick and tile works, 
six churches and weekly paper. Pop. (1900), 774. 

WOODMAN, Charles W., lawyer and Congress- 
man, was lioru in Aalborg, Denmark, March 11, 
1844 ; received his early education in the .schools 
of his native countrj', but took to the sea in 1860, 
following the life of a sailor until 1863, when, 
coming to Philadelphia, he enlisted in the Gulf 
Squadron of the United States. After the war, 
he came to Chicago, and, after reading law for 
some time in the office of James L. High, gradu- 
ated from the Law Department of the Chicago 
University in 1871. Some }"ears later he was 
appointed Pro.secuting Attorney for some of the 
lower courts, and, in 1881, was nominated by the 
Judges of Cook County as one of the Justices of 
the Peace for the city of Chicago. In 1894 he 
became the Republican candidate for Congress 
from the Fourth District and was elected, but 
failed to secure a renomination in 1896. Died, in 
Elgin A.sylum for the Insane, Slarch 18, 1898. 

WOODS, Robert Mann, was born at Greenville, 
Pa., April 17, 18-10; came with his parents to Illi- 
nois in 1842. the family settling at Barry, Pike 
Count}', but subsequently residing at Pittsfield. 
Canton and Galesburg. He was educated at 
Knox College in the latter place, which was his 
home from 1849 to '.58; later, taught school in 
Iowa and Missouri until 1861, when he went to 
Springfield and began the stud}- of law with 
Milton Hay and Shelby M. Cullom. His law 
studies having been interrupted by the Civil 
War, after spending some time in the mustering 
and disbursing office, he was promoted by Gov 
ernor Yates to a place in the executive office, 
from which he went to the field as Adjutant of 
the Sixty-fourth Illinois Infantry, known as the 
"Yates Sharp-Shooters." After participating, 
with the Army of the Tennessee, in the Atlanta 
campaign, he took part in the "March to the 
Sea," and the campaign in the Carolinas. includ- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



5'JS 



ing the siege of Savannah and the forcing of the 
Salkahatchie, where he distinguished himself, as 
also in the taking of Columbia, Fayetteville, 
Cheraw, Raleigh and Bentonville. At the latter 
place he had a horse shot under him and won the 
brevet rank of JIajor for gallantrj' in the fiekl. 
having previously been commissioned Captain of 
Company A of his regiment. He also served on 
the staffs of Gens. Giles A. Smith, Benjamin F. 
Potts, and William W. Belknap, and was the last 
mustering officer in General Sherman's army. 
In 1867 Major Woods removed to Chicago, where 
he was in business for a number of years, serving 
as chief clerk of Custom House construction 
from 1873 to 1877. In 1879 he purchased "The 
Daily Republican" at Joliet, which he conducted 
successfully for fifteen years. Wliile connected 
with "The Republican," he served as Secretarj' of 
the Illinois Republican Press Association and in 
various other positions. 

Major Woods was one of the founders of the 
Grand Army of the Republic, whose birth-place 
was in Illinois. (See Grand Army of the Ri>2mb- 
lic; also Stephenson, Dr. B. F.) Wlien Dr. 
Stephenson (who had been Surgeon of the Four- 
teenth Illinois Infantry), conceived the idea of 
founding such an order, he called to his assist- 
ance Major Woods, who was then engaged in 
writing the histories of Illinois regiments for the 
Adjutant-General's Report. The Major wrote 
the Constitution and By-laws of the Order, the 
charter blanks for all the reports, etc. The first 
official order bears his name as the first Adjutant- 
General of the Order, as follows; 

HB:AnCinARTF,R.S DEPARTMENT OF ILT.TNOIS 

Grand Army of the Kepi'blic. 

s1'k!nuf1eld, ili... april i, 18g(». 
General Ordkr.s ' 

N<t. 1. \ The following named officers are hereby 

appointed and assigned to duty at these headquarters. They 
will be obeyed and respected accordingl.y: 
Colonel Jules C. Webber, A.D.C. and Chief of Staff 
Colonel John HI. Snyder, Quartermaster-General. 
Major Robert M. Woods, Adjutant-General. 
Captain John A. Lightfoot, AssistaTit Adjutant-General. 
Cap'ain John S. Phelps. Ald-de-Camp. 
By order of B. F. Stephenson, Department Commander. 

Robert M. Woods, 

Adjutant-General. 

Major Woods afterwards organized the various 
Departments in the West, and it has been con- 
ceded that he furnished the money necessary to 
carry on the work during the first six months of 
the existence of the Order. He has never 
accepted a nomination or run for any political 
office, but is now engaged in financial busine.ss in 
Joliet and Chicago, with his residence in the 
former place. 



WOODSOJi, David Meade, lawyer and jurist, 
was born in Jessamine County, Ky., May 18, 
1806; was educated in private schools and at 
Transylvania University, and read law with his 
father. He served a term in the Kentucky Legis- 
lature in 1832, and, in 1834, removed to Illinois, 
settling at Carrollton, Greene County. In 1839 
he was elected State's Attorney and, in 1840, a 
member of the lower house of the Legislature, 
being elected a second time in 1868. In 1843 he 
was the Whig candidate for Congress in the 
Fifth District, but was defeated by Stephen A. 
Douglas. He was a member of the Constitutional 
Conventions of 1847 and 1869-70. In 1848 he was 
elected a Judge of the First Judicial Circuit, 
remaining in office until 1867. Died, in 1877. 

WOODSTOCK, the county-seat of McHenry 
County, situated on the Chicago & Northwestern 
Railway, about 51 miles northwest of Chicago 
and 32 miles east of Rockford. It contains a 
court house, eight churches, four banks, three 
newspaper offices, foundry and machine shops, 
planing mills, canning works, pickle, cheese and 
butter factories. The Oliver Typewriter Factory 
is located here ; the town is also the seat of the 
Todd Seminary for boys. Population (1890), 
1,683; (1900), 3,503. 

WORCESTER, Linus E., State Senator, was 
born in Windsor, Vt., Dec. 5, 1811, was educated 
in the common schools of his native State and at 
Chester Academy, came to Illinois in 1836, and, 
after teaching three years, entered a dry-goods 
store at Whitehall as clerk, later becoming a 
partner. He was also engaged in various other 
branches of business at different times, including 
the drug, hardware, grocery, agricultural imple- 
ment and lumber business. In 1843 he was 
appointed Postmaster at Whitehall, serving 
twelve years ; was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1S47, served as County Judge for 
six years from 1853, and as Trustee of the Insti- 
tution for the Deaf and Dmub, at Jacksonville, 
from 1859, by successive reappointments, for 
twelve years. In 1856 he was elected, as a Demo- 
crat, to the State Senate, to succeed John 51. 
Palmer, resigned; was re-elected in 1860, and, at 
the session of 1805. was one of the five Demo- 
cratic members of that body who voted for the 
ratification of the Emancipation Amendment of 
the National Constitution. He was elected 
County Judge a second time, in 1863, and re- 
elected in 1867, served as delegate to the Demo- 
cratic National Convention of 1876, and, for more 
than thirty years, was one of the Directors of the 
Jacksonville branch of the Chicago & Alton 



600 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



Railroad, serving from the organization of the 
corporation until his death, wliich occurred Oct. 
19, 1891. 

WORDEX, a village of Madison County, on the 
Wabash and the Jacksonville, Louisville & St. 
Louis Railways, 33 miles northeast of St. Louis. 
Population (1890), .522; (1900), 544 

WORLD'S COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION. An 
exhibition of the scientific, liberal and mechan- 
ical arts of all nations, held at Chicago, between 
May 1 and Oct. 31, 1893. The project had its 
inception in November, 1885, in a resolution 
adopted by the directorate of the Chicago Inter- 
State Exposition Company. On July 6, 1888, the 
first well defined action was taken, the Iroquois 
Club, of Chicago, inviting the co-operation of six 
other leading clubs of that city in "securing the 
location of an international celebration at Chi- 
cago of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of 
America by Columbus." In July, 1889, a decisive 
step was taken in the appointment by Mayor 
Cregier, under resolution of the City Council, of 
a committee of 100 (afterwards increased to 2,'56) 
citizens, who were charged with the duty of 
promoting the selection of Chicago as the site for 
the Exposition. New York, Washington and St. 
Louis were competing points, but the choice of 
Congress fell upon Chicago, and the act establish- 
ing the World's Fair at that city was signed by 
President Harrison on April 25, 1890. Under the 
requirements of the law, the President appointed 
eight Commissioners-at-large, with two Commis- 
sioners and two alternates from each State and 
Territory and the District of Columbia. Col. 
George R. Davis, of Chicago, was elected Direc- 
tor-General by the body thus constituted. Ex- 
Senator Thomas M. Palmer, of Michigan, was 
chosen President of the Commission and John T. 
Dickinson, of Texas, Secretary. This Commis- 
sion delegated much of its power to a Board of 
Reference and Control, who were instructed to 
act with a similar number appointed by the 
World's Columbian Exposition. The latter 
organization was an incorporation, witli a direc- 
torate of forty-five members, elected annually by 
the stockholders. Lyman J. Gage,. of Chicago, 
was the first President of the corporation, and 
was succeeded by W. T. Baker and Harlow N. 
Higinbotham. 

In addition to these bodies, certain powers were 
vested in a Board of Lady Managers, composed 
of two members, with alternates, from each 
State and Territory, besides nine from the city 
of Chicago. Mrs. Potter Palmer was chosen 
President of the latter. This Board was particu- 



larly charged with supervision of women's par- 
ticipation in the Exposition, and of the exhibits 
of women's work. 

The supreme executive power was vested in 
the Joint Board of Control. The site selected 
was Jackson Park, in the South Division of Chi- 
cago, with a strip connecting Jackson and 
Washington Parks, known as the "Midway 
Plaisance," which was surrendered to "conces- 
sionaires"' who purchased the privilege of giving 
exhibitions, or conducting restaurants or selling- 
booths thereon. The total area of the site was 
633 acres, and that of the buildings — not reckon- 
ing those erected by States other than Illinois, 
and by foreign governments — was about 200 
acres. When to this is added the acreage of the 
foreign and State buildings, the total space 
under roof approximated 350 acres. These fig- 
ures do not include the buildings erected by 
private exhibitors, caterers and venders, which 
would add a small percentage to the grand total. 
Forty-seven foreign Governments made appropri- 
ations for the erection of their own buildings and 
other expenses connected with oflScial represen- 
tation, and there were exhibitors from eighty-six 
nations. The United States Government erected 
its own building, and appropriated $500,000 to 
defray the expenses of a national exhibit, besides 
§2,500,000 toward the general cost of the Exposi- 
tion. The appropriations by foreign Governments 
aggregated about §6,500,000, and those by the 
States and Territories, §6,120,000— that of IlUnois 
being §800,000. The entire outlay of the World's 
Columijian Exposition Company, up to March 31. 
1894. including the cost of preliminary organiza 
tion, construction, operating and post-Exposition 
expenses, was §27,151,800. This is, of course, 
exclusive of foreign and State expenditures, 
whicli would swell the aggi-egate cost to nearly 
§45,000,000. Citizens of Chicago subscribeil 
§5,608,206 toward the capital stock of the Exposi- 
tion Company, and the municipality, §5,000,000, 
which was raised bj' the sale of bonds. (See 
Thirty-sixth General Assembly.) 

The site, while admirably adapted to the pur- 
pose, was, when chosen, a marshy flat, crosseil 
by low .sand ridges, upon which stood occasional 
clumps of stunted scrub oaks. Before the gates 
of the great fair were opened to the public, the 
entire area had been transformed into a dream of 
beauty. Marshes had been drained, filled in and 
sodded ; driveways and broad walks constructed ; 
artificial ponds and lagoons dug and embanked, 
and all the highest skill of the landscape garden- 
er's art had been called into play to produce 



touUlParkl 

St<a:<m ' 



MAP OP 

THE GROUNDS OF THE 

jVOJ^LpS pOj:.UM;piAJ^ EXj'O^IJION 

AT 

Jackson Park 

showing the General Arraugemen! 



Buildings and Grounua 
1893. 







Baznarof N 
Nations [f 



^MIDWAY^ 



]L street I .' ,-„,„,„ v,iiao-P I Dutch ; I jap. Ilibbev' 7 



PLAISANCE 



U lMo<""'S*»i iTurkish 
1 JPa'ace! ! Village 



Depot— 



rjTCH . . R.R.Station 



(ffil'lli^![l!llilillllV^r,lllJil;;I^I^TllVill|l|[|^l|llg| 




HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



601 



varied and striking effects. But the task had 
been a Herculean one. There were seventeen 
principal (or, as they may be called, depart- 
mental) buildings, all of beautiful and ornate 
design, and all of vast size. They were known 
as the Manufacturers' and Liberal Arts, the 
Machinery, Electrical, Transportation, Woman's, 
Horticultural, Mines and Mining. Anthropolog- 
ical, Administration, Art Galleries, Agricultural, 
Art Institute, Fisheries, Live Stock, Dairy and 
Forestrj- buildings, and the Music Hall and Ca- 
sino. Several of these had large annexes. The 
Manufacturers' Building was the largest. It was 
rectangular (1687x787 feet), having a ground 
area of 31 acres and a floor and gallery area of 
44 acres. ' Its central chamber was 1280x380 
feet, with a nave 107 feet wide, both hall and 
nave being surrounded by a gallery 50 feet wide. 
It was four times as large as the Roman Coliseum 
and three times as large as St. Peter's at Rome; 
17,000,000 feet of lumber, 13,000,000 pounds of 
steel, and 2,000.000 pounds of iron had been used 
in its construction, involving a cost of 81,800,000. 

It was originally intended to open the Exposi- 
tion, formally, on Oct. 21, 1892, the quadri -centen- 
nial of Columbus' discovery of land on the 
Western Hemisphere, but the magnitude of the 
undertaking i-endered this impracticable. Con- 
sequently, while dedicatory ceremonies were held 
on that day, preceded by a monster procession and 
followed by elaborate pyrotechnic displays at 
night, May 1, 1893, was fixed as the opening day 
— the machinery and fountains being put in oper- 
ation, at the touch of an electric button by Presi- 
dent Cleveland, at the close of a short address. 
The total number of admissions from that date 
to Oct. 31, was 27,530,460 — the largest for any 
single day being on Oct. 9 (Chicago Day) amount- 
ing to 761.944. The total receipts from all sources 
(including National and State appropriations, 
subscriptions, etc.), amounted to §28,151,168.75, 
of which $10,626,330.76 was from the sale of tick- 
ets, and §3,699,581.43 from concession.s. The 
aggregate attendance fell short of that at the 
Paris Exposition of 1889 by about 500,000, while 
the receipts from the sale of tickets and con- 
cessions exceeded the latter by nearly $5, 800, 000. 
Subscribers to the Exposition stock received a 
return of ten per cent on the same. 

The Illinois building was the first of the State 
buildings to be completed. It was also the 
largest and most costly, but was severely criti- 
cised from an architectural standpoint. The 
exhibits showed the internal resources of the 
State, as well as the development of its govern- 



mental system, and its progress in civilization 
from the days of the first pioneers. The entire 
Illinois exhibit in the State building was under 
charge of the State Board of Agriculture, who 
devoted one-tenth of the appropriation, and a like 
proportion of floor space, to the exhibition of the 
work of Illinois women as scientists, authors, 
artists, decorators, etc. Among special features 
of the Illinois exhibit were : State trophies and 
relics, kept in a fire-proof memorial hall ; the dis- 
play of grains and minerals, and an immense 
topograpliical map (prepared at a cost of $15,000), 
drafted on a scale of two miles to the inch, show- 
ing the character and resources of the State, and 
correcting many serious cartographical errors 
previously undiscovered. 

WORTHEN, Amos Henry, scientist and State 
Geologist, was born at Bradford, "V"t., Oct. 31, 
1813, emigrated to Kentucky in 1834, and, in 1836, 
removed to Illinois, locating at Warsaw. Teach- 
ing, surveying and mercantile business were his 
pursuits until 1842, when he returned to the 
East, spending two years in Boston, but return- 
ing to Warsaw in 1844. His natural predilections 
were toward the natural sciences, and, after 
coming west, he devoted most of his leisure time 
to the collection and study of specimens of 
mineralogy, geology and conchology. On the 
organization of the geological survey of Illinois 
in 1851, he was appointed assistant to Dr. J. G. 
Norwood, then State Geologist, and, in 1858, suc- 
ceeded to the office, having meanwhile spent 
three years as Assistant Geologist in the first Iowa 
survey. As State Geologist he published seven 
volumes of reports, and was engaged upon the 
eighth when overtaken by death, May 6, 1888. 
These reports, which are as comprehensive as 
they are voluminous, have been reviewed and 
warmly commended by the leading scientific 
periodicals of this country and Europe In 1877 
field work was discontinued, and the State His- 
torical Library and Natural History Museum were 
established, Professor Worthen being placed in 
charge as curator. He was the author of various 
%'aluable scientific papers and member of numer- 
ous scientific societies in this country and in 
Europe. 

WORTHI>(}TO\, Nicholas EUsworth, ex-Con- 
gressman, was born in Brooke County, W. Va., 
March 30, 1836, and completed his education at 
Alleglieny College, Pa., studied Law at Jlorgan- 
town, Va., and was admitted to the bar in 1860. 
He is a resident of Peoria, and, by profession, a 
lawyer; was County Superintendent of Schools 
of Peoria County from 1868 to 1872, and a mem- 



602 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



ber of the State Board of Education from 1869 to 
1872. In 1882 he was elected to Congress, as a 
Democrat, from the Tenth Congressional District, 
and re-elected in 1884. In 1886 he was again a 
candidate, but was defeated by his Republican 
opponent. Philip Sidney Post. He was elected 
Circuit Judge of the Tenth Judicial District in 
1891, and re-elected in 1897. In 1894 he served 
upon a commission appointed by President Cleve- 
land, to investigate the labor strikes of that year 
at Chicago. 

WRIGHT, John Stephen, manufacturer, was 
born at Sheffield, Mass., July 16, ISlo; came to 
Chicago in 1832, with his father, who opened a 
store in that city ; in 1837, at his own expense, 
built the first school building in Chicago; in 1840 
established "The Prairie Farmer," which he con- 
ducted for manj- j-ears in the interest of popular 
education and progressive agriculture. In 1852 
he engaged in the manufacture of Atkins' self- 
raking reaper and mower, was one of the pro- 
naoters of the Galena & Chicago Union and the 
Illinois Central Railways, and wrote a volume 
entitled, "Chicago: Past, Present and Future," 
published in 1870. Died, in Chicago, Sept. 26, 1874. 

WULFF, Henry, ex-State Treasurer, was born 
in Meldorf, Germanj-, August 24, 18.54; came to 
Chicago in 1868, and began his political cai-eer as 
a Trustee of the town of Jefferson. In 1866 he 
was elected Coimty Clerk of Cook County, and 
re-elected in 1890; in 1894 became the Republican 
nominee for State Treasurer, receiving, at the 
November election of tliat year, the unprece- 
dented plurality of 133,427 votes over his Demo- 
cratic opponent. 

WTANET, a town of Bureau County, at the 
intersection of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
and the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railways, 
7 miles southwest of Princeton. Population 
(1890). G70; (1900j, 902. 

WYLIE, (Rev.) Samuel, domestic missionary, 
born in Ireland and came to America in boyhood ; 
was educated at the University of Pennsylvania 
and the Theological Seminary of the Reformed 
Presbyterian Church, and ordained in 1818. 
Soon after this he came west as a domestic mis- 
sionary and, in 1820, became pastor of a church 
at Sparta, lU., where he remained until his death, 
March 20, 1872, after a pastorate of 52 years. 
During his pastorate the church sent out a dozen 
colonies to form new church organizations else- 
where. He is described as able, eloquent and 
scholarly. 

WYMAX, (Col.) John B., soldier, was born in 
Massachusetts, July 12, 1817, and educated in the 



schools of that State until 14 years of age, when 
he became a clerk in a clothing store in his native 
town of Shrewsbury, later being associated with 
mercantile establishments in Cincinnati, and 
again in his native State. From 1846 to 1850 he 
was employed successively as a clerk in the car 
and machine shops at Springfield, Mass., then as 
Superintendentof Construction, and, later, as con- 
ductor on the Xew York & New Ha\'en Railroad, 
finally, in 1850, becoming Superintendent of the 
Connecticut River Raikoad. In 1852 he entered 
the service of the Illinois Central Railroad Com- 
pany, assisting in the survey and construction of 
the line under Col. R. B. Mason, the Chief Engi- 
neer, and finallj^ becoming Assistant Superin- 
tendent of the Northern Division. He was one 
of the original proprietors of the town of Amboy, 
in Lee County, and its first Mayor, also serving 
a second term. Having a fondness for military 
affairs, he was usually connected with some mili- 
tary organization — while in Cincinnati being 
attached to a company, of which Prof. O. M. 
Mitchell, the celebrated astronomer (afterwards 
Major-General Mitchell), was Captain. After 
coming to Illinois he became Captain of the Chi- 
cago Light Guards. Having lef*- the employ of 
the Railroad in 1858, he was in private business 
at Amboj' at the beginning of the Civil War in 
1861. As Assistant-Adjutant General, by appoint- 
ment of Governor Yates, he rendered valuable 
service in the early weeks of the war in securing 
arms from Jefferson Barracks and in the organi- 
zation of the three-mouths" regiments. Then, 
having organized the Thirteenth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry — the first organized in the State 
for the three years' service — he was commis- 
sioned its Colonel, and, in July following, entered 
upon the duty of guarding the railroad lines in 
Southwest Missoirri and Arkansas. The follow- 
ing year his regiment was attached to General 
Sherman's command in the first campaign 
against Yicksburg. On the second day of the 
Battle of Chickasaw Bayou, he fell mortally 
wounded, dying on the field, Dec. 28, 1862. Colo- 
nel Wj-man was one of the most accomplished 
and promising of the volunteer soldiers sent to 
the field from Illinois, of whom so manj' were 
former employes of the Illinois Central Rail- 
road. 

WYOMING, a town of Stark County, 31 miles 
north-northwest from Peoria, at the junction of 
the Peoria branch Rock Island & Pacific and the 
Rushville branch of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy Railway; has two higli schools, churches, 
two banks, flour mills, water-works, machine 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



603 



shop, and two weekly newspapers. Coal is mined 
here. Pop. (1890), 1,116; (1900), 1,277. 

XEXIA, a village of Clay County, on the Balti- 
more & Ohio Southwestern Railroad, 87 miles 
east of St. Louis. Population (1900), 800. 

YATES CITY, a village of Knox County, at the 
junction of the Peoria Division of the Chicago, 
Burlington & Quincy Railroad, with the Rushville 
branch, 23 miles .southeast of Galesburg. The 
town has banks, a coal mine, telephone exchange, 
school, churches and a new.spaper. Pop. (1890), 
687; (1900), 6.-)0. 

YATES, Henry, pioneer, was born in Caroline 
County, Va., Oct. 29, 1786 — being a grand-nephew 
of Chief Justice John Marshall ; removed to Fa- 
yette County, Ky., where he located and laid out 
the town of Warsaw, which afterwards became 
the county-seat of Gallatin County. In 1831 he 
removed to Sangamon County, 111., and, in 1832, 
settled at the site of the present town of Berlin, 
which he laid out the following year, also laying 
out the town of New Berlin, a few years later, on 
the line of the Wabash Railway. He was father 
of Gov. Richard Yates. Died, Sept. 13, 1865.— 
Henry (Y'ates), Jr., son of the preceding, was born 
at Berlin, 111., March 7, 1§35; engaged in merchan- 
dising at New Berlin ; in 1862. raised a company 
of volunteers for the One Hundred and Sixth 
Regiment Illinois Infantry, was appointed Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and brevetted Colonel and Briga- 
dier-General. He was accidentally shot in 1863, 
and suffered sun-stroke at Little Rock, from 
which he never fully recovered. Died, August 
3, 1871. 

YATES, Richard, former Governor and United 
States Senator, was born at Warsaw, Ky., Jan. 
18, 1815, of English descent. In 1831 he accom- 
panied his father to Illinois, the family settling 
first at Springfield and later at Berlin, Sangamon 
County. He soon after entered Illinois College, 
from which he graduated in 1835, and subse- 
quently read law with Col. John J. Hardin, at 
Jacksonville, which thereafter became his home. 
In 1842 he was elected Representative in the Gen- 
eral Assembly from Morgan County, and was 
re-elected in 1844, and again in 1848. In 18-50 he 
was a candidate for Congress from the Seventh 
District and elected over Ma.j. Thomas L. Harris, 
the previous incumbent, being the only Whig 
Representative in the Thirty-second Congress 
from Illinois. Two years later he was re-elected 
over John Calhoun, but was defeated, in 1851, 
by his old opponent, Harris. He was one of the 



most vigorous opponents of the Kansas- Nebraska * 
Bill in the Thirty-third Congress, and an early 
participant in the movement for the organization 
of the Republican party to resist the further 
extension of slavery, being a prominent speaker, 
on the same platform with Lincoln, before the 
first Republican State Convention held at Bloom- 
ington, in May, 1856, and serving as one of the 
Vice-Presidents of that body. In 1860 he was 
elected to the executive chair on the ticket 
lieaded by Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, 
and, by his energetic support of the National 
administration in its measures for the suppression 
of the Rebellion, won the sobriquet of "the Illi- 
nois War-Governor."" In 1865 he was elected 
United States Senator, serving until 1871. He 
died suddenly, at St. Louis, Nov. 27, 1873, while 
returning from Arkansas, whither he had gone, 
as a United States Commissioner, by appointment 
of President Grant, to inspect a land-subsidy 
railroad. He was a man of rare ability, earnest- 
ness of purpose and extraordinary personal mag- 
netism, as well as o€ a lofty order of patriotism. 
His faults were those of a nature generous, 
impulsive and warm-hearted. 

YORKVILLE, the county-seat of Kendall 
County, on Fox River and Streator Division of 
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, 12 miles 
southwest of Aurora; on intei'urban electric line; 
has water-power, electric lights, a bank, churches 
and weekly newspaper. Pop. (1890) 375; (1900), 413. 

YOU>"G, Brigham, Mormon leader, was born 
at Whittingham, Vt., June 1, 1801, joined the 
Mormons in 1831 and, the next year, became asso- 
ciated with Joseph Smith, at Kirtland, Oliio, and, 
in 1835, an "apostle."" He accompanied a con- 
siderable body of that sect to Indej^endence, Mo., 
but was driven out with them in 1837, settling 
for a short time at Quincy, 111., but later remov- 
ing to Nauvoo, of which he was one of the foun- 
ders. On the assassination of Smith, in 1844, he 
became the successor of the latter, as head of the 
Mormon Church, and, the following year, headed 
the exodus from Illinois, which finally resulted in 
the Mormon settlement in Utah. His subsequent 
career there, where he was appointed Governor 
by President Fillmore, and, for a time, success- 
fully defied national authority, is a matter of 
national rather than State history. He remained 
at the head of the Mormon Church until his 
death at Salt Lake City. August 29, 1877. 

YOUNG, Bichard Montaromery, United States 
Senator, was born in Kentucky in 1796, studied 
law and removed to Jonesboro, 111. . where he was 
admitted to the bar in 1817; served in the Second 



604 



HISTOEICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



General Assembly (1820-32) as Representative 
from Union County ; was a Circuit Judge, 1825-37 ; 
Presidential Elector in 1828 ; Circuit Judge again, 
1829-37 ; elected United States Senator in 1837 as 
successor to W. L. D. Ewing, serving until 1843, 
when he was commissioned Justice of the Su- 
preme Court, but resigned in 1847 to become 
Commissioner of the General Land Office at 
Washington. During the session of ISoO-.il, he 
served as Clerk of the National House of Repre- 
sentatives. Died, in an insane asylum, in Wash- 
ington, in 1853. 

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION, 
first permanently organized at Chicago, in 1858, 
although desultory movements of a kindred char- 
acter liad previously been started at Peoria, 
Quincy, Chicago and Springfield, some as early 
as 1854. From 1858 to 1872, various associations 
were formed at different points throughout the 
State, which were entirely independent of each 
other. The first effort looking to union and 
mutual aid, was made in 1872, when Robert 
Weidensall, on behalf of the International Com- 
mittee, called a convention, to meet at Blooming- 
ton, November 6-9. State conventions have been 
held annually since 1872. In that of 1873, steps 
were taken looking to the appointment of a 
State Secretary, and, in 1876, Charles M. Morton 
assumed the office. Mucli evangelistic work was 
done, and new associations formed, the total 
number reported at the Champaign Convention, 
in 1877, being sixty-two. After one year's work 
Mr. Morton resigned the secretaryship, the ofEce 
remaining vacant for three years. Tlie question 
of the appointment of a successor was discussed 
at tlie Decatur Convention in 1879, and, in April, 
1880, I. B. Brown was made State Secretary, and 
has occupied the position to the present time 
(1899). At the date of his appointment the 
official figures showed sixteen associations in Illi- 
nois, with a total membership of 2,443, and prop- 
erty valued at $126,500, including building funds, 
the associations at Chicago and Aurora owning 
buildings. Thirteen officers were employed, 
none of them being in Chicago. Since 1880 the 
work has steadily grown, so that five Assistant 
State Secretaries are now employed. In 1886, a 
plan for arranging the State work \inder depart- 
mental administration was devised, but not put 
in operation until 1890. The present six depart- 
ments of supervision are: General Supervision, 
in charge of the State Secretary and his A.ssist- 
ants; railroad and city work; counties and 
towns; work among students; corresponding 
membership department, and office work. The 



two last named are under one executive head, 
but each of the others in charge of an Assistant 
Secretary, who is responsible for its development 
The entire work is under the supervision of a 
State Executive Committee of twenty-seven 
members, one-third of whom are elected annually. 
Willis H. Herrick of Chicago has been its chair- 
man for several years. This body is appointed 
by a State convention composed of delegates 
from the locar Associations. Of these there were, 
in October, 1898, 116, with a membership of 
15,888. The value of the property owned was 
$2,500,000. Twenty -two occupy their own build- 
ings, of which five are for railroad men and one 
for students. Weekly gatherings for young men 
numbered 248, and there are now representatives 
or correspondents in 663 communities where no 
organization lias been effected. Scientific phys- 
ical culture is made a feature by 40 associations, 
and educational work has been largely developed. 
Tlie enrollment in evening classes, during 1898-99, 
was 978. The building of the Chicago branch 
(erected in 1893) is the finest of its class in the 
world. Recently a successful association has 
been formed among coal miners, and another 
among the first grade boys of the Illinois State 
Reformatory, while an extensive work has been 
conducted at the camps of the Illinois National 
Guard. 

ZANE, Charles S., lawyer and jurist, was born 
in Cumberland County, N. J., March 2, 1831, of 
English and New England stock. At the age of 
19 he emigrated to Sangamon County, 111., for a 
time working on a farm and at brick-making. 
From 1852 to "55 he attended McKendree College, 
but did not graduate, and, on leaving college, 
engaged in teaching, at the same time reading 
law. In 1857 he was admitted to the bar and 
commenced practice at Springfield. The follow- 
ing year he was elected City Attorney. He had 
for partners, at different times, William H. 
Herndon (once a partner of Abraham Lincoln) 
and Senator Shelby M. Cullom. In 1873 he was 
elected a Judge of the Circuit Court for the Fifth 
Judicial Circuit, and was re-elected in 1879. In 
1883 President Arthur appointed him Chief Jus- 
tice of Utah, where he has since resided, though 
superseded by the appointment of a successor by 
President Cleveland. At the first State elec- 
tion in Utah, held in November, 1895, he was 
chosen one of the Judges of the Supreme Court 
of the new Commonwealth, but was defeated 
for re-election, by his Democratic opponent, in 
1898. 



^R;^ii— ^- 




The Peristjie. 



WORLD'S FAIR BUILDINGS. 

Admiuistration Building. German Building. 

'Vlie Fisheries. 




SCENES IN SOUTH PARK. 



SUPPLEMENT. 



The following matter, received too late for insertion in the body of this work. Is added in the form of a supplement. 



COGHLAX, (Capt.) Joseph Bullock, naval 
ofHcer, was born in Kentucky, and, at the age of 
15 years, came to Illinois, Living on a farm for a 
time near Carlyle, in Clinton County. In IStiO he 
was appointed by his uncle, Hon. Philip B. 
Fouke — then a Representative in Congress from 
the Belleville District — to the Naval Academy at 
Annapolis, graduating in 1863, and being pro- 
moted through the successive grades of Ensign, 
Master, Lieutenant, Lieutenant-Commander, and 
Commander, and serving upon various vessels 
until Nov. 18, 1893, when he was commissioned 
Captain and, in 1897, assigned to the command 
of the battlesliip Raleigh, on the Asiatic Station. 
He was thus connected with Admiral Dewey's 
squadron at the beginning of the Spanish- Ameri- 
can War, and took a conspicuous and brilliant part 
in the affair in Manila Bay, on May 1, 1898, which 
resulted in the destruction of the Spanish fleet. 
Captain Coghlan's connection with subsequent 
events in the Philippines was in the highest 
degree creditable to himself and the country. 
His vessel (the Raleigh) was the first of Admiral 
Dewey's squadron to return home, coming by 
way of the Suez Canal, in the summer of 1899, he 
and his crew receiving an immense ovation on 
their arrival in New York harbor. 

CRANE, (Rer.) James Lyons, clergyman, 
army chaplain, was born at Mt. Eaton, Wayne 
County, Ohio, August 30, 1823, united with the 
Methodist Episcopal Church at Cincinnati in 
1841, and, coming to Edgar County, Illinois, in 
1843, attended a seminary at Paris some three 
years. He joined the Illinois Conference in 1846, 
and was assigned to the Danville circuit, after- 
wards presiding over charges at Grandview, Hills- 
boro, Alton, Jacksonville, and Springfield — at the 
last two points being stationed two or more 
times, besides serving as Presiding Elder of the 
Paris, Danville, and Springfield Districts. The 
importance of the stations which he filled during 
his itinerant career served as evidence of his 
recognized ability and popularity as a preacher. 



In July, 1861, he was appointed Chaplain of tbe 
Twenty-first Regiment IlUnois Volunteers, at 
that time commanded by Ulysses S. Grant as 
Colonel, and, although he remained with the 
regiment only a few months, the friendship then 
established between him and the future com 
mander of the armies of the Union lasted through 
their lives. This was shown by his appointment 
by President Grant, in 1869, to the position of 
Postmaster of the city of Springfield, which came 
to him as a personal compliment, being re 
appointed four years afterwards and continuing 
in oflSce eight years. After retiring from the 
Springfield postofiice, he occupied charges at 
Island Grove and Shelbyville, his death occurring 
at the latter place, July 29, 1879, as the result of 
an attack of paralysis some two weeks previous. 
Mr. Crane was married in 1847 to Miss Elizabeth 
Mayo, daughter of CoL J. Mayo — a prominent 
citizen of Edgar County, at an early day— his 
wife surviving him some twenty years. Rev. 
Charles A. Crane and Rev. Frank Crane, pastors 
of prominent Methodist churches in Boston and 
Chicago, are sons of the subject of this sketch. 

DAWES, Charles Gates, Comptroller of the 
Treasury, was born at Marietta, Ohio, August 37, 
1865; graduated from Marietta CoUege in 1884, 
and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1886; 
worked at civil engineering during his vacations, 
finally becoming Chief Engineer of the Toledo & 
Ohio Railroad. Between 1887 and 1894 he wag 
engaged in the practice of law at Lincoln, Neb., 
but afterwards became interested in the gas busi- 
ness in various cities, including Evanston, HL, 
which became his home. In 1896 he took a lead- 
ing part in securing instructions by the Republi- 
can State Convention at Springfield in favor of 
the nomination of Mr. McKinley for the Presi- 
dency, and during the succeeding campaign 
served as a member of the National Republican 
Committee for the State of Illinois. Soon after 
the accession of President McKinley, he was 
appointed Comptroller of the Treasury, a position 



605 



606 



HISTOKICAL EXCYt'LOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



which he now holds. Mr. Dawes is the son of 
R. B. Dawes, a former Congressman from Ohio, 
and the great-grandson of Manasseh Cutler, who 
was an influential factor in the early history of 
the Northwest Territory, and has been credited 
with exerting a strong influence in shaping and 
securing the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787. 

DISTIN, (Col.) William L., former Depart- 
ment Commander of Grand Army of the Repub- 
lic for the State of Illinois, was born at 
Cincinnati, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1843, his father being of 
English descent, while his maternal grandfather 
was a Colonel of the Polish Lancers in the army 
«f the first Napoleon, who, after the exile of his 
leader, came to America, settling in Indiana. 
The father of the subject of this sketch settled at 
Keokuk, Iowa, where the son grew to manhood 
and in February, 1803, enlisted as a private in the 
Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, having been twice 
rejected previously on account of pliysical ail- 
ment. Soon after enlistment he was detailed for 
provost-marshal duty, but later took part with 
his regiment in the campaign in Alabama. He 
served for a time in the Fifteenth Army Corps, 
under Gen. John A. Logan, was subsequently 
detailed for duty on the Staff of General Raum, 
and participated in the battles of Resaca and 
Tilton, Ga. Having been captured in the latter, 
he was imprisoned successively at Jacksonville 
I^Ga.), Montgomery, Savannah, and finally at 
Andersonville. From the latter he succeeded in 
effecting his escape, but was recaptured and 
returned to that famous prison-pen. Having 
escaped a second time bj- assuming the name of 
a dead man and bribing the guard, he was again 
captured and imprisoned at various points in Mis- 
sissippi until exchanged about the time of the 
assassination of President Lincoln. He was then 
so weakened by his long confinement and scanty 
fare that he had to be carried on board the 
steamer on a stretcher. At this time he narrowly 
escaped being on board the steamer Sultana, 
which was blown up below Cairo, with 2,100 
soldiers on board, a large proportion of whom lost 
their lives. After being mustered out at Daven- 
port, Iowa, June 28, 186.5, he was employed for a 
time on the Des Moines Valley Railroad, and as a 
messenger and route agent of the United States 
Express Company. In 1872 he established him- 
self in business in Quincy, 111., in which he 
proved very successful. Here he became prom- 
inent in local Grand Army circles, and, iu 1890, 
was unanimously elected Comuiander of the 
Department of Illinois. Previous to this he had 
been an officer of the Illinois National Guard, and 



served as Aid-de-Camp, with the rank of 
Colonel, on the staff of Governors Hamilton, 
Oglesby and Fifer. In 1897 Colonel Distin was 
appointed by President McKinley Surveyor-Gen- 
eral for the Territory of Alaska, a position which 
(1899) he still holds. 

DUMMER, Henry E., lawyer, was born at 
Hallowell, Maine, April 9, 1808, was educated in 
Bowdoin College, graduating there in the class of 
1827, after which he took a course in law at Cam- 
bridge Law School, and was soon after admitted 
to the bar. Then, having spent some two years 
in his native State, in 1S32 he removed to Illinois, 
settling first in Springfield, where he remained six 
years, being for a part of the time a partner of 
John T. Stuart, who afterwards became the first 
partner in law of Abraliam Lincoln. Mr. Dum- 
mer had a brother, Richard William Dumnier, 
who had preceded him to Illinois, living for a 
time in Jacksonville. In 1838 he removed to 
Beardstown, Cass Count}', which continued to be 
his home for more than a quarter of a century. 
During his residence there he served as Alder- 
man, City Attorney and Judge of Probate for 
Cass County ; also represented Cass County in the 
Constitutional Convention of 1847, and, in 1860, 
was elected State Senator in the Twenty-second 
General Assembly, serving four years. Mr. 
Dummer was an earnest Republican, and served 
that party as a delegate for the State-at-large to 
the Convention of 1864, at Baltimore, which 
nominated Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency a 
second time. In 1864 he removed to Jackson- 
ville, and for the next year was the law partner 
of David A. Smith, until the death of the latter 
in 1865. In the summer of 1878 Mr. Dummer 
went to Mackinac, Mich., in search of health, but 
died there August 12 of that year. 

ECKELS, James H., ex-Comptroller of the 
Currency, was born of Scotch-Irish parentage at 
Princeton, 111., Nov. 22, 1858, was educated in 
the common schools and tlie higli school of his 
native town, graduated from the Law School at 
Albany, N. Y., in 1881, and the following year 
began practice at Ottawa, 111. Here he con- 
tinued in active practice until 1893, when he was 
appointed by President Cleveland Comptroller of 
the Currency, serving until May 1, 1898, when he 
resigned to accept the presidency of the Com- 
mercial National Bank of Chicago. Mr. Eckels 
manifested such distinguished ability in the dis- 
charge of his duties as Comptroller that he 
received the notable compliment of being 
retained in oflfice by a Republican administration 
more than a year after the retirement of Presi- 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



607 



dent Cleveland, while his selection for a place at 
the head of one of the leading banking institu- 
tions of Chicago was a no less marked recognition 
of his abilities as a financier. He was a Delegate 
from the Eleventh District to the National 
Democratic Convention at Chicago in 1893, and 
repiesented the same district in the Gold Demo- 
cratic Convention at Indianapolis in 1896, and 
assisted in framing the platform there adopted — 
which indicated his views on the financial ques- 
tions involved in the campaign of that year. 

FIELD, Daniel, early merchant, was born in 
Jefferson County, Kentucky, Nov. 30, 1790, and 
settled at Golconda. 111., in 1818, d}-ing there in 
1855. He was a man of great enterprise, engaged 
in merchandising, and became a large land- 
holder, farmer and stock-grower, and an extensive 
shipper of stock and produce to lower Mississippi 
markets. He married Elizabeth Dailey of 
Charleston, Ind., and raised a large family of 
cliildren, one of whom, Philip D., became Sheriff, 
while another, John, was County Judge of Pope 
County. His daughter, Maria, married Gen. 
Green B. Raum, who became prominent as a 
soldier during the Civil War and, later, as a mem- 
ber of Congress and Commissioner of Internal 
Revenue and Pension Commissioner in Wash- 
ington. 

FIELD, (Jreen B., member of a pioneer family, 
was born within the present limits of the State of 
Indiana in 1787, served as a Lieutenant in tlie 
War of IbVZ, was married in Bourbon County, 
Kentucky, to Miss Mary E. Cogswell, the 
daughter of Dr. Joseph Cogswell, a soldier of the 
Revolutionary War, and, in 1817, removed to 
Pope County, Illinois, where he laid off the town 
of Golconda, which became the county -seat. He 
served as a Representative from Pope County in 
the First General Assembly (1818-20), and was 
the father of Juliet C. Field, who became the 
wife of John Raiuu; of Edna Field, the wife of 
Dr. Tarlton Dunn, and of Green B. Field, who 
was a Lieutenant in Third Regiment Illinois 
Volunteers during the Mexican War. Jlr. Field 
was the grandfather of Gen. Green B. Raum, 
mentioned in the preceding paragraph. He died 
of yellow fever in Louisiana in 1823. 

GALE, Stephen Francis, first Chicago book- 
seller and a railway promoter, was born at 
Exeter, N. H., March 8, 1812; at 15 years of age 
became clerk in a leading book-store in Boston; 
came to Chicago in 183.'). and soon afterwards 
opened the first book and stationery establish- 
ment in that citj-. which, in after years, gained 
an extensive trade. In 1842 the firm of S. F. 



Gale & Co. was organized, but Mr. Gale, having 
become head of the Chicago Fire Department, 
retired from business in 1845 As early as 18-16 
he was associated with W m. B. Ogden and John 
B. Turner in the steps tlien being taken to revive 
the Galena & Chicago Union Railroad (now a 
part of the Chicago & NortJiwestern;, and, in 
conjunction with these gentlemen, became 
responsible for the means to purchase the charter 
and assets of the road from the Eastern bond- 
holders. Later, he engaged in the construction 
of the branch road from Turner Junction to 
Aurora, became President of the line and ex- 
tended it to Mendota to connect with the Illinois 
Central at that Point. These roads afterwards 
became a part of the Chicago, Burlington & 
Quincy line. A number of years ago Mr. Gale 
returned to his old home in New Hampshire, 
where he has since resided. 

HAY, John, early settler, came to the region of 
Kaskaskia between 1790 and 1800, and became a 
prominent citizen of St. Clair County. He was 
selected as a member of the First Legislative 
Council of Indiana Territory for .St. Clair County 
in 1805. In 1809 he was appointed Clerk of the 
Common Pleas Court of St. Clair County, and 
was continued in office after the organization of 
ihe State Government, serving imtil his death at 
Belleville in 1845. 

HAYS, John, pioneer settler of Northwest Ter- 
ritory, was a native of New York, who came to 
Cahokia, in the "Illinois Country," in 1793, and 
lived there the remainder of his life. His early 
life had been spent in the fur-trade about Macki- 
nac, in the Lake of the Woods region and about 
the sources of the Mississippi. During the War 
of 1812 he was able to furnish Governor Edwards 
valuable information in reference to the Indians 
in the Northwest. He filled the office of Po.st- 
master at Cahokia for a number of years, and was 
Sheriff of St. Clair County from 1798 to 1818. 

MOULTON, (Col.) George M., soldier and 
building contractor, was born at Readsburg, Vt., 
March 15, 1851, came early in life to Chicago, and 
was educated in the schools of that city. By pro- 
fession he is a contractor and builder, the firm of 
wliich he is a member liaving been connected 
with the construction of a number of large build- 
ings, including some extensive grain elevators. 
Colonel Jloulton became a member of the Second 
Regiment Illinois National Guard in June, 1884, 
being electeil to the office of Major, which he 
retaineil until. January, 1893, when he was 
appointed Inspector of Rifle Practice on the staff 
of General Wheeler. A year later he was com 



COS 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



missioned Colonel of the regiment, a position 
which he occupied at the time of the call by the 
President for troops to serve in the Spanish- 
American War in April, 1898. He promptly 
answered the call, and was sworn into the United 
States service at the head of his regiment early 
in May. The regiment was almost immediately 
ordered to Jacksonville, Fla., remaining there 
and at Savannah, Ga., until early in December, 
when it was transferred to Havana, Cuba. Here 
he was soon after appointed Cliief of Police for 
the city of Havana, remaining in office until the 
middle of January, 1899, when he returned to his 
regiment, then stationed at Camp Columbia, near 
the city of Havana. In the latter part of March 
he returned with his regiment to Augusta, Ga., 
where it was mustered out, April 36, 1899, one 
year from the date of its arrival at Springfield. 
After leaving the service Colonel Moulton 
resumed his business as a contractor. 

SHERMAN, Lawrence Y., legislator and 
Speaker of the Forty -first General Assembly, was 
born in Miami County, Ohio, Nov. 6, 1858 ; at 3 
years of age came to Illinois, his parents settling 
at Industry, McDonough County. When he had 
reached the age of 10 years he went to Jasper 
County, where he grew to manhood, received his 
education in the common schools and in the law 



department of McKendree College, graduating 
from the latter, and, in 1881, located at Macomb, 
McDonough County. Here he began his career 
by driving a team upon the street in order to 
accumulate means enabling him to devote his 
entire attention to his chosen profession of law. 
He soon took an active interest in politics, was 
elected County Judge in 1886, and, at the expira- 
tion of his term, formed a partnership with 
George D. Tunnicliffe and D. G. Tunniclifle, 
ex-Justice of the Supreme Court. In 1894 he was 
a candidate for the Republican nomination for 
Representative in the General Assembly, but 
withdrew to prevent a split in the party; waa 
nominated and elected in 1896, and re-elected in 
1898, and, at the succeeding session of the 
Forty-first General Assembly, was nominated 
by the Republican caucus and elected Speaker, 
as he was again of the Fortj'-second in 1901. 

VINYARD, Philip, early legislator, was born 
in Pennsylvania in 1800, came to Illinois at an 
early day, and settled in Pope County, which he 
represented in the lower branch of the Thirteentli 
and Fourteenth General Assemblies. He married 
Miss Matilda McCoy, the daughter of a prominent 
Illinois pioneer, and served as SheriS of Pope 
County for a number of years. Died, at Gol- 
conda, in 1863, 



SUPPLEMENT NO. II. 



BLACK HAWK WAR, THE. The episode 
known in history under the name of ' 'The Black 
Hawk War," was the most formidable conflict 
between the whites and Indians, as well as the 
most far-reaching in its results, that ever oc- 
curred upon the soil of Illinois. It takes its 
name from the Indian Chief, of the Sac tribe, 
Black Hawk (Indian name, Makatai Meshekia- 
kiak, meaning "Black Sparrow Hawk'"), who 
was the leader of the hostile Indian band and a 
principal factor in the struggle. Black Hawk 
had been an ally of the British during the War 
of 1812-15, served with Tecimiseh when the lat- 
ter fell at the battle of the Thames in 1813, and, 
after the war, continued to maintain friendly re- 
lations with his "British father." The outbreak 



in Illinois had its origin in the construction 
put upon the treaty negotiated by GSen. William 
Henry Harrison with the Sac and Fox Indians 
on behalf of the United States Government, No- 
vember 3, 1804, under which the Indians trans- 
ferred to the Government nearly 15,000,000 acres 
of land comprising the region lying between the 
Wisconsin River on the north, Fox River of Illi- 
nois on the east and southeast, and the Mississippi 
on the %vest, for which the Government agreed to 
pay to the confederated tribes less than $2,500 in 
goods and the insignificant sum of $1,000 per an- 
num in perpetuit}'. While the validity of the 
treaty was denied on the part of the Indians on the 
ground that it had originally been entered into by 
their chiefs under duress, while held as prisoners 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



609 



under a charge of murder at Jefferson Barracks, 
during which they had been kept in a state of con- 
stant intoxication, it had been repeatedlj- reaf- 
firmed by parts or all of the tribe, especially in 
1815, in 1816, in 1822 and in 1823, and finally recog- 
nized by Black Hawk himself in i831. The part of 
the treaty of 1804 which was the immediate cause 
of the disagreement was that which stipulated 
that, so long as the lands ceded under it remained 
the property of the United States (that is, should 
not be transferred to private owners), ' 'the Indians 
belonging to the said tribes shall enjoy the priv- 
ilege of living or hunting upon them." Al- 
though these lands had not been put upon the 
market, or even surveyed, as "squatters" multi- 
plied in this region little respect was paid to the 
treaty rights of the Indians, particularly with 
I reference to those localities where, by reason of 
fertility of the soil or some other natural advan- 
tage, the Indians had established something like 
permanent homes and introduced a sort of crude 
cultivation. This was especially the case with 
reference to the Sac village of "Saukenuk" on 
the north bank of Rock River near its mouth, 
where the Indians, when not absent on the chase, 
had lived for over a century, had cultivated 
fields of corn and vegetables and had buried their 
dead. In the early part of the last century, it is 
estimated that some five hundred families had 
been accustomed to congregate here, making it 
the largest Indian village in the West. As early 
as 1823 the encroachments of squatters on the 
rights claimed by the Indians under the treaty 
of 1804 began; their fields were taken possession 
of by the intruders, their lodges burned and their 
women and children whipped and driven away 
during the absence of the men on their annual 
hunts. The dangers resulting from these con- 
flicts led Governor Edwards, as early as 1828, to 
demand of the General Government the expul- 
sion of the Indians from Illinois, which resulted 
in an order from President Jackson in 1829 for 
their removal west of the Mississippi. On appli- 
cation of Col. George Davenport, a trader of 
much influence with the Indians, the time was 
extended to April 1, 1830. During the preceding 
year Colonel Davenport and the firm of Davenport 
and Farnham bought from the United States Gov- 
ernment most of the lands on Rock River occupied 
by Black Hawk's band, with the intention, as has 
been claimed, of permitting the Indians to remain. 
This was not so understood bj' Black Hawk, who 
was greatly incensed, although Davenport offered 
to take other lands from the Government in ex- 
change or cancel the sale — an arrangement to 



which President Jackson would not consent. On 

their return in the spring of 1830, the Indians 
found whites in possession of their village. Pre- 
vented from cultivating their fields, and their 
annual hunt proving unsuccessful, the following 
winter proved for them one of great hardship. 
Black Hawk, having made a visit to his " British 
father" (the British Agent) at Maiden, Canada, 
claimed to have received words of sympathy and 
encouragement, which induced him to determine 
to regain possession of their fields. In this he 
was encouraged by Neapope, his second in com- 
mand, and by assurance of support from White 
Cloud, a half Sac and half Winnebago — known 
also as "The Prophet " — whose village (Prophet's 
Town) was some forty miles from the mouth 
of Rock River, and through whom Black Hawk 
claimed to have leceived promises of aid in guns, 
ammunition and provisions from the British. 
The reappearance of Black Hawk's band in the 
vicinity of his old haunts, in the spring of 1831, 
produced a wild panic among the frontier settlers. 
Messages were hurried to Governor Reynolds, 
who had succeeded Governor Edwards in De- 
cember previous, appealing for protection against 
the savages. The Governor issued a call for 700 
volunteers " to remove the band of Sac Indians " 
at Rock Island beyond the Mississippi. Al- 
though Gen. E. P. Gaines of the regular army, 
commanding the military district, thought the 
regulars sufficiently strong to cope with the situa- 
tion, the Governor's proclamation was responded 
to by more than twice the number called for. 
The volunteers assembled early in June, 1831, at 
Beardstown, the place of rendezvous named in 
the call, and having been organized into two regi- 
ments under command of Col. James D. Henry and 
Col. Daniel Lieb, with a spy battalion under Gen. 
Joseph Duncan, marched across the country and, 
after effecting a junction with General Gaines' 
regulars, appeared before Black Hawk's village on 
the 2.'5th of June. In the meantime General 
Gaines, having learned that the Pottawatomies, 
Winnebagos and Kickapoos had promised to join 
the Sacs in their uprising, asked the assistance of 
the battalion of mounted men previously offered 
by Governor Reynolds. The combined armies 
amounted to 2,500 men, while the fighting force 
of the Indians was 300. Finding himself over- 
whelmingly outnumbered. Black Hawk withdrew 
under cover of night to tlie west side of the Missis- 
sippi. After burning the village. General Gaines 
notified Black Hawk of his intention to pursue 
and attack his band, which had the effect to 
bring the fugitive chief to the General's head- 



CIO 



HISTORICAL EXCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



quarters, where, on June 30, a new treaty was 
entered into by whicli lie bound himself and his 
people to remain west of the Mississijipi unless 
permitted to return by the United States. This 
ended the campaign, and the volunteers returned 
to their homes, although the affair had produced 
an intense excitement along the whole frontier, 
and involved a heavy expense. 

The next winter was spent by Black Hawk and 
his band on the site of old Fort Madison, in the 
present State of Iowa. Dissatisfied and humil- 
iated by his rejiulse of the previous year, in disre- 
gard of his pledge to General Games, on April 6, 
1832, at the head of 500 warriors and their fam- 
ilies, he again crossed the Mississippi at Yel- 
low Banks about the site of the present citj" of 
Oquawka, fifty miles below Rock Island, with the 
intention, as claimed, if not permitted to stop at 
his old village, to proceed to the Prophet's Town 
and raise a crop with the Winnebagoes. Here he 
was met by The Prophet with renewed assurances 
of aid from the Winnebagoes, which was still 
further strengthened by promises from the Brit- 
ish Agent received through a visit by Neapope to 
Maiden the previous autumn. An incident of this 
invasion was the effective warning given to the 
white settlers by Shabona, a friendly Ottawa 
chief, which probably had the effect to prevent 
a widespread massacre. Besides the towns of 
Galena and Chicago, the settlements in Illinois 
north of Fort Clark (Peoria) were limited to some 
thirty families on Bureau Creek with a few 
cabins at Hennepin. Peru. LaSalle. Ottawa. In- 
dian Creek, Dixon, Kellogg's Grove, Apple Creek, 
and a few other points. Gen. Henry Atkinson, 
commanding the regulars at Fort Armstrong 
(Rock Island), having learned of the arrival of 
Black Hawk a week after he crossed the Missis- 
sippi, at once took steps to notify Governor Rey- 
nolds of the situation with a requisition for an 
adequate force of militia to cooperate with the 
regulars. Under date of April IG, 1832, the Gov- 
ernor issued his call for ' 'a strong detachment of 
militia " to meet by April 22. Beardstown again 
being named as a place of rendezvous. The call 
resulted in the assembling of a force which was 
organized into four regiments under command of 
Cols. John DeWitt. Jacob Fry. John Thomas and 
Samuel M. Thompson, together with a spy bat- 
talion under Maj. James D. Henry, an odd bat- 
talion under Maj. Thomas James and a foot 
battalion under Maj. Thomas Long. To these were 
subsequently added two independent battalions 
of mounted men, under command of Majors 
Isaiah Stillman and David Bailey, which were 



finally consolidated as the Fifth Regiment under 
command of Col. James Johnson. The organiza- 
tion of the first four regiments at Beardstown 
was completed by April 27, and the force under 
command of Brigadier-General Whiteside (but 
accompanied b\' Governor Reynolds, who was 
allowed pay as Major General by the General 
Government) began its march to Fort Armstrong, 
arriving there Maj- "and being mustered into the 
United States service. Among others accompany- 
ing the expedition who were then, or afterwards 
became, noted citizens of the State, were Vital 
Jarrot, Adjutant-General; Cyrus Edwards, Ord- 
nance Officer; Murray McConnel, Staff Officer, 
and Abraham Lincoln, Captain of a company of 
volunteers from Sangamon County in the Fourth 
Regiment. Col. Zachary Tajlor, then commander 
of a regiment of regulars, arrived at Fort Arm- 
strong about the same time with reinforcements 
from Fort Leavenworth and Fort Crawford. The 
total force of militia amounted to 1,935 men, and 
of regulars about 1,000. An interesting story is 
told concerning a speech delivered to the volun- 
teers by Colonel Taylor about this time. After 
reminding them of their duty to obey an order 
promptly, the future hero of the Mexican "War 
added: "The safety of all depends upon the obe- 
dience and courage of all. You are citizen sol- 
diers: some of you may fill high offices, or even be 
Presidents some day— but not if you refuse to do 
your duty. Forward, march!" A curious com- 
mentary upon this speech is furnished in the fact 
that, while Taylor himself afterwards became 
President, at least one of his hearers — a volunteer 
who probably then had no aspiration to that dis- 
tinction (Abraham Lincoln) — reached the same 
position during the most dramatic period in the 
nation's history. 

Two days after the arrival at Fort Armstrong, 
the advance up Rock River began, the main force 
of the volunteers proceeding by land under Gen- 
eral Whiteside, while General Atkinson, with 
400 regular and 300 volunteer foot soldiers, pro- 
ceeded by boat, carrying with him the artillery, 
provisions and bulk of the baggage. Whiteside, 
advancing by the east bank of the river, was the 
first to arrive at the Prophet's Town, which, 
finding deserted, he pushed on to Dixon's Ferry 
(now Di.xon). where he arrived Ma}- 12. Here he 
found the independent battalions of .Stillman and 
Bailey with ammunition and supplies of which 
Whiteside stood in need. The mounted battalions 
under command of Major Stillman, having been 
sent forward by Whiteside as a scouting party, 
left Dixon on the 13th and, on the afternoon of 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



611 



the next day, went into camp in a strong position 
near the moutli of Sycamore Creek. As soon dis- 
covered. Black Hawk was in camp at tlie same 
time, as he afterwards claimed, with about forty 
of his braves, on Sycamore Creek, three miles 
distant, while the greater part of his band were en- 
camped with the more war-like faction of the Pot- 
tawatomies some seven miles farther north on the 
Kishwaukee River. As claimed by Black Hawk 
in his autobiography, having been disappointed in 
his expectation of forming an alliance with the 
Winnebagoes and the Pottawatomies, he had at 
this juncture determined to return to the west 
Bide of the Jlississippi. Hearing of the arrival of 
Stilhnan"s command in the vicinity, and taking 
it for granted that this was the whole of Atkin- 
son's command, he sent out three of his young 
men with a white flag, to arrange a parley and 
convey to Atkinson his offer to meet the latter in 
council. These were captured by some of Still- 
man's band regardless of their flag of truce, while 
a party of five other braves who followed to ob- 
serve the treatment received by the flagbearers, 
were attacked and two of their number killed, the 
the other three escaping to their camp. Black 
Hawk learning the fate of his truce party was 
aroused to the fiercest indignation. Tearing the 
flag to pieces with which he had intended to go 
into council with the whites, and appealing to his 
followei-s to avenge the murder of their comrades, 
he prepared for the attack. The rangers num- 
bered 27.5 men, while Black Hawk's band has been 
estimated at less than forty. As the rangers 
caught sight of the Indians, they rushed forward 
in pell-mell fashion. Retiring behind a fringe 
of bushes, the Indians awaited the attack. As 
the rangers approached. Black Hawk and his 
party rose up with a war whoop, at the same time 
opening fire on their assailants. The further 
historj- of the affair was as much of a disgrace to 
Stillman's command as had been their desecra- 
tion of the flag of truce. Thrown into panic by 
their reception by Black Hawk's little band, the 
rangers turned and, without firing a shot, began 
the retreat, dashing through their own camp and 
abandoning everything, which fell into the hands 
of the Indians. An attempt was made by one or 
two officers and a few of their men to check the 
retreat, but without success, the bulk of the fu- 
gitives continuing their mad rush for safety 
through the night until they reached Dixon, 
twenty-five miles distant, while many never 
stopped until they reached their homes, forty 
or fifty miles distant. The casualties to the 
rangers amounted to eleven killed and two 



wounded, while the Indian loss consisted of two 
spies and one of the llag-bcarers, treacherously 
killed near Stillman's camp. Vhis ill-starred af- 
fair, which has passed into history as "Stillman's 
defeat. " produced a general panic along the fron- 
tier by inducing an exaggerated estimate of the 
strength of the Indian force, while it led Black 
Hawk to form a poor opinion of the courage ct 
the white troops at the same time that it led to 
an exalted estimate of the prowess of his own 
little band — thus becoming an important factor 
in prolonging the war and in the bloody massacres 
which followed. Whiteside, with his force of 
1,400 men, advanced to the scene of the defeat 
the next day and buried the dead, while on the 
19th. Atkinson, with his force of regulars, pro- 
ceeded up Rock River, leaving the remnant of 
Stillman's force to guard the wounded and sup- 
plies at Dixon. No sooner had he left than the 
demoralized fugitives of a few days before de- 
serted their post for their homes, compelling At- 
kinson to return for the protection of his base of 
supplies, while Whiteside was ordered to follow 
the trail of Black Hawk who had started up the 
Kishwaukee for the swamps about Lake Kosh- 
konong, nearly west of Milwaukee within the 
present State of Wisconsin. 

At this point the really active stage of the 
campaign began. Black Hawk, leaving the 
women and children of his band in the fastnesses 
of the swamps, divided his followers into two 
bands, retaining about 200 under his own com- 
mand, while the notorious half-breed, Mike Girty, 
ledaband of one hundred renegadePottawatomies. 
Returning to the vicinity of Rock Island, he 
gathered some recruits from the Pottawatomies 
and Winnebagoes, and the work of rapine and 
massacre among the frontier settlers began. One 
of the most notable of these was the Indian 
Creek Massacre in LaSalle County, about twelve 
miles north of Ottawa, on May 21, when sixteen 
persons were killed at the Home of W'illiam 
Davis, and two young girls — Sylvia and Rachel 
Hall, aged, respectively, 17 and 1,5 years — were 
carried away captives. The girls were subse- 
quently released, having been ransomed for $2,000 
in horses and trinkets through a Winnebago 
Chief and surrendered to sub-agent Henry 
(Iratiot. Great as was the emergency at this 
juncture, the volunteers began to manifest evi- 
dence of dissatisfaction and, claiming that they 
had served out their term of enlistment, refused 
to follow the Indians into the swamps of Wis 
consin. As the result of a council of war, the 
volunteers were ordered to Ottawa, where thev 



612 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



were mustered out on May 28, by Lieut. Robt. 
Anderson, afterwards General Anderson of Fort 
Sumter fame. Meanwhile Governor Reynolds had 
issued his call (with that of 1831 the third,) for 
2,000 men to serve during the war. Gen. 
Winfield Scott was also ordered from the East 
with 1,000 regulars although, owing to cholera 
breaking out among the troops, they did not 
arrive in time to take part in the campaign. The 
rank and file of volunteers responding under the 
new call was 3,148, with recruits and regulars 
then in Illinois making an array of 4,000. Pend- 
ing the arrival of the troops under the new call, 
and to meet an immediate emergency, 300 men 
were enlisted from the disbanded rangers for a 
period of twentj' days, and organized into a 
regiment under command of Col. Jacob Fry, 
with James D. Henry as Lieutenant Colonel and 
John Thomas as Major. Among those who en- 
listed as privates in this regiment were Brig.- 
Gen. Whiteside and Capt. Abraham Lincoln. A 
regiment of five companies, numbering 195 men, 
from Putnam County under coznmand of Col. 
John Strawn, and another of eight companies 
from Vermilion County under Col. Isaac R. 
Moore, were organized and assigned to guard 
duty for a period of twentj' daj'S. 

The new volunteers were rendezvoused at Fort 
Wilbourn, nearly opposite Peru, June 15, and 
organized into three brigades, each consisting of 
three regiments and a spy battalion. The First 
Brigade (915 strong 1 was placed under command 
of Brig. -Gen. Alexander Posey, the Second 
under Gen. Milton K. Alexander, and the third 
under Gen. James D. Henrj-. Others who served 
as officers in some of these several organizations, 
and afterwards became prominent in State his- 
tory, were Lieut. -Col. Gurdon S. Hubbard of the 
Vermilion County regiment; John A. McClern- 
and, on the staff of General Posey; Maj. John 
Dement ; then State Treasurer ; Stinson H. Ander- 
son, afterwards Lieutenant-Governor; Lieut. - 
Gov. Zadoc Casey; Maj., William McHenry; 
Sidney Breese (afterwards Judge of the State 
Supreme Court and United States Senator) ; W. 
L. D. Ewing (as Major of a spy battalion, after- 
wards United States Senator and State Auditor) ; 
Alexander W. Jenkins (afterwards Lieutenant- 
Governor) ; James W. Semple (afterwards United 
States Senator) ; and William Weatherford (after- 
wards a Colonel in the Mexican War), and many 
more. Of the Illinois troops, Posey's brigade 
was assigned to the duty of dispersing the Indians 
between Galena and Rock River, Alexander's sent 
to intercept Black Hawk up the Rock River, 



while Henry's remained with Gen. Atkinson at 
Dixon. During the next two weeks engage- 
ments of a more or less serious charactei *\ ere 
had on the Pecatonica on the southern border of 
the present State of Wisconsin ; at Apple River 
Fort fourteen miles east of Galena, which was 
successfully defended against a force under Black 
Hawk himself, and at Kellogg's Grove the next 
day (June 25), when the same band ambushed 
Maj. Dement's spy battalion, and cam<! near in- 
flicting a defeat, which was prevented by 
Dement's coolness and the timely arrival of re- 
inforcements. In the latter engagement the 
whites lost five killed besides 47 horses which had 
been tethered outside their lines, the loss of the 
Indians being sixteen killed. Skirmishes also 
occurred with varying results, at Plum River 
Fort, Burr Oak Grove, Sinsiniwa and Blue 
Mounds — the last two within the present State of 
Wisconsin. 

Believing the bulk of the Indians to be camped 
in the vicinity of Lake Koshkonong, General 
Atkinson left Dixon June 27 with a combined 
force of regulars and volunteers numbering 2,600 
men — the volunteers being under the command 
of General Henry. They reached the outlet of the 
Lake July 2, but found no Indians, being joined 
two days later by General Alexander's brigade.and 
on the 6th by Gen. Posey's. From here the com- 
mands of Generals Henry and Alexander were 
sent for supplies to Fort Winnebago, at the Port- 
age of the Wisconsin ; Colonel Ewing, with the 
Second Regiment of Posey's brigade descending 
Rock River to Dixon, Posey with the remainder, 
going to Fort Hamilton for the protection of 
settlers in the lead-mining region, while Atkin- 
son, advancing with the regulars up Lake Koshko- 
nong, began the erection of temporary fortifica- 
tions on Bark River near the site of the present 
village of Fort Atkinson. At Fort Winnebago 
Alexander and Henry obtained evidence of the 
actual location of Black Hawk's camp through 
Pierre Poquette, a half-breed scout and trader 
in the employ of the American Fur Company, 
whom they employed with a number of Winne 
bagos to act as guides. From this point Alex- 
ander's command returned to General Atkinson's 
headquarters, carrying with tliem twelve day's 
provisions for the main army, while General 
Henry's(600 strong), with Major Dodge's battalion 
numbering 1.50, with an equal quantity of supplies 
for themselves, started under the guidance of 
Poquette and his Winnebago aids to find Black 
Hawk's camp. Arriving on the 18th at the 
Winnebago village on Rock River where Black 



HISTOKICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



613 



Hawk and his band had been located, their camp 
was found deserted, the Winnebagos insisting 
that tliey had gone to Cranberry ( now Horicon) 
Lake, a half-daj-'s march up the river. Messen- 
gers were immediately dispatched to Atkinson's 
headquarters, thirty -five miles di.stant, to ap- 
prise him of this fact. When they had proceeded 
about half the distance, they struck a broad, 
fresh trail, which proved to be that of Black 
Hawk's band headed westward toward the Mis- 
sissippi. The guide liaving deserted them in 
order to warn his tribesmen that further dis- 
sembling to deceive the whites as to 
the whereabouts of the Sacs was use- 
less, the messengers were compelled to follow 
him to General Henry's camp. The discovery pro- 
duced the wildest enthusiasm among the volun- 
teers, and from this time-events followed in rapid 
succession. Leaving as far as possible all incum- 
brances behind, the pursuit of the fn.^icives was 
begun without delay, the troops wadiug through 
swamps sometimes in water to their armpits. 
Soon evidence of the character of the flight the 
Indians were making, in the shape of exhausted 
horses, blankets, and camp equipage cast aside 
along the trail, began to appear, and straggling 
bands of AVinnebagos, who had now begun to 
desert Black Hawk, gave information that the 
Indians were only a few miles in advance. On 
the evening of the 20th of July Henry's forces 
encamped at "The Four Lakes," the present 
site of the city of Madison, Wis. , Black Hawk's 
force lying in ambush the same night seven or 
eight miles distant. During tlie next afternoon 
the rear-guard of the Indians under Neapope was 
overtaken and skirmishing continued until the 
bluflfs of the Wisconsin were reached. Black 
Hawk's avowed object was to protect the passage 
of the main body of his people across the stream. 
The loss of the Indians in these skirmishes has 
been estimated at 40 to 68, while Black Hawk 
claimed that it was only six killed, the loss of 
the whites being one killed and eight wounded. 
During the night Black Hawk succeeded in 
placing a considerable number of the women and 
children and old men on a raft and in canoes 
obtained from the Winnebagos, and sent them 
down the river, believing that, as non-combat- 
ants, they would be permitted b}' the regulars 
to pass Fort Crawford, at the mouth of the Wis- 
consin, undisturbed. In this he was mistaken. 
A force sent from the fort under Colonel Ritner to 
intercept them, fired mercilessly upon the help- 
less fugitives, killing fifteen of their number, 
while about fifty were drowned and thirty-two 



women and children made prisoners. The re- 
mainder, escaping into the woods, with few ex- 
ceptions died from starvation and exposure, or 
were massacred by their enemies, the Jlenomi- 
nees, acting under white officers. During the 
night after the battle of Wisconsin Heights, a 
loud, shrill voice of some one speaking in an un- 
known tongue was heard in the direction where 
Black Hawk's band was supposed to be. This 
caused something of a panic in Henry's camp, as 
it was supposed to come from some one giving 
orders for an attack. It was afterwards learned 
tliat the speaker was Neapope speaking in the 
AVinnebago language in the hope that he might 
be heard by Poquette and the Winnebago guides. 
He was describing the helpless condition of his 
people, claiming that the war had been forced 
upon them, that their women and children were 
starving, and that, if permitted peacefully to re- 
cross the Mississippi, they would give no further 
trouble. Unfortunately Poquette and the other 
guides had left for Fort Winnebago, so that no 
one was there to translate Neapope's appeal and 
it failed of its object. 

General Henry's force having discovered that the 
Indians had escaped — Black Hawk heading with 
the bulk of his warriors towards the Mississippi — 
spent the next and day night on the field, but on 
the following day (July 23) started to meet General 
Atkinson, who had, in the meantime, been noti- 
fied of the pursuit. The head of their columns 
met at Blue Mounds, the same evening, a com- 
plete junction between the regulars and the 
volunteers being effected at Helena, a deserted 
village on the Wisconsin. Here by using the 
logs of tlie deserted cabins for rafts, the army 
crossed the river on the 2Tth and the 28th and the 
piu-suit of black Hawk's fugitive band was re- 
newed. Evidence of their famishing condition 
was found in the trees stripped of bark for food^ 
the carcasses of dead ponies, with here and there 
the dead body of an Indian. 

On August 1, Black Hawk's depleted and famish- 
ing band reached the Mississippi two miles below 
the mouth of the Bad Ax, an insignificant 
stream, and immediately began trying to cross 
the river; but having only two or three canoes, 
the work was slow. About the middle of the 
afternoon the steam transport, "Warrior," ap- 
peared on the scene, having on board a score of 
regulars and volunteers, returning from a visit 
to the village of the Sioux Chief, Wabasha, to 
notify him that his old enemies, the Sacs, were 
headed in that direction. Black Hawk raised the 
white flag in token of surrender but the oflScer 



614 



HISTOBICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



in command claiming that he feared tieacliery or 
an ambush, demanded that Black Hawk should 
come on board. This he was unable to do, as he 
had no canoe. After waiting a few minutes a 
murderous fire of canister and musketry was 
opened from the steamer on the few Indians on 
shore, who made sucli feeble resistance as they 

iwere able. The result was the killing of one 
white man and twenty-three Indians. After this 
exploit the "Warrior" proceeded to Prairie du 
Chien, twelve or fifteen miles distant, for fuel. 

i During the night a few more of the Indians 
crossed the river, but Black Hawk, seeing the 

I hopelessness of further resistance, accompanied 

'by the Prophet, and taking with him a party of 
ten warriors and thirty-five squaws and children, 
fled in the direction of "the dells" of the Wis- 
consin. On themorningof the2d General Atkinson 
arrived within four or five miles of the Sac 
position. Disposing his forces with the regulars 
and Colonel Dodge's rangers in the center, the brig- 
ades of Posey and Alexander on the right and 
Henry's on the left, he began the pursuit, but 
was drawn by the Indian decoys up the river 
from the place wliere the main body of the 

i Indians were trying to cross the stream. This 
had the effect of leaving General Henry in the rear 
practically without orders, but it became the 
means of making his command the prime factors 
in the climax which followed. Some of the spies 
attached to Henry's command having accidental- 
ly discovered tlie trail of the main body of the fu- 
gitives, he began tlie pursuit witliout waiting for 

; orders and soon found himself engaged with .some 
300 savages, a force nearly equal to his own. It 
was here that the only thing like a regular battle 
occurred. Tlie savages fought with tlie fury of 
despair, while Henry's force was no doubt nerved 
to greater deeds of courage by the insult which 
they conceived had been put upon them by Gen- 
eral Atkinson. Atkinson, hearing the battle in 
progress and discovering that he was being led 
off on a false scent, soon joined Henry's force 
with his main army, and the steamer " Warrior," 
arriving from Prairie du Chien, opened a fire of 
canister upon the pent-up Indians. The battle 
soon degenerated into a massacre. In the course 
of the three hours through wliich it lasted, it is es- 
timated that 150 Indians were killed by fire from 
the troops, an equal number of both sexes and 

^all ages drowned while attempting to cross the 

'river or by being driven into it, while about ."50 

I (chiefly women and children) were made prison- 
ers. The loss of the whites was 20 killed and 13 

iwounded. When the "battle" was nearing its 



close it is said that Black Hawk, having repented 
the abandonment of his people, returned within 
sight of the battle-ground, but seeing the slaugh- 
ter in progress which he was powerless to avert, he 
turned and, with a howl of rage and horror, fled 
into the forest. About 300 Indians (mostly non- 
combatants) succeeded in crossing the river in a 
condition of exhaustion from hunger and fatigue, 
but these were set upon by the Sioux under Chief 
Wabasha, through the suggestion and agency of 
General Atkinson, and nearly one-half their num- 
ber exterminated. Of the remainder many died 
from wounds and exhaustion, while still others 
perished while attempting to reach Keokuk's band 
who had refused to join in Black Hawk's desper- 
ate venture. Of one thousand who crossed to the 
east side of the river with Black Hawk in April, 
it is estimated that not more than 1.50 survived 
the tragic events of the next four months. 

General Scott, having arrived at Prairie du Chien 
early in August, assumed command and, on 
August 15. mustered out the volunteers at Dixon, 
111. After witnessing the bloody climax at the 
Bad Axe of his ill-starred invasion. Black Hawk 
fled to the dells of the Wisconsin, where he and 
the Prophet surrendered themselves to the Win- 
nebagos. by whom they were delivered to the 
Indian Agent at Prairie du Chien. Having been 
taken to Fort Armstrong on September 21, he 
there signed a treaty of peace. Later he was 
taken to Jefferson Barracks (near St. Louis) in 
the custody of Jefferson Davis, then a Lieutenant 
in the regular army, where he was held a captive 
during the following winter. The connection of 
Davis with the Black Hawk War, mentioned by 
many historians, seems to have been confined to 
this act. In April, 1833, with the Prophet and 
Neapope, he was taken to Washington and then 
to Fortress Monroe, where they were detained as 
prisoners of war until June 4, when they were 
released. Black Hawk, after being taken to many 
principal cities in order to impress him with the 
strength of the American nation, was brought to 
Fort Armstrong, and there committed to the 
guardianship of his rival, Keokuk, but survived 
this humiliation only a few years, dying on a 
small reservation set apart for him in Davis 
County, Iowa, October 3, 1838. 

Such is the story of the Black Hawk War, the 
most notable struggle with the aborigines in Illi- 
nois history. At its beginning both the State 
and national authorities were grossly misled by 
an exaggerated estimate of the strength of Black 
Hawk's force as to numbers and his plans for 
recovering the site of his old village, while 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



615 



Black Hawk had conceived a low estimate of the 
numbers and courage of his white enemies, es- 
pecially after the Stillman tlefeat. The cost of 
the war to the State and nation iu money has been 
estimated at §2,000,000, and in sacrifice of life 
on both sides at not less than l.iOO. The loss of 
life by the troops in irregular skirmishes, and in 
massacres of settlers by the Indians, aggregated 
about 250, while an equal nmuber of regulars 
perished from a visitation of cholera at the 
various stations within the district affected by 
the war, especially at Detroit, Chicago, Fort 
Armstrong and Galena. Yet it is the judgment 
of later historians that nearly all this sacrifice of 
life and treasure might have been avoided, but 
for a series of blunders due to the blind or un- 
scrupulous policy of officials or interloping squat- 
ters upon lands which the Indians had occupied 
under the treaty of 1804. A conspicious blunder — 
to call it by no harsher name — was 
the violation by Stillman's command of the 
rules of civilized warfare in the attack made 
upon Black Hawk's messengers, sent under 
flag of truce to request a conference to settle 
terms under which he miglit return to the west 
side of the Mississippi — an act which resulted in 
a humiliating and disgraceful defeat for its 
authors and proved the first step in actual war. 
Another misfortune was the failure to understand 
Neapope"s appeal for peace and permission for his 
people to pass beyond the Mississippi the night 
after the battle of Wisconsin Heights; and tlie 
third and most inexcusable blunder of all, was 
the refusal of the officer in command of the 
" Warrior " to respect Black Hawk's flag of truce 
and request for a conference just before the 
bloody massacre which has gone into history 
under the name of the '" battle of the Bad Axe." 
Either of these events, properly availed of, would 
have prevented much of the butchery of that 
bloody episode which has left a stain upon the 
page of history, although this statement implies 
no disposition to detract from the patriotism and 
courage of some of the leading actors upon whom 
the responsibility was placed of protecting the 
frontier settler from outrage and massacre. One 
of the features of the war was the bitter jealousy 
engendered by the unwise policj' pursued by 
General Atkinson towards some of the volun- 
teers — especially the treatment of General James 
D. Henry, who, although subjected to repeated 
sliglits and insults, is regarded by Governor Ford 
and others as the real liero of the war. Too 
brave a soldier to sliirk any responsibility and 
too modest to exploit his own deeds, he felt 



deeply the studied purpose of his superior to 
ignore him in the conduct of the campaign — a 
purpose which, as in the affair at the Bad Axe, 
was defeated by accident or by General Henry's 
soldierly sagacity and attention to duty, although 
he gave out to the publi(^ no utterance of com- 
plaint. Broken in health by the hardships and 
exposures of the campaign, he went South soon 
after the war and died of consumption, unknown 
and almost alone, in the city of New Orleans, less 
two years later. 

Aside from contemporaneous newspaper ac- 
counts, monographs, and manuscripts on file 
in public libraries relating to this epoch in State 
history, the most comprehensive records of the 
Black Hawk War are to be found in the " Life of 
Black Hawk," dictated by himself (1834) ; Wake- 
field's "History of the War between the United 
States and the Sac and Fox Nations" (1834); 
Drake's" Life of Black Hawk" (1854); Ford's 
"History of IlUnois" (1854); Reynolds' "Pio- 
neer History of Illinois; and 'My Own Times"; 
Davidson & Stuve's and Moses' Histories of Illi- 
nois; Blanohard's ' The Northwest and Chicago" ; 
Armstrong's "The Sauks and the Black Hawk 
War, " and Reuben G. Thwaite's "Story of the 
Black Hawk War" (1893.) 

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, a village in the southern 
part of Cook County, twenty-eight miles south of 
the central part of Chicago, on the Chicago & 
Eastern Illinois, the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern and 
the Michigan Central Railroads ; is located in an 
agricultural region, but has some manufactures 
as well as good schools — also has one newspaper. 
Population (1900), 5,100. 

GRANITE, a city of Madison Couuty, located 
five miles north of St. Louis on the lines of the 
Burlington; the Chicago & Alton; Cleveland, 
Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis; Chicago, Peoria 
& St. Louis (Illinois), and the Wabash Railways. 
It is adjacent to the Merchants' Terminal Bridge 
across the Mississippi and has considerable manu- 
facturing and grain-storage business; has two 
newspapers. Population (1900), 3,123. 

HARLEM, a village of Proviso Township, Cook 
County, and suburb of Chicago, on the line of the 
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, nine miles 
west of the terminal station at Chicago. Harlem 
originally embraced the village of Oak Park, now 
a part of the city of Chicago, but, in 1884, was set 
off and incorporated as a village. Considerable 
manufacturing is done here. Population (1900), 
4,085. 

HARVEY, a city of Cook County, and an im- 
portant manufacturing suburb of the city of Chi- 



616 



HISTORICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA OF ILLINOIS. 



cago, three miles southwest of the southern city 
limits. It is on the line of the Illinois Central 
and the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railways, and 
has extensive manufactures of harvesting, street 
and steam railway machinery, gasoline stoves, 
enameled ware. etc. : also has one newspaper and 
ample school facilities. Population (1900), 5,395. 

IOWA CENTRAL RAILWAY, a railway line 
having its principal termini at Peoria, 111., and 
Manly Junction, nine miles north of Mason City, 
Iowa, with several lateral branches making con- 
nections with Centerville, Newton, State Center, 
Story City, Algona and Northwood in the latter 
State. The total length of line owned, leased 
and operated by the Company, officially reported 
in 1899, was .508.98 miles, of which 89.76 miles- 
including 3.5 miles trackage facilities on the 
Peoria & Pekin Union between Iowa Junction 
and Peoria — were in Illinois. The Illinois divi- 
sion extends from Keithsburg — where it enters 
the State at the crossing of the Mississippi — to 
Peoria. — (History.) The Iowa Central Railway 
Company was originally chartered as the Central 
Railroad Company of Iowa and the road com- 
pleted in October, 1871. In 1873 it passed into 
the hands of a receiver and, on June 4, 1879, was 
reorganized under the name of the Central Iowa 
Railway Company. In May, 1883, this company 
purchased the Peoria & Farmington Railroad, 
wliich was incorporated into the main line, but 
defaulted and passed into the hands of a receiver 
December 1, 1886; the line was sold under fore- 
closure in 1887 and 1888, to the Iowa Central 
Railway Company, which had effected a new 
organization on the basis of 811,000.000 common 
stock, §6,000,000 preferred stock and §1,379,625 
temporary debt certificates convertible into pre- 
ferred stock, and §7,500,000 first mortgage bonds. 
The transaction was completed, the receiver dis- 
charged and the road turned over to the new 
company, May 15, 1889. — (Financial). The total 
capitalization of the road in 1899 was .§31,337,558, 
of which §14,1.59,180 was in stock, §6,650,095 in 
bonds and §528,283 in other forms of indebtedness. 
The total earnings and income of the line in Illi- 
nois for the same year were §.532,568, and the ex- 
penditures §566,333. 

SPARTA, a city of Randolph County, situated 
on the Centralia & Chester and the Mobile & 
Ohio Railroads, twenty miles northwest of Ches- 
ter and fifty miles southeast of St. Louis. It has 



a number of manufacturing establishments, in- 
cluding plow factories, a woolen mill, a cannery 
and creameries; also has natural gas. The first 
settler was James McClurken, from South Caro- 
lina, who settled here in 1818. He was joined by 
James Armour a few j'ears later, who bought 
land of McClurken, and together they laid out 
a village, which first received the name of Co- 
lumbus. About the same time Robert G. Shan- 
non, who had been conducting a mercantile busi- 
ness in the vicinity, located in the town and 
became the first Postmaster. In 1839 the name 
of the town was changed to Sparta. Mr. McClur- 
ken, its earliest settler, appears to have been a 
man of considerable enterprise, as he is credited 
with having built the first cotton gin in this vi- 
cinity, besides still later, erecting .saw and fiour 
mills and a woolen mill. Sparta was incorporated 
as a village in 1837 and in 1859 as a city. A col- 
ony of members of the Reformed Presbyterian 
Church (Covenanters or "Seceders"") established 
at Eden, a beautiful site about a mile from 
Sparta, about 1822, cut an important figure in 
the history of the latter place, as it became the 
means of attracting here an industrious and 
thriving population. At a later period it became 
one of the most important stations of the "Under- 
ground Railroad" (so called) in Illinois (which 
see). The population of Sparta (1890) was 1,979: 
(1900), 2,041. 

TOLUCA, a city of Marshall County situated 
on the line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 
Railroad, 18 miles southwest of Streator. It is in 
the center of a rich agricultural district ; has the 
usual church and educational facilities of cities 
of its rank, and two newspapers. Population 
(1900), 2,629. 

WEST HAMMOND, a village situated in the 
northeast corner of Thornton Township, Cook 
County, adjacent to Hammond, Ind., from which 
it is separated by the Indiana State line. It is on 
the Michigan Central Railroad, one mile south of 
the Chicago City limits, and has convenient ac- 
cess to several other lines, including the Chicago 
& Erie; New York, Chicago & S^. Louis, and 
Western Indiana Railroads. Like its Indiana 
neighbor, it is a manufacturing center of much 
importance, was incorporated as a village in 
1892, and has grown rapidly \vithin the last few 
years, having a population, according to the cen- 
sus of 1900, of 8,935. 



Wabash County 



R 13 w 



^mri^M 



R IZ W urilii •.-'/•r M rr y R lit 

3^= 



N. B. — The name of Keens- 
BCBG Precinct, as it appears 
on this Map, has been changed 
to COFFEE PRECINCT. 




COIRT HOISE, MT. CARMIU. 





■^-it ^p^^c^dS^ ^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



CHAPTER I. 



INTRODUCTORY. 



THE NOETHWEST TEJIBITOBY — OKIQINAL GEOGRAPHY 

CESSION BY VIEGINIA — NATUEAL CONDITIONS — 

ORDINANCE OF 1787 DIVISION AND CIVIL GOVEEN- 

MENT — FEONTIEES. 

The .State of Illinois was originally a part of 
the Northwest Territory, which included all that 
vast region lying between the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers and projecting north to the pres- 
ent boundaries of Canada. As a result of the 
conquest by Col. George Rogers Clark under 
authority of the State of Virginia in 1778, this 
region became a part of that commonwealth un- 
der the name of Illinois County. This jurisdic- 
tion was continued until 1784, when Virginia 
ceded its rights to the United States, its example 
being followed during the next two years by sev- 
eral other States, including New York, Massa- 
chusetts and Connecticut which claimed rights 
to territory west of their boundaries by virtue 
of their original charters received as colonies 
from the British government. As a consequence 
of these cessions, the General Government ob- 
tained control of a domain out of which were 
later created the imijerial oomnionwealths of Wis- 
consin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and the 
eastern portion of Minnesota. The deed of ces- 
sion by Virginia was dated March 1, 1784. signed 
by Thomas Jefferson. James Monroe. Arthur I^ee 
and Samuel Hardy, and by it the Old Dominion 
relinquished forever all right, title and claim 
to a virgin realm whose wide extending prairies 
were to become the most fruitful and opulent 
agricultural portion of the earth, and upon the 
placid bosoms of whose rivers and great lakes 



would float the most colossal inland commerce of 
tlie world. 

Conditions. — At that time this land, so prodi- 
gal in potential wealth, so remote from civiliza- 
tion, so primitive iu character, was regarded as 
a strange unexplored and inhospitable region, 
where the gory tomahawk of the savage and the 
death-dealing fevers of pestilential marshes and 
insalubrious swamps, envenomed reptiles and 
ferocious wild animals, with malignant vehem- 
ence would assail the on-coming skirmish lines 
of civilization, and exact from them a fearful 
toll of suffering and death. 

Yet these iwrtentous foes of the bold and self- 
sacrificing pioneers failed to thwart the on- 
rushing tide of emigrants, eager to confront 
these fatal perils and grapple them in grim and 
deadly conflict if only they could reach and re- 
claim from savagery this Western Paradise and 
hand it down as a priceless legacy of their valor 
and devotion to their children and' country. 

Division and Civil Govebnment. — The ever- 
increasing tide of emigration and the vast area 
of this magnificent territory rendered the usual 
processes of government impotent or inoperative, 
and to overcome this grave exigency and to effect 
a prompt and salutary administration of civil af- 
fairs, the country was organized as the North- 
west Territory, and its government regulated 
by the celebrated act familiar at this day as "the 
Ordinance of 1787" and which, in its great conse- 
quences, was to become one of the most far- 
reaching enactments in American history. 

It struck down the aristocratic privileges of 
primogeniture and consecrated the soil of Ohio, 
Indiana. Illinois. Michigan and Wisconsin to 
the sacred cause of human liberty by forever ex- 
cluding slavery from their vast confines. 

In :i large measure the Ordinance of 1787 de- 
termined the character of our social, political 
and educational institutions. Daniel Webster 
said of It : "I doubt whether one single law, 



617 



618 



WABASH COUNTY 



ancient or modern, has produced effects of more 
distinct and lasting ctiaracter than the Ordi- 
nauce of 17S7." 

After the adoption of this ordinance and the 
extinction of Indian titles, settlers from the east 
poured over the Alleghenles and down the Ohio 
into the new country now opened for settlement, 
and with them came many Revolutionary patri- 
ots — officers and soldiers — who, influenced by the 
(iovernment's promise of free lauds, eagerly 
turned the prow of hope toward the unmeasured 
Ixiuntifulness of the, then, "Far West." 

We cannot study the comjiact of 1787 without 
being deeply impressed by the wisdom, patriotism 
and pliilanthrophy of those who enacted it. It 
provided for public schools, and the donation of 
every sixteenth section of land In each township 
for public schools, and declared that — "Religion, 
morality, and knowledge, being necessary to 
good government and the happiness of man- 
kind, schools and the means of education shall 
always be encouraged." 

On July 13, 1787, the bill was passed, the now 
famous compact was placed be.vond rei>eal, and a 
splendid empire, in the heart of the grandest val- 
ley on the globe, dedicated to freedom, intellig- 
ence and progress. 

Frontiers. — The people of this interior wilder- 
ness, plethoric with abounding opiwrtunlties, 
were virtually isolated from the world. They 
spun on spinjiing-wheels and wove on looms of 
their own handicraft material for their own 
clothing. They made their own clumsy chairs, 
rough tables and rude bedsteads, and ate from 
wooden bowls Instead of dishes. They crudely 
tanned for leather the skins of the wild beasts 
they slew for food, and from it fabricated 
shoes and raiment, and from the husks of corn 
made ropes and brooms and harness. They made 
cradles for the babies from sugar troughs and 
hives for the bees from hollow trees, and drank 
sassafras tea sweetened with maple sugar. 

The trusty rifle was alwa.ys carried afield, to 
be at instant service for the skulking Indian. 

The fertile soil yielded bounteous crops. The 
streams were filled with edible fish. The elk, 
deer, and bear, the wild turkey and pigeons 
abounded in endless profusion ; the majestic for- 
ests were stored with nutritious nuts and acorns; 
wild strawberries, in luscious abundance, em- 
broidered, with crimson hues, the settlers' lonely 
paths ; industrious bees filled the hollows of 
giant trees with honey, sweet as those of an- 



cient Treliizoud. and the wild crab apple 
freighted the drowsy air with the most redolent 
of perfumes. 

This was indeed a land of romance and op- 
portunity, of enchantment and grandeur, and 
from It there has been developed the fairest and 
richest territorial dominion ever vouchsafed to 
the destiny of mankind. 



CHAPTER II. 



ILLINOI.S. 



AREA AND GE0GR.\PHY — PRAIBIES AND FORESTS — 

PREHISTORIC MONUMENTS AND RELICS INDIANS 

— FRENCH E.\PLOREBS — SETTLEMENT — BRITISH 

DO.MINION — THE CONQUEST OF KASKASKIA — TER- 
RITORY OF ILLINOIS — ILLINOIS A STATE. 

A knowledge of the history and resources Oi 
our great State is important, as well as the his- 
tory of our nation. It is essential to a proper 
understanding of the magnitude of its material 
and industrial imjwrtance, and to a Just appre- 
ciation of Its influence ui>on our sisterhood of 
States. Illinois is Ills miles wide at its widest 
luirt, and has an extreme length of 385 miles, 
thus extending as far north as Boston, Mass., 
and as far south as Richmond. Va. Its area is 
!5(i,(J50 square miles. 

Geography. — It was due to the sagacity and 
tactics of Nathaniel Pope, our Territorial Dele- 
gate in the Congress of 1818, that the present 
northern boundary of the State Wi\,s fixed at lat. 
42° 30', instead of the southern bend of Lake 
Michigan, which would have cros,sed the State 
about fifteen miles below the City of Chicago, 
and fixed that great metropolis in what is now 
the State of Wisconsin. 

Illinois is eminently fortunate in her geograph- 
ical location. Situated in the very heart of the 
nation, a prodigious volume of the travel and 
commerce of the countr.v is compelled to traverse 
her soil, augmenting her great industries and en- 
hancing her wealth. 

More than two-thirds of her boundaries are 
made up the navigable waters, the Mississippi 
on the west, the Ohio on the south and the Wa- 



WABASH COUNTY 



619 



bash Kiver and Lake Michigan on the east. The 
courses of her interior rivers are highly favorable 
for domestic trade and calculated to i)rouiote 
comuiercial development. 

The average altitude of the State above sea- 
level is about liOO feet, the highest point being 
1257 feet, which is in Jo Daviess County, while 
Cairo, the lowest point, is about 300 feet above 
the sea. 

The average temperature is 5S degrees, and the 
average rainfall for the north is 34 inches and. 
of the south, 40 inches jier annum. 

The surface is undulating, sloping gradually 
to the south, except where It is crossed by a 
ridge of the Ozarks. 

Prairies. — The vast prairies of Illinois are 
wonderfully fertile and very level. The word 
prairie means meadows, and was used by the 
French explorers to describe the vast and tree- 
less areas they discovered in this region, re- 
splendent with lirilliant hued wild flowers and 
over which grazed the lordly liuffalo. the stately 
elk and graceful deer. 

It was the habit of the Indians to bum off 
grass on the prairies in the fall and winter to 
provide nutritious pastura.ge in the spring, for the 
wild animals, which would feed in great squad- 
rons, upon their luxuriant growth, and, it is 
supix)sed, that these tires prevented the spread- 
ing of forests. 

Forests. — Fully three-fifths of the State was 
treeless, almost entirely north of a line drawn 
from St. Louis to Mt. Carmel, while south of 
this there were many noble forests of the most 
valuable species of timber, which even yet sus- 
tain valuiible and extensive lumber industries. 
A'andal hands have Ignorantly and wantonly dis- 
mantled much of tills land, which, otherwise 
would be gorgeous and stately natural parks, 
preserving in miniature, at least, some aspect 
of the grace and splendor of the primeval for- 
ests as they were beheld by the wrapt and 
wondering visions of the iron-willed explorers. 

Prehistoric Monuments and Relics. — Illinois 
is rich in the relics of prehistoric races, and rare 
and extensive collections of stone implements 
have been collected from their ancient abodes 
and burial mounds. 

Fine sp<K-imens of pottery, copper iinplenients 
and ceremonial stones have l)(>en found in many 
places. 

These races carved and painted the images of 



animals and fantastic ligures on the faces of 
bluffs and exposed rocks. 

The most remarkable feat performed by these 
vanished races was the rearing of stupendous 
mounds, the purpose of which, and the manner 
of their construction, are veiled in obscurity as 
dim as that of the Egyptian pyramids and to 
which there is a plainly recognizable but inex- 
plicable similitude. It is supix)sed some were 
built for the purposes of war, others for wor- 
ship and interment, but as to the greater por- 
tion, our ingenuity is baffled, even in the realm 
of conjecture. 

These mounds abound chiefly along rivers and 
are especially numerous and large in the 
"American Bottom.' There are almost one hun- 
dred in the vicinity of the old CahoUia Mound — 
one of this group which is the most extensive 
earth-work of its kind in the United States. 
This mound is p.\Tamidal in form, rising in a 
series of four terraces to a height of one hun- 
dred feet, while its base covers an area of four- 
teen acres, surpassing the base of any of the 
Egyptian pyramids. 

Indians of Ilunois. — The Indians of Illinois 
were generally superior in physical strength and 
prowess to those of other portions of North 
America, and had attained to somewhat better 
conditions of living, due. doubtless, to the favor- 
able conditions afforded them by the productive 
soil of the prairies, which needed no clearing, 
and on which an abundance of wild fowl and 
other game was more easily obtained than in the 
dense forests and mountain fastnesses of other 
parts of the c-ountry; and also to the fact that, 
out on the expanding and variegated prairies, 
with their luxuriant landscapes, beautiful sun- 
shine and emerald verdure, there was wanting 
that oppressive sense of isolation, fear and su- 
perstilion tliat peojiled the gloomy forest and 
frowning mountain heights with phantom foes 
and disembodied spirits. 

Because of these favorable environments, the 
densest Indian population of the country grew 
up along the Illinois and other rivers of the 
State. No where could the red man find such 
an abundance of game, fish and fowl so easy of 
procurement, live in such savage aftluence or tind 
a more congenial home. This beautiful and 
prodigal land was coveted by many tribes and 
fierce and bloody were the numerous wars waged 
by contending tribes for its posses.sion. 

Even the renowned Iroquois of New York had 



620 



WABASH COUNTY 



heard the inviting tales of this plentiful region, 
and in the seventeenth century, invading it with 
500 picked warriors, attaclied and defeated the 
Illinois Indians hut never made this region their 
permanent dwelling place, 

The most numerous and powerful tribe in Illi- 
nois was the lUini, and from it the State took 
its name — a word which, in the Indian lan- 
guage, means "suijerior men," and was supiwsed 
to be descriptive of the tribe which Father 
Menibre says were "tall of stature, strong and 
robust, the swiftest runners in the world." 

The Sacs and Foxes, and the Pottawatomies 
lived north of the Illinois River, the ambitious 
and savage Kickapoos near the mouth of Fox 
Kiver, Wis., and later in tlie central part of Illi- 
nois, the Miamis on the eastern borders, the 
Shawnees and Piaukishaws on the lower Wa- 
bash. 

The red man has departed from the land he 
loved so dearly, but his race is perpetuated in the 
sweetly eujihonious and musical names of our 
rivers, counties and States, which he has be- 
queathed to us as a legacy of his poetical fancies. 

French Explohers. — Jean Nicolet, a French 
explorer, was the first white man known to have 
visited the Illinois Country. Having discovered 
Jjake Michigan, in l(iii4, it is supposed that he 
then visited the village of the Illinois Indians. 

He was followed by fur traders and trappers 
who undoubtedly wandered over the greater por- 
tion of the present State prior to the coming of 
the intrepid LaSalle and adventurous Joliet, 
but of their adventures and perils tradition alone 
<?an furnish any account. 

Louis Joliet was a bold and active French Ca- 
nadian, who longed to explore and claim the 
country for the king of France. On May 17, 
1673, he and the i>ious, prudent and humble 
priest. Father Jacques Marquette, master of 
seven Indian dialects, and a typical missionary, 
in comixmy with five dauntless companions, 
.started from St. Ignace on the northern shore of 
Lake Michigan, in two birch bark canoes, and 
with i)rovisions of meal and smoked meat, made 
the hazardous journey which led them down the 
Father of Waters. On their return they passed 
Tip the Illinois River, visited the Peoria In- 
dians and Marquette preached to them, after- 
ward making their way to Lake Michigan 
whence Joliet returned to Quebec. The follow- 
ing year Marquette returned to Illinois and after 
spending the winter near the mouth of the Chi- 



cago River, in the spring of 1675, founded the 
first Mission in Illinois, where the village of 
Utic-a now stands. Marquette wrote accurate 
descrii>tions of the land, vegetation, animals, 
fish and small game seen by these heroic voy- 
agers on the first journey of the white man 
down the lordly Mississiijpi. 

Robert Cavelier, Sieur de la Salle, was the 
most daring and intrepid genius ever sent by 
France to the new world. None of the French 
explorers were so bold or resourceful as LaSalle. 
Assailed by jealousy, the victim of treachery and 
conspiracies of white men and Indians, attempts 
made uiion his life, wounded, suspected and be- 
trayed, yet his masterful genius and indomit- 
able courage overcame all obstacles and he 
achieved marvelous results for his country. He 
explored the country west of the Alleghenies, 
found the Ohio and overcoming great disasters, 
at last reached the mouth of the Mississippi, 
and took ix)ssesslon of the country in the name 
of Louis XIV. naming it Louisiana, in honor 
of his king. In 1GS4 he attempted to found a 
colony at the mouth of the Mississippi, but 
through lack of knowledge of the Gulf coast, 
located in the vicinity of what is now believed 
to have been the vicinity of Matagorda Bay, 
Texas. There he remained three years, his colon- 
ists enduring, in the meantime, great suffering 
and privation. He then attempted to return 
nortli to Canada, but on the way was murdered 
b.v some of his nuitinous companions on the 
Trinity River, in Texas, on March 19, 1687, and 
thus treacherously perished the wisest and brav- 
est of the great French explorers on the conti- 
nent. 

Settlement. — The mission wliicli Marquette 
established, on the Illinois River, near the 
present site of Utica. he named Kaskaskia. 
Through fear of the hostile Iroquois and 
to secure the fur trade on the Mississippi 
the mission was abandoned, and the tribe 
moving south settled near the mouth of what be- 
came the Kaskaskia River, and the new town 
was given the name of the old one, and thus in 
1700 the second Kaskaskia was founded. The 
first permanent settlement in the State, however, 
there is reason to l)elieve, was the village of 
Cahokla, some forty miles north of Kaskaskia, 
thus antedating the latter by a few months, but 
occurring the same year. In 1718 the French 
soldiers erected a fort between Kaskaskia and 
Cahokia, which they named Fort Chartres and 





OTj, 







WABASH COUNTY 



621 



it soon grew into such prominence that it was 
often said tliat "All the roads lead to Fort 
Chartres." 

Prior to 1712 Illinois was a part of Canada, 
but it was then united with the lower Missis- 
sippi settlements under the name of Ix)uisiana. 
In the year 1717 the Illinois country had but 
300 white inhabitants. 

British Dominion. — By the terms of the 
treaty of Fontainebleau, signed February 10. 
17tj3, the Illinois Country was transferred to the 
British crowi\. The brief rule of England 
brought but little ihauge to Illinois, and but few 
of its inhabitants knew or cared anything about 
It. In 17ti3 England Issued a proclamation 
designating the provinces and the manner of 
their governuient. 

Upon the arrival of Captain .Sterling the flag 
of France was taken down and the English flag 
run over Fort Chartres. which was certainly a 
strange and interesting sight to the inhabitants. 
They were given eighteen months to decide 
whether they would remain or remove, and one- 
third left, going to St. Louis and New Orleans. 
Col. Wilkins, the British Commandant, in 1768, 
by proclamation established a code of civil and 
criminal administration, of which trial by jury 
was the central feature. The French, unaccus- 
tomed to jury trials, avoided the courts and sub- 
mitted their controversies to the priest for ad- 
judication. 

Conquest of Kaskaskia. — Kaskaskia was 
captured July 4, 177S, by the retloubtable Gen. 
George Rogers Clark, a good soldier and an able 
diplomatist, after which the other French vil- 
lages surrendered at discretion, and soon the 
British flag was lowered at Cahokia never again 
to wave on Illinois soil as a British possession. 

By Gen. Clark's conquest Illinois became a 
part of Virginia and by act of her Legislature, 
in October, 1778. was created and organized as 
the County of Illinois. The illustrious orator. 
Patrick Henry, then Governor Virginia, thus be- 
came the tirst American Governor of Illinois. 
His first administrative act was to appoint Col. 
John Todd. Lieutenant-Commandant of the 
County of Illinois, his commission bearing date 
December 12, 1778. At the time of his appoint- 
ment Col. Todd was a judge on the bench in 
Kentucky, where he had evince<I rare ability, 
clear discernment and uncommon learning as a 
jurist. He had been a soldier under Gen. Clark 
and was the first man. in Clark's little army, to 



enter Kaskaskia at the time of. its capture, so 
that when he agam returned to the frontier 
capital, entrusted with the authority of the com- 
monwealth of Virginia, he was not a stranger 
to its citizens. 

In addition to his otflcial commission Col. 
Todd carried a grave and sensible letter of in- 
structions from Governor Patrick Henry, by 
which, among other things, he was instructed , 
first — 

"To cultivate the affections of the French and 
Indians. 

"To Impress the jieople with the value of lib- 
erty. 

"To guarantee an improved jurisprudence. 

"To consult and advise with the most intel- 
ligent people who might fall in his way. 

"To hold the property of the Indians, particu- 
larly their land, inviolable. 

"To subordinate the military to the civil 
authority. 

"To encourage trade and to carry out the 
above principles with unwearied diligence." 

Todd's arrival was no common event in the 
annals of the already historic village of Kas- 
kaskia, which had witnessed many vicissitudes 
of fortune and been the headquarters of explor- 
ers, missionaries, soldiers, priests and cele- 
brated travelers, for this man came to adminis- 
ter the most enlightened laws of the age. 

Territory of Iixinois. — By an act of Congress 
passed, February 3, 1801), the Territorj- of Illi- 
nois was created and Ninian Edwards of Ken- 
tucky, a man of unusual mental and moral en- 
dowments, was appointed its first Governor, as 
it is said by the potent influence of Henry 
Clay, who, in a letter, ascribed to him the high- 
est virtues and rarest qualifications for adminis- 
trative duties. Governor Edwards had received 
a classical education. inherite<l uncommon saga- 
city, and was a man of amiable disposition and 
beautiful character. 

.^onie of the early Territorial laws of Illinois 
were extremely harsh and cruel, but they were 
taken from the laws of the older States. 

In our day of enlightenment and tolerance for 
the unfortunate, it is difficult to believe that our 
statutes were ever sullied by providing for the 
following degrading jiunishraents : for burglary, 
whipping on the bare back 3!) stripes: larceny, 
31 stripes; hog-stealing. 30 lashes; bigamy, 100 
to 300 stripes ; disobedient children and ser- 
vants. 10 lashes; branding with hot iron and 



622 



WABASH COUNTY 



standing in tbe pillory — extreme eases — and 
there were five crimes punishable with death. 
No property was exempt from execution and if 
the debt and costs were not paid in full, the 
hapless and helpless debtor could be cast into 
prison to satisfy the vengeance of his vindictive 
creditor. In those halcyon days men and women 
rode a hundred miles, over wild and unbroken 
roads, to witness the pious spectacle of a public 
hanging, from which — thanks for the growth of 
humau charity and retinenieut — their now living 
descendants would ride farther to avoid wit- 
nessing. 

Illinois a 8t.^te. — When the .vear Isls 
dawned, the inhabitants of Illinois had lived 
under French, English and American Territorial 
government. From the north, south and east 
immigration had rushed into this land of golden 
promise. Travelers and adventurers, in every 
country, were telling entrancing tales of its fer- 
tile soil, gliding rivers, opulent mines and ex- 
uberance of palatable game, and their alluring 
reports augmented the hurrying tide of immi- 
grants until it poured over the boundless 
prairies by thousands. 

The enabling act, making Illinois a State, was 
passed April IS, ISIS. 

The first Constitutional Convention convened 
at Kaskaskia, and established a constitution 
which was signed August 2(!, 1818. Shadraeh 
Bond was elected (iovernor and Xinian Kdwards 
(the previous Territorial (iovernor) and Jesse 
B. Thomas were chosen United States Senators. 
Tlius Illinois started upon that great career of 
prosperity and honor which has made her one of 
the greatest and most populous States of the 
I'nion. In population she is exceeded only by 
New York and Pennsylvania, according to the 
census of 1910, .5,0.38.501 inhabitants dwelling 
within her borders. 

The State has 102 counties and over 1,000 in- 
corporated cities, towns and villages. The total 
value of its farm products surpasses that of any 
other State in the Union and it ranks third in 
manufacturing. It manufactures more railway 
cars, more farm implements, more watches, 
packs more meat, distills more liquor and has 
more miles of railway than any other State. 
It has 40,000 square miles of coal lands, is the 
second State in the production of oil, and is 
possessed of vast and valuable other mineral 
wealth. Its geographical situation makes it 
the natural center of trade and commerce be- 



tween the East and the West, and it is certainly 
destined to become the wealthiest and most pop- 
ulous State of the Union. 

The sons of Illinois have i)erformed deeds of 
valor on all our battle fields and her history is 
illuminated by the record of their gallantr.v. 
Illinois supplied for her own regiments during 
our great Civil War 250,000 men, and those of 
her sons who went into the army from other 
States increase the total number of her heroic 
host to 290,000, or more than all the soldiere the 
Colonies had enrolled in the armies of the Revo- 
lutionary War. She gave to the nation many 
brave and distinguished Generals and eminent 
statesmen, and in recounting the list of heroes 
of that might.v conflict, we cannot forbear men- 
tioning the names of Grant. Logan, Oglesby, 
Palmer, Ilurlbut. Pope. Wallace, Ransom, 
Grierson, Black, Prentiss, and McClernand. 
At the head of her illustrious roll of statesmen 
stand the immortal names of Lincoln and Doug- 
las, Trumbull. Washburne. Bissell and Yates, 
David Davis and Shelby M. Cullom. 

The unrivaled progress and replendent his- 
tory of Illinois should inspire the just pride and 
exalt the [latriotism of all her citizens. 
"Not without thy wondrous story, 
Illinoi.s, Illinois, 
Can be writ the Nation's glory 

Illinois, Illinois, 
On the record of the years, 
Abr'am Lincoln's name appears. 
Grant and Logan, and our tears, 

Illinois, Illinois, 
Grant and Logan, and our tears, 
Illinois." 



CHAPTER III. 



WAH.\SII COUNTY. 



FIRST COUNTY ORGANIZATION — ILLINOIS COUNTY 

SUBSEQUENT ORGANIZATIONS OF WHICH WABASH 
COUNTY FORMED A PART — THE PRESENT COUNTY 

ORGANIZED IN 1824 ITS AREA AND BOUNDARIES 

— TOPOGRAPHY. HY'DBOGRAPHY' AND SOIL. 

County organization first took place in Illi- 
nois in 1770, following the conquest of Kaskas- 



WABASH COUNTY 



623 



kia ami Vinceimes by George Rogers Clark, and 
the great county of Illinois was created by act 
of the Assembly of Virginia, but the lioundaries 
of the vast region were only vaguely defined and 
the plan of government devised for its regula- 
tion was never set in complete operation 
throughout its far flung limitations. Wabash 
County was organized in isi;4 from the eastern 
portion of Edwards County, with its present area 
of 220 square miles or about 140.000 acres of 
land. The territory of which it is composed had 
previously constituted a part of the following 
counties: Illinois County (as part of the State 
of Virginia), 1778 to 1790; Knox County (as part 
of the Northwest TeiTitory and Indiana Terri- 
tory), 1790 to 1809; Randolph County (after 
the organization of Indiana Territory), 1S09 to 
1812: Gallatin County, 1812 to 1815; and Ed- 
wards County, 181;") to 1824. There are but three 
smaller counties In the State, viz: Putnam (the 
smallest) with an area of 170 square miles; 
Hardin, with 180 square miles and Pulaski, with 
190. Edwards and Alexander each have the 
same area as Wabash. 

Boundaries. — It is bounded on the north by 
Lawrence and Richland Counties ; on the east 
and south by the Wabash River ; and on the 
west by Edwards County, the Bonpas Creek 
flowing between, constitutes the boundary line- 
Its general contour is triangular, its greatest 
length north and south is 23 miles and its ex- 
treme width from the Wabash to the Bonjias is 
16 miles and includes two comi)lete and thirteen 
fractional portions of congressional townshiiis. 
It embraces seven political subdivisions or elec- 
tion precincts, the names of which are : Mt. Car- 
mel, Coffee, Compton, Bellmont. Lick Prairie, 
Friendsville and Wabash. 

Topography. — The surface of the county is 
generally level, except in the northwest, which 
Is consideralily undulating, and slopes east and 
south from the uplands until it is merged into 
the rich alluvial bottoms, which constitute one- 
third of the area of the county, and which were 
formerly covered with immense forests of i>op- 
lar, oak, hickory, walnut, cypress, gum, 
maple, elm and sycamore. Along the Wabash 
River and on the Illinois shore within the 
county, are several prominent liluffs ranging 
from 75 to 100 feet in height. McCleary Bluff 
in the southeast w^as near the site of the ancient 
and important village of the Pianklshaw Indians, 
and at this point, during low water, the farmers 



take coal from the bed of the river. Little Rock 
is about ten miles above Mt. Carniel. Its natural 
beauty has been greatly marred by cutting away 
great portions of its once smooth and lofty walls 
for stone. At this place the Illinois shore is a 
vertical palisade of rocks for a great distance. 
Xear its center it is cleft by an abrapt canon, 
within which are small eaves, shaded nooks, 
trickling cascades and lovely grottos, where 
great ferns grow in tropical profusion. Hanging 
Rock, three miles above Mt. Carniel, is a semi- 
circular rock wall which, in the center, rears its 
huge i)innacle over a hundred feet above the 
water and projects out over the river many feet, 
from which fact it takes its name. From its 
lofty snnunit can be obtained a superb view of 
the surrounding country, which affords a fasci- 
nating perspective, and the place itself is rich in 
relics and legends of the Indians, once romantic, 
but evanescent abode. At Mt. Carmel the bluffs 
are one hundred feet high and gracefully 
crowned with noble shade trees, and from their 
heights can be had a splendid view of the Wa- 
bash. AA'hite and Patoka Rivers, which roll their 
wimpling sea of waters at their rocky base. 
Here one may stand 

And see the rivers, how they run, 

Through woods and meads, in shade and sun. 

Sometimes swift, and sometimes slow. 

Wave succeeding wave, they go 

A various journe.v to the deep, 

I>ike human life to endless sleep. 

Hydrography. — Lying lietween the Wahash 
River and Bonpas Creek, the county is well sup- 
plied with water courses, the entire eastern and 
southern boundary being washed by the Wabash 
The smaller streams of importance are the 
Coffee, Crawfish, Greatbouse, Sugar and Jordan 
Creeks. Until recent years there were large 
ponds in the southeast part of the county, the 
principal ones being Bairds, Brushy and Grassy 
Ponds, all of which have been reclaimed by ex- 
tensive drainage, and where the pioneers seined 
barrels of fish and trajiped the otter and musk- 
rat, are now found cultivated fields, with a black 
soil six feet in depth. 

Soil. — Wabash is an agricultural county, its 
regular surface and well drained lanjls making 
it particularly suitable for husbandry. In the 
northern and eastern portions, near the bluffs, 
the soil is clayey, but is underlaid by loess de- 
posit, and is consequently very productive and 



624 



WABASH COUNTY 



yields abundant crops of all the cereals known 
to this climate. Most of the upland soil is a 
clay loam and is peculiarly well adapted for 
wheat, of which it produces a superior quality. 
The bottom lands, on which there is still consid- 
erable timber, are comjwsed of a deep alluvial 
dejKJsit with a sandy subsoil, and are the most 
productive lands in the county. 

It has been claimed that if this soil were in 
some parts of New England, it would be sold by 
the bushel. 



CHAPTER IV. 



GEOLOGY— FLORA AND FAUNA. 



GEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN WABASH COUNTY — 
SOIL, COAL MEASURES AND STONE VARIETIES — 
BBICK AND potter's CLAY BOTANY' — INDIGE- 
NOUS TREES AND OTHER PRODUCTS — NATIVE ANI- 

MAI,S CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN PRODUCED BY 

CIVILIZATION — ANIMALS AND BIRDS THAT HAVE 
DISAPPEARED. 

The geological formations of Wabash County 
are found to belong to the Quaternary and up- 
per coal measures. The first attains its com- 
pletest development along the bluffs of the Wa- 
bash, where it consists of the buff and yellow 
marly sands and clays of the loess, and an ordi- 
nary thickness of the gravelly clays of the drift 
formation, while stratified clays abound along 
the lower streams and near the mouth of the 
Bonpas. At Mt. Carmel the loess and drift 
clays are about thirty feet in thickness, this 
being the average depth, and being the same as 
in the river bluffs, but on the uplands, distant 
from the river, the usual thickness ranges from 
fifteen to twenty feet. At GrayvUle, the banks 
of the Bonpas reveal out-crops of stratified clay 
of from five to ten feet in thickness, of various 
colors and apparently derived from the decom- 
position of the clay shales of the coal measures, 
while above these are found from twenty to 
thirty feet of loess, probably covering a nucleus 
of gravelly drift clay. 

At Mt. Carmel. in the river bluffs, there is an 
outcrop of sandstone, forming the lower part of 
the bluff, which is underlaid by a blue clay 



shale, partially exposed, which comes under the 
classification of coal measures. A section of the 
bluff at this point shows the following : 

Strata Feet 

Loess and drift clay 30 

Soft, shaly, micaceous sandstone 13 

Massive sandstone, partly concretionary. . .20 

Blue clay shale, partial exjwsure 3 to 6 

Springs of water issue from the sandstone in- 
dicating the impervious nature of the under- 
lying beds. A boring for coal was made at this 
point, the record of which Mr. J. Zimmerman 
furnished for publication in the State Geolog- 
ical Rerwrt: also a reiwrt of borings for oil is 
accessible in the same publication, and to which 
we are indebted for much information contained 
in this chapter. 

Coal shafts have been sunken and mining has 
been done at Frieudsville. Maud, McCleary's 
Bluff and on the Sehrodts, Chapman and 
Simonds farms. The latter lies two miles south- 
west of Mt. Carmel. The vein found in it con- 
formed in thickness and quality with the others, 
being about three feet in thickness and a section 
of which showed the following : 

Strata Ft. In. 

Drift clay and soil 5 6 

Argillaceous shale 30 

Limestone 6 

Mineralogy'. — Coal is quite generally found In 
drinking wells and, at several places through the 
county, crops out above the surface in the beds 
of streams. There is but little stone in the 
county fit for building purpose, and that which 
exists is found in the sandstone out-cropplngs 
along the bluffs of the river and in the northwest 
part of the county. There Is a ledge of rock in 
the river at Rochester, which has been slightly 
worked, and it is thought, if sufficiently quar- 
ried, it would yield a fair quality of building 
stone. In the banks of Greathouse Creek, near 
Mt. Carmel, there is found, what is thought to 
be a fair quality of ixitter's clay. Good brick 
clay is plentiful in nearly all parts of the county, 
and sand suitable for building purposes is 
abundant. 

Flora. — In this work we cannot treat fully of 
the fl,iora of the county. Our plants are of great va- 
riety, many of great beauty and some quite rare ; 
in fact, it is one of the richest and most inviting 
fields to be found by the botanist. The late Dr. 
J. Schneck. a capable and enterprising botanist, 
made an accurate and exhaustive botanical 





a>-y— ^ 




1— Vo^-i— 



WABASH COUNTY 



625 



study of the county and made a complete list of 
Its indigenous trees and shrubs, which is found 
on page ti3, Vol. VI., of the "Geological Survey of 
Illinois." 

The most common varieties of timber to be 
observed in the county are the common species 
of oak, hickory, walnut, maple, ash, locust, elm, 
Cottonwood, sycamore, gum, pecan, persimmon, 
hackberry, dogwood, sassafras, crab-apple, catalpa 
and pawpaw. 

Fauna. — Among the native animals found in 
the county were the buffalo, elk, Virginia deer, 
black bear, panther, gray wolf, wild-cat, fox, 
mink, otter, skunk, raccoon, opossum, squirrel, 
muskrat, etc. 

The bones of the larger animals were often 
found as late as 1830 ; bears did not entirely dis- 
appear until 1850, and the last wild deer was 
shot by Mr. Larner Risley on the Robert Chap- 
man farm in ISO'J. Like the red man. the buffalo 
and elk, the deer, wolf and other important 
species of mammals were unable to withstand the 
strenuous march of civilization, and have passed 
away, never again to return to our borders. 

Birds. — The groves and noble forests of the 
county were in highly favorable conditions for 
birds, both from the standpoint of subsistence 
and shelter, and no region in the country was 
blessed with greater numbers or more beautiful 
varieties than Wabash County once enjoyed ; but 
like the wild animals, many of their species have 
departed to other localities or become extinct. 
The latter class includes the wild turkey, wild 
pigeon, and prairie chicken. 

The birds of this section have been carefully 
classified and reported in the Transactions of 
Illinois Horticultural Society of the year 187(3. 



CHAPTER V. 



SETTLEMENT. 



ORIGIN OF THE NAME "W.\BASH" COUNTT ORGANI- 
ZATION — SOME EARLY FRENCH SETTLERS — FIRST 
ENGLISH SETTLEMENT — THE COMPTONS, GREAT- 
HOUSE AND SETH CARD THE ALLEGHANT 

COPNTY COLONY — THE CANNON MASSACRE- 
PRIMITIVE INDUSTRIES FIRST MILLS — FLAT- 
BOATING TO NEW ORLEANS LIFE IN THE PIONEER 

CABINS AMUSEMENTS AND SOCIAL LIFE. 

Wabash County takes its name from the Wa- 



bash Itiver. The name Wabash is derived from 
the Indian name. "Ouabache," by which the 
river was known to the Indians and early ex- 
plorers. The word has various meanings in the 
Indian language, among which are "White 
Waters," "Moving Cloud," "Swift Summer 
Cloud." Silver Water, and "Mad Bull," aU evi- 
dently being figures of speech, expressive of 
the swift and foaming waters at the Grand 
Rapids. 

The early French explorers gave the name of 
St. Jerome to the river, but the Indians and 
English refused to recognize it by any other than 
its metaphorical and symphonious Indian name. 

Wabash County was originally a part of Ed- 
wards County, which was divided and Wabash 
established in 1824, The French were the first 
to locate in Wabash County, their settlement 
being made at Rochester, a very favorable site 
on the Wabash River, in 1800. Among the first 
settlers were four brothers, named August, 
William, Joseph and Francis Tougas, also called 
Lauvelette or Lovellette. They were feared and 
respected by the Indians. August was particu- 
larly respected by the Piankishaws, and he had 
the boldness to punish thieving members of the 
tribe and they regarded him as their superior in 
prowess and intellect, and, while massacreing 
other settlers, they remained at peace with the 
four daring and stalwart brothers. August, in 
1838, moved to Mt. Carmel, where he conducted 
a hotel for several years, and in 1849 returned 
to Rochester, where he died. William removed 
to Vincennes but in 1816 returned to Rochester 
and erected a horse mill, the second one operated 
in the county. 

The first English settlement was made in Wa- 
bash Precinct in 1802, being founded by Levi 
Corapton and Joshua .Jordan. Compton after- 
wards erected Fort Compton in 1810, which was 
surrounded with a palisade and contained dwell- 
ings, barns, etc.. for the use of the inmates. 
This fort was large enough to shelter and pro- 
tect a hundred families, and often, at a hurried 
signal, were they compelled to seek refuge 
within its enclosure. 

The first horse-mill in the county was built by 
Compton at this i)Iace. 

Compton was an influential and progressive 
man and was a member of the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818 and afterwards Representa- 
tive in the First General Assembly from Ed- 
wards County, of which Wabash County then 



626 



WABASH COUNTY 



constituted a part. He attained the age of 
eighty years. John CouiiJtou was a Representa- 
tive from Wabash County in 1842-44. I^evi 
Compton"s son, Josepli, who died about 1874, was 
the first white child Itorn in the county. Levi's 
companion and lirother-in-law, Jordan, was a 
Virginian and had been a tenant of George 
Washington and fought with him at the lime of 
Braddoclv"s disastrous defeat. 

John Stilwell came from Kentuclcy in 1S(>4 
and brought with him a negro slave, named 
Armstead, whom the records show, he liberated 
in 1822. He was the wealthiest of the pioneers, 
but afUlcted with many strange peculiarities. 
Enoch Greathouse. a native of Germau.v, settled 
on the present site of Mt. Carmel in 1804. and 
in 1S17 moved to the now extinct town of Cen- 
treville, where he died at the advanced age of 
110 years. The Degans were French and coming 
from Detroit, joined their countryman at 
Rochester aliout 1804. 

IVo hardy and adventurous young French- 
men, Joseph Burway and Joseph Pichinaut. had 
joined the numerous little colony at Rochester. 
They were both killed by the Indians in 1815 
near Baird's Pond. Having lost their horses, 
the.v had gone in search of them and. while trail- 
ing through the dense woods, were surprised and 
killed. Burway carried a rifle, the report of 
which was recognized by three settlers in the 
bottoms. They suspected the cause of the firing. 
and rushed to the settlement to give the alarm. 
Hastening to the locality where the firing was 
heard, tlaey found the dead and mutilated bodies 
of the young heroes. The savages were pur- 
sued but escaped. The surrounding circum- 
stances showed that Burway had fought hero- 
ically, for several dead Indians strewed the peri- 
Ions path he had followed. 

Seth Gard. the most prominent of all the early 
settlers, located in what is now Lick Prairie 
Precinct, in 1813. The locality was named. 
Card's Point in his honor, and the name still 
perpetuates his memory. Judge Gard was a 
man of commanding force, a rare judgment 
and clear discernment. He was a truly repre- 
sentative man, and the early settlers leaned on 
him for counsel and direction. Upon the organi- 
zation of Edwards County in 1815, he was 
elected a Representative to the Third Terri- 
torial Legislature, and filled that office during 
the first session, being succeeded by M. S. 
Davenport for the second and last session. He 



was one of the first County Judges and was a 
leading member of the Constitutional Conven- 
tion of 1818. By his noble and useful life he 
bequeathed a legacy of honor to Wabash County 
which will ever cherish his venerated name. 

In 1816 a little band of c-olonists left their fair 
and traiHinil homes in Alleghany County, N. Y., 
to seek habitations in the deep solitude of the 
far western frontier. Of that memorable little 
comiwny, one still survives at the age of 95 
years. Rosander Smith, the .sou of Benjamin 
Smith. They made the entire journey by boats 
and settled at old Palmyra, where Crawfish 
Creek i)uts into the Wabash, and after a year of 
wretched privations and many deaths, the 
malarial location was cheerfully abandoned 
and the inhaliitants disi)ersed to more genial 
parts of the county. Brevity forbids calling the 
roll of the many courageous and self-sacrificing 
pioneers who, struggling with grave and innum- 
erable privations and dangere, wrested this beau- 
tiful country from savager.v and chaos, and 
struck out for their descendants the fair high- 
ways of civilization and prosi>erity. 

The Cannon Massacre. — The iiioneers were 
confronted with many perils and hardships on 
account of the hostility of the Indians, and until 
1815 the region was filled with treacherous and 
marauding bands. The murderous redskins fre- 
quently drove the .settlers into the forts or block- 
houses, and on several occasions the sanguinary 
tomahawk and bloody scalping knife secured 
many ghastly trophies. In 1818 occurred what 
is known in local history as the "Cannon Mas- 
sacre." an event whose tragic and bloody charac- 
ter threw the settlers into a state of fearful ap- 
prehension. An account of the tragedy, as 
afterward given by one of Mr. Cannon's daugh- 
ters, describes it in the following manner : "Mr. 
Cannon and his sons came across the Wabash 
from the Indiana side, and constructed a cabin 
near Campbell's Landing, in Coffee Precinct, on 
the ground where the Painter Grave-yard is 
now located. No signs of Indians were seen 
while they were engaged in the work, and it 
was supiwsed they had all left. 

".Vfter completing the cabin, they crossed the 
river to bring over the family. Late in the 
afternoon of the same day, after they all moved 
and settled in their house, they found a bee tree, 
and after becoming fairly settled, the men went 
into the timber to cut it. While thus engaged a 
band of Indians fell upon them suddenly. Mr. 



WABASH COUNTY 



627 



Cauiioii was instantly killed, and the otiiers fled 
for their lives. iSanuiel. a son of Mr. Cannon, 
was soon overtaken and disi)attlied by tlie imir- 
derons foe. They cut off his head and otherwise 
mutilated his liod.v, leaving it where he fell." 

ilrs. Cannon, a daughter, a boy about ten years 
old, and a son-in-law, by the name of Starks, 
were captured and carried off by the Indians. 
They were, however, all subsequently ransomed 
except the boy. Mr. Cannon and his son were 
buried by two neighbors. They wrapped the 
bodies in a horse skin and placed them in one 
grave. 

Primitive Ixdustries. — The industries of the 
pioneers consisted of farming, lumbering, crude 
manufacturing and flat-boating. Wheat and 
corn were raised in considerable quantities. 
The wheat was harvested with sickles, threshed 
with resounding flails or tramped out with 
horses, ridden by children, and the grain ground 
at mills run l)y water or propelled by horses. A 
Mrs. Ingrahani is said to have made the first 
wheat bread in the county, from wheat she 
plucked from the golden field, rubbed out and 
crushe<l in a mortar, and of which she made a 
cake for conipan.v and upon which her wonder- 
ing guest looked with delighted surprise. 

The chief and most necessary among the 
manufacturing industries were the "Pioneer 
Mills." They were a cheap and simple con- 
trivance, with a capacity for grinding from ten 
to twelve bushels of grain per day. In 1818 
there were two of these mills In this r^ion, one 
at Fort Harney and the other at Rochester, and 
to the latter, it is said, customers came a distance 
of si.xty miles. These primitive mills were 
called "baud mills." tiraters and hand mills 
were in conmion use for manufacturing meal. 
Water mills were also used for sawing lumber 
and grinding grain. The whipsaw was the chief 
device for sawing boards. One was erected at 
Rochester in a very early day. Most of the lum- 
ber manufactured in this wa.v was used for con- 
structing flat-boats, and some for houses. Black- 
smiths were scarce and nearly all domestic 
articles and machines were manufactured from 
wood. Even wagons and plows were made 
chiefl.v of wood, as well as the furniture and 
most of the dishes. The pioneers raised flax, 
si)ini on spinning-wheels and wove on looms of 
their own making, tanned leather and made 
their own shoes. Their most active Industry was 
that of building flat-boats, which were used for 



transporting their surplus products to New 
Orleans, for it was too bulliy to be hauled to the 
eastern markets. These boats were loaded and 
embarked, on the Wabash, at Mt. Carmel or 
Rochester usually, and started on their long and 
toilsome voyages, lasting sometimes several 
weeks. The Hat-boats were chiefly used for 
descending the river and upon arrival iu New 
Orleans were abandoned. Keel-boats and barges 
were used for ascending the river, and were pro- 
pelled by poles or towed like canal boats. These 
weary journeys were beset with many perils and 
serious hardships. 

Mode of Living. — The pioneers had but few of 
the comforts and couveniences of life, as we 
know them today, and many times were desti- 
tute of the most ordinary necessities, but their 
sturdy hearts were stout with courage and they 
were filled with the inspiring hope of better days 
and the jiromises of rich inheritances for their 
iwsterity. They sat at rou.gh tables and ate 
from rude dishes their frugal but wholesome 
food, which consisted of the savory meats of the 
deer and bear, the quail and squirrel, and the 
wild duck and delectable turke.v. which fell an 
eas.v prey to their unerring rifles. From hollow 
trees they garnered wild honey, and the grace- 
ful maples .yielded the delicious sap from which 
they made sugar. They strode the forests and 
walked the prairies, happy, hopeful and self- 
reliant men, ruddy with the glow of health and 
unvexed by the ensnaring follies, envious rival- 
ries and mind racking competitions that, today, 
fill asylums, prisons and suicidal graves with 
hapless victims of the "pace that kills." The 
axe and the trust.v rifle were their indespensable 
weapons. With the one they cleared away the 
dense forest and reared their cabin homes, and 
with the other the.y supplied the larder and re- 
pelled the murderous savage foe. 

Theirs was a home of severe simplicity but 
substantial, and proof against the rude lilasts 
of winter and but seldom decorated with the 
pretentious adornments of nails, hinges, locks 
and glass. The ordinary cabin had but one 
room, chinked and daubed, and contained a huge 
fireplace for heating and cooking purposes. The 
celling and doors were often covered with the 
skins of animals, and windows were made of 
greased paper and torches were used instead of 
candles. Wild hogs were fattened upon the 
abundant mast that covered the green carpets 
of the forest. From com they made "lye," 



628 



WABASH COUNTY 



hominy, "samp" and whiskey. On public occa- 
sions wliiskey was consumed in generous quanti- 
ties and the aesthetic art uf "bootlegging" was 
unknown. 

Their simple and routine lives were undis- 
turbed by tiuancial panics and society scandals, 
and all belonged to the aristocracy of useful- 
ness. They made their clothes from cotton, 
wool, flax and furs, which were more remark- 
able for durability and comfort than beauty, and 
were made by the i>atient and industrious 
women. The men wore "jeans" and linsey- 
woolsey hunting-shirts and coonskin caps, and 
the women linsey-woolsey gowns. The women 
often became adepts with the use of the hand 
card, spinning wheel and loom, and made sev- 
eral kinds of cloth which were colored to suit the 
fancy of the maker or the wearer. The young 
gallants were fond of wearing fringed buckskin 
breeches on special occasions, believing that they 
exercised a subtle influence upon the hearts of 
the buxom damsels whom they courted. 

Amusements were robust and athletic and re- 
garded for their exhibitions of physical skill and 
endurance: shooting was universally practiced 
and esteemed above all other accomplishments. 
Jumping and wrestling were common sports and 
everybody danced. Disputes and quarrels were 
settled by square stand up fights, and the deadly 
revolver, which reaps an annual harvest of be- 
tween six and eight thousand lives in our coun- 
try, today, was never found in tlie pocket of the 
brave pioneer. 

The complete story of the modes of life, the 
customs and amusements, privations and perils 
of the pioneers of Wabash County, is not essen- 
tially different from that of our whole country 
at an early day, which has been told with such 
thrilling reality and ravishing beaut.v by several 
of our great historians, and generations to come 
will linger over the fascinating recital with en- 
vious admiration. 



CHAPTER VI. 



POLITICAL ORGANIZATION- 
SEATS. 



COUNTY 



TEMPORARY IDENTITY OF EDWARDS AND WABASH 
COUNTIES — PALMYRA FIRST COUNTY-SEAT ITS 



INSANIT.\BY LOCATION — REMOVAL OF COUNTS 

SEAT TO ALBION EARLY COURTS AND FIRST 

COUNTY BUILDING — FRICTION BETWEEN EAST AND 
WEST DniSIONS — WABASH COUNTY SET OFF 
FROM EDWARDS IN 1S24 — ACT OF ORGANIZATION 

CENTBEVILLE FIRST COUNTY-SEAT OF WABASH 

— FIRST ELECTION — SE^AT OF JUSTICE REMOVED 
TO MT. CABMEL — COURT HOUSES — FIRES AND DIS- 
ASTROUS CYCLONE OF 1877 — APPEAL TO STATE 
LEGISLATURE FOR AID SUCCESSFUL. 

The history of Wabash County as a body poli- 
tic began December 27, 1824. when, by an act of 
the Legislature, it was severed from Edwards 
County and organizetl as Wabash County. Its 
political history, up to that time, is blended with 
Edwards County, which, at one time during the 
Territorial period, included one-third of the 
present area of the State of Illinois. Wabash 
constituted the east half of Edwards County at 
the time of separation, and in it the first im- 
portant pioneer settlements within its boun- 
daries were made chiefly by immigrants from 
Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina, 
except the French settlement at Rochester. 
IMwards County was created by act of the Terri- 
torial Legislature in 1814, its northern boundary 
being the Canadian line and Palmyra was 
named in the act as its county-seat The pro- 
prietors of the town were required to donate 
t went J' acres of ground for such purpose. Pal- 
myra was accordingly founded on the 22nd day 
of April, 1815, by the cooperation of Seth Gard, 
Peter Keen. Genaise Hazelton, Levi Compton 
and John Waggoner, who constituted the part- 
nership of Seth Gard & Co. 

Palmyra, named after the famous city of the 
East, was located on Crawfish Creek near the 
(Jreat Wabash River about two and a half miles 
north of the present city of Mt. Carmel, and like 
its proud predecessor of antiquity, was destined 
to fall into decay. Its site was a sluggish, 
marshy bend near the river, one of the most un- 
healthy locations in the whole region. Its sturdy 
inhabitants were tortured with m.ilarial fever, 
and many were soon buried on the sloping little 
knoll where, until a few years ago. fragments 
of the rude tombstones that marked their deso- 
late resting places, could be found beneath the 
withered leaves of the forest that had sprung 
into luxurious growth above them. 

Upon their arrival an Indian chief told them 
how many of his tribe had sickened and died at 




o^^2z/'A//-CiaL- 



WABASH COUNTY 



629 



the place, and warned them that the white man 
would share the same fate. But his counsel was 
unheeded until many of the colony had perished 
of wasting fever, and impending doom was ap- 
parent. The spot where Palmyra once stood is 
now a cultivated Held, and the plowshare ruth- 
lessly upturns the hallowed sod above the sepul- 
cher of its forgotten dead. 

A JfEW County Seat. — Such unsuitable and 
noxious environments were destined to compel 
an early abandonment of the ill-fated town, and 
accordingly a proiMSition to re-locate the county- 
seat was sulimitted to a popular vote at an elec- 
tion held in 1S21. 

Albion and Mt. Carmel were candidates and 
the former won. Albion was the heart of the 
noted English settlement in the west part of the 
county and. as the bitterness engendered by the 
war of 1S12 had not entirely subsided, Mt. Car- 
mel and the east part of the county were 
sorely aggrieved over the result. They would 
not be reconciled to the idea of having the 
county administration transferred to the British, 
as they satirically denominated their English 
neighbors of the west half. The feeling became 
so bitter that Mt. Carmel raised and drilled 
four companies of militia, for the purpose of 
marching upon Albion and violently seizing the 
records and transporting them to Mt. Carmel. 
The companies started on the march and the tirst 
night bivouacked on Bald Hill Prairie, and pro- 
posed to descend on the metropolis of "Little 
Britain" the next day. In the meantime Albion, 
having been advised of the contemplated attack, 
speedily dispatched peace commissioners to ar- 
range terms of settlement. The controversy 
was happily settled by an agreement to divide 
the county into eastern and western divisions, 
making the Bonpas Creek the dividing line. 

Courts. — I>uring Palmyra's existence as the 
county-seat, several Imiwrtant terms of county 
court were held at that place, and much public 
business transacted, of which there is preserved 
a complete and authentic record. The first 
session of court was convened at the house of 
Gervaise Hazelton. January 23rd. 181.5. The 
house of Hazelton was officially declared to be 
the court house, for which Mr. Hazelton was 
paid six and a fourth cents, in full, for the tirst 
year's rent. The history of the brief and formal 
proceedings of those early courts is full of in- 
terest to the student of pioneer jurisprudence. 
The first license was issued to Robert Erwin for 



the sale of spirituous liquors, on payment to the 
county of the sum of two dollars, and the price 
for the commodity sold was fixed at 121/. cents 
per half pint. The license was dated April 4, 
1S15. At this term Francis Vallie was granted 
license to operate a ferry across the Wabash 
River, and James Martin was licensed to keep a 
public house in the town on payment of one dol- 
lar to the county. 

No court house was ever built at Palmyra, 
the house of Mr. Hazelton being always 
used for that puriMse. The first Circuit 
Court held in I'almyra convened July 11, 
181."). over which Judge Stanley Griswold pre- 
sided, and of which Nathaniel Clayijole was ap- 
Iiointed Clerk. At this session the Grand Jury 
returned five indictments. The first case tried 
was that of the United States vs. John Stillwell 
for as.sault and battery. The defendant was 
convicted and fined two dollars and costs. The 
petit jury was constituted, largely, of members 
of the Grand Jury, who found the indictments. 

At tile July term in ISIO, six applicants were 
admitted to practice law, one of these being the 
celebrated Elias Kent Kane, who later became 
United States Senator from Illinois. The first 
jail was built at Palmyra, In 181."i, of hewed 
logs with a puncheon floor and shingle roof, at 
a cost of .'t;2.5."). By an order of court it was or- 
dered that certain town lots should be sold at 
$15.00 each, to defray the expenses of the pub- 
lic buildings, but because of Palmyra's un- 
fortunate location, but few lots were sold even 
at that low price. 

On the 10th day of April. 1821, the seat of jus- 
tice was formally transferred from unhappy 
Palmyra to Albion and on that day the Board 
of Commissioners, that had been appointed to 
appraise the damages accruing to the town in 
consequence of its loss of the county-seat, re- 
ported such damages at iflOO and said sum was 
ordere<l to be equally distributed to the pro- 
prietors of the town of Palmyra. The removal 
of the county-seat was the culminating adver- 
sity of Palmyra's disastrous career, and by it 
she was doomed to early and complete obliter- 
ation. 

County Division. — In pursuance of the peace 
compact entered into between the hostile fac- 
tions on Bald Hill Prairie. l>y which a partition 
of Edwards County was agreed ui>on. Major 
Utter, a member of the House of Representa- 
tives from Edwards County, introduc-ed a bill. 



630 



WABASH COUNTY 



providing for tlie fornmtion of a separate county 
out of tlie ("ounty of KJwarJs, wliit-li was passed 
and approved December 27, 1824, and thence- 
forward tlie Iiistory of tlie two counties diverges. 
Old asperities were sunk In oblivion and a sen- 
timental feeling and reverence for a c-ommou 
history, together with many nelgliborly deeds 
and acts of reciprocal appreciation, have united 
these two counties in bonds of faitliful friend- 
ship and neighl)orly association. The legislative 
act establishing Wabash County is now an in- 
teresting document to its citizens and should 
be esteemed with much regard for its historical 
interest. 

The debt of Edwards County was to be 
shared equally, and a commission, composed of 
Samuel Mundy. of Wabash, and John Cover, of 
Edwards, was aiipointed t,o audit the indebted- 
ness and apportion the same. 

An Act forming a separate county out of the 
County of Edwards : Approved December 27. 
1824. 

Herewith follows a coiiy of tlie act : 

.Section 1. lie it enacted by tlie people of 
the State of Illinois reprenentcd in the General 
Assembly, That all the tract of country within 
the following boundaries, to wit : Beginning at 
the mouth of De Bon Pas Creek, thence run- 
ning up the main branch of said creek to the 
line of Lawrence County, thence running east, 
with said line, to the Wabash River, and thence 
down the same to the place of beginning, shall 
constitute a new county, to be called Wabash ; 
and for the purpose of fixing a permanent seat 
of justice in said count.v. William Kiiikade, 
John H. Morris, Cornelius DeLong and Thomas 
Mason, of Dawrenee County, and (ieorge W. 
Farris. of Wayne County, be, and they are here- 
by appointed. Commissioners, which said Com- 
missioners, or a ma.iority of them, lieing duly 
sworn before some judge or .Justice of the I'eace 
of their State, to faithfully take into view the 
convenience of the people, and the situation of 
the settlements, witli an e.ve to future popula- 
tion and the eligibility of the place, shall meet 
on the first Monda.v in May. or within six days 
thereafter, at the house of Gervaise Ha/.leton. 
in said county, and proceed to examine and de- 
termine upon the place of the permanent seat 
of justice and de.signate the same: 

ProrUlcd. That the proprietors of the land 
shall give to the county a quantity of land not 
less than twent.v acres, for the piu'|)ose of erect- 



ing county liuiklings. to be laid out in lots and 
sold for that purpose; or .should the proprietor, 
or proprietors, refuse or neglect to make the do- 
nation aforesaid, then it shall be the duty of 
said Commissioners to fix ui>ou some other place 
for the seat of justice, as convenient as may be 
to the inhabitants of said county, which place 
so fixed and determined upon, the said Commis- 
sioners shall certify under their hands and 
seals, and return the same to the next County 
Lommissiouers' Court in said county: which 
court shall cause an entry to be made in their 
books of record, which place, so designated, 
sliall be the permanent seat of justice of said 
County, and until the public buildings shall be 
erected, the courts shall be held at such place 
in said county, as the County Commissioners of 
said county shall appoint. 

Sec. 2. JSe it further enacted. That said 
county shall bear an even share of the debts 
which are now outstanding against Edwards 
County, excepting all such as have arisen from 
the erection of public buildings at Albion ; and 
for the imrpose of ascertaining and adjusting 
tlie same, Samuel Mundy, of said county, and 
John Cover, Junior, of Edwards County, be and 
they are hereby appointed commissioners, whose 
duty it shall be to meet at the court house in 
Albion on the first Monday in June next, and 
to examine into the state of the treasury of the 
present Edwards County and the debts due from 
said county, and to divide the amount of debts 
which shall remain unpaid, excepting such as 
have arisen from the erection of the public 
building at Albion, between the two counties in 
iM|ual ]irop<irtion. and certify, under their hands 
and seals, to the next County Commissioners' 
Court of each county, the amount to be paid by 
each; and for the purpose of executing their 
conuiiission. the said commissioners are hereby 
authorized to send for witnesses and examine 
them upon oath. 

Sec :H. And be it further enacted. That 
each of the Commissioners appointed to locate 
tlie seat of justice in said county, shall receive 
a compensation of two dollars for each and 
every day they may be neces.sarily employed 
in fixing the aforesaid seat of justice, to be paid 
out of the county treasury, by an order from the 
County Commissioners, and that the commis- 
sioners apiHiinted by the second section of this 
act. shall receive the like sum per day, for every 
day necessarily employed in executing their com- 



WABASH COUNTY 



631 



mission, to lie paid out of the treasuries of tlieir 
respective counties, uiwn tlie order of their re- 
spective County Commissioners' Courts. 

Sec. 4. Be it further enaetcd. That on the 
first Monday of April next, an election shall be 
held at the house of Henry Utter, in said 
county, for one SheritT. one Coroner and three 
County Commissioners, which election shall be 
conducte<l in all respects agreeably to the pro- 
visions of the law regulating elections; Provided, 
That any tliree Justices of the Peace in said 
county, may act as judges of election, taking 
to themselves two qualitied voters as Clerks, 
and it shall be the duty of the Circuit Clerk of 
said County to give public notice agreeably to 
law, at least ten days previous to such elections, 
and in case there should be no clerk in said 
County, it shall be the duty of the Recorder to 
give such notice. 

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted. That the Citi- 
zens of said County are hereby declared to be 
entitled to the same rights and privileges as are 
allowed in general to other Counties in this 
.State. 

Sec. 6. Be it further enacted. That the said 
County shall vote in conjunction with Edwards 
County for Representatives and Senator of the 
General Assembl.v. 

Centreville. — In compliance with the pro- 
visions of Section 1, of the foregoing act, .lohn 
E. Morris. Cornelius DeLong and Tliomas Ma- 
son, who were apiwinted as Commissiotjers for 
that purpose reported that they had located the 
County-Seat of the County of Wabash, at Cen- 
treville, the location of which was in Section 35. 
Town 1, Nortli. and Section 2. Town 1 South, 
the site of which is now owaied by Rufus New- 
kirk antl J. M. Ramsey. I'art of the logs of the 
Old Court House are now used in a barn on 
Mr. Ramsey's farm. 

The share of the old Edwards 'County debt 
assessed against Wabash County was .'F74S.20ij. 

The first election was held at the home of 
Henry Tttor. at which I^evi Compton, Tarleton 
Boren and Moses Hedel were chosen Counly 
Conimissioner.s. and Abner Armstrong. Sherift'. 

Mt. Carmel, County-Seat. — As a county- 
Seat town. Centreville soon proved to be an ut- 
ter failure and in 1S2!) the seat of government 
was removed to Mt. Carmel. its already pros- 
perous rival, and lots 217 and 477 were selected 
as its permanent site, and where it has con- 
tinued to remain. 



The lirst court house built by Wabash County 
was erected at Centreville, by Moses Bedell, at 
a contract price of !);71.5, and was first occupied 
by the County Commissioners. June 5, 1S2(«. 

The second court house was erected by Scoby 
Stewart, in Mt. Carmel, in 1S2U; 1S57 it was 
totally destroyed by fire and the county rec- 
ords consumed, a loss which entailed great 
confusion and expense to the county. The 
third court house was erected in the same year 
by Hiram Bell, as contractor, for the sum of 
$ti,77o. This structure was demolished by the 
terrible cyclone which devastated the city of Mt. 
Carmel. at the hour of four o'clock 1'. M.. June 
4, 1877, and which destroyed eighteen lives, 
prostrated the business portion of the town in 
almost hopeless ruin and wrecked thousands 
uix)n thousands of dollars worth of property. 

In the midst of its distress and suffering, the 
county imixjrtuned the State Legislature for as- 
sistance for the purpose of providing a new 
court house. To this timely appeal a generous 
resiwnse was made, $1."),000 being appropriated. 

The present and fourth court house was com- 
pleted and occupied in March, 1881, at a cost of 
about )i;i7.()00, and it is hoped that, if it shall 
beccmie necessary to supplant it with a new 
"Hall of Justice,'' the work will be intrusted to 
more c(mipetent and reliable hands than those 
which reared the present edifice. 



CHAPTER VII. 



BENCH AX1> P.AR-^COrNTY OFFICERS. 



FIRST CIRCUIT COURT — JUDGES WHO HAVE PRE- 
SIDED OVER EDWARDS AND WABASH COUNTY CIR- 
CllT COURTS — CHANGES IN CIRCUITS AND COURT 
DLSTRICTS — SOME OF THE MOST EMINENT JIT- 
RISTS — WAB.\SH COUNTY BAR — THE PLACE WHICH 
LAWYERS HAVE FILLED IN GEXER.\L HISTORY — 
EARLY AND PRESENT LAWYERS IN WABASH 
COUNTY COUNTY OFFICERS. ISSli TO 11)10. 

Circuit Judges. — The first Circuit Court held 
within the territor.v of what is now lOdwards 
and Wabash Counties, was held at t)ld Palmyra, 
then the county seat of Edwards County, over 
which Judge Stanley (iriswold preside<l. At the 



632 



WABASH COUNTY 



term held in ISKJ. Thomas Towles was on the 
bench. From 1817 to ISIS, Jeptha Ilardiu was 
on the bench ; 181.S to 1819, Thomas C. Browne ; 
William Wilson, from 1819 to 1825; James O. 
Wattles from 1825 to 1S27, when Thomas C. 
Browne, as a Justice of the Supreme Court, was 
again on the circuit bench, serving one year, and 
being succeeded by William Wilson, also of the 
.Supreme Court, from 1S2S to 1835 ; Justin Har- 
lan from 1835 to 1841, when by a change of the 
State law increasing the number of Supreme 
Judges, William Wilson again returned to the 
circuit bench, serving until 1849, and being suc- 
ceeded by Justin Harlan, as Circuit Judge, from 
1849 to 1851 ; Samuel S. Marshall was then 
elected, serving until 1854, when he resigned. 
and Downing Baugh served one year ; Edwin 
Beecher served from 1855 to 1801; Samuel S. 
Marshall, from 18(il to 1865, when James M. 
Pollock succeeded him, serving until 1873. 

By act of Legislature on March 28, 1873, the 
State was divided, exclusive of Cooli County, 
into twenty-six Judicial Circuits, and at the 
election in June. 187."), one Judge was elected for 
each circuit, for tlie term of six years, Edwards 
and Wal)ash Counties then forming a part of 
the Twenty-fourth District. Tazewell B. Tan- 
ner was elected Judge of the Circuit, and Law- 
rence County forming a part of the Twenty-first 
District, James C. Allen was elected in that 
circuit. 

In 1877, the Legislature, in order to increase 
the number of Circuit Judges, and to provide 
for the origination of the Appellate Courts, 
consolidated the Twenty-six Judicial Circuits 
into thirteen, thereby giving each circuit two 
judges, and provided for the election of one ad- 
ditional judge for each circuit in August. 1877, 
for two years, making three judges in each ju- 
dicial circuit. In September following the Su- 
preme Court appointed twelve of the circuit 
jtidges to appellate court duty, the remaining 
judges presiding over the Circuit Courts in their 
respective districts. By this change of the ju- 
diciary system the Twenty-fifth and the Twenty- 
fourth Districts were united, to be known as the 
Second Judicial Circ-uit. 

In those districts Tazewell B. Tanner and 
James C. Allen, were already serving on the 
bench, and John H. Halley was elected to make 
the requisite number. Under the above act 
they presided until 1879, when Chauncey S. 
Conger. Thomas S. Casey and William C. Jones, 



were elected. In 1885, Chauncey C. Conger, 
Carroll C. Boggs and William C. Jones were 
elected ; in 1891, Judge Boggs was re-elected 
with Edward Youngblood and S. Z. Laudes as' 
his colleagues ; in 1897, Judge Youngblood was 
re-elected with P. A. Pearce and E. E. Newlin 
as new incumbents; in 1903, Pearce and New- 
lin were re-elected with J. R. Creighton, and in 
1909, Newlin and Creighton were re-elected with 
William H. Green, new incumbent. The pres- 
ent judges are capable and conscientious law- 
yers, as well as courageous and upright men. 

Several of the judges mentioned attained dis- 
tinction as learned, fearless and conscientious 
jurists and afterward became prominent and 
influential public men and eminent lawyers. In 
recalling their names we cannot refrain from 
mentioning those whom we esteem as especially 
deserving of honor, and we do so with no in- 
vidious intent. Prominent among those partic- 
ularly eminent in public affairs and justly de- 
serving of popular esteem, we recall William 
Wilson. Jeptha Hardin. Ju.stin Harlan, S. S. 
Marshall. James C. Allen, Chauncey S. Conger, 
Carroll C. Boggs and Hon. S. Z. Landes. 

Wabash County Bab. — Law is an ordination 
of omnipotent wisdom and is co-existent with all 
nature. It is as essential to the regulation and 
good order of society as it is to the supreme con- 
trol of the infinite systems of the universe. Its 
growth and evolution is co-ordinate with man's 
long and painful development from savagery to 
civilization. The history of jurisprudence is 
the record of man's advancement from rapine, 
jiredatory warfare and barbaric vengeance, to 
order, justice and stability. 

The administration of justice and the laws of 
pro[ierty recjuire the ripened wisdom and trained 
experience of those who have assiduously ap- 
plied their talents and knowledge of human ex- 
perience to the mastery of the science of law 
and the understanding of the complex, subtle 
and enigmatical causations of human conduct. 
An able and conscientious lawyer is one of the 
most influential factors in every county and 
community, his advice and direction are the 
earliest .sought and the most faithfully relied 
upon. 

The names of great lawyers in England and 
America, who were first to defy the despotism of 
tyrants, corrupted courts, repressive laws, and 
cruel persecutions, are among the world's most 
revered and venerated characters. 



WABASH COUNTY 



633 



In the struggles for llbertj', tbe lawyers have 
been among the first to lead and the last to re- 
treat in the cause of freedom, and their splendid 
services for mankind illuminate the most re- 
splendent pages of our common history. In no 
country have lawyers wielded so great an in- 
fluence for good as in America, and especially 
is this true in relation to the growth of our 
judicial system and the practice of our West- 
ern States. So intimately are the beneficent 
results of the pioneer bar of our c-ounties inter- 
woven with their legal, political and domestic 
affairs, that it is impossible to wTite a clearly in- 
telligible history of them without at least a 
brief sketch of the bar in the several counties. 

Mr. Edward Mundy. a native of New Jersey, 
and who came to the county in 1S20, was the 
first attorney to engage in regular practice in 
Wabash County. As was the custom for many 
years, he traveled the circuit and was ranked as 
a good lawyer. Samuel llundy, a brother of 
Kdward, was elected to the State Legislature 
from Wabash County in 1828. Edward Mundy 
moved to Michigan where he became the first 
Lieutenant Governor on the admission of that 
State into the Union. 

An attorney by the name of Edward J. El- 
klns, came to the county in 1S25, and practiced 
his profession for two years. Hon. Orlando B. 
Ficklin. whose parents lie buried in the Old 
Sand Hill Cemetery at Sit. Carmel. entered upon 
the practice of law in 1830. He was the most 
distinguished of all the pioneer lawyers and was 
elected to the Legislature from Wabash County. 
Afterward he moved to Charleston and was 
elected to Congress for four terms. After he had 
passed four-score years, he entered the lecture 
field. His lecture on "The Bench and Bar of the 
Wabash Valley for Fifty Years," covered the 
period from 1834 to 1884, during which he met 
at the bar, or on the hustings, nearly all the 
celebrated men of Illinois and Indiana and was 
very popular. Among his contemporary attor- 
neys were a Mr. Pyle, James McDowell, Josejih 
Bowman, Joseph Orth. Robert Dougherty. Vic- 
tor B. Bell, the elegant Charles H. Constable 
and the celebrated Usher V. Linder, who was 
for a short time Attorney General of the State. 
and for four terms a member of the lower 
branch of the General Assembly. 

The last two were doubtless the most tal- 
ented, eloquent and picturesque lawyers that 
ever thrilled a jury and entranced a wondering 



audience in Southern Illinois, in those days of 
forensic eloquence. 

Robert Bell practiced law in Wabash C-ounty 
nearly half a century, attained wide distinction 
as a popular orator, and no man's life is more 
intimately inwrought with the history of the 
county. He was a man of distinguishetl appear- 
ance, of gracious demeanor, generous and public 
spirited, and was known and honored through- 
out the State. He graduated from the Indiana 
State University in 1855, and practiced law two 
years at Fairfield, 111. In 18(14, he formed a 
partnership with Edward B. Green, which con- 
tinued twenty-five years, and the firm became 
one of the most prominent in Southern Illinois. 

Judge Bell was elected President of the Illi- 
nois Southern Railroad Company, in 1863, and 
in 1869. became President of the St. Louis, Mt. 
Carmel & New Albany Railroad Company. 
From these old lines have grown the present 
Southern and the Cleveland. Cincinnati, Chicago 
& St. Ix)uis Railroads. He was twice elected 
County Judge and. in ISTti. President Hayes ap- 
pointed him special agent to investigate alleged 
Internal revenue frauds in California. Judge 
Bell held numerous other imix)rtant iwsitions, 
and was frequently mentioned as a Republican 
candidate for Governor. In 1881 he was ap- 
pointed one of the U. S. Commissioners to ex- 
amine the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad in New 
Mexico. He continued in the practice of his 
profession until his death in VM(x Judge Bell 
had a strong hold uiwn the afl:'ections of the peo- 
ple of Southern Illinois, and no man had a larger 
or more devoted personal acquaintance in this 
section of the State than he. At the time of his 
death he had arranged to write a history of 
Wabash County and. with his clear recollectfon 
of events gained from seventy-five yeai-s' resi- 
dence among its people, together with his fine 
literar.v accomplishments, he would, had he 
lived to complete it, have produced a work, 
fascinating in style and rich In historical facts. 

Edward B. Green for nearly fifty years has 
been recognized as one of the most learned and 
eminent lawyers of Southern Illinois. He 
was admitted to the bar at Paris. 111., in 1860, 
and immediately afterward located in Mt. Car- 
mel. In ISiyi he formed the partnership with 
Judge Bell which continued with great success 
for twenty-five years. He has been nominated 
by the Republican party as a candidate for Cir- 
cuit Judge, Judge of the Supreme Court and for 



634 



WABASH COUNTY 



Congress. He lias also been President of the 
State Bar Association and, in 1890, was ap- 
pointed by President Harrison as the first Chief 
Justice of Oljlahoma, and as such edited the 
now noted first volume of the Oklahoma Reports. 
As a jurist he evinced rare learning and wisdom. 
He rendered opinions in many cases involving 
no\el and perplexing legal questions, which have 
become precedents in tlie jurisprudence of that 
country, and which have raised him to general 
eminence as a jurist. In 1S98 he returned to 
Mt. Carmel where he received Mr. Theodore G. 
Eisley into partnership with him. under the 
firm name of Green & Risley, which still con- 
tinues. Judge Green has probably taken more 
cases to the higher courts than any lawyer who 
has ever practiced in Southern Illinois, and 
has tried many important cases in other States. 
He Is a man of prepossessing appearance, finely 
educated and gifted with eminent talent. 

Hon. S. Z. Landes was admitted to the bar 
in lN(i4 and removed to Mt. Carmel where he 
■was destined, by reason of his unflagging energj-, 
capability and integrity, to become, an eminent 
lawyer, prominent in public life and successful 
in business. He served as City Attorney three 
terms, as State's Attorney two terms, was Mas- 
ter in Chancery, County Judge, Circuit Judge 
and served two terms in Congress. Judge Landes 
was an earnest student, a tireless worker, a re- 
sourceful and vigorous lawyer and a man of 
propelling force in all the usual walks of life. 
In 190D, he retired from practice, but continued 
to take an active interest in public and business 
affairs. Even in his retirement his aid and 
counsel were constantly sought and he continued 
to exercise a great influence in many directions, 
but while this sketch was being prepared came 
the announcement of his death. He died enjoy- 
ing the esteem and affections of the people of 
Wabash Count.v, and his earnest, upright and in- 
fluential life will long be a solace and source 
of encouragement to those who knew him. 

Samuel R. Putman, M. F. Hoskins and Lyman 
Leeds were esteemed and able attorneys who 
have recently passed away. 

The present bar is composed, in addition to 
those already mentioned, of Hon. M. H. Muudy, 
P. J. Kolb, George P. Ramsey, H. M. Phipps, 
Frank Fonioff. Judge John A. Lopp, Howard P. 
French, B. A. Harvey and Theodore <J. Risley. 

The bar of Wabash County has been excep- 



tionall.v able and honorable, and has reflected 
deserved credit and honor upon its people. 

County Officials. — The excellent and au- 
thentic history of Edwards, Lawrence and Wa- 
bash Counties published by J. L. McDonough & 
Co.. in 1883, and written by an author of envi- 
able literary repute, whose learning evinced a 
vast knowledge of history, and who possessed 
the rare gift of embellishing ordinary facts with 
fascinating charms, contains a complete list of 
all the ofHcials of Edwards County up to 1S24 
and of Wabash County from that period down 
to 1882. For that reason we deem it advisable to 
commence the list with the year 1S82. bringing 
it down to date. 

Following is a list of the county officers, with 
the date of election, from 1S82 : 

1882. 

Office. Name. When Elected. 

County Judge — Stephen C. Midgett. .Nov. 7. 1882 

Sheriff — ^Francis M. Cowling Nov. 7, 1882 

County Clerk — Isaac F. Price Nov. 7, 1882 

Treasurer — Peter P. Keepes Nov. 7, 1882 

Supt Schools— Alfred P. Manley Nov. 7, 1882 

Coroner — A. J. Mcintosh Nov. 7, 1882 

1884. 

Circuit Clerk— John T. Burkett Nov. 4, 1884 

State's Attorney — Mahlon H. Mundy.Nov. 4, 1884 

Surveyor — Geo. C. Harvey Nov. 4, 1884 

Coroner — A. J. Mcintosh Nov. 4, 1884 

188(5. 
County Judge — Millard F. Hoskin- 

son Nov. 2, 1886 

.Sheriff— Alfred McNair Nov. 2, 1886 

County Clerk — Isaac F. Pnce Nov. 2, 18S6 

Ti-easurer — Andres Wirth Nov. 2, 1886 

Supt. Schools— Alfred P. Manley. . .Nov. 2, 1886 

188S. 

Wrcuit Clerk — Geo. C. Harvey Nov. (i, 1888 

State's Attorney— Mahlon H. Mundy.Nov. G, 1888 

Coroner — A. J. Mcintosh Nov. 6, 1888 

Surveyor — Robert Buchanan Nov. 6, 1888 

1890. 
Countj- Judge — Stephen C. Midgett. .Nov. 4, 1890 

Sheriff — Alex Compton Nov. 4, 1890 

County Clerk — Sebastian Weigand . . Nov. 4, 1890 

Treasurer — James F. Seibert Nov. 4, 1890 

Supt. Schools — Joseph E. Ramsey. .Nov. 4, 1890 



WABASH COUNTY 



685 



1892. 
County Judge — Henry J. Henning. . .Nov. S. 1892 
State's Attorney— Ma lilon H. Mundy . Nov. 8, 1892 

Circuit C'lerlv — Geo. C. Harvey Nov. 8,1892 

Coroner — Jas. E. Inslieep Nov. 8, 1892 

Surveyor — Carlton Hershey 

1894. 

County Judge— Robert Bell Nov. 6, 1894 

Sheriff- Alfred McNair Nov. e, 1894 

County Clerk— F. M. Baird Nov. 6, 1894 

Supt. Schools— J. Eli Ramsey Nov. 6, 1894 

Treasurer — E. B. Keneipp 

1896. 

Circuit Clerk— Geo. C. Harvey Nov. 3, 1896 

State's Attorney — Geo. P. Ramsey. .Nov. 3. 1896 

Coroner — Jas. E. Inskeep Nov. 3. 1896 

Surveyor — Carlton Hershey Nov. 3, 1896 

1898. 

County Judge — Lyman Leeds Nov. S, 1898 

Sheriff— Alex Compton Nov. 8, 1898 

County Clerk — George A. King Nov. 8, 1898 

Treasurer— M. R. Jones Nov. 8, 1898 

1900. 

Circuit Clerk- Geo. C. Harvey Nov. 6, 1900 

State's Attorney — Geo. P. Ramsey . . Nov. 6, 1900 

Coroner— John C. Utter Nov. 6. 1900 

Surveyor — Carlton Hershey Nov. 6, 1900 

1902. 

County Judge — Lyman Leeds Nov. 4, 1902 

Sheriff— Thonias E. Barry Nov. 4. 1902 

County Clerk — George A. King Nov. 4, 1902 

Supt. Schools— A. E. Smith Nov. 4. 1902 

Treasurer — J. E. Jloyer Nov. 4. 1902 

1903. 

County Judge — S. Z. Landes Nov. 3. 1903 

Treasurer — William Stein Nov. 3, 1903 

Surveyor— C. Denhani Nov. 3. 1903 

1904. 

Circuit Clerk — Dan F. Seihert Nov. 8. 1!I04 

State's Attorney— Peter J. Kolb Nov. 8. 1904 

Surveyor — Clyde Denhani Nov. 8. 1904 

Coroner — Jas. E. Inskeep Nov. 8, 1904 

190(;. 

County Judge — J. A. Lnpp Nov. fi. 190<; 

Sheriff— .\lex Compton Nov. «. 190(1 

County Clerk — James A. Carlton. . .Nov. 0. 1!KM! 

Supt. Schools — S. A. Mayne .Nov. fj. 19011 

Treasurer — Charles Buchanan Nov. 6, 1906 

Surveyor— Guy W. Courier Nov. 3. 190'< 



1907. 
Sheriff— Benjamin F. Moore Jan. 29, 1907 

1908. 
Circuit Clerk— Geo. L. Hockgeiger. .Nov. 3, 1908 

State's Attorney— H. M. Phipps Nov. 3, 1908 

Surveyor — Guy W. Courier Nov. 3, 1908 

Coroner— John J. Mcintosh Nov. 3, 1908 



CHAPTER VIII. 



INIHSTRIAI^— PUBLIC UTILITIES. 



AGRICULTURAL CONDITIONS — STREAMS AND WATER 
FACILITIES — ARTIFICIAL DRAINAGE AND TILING 
— SOIL AND CEREAL CROPS — VEGETABLE AND 

FRUIT PRODUCTS — STOCK BREEDING -WABASH 

COUNTY BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION COUNTY FAIRS 

— TR.\XSPORTATION .\ND RjVILWAY FACILITIES 

THE BIG FOUR RAILROAD THE GRAND RAPIDS 

DAM — FISHING INDUSTRY — DEVELOPMENT OF THE 
MUSSEL-SHELL INDUSTRY — VALUABLE PEARL 

DISCOVERIES. 

Wabash County, although in extent of terri- 
tory one of the smallest counties in Illinois, is 
one of the most highly favored by nature and. 
as an agricultural district, is unexcelled in fer- 
tilitj- and productiveness. 

No county in the State is better watered. The 
Wabash River skirts the entire county on the 
south and east; the Bon Pas. a large stream 
flowing into the Wabash, forms the boundary on 
the west; the Raccoon, another stream of con- 
siderable size, forms the northern boundary 
friim the Wabash westward, and three creeks of 
never failing water traverse the interior. The 
well water in Mt. Carmel. and in nearly every 
part of the county, is of exceptional purity, the 
wells in most instances penetrating sandstone 
before reaching veins of water. 

The county is probably the best draincfl and 
tiled of any in the State, and there is not an 
aero of soil, under present improved conditions, 
that is not capable of producing abundant crops 
of almost any variety grown in a temperate or 
semi-tropical climate. The soil is especially 
well adapted to tlie growth of cereals. Wheat 
crops average from 20 to 4.^ bushels per acre. 



636 



WABASH COUNTY 



and an average of more than 40 bushels i>er acre 
has been obtained in fields of 100 acres or more. 
On land next to the river, the average of com 
per acre exceeds 50 bushels, and in fields of con- 
siderable size, the average has reached 90 
bushels. 

The uplands produce bountiful crops of oats, 
grass, clover, potatoes, melons, beans, fruits and 
berries of every description. The lands of the 
county are well improved and the farmers are 
prosperous to au unusual extent, which is evi- 
denced by the many tine and commodious resi- 
dences and barns that dot the country in every 
direction. 

Breeders' Association. — Many of the farmers 
of Wabash County are now engaged iu the rear- 
lug of pure blooded live-.stock, aud their exhibits 
of registered cattle aud hogs have won hand- 
some premiums at high-class fail's aud evoked 
the commendation of noted judges. The Wa- 
bash County Breeders' Association was organ- 
ized in Septenilier. 1!»0S. Its object is to improve 
the breeds of live-stock, generally, in the county 
and to encourage aud develop a spirit of en- 
terprise among the farmers in the rearing of 
animals eligible to registration. The societj- has 
a membership of about twenty-five and has a 
regular constitution aud liy-laws. the member- 
ship being limited to breeders of live-stock en- 
titled to be registered. 

County Fairs. — ^The first county fair of 
which we have any authentic record was held at 
Mt. Carmel on the commons in 18G6. Soon after 
fairs were held on the farm of Marlon Kigg for 
about two .vears. but. being inconveniently lo- 
cated, the.v were unsuccessful aud discontinued. 
In the year ISTO the Wabash County Fair was 
held, for the time on the William H. Harjier 
farm, two miles from Mt. Carmel. This series 
of fairs ran a veiy successful course for iibout 
seven years. The fairs acquired great popular- 
ity and attracted liberal exhibits, some of them 
being of much merit, and tliey proved not only 
a credit, but a heli>ful incentive to the farmers 
of the count.v. Another fair association, known 
as the Wabash County Grange Fair, was organ- 
ized and held a fair at Asbury Chapel, In 18S7, 
and thereafter held three exhibitions on the 
farm of I. W. Jaquess, at Mt. Carmel. The 
county, since then, has had no fair, but it is one 
of the sti'ongest and most liberal exhibitors at 
neighboring county, and even state faii-s. in this 
section of the State. 



Sometime in the 'fifties a fair was held at 
Lancaster, and soon thereafter one was held 
on JIain Street in Mt. Carmel, the court house 
.yard being used for the purpose of displaying 
exhibits. 

Transportation. — The earliest means em- 
ployed for the transportation of the sun)lus prod- 
ucts of the Wabash A'alley. were rafts and flat 
boats on the Wabash Kiver and its tributary 
streams. The first steamboat to arrive at Mt. 
Carmel was "The Commerce." of Cinciimati, in 
1819, and it subsequently went as far north as 
Terre Haute. About 1830. steam boating became 
quite regular and iu later years greatly in- 
creased, and on account of their facilities, for 
river commerce Mt. Carmel and Rochester be- 
came thrh-ing to\\Tis. When railroads made 
their advent into the region, river traffic soon 
became inconsequential. 

Railroads. — In 1837 au attempt was made to 
construct a railroad from Mt. Carmel to Al- 
ton. The work of grading was commenced at 
each place and after more than twenty miles of 
it had been accomplished, the enterprise was 
abandoned and the roadway sold* to General 
Pickering for !f300. It was not until 1872 that 
the first railwa.v train pulled into Mt. Carmel 
over the line now known as the Louisville & St. 
Louis Division of the "Southern." For years 
it was kno\^^l as the "Air Line." It is now one 
of the most prosj^erous lines passing across the 
State. The old Cairo & Vincennes line was 
opened up for operation through Mt. Carmel in 
December. 1872. It has changed hands often 
and gone under various names, but is uow 
kno\\m as the Cairo & Danville IMvision of the 
C. C. C. & St. L. (or "Big Four") Railway, 
which is a part of the New York & Hudson 
River Railroad system. Its division headquar- 
ters and shops are located at Mt. Carmel, being 
originally at Carmi, whence they were removed 
in 1884. The company has recently expended 
large sums of money in improving the line, its 
equipment and shops, and now has upwards of 
one thousand men employed at Mt. Carmel. The 
company handles au immense freight business 
on this line, from the Saline County coal mines. 
The pay-roll of the shops and division employes 
at Mt. Carmel averages $54,000 per month. 

The cost of the new shops was $230.0(X). and 
of the new depot and remodeling of the Y. M. 
C. A. building $.50,000. In 1906 the roadway of 
the division was reconstructed at a cost of ?6,- 



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M 
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X 
X 




WABASH COUNTY 



637 



500,000. 'rUe company is now constructing a 
new line from Alt. Canuel to Evansville. Ind., 
called the Evansville, Mt. Oirmel & Northern, 
which crosses the Wabash River about two 
miles below Mt. Carmel and where a splendid 
steel bridge is being built at a cost of $337,000. 
The Big Four deiiot at Mt. Carmel is the hand- 
somest and most commodious in the State south 
of Springfield. 

The Big Four Railway Company has been a 
tremendous factor in the upbuilding and im- 
provement of the prosperous and attractive city 
of Mt. Carmel. 

Grand RApms Dam. — There are several at- 
tractive resorts along the Wabash River, such 
as McCleary's Bluffs, Old Rochester and Hang- 
ing Rock, but the place of chief interest and 
greatest importance is the famous Grand Kapids 
Dam, about two and one-half miles above Mt. 
Carmel. 

As early as 1837 it was believed the water 
power at Grand Rapids could easily be developed 
sufficiently to build up a large city at that place, 
and predictions of the most extravagant char- 
acter, as to its future, were indulged by pro- 
moters. Townsites were laid off. imaginary 
streets were given metropolitan names, and fab- 
ulous prices asked for lots. Plats of one of 
these phantom cities is preserved among the 
old archives at Vincennes. 

The Wabash Navigation Company about 1847 
constructed its great wooden dam, for the pur- 
pose of navigation and manufacturing, and im- 
mediately Houring and siiw-mlllfi sprang up, and 
trade was drawn from fifty miles distant. When 
the dam was completed the place became a verit- 
able "anglers paradise." Bass, salmon, perch, 
catfish and buffalo of the finest quality were 
easily caught and in inexhaustible quantities, 
so great was the fame of the place that fisher- 
men came from all the surrounding c-ountry, 
and even from the distant cities of Cincinnati, 
Louisville and St. Ixiuis. Anglers fished not only 
for sport but for profit, and campers from dis- 
tant counties would return home with their 
creaking w-agons loaded with barrels of salted 
fish. For years Jack Kavanaugh. the jovial, 
witty and intelligent miller at the Old Dam. 
charmefl and amazed all visitors by his irresist- 
ible humor and fanciful tales. None who ex- 
perienced the merriment and good fellowship 
of that delightful spot can ever forget the 
halQon days of the "Old Dam." 



In 1S79 the Old Dam gave way and was fin- 
ally removed. The present dam, eleven hundred 
feet in length and twelve feet in height, was 
constructed by the General Government, together 
with a splendid system of locks, the total cost of 
which approximated ¥340.0<J0, and again the 
place has become a great poi>uiar resort, and 
railroads make reduced rates to fishing and 
outing parties who visit it in great numl)ers. 
It is the most interesting and inviting resort in 
the entire Wabash Valley and is visited by more 
people than any other jwiut of attraction on 
the Wabash River. 

Pearl and Mussel Shell Industry. — Pearl- 
fishing has been a valuable industry since the 
days of the Macedonians. They were first to 
develop the pearl fisheries of the Persian Gulf, 
which have been celebrated for their value for- 
ages. In the time of the Ptolemies pearl-fishing 
was prosecuted along the shores of the Red Sea. 

Some of the finest i)earls are secured from the 
Sulu Archipelago, and when the Sultan of Sulu 
recently started on his tour around the world, 
he is said to have taken with him several 
bushels of Sulu pearls, which he distributed with 
a lavishness that seemed a realization of the 
ancient Oriental custom of sprinkling gold dust 
and seed pearl on the princes of ro.val blood, and 
to which Milton refers in the following lines : 
"Or where the gorgeous East, with richest hand. 
Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold." 

The great poet, in his description of the wealth 
of Ormus. alluded to the ijearl-flshing of the 
Persian Gulf. 

The ancients obtained i>earls only from India 
and the Persian Gulf, but now they are procured 
chiefly from the Sulu seas. Australia, the Coast 
of Central America and the South Pacific 
Lslands. The.v were familiar only with salt 
water pearls. 

River pearls are produced by fresh water mus- 
sels, which inhabit the rivers in the temijerate 
climates of the Northern Hemisphere, principally 
in Scotland. Wales. Saxon.v, Bohemia. Canada 
and the United States. 

The first river pearls, systematicall.v worked 
in this country, were found in the Little Miami 
River, and from there the industrj' gradually 
spead over the whole countrj', and has be(_f)me 
eKi)ecially important along the rivers of Illinois. 
Iowa and .Arkansas, where the fresh water mus- 
sel abounded in great profusion. 

Pearls have always been esteemed as among 



638 



WABASH COUNTY 



the most coveted of personal ornaments; even 
Julius Ca?sar regarded them so highly that he 
presented a breastplate of British pearls to one 
of his greatest Generals. 

They are calcareous concretions of 'remarkable 
luster and are supposed to be formed by the in- 
trusion of some foreign substance between the 
mantle of the mollusk and its shell, which, be- 
coming a source of irritation, determines the de- 
position of nacreous matter in concentric layers 
until the substance is completely encysted. 

The pearl and mussel industry was first de- 
veloped on the Wabash River at Mt. Carmel, in 
the fall of 1902, and steadily grew in imiwrtance 
until its rich rewards attracted men of almost 
■every vocation to engage in the alluring occupa- 
tion of pearl-fishing. Faiiuers, clerks, mechan- 
ics, rivermen and laborers rushed to the mussel 
beds, with an eager impulse that reminded one 
of the poefs lines describing the muster at Til- 
bury : 

"The fisher left his boat to rock 
On Tamar's glittering waves; 
The rugged miner rushed to war 
From Mendip's siuiless caves." 

Experienced and capable pearl buyers esti- 
mate that the total value of pearls taken from 
that part of the Wabash River bounding Wabash 
County will approximate one million, three 
hundred thousand dollars, and that the value of 
the shells taken from the same i-egion has 
reached as much as seven hundred thousand 
dollars. Many pearls of great value have been 
found, and one is said to have brought the 
fabulous sum of $8,000 In the city of Paris. Pearl 
buyers have come direct from Paris to Mt. Car- 
mel to spend the pearl season in pur.suit of their 
occupation, notwithstanding they had strong local 
competition. The season for taking mussels is 
fixed by statute, in order to prevent the exter- 
nnnation of the mussels. It opens April 1st and 
■closes October 1st of each year. 

The nius.sel shells are of many varieties and 
greatly different values. Among the names of 
the many kinds of shells the following are the 
■common ones: Buckhorn. Sandshell. the Muckett. 
Washboards, Three Ridges, Buttei-fly, Monkey 
Face, Nigger Heads, Pig Toes, Maple Leaf, and 
Knife Handles. The Washboards and Three 
liidges are the most valuable. 

During the year 1905 it is estimated that, 
within twenty nnles up and down the river from 



Mt. Carmel, four thousand men were engaged in 
uuissellng. The average number now employed 
during the season is about four hundred. 

The vast beds of mussels were being rapidly 
exliausted, and protective legislation alone has 
preserved them from utter depletion. It is a 
Sony fact that the selfishness of human nature, 
if unrestrained, in so far as it is physically able, 
would destroy every species of natural wealth 
the abundant earth yields for man's pleasure and 
profit. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THE WABASH COUNTY PRESS. 



THE P.\RT PLAYED BY THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER AND 

WHAT IT ACCO-MPLISHES THE FIRST PAPER IN 

MT. CARMEL — THE MT. CARMEL SENTINEL AND 
ADVOCATE — MT. CARMEL REGISTER AND ITS VA- 
RIED POLITICAL CAREER — THE WABASH REPUBLI- 
CAN, GREENBRIER AND PLOW BOY' HAVE A BRIEF 

EXISTENCE WABASH DEMOCRAT — TEMPERANCE 

JOURNALS — THE MT. CARMEL REPUBLICAN — 
HAVILL'S EVERY MORNING. 

The local new.spaper is the ubiquitous chron- 
icler of all the events, affairs and transactions 
of the community. It is a supervisor of all pub- 
lic proceedings and censor of political conduct, 
and is .supposed to be authority on all subjects of 
general interest. It spreads sunshine, fosters 
improvement, inspires courage, unmasks shams, 
irradiates intelligence, and enjoys the confidence 
of the public when actuated b.v good motives 
and solemn regard for the truth. It speaks as 
with myriad tongues, and is the medium and 
servant of all men. It heralds our coming into 
tile world, narrates our dail.v deeds and, with 
simple pathos, aunoiuices our everlasting de- 
parture. 

Mt. Carmel Sentinel and Advocate. — The 
first newspaper published in Jit. Carmel was the 
"Mt. Carmel Sentinel and Advocate." which ap- 
peared in l.'^:!4. Its e<litor was Horace Rouey. 
.\fter publisliing the paper one .vear Mr. Koney 
died and it passed into the hands of Edward 
Baker, who continued in charge until l.s3(i. It 
was then secured by Richard Beck, with t). B. 
Fickliu as editor. Joseph C Bowman was con- 
nected with it for a time, but in l.'^oO it was 
moved to Mt. A'eruon. UkL 



WABASH COUNTY 



639 



Mt. Carmel Register. — The first edition of 
the "JVIt. Cariuel Kegister" was issued in 1S39, 
with J. S. Powers as editor. It acquired a wide 
circulation, was Whig in politics and supjwrted 
Gen. Harrison for president in 1S40. Powers 
was succeeded b.v E. B. Meeny, and he by George 
B. Backus in 1S41, who conducted it for sev- 
eral yeai-s. Frank Fuller and Fuller & Hutchin- 
son owned the paper for a time. From 1848 it 
was in the possession of W. D. Jackson, S. S. 
Luken, and Victor B. and Robert Bell, respect- 
ively, until 1852, during the greater part of 
which time it was independent in politics. 

Theodore S. Bowers purchased it iu 1852. 
Bowers achieved a splendid war record, was 
made Colonel in the regular army, and Adjutant 
on Gen. Grant's staff. He was accidentally 
killed by a railroad train while attending Gen. 
Grant at West Point, in 1806. He was suc- 
ceeded by F. C. Mauley, with E. B. Green as 
political editor, who made it a Republican or- 
gan. In 18(!2 it fell into the hands of George W. 
Douglas, who made it Democratic and supiwrted 
SIct'lellan for President in 1864. Douglas died 
before the election and the paper was sold to 
Richard Beck, who again made it Republican 
in ix)litics. In 1867 it was sold to E. B. Green 
for $1CR). Beck published it until it was sold to 
J. M. Calvo. After this it passed through vari- 
ous hands, and was once destroyed by fire, but 
surmounting all changes of fortune, it finally 
became the property of Frank W. Havill, in 
1875. He published it as a Republican paper 
until 1878. when it was made an organ of the 
democracy. 

Mr. Havill was a natural newspaper man and 
made the "Register" one of the ablest and most 
popular local i)apers in the State, thereby win- 
ning for himself an enviable reputation as a 
journalist, both at home and abroad. On ac- 
count of failing health its veteran editor sold 
the entire plant to Messrs. Kolb & Smith, on 
Xovember 8. HHX>. and Mr. Smith became act- 
ing editor. 

Mr. Duke Havill bad editorial charge of the 
"Daily Register" from .Tuly 6. 1909, to January 
1, 1910." when he gave place to the ijresent 
editor, but is still a stockholder in the concern. 
February 1, 1910, it was sold to the Mt. Carmel 
Register Company, where Mr. A. E. Smith, a 
scholarly and versatile writer, became editor. 
The "Register" is one of the oldest and best 



known local papers In the State. In May, 1901, 
it began issue as a daily. 

Wabash Republican. — W. D. Latshaw, in 
1840, published the "Wabash Republican' for 
about one year. 

The Greenbrier. — In 1840 a small sheet called 
the "Greenbrier'' was published by J. S. Powers. 

The Plow Boy was publiished by Valentine 
Miller in 1844. 

The Wabash Democrat was founded by W. E. 
I-atshaw in 1844, and continued for two years, 
when it was sold to Brooks & Preston and 
promptly discontinued. In ISfiO, a new outfit 
was purchased, the old name revived and Hon. 
Jacob Zimmerman emplo.ved as editor, who 
proved to he a very capable writer. Zimmerman 
was succeeded by George W. Besore, who was 
killed by Hiram Stanton In a political duel 
which he had provoked by the utterance of dis- 
loyal sentiments in 1863. 

The unfortunate Besore was succeeded by 
John T. Costello, who got out an excellent pa- 
per. The "Democrat" was published until 1878, 
when it collapsed under the strain of many vicis- 
situdes. 

The Temperance Leader, launched In 1878, 
on the crest of the "Blue Ribbon Movement," by 
Grossman & Scafer, was a monthly publication 
and had a glorious but brief career. 

The Pilot, another temperance paper, was 
established by Rev. W. E. Wllley, in 1892, and 
ran an earnest and aggressive career of about 
six months. 

Mt. Carmel Republican. — This able and re- 
liable journal was established in 1878 by Rich- 
ard Brown and his father. Being unable to com- 
pete with the i>opularlty and strength of the 
"Register," tbe.v sold the plant to J. F. Wllman. 
who was a brother-in-law of the resourceful and 
vigorous editor of the "Register." Wllman re- 
fitted the office and published the paper until 
January 11. 1883, when it was sold to Thomas 
L. Joy, who steadily improved and developed 
the value and influence of the paper and demon- 
strated that it was jxissible for a Republican 
newspaper to exist and prosper in Wabash 
County. Jlr. D. E. Keen purchased the paper 
from T. I.. Joy. April 15. 1888. and on Septem- 
ber 4. 1899. Mr. Keen commenced the Issue of a 
daily e<lltion. this being the first daily paper 
published in the county. 

During the twent.v-two years which Mr. Keen 
has been the sole proprietor and editor of the 



640 



WABASH COUNTY 



"Mt. Carmel Republican," he has assiduously 
devoted his time and talents to the ambitious 
purpose of making it a reliable, progressive and 
Influential organ, and with such admirable suc- 
cess as to make his paper a solid public and 
political force. Mr. Keen is a clear, versatile 
and fearless writer, an excellent manager, pro- 
gressive and unswerving In the maintenance of 
his convictions, and the utterances of the "Re- 
pul)lican" bear the impress of his serious 
thought and stable character. 

Havill's Every Morning. — Orra F. Havill es- 
tablished and pulilished "Havill's Every Morn- 
ing," in February, 1897. The editor boldly an- 
nounced Its commendable object to be, the ex- 
posure of official corruption and dishonesty and 
rascality In general. Mr. Havill had the benefit 
of a sensational career, which he insisted pecul- 
iarly fitted him for the militant and self-sac- 
rificing career upon which he was about to en- 
ter. He was a facile, neiToiis and graphic writer, 
and possessed a wonderful mastery of current 
slang. He had rare gifts for journalism, espe- 
cially as a head-line writer, and, could he have 
controlled his passion for personal controversies, 
he would doubtless have had a brilliantly suc- 
cessful career. 

Prom the first his paper was filled with sensa- 
tional and startling matter, calculated to arouse 
fierce resentment. Prosecutions, collisions and 
bloodshed were constantly expected as the nat- 
ural sequence of its grave charges. Despite 
these threatening foreshadowlngs the publica- 
tion gained a large circulation for a time. Many 
applauded, what they believed to be its bold 
and worthy purpose, while others denounced it 
as a menace to peace and good order. 

Its untempered and reckless career soon in- 
volved Its headlong editor in a multitude of 
troubles. As a result of these disastrous con- 
sequences, the paper, after a stormy and tem- 
pestuous career of two years was discontinued. 
The publication of "Havill's Every Morning" 
was a startling episode In Southern Illinois 
Journalism that will long be remembered. 



CHAPTER X. 



'WABASH COUNTY WAR RECORD. 



STATE AND LOCAL PATRIOTISM RECORD OF ILLINOIS 

IN CrVIL WAR — IMPORTANT BATTLES IN WHICH 



ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS TOOK PART NUMBER OF 

LIVES SACRIFICED BLACK HAWK WAR — LIST OF 

CITIZENS OF WABASH COUNTY WHO PARTICIPATED 
IN THAT STRUGGLE — MEXICAN WAR AND PRINCI- 
PAL BATTLES — CIVIL WAR REGIMENTS PARTIALLY 
ORGANIZED OR RECRUITED FROM WABASH COUNTY 

COMPANY ORGANIZATIONS — THE SOLDIERS' 

MONUMENT — SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. 

Patriotism Is defined as a love of country. It 
has ever been esteemed one of the noblest of 
human virtues, and those who, unhappily, may 
prove themselves unresixinslve to its thrilling im- 
pulses, are denounced as base and degraded In- 
grates. It springs from the love of home, family 
and friends. It is a sentiment so universal that 
it stirs a kindred sentiment 

"From Greenland's ley mountains, 
From India's coral strand," 

and no country has more to incite this hallowed 
sentiment than America, for It Is a land of glori- 
ous memories. 

The war record of Illinois should inspire her 
people with a deep sense of affection and just 
pride for her heroes who have struggled on so 
many sanguinary fields for the honor of their 
country. 

In the Civil War our soldiers were heroically 
conspicuous in all the great battles and victories 
of the West, particularly at Ft. Donelsou, Shiloh, 
Corinth. Perryville, Stone River, Vleksburg, 
Chickamauga, Chattanooga and in the great 
"March to the Sea." Of her [Xitriotic sous 5,S74 
went down amid the crash and slaughter of 
battles, to rise no moi-e, except In fancy's grand 
review of the nation's heroic dead ; 4,020 died of 
wounds received on bloody fields ; and that fell 
destroyer of armies, disease, swept 22,786 into 
untimely graves, and various causes incident to 
their loyal senice exacted an additional sacrifice 
of 2.154, making the appalling atonement for the 
redemption and regeneration of the Repnlillc of 
34.834 lives offered up by Illinois and drawn 
from the youth and flower of our citizenship. In 
this sacrifice Wabash County bore a noble part, 
as she has in all the nation's struggles since her 
organization. 

Black Hawk War. — Many men from Wabash 
County served in the Black Hawk War and be- 
lieving their numerous descendants would be In- 
terested In knowing who they were, we insert 
their names: 

Second Regiment, of .'^econd Brigade of 1111- 



r. 



> 

C 




WABASH COUNTY 



641 



nols Voluuteers, mustered out August 15. 1831;, 
from Wabash County : 
Captain. John Arnold. 
First Lieutenant, George Danforth. 
Second Lieutenant. Samuel Fisher. 
Sergeants: Mitchel C. Minnis. Mathias Lither- 
land, Hiram Couch, John A. Dobbs. 

Corporals : Solomon Frear, John Golden, Ira 
Keen, Wesley Wood. 
Privates — 

Besley, James Ochletree, John 

Bass, Dolphin Pannenter, Isaac 

Buchanan, John W. Plxley, Isaac 
Buchanan. Joseph O. Rldgely. William 
Buchannau. Henry R. Reel. Henry R. 
Brines, Jefferson Sanford. Thomas 

Dodds, Joseph M. Sanford. Jacob 

Godda, John Smith. John O. 

Gardner, James Turner. Abuer 

Golden, William Utter, John 

Hull, Philip Vanderhoff. Philip 

Hoyt, Jonathan S. Woods. Jeremiah 

Hobbert. Henry Wear, Thomas 

Keen, Dennis Winders. Warren 

Miller. Barton S. Wright. Robert. 

McMillen, James 

Detachment of Captain Elias Jordan's Com- 
pany, of the Second Regiment, Second Brigade, 
enlisted for 90 days as Mounted Volunteers : 
Captain, Ellas Jordan. 
First Lieutenant. James Kennerly. 
Second Lieutenant. John X. Bamett. 
Sergeant, James Grayson. 4th. 
Corporal, Zach Wilson, 2d. 
Privates — 

Harnett, Benjamin Lovellette. Joseph 

Carlton. Robert Painter. Joseph 

Canipliell. Robert Summer, Thomas 

Campbell, Patrick S. Summer, Joseph 
Fortney, Daniel Major. James 

Grayson. William Major. Isaac 

Hood, Albert I>anford. Thomas. 

A detachment of Illinois Mounted Volunteers, 
under the command of Isaac Parnienter as Adju- 
tant, Second Regiment. Second Brigade, from the 
day of its enrollment to August 2. 1832, when 
mustered out of service at Dixon's Ferry. 111.. 
Included the following from Wabash County: 
Adjutant. Isaac Parmenter. 
First Lieutenant, Samuel Fisher. 
Sergeants : Matthew Litherland. John A. 
Dodds. 



Corporals : Solomon Frear, John Golden, Ira 
Keen, Westley Wood. 

Privates — 

Buchanan, Jos. O. Gilkinson. Jonathan 

Buchanan. Henry R. Hickey, James 

Besley. James Wright, C. W. 

Bigley, William Williamson, Robert 

Dodds, Joseph M. Ficklin, O. B. 

Goddy, John Ochletree, John 

Gardner. James Reel. Henry R. 

Golden. William Smith. John O. 

Hoyt. Jonathan S. Turner, Abner 

McMullen, James Utter, John 

Miller, Barton S. Vanderhoff. Philip 

Jaquess. W. F. Wear, Thomas 

Jaquess, I. N. Wear. Harvey 

Eastwood, William Hawkins, Tilford 

Beauchamp. Charles Wheeler, 

Tanquary. Wm. Fortney, Richard. 

Mexican War. — In the war with Mexico Illi- 
nois furnished four full regiments, nearly all of 
whom were from the southern portion of the 
State and distinguished themselves by excep- 
tional bravery. At the desjierate battle of Buena 
Vista the First and Second Regiments were un- 
der the eye of Gesi. Taylor, who, in his reix)rt of 
the battle, bestowed upon them the very highest 
praise for spirit and gallantry, while the Third 
and Fourth Illinois did heroic service at Vera 
Cruz. Cerro Gordo, and the City of Mexico. In 
all these conflicts, marches and campaigns Wa- 
bash County had brave and fearless sons under 
the commands of Hardin. Bissell. Forman and 
Baker. We have unfortunately been unable to 
secure the names of soldiers from Wabash 
Countj" who participated in that conflict, and it 
is our impression that Rev. V. D. Lingeufelter 
is the only one of their number who still sur- 
vives. 

Civil War. — Wabash County's part in the 
Civil War is largely in common with that of her 
neighboring counties, and constitutes a history of 
valor and self-sacrificing devotion of which her 
people are truly proud. In ISHO her population 
was only 7,2,33. and out of this number there 
were enrolled 939 men (or nearly 13 per cent of 
the Whole population) who took part in that 
war. The following is a list of regiments of 
which volunteers from Wal>ash County formed 
a part :. 

Eighteenth Illinois Infantry. — This Regi- 
ment was organized at Anna, 111., and mustered 



642 



WABASH COUNTY 



into the State service by Capt. U. S. Grant. It 
suffereU severely at Ft. Donelson and Sliilob. 
It was mustered out December 16, 1805, at Little 
Rock, Ark., Company G contained eight and 
Company C one muu from Wabash County. 
These were tlie first soldiers of the county to en- 
list in the service during that struggle. 

TwENTTY-sixTH ILLINOIS INFANTKY. — Com- 
pany H of this regiment contained ten men from 
Wabash Couuty. 

Thibtieth Infaniey. — Company B of this 
regiment was principally recruited in Wabash 
County, as was also Comijany I of the Thirty- 
second lufautry. which was organized and com- 
manded by Col. John Logau. This splendid 
regiment saw a prodigious amount of service 
and was in nearly every important battle in the 
West, from Shiloh to Vicksburg, in the Georgia 
Campaign, Sherman's Marcb to the Sea and 
through the Carolinas, having traveled eleven 
thousand miles during the war. It was mus- 
tered out September H!. 1805. at Ft. Leavenworth, 
Kans. 

Fortieth Illinois Infantry. — Company I of 
this regiment was raised in Wabash Couuty and 
Company E contained a number of men from 
the county. 

Tlie Captains of Company I were Abraham 
Hummaker. resigned March 14, IstS ; Samuel B. 
Lingenfelter. term expired December 28, 18(i4 ; 
and Frank W. Havlll, detached and mustered 
out of regiment. The regimeut was organized 
by Col. Stephen G. Hicks, was mustered into 
service August 10, 1861, and re-enlisted Januai-j- 
1, 1864. It fought at Shiloh, Holly Springs, 
Missionary Ridge, participated in the battles 
around Atlanta and marched to the Sea. It 
vv'as mustered out at Louisville. July 24. 18a."i, 
after rendering the cause of the Union superb 
service. 

Forty-eighth Infantry.— This intrepid regi- 
ment had a larger representation from Wabash 
County than any other. It was organized in 
September, 1861, by Col. Isham N. Haynie, Lieut. 
Col. John W. Ingersoll. Major Edward Adams. 
Company G was recruited in Wabash County 
and almost wholly from Mt. Carmel. Its 
Captains were William W. Beall. (Jeorge M. 
Keneipp, and Isaac K. Carlton. Its First Lieu- 
tenant, Theodore S. Bowers, was promoted to 
the Staff of Gen. Grant. The regiment had a 
long arrl brilliant record and bore a gallant part 
in the battles of Fort Donelson. Shiloh. Corinth, 



Missionary liidge, Iveuesaw Mountain and .Sands- 
town, and was engaged in all the conflicts lead- 
ing up to the capture of Atlanta. It marched 
with Sherman to the Sea, was in the siege of 
Savannah, at South Edisto and on the march 
througli the Carolinas. closed its active cam- 
paign at Beutonville and was mustered out at 
Little Kock, Ark., August 15, 1865. The heroic 
achievements of this dauntless regimeut will 
always be remembered by our people with 
patriotic pride. 

Fifty-sixth Regiment. — Company F of this 
regiment had a large enrollment from Wabash 
County. Six of them were lost on the ill-fated 
steamer Gen. Lyon and two killed at Vicksburg. 

.Sixty-second Infantry'. — Company A of this 
regiment contained many soldiers from Wabash 
Count.v, as also did Company K of the Sixty- 
Fourth, known as the "First Battalion of the 
Yates Sharp Shooters." In the Sixty-sixth and 
Eighty-seventh Regiments, Companies I and H, 
respectively of these regiments, were made up in 
part by enlistments from Wabash County. 

One Hundred and Fifteenth Infantry. — 
This regiment was organized at Camp Butler, 
September 19. 1862. and ordered into the field in 
October following and became a part of the com- 
mand of Gen. A. J. Smith. Company C was re- 
cruited in Wabash County and its Captain was 
David Williams. It distinguished Itself for 
valor at Chickamauga. Chattanooga and Mis- 
sionary Ridge. It was with Sherman on the At- 
lanta Campaign and took a gallant part in the 
campaign which destroyed Bragg's Army. It 
mas mustered out July 11. 1865. 

One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry. — 
Company H of this regiment was largely re- 
cruited from Wabash County. It was organized 
Octolier 25, 1862, by Col. Nathaniel Niles. and 
mustered out at New Orleans August 15. 1S65. 

Wabash County was represented in eighteen 
regiments of infantry and two of cavalry In our 
own State, besides many of her patriotic sons en- 
listed and performed valiant service in Indiana 
and Missouri regiments. 

We have made special mention of the Fortieth, 
Forty-eighth and One Hundred and Fifteenth 
Regiments, because they contained a much 
larger representation from Wabash County 
than any other regiments, and are therefore, 
most closely connected with her war history. 
The names of the many war heroes of our coun- 
ty are far too numerous to be here enrolled, and 



WABASH COUNTY 



643 



we can only present those war facts that come 
within our more immediate rau^e. 

In August. 1900, the grateful aud patriotic 
citizens of Wabash Cotmty, as a memorial in 
honor of her heroic dead, erected a handsome 
and stately monument, which was dedicated 
with solemn and lietitting ceremony, the dedica- 
tory address l>elng most appropriately delivered 
liy Uov. Richard Yates, sou of Illinois" great 
War (iovernor. who was one of the central fig- 
ures of that heroic day. 

War with .Sp.mn. — When war was declared 
between the United States and Spain, in April, 
189S. following the destruction of the battle- 
ship Maine, the old time war spirit flamed up 
everj-where in tlie I'nited States, and Illinois 
resiionded with patriotic ardor. The State fur 
nished nine regiments, one of which (the Ninth) 
was colored. 

The Ninth Regiment, organized in "Egypt" 
by Col. James R. Campbell, and of Company G 
of this regiment — consisting of 107 men — all but 
about fifteen were from Wabash County. The 
Company left Mt. Carmel June 29. IMIn. for 
<'amp Tanner, at Springfield, and was mustered 
into the service on July Sth. From Sjiringtield 
the regiment went to Camp Cuba Libre, at 
Jacksonville. Fla.. afterward to Savannah and in 
January. 1899. was transferred to Cuba, where 
it remained in service several months. The 
regiment was mustered out at Huntsville. Ala., 
and Company C returned to Mt. Carmel on May 
22. 18J)9. 

To that great sacramental host, which Illinois 
has laid ujion the altar of the Republic in the 
conflicts of war. Wabash County has contributed 
a noble part. 



CHAPTER XI. 



PRECINCT HISTORY. 



XIST OK PRESENT PBEtlNCTS IX W.\BASH COUNTY — 
MT. CARMEL. BEI.LMONT. COFFEE. COMPTON. 
ERIENDSVILLE. LANCASTER. LICK PRAIRIE AND 
WABASH — INDniDr.\I. SKETCHES OF PRECINCTS 
— EL\RLY .\ND NOTED SETTLERS — I.MPORTANT 
LOCAL EVENTS. 

Wabash County having never adoptetl town- 
ship organization, its local affairs are adminis- 



tered b.v a Board of County Commissioners 
elected by ixipular vote of the whole county. 
The geographical subdivisions of the county re- 
main under the name of Precincts, iuste-ad of 
Townships, of which there are eight In Wabash 
County. In the following chapter the histories of 
the several precincts are treated separately in 
alphabetical order, except as to Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, whicli leads the list. 

MT. CARMEL PRECINCT. 

Mt. Carmel Precinct, extending along the 
Wabash River, is bounded on the north by the 
Base Line, east by the Wabash River, west by 
Bellmont aud Lick Prairie Precincts and south 
by Coffee I'recinct. Its surface in general, con- 
forms to that of the rest of the county. Its first 
known settler was a native of Germany by the 
name (evidently anglicized) of Enoch Great- 
house, who, in 1803, settled where the City of 
Mt. Carmel now stands. He sold his lands to 
Messrs. Hinde and McDowell, who founded the 
town of Mt. Carmel. He then removed to the 
point where old Centreville was subse<iuently 
located, and there he died, as it is claimed, 
at the great age of 110 years. He has 
numerous descendants still residing in the pre- 
cinct. William Mcintosh settled in the precinct 
in 1S14 and was the proprietor of what was 
known as the "Mcintosh Reserve." He built a 
large house on the river at the Grand Rapids, 
and lived in great style, for his day and locality. 
He was a bachelor, but had a colored woman for 
a servant, who is said to have blessed him with 
a numerous progeny. 

Other early settlers besides those mentioned 
in foregoing chapters, were Hiram Bell of Vir- 
ginia, wjio became very prominent in public life 
and was Circuit Clerk of Wabash County for 
thirty-six successive years. Among others of 
his children were the late James H. and Judge 
Robert Bell, of Mt. Carmel. About this time 
cam& Joshua and James Beall, and a little later 
the Ingersolls. flms. Townsends. Simonds, 
Goulds, and Russells. all of whom have descend- 
ants living in the county. These were followed 
by Beauchamp Harvey. John Tiltou, Samuel 
and Robert Rigg. James M. Sharp. Isaac Hos- 
kinsou and Isaac N. Jaquess. whose names and 
families became well known. 

The first ])hysicians in the precinct were : 
Drs. Reuben Baker. Allison, Thrall and Fithian. 

John Marshall, on October 24. Isl4. entered 



644 



WABASH COUNTY 



the northwest (iiiarter of fractional Section 2.S, 
Which was tlie tirst laud entry made in the pre- 
cinct. The iiopulatiou of the precinct is approxi- 
mately 8,000, or probably nearly one-half that 
of the whole county. 

BELLMONT PRECINCT. 

This precinct was called BouiJas until Sep- 
tember, ISSl, when it received its present name. 
The name Bonpas, talcen from Bonpas Creek on 
its western boundary, is a French word, mean- 
ing good hay. The early French lx)atmen on the 
Wabash, are said to have freciuently sought 
shelter in its favorable cove or inlet, from 
storms and floating ice, and were accustomed to 
ascend it as far as Richland Cbunty, in their 
keel-boats, plying the fur trade with the Indians. 
Until within recent years it was classed as a 
navigable stream. 

The precinc-t is bounded on the north by Lick 
Prairie Precinct, on the east by Coffee and Bell- 
mont Precincts, on the south by Compton and 
Coffee Precincts, and on the west by the Bonpas 
Creek, which separates it from Edwards County. 
The chief water course in the precinct is Fordyce 
Creek, whic-h flows into the Bonpas. The farms 
are well tiled and drained, but the western part 
is subject to overflow from the Fordyce and 
Bonpas Creeks. The soil is rich and there 
remains some small areas of good tim- 
bered lands. It was settled in 1816 by Jacob 
Arnold, Staley McClure. and Eli Reid. Arnold 
gained much notoriety as a hunter and is said to 
liave killed a great number of bear and deer 
along the Bonpas, where game is said to have 
been so wonderfully plentiful that bruin, im- 
pudently robbed the farmers' pig pens, the deer 
ate at his straw-stack and wild turkeys fed on 
scraps shaken from the table cloth. Such an 
abundance of delicious meat, so easily procured, 
was not calculated to inculcate habits of indus- 
try and thrift among pioneers. But as the 
game moved on before the vanguard of civiliza- 
tion, the< pioneer was forced either to move with 
it or wrest a living from the soil. 

Wiliam Tanquary, William Deputj', and 
Jonathan Gilkiuson came in ISIS, all of whom 
became prominent and have left many descend- 
ants. The following year came Samuel and 
Robert Rigg of Virginia and their family name, 
with one exception, is now the most numerously 
represented in the county. 

The first school was taught in 1S2S by Oliver 



Thrall, and William Tanquary was the first Jus- 
tice of the I'eace. Jacob Arnold, the noted 
hunter, was united in marriage with Rebecca 
Thompson in ISIS, this being the first marriage 
in the precinct. The first religious services were 
conducted in the interests of the "New Light" 
faith by some of the Ijretlireu from Coffee Pre- 
cinct, and the first, regular preacher to locate 
in the precinct was Rev. Joseph Ballard. 

Bellmont is a thriving village of about 750 
population located on the line of the Southern 
Railroad in the .south part of the precinct. 

COFFEE PRECINCT. 

In the early days of river navigation a keel- 
boat, loaded with coffee, on her passage up the 
Wabash River, took shelter, over night, In the 
mouth of what is now known as Coffee Ci-eek, 
and when morning dawned, the Ixiat was found 
sunken in the creek and the cargo of coffee 
lost. From this incident the creek took its 
name, and the precinct was named after the 
creek. The precinct is bounded on the north 
by Mt. Carmel and Bellmont Precincts, on the 
west by Compton Precinct and on the east and 
south by the Wabash River. It is exceedingly 
fertile, well drained and, until recent years, 
was finely timliered. Its chief water courses are 
Coffee and Village Creeks, the latter named from 
the fact tliat a village of the Piankishaw In- 
dians was located on its banks. Coffee Island, 
opix)site Rochester, received its name from the 
creek of the same name. The bottom lands 
formerly produced a luxuriant growth of cane. 

The early settlement of Coffee Precinct is of 
unusual interest and filled with several stirring 
events and exciting incidents. Its fir.^t settlers 
were the Tongas or Lovelette. brothers, who 
came in the year 1800 and located where 
Roche.ster now stands. They were bold and ad- 
venturous spirits, always ready for "a fight or 
frolic." and engaged in trapping, hunting and 
trading with the neighboring Indians. This 
point afterward became a favorite location for 
families of French descent and their names are 
being perpetuated by many worthy decendants 
in the vicinity. Augustus Lovelette was a man 
of remarkable prowess and endurance. It is 
said that he would purchase produce, flat-boat 
it to New Orleans and walk the entire distance 
home, often encountering hazardous experiences 
and sevei'e privations. John Degan followed 
the Lovelettes, coming from Detroit with his 




RESIDENCK OF JACOB COrRTER, WABASH PRECINCT 




PROPERTY OI- JACOB COLRTER, WABASH PRECINCT 



WABASH COUNTY 



645 



family, consisting of liis wife, two sons and a 
stei)-sou, Frauli Burway. This was the first 
white family to live iu Wabash County. These 
early settlers were constantly threatened and 
menaced liy the bloodthirsty Piankishaws, 
Two younf; Frenchmen. Joseph Piehlnant and 
Joseph Bnrwa.v. who had joined the little settle- 
ment, were killed by the Indians in 1S15, while 
in quest of their horses, iu the bottoms, sur- 
rounding Baird's ijond. The wounds on Pichi- 
nant's mutilated body plainly showed he had 
been killed with a tomahawk, and Burway's 
body was riddled with bullets. Both had been 
scalped. Within a few days after the fight the 
bodies of five Indians were found. l.\-lng within 
what must have been the range of Burway's 
good Title. The bodies of the unfortunate 
Frenchmen and their murderous foes were 
buried not far apart on the old Baird farm, now 
owned by Dr. H. R. Lovelette. 

In a preceding chapter an account has been 
given of the Cannon massacre which occurred iu 
the same locality. The captives secured and 
borne awa.v by the Indians, at the time of this 
outrage, were afterward ransomed by Gen. Har- 
rison in exchange for seven ponies, to which 
their chief. Kihega. had taken a great fancy. 

The settlement known as Campbell's landing 
on Section 11. S., T. 2 S.. R. 14 W.. was made. 
August 17. ISIO. by James Campbell. He had 
come from Kentuck.v, with his wife and seven 
children and thirteen slaves. He was a thrifty 
fanner in Kentucky, but had become thorouglily 
convinced that human slavery was wholly inde- 
fensible, and desired to remove beyond the pale 
of its baneful influence, and for that reason 
sought a home on the wild frontier. Immedi- 
ately uixm his arrival he called his faithful and 
devoted slaves about him and liberated them. 
The story of his philanthropic deed having 
reached his former home in Kentucky, a band 
of ruttiaus. or "Xigger stealers.'' concocted the 
nefarious plot of arresting the manumitted 
bondsmen and reselling them into slavery, as a 
pecuniary adventure, and they succeeded in kid- 
napping eleven of the negroes and sold them 
back into slavery. Mr. Campbell was a man 
of enterprise and soon established a ferry, which 
became the crossing point for all travel and 
freight across the river. On several occasions 
the settlers of Campbell's I.,anding were com- 
pelletl to flee across the river in order to find 
protection from the hostile savages. 



The Indian iwpulation in this vicinity must 
have been unusually dense — in fact, the whole 
region, because of its water courses, affording 
excellent opportunities for the catching of fish 
and wild fowl ; the bottom lands covered during 
almost the entire winter with nutritious cane 
upou which the deer browsed ; the stately 
forests filled with fur-bearing game and yield- 
ing an abundance of edible mast for tlie wild 
game, together with the beautiful bluffs skirting 
the banks of the great Wabash River, and 
affording favorite "watch towers" for enemies 
and noble eminences for the burial of the dead — 
all these served to make this locality an ideal 
home for the redman. The village at Village 
Bend must have had a large Indian population, 
as old pioneers stated that they had witnessed 
the gathering of as many as 350 Indians at a 
time under the great elm trees, that once flour- 
ished where Rochester now stands. 

MeCleary's Bluffs. Brewer Hill and other 
points have been found wonderfully rich in pre- 
historic and Indian relics. In ISSO large quan- 
tities of the most perfect si>ecimens of pottery 
were found on the bluffs, besides many other 
relics, the most valuable being a copper hatchet. 
The old Brewer fields have yielded up as fine 
Indian arro\\-s. stone axes and vases as can be 
seen in the Smithsonian Institute, to which 
place the late Dr. J. .Schneck sent some of the 
choicest specimens. Excavations have also re- 
vealed numerous burial places, in which, 
judging from the many skeletons found, large 
numbers of Indians must have been interred. 

The Piankishaws were a tribe of the Algon- 
quin family, origiuall.v were a part of the 
Mianiis and came to Illinois with the latter 
tribe. They never numbered over a thousand. 
The Government removed them to the Indian 
Territory in the southwest in 1S67, and in 1S90 
there were said to be but three survivors of this 
once bold and roving tribe. They had previ- 
ously removed from Piankishaw Bend about 
1817, and their going was a happy and comiwsing 
event for the anxious and perturbed settlers. 

John McCleary settled on MeCleary's bluff 
in 1817, having walked all the way from Dayton. 
Ohio. Soon after he was joined by his family 
and resided on the bluff the remainder of his 
life, and he and his wife lie buried together, 
on the beautiful heights whereon, in youth, they 
built a home in the lone wilderness. 

Daniel Keen, a brawny, fearle.ss man. came in 



646 



WABASH COUNTY 



1810. and his cabin was used as a sanctuary in 
the couiuuity where the gospel was tirst 
preached, and convicted sinners had the 
"jirks." About this time the "New Lights" in- 
vaded the neighborhood and organized a society 
and did much successful proselyting. 

William Townsend, a bachelor and Methodist 
exhorter, opened and taught a school, in the log 
house of a benevolent neighbor. 

The tirst Catholic Cburch built in the county 
was erected in 1S42 on Brewer Hill, now on the 
farm of Theodore (i. Rlsley, midway between 
Rochester and Keensburg. The name of the 
church was St. Rose. It was a fair-sized brick 
structure and Catholics came from a great dis- 
tance to it to worship and were ministered to by 
priests usually sent from Vincennes. Most of 
the congregation consisted of iieople of French 
descent. In 1868, its meniliership had so de- 
clined, that the organization was abandoned 
and the building sold and removed, and only 
portions of its foundation and the beautiful little 
cemetery beneath the great oaks that grow 
thereby, mark the spot where once stood the 
humble fane of devout pioneers. Keensburg, a 
village and station on the line of the "Big Four" 
Railroad, lias a jiopulation of about 500. 

COMPTON PRECIXCT. 

This precinct for many years was a part of 
Coffee I'recinct. but was, for a time, detached 
and known as Keensburg. On July 15, 1899, the 
Board of County Commissioners organized it 
under the name of Compton Precinct. It Is 
named after the Compton family who were 
among its early settlers, and have been pro- 
minent in county history. 

Tlie sketch of Coffee Pi-ecinct embraces the 
history of Compton also, as they were parts of 
the same precinct for three-cjuarters of a cen- 
tury. 

FRIENDSVILLE PRECINCT. 

Tills precinct is bounde<l on the north by Lan- 
caster Precinct and Lawrence County, on the 
east by Wabash Precinct, on the south by Mt. 
Carmel, and on the west by Lick Prairie and 
Lancaster Pi-ecinets. It is generally of level 
surface diversified by timber and prairie huuLs, 
the east part being fertile and productive. Craw- 
fish Creek is its important source of drainage. 
The great number of "salt licks" within its 
boundary indicate that it must once have been 



a favorite locality for buffalo, elk and deer. 
Une of these licks on the old McNair farm, cov- 
ered more than an acre of ground, and some of 
the earliest settlers claimed to have seen buffalo, 
on one or two occasions, at this great lick. At 
this time the woods were tilled with bear, deer 
and wolves. Panthers were also frequently seen, 
and in 1838 Hezekiah Clark killed one of these 
about 214 miles north of Friendsville, which 
was the last ever seen in the county. Wolves 
"fairly swarmed" around the settlement, the 
black species being especially trouble.some and 
vicious. Several settlers — among others, Jere 
Wood and Jasper Demlns, the latter an emanci- 
pated slave — on one occasion were attacked 
while hunting at night, and seriously injured. 
As was the habit of these ravenous beasts be- 
fore leaving a locality, which had long been 
their haunting place, they howled so hideously 
for several nights as to keep the whole settle- 
ment awake, then suddenly disappeared forever. 

The Indians, dependent — as they were before 
the advent of the whites, who introduced the 
use of tire-arms among them — uiwn the bow and 
arrow as a means of warfare, and for the procur- 
ing of game for food, were compelled to find lo- 
calities where flint, jasper and other kinds of stone 
could be found, of sufficient hardness to make ar- 
rows and "arrow-heads," and such places have 
become disc'overable from the fragments of flint 
or chips left by the arrow makers of the tribes. 
One of these places undoubtedly was a locality 
on Crawfish Creek, about three and one-half 
miles southeast of Friendsville. as the surround- 
ing conditions clearly indicate that the flint or 
Jasper relics found in the rocky bank of the 
creek must he the "chips" left by Indian arrow 
makers. 

John Wood was the first settler in Friends- 
ville Precinct, coming from Kentucky in 1809. 
He is said to have planted the first apple orchard 
in the county, and for that reason the fruit of 
his orchard was called the "Woods apple." and 
until recent years w'as grown in all parts of the 
county. William Barney, after whom Barney's 
Prairie and Fort Barney were named, came 
from New York in 1808 and settled on tlie 
jiresent site of Friendsville. A little east. Ran- 
som Higgins also built a fort which he named 
Fort Higgins. The region at this time was occu- 
Iiied by a small baud of hostile Shawnee Indians, 
and while they frequently frightened the settlers, 
they committed no depredations. 



WABASH COUNTY 



647 



The first burial to take place in the Frieuds- 
ville cemetery was that of the boy, Willis Ilig- 
gins, a lad thirteen years of age, who was acci- 
dently shot by an inmate of Fort Barney named 
Preston, who ran his steed to death on the way 
to Vincennes to procure a surgeon to dress the 
wound of the dying boy. The McNair family, 
one of the most prominent that ever lived in the 
precinct, came from New York in ISlo. Gervaise 
Hazelton, an extensive land owner, and in honor 
of whom Hazelton, Indiana, was named, and 
Henry Utter, two men of controlling influence 
in the early history of Edwards and Wabash 
Counties, came to the precinct about 1S14. 
Robert Bell, the only Revolutionary soldier posi- 
tively known to have lived and been buried In 
the county, came to the jjrecinct from Rock- 
bridge County. Va., in 1S1.5. He was the father 
of Hiram Bell and the grandfather of Judge 
Robert Bell. Of all the pioneers who came to 
Wabash C-ounty. none were so prominent and 
conspicuous or had such an imjwrtant or transi- 
tional career, as Dr. Ezra Baker, Jr., who was 
raised in Philadelphia. He was wealthy, well 
educated, positively handsome in appearance, 
generous, of elegant address, and ambitious to 
make a name in the world. He came to the pre- 
cinct in 1S20, soon located on a farm near Cab- 
bage Corners, built a fine brick house, had a 
store and put up a castor-oil mill. He was the 
chief promoter of old Centreville and founded 
Rodiester, which he boomed so successfully that 
for a time it surpassed Mt. Carmel. He built 
the largest mill and owned the best steamboat 
in the country. He also founded Bennington in 
Edwards County. In after years, reckless specu- 
lation dissipate<l his splendid fortune, domestic 
discord shattered his dreams of happiness, con- 
vivial excesses undermined his health, and his 
troubled days were closed in that dread abode of 
Charity, the almshouse. But few new countries 
have ever been settled by such an intelligent and 
progressive class of pioneers as was the Precinct 
of P^iendsville. 

Friendsville village has a population of three 
to four hundred, while Linn is a small hamlet 
in the northern part of the precinct. 

LANCASTER PRECINCT. 

Lancaster was not named after the, "time 
honored Lancaster," of King Richard II. but 
from the city of that name in Pennsylvania, 
whence the largest part of its population, being 



of German descent, had immigrated to this 
locality. It is bounded on the north by Lawrence 
County, on the east by Friendsville Precinct, on 
the south by Lick Prairie, on the west by Ed- 
wards County. Some portions of the surface are 
somewhat hilly and the remainder level and 
fairly well timbered. Its water courses are the 
Jordan and Little Bonpas Creeks, Sandstone, of 
fair building quality, is found in places. 

In 1M4 a number of settlers came, and among 
them being William Jordan of Kentucky, who 
put up a distillery and made corn whisky. 
Tarleton Borin came in 1S15, and afterward 
became a prominent citizen. 

In the year 1S14 many settlers came from the 
East. A little colony consisting of the ancestors 
of the Higgins, Utter, Brines, Harrison, Smith 
and Couch families, came from Alleghany County 
New York. They made the long journey In a 
family boat from the Alleghany River to Old 
Palmyra, where they resided for a time, and 
then removed to Lancaster Precinct. The first 
school building was erected in 1S22, where a man 
named Fox taught school. Rev. Rote came out 
from Pennsylvania in 1820 and organized a New 
Light church. It Is said that the ten-year-old 
boy that was captured by the Indians with the 
Cannon family, was taken by them on their de- 
parture for the northwest, as far as Lancaster, 
near where they encamped for the night, and 
was there killed and buried and some of the old 
settlers marked what they believed to be the 
grave of the murdered child ; at least the boy 
was not found with the Indians at the time of 
the other Cannon captives were ransomed by 
Gen. Harrison, on the Little Wabash, near where 
Clay City now stands. Mr. John Higgins, 
who died recentl.v, had a vivid recollection of 
being pursued, when a boy, by the Indians who 
still lived but a few miles west of where Lan- 
caster now stands. Rosander Smith, who came 
to the Precinct from New York in 1822, his 
parents first stopping at old Palmyra several 
years, is still living near Lancaster, a village In 
the central part of the precinct, 

LICK PRAIRIE PRECINCT, 

Lick Prairie was so named on account of the 
many "Deer Licks" found there by the early 
settlers. It is the smallest precinct in the county, 
both in area and in population. It is bounded 
on the north by I^ancaster Precinct, on the east 
by Friendsville and Mt. Carmel, on the south by 



648 



WABASH COUNTY 



Bellmont, aud on the west by Edwards County, 
and is drained by tlie Big Bonpas, and Fordyce 
creeks. The surface is rolling in the northeast. 
and level in the south and west, and the black 
lands along the Bonpas are very productive. 
Its first settler was Franklin Gard, but the most 
prominent of its pioneers was the well known 
Seth Gard, whom we have already had frequent 
occasion to mention with honor. In 1814 Jacob 
Olaypole settled on the northwest quarter of flec- 
tion 4, and became quite prominent. 

Samuel JIuudy, his wife and sons, Griffith 
and William, came from Xew York in 1819. Mr. 
Mundy was a member of the Legislature, while 
the capital was at Vandalia, and was afterward 
elected Circuit Clerk. William I'lm and James 
Wiley were very early and influential settlers. 
Illustrative of the hardihood of the pioneers, we 
relate a story told by John Moore, a New Light 
minister from Virginia. The Rev. Moore said 
that, "in the winter of 1S25, w^hile retuniiug 
from a preaching tour, he saw Joseph Preston 
and Harrison Ingram skating, barefooted on the 
Ice of the Bonpas, with pieces of clapboard 
strapped to their feet, having walked live miles 
through six inches of snow in their naked feet." 
This story, if told by any one else than a clergy- 
man, would, of course, be regarded as too wholly 
Incredible to be related In this veracious history. 
\\'illiam Townsend, who taught the first school 
in Coffee Precinct, also taught the first school in 
Lick Prairie, in a log building with puncheon 
floor, which was also used for a church, and in 
which, as a Methodist divine, he preached the 
gospel to the early settlers. Townsend was a 
man of good education, amiable disposition and 
sincerely devoted to the causes of education and 
religion and was w'ell beloved by all. 

Cards Point was named after the venerated 
Seth Gard and Cabbage Corner after Justice 
Gard's cabbage patch. 

On August 1, 1814, James Cla.vpole made the 
first land entry in the i>recinct. 

WABASH PRECINCT. 

Wabash Precinct was the first portion of Wa- 
bash County to be settled by Americans, the 
French having preceded them by two years at 
Rochester. It is bounded on the north by 
Lawrence County, on the east and southeast by 
the Wabash River, its southwest corner touching 
Mt. Carmel Precinct, and on the west by 



Friendsville Precinct. Its chief drainage is fur- 
nished by Raccoon and Crawfish Creeks. 

The land is generally rolling, e.\ceedingly fer- 
tile and was formerly covered with a magnifi- 
cent growth of excellent timber. There is not a 
better wheat growing section in Illinois and but 
few farming localities so well imi>roved. 

The first settlers fi)und here every variety of 
game known to the Wabash \'alley, in boundless 
abundance. They were, however, sorely trou- 
bled by hostile Indians who. for a time, were 
said to be under the Influence of the younger 
Teeumseh, and not the least of their troubles 
was the great number of rattlesnakes that in- 
fested the lands near the river. Dens of them, 
containing astonishing numbers, were destroyed 
and none have been seen for years. 

A few lone monarchs of the noble sugar-tree 
groves that grandly crowned the rich uplands 
in the eastern jiortion of the precinct, still sur- 
vive in stately majesty, as if in protest against 
the civilized vandalism of man. 

Joshua Jordan and Levi Compton settled on 
the Wabash River in 1802 ; later they moved to 
the northwest quarter of Section 12 and in 1810 
built Fort Compton, which was an extensive 
affair for those days, and is said to have been 
large enough to accommodate one hundred fami- 
lies. Compton was a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818, and later a Represen- 
tative in the First (Jeneral As,sembly from Ed- 
wards County, which then included what is now 
Wabash County. 

There Is a ti-adition that Jordan, who was 
Compton's brother-in-law. and who was a tenant 
of George Washington, and with him at Brad- 
dock's defeat, shot and killed Gen. Braddock, to 
avenge the insult he had given Washington just 
before the battle commenced. The probability 
is that the tradition originated in Jordan's 
imagination, as Gen. Braddock had four horses 
shot under him and had mounted the fifth when 
slain. 

John Stilwell and sons came from New Jersey 
in 1804, after a brief sojourn in Kentucky. He 
also built a fort. He was a man of consider- 
able wealth and acquired a vast body of fine 
land. He was a vei-y eccentric character and of 
sarcastic temper. The McInto.shes. Leeks, 
.\rmstrongs and Ramseys were early and de- 
sirable settlers, whose descendants have been 
well known in the county. The first school was 
taught in Fort Compton by Reuben Pox. 




BIG FOIR DEPOT AND Y. M. C. A.. MT. CARMRL 




CITY HALL. MT. CARMKL 



WABASH COUNTY 



649 



The first Importaut industry established iu the 
county was a flouring mill, built by Moses Bedell 
on tlie northwest quarter of Section 30. It was 
built of logs, did a considerable business and 
was in operation for about sixteen years. 

The Fox graveyard, long since neglected and 
forgotten, holds the dust of Jarvis Dale, who 
erected the first house in Old Palmyra ; of 
Joseph Haniford. the pioneer schoolmaster and 
Abner Armstrong, the first sheriff of Edwards 
County. 

Allendale, a railway station on the "Big Four'' 
Railroad, and has a population of about 500. 

In these days of self-worship and selfish com- 
petition, hut few people have sufficient venera- 
tion for the deeds and good names of their an- 
cestors, to study their history or preserve their 
memory from oblivion. The privations endured, 
the arduous struggles encountered and the labors 
accomplished by the pioneers of Wabash Pre- 
cinct are worthy of commendation and of per- 
I)etuatlon in the memory of later generations. 



CHAPTER XII. 



TOWNS AND VILLAGES. 



•CITY OF MT. CARMEL — ITS FOUNDEBS AND THETB 
PLANS FOR ESTABLISHING AN IDEAL CITT — 
ABTICLE OF INCORPORATION — FIRST HOUSES AND 
FmST BUSINESS ENTERPRISES — LATER DEVEL- 
OPMENT — ^A BOOMING ADVERTISEMENT — SOME 
CALAMITOUS EVENTS — THE OLD TOWN OF ROCHES- 
TER — ITS EARLY PROSPERITY AND FIN.^L COLLAPSE 
^ILIiAOES OF LATER DAYS KBTENSBURG, COWL- 
ING, BELLMONT, L.\NCASTER, FRIENDS\'ILLE, AL- 
LENDALE AND PATTON. 

The City of Mt. Carme! was founded in 1817 
and already the celebration of the completion 
of its first centenary is contemplated. Its found- 
ers were Rev. Thomas S. Hinde and William 
McDowell, whose purpose was to build a town 
that should be governed by a code of laws based 
upon their particular views of morality. The 
location \\"as then in the "Far West." Its 
proprietors believed that the navigation facili- 
ties, afforded liy its three rivers, would soon de- 
velop it into an important commercial city, and 



that its beautiful situation on the prominent 
bluffs of the Wabash River would render it an 
exceiJtionally healthy and desirable place of 
residence. Their first thought was to name 
their town "Three Rivers," on account of the 
three rivers, near whose junction it was situated, 
but being profoundly orthodox in their religious 
views, the bluffs reminded them of the place 
where Elijah rendered up his bloody sacrifice 
to Deity, and being at once overcome with pious 
emotions, they adopted the biblical name of Mt. 
Carmel. Between the river and the bluffs a 
beautiful commons of several hundred acres in- 
tervenes which, thanks to the forethought and 
liberality of its founders, was reserved to the 
city The actual site was selected, surveyed 
and platted in 1818. the town was laid out on an 
extensive scale, and lots were donated to im- 
migrants, who would build on them within a 
prescribed period. In September of the same 
year articles of association for the government 
of the town were drafted. They provided for the 
erection of a seminary and the founding of a 
bank. Among other inhibitions contained in 
Article 18, of the Association, it was provided 
that "No theatre or playhouse should ever be 
built within the bounds of the city," profane 
swearing and Sabbath breaking were made 
grave offenses, the offender, upon conviction, 
being disfranchised and disiiuallfied for holding 
any position of honor or trust for a term of 
three years. These enactments were very aptly 
designated "blue laws." Rev. Mr. Hinde was 
reared in Kentucky and moved to Ohio, where 
he served several terms in the Legislature of 
that state. He was a man of good education 
and philanthropic impulses, and did much good 
In the world. He died at Mt. Carmel in 184(>. 
Soon after Hinde and McDowell left Chilli- 
cothe. Ohio, to make a settlement on the Wa- 
bash, they were joined by the Rev. William 
Beauchamp, who suireyed and platted the town. 
Rev. Beauchamp was a celebrated Methodist 
preacher, an able %^Tlter and, at one time, 
lacked but a single vote of election to the of- 
fice of bishop. The splendid Methodist church 
at Mt. Carmel is named in memory of this de- 
voted man. Francis Dixon is said to have con- 
structed the first house In the town in 1818. 
This was located iu the alley between Third 
and Fourth Streets, and was a double log cabin 
of connnodious dimensions. Mr. Dixon resided 
in one end and sold goods in the other, thus 



650 



WABASH COUNTY 



conferring on the proprietor the distinction of 
being tlie flrst actual resident and storelieeper 
in Mt. Carmel. Scoby Stewart built the tirst 
frame liouse, which stood on Fifth !^treet, be- 
tween Main and Cherry Streets. 

Mt Carmel's first industry was a foundry, 
erected by Joseph L. Wilson, in 1823. It was 
located on the lot where now stands the old brick 
house in Which the late Gilbert Turner lived for 
many years. Many of our people have seen 
"The Old Red Tavern" that stood on Mulberry 
Street, between Fifth and Sixth Streets. It 
was the flrst tavern built In Mt. Carmel and 
was erected by Reuben Baker in 1819. 

It is claimed, uix)u what appears to be authen- 
tic Information, that the first brick church 
erected in Illinois was built in Mt. Carmel in 
1824, by the Jlethodist Ei)iscopal denomination 
and our investigation convinces us that the 
claim is well established. It stood at the cor- 
ner of Fourth and Mulberry Streets. The build- 
hig ultimately fell into the hands of John 
Baumgartner, who impiously converted it into 
a brewery, but the brewer's art did not flourish 
within Its sacred walls, and it later became a 
dwelling and, in 1877, was destroyed by the 
cyclone. The first regular licensed minister to 
preach in Mt. Carmel, was the Rev. Charles 
Slocumb. V • 

A floiu-ing mill was constructed l^V Russell & 
Stewart in 1822, and the same year John Bunt- 
ing, a negro, erected a tan-yard. Bunting soon 
sold his tan-yard and moved to Liberia. Africa. 
Robei-t Ballentiue established the first terry 
across the river in 1817, and J- L. Wilson, an en- 
terprising man, put in operation a steam flour- 
mill as early as 1833. The first school house 
was built' on the site of the home of Charles 
W. Russell in 1823. In 1836 there were not a 
dozen houses east of Mulberi-y Street, and nearly 
all were built of logs. 

The town was incorporated as a village in 
182.5, and as a city in 18(55. Mt. Carmel. in its 
early days, was regarded as a town of great 
promise and was widely advertised by those 
who endeavored to promote its gi-owth. For the 
purpose of enabling the reader to appreciate the 
enterprise, courage and energy of the founders 
of Mt. Carmel, in their ambitious efforts to make 
it a great manufacturing cit.v, even in that re- 
mote pioneer day, we copy a portion of a pre- 
tentious circular, printed by the "Mercury," of 
Leeds, England, in 1822, which may be found 



in the valuable and highly interesting scrap- 
book, kept by the late Mrs. Mary Turner, of Mt. 
Carmel, an intelligent and appreciative woman, 
and we commend it as a document of rare inter- 
est to students of Mt. Carmel pioneer history : 

"To CAPITALISTS, M.\NLFACTUBEBS, FaBMEBS 
AND ARTIZANS: 



"A Most Advantageous Opportunity for the Proflt- 
able Emiiloyuient of Capital, and the Suc- 
cessful Direction of Industry, is Offered 
in the Beautiful and Thriving Town 
of Mount Carmel, ou the Great 
Wabash River, in the 
United States of 
America. 

"The states of Illinois and Indiana, in the 
former of which Mount Carmel is situated, form 
one of the richest countries in the world, IX)S- 
sessing all the elements of agricultural and 
manufacturing prosperity, and advancing in 
population and wealth with a rapidity almost 
uniiaralleled, 

"Forming part of the jwwerful and free Re- 
public of the I'nited States, they are the Gov- 
ernment of the poor, 

"The ricnness of the soil, the cheapness of 
land, the great natural advantages of the coun- 
try for the growth of every kind of produce, as 
well as for manufactures, are continuall.v at- 
tracting settlers from the Eastern States of 
Anieric.-i. as well as from Eurojie: so that many 
towns have now sprung up there, which are 
daily increasing in poiuilation and all the com- 
forts of civilized life. 

"It is believed that there is no country where 
tile farmer thrives more rapidly, where (he 
store-keei>er sells bis goods at a higher profit, 
or where cajiital laid out in improvements yields 
a larger and quicker return. 

"The Great Waliasli River is one of those 
noble streams which flow through the centre of 
America, and after fertilizing an extensive tract 
of country, empty themselves into the still 
larger rivers, the Ohio and Mississippi. It en- 
.ioys the advantage of steam navigation, liy 
moans of which it has an internal connnunica- 
tion of several thousand miles, from above I'itts- 
burg. in IVnnsylvania to Xew Orleans and the 
Gulf of Mexico. 

"On the banks of the Great Wabash River 
are prairies, or natural meadows, of coiisidcr- 
able extent and of the highest fertility-, with an 
inexhaustible al)undaiice of fine limber and 
grounds sufticieully elevated to form beautiful 
and healthl'ul situations for townsj, 

"The soil and climate are so good that all the 
productions both of the northern and southern 
extremities of the American conliitent rimie to 
perfection — Tobacco, wheat, rice. Indian corn. 
Indigo, Irish and sweet potatoes, rye. barley. 



WABASH COUNTY 



651 



oats, hemp, flax. etc.. as well as fruits of all 
kinds, apples, peaches, cherries, pears, etc. 

"It is an excellent region for sheep, and the 
wool is good. Cotton grows flnely, and of a 
staple equal to the Georgia upland cotton. 

"The countr.v is healthful for cattle and 
horses, and hogs are a great article of trade. 

"Mr. Hinde is the son of an English gentle- 
man, who was surgeon to General Wolfe at the 
taking of Quebec, and who received a grant of 
lands from the government in Virginia. Mr. 
Hinde is an extensive proprietor of lands in the 
States of Ohio. Indiana, and Illinois. For the 
sitisfaction of the English public he makes 
known the fdilowing testimonials, (of which Mr. 
Kingrose has the originals,) which he received 
in the year 182.j from the Hon. Henry Clay, then 
the Vice-rresident of the rnite<l States, and the 
Hon, McLean, then Postmaster General of the 
T"nited States, and now one of the .Judges of the 
Supreme Court : 

■ -Washington. 2rith Sept.. 1825. 

" 'The bearer hereof. Mr. Thomas S. Hinde. 
is a citizen of the State of Kentucky, and at 
present an inhabitant of New Port opixisite to 
C'incinnati. I liave known him for many years, 
during which he has always borne a high char- 
acter as a man of probity and veracity. He is 
the iirojirietor of a considerable landed estate, 
situated chiefly in the States of Ohio, Indiana, 
and Illinois, and I should myself have great 
confidence in his faithful fultillment of any 
engagement that he might contract. 

" 'H. Clay.' 

"•Mr. llindc has been long kno'wii to me, and 
I take great pleasure in sa.ving that I entirely 
accord with the above statement. 

" 'John McLe.\n.' 

"For further jiarticulars concerning the 
above, written applications ma.v be made, post- 
paid, to Mr. .Joseph Kingrose. Canton, near Mai- 
ton, Yorkshire, who will show to applicants 
plans of the town and district of Mount Car- 
mel, the original instructions and authority given 
to him by Mr. Hinde. the regulations to be 
adopted for securing the prosperit.v. as well as 
the morality «f the tovnt. and the original tes- 
timonials whi<li Mr. Hinde has obtained from 
the Hon. H. Clay and Judge >I<Lean. He will 
meet the agent of any association at York, 
Leeds, or an.v other conveinent place, and will 
give to the agent who may be deputed to go 
to Illinois to examine the establishment, every 
information to facilitate his traveling in 
America. AiijOicants residing in or near Leetls 
may see the .Vrticles of Association for the city 
of Mount Carmel. and plans of the city, at the 
Lee<ls Mercury Office." 

Calamitous Events. — Jit. Carmel has been 
visited with several calamitous misfortiuies. It 
has had two disastrous fires and the great flood 
of 1875 wrought incalculable damage to the 



surrounding country. The terrible cyclone that 
struck and prostrated the city, at 4 o'clock, 
June -1, 1877, was the culminating disaster of 
its history and one that will always awaken 
recollections of grief and horror. In all. nine- 
teen lives were lost, seventy-five persons seri- 
ously injured, two hundred buildings and houses 
demolished and six hundred people made home- 
less. To add to the reign of terror and con- 
fusion, fire broke out and swept over the fear- 
ful ruins with awe inspiring fury. In the hour 
of appalling calamity the appeal for help was 
generously and bravely answered from every 
direction and in every needed form. 

Business Enterprises, Churches, Societies. 
ETC. — Mr. Carmel is now one of the leading- 
manufacturing cities of Southern Illinois, and 
its many flourishing industries have greatly en- 
hanced its wealth and prosperit.v. Its ix)pula- 
tion. according to the census of 1910, is G.934, 
being more than 4ti per cent, of the whole 
county. 

It has two excellent daily newspapers; ten 
churches, some of which are elegant and costly 
e<Iiflces ; seven school buildings, 30 fraternal or- 
ders and one scientific society, besides clubs, 
literary and social organizations. An imposing 
Public Library Building has just been completed, 
and plans have been adopted and bids filed for 
the construction of a Masonic and Odd Fellows 
temple at an estimated cost of .$25,000. Mt. Car- 
mel is a clean and beautiful city, healthful and 
delightfully located, jjroud of its history and 
confident of its future. 

The city has four baflking Lnstitutions, two 
National and two State, and its banking facili- 
ties are second to no other to\^Ti of its size in 
the State. 

The First National Bank has a capifcil of 
.$100,000, with the following officers : H. T. God- 
dard. President: P. J. Kolb. Vice President and 
K. 1"". Putnam, Cashier. 

The American National has a capital of 
.$75,(100. Its present orticers are : J. M. Mitchell, 
President : Theodore G. Risley. Vice President ; 
M. J. White. Cashier, and L. E. McKittrick. 
Assistant Ca.shier. 

The Mt. Carmel Bank and Trust Conijiany 
has the following officei-s: John T. Stansfield. 
President: Louis Walters. Vice President: John 
S. Kigg, Cashier, with a capital of .$50,000. 

Tlie .Mt. Carmel Trust and Savings Bank, 
with a capital of .$.50,000. has the following otti- 



652 



WABASH COUNTY 



cers: Levin Seitz, President; William P. Hubber- 
don, Vice President, and D. F. Seibert, Cashier. 

ROCHESTER. 

The historic old town of Rochester, so 
often mentioned in these pages — Its ancient 
glory faded, Its commerce departed and its build- 
ings gone or dilapidated — tell all too vividly the 
story of the decline of river navigation, in com- 
petition with railway transportation. Here the 
white man first settled and traded with the 
Indian. Here at one time came the Inhabitants 
of the now proud cities of Mt. Vernon, Grayville. 
Mt. Carmel, Princeton and Albion for flour, tim- 
ber and provisions. 

The first plows and chairs ever made In the 
county were made In Rochester. Steamboats 
visited it regularly and often single cargoes of 
$5,000 in value were unloaded for its merchants, 
and flat-boats by the score were built in Coffee 
Creek and launched for New Orleans. The late 
David Harvey, immediately after the ice-gorge 
had gone out at the Grand Rapids in 1849, 
■counted forty flat-boats passing Rochester in 
one day for New Orleans. It was the flat-boat- 
man's headquarters from far and near, both for 
building and equipping their rude crafts. 

Dr. Ezra Baker established the town in 1839 
and built his famous mills during the same 
year. His grain and pork-packing business be- 
came 80 extensive that he purchased a steam- 
boat to use in his river trade. Unhappily, in the 
midst of his abounding prosperity in the flush 
days of old Rochester, little did Dr. Baker fore- 
see or dream of the cruel fate which was so 
soon to strip him of the riches and esteem which 
he had enjoyed and leave him in wretchedness 
and despair, to seek a mendicant's home and 
death-bed in the great city of Philadelphia, where 
he was born an heir to a noble inheritance of 
wealth and family honor. 

The loss of the steamboat trade, which fol- 
lowed the building of the old Cairo & Vincennes 
Railroad and the founding of Keensburg, was a 
fatal blow to Rochester and thenceforward it 
steadily fell into decline and liopeless decay. 

KEENSBURG. 

Keensburg, situated in Section 8. Township 2, 
South, Range 13 West, was formally estaljlished 
in April, 1874, by Omamiel H. Keen, after whom 
it was named. It is located on the Cleveland, 
Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis Railway. It is a 



flourishing town of about 600 inhabtants and does 
an nimense grain business, being located in an 
agricultural region of almost unsurimssed fertil- 
ity and settled by a class of farmers, who drain, 
till and improve their valuable lands and who 
dwell in substantial and even elegant homes. The 
town has two churches, and a good school build- 
ing, and is rapidly Improving. 

COWLING. 

Cowling is a small but thrifty village, on the 
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
way, four miles south of Keensburg, which was 
laid out and settled in 1875 by Ex-Sheriff Francis 
M. Cowling. It handles considerable grain and 
has several small stores. It was originally laid 
out in the southeast quarter of Section 18, 2 S., 
R. 13 W., and called Logan, the buildings of 
which were moved to their present site and 
the new town named in honor of Mr. Cowling. 

BELLMONT. 

The town of Bellmont was laid out and the 
plat filed by Gett Joachim in August, 1872, being 
named in honor of the late Judge Robert Bell. 
The town has prospered and has an estimated 
population of about 675. It has quite a variety 
of tliriving industries and several very substan- 
tial and modern brick business buildings, and has 
completed a fine modem school building, also a 
new and commodious banking house. The 
Methodist congregation have recently finished a 
large and handsome church structure. Bell- 
mont is pleasantly situated in the midst of an ex- 
cellent farming country. There is one private 
bank in Bellmont under the management of 
George E. Gilkison. 

LANCASTER. 

The town of Lancaster was settled, principally, 
by peoi)le who came from Lancaster, Pa., from 
which place it derived its name. John Knapp, 
as County Surveyor, surveyed and platted the 
town in 1846. The fii-st house on the present 
town-site was built by John Higgins in 1817. 
Lancaster was a prosperous town for a num- 
ber of years, containing several stores which did 
considerable business and was also quite an im- 
portant milling point. Its smToundings were ■ 
pleasant and men of considerable business and 
professional ability were attracted to the place. 
It had four good churches and a commodious 
school building. Of recent years its condition 
has been stationary and is beginning to show 




AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK, MT. CARMEL 



OFFICERS 

J. M. MncHEi,i„ T. G. RiSLKY, M. J. Whiti;, L. E. McKrittrick. 

President Vice-President Cashier Asst. Cashier 



ROBT I'ARKINSON 
O. L. WlI.COX 

E. K. Adams 



directors 
Dr. p. G. Mani.ev T. G. Risi.ev 

D. E. Kkkn Frkd Sharp 

J. M. MiTCHKI.I. 



WABASH COUNTY 



653 



evidence of decay, as little or no improvement is 
now being made. However, its residents are very 
hopeful of securing an inter-urban railway line 
to Mt. Carniel, wliich would enhance its for- 
tunes. It is situated fourteen miles northwest 
of Mt. Carmel and has a population of about 120. 

FRIEXDSVILLE. 
The old town of Frieudsville, in the past ex- 
erted a very considerable influence upon the af- 
fairs of Wabash County, and has a history of 
much Interest to its people, although its career is 
particularly free from any sensational or exalt- 
ing events. Job Pixley as early as 181S built the 
first house where the town now stands. He 
came from Cincinnati accompanied by his cour- 
ageous wife and two young sons. The flrst mer- 
chant In the town was Robert Parkinson, who 
set up business in the house of John F. Young- 
ken, in 1835, and in 1838 built the first store in 
the town. William R. Wilkinson, of Yorkshire, 
England, established a drug-store about the same 
time. In 1839 the ixist-offlce was established, 
with Robert Parkinson as Postmaster. The plat 
of the town was filed for record April 10, 1866. 

The proprietors named the town after the vil- 
lage of that name. In Susquehanna Countj-, Pa., 
where some of them had formerly resided. The 
town at one time had a large flouring mill, also 
a woolen mill and was an enterprising and 
thrifty place. In 1866 the Frieudsville Academy 
building was erected and a school established 
that enjoyed considerable ]K)pularit.v for many 
years. The Frieudsville Library Association was 
organized and secured a charter in 1840, and 
during its long existence made a fine collection 
of books. It was founded through the efforts of 
Dr. David Allison, a highly educated man who 
had spent several years in foreign travel, and 
was ambitious to disseminate knowledge and 
promote ailture and learning. 

Frieudsville has been the home of many of the 
countj-'s ablest and most prominent citizens, 
among whom were Rev. S. C. Baldridge, Hon. 
William R. Wilkinson. Dr. James Leeds, J. P. 
McNair. Alfred McNair and Fleming Williams — • 
all now deceased but well reiiiemliered in their 
former place of residence. John D. Kavanaugh, 
wit, raconteur, and local historian, who was a 
companion of nearly all these men. still lives to 
recite the ancient glories of Old Priendsville. 

ALLENDALE. 
The town of Allendale was established in 1809. 



It is finely located on the Big Four Railway and 
was named after Col. C. SI. Allen, who was con- 
nected with the building of the old Cairo & Vin- 
cennes Railroad. The first store in the town 
was moved from the nearby town of "Old Thn- 
berville." During recent years Allendale has 
made a steady and substantial growth and has 
become a fine and prosperous place of 550 inhabi- 
tants. It has a number of flourishing industries 
and is in the heart of a fertile and wealthy ag- 
ricultural section. 

The town has good church and .school build- 
ings and several excellent business houses. In 
1824 the Armstrong post-oflice was established 
whea-e Allendale Is located. At that time the 
only other jx>st-ofHces in the county were Mt. 
Carmel, Centerville and "Coffeeton." Old Tim- 
berville, which was about two and one-half miles 
south of Allendale, was practically moved to the 
latter place in 1871. 

Banking facilities are furnished by the First 
National Bank of Allendale, which has a paid 
up capital of $25,000. Its present officers are: 
James W. Price, President ; William F. Courter, 
Vice President, and W. F. Price, Cashier. 

PATTON. 

This village is on the Cleveland, Cincinnati, 
Chicago & St. Louis Railway, midway between 
Mt. Carmel and Allendale on the Wabash River, 
and does a considerable business in the lum- 
ber trade. It was named after Dr. Patton of 
Vincennes. 



CHAPTER XIII. 



EDUCATION. 



COI/)NIA.L EDUCATION APPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC 

LANDS FOB SUPPORT OF SCHOOLS IN ILLINOIS- 
FIRST PUBLIC SCHOOL LAW ESTABLISHMENT OF 

PRESENT SYSTEM IN 1854 FIRST STATE SUPERIN- 
TENDENT OF SCHOOLS — ^FIRST TEACHERS AND 
LATER PROMOTERS OF POPULAR EDUCATION — DE- 
SCRIPTION OF EARLY SCHOOL HOUSES BY' DR. SAM- 
UEL WILLARD — FIRST REGUI^AR SCHOOL ESTAB- 
IJSHED IN WABASH COUNTY AT FRIENDS\1LLE IN 

181G FRIENDSVILLE ACADEMY — FIRST SCHOOLS 

IN COFFEE PRECINCT AND MT. CARMEL — ST.VTIS- 

TICS OF WABASH COUNTY SCHOOLS FOB 1909 

PRESENT CONDITIONS. 



654 



WABASH COUNTY 



With our forefathers there came many edu- 
cated iiieu from Old England, and upon settling 
in the New World, their thoughts early turned 
to the purix)se of providing schools for the edu- 
cation of the youth of the colonies. Amid the 
l>erils of a wild frontier, impoverished and 
l>ereft of the ordinary conveniences of life, they 
provided the means of education by arranging 
for places of instruction in log houses and some- 
times in forts, and selected such instructors as 
the community fould best afford. Soon there were 
schools in nearly evei-j- township, of some char- 
acter. They were generally supiwrted by pri- 
vate means. The system was chaotic and ele- 
mentary, and the discipline was severe, as the 
theory that "learning and licking" went together 
was a popular notion. However deficient the 
colonial system of education may have been, it 
possessed the elements and the spirit of won- 
derful development, and laid the foundations of 
poiiular education as it exists today. 

First Schools in Illinois. — The enabling act 
of Illinois provided for the encouragement of 
education, by appropriating the sixteenth section 
of every township, amounting in all to 998.448 
acres of the best land in America, for school pur- 
IKjses, the net proceeds, realized from the sale of 
which, was to be used for the advancement and 
diffusion of education, among the people lu gen- 
eral, throughout the State. 

Our first public school law was enacted in 
182.5, but as this was rei)ealed. our public schixil 
system was not regularly established until 1849. 
when the Secretary of State was made ex-ottlcio 
Superintendent of Public Instruction, and at the 
same time re<iuired qualifications were legall.v 
])rescribed for teachers. In 1S54 the office of 
Superintendent of Schools was established, and 
the able anl distinguished Ninian W. Edwards, 
son of former Governor Edwards, was appointed 
to the new office. Mr. Edwards prepared the 
act. passed in 1855, which, in substance, is the 
school law of Illinois today. History records 
that the Jesuit jiriests were the first school teach- 
ers of Illinois, and that they conducted a school 
at Kaskaskia as early as 1747. Samuel J. Seeley 
taught a school in a squatter's cabin, at the pio- 
neer village of New Design, in 178."'., which is sup- 
posed to have been the first American school 
taught in Illinois. He was succeeded by an 
Irishman named Halfpenny, whom Governor 
Reynolds donominatefl "The School Master Gen- 
eral of Illinois," because of his cosmoixilitau 



habit of roving about the State in search of 
schools. 

Among those who engaged iu promoting the 
cause of education in Illinois, was the Rev. 
Therou Baldwin, and historj- records that he 
delivered a lecture on education in the larger 
cities of the State, and that he lectured on this 
favorite theme to a large and apreciative audi- 
ence at Jit. Carmel. Wabash County, in August, 
1836, which must have been an epochal event in 
that day for Mt. Carmel. 

Early Schoolhouses. — How fondly our 
memories dwell on the recollections of the first 
schoolhouse. to which we curiously and thought- 
lessly wended our childish way. We love to 
read the immortal lines of Whittier's pathetic 
description of the old schoolhouse. and listen to 
our grandsires as they tell about the log school 
house with its imncheon floor. clai>board roof and 
split-log seats, but we have found no more ac- 
curate, vivid and instructive pen-picture of the 
eaa-ly school house than that given by Dr. 
Samuel Willard. of Chicago, and believing that it 
will prove delightfully interesting to the younger 
readers, we quote a iwrtion of it. 

"For the first school," says Dr. Willard. "the 
settlers met witli a yoke or two of oxen, with 
axes, a saw. and an auger, no other tools were 
uecessar.v, though a trow or tool for splitting out 
clapboards was desirable. The first settlements 
were never in the open prairies, but always on 
the skirts of the timber land or in the woods ; 
the school house had the same location. Trees 
were cut from the public lands : rough trimmed 
and unhewn, they were put together to make a 
log house, generall.v sixteen feet sijuare; a hole 
was cut on one side for a side door ; a larger 
hole on the other side to allow the building of an 
outdoor chimney. The roof was made of clap- 
boards, roughly split out, which were held in 
place by 'weight jwiles" laid on the ends of the 
clapboards and secured by pins or otherwise. 
Three or four days' labor might be enough to do 
all this and to add the chimney and the furniture, 
the walls and roof, with a fairly numerous eom- 
pan.v, would require but the second day. Gener- 
ally such a house had no atom of iron in its 
structure ; all was of wood or stone. We read of 
one of gum logs that sent forth sprouts and 
twigs after the house was built : of another 
which was used without door, or window or 
chinking." 

In 1824 Edwards County had the distinction of 



WABASH COUNTY 



655 



having a school with a real glass window. These 
old schoolhouses were warmed with great fire- 
places and tlie teachers carried a piece of flint or 
steel with which to kindle the fire. Water was 
carried in a pail or "pigglu" from a nearby well 
or spring, and a gourd was used as a drinking 
vessel. To go for a bucket of water was esteemed 
quite a privilege and was a "reward of merit" 
for good conduct. 

Wabash County Schools. — In 1810 the first 
regular school was taught iu Wabash County. It 
is said to have been conducted in a log cabin, 
near Fort Barney, which was within the limits of 
the present town of Friendsville, and the first 
instructors were John Griffith and Betsey Os- 
good. The first regular school house was erected 
but a short distance east of Friendsville iu 1820, 
and was built of unhewn logs, had a puncheon 
floor and genuine "rustic" furniture. 

The Rev. Samuel Baldridge, who came to 
Friendsville in an early day, was a man of classi- 
cal education and benevolent impulses, and 
always manifested a deep concern in the cause of 
education. He conducted classes In the "higher 
branches'' in his church, for a number of years, 
and in 1S66, through tlie co-operation of others, 
secured the erection of the Friendsville Academy, 
which had a useful and succesful career of many 
years. More than 1,200 students, representing 
many States, were educated at this institution. 
Some twenty years ago the building was pur- 
<aiased by the school district and has since been 
used as a public schoolhouse. 

In Coffee Precinct. William Townsend taught 
a school as early as 1818. which was located on 
the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of 
Section 10. Mr. Townsend was a Methodist 
minister, and conducted divine services in the 
oommunitj-. Reuben Fox was the veteran pioneer 
school teacher of the county. He tsiught school 
in Fort Compton as early as 1814 and 1S1.^, and 
continued to teach at various places in the 
county for a numl)er of years. Mr. Fox is, un- 
doubtedly, entitled to the worthy distinction of 
being Wabash County's first regular pedagogue. 

Schools were first established in Mt. Carmel in 
1810. and among the earliest instructors were a 
Mr. Curry and a Mr. Schurfield, and the first 
woman teacher was a Mrs. Joy. Tlie first school- 
house was a log building, which stood on the 
Charles Russell lot. The history and character 
of the schools in the different townis and in the 
country is quite similar, and all have been 



greatly improved in recent years. The log school- 
house and its successor, the little cramped, un- 
sanitary octagonal building, are gone, and, new, 
handsome and commodious buildings have suc- 
ceeded them. New methods of teaching, im- 
proved text-books and all the latest auxiliaries 
of the present system of iu.struction are in gen- 
eral use. The schools are maintained in a san- 
itary, cheerful and comfortable condition. Gil- 
bert C, Turner, was the first County Superin- 
tendent and was elected in 1833. 

The annual rejwrt of County Superintendent 
S. X. Mayne, for the year 1909, shows the follow- 
ing statistical facts relating to the schools of 
Wabash Count.v : 

Pupils enrolled 6012 

No. of Schoolhouses 57 

Number of Districts having Libraries 49 

Average monthly wages (men) $58.85 

Average monthly wages (women) .... 43.56 

.\mount of Tax Levy 42,359.91 

Value of School Propertj- 112,395.00 

.\^mouut bonded school debt 8,175.00 

Number of Teachers employed 89 

The schools of Mt. Carmel. under the capable 
and progressive management of Prof. W. S. 
Booth, who is assisted by an excellent corps of 
teachers, are accomplishing thorough and effi- 
cient results. Of recent years our County 
Superintendents, fully appreciating the value 
and importance of good "Institute" work, have 
kept up a practical and thorough course of insti- 
tute instruction. The schools of the county com- 
pare favorably with those of other counties 
throughout the State. County Superintendent 
S. A. Mayne is a capable, energetic and judicious 
official and the teachers throughout the county 
are a well qualified, iudusti-ious and progressive 
body of instructors. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



CHURCH HISTORY. 



PION'EER MINISTERS IN WAB.^SH COUNTY — CHUBCH 
ORGANIZATIONS AND DATE OF ESTABLISHMENT — 
PRESBYTERIAN. CATHOLIC, CHRISTIAN, UNITED 
BRETHREN, METHODIST, EVANGELICAL LUTHERAIT 



656 



WABASH COUNTY 



AND EPISCOPAL ORGANIZATIONS LIST OF PASTOBS 

AND IMPORTANT EVENTS IN CHURCH HISTORY. 

Pioneer Ministers. — The pioneer preachers 
came into tlie wilderness witli the first groups 
of settlers that filed out on the frontier lines of 
civilization. They encountered and endured all 
the perils incident to the wild frontier, and never 
wavered in their resolute efforts to promulgate 
the gospel, organize religious societies, and build 
houses of woi-ship. They constantly pushed 
their itinerant labors westward, ever keeping 
pace with the wide sweep of advancing civiliza- 
tion. The growth and development of the coun- 
try soon became so extensive that their duties 
were e.xtended over vast circuits, requiring the 
little army of itinerants to ride on horseback, 
many hundreds of miles, to minister to their con- 
gregations. They were exjiosed to the murder- 
ous savages, the fatigue of long and arduous 
journeys, and often furnished with scant and 
coarse food and rude lodging. 

They conducted services under ti-ees, in forts 
and the log cabins of the settlers. They preached 
with a fervor and zeal, ac-companied by such 
emotional manifestations as to produce upon 
their audiences at times the most thrilling and 
paroxysmal effects. These preachers were usu- 
ally men of vigorous energy, burning zeal, earnest 
piety and solidity of character. Many of them 
were inbued with gi-eat power of eloquence, as 
well as clear discernment and kno\\ledge of 
human character, and by reason of these gifts 
were able, at the great camp-meetings, to sway 
the listening nuiltitudes at will and move them 
to the most fantastic exhibitions of nervous ex- 
citement and i>enitential grief. But, however 
harsh, patristic and emotional, the religious 
teachings and labors of these early ministers 
may have been, they nevertheless perfonned a 
necessary and self-sacrificing duty to humanity 
and redeemed the reckless frontiers from many 
vicious and demoralizing influences, and incul- 
cated in the minds and hearts of the pioneers a 
veneration for the faith of the church, a regard 
for morality and a love of piety which were es- 
sential to their moral, intellectual and spiritual 
growth. 

In its early settlement, Wabash County was 
blessed by the active influence of several minis- 
ters of noble character and devout piety, and 
who were men of fine education and good ability, 
the impress of whose wholesome lives continues 
to exist in refre^ing consequences. 



Presbyterian Church ES.^Four Presbyterian 
Churches have been organized in Wabash County. 
The Wabash Church was organized March 5, 
1822, by Rev. D. C. Proctor, with five members, 
and is the mother church in the county. 

The church at Mt Carmel was organized May 
5, 1839, by the celebrated Rev. Stephen Bliss, 
assisted by Rev. Isaac Bennett, with a member- 
ship of eleven. The Friendsville church was or- 
ganized August 25, 1857, by Revs. J. Crozier and 
S. ,C. Baldridge with twenty-eight members. 
Allendale church was organized Februai-y 26, 
1SC.7. by Rev. S. C. Baldridge and W. H. Smith 
and John Mack as Elders, with a membership of 
nine. 

The first Presbyterian sermon delivered in the 
county w"as at the home of Thomas Gould, who 
had settled in Timberville settlement in 1S16. 
He came to the countj- by way of Evansville, 
which at that time was a straggling cluster of 
log cabins, covered with clapljoards. The preach- 
er was Rev.. Samuel Scott Thornton of Vincennes. 
His seiTnon was well received and he aftei-ward 
c;une frequently to Gould's cabin to preach and, 
upon his arrival. Gould's boys were put on the 
horses to ride the neighliorhood and announce 
the "preaching." Soon after William Crane, 
called the "Sweet Singer," settled in the com- 
munity and was made chorister of the little con- 
gregation. In 1824 a Sabbath school was or- 
ganized in Mr. Gould's home and maintained for 
many years. 

The active organization of the Presbyterian 
Church in the county assumed systematic form, 
when taken in charge by Rev. Stephen Bliss, 
April 11. 1819, who was assisted by Rev. George 
May. They founded a Sabbath school in their 
cabin home, also a prayer-meeting. These resv- 
erend gentlemen came from New England and 
were graduates of Middlebury College, Vt. The 
Rev. Mr. Bliss, in 1820, walked back to Boscawen, 
N. H., to marry Miss Elizabeth Worcester, a 
cousin of Joseph Worcester, author of Worces- 
ter's Dictionary, and she returned with him to 
Barney's Prairie in 1821. C^rus Danforth, who 
settled on Barney's Prairie in 1817, was a 
strong, fearless, original and decisive man, but 
tenacious of his views and intolerant of all re- 
ligious opinions but his own. He came from 
New York and was soon joined by Charles Mc- 
Nair, from his home community, who was the 
pioneer of tlie McNair family in Wabash County. 
Danforth and McNair were orthodox Presby- 




vST. lOHN Tin-; P.AI'TIST KPISCOPAL CHIRCH, MT. CARMKL 




lAANCI'lI-KAI. cm KCIl. -MT. CARMKL 



WABASH COUNTY 



657 



terians, aud were of invaluaLile help to Bliss aud 
Gould in founding the I'l-eshyterlan Church in 
Wabash County. Rev. Stephen Bliss was for 
many years the only preacher of his denomina- 
tion in the county. He w-as a scholarly man, 
possessed of clear judgment, moderate in his 
views aud endowed with exceptional ability. 

In 1824 he was elected State Senator in the 
Fourth General Assembly from Edwards County. 
as an anti-slavery candidate, serving a term of 
four years. He was a modest, conscientious, 
capable and attractive man, who wielded a benef- 
icent influence, and whose high character lent a 
charm to tlie rugged outlines of frontier life. 
His faithful friend and co-laborer, Kev. S. C. 
Baldridge, has written an interesting and in- 
structive biography of his life and work. The 
Rev. Isaac Bennett did great sen-ice for the 
cause of his church in the early days. He had a 
logical mind, a good education and a nervous elo- 
quence that mightily stirred his hearers. The 
Rev. S. C. Baldridge was one of the most typically 
spiritual characters that ever graced the minis- 
try, and was tlie soul of piety. He was a classi- 
cal scholar and labored with tireless zeal in the 
cause of education. We cannot better charac- 
terize him, than by using his own language: 
"Oh solemn, stern, single-eyed, holy brother, 
thou canst never be forgotten." 

The Mt. Carmel Presbyterian Church was or- 
ganized on the 5th day of May. 1839. by Revs. 
Stephen Bliss and Isaac Bennett, who had been 
appointed by the Presbytety of Palestine. 111. The 
following are the names of the original members 
of the church, the first twelve of whom had been 
members of the Wabash Presbyterian Church : 
William Eldridge. Paulina Eldridge. Anna E. 
Page, Elizabeth Bell, Elizabeth P. McDowell, 
Rachel R. Cook, Elizabeth Harris, Elijah Harris, 
William H. Miller. James D. Knapp. Sarali 
Knapp, Martha Harris. William Mudge, Mary B. 
Mudge, Alvin S. Sturgis. Anganet Sturgis. Mar- 
garet Mahon, William H. Swain, Abigail Swain 
and Rebecca Galloway. William Eldridge and 
Elijah Harris were unanimously chosen elders 
and were .subsequently ordained, and Eldridge 
was c^iosen clerk of the session and served in 
that capacity till October. I.s."i2, over 13 years. 

Rev. R. H. Lilly, tlie first pastor and one of 
the organizers of the church, served the church 
for about six years and rejwrted a membership 
of 36 in 1844. Mr. Lilly was succeeded by Rev. 
Blackburn LefBer in 1847. He remained one 



year. Rev. Preston Wallace Thomson, cousin 
of Rev. William M. Thomson, D. D., famous 
author of "The Land aud the Book,' was here 
for about two years, 1848-50. 

Rev. John L. Hawkins began his labors in Mt. 
Carmel, in 1852, and is reix)rted as having re- 
mained until 185G. Rev. Charles P. Spinning is 
still living in honorable retirement at Iowa City, 
Iowa, and is the oldest living minister of this 
church. He supplied the church one year, 1858- 
59, Rev. Jefferson Clay Thornton was the next 
minister, from 1861-63. 

We find no record of any regular supply of the 
church from 1863 to 1875. but it is understood 
that Rev. S. C. Baldridge, of Priendsville, 
preachetl on alternate Sabbaths for a time. Rev. 
William S. Heindel supplied the church from 
1875 to 1876. 

Rev. Thomas C. Winn, now of Osaka, Japan, 
spent the summer of 1876 with the church while 
a student in a Theological Seminary, and gath- 
ered many new members into the church. 

Rev. Thomas E. Green, supplied the church for 
about a year. 1879-80, when a reorganization of 
the session was effected aud an effort was made 
to erect a new house of worship. 

Then there was another period of six years 
without any regular services and without any 
official meeting of session till thie spring of 1886, 
when the church was reorganized on the arrival 
of Rev. W. W. Tait. 

At the time of the cyclone in 1877, the church 
reported 35 members In consequence of the 
splendid ingathering in 1876 under Rev. Thomas 
C. Winn. In 1880, after the accessions under 
Rev. T. E. Green, it reported 73 ; in 1882 and 
1883, only 10. and in 1885 and 1886. 43 members. 
Soon after the arrival of Mr. Tait, on June 10, 
1886. n new members were received, two elders 
anl four deacons were elected, and church ser- 
vices and meetings of the session have continued 
without serious interruption ever since. June 
10, 1886. stands out as the date of reconstruction 
and renewed life. 

On the account of ill health. Rev. Mr. Tait re- 
mained but a few months, being followed by Rev. 
R. Dobson, who remained for one year ; he was 
followed t>.v Rev. J. H. Stevenson, under whose 
ministry of eight years the church made marked 
progress in every way. He found only about 25 
active members holding services in the hall over 
the First National Bank. -After worshiping 
there for a short season, they removed to the 



658 



WABASH COUNTY 



courthouse where they remained till the present 
house of worship was defiicated on February 23, 
1890. 

The first year in the new church was marked 
by an unprecedented growth in the membership, 
44 names being added, and for the first time in 
its history, it reached 100 and reported 118. 

Four years later, 44, the largest number in all 
its history, were added, and the roll attained its 
maximum, reporting 153 to the Presbytery. 

Dr. Stevenson was followed by Rev. Luciau 
Doty Noel, who remained but a short period on 
account of sickness. Then came Rev. J. F. 
Knowles, wilio remained a little over one year. 
He was followed by Rev. John T. Farris, under 
whose ministry of five years the church came, 
for the first time, to self-support and also erected 
the fine parsonage occupied b,v the pastor. Rev. 
Charles E. Marvin followed and remained but 
one year when he moved to a more northern cli- 
mate. 

Rev. George E. Richards came as pastor in 
1905, and spent four prosperous years. He was 
succeeded by Rev. W. P. Hoskin. who remained 
only one year. The church has a larger mem- 
bership at present than ever before, is out of 
debt and is in the most prosperous condition 
since its organization. The congregation at dif- 
ferent periods has occupied two houses of wor- 
ship, both of them brick. The first was erected 
on Third street between Mulberry and Cherry. 
It was built prior to the organization of the 
church in 1830, and was said, at that time, to be 
the finest church in the town or in the presby- 
tery. This building was destroyed by the 
cyglone of June 4. 1877. 

The present building was erected under the 
ministry of Dt. J. H. Stevenson. Ground was 
broken in the summer of 1889, and on February 
23, 1890, Dr. Jonathan E. Spillman, of Carmi, 
preached the dedication sermon. It cost $4..500.00. 
of which it received ?900 from the Board of 
Church Erection. 1 

In 1885, one year before the reorganization. 
the church lost the last charter member by the 
death of Mrs. Elizabeth Bell, the mother of Judge 
Robert Bell. 

St. Maey's Catholic Church. — The first cele- 
bration of the rites of the Catholic Church, to 



iThe editor is indebted to Dr. J. B, Maxwell 
for much valuable information in connection 
with tJie history of the Presbyterian churches in 
Wabash County. 



take place in Wabash County, of which we have 
any authentic rec-ord, was the marriage of Nicho- 
las Peter and Barbara Wirth, in 1836, the cere- 
mony being celebrated by Rev. P. Chakert, S. J., 
who was a Jesuit priest, from St. Marie, Jasi)er 
County, 111. The first child that was baptized 
was Thomas, son of Thomas and Anna Moulehin, 
April 14, 1839. The Rev. Valentine Burgos was 
the first priest to be stationed in the parish. 
The first regular services were celebrated by 
Rev. K. Muller. August 20, 1840. From 1840 to 
1851, priests were sent from various places to 
celebrate mass, as there was neither church nor 
residence available for church service at Jit. Car- 
niel. Among those who performed Che priestly 
duties for this period were Rev. K. Muller, Rev. 
James Flyn. Rev. G. A. Hamilton, Rev. Fr. 
Fisher and Rev. R. Weinzapfley. The services 
were held in private residences and the public 
school houses of Mt. Carmel. By 1850 enough 
emigrants had come from Germany to increase 
the congregation to about thirty Catholic fami- 
lies. It was then decided to erect a church and 
secure a resident priest. The corrner-stone of 
the new church was laid August 8, 1851, and the 
dedication took place in 1854. The Rev. Burgos, 
who was a Spaniard, remained in charge three 
years. Tlie new church was built under great 
difficulties, and the members of the church did 
the greater part of the work, the Rev. Burgos 
doing his shai'e of manual labor. Among the 
early families who assisted in the building of the 
new church were those of Antone Peter, Christo- 
pher Weisenberger, Michael Berberick, Suitbert 
Kolb. Barney McMannaman, Gerhard Wirth, 
Nicholas Peter, .\ndreas Fearheiley, John Key- 
ser. .John Keepas, Daniel Berberick, Nicholas 
Goetz, Philip Rosingol, Mike Fearheiley, Frank 
Fuchs, George Wirth, Mike Peter, George Freid- 
rich. Valentine Ke.vser, Laurence KepiJel, Nicho- 
las .Vnkenbrandt, John Breivogel. Laurence 
Roth, Wendelin Wetter. Michael Hockgeiger, 
John Weigand, John Kohlhause and Jacob 
Dunkel. 

In August, 1858, after an interregnum of four 
.years. Rev. R. W. Repis came to succeed Rev. 
Burgos, and in six months he was succeeded by 
Rev. P, R. Kolopp. who was followed by Rev. 
Jansen. Rev. F. H. Budde, the i)resent popular 
and able priest, took charge iu 1895. Four suc- 
cessful missions have been held by the church, 
in 1856, 1885. 1898 and 1904. A number of 



WABASH COUNTY 



659 



joung women have entered the sisterhood, but 
only one young man has entered the priesthood. 
The flourishing eongregation long ago outgrew 
the old fhurch and. on March 27, 1900. the 
cornerstone of tie present siilendid and imiwsing 
edifice was laid and the building was dedicated 
October 16th, following. The structure, com- 
plete, cost $2.3.515.70, and is one of, (he noblest 
sanctuaries in Southern Illinois. In connection 
witli the church is tbe large seliool. conducted by 
the Sisters of the Precious Blood, and a new and 
«)mmodious priest's residence. Jit. Carmel was 
flTSt subject to the diocese of Chicago, then to 
Alton and now of Belleville. 

The church of St. Sebastian, in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, was erected in 1870, and its congregation 
is composed of alx>ut sixtj- families. The first 
Catholic church built in the county was St. Rose, 
near Rochester, long since fallen into decay, and 
of which an account will be found in the history 
of Ck>£fee Precinct. 

Christian Churches. — Among the first regu- 
larly organized religious societies founded in 
Wabash County were those of the New Light 
Ohnreh, which was subsequently merged into the 
Christian Church, on account of their similarity 
of doctrine. The real fore-runner of the Chris- 
tion Church in the county was the New Light 
Societ.v, organized in 1816 on the east bank of 
Crawfish Creelc, on what was linown as the Eli 
Wood land. Elder James Poole and William 
Kinkade met under a white oak tree and there 
organized Barney's Prairie Church, which after- 
ward became the first Christian Church in the 
county. Of this church there is in existence a 
comiilete official record. Upon this Jlother 
CliuTCh all other Christian Churches in the 
county have drawn for membership and assist- 
ance, in various ways in times past. Among 
its charter members were James Poole, Angelina 
Poole, Peter and Jemima Keen. Josei>h Wood, 
and Ira Wood, Enoch and Daniel Ureathouse, 
Jacob Shadle and wife, Seth and Mary Gard, 
.\bigail Preston. Jerry Ballard, Philo Ingram, 
Ransom Higgins. Levi Couch, Ira Keen. 

The first church was built one-half mile east 
of Priendsville. where also schools were taught 
In those early days people came from a great dis- 
tance to attend divine service, and were depend- 
ant upon the hospitality of the local memljers of 
the congregation, for food and shelter for them- 
selves and horses, which were generously given. 
It is said that such men as George Litherland, 



(ieorge Buchanan and Ira Keen, frequently fed 
from fifty to sixtj- guests in a single day, and 
that the patient and devout woineu, in their 
fervid zeal, often forgot to eat in their eageniess 
to return to meeting, but it is not unreasonable 
to suppose that, after they had fed fifty or sixty 
hungry people, there was little left to tempt their 
appetites. 

Among those who were towers of sti'ength to 
the church in its early days, and who are well 
worthy to be mentioned, are: Joseph Ballard, 
Joseph Wood, Jr., Elder Ira Wood, Elder James 
Poole, and Charlotte J. Wood. Prominent and 
useful among the ministers of Barney's Prairie 
Church have been William Courter, Sr., Elijah 
(ioodwin, Cornelius Ades, Elder James McMillen, 
Elder U. B. F. Treat, Alexander Wells, Thomas 
W. Wills, William C. Black, Elder F. W. Black, 
and Elder W. R. Couch. 

The Coffee Creek Church was organized at 
tlie home of Daniel Keen, in -Vugust, 1819. and 
lias been prosix«rous from its origin and has a 
fine church and large congregation at Keensburg. 
The Lick Prairie Church was organized in 1830, 
by Elder Joseph Wasson, the Church of Christ at 
Lancaster in 1842, and the one at Adams Corner 
in 1851. They are all flourishing congregations, 
having commodious church structures and effi- 
cient official boards and ministers. 

Tlie Christian Church at Mt. Cannel. was 
founded in 1862, by Elder D. D. Miller. This 
congregation is one of the strongest in Southern 
Illinois, numerically and financially, and is one 
of the most vigorous and influential bodies of the 
Christian Church to be found in the Wabash 
Valley. For years it has been favored with 
some of the ablest ministers of the denomina- 
tion, and its official board has been eouiix)sed of 
capable, energetic and devout men, ever ready to 
uplift, and advance the cause of the church. 
The congregation has a fine and desirable 
church property and building, yet its steadily 
growing membership will soon demand greatly 
enlarged accomodations and which are already 
l)eing seriously contemplated. Elder J. W. Kll- 
born. is the i)resent pastor. 

The Church of Christ at Bellmont was or- 
ganized in May, 1876, and although for many 
years Its growth was uncertain and many diffi- 
culties beset it, it is now on safe ground, enjoy- 
ing a promising outlook for future usefulness. 

United Brethren in Christ. — The first 
church of the United Brethren In Christ was or- 



660 



WABASH COUNTY 



ganized, at a schoolhouse near Friendsville, in 
1862, through the effort of Rev. William Hovis. 
The class at first had a membership of thirteen. 
In 1866 the clas.s was lemoved to Cabbage Cor- 
ner, and. in 1874. it was moved to the Stoltz 
sdioolhouse. At the last place the surroundings 
were so favorable that the membership rapidly 
increased, and in 1879, a Board of Trustees was 
appointed to build a cliureh. Wm. Litherland 
supervised the building of the church, which was 
completed in 1880. It was erected adjacent to 
Gard's Toint Graveyard, and was named Nye 
Chapel. The church has long maintained a 
numerous membership, and has been blessed 
witli a prosjierous career. It is now in charge 
of Rev. Fowler. There is also a United Breth- 
ren congregation having a church of its own at 
Adams Corner. 

Methodist Churches. — Profes-soi- George W. 
Smith. M. A., in his excellent History of Illinois, 
says : "The Reverend Beauehamp, a much loved 
minister In the Methodist Church, was located at 
Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1816. He was induced by 
the people of Mt. Carmel to come to their town, 
to which he removed in 1817. He labored here 
faithfully for about four years, when he was 
obliged to give up his preaching and retire to a 
farm. While in the active work of preaching in 
Mt. Carmel, he announced the service by the 
blowing of a trumpet instead of the ringing of 
the bell." The Professor has been led into an 
error as to the Rev. Beauchamp's last days. His 
reverence was famed far and near as a camp- 
meeting revivalist, and the announcement of his 
ctxming drew^ vast multitudes to hear him. Hav- 
ing failed to be elected Bishop by a solitary vote, 
he decided to spend his life in evangelistic work, 
and wliile preaching at a great camp-meeting in 
Indiana, was stricken with a fatal illness. 

Methodism founded Mt. Carmel, and in its his- 
tory, the twain are co-existent. Two Methodist 
ministers — the Rev. Thomas Hinde. of noted an- 
cestry, and the Rev. William McDowell — ^who 
had conceived the idea of founding a city on 
moral principles that would enable them to carry 
out, in practical results, what they believed to 
be the true ideals of Methodist faith and teach- 
ing, came from Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1816, settled 
on the town site of Mt. Carmel. and, in 1817, 
founded the city. Soon after their arrival Rev. 
William Beauehamp came and surveyed the site 
and laid off the lots. These devout proprietors 
prescribed « code of municipal laws by which 



the prosiiective city should be governed, and 
which were afterward denominated "Blue-laws," 
In fact, they were copies of rigid puritanical 
enactments. alTead.v out-grown by the spirit of 
the age, and were soon repealed. Excerpts from 
these harsh ordinances will be found in the 
sketch of the City of Mt. Carmel. Hinde, Mc- 
Dowell and Beauehamp were intelligent, 
scholarly, fearless and conscientious enthusi- 
asts, who were descended from families of 
quality, and were resolutely determined to do 
some good in the world ; and their honored 
names should be venerated b.v every on-coming 
generation of citizens of Mt. Carmel. 

The father of Thomas Hinde was a surgeon in 
the English army. He belonged to the vessel 
which General Wolfe left to go ashore and fight 
Montcalm on the Plains of Abraham and dressed 
the wounds of that General, when he fell in that 
memorable struggle, which made North America 
a Protestant, instead of a French Catholic, 
government. The battle of Quebec was as de- 
cisive in its results as Marathon, Cannse, Cha- 
lons. Waterloo or Gettj-sburg. The founders of 
Mt. Carmel. were actuated by pious zeal, and 
they intended that the town should he marked 
b.v its moral and religious status. Their ambition 
was to make it "The Garden of the Lord." as its 
name signifies. Mt. Carmel Circuit was estab- 
lished in 1819, and it extended from the mouth of 
the Wabash River to Terre Haute, and reached 
far into the interior of Indiana and Illinois. To 
traverse this vast and unsettled circuit required 
indomital)le courage and prodigious physical en- 
durance, but these men had Ijoth and, in addi- 
tion unconquerable faith, and they accomplished 
wonders. 

In 1819, Charles Slocumb was appointed to 
the Mt. Cannel Circuit, which was the first regu- 
larly established Methodist Circuit in Illinois, 
and preached to settlers wherever they could be 
gathered together. Methodism was so prosper- 
ous that, in 182-1, it erected the first brick church 
in the State in Mt. Carmel. In 1827, the An- 
nual Conference was held in Mt. Carmel, and 
was presided over by Bishop Roberts. At this 
conference there were assembled many men who 
became famous in the ministry of the Methodist 
OhuTch. This conference took the initiatory step 
that led to the founding of McKendree College 
at Lebanon, 111. In 1834, Mt. Carmel was made 
a station. On May 18, 1850. a resolution was 
passed providing for the building of a new 




Lt'THERAX CHfRCH, MT. CARMKL 




lIk>T MI'.THODIST CHIRCH. MT. CARMKL 



WABASH COUNTY 



661 



church, which was completed within a year. 
The new edifice was appropriately named Beau- 
champ Ohapel, in honor of Rev. William Beau- 
champ. In 1853, the Southern Illinois Confer- 
ence was held here, with Bishop Scott presiding, 
and again in 18i;3, with Bishop BaUer presiding. 
Convening in the midst of the bitterness engen- 
dered by the Civil War, and tlie conference being 
intensely loyal and boldly outspoken on the 
question of human slavery, which the Church of 
the North had so uncompromisingly assailed, Its 
members were subjected to many serious insults 
by CV)ufederate sympathizers. 

In 1869. a brick parsonage was erected at a 
cost of $3,000. In 1875, the church was re- 
modeled at a cost of $7,00t), and the building was 
re-opened for service by Bishop Bowman, and 
the same year the Annual Conference was held 
in it, with the venerable Bishop Scott in attend- 
ance. In 1877, the church was practically de- 
molished by the terrible cyclone, but was soon re- 
built and improved, and was used as a house of 
worship until the completion of the present beau- 
tiful and noble edifice, which is an ornament to 
the city and a credit to Methodism. 

The corner stone of the present church was laid 
in 1899 and the church was dedicated by Bishop 
McCabe. It was erected at a cost of $33,000, 
and is the most attractive and amplitudinous 
house of worship outside of the larger cities In 
Illinois, and it is altogether fitting that the his- 
tory of Methodism in Jit. Carmel, should be 
crowned with such a splendid monument to the 
record of its long and faithful service in the 
cause of humanitj". At her altar thousands have 
humbly bowed and been received into fellowship 
with her congregation, which is one of the largest 
in Illinois. Its total membership is 725. The 
parsonage is an elegant residence and was 
erected at a cost of $7,000. The following, in 
the order named, have been pastors of the Church 
since its establishment: Charles Slocum, J. 
Stewart. Robert Delap, Samuel Hull, William 
McReynolds, Thos. Davis assisted by Samuel 
Bassitt. .Tolm McReynolds, Aaron Woods, J. 
Miller with A. L. Thompson as junior preacher, 
James JIcKean, James Massey, W, S. Crissy, A. 
McMintz, P. W. Nickolds, James Hadley, A. L. 
Risley, J. M. Massey, W. C. Cummings. J. H. 
Dickson, R. Ridg\\ay. C. J. Houts, E. H. Hub- 
bard, S. Elliott, .Tohn Borland, J. W. Calwell. 
William Cliff. James Leaton. Nelson Hawley. 
Albert Nesbit, J, P. Davis, R. J. Nail, G. W. 



CVjmptou (who i-esigned the charge to enter the 
union anuy and D. Chipman finished the year), 
Hiram Sears, A. B. Morrison, G. W. Hughey, T. 
A. Eaton, B. R. Pierce. A. B. Grant, J. L. Wallar, 
T. H. Herdman, Joseph Earp, R, N. Carter, J. T. 
Pender, William Van Cleve, C. Nash, R, E. 
Pierce, John F. Harmon, F, L. West, F, H. 
Knight, J. W. Cummins, and C. D. Shumard, 
the present pastoi-. 

The Friendsville, Lick Prairie, Cabbage Cor- 
ner, AsbuiT, Keensburg, Cowling, Allendale, Me- 
Kendree, Maud and Bellmont Methodist 
Churches have large congregations and are in a 
flourishing condition. Most of them were or- 
ganized in the early days and have much inter- 
esting history connected with their early 
struggles and pioneer experience. The Asbury 
Society was founded about 1830. and was or- 
ganized in a log barn on the Emanuel Reel farm, 
where a great revival had been in progress. For 
many years thereafter the devout little congrega- 
tion used the Simonds schoolhouse, where many 
famous pioneer preachers expounded the gospel 
at great revival meetings. In 1869, the congre- 
gation built its present church, ^-liich has been 
the scene of many interesting and important 
events in the church history of Wabash County. 
For years it was a favorite meeting ix)int for tie 
Methodists from the country and Mt. Carmel, and 
it seemed to possess a subtle influence that 
drew itinerant preachers fi-om far and near, to 
its ix>pular pulpit, where ministers of various 
faiths, black and white, were welcomed with an 
unexampled tolerance, and received into the 
homes of its members with unstinted hospi- 
tality. In the history of Wabash County, tie in- 
terests of the Methodist Church have not been 
neglected and the voice of the Methodist preacher 
has been heard, for many years in everj- locality. 

Evangelical Church, — In the year 1842 the 
first missionary of the Evangelical Association 
came to Wabash County, This first missionary 
was Rev. C. Augenstein, who was sent out by the 
Ohio Conference. The mission field was com- 
Iiosed of six counties in Indiana and Illinois, 
with Wabash County as the center, and from 
this point the missionary went for the jjerform- 
ance of his arduous duties. This enthusiastic 
man went alxjut doing good, preacliing in the 
homes of the people and in school houses. His 
laboi-s were among the German people. 

The efficient labors of this first missionary 
resulted in laying a good foundation, ufwn 



662 



WABASH COUNTY 



which has been built a superstnioture of Chris- 
tian influence and helpfulness to the community, 
and of which the Evangelical Association is 
justly proud. 

In the year 1845, the big mission field was di- 
vided, the western portion being named the Mt. 
Carniel Mission, and the eastern portion as the 
Dubois MLssion. From this time, special atten- 
tion was paid to the City of Mt. Carmel, and 
soon resulted in the forming of a congregation. 
In the year 1847, a little brick church was built 
on Fifth Street, near Cherry, and for years this 
little Evangelical society was known for its spir- 
ituality. On quarterly or special meetings, the 
Evangelicals of the county and of Grayville and 
West Salem would meet and have "good times" 
together. Many souls were converted and many 
lives changed, because of the influence of these 
deeply spiritual meetings. 

In the year 1873, a new brick church was 
erected on the corner of Fifth and Cherry 
Streets, under the administration of Rev. Joseph 
MeiT. In this church the congregation has wor- 
ehijiped until the present time. For many years 
the senices were all held in the German lan- 
guage, but about the year 1883, it was evident 
that if the young people of the congregation 
weie to be retained, there must be the introduc- 
tion of the English language, and from that time 
until about the .vear ISOS, the change was gradu- 
ally made, and from the latter date the English 
language has been exclusively used. 

The membership of the church through the 
years of its history has been made up of some 
of the best and most influential people of Mt. 
Cairmel. From a few families at the beginning 
until the year 1883, the membersliip increased 
to one hundred members, and from that date 
until the present writing (T.dO), the increase 
has reached about one hundred and seventy. 
The following ai-e a few of the charter mem- 
bers : II. Kramer, William Proetzler, N. Seitz, P. 
Moyer, R. Bentelman, Steven Mo.ver, C. Seitz 
and S. Mueller. 

For a number of years this congregation be- 
longed to what is known as the S(nitli Indiana 
Conference, but later there was a change in the 
boundary of some of the conferences, and it now 
belongs to the Indiana Conference. The pastors 
who have served this congre.gation have been 
among the best of the conference. The follow- 
ing is a list of the ministers -nho served as pas- 
tors: \ugenstein, Lintner, Nikolai. Platz. 



Pretsch, Tobias, Mueller. Withaub, Trometer, 
Diekover, Messner, Fisher, Bockman, Fuehs. 
Kohlmeyer. Hoffman, Krommiller, Kleiber, 
Glauser, Gomen, Fisher. Mode, Meyer, Theiss, 
Hallwachs, Earheart, Griesemer. Sch,aurmeier, 
Markman. Bu.ver, Schleucher. Maas, and C. E. 
Geist. 

At the present writing the congregation is 
well organized and doing effectual work. The 
names following are some of the organizations: 
Trustee Board of five members, of which Ed. 
Storekmau is President ; Missionary Society of 
which Rev. Schnitz is President ; Sunday Schools 
with O. A. Unbehaun. Assistant Superintendent; 
Young I'eople's Alliance, of which Mi.ss Mame 
Kern is President ; Woman's Missionai"y Society, 
Mrs. Geist, President ; and Ladies' Aid, Mrs. Un- 
behaun, President. 

Evangelical LuTHsnAN Church. — The ear- 
liest records of the Evangelical Lutheran Church 
in this county show that the Rev. C. F. Heyer, 
who was a general missionary of the cJiurch. 
serving first in the home mission work of this 
country and later organizing the first Lutheran 
.Mission Station in .\frica, first came to Mount 
Carmel In January, 1836, on a tour of inspection 
and succeeded in rallying the scattered adher- 
ents to the Lutheran faith. He gathered to- 
gether the nuclei of two congregations, one at 
Mount Carmel, the other at Jordan Creek, which 
latter is now the St. Paul's of Lancaster. 

In March of the same year, the Rev. H. Haver- 
stick came on the field and perfected the organi- 
zations. The Rev. C. F. Heyer returned later 
and several young members were confirmed and 
others gathered into the organization. Both of 
these pioneer ministers retired from the field 
soon after, and during the interim of pastorates, 
an attempt was made to organize a German Re- 
formed congregation, partly out of the Lutheran 
organization. This, however, failed and the Rev. 
D. Kohler, a home missionar.v, sent out by the 
East Pennsylvania Synod, came iipon the field 
and on March 11. 1838, dedicated the new 
church at Jordan Creek, and on March 27th. 
the Zion's Evangelical Liitheran church of Mt. 
Carmel was made a certainty by the adoption 
of certain regulations, which committed the or- 
zanization exclusively to the Lutheran name and 
cause, yet later efforts were made to divert at 
least a part of the members to the Reformed 
Church. 

The Rev. Barthol succeeded Mr. Kohler. and 



WABASH COUNTY 



663 



during his ministry tlie property on Set-onil 
Street, between Marliet and Cliestuut, was pur- 
chased. On the lot was a frame house and a 
brick blaclismitli shop. The latter was remod- 
eled into a ciiuroh. Mr. Barthol was in charge 
up to the latter part of 1839. In tlie meantime 
a fire, communicated from an adjoining house, 
partially destroyed the same. The ruins were 
sold and removed from the site. 

There was a period of inactivity up to 1841, 
when the Rev. Lauer, of Evansville, ministered 
to the people and he, in turn, was followed by 
Rev. Henning. Mr. Heuning not being able to 
preach in the German language, those who pre- 
ferred that language, lieing prompted to do so 
by other considerations, withdrew and organized 
a church of the Evangelical Association. Mr. 
Henning remained but a few years. To this time 
matters were in a very unsettled condition, the 
distuTbing elements being the questions of lan- 
guage, the use of revival methods and sacra- 
mental differences. These were now practically 
at an end, for the German element and advo- 
cates of the revival methods withdrew. At this 
junctiwe, September 29, 18+4, the Rev. Daniel 
Scherer became the regular pastor of the charge, 
and from that time forth the ehuches took on 
new life. The adoption of a new constitution 
followed, a debt of nearly $1,200 was provided 
for, most of it being collected liy tlie pastor in 
the east and south. This covered two years of 
time and, in the meantime, a new house of wor- 
ship was in contemplation. This was erected by 
a liberal people under the leadership of a pas- 
tor who was an eflicient manager and worker. 
It is said that he burned the brick and did much 
other labor in connection with the erection of the 
new church. Mr. Scherer moved to Jordan 
Creek in ISiiO for economic reasons, the church 
there having eightj- acres of land the products 
of which were entailed to the pastor, he being 
then still pastor of the whole charge. He died 
on April 4. 18.52. and was burled at Mt. Carmel. 
Mr. Scherer was not the founder of the work, 
but to him is due the honor of placing it beyond 
the point of peril, for at the time of his taking 
charge the fate of the Mt. Carmel pastorate was 
in serious doubt. 

The Rev. G. Wolf was a temporary suiijily 
from the death of Mr. Scherer until September 
5, 1852, when the Rev. Conrad Kuhl took charge, 
remaining for over three years. During his in- 
cumbency still another constitution was pro- 



vided, and tlie old German documents and rec- 
ords were translated into English and incorpo- 
rated in the church book. 

The Rev. I. C. Hiller followed and was pastor 
from 18.J0 to 1858 and he, in turn, was followed 
b.v the Rev. John Krack, who remained until 
ISCl. In the latter year, the Rev. J. M. Harkey 
became pastor and remained until 1868. Dur- 
ing this pastorate, the unfortunate division in 
the general synod occurred (1864-G6). and while 
Mr. Harkey was a pronounced advocate of the 
uewly-formed general council, the most part of 
both the Mt. Carmel and Jordan Creek churches 
remained loyal to tlie general synod. 

The Rev. Geo. H. Scliuur then had <-harge for 
one year and was followed by the Rev. J. M. 
Lingle, who was pastor for more than three 
years. The Rev. R. E. McDaniel was pastor dur- 
ing 1875 and part of 1876, and served tempo- 
rarily as a teacher in the public schools. Before 
the close of 1876, the Rev. H. C. Graussman 
took charge and remainetl until 1879. It was 
during Mr. Graussman's pastorate that the Jor- 
dan Creek Church was divided and a new church 
edifice erected at Lancaster in 1877-7S. The Rev. 
•M. L. Heisler came to the field soon after, but 
.having received a call to the presidency of a 
female seminary at Burkittsville. Md., he re- 
mained only a few months. 

On July 18, ISSO. the Rev. G. II. AUbright. 
.just graduated from the theological seminary at 
(Jettysburg, Pa., took charge. The Mt. Carmel 
Church was remodeled, action to that effect hav- 
ing been taken on the first day of Mr. Allbrighfs 
ministrations. The fact is also noted that Rev. 
AUbright was the first pa.stor of Zion's Church, 
Mt. Carmel, as a separate jiastorate. the Lancas- 
ter charge having called the Rev. I. W. Bobst 
as its pastor. The remodeled church was dedi- 
cated September 6, 1880, all free of indebtedness. 
Mr. AUbright retired from the field in the fall 
of 1884. September 1, 1885, the Rev. J. F. F. 
Ka.vhoe became pastor and remained with the 
church until January 1, 1,S89. During this pas- 
torate fifty-two members were addetl. but a num- 
ber of losses by removal and otherwise occurred. 

On June 1, l.S,S9. the Rev. J. H. Walterick be- 
came pastor and remained iu charge until April 
1. 1907 — a ijeriod of seventeen years and ten 
months — the longest and, for that reason and 
others, the most effective to this date in the his- 
torj- of the church. During tliis extended inter- 
val, the congi-egation lias been in a growing con- 



664 



WABASH COUNTY 



dition, the parsonage was improved, the church 
refurnished and decorated. Finally, April 13, 

1902, steps were taken for the removal of the 
church to a more eligible site, and on March 29, 

1903, it was decided to purchase the lot uixtn 
which the new church now stands. During 1901- 
05, the present church was erected and was dedi- 
cated early in May, 1905. The church is the 
second largest in the city, most eligibly situated 
on the northeast corner of Market and Seventh 
Streets, convenient in all its appointments and 
entirely completed except the baisement, which 
is to be devoted to social purposes. The old 
cliurch property was sold to another congrega- 
tion and the old parsonage still houses the pastor 
and his family. The total value of the church's 
property approximates $25,000. Mr. Walterick 
welcomed into fellowship with the church 183 
members during his pastorate. In a large degree 
the present status of Zion's Church is due to the 
earnest work of Mr. Walterick, sustained by the 
unfaltering loyalty and devotion of the entire 
church organization. 

On the first Sunday following the retiracy of 
Mr. Walterick, J. C. Kauffman, D. D., of Mon- 
roe, Wis., visited the field and, a few weeks later, 
was called by a unanimous vote of the congrega- 
tion to become pastor of the church. Later he' 
accepted the call and on July 7, 1907, began his 
lalx)rs among this people. As is frtMiuently the 
case after a new church has been built, there 
was the incubus of a church debt to contend 
with as soon as the new pastor was settled. This 
amounted to about $1,700, all of which has since 
been provided for, together with sufficient funds 
to make some desirable improvements in both 
church and parsonage. But this is not the only 
thing achieved in these three short years. There 
has been a general growth in interest in the 
church and its work, contributions to the work of 
the congregation and the cause of missions and 
other benevolences of the church have steadily 
increased, fifty-one new members have been wel- 
comed, and there are now 275 baptized members 
enrolled, about two hundred of whom are regu- 
lar communicants and faithful attendants upon 
the services of the church. 

St. John's German Evangeucai-. — G. V. 
Kirsch and William Bosecker, both Evangelical 
Lutherans, came fTOm Adams Count.y, Ind.. to 
Illinois, in 1890. and settled near Cowling. The 
next year came John Graesch. Sr., and John 
Graesch, Jr, John and Louis Bosec-ker. and Peter 



and Adam Kirsch. These men organized a Ger- 
man Lutheran Church, and named it St. John's 
German Evangelical Congregation. For a time 
they secured the services of Rev. Frank R. 
Tranmj. of Vincennes, Ind., and afterwards of 
Rev. George Mohr. The services were held at 
.such places as could be conveniently secured. 
In 1872, a new church was built and, on August 
11th. of that year, it was dedicated and Rev. 
Christian JIaurer, was ordained and introduced 
as its first pastor, who immediately baptized G. 
V. Kirsch, Jr. 

The cmngregation joined the Missouri Synod, 
to which it still belongs. The localitj- in which 
the church is located, is one of the most fertile, 
prosperous and beautiful farming countries upon 
which the eye of man has ever looked ; on its rich 
lands it is a common occurrence for wheat to 
average 40 bushels per acre and corn from 90 to 
110 bushels per acre. Originally it was a low 
black bottom land, but its German settlers, real- 
izing its vast possibilities, tiled and drained it, 
and have made it one of the veritable garden 
sjwts of earth. The early German settlers, ap- 
preciating its ix)tential wealth, wrote of its great 
future to their relatives, esijecially in Vanderburg 
County, Indiana, who at once poured in to this 
favored locality. As a result of the great immi- 
gration to the community and its wonderful de- 
velopment, the church prospered and is now a 
strong and wealthy congregation, having a 
handsome church property and liberally supixwt- 
ing its pastor. Rev. Karl Colditz. The church is 
a comfortable and well appointed building and a 
credit to the community. 

St. John's Episcopal Church. — This parish 
of the One. Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, 
usually kno^\ii as the Episcopal Church, is irr 
possession of a beautiful church and rectory at 
the corner of Sixth and Mulberry Sti-eets, Mt. 
Carmel. The property was purchased in an un- 
finished condition by the late Rt. Rev. George F. 
Seymour, S. T. W. Bishop of Springfield, from 
the trustees of the Presbyterian denomination. 
Tlie chapel was finished and named St. Paul's. 
The Rev. J. S. Lassater was appointed priest in 
charge in November. 1S81. Fr. Lassater was also 
in charge of a church school for girls. In 1882 
a rectory was built It was not until St. John's 
day, 1892, that the parish was formally organized 
and the name changed from St. Paul's to St. 
John's. The rectory was enlarged and remod- 
eled and the church building very considerably 



WABASH COUNTY 



665 



improved in 1907. Tlie present rector is tlie Rev. 
Fr. T. W. C. Cheeseman. il.A., D.D. Senices 
are held every Sunday and Friday, and on holy 
daj-s. Ft. Cheeseman has aiso charge of St. 
John's Church at Albion, In Edwards County. 

OTHEat Churches. — ^There are two Bapti.st 
Churches in Mt. Cannel. with small congrega- 
tions and one Free Jlethodist Church. 

Wabash County has one church to every 400 
Inhabitants, a proportion which, we believe, at 
least equals that of any other county in Illinois. 



CHAPTER XV. 



SCIENTIFIC AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES. 



EAM-T PHYSICIANS IX WABASH COUNTY — FIBST 

MEDICAL SOCIETY" — LATER ORGANIZATIONS MT. 

CABMEL SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY' — SOUTHERN ILLI- 
NOIS SCIENTIFIC ASSOCIATION SECRET AND FRA- 
TERNAL SOCIETIES. 

Among the early physicians and surgeons of 
Wabash County, some have been almost forgot- 
ten, with the generations they served, but there 
were many of the early practitioners who will 
long be remembered by the iieople. not only be- 
cause they prolonged human life and aelieved suf- 
fering, but as well because of their friendship, 
integrity and moral worth to the communitj-. 
The first physician to practice in Wabash County 
was a Dr. Norton, who commenced his profes- 
sional career at Palmyra in 1S16. and he was 
followed by Dr. Reuben Baker at Mt. Carmel 
in 1818. From that timo downi to 1850. the most 
prominent iihysicians who practiced in the coun- 
ty were Drs. Allison, Trail, Fithian, Anderson 
and James Harvey. 

Medical Societies. — The first Medical Society 
was organized in the 'sixties, and prominent 
among its niemt)ers were Paul Sears. William 
Graham. Francis P. Manley. Andrew Maxwell, 
T. J. Rigg. Jacob I^escher. James Leeds, James 
Strahan and T. J. .McLain. The society had a 
brief career and there are no authentic records 
of its proceedings. 

The records of the present society, as furnished 
by its secretary. Dr. J. B. Maxwell, show that it 
was organized July 26, 1880. Dr. William 



Friend of Lancaster, was elected President ; Dr. 
Jacob Schuecli, Vice-President ; Dr. P. G. Manley, 
Secretary ; Dr. J. C. Utter, Assistant Secretary ; 
Dr. H. M. Leeds, of Allendale, Treasurer. The 
following signed the constitution and by-laws as 
member's: William Friend, Thomas J. Rigg, 
Fay K. Wallar. Paul G. Manley. J. Schneek, 
William N. Nanney, Nat C. Lewis, R. J. McMur- 
ray. G. C. Kingsliury, E. D. Biddle, Paul Sears, 
J. C. Utter, N. Bristow, A. W. Messick. E. Mc- 
Jilton, James Harve.v, A. J. Mcintosh, H. M. 
Leeds, M. E. Warner and F. S. Gray. This soci- 
ety met at intervals until 1SS.5. when its meet- 
ings were discontinued. It slumbered for five 
yeare when some new and enthusiastic men came 
into the c-ounty and then the physicians sent out 
a call foi- a meeting of the physicians of the 
county for the purpose of reorganizing the so- 
ciety. Accordingly on May 27. 1890, such a 
meeting was held. Dr. L. J. Lesher was elected 
temiK>rar.v chairman, and Drs. J. Schneek, J. H. 
Tanquarj- and R. J. McMurray were appointed a 
committee on jjennanent organization. They re- 
iwrted as follows: Dr. James Harvey for Presi- 
dent, R. J. McMurray for Vice-President, G. C. 
Kingsbury for Secretary, and W. C. Ridgway for 
Treasurer. 

The following persons signed the constitution 
and b.v-laws of the reorganized society: G. C. 
Kingsbury. J. Schneek. J. H. Tanquarj-, J. B. 
Maxwell. Fay K. Wallar, H. M. Leeds, R. J. 
McMun-ay, James Harvey. J. T. Legier, John 
ilcClurkin, P. G. Manley, J. D. KingsbuiT. Dr. 
Kelso. William Friend, C. G. Smith, Norman 
Leeds. C. C. Craig, L, C. Lukenmeyer, W. M. 
Friend, J. C. Utter and S. W. Schneek. 

Since that period nearly evei-y regular phy- 
sician who has practised medicine in the eountj- 
has belonged to the society. It has maintained 
its meetings for more than twentj- consecutive 
years, seems to have passed through all the 
danger periods and reached a mature growth, and 
it is to be hoped that it will yet survive many 
years to keep alive the spirit of h.ainnony and 
unity, which ought to exist between members of 
one of the nolilest professions. Dr. C. E. Gilliatt, 
of Allendale, is President of the society. The 
various schools of medicine are well represented 
throughout the county by capable and popular 
physicians. 

Mt. Carmel Scientific Society. — For many 
years the Mt. Carmel Scientific Society has been 
recognized as the most prominent and successful 



666 



WABASH COUNTY 



literary aud scientific society in this part of the 
State, and it has exerted a useful aud extended 
influenc-e along the lines of individual investiga- 
tion and the study of popular science. Several of 
its members have done noteworthy work in the 
fields of science and literature. The society has 
had an iuterestins and useful career of more 
than a quarter of a century and is still an ac- 
tive and flourishing organization. Its members 
are the representative forces in education and 
scientific investigation. We copy here poi-tions of 
an article relating to its history, read before the 
society by Mrs. Lydia Annie Hughes : 

"Away back in the "seventies two citizens of 
this city, imbued with a love of nature and thirst- 
ing for a deeper knowledge of her fac-ts and mys- 
teries, began together a systematic study of other 
investigators in that realm, the while pursuing 
original lines of work. In their weekly meetings 
they used playfully to style themselves "The 
Mt. Cannel Scientific Society.' These two gen- 
tlemen were Dr. Jacob Sehneck and Superinten- 
dent Cowan of the public schools. True to the 
itinerary habits of his profession. Mr. Cowan 
soon betook himself to another field of labor, 
but his place in this very exclusive coterie of 
students reverted, by a process of natural selec- 
tion, to his immediate, as well as to several of 
his more remote successors, all of whom were 
likewise itinerants. The membership of this 
society was augmented in l.S7."> b.v the addition 
of the Rev. J. L. Wallar, and later Mr. James 
Pool became associated with them. Even at 
that early date, they prepared papers and en- 
gaged in the discussion of various subjects. 

"When, in 1877, or thereabout, a call from 
Carliondale was issued for recruits to enlist In 
an association for scientific stud.y. which was to 
embrace all Southern Illinois, these gentlemen 
promptly responded, were duly mustered in and 
Mr. Pool, as representative of the Mt. Carmel 
contingent, delivered an address on some phases 
of the planet Saturn, which was published. 

"The Rev. Mr. Carter succeeded Mr. Wallar 
as a member of this little company of truth seek- 
ers, and their readings, investigations and orig- 
inal work were quietly but zealously pursued un- 
til the pastorate of the Rev. J. T. Pender, in 
1886. Then a literary association, called the 
Lyceum, was formed in the Methodist Church of 
this city, having for its object the promotion of 
general culture, to which our still select scientific 
societj- attached itself. 



"Among others ardently interested in the 
suc-cess of the Lyceum was the pastor, himself, 
Mr. W. H. Lee, Dr. Jacob Sehneck, Mr. George 
L. Guy, then Superintendent of our schools; 
Messrs. H. H, Mason, John M. Mitchell, Otto 
Krug and the late Thomas J, Shannon, Jr. 

"But aftei- several months there came an ut- 
ter c-oUapse and one December evening while 
Messrs. Lee. Sehneck. Guy. JIason and others 
waited in the lecture room of the M. E. Church 
for the audience, that never came, a plan for 
a non-sectarian association to be known as 'The 
Mt. Carmel Scientific Society," was proposed and 
adopted. Thus, out of the wreck of the Lyceum, 
merged into the more sturdy and enduring con- 
stituency of its predecessors, was organized the 
society whose thirteenth annual election took 
place Januarj- 2, 1899." 

Secret, Patriotic akd Fraternal Societies. — • 
Mt. Carmel has about as mauy secret and fra- 
ternal societies as any city in the State except 
Chicago, and for a complete list of such orders 
we are indebted to the excellent city and county 
directoiy, prepared aud published by Messrs. 
George B. Stein and Edward F. Eichhorn, which 
is as follows: 

Masoni(^Mt. Carmel Lodge No. 239, A. F. 4 
A. M. Charter granted Oct. 7. 1857. 

Royal Arch Masons — Mt. Carmel Cliapter No. 
159, R. A. M. 

Order of the Eastern Star — Mt. CaTmel Chap- 
ter No. 32. Charter granted Oct. 5, 1890. 

Odd Fellows — Wabash Lodge No. 35. Charter 
granted Feb. 3, 1848. 

Rebekah Lodge No. 441. I. O. O. F. Charter 
granted Feb. 18, 1896. 

Sirion Encampment No. 11. I. O. O. F. Meets 
the second and fourth Thursday nights of each 
month. Chartei- granted Aug. i29, 1848. 

Fraternal Order of Eagles. Charter granted 
Aug. 8, 1905. 

Maccabees, L. O. T. M. — Helen Gould Hive, 
No. 193. Charter granted June 21, 1900. 

Order of Railway Conductors^-Bluff City Di- 
vision, No. 308. Charter granted Nov. 15, 1891. 

Brotherhood of Loc-oinotive Firemen — Olympia 
Lodge, No. 536. Charter granted May 5, 1898. 

Patrons of Husbandry — Eureka Grange, No. 
784. Charter granted March 30, 1874. 

Modern American Fraternal Order — Mt. Car- 
mel Ixidge. No. 18. Charter granted March 6, 
1897. 



WABASH COUNTY 



667 



Mystic Workers of the World — Mt. Carmel 
Lodge Xo. 578. Chatter granted July 29, 1903. 

Knights of Pythias. Charter granted Oct. 23, 
1891. 

Modern Woodman of America. Charter 
granted Feb. 23. 1893. Columbian Camp No. 
1910. 

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks — 
Mt. Carmel Lodge No. 715. Charter granted June 
15, 1901. 

Improved Order of Rednien — Oneska Tribe 
No. 248. 

Tribe of Ben Ilur — Mira Court No. 97. of the 
Tribe of Ben Hur. Charter granted May 7, 1900. 

(Jrand .\rmy of the Republic. Charter granted 
March 4. 1882. T. S. Bower's Post No. 125. 
Meets second and fourth Friday at. 7:00 p. m., 
of each month, at St. Jerome Hall. Membership 
."it;. 

Wonuin's Relief Corp.s — .\uxiliary of the G. 
A. R. T. S. Bower's Relief Corps No. 292. 
Charter granted April 18, 1907. 

Sons of Veterans — Wabash County Camp No. 
18. Division of Illinois. Charter gi-anted Sept. 
30, 1907. 

Women's Christian Temperance Union. Meets 
every two weeks at the different churches. 

Mutual Protective League — Mt. Canuel Coun- 
cil No. 414. Charter granted May 9. 1902. 

Catholic Knights. Charter grante<l 1885. 

J. N. Gill Lodge No. 181. B. R. T. Jleets sec- 
ond and fourth Sunday afternoon at Schneck's 
Hall. Membership 92. 

St. Joseph's Societj- — Meets first Wednesday 
night of each month at 7 :.30 p. m. at School Hall. 
Charter. Feb. 28. 1901. 

Knights of Columlnis — Mt. Carmel Council No. 
1343. Onranized October 18. 1908. 

Royal Neighbors of .\^merica. Charter granted 
Nov. 19, 1898. 

Knights of Maccabees of the World^ — Big Four 
Tent No. 273. Charter granted Jlarch 31. 1900. 

Reviewei-s Matinee — Meets every Thursday af- 
ternoon at the homes of members, ilembership 
30. Founded. Jan. 10, 1894. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



NOTABLE EVENTS AND REMIXISCEXCES. 



THE MILLER MURDER TRIAL AND E.XECUTION OF 

MILTON .JONES — A CIVIL WAR TIME TRAGEDY — 



THE SINKING OP THE KATE SARCHET — LEBANON 
CAMP MEETINGS — THE FLOOD OF 1875 THE CY- 
CLONE DISASTER OP 1877 — THE FAMOUS BIO 
TREE ON THE WABASH. 

In the history of eveiy county and locality are 
found the records of events and heard the tradi- 
tions of occurrences, which have become eiK)chaI 
and are afterward regarded as landmarks by the 
inhabitants of the region where they transpired. 
While such incidents cannot always be consid- 
ered proijerly a.s histoi-y, yet they have a real 
value and a surpassing interest in that class of 
literature which we call reminiscences, and 
which has become very popular with the general 
public, and for that reason we herewith attempt 
to preserve from oblivion a series of events 
which, in times past, liave engaged the universal 
interest of the people of Wabash county. 

Trial and Execution of Milton Jones. — Per- 
haps no occurrence in the history of the county 
ever created such general excitement as the trial 
and execution of Milton Jones, for the nuirder 
of Josei>h Miller. Joseph Miller was a [H'osper- 
ous young merchant of Charleston, 111., about 
twenty-two years of iige, who had Jones employed 
as a clerk. Jones was a Virginian of pleasing 
manners, the same age as his victim, who re- 
posed in him unqualified confidence and confided 
to him all his business affairs. Miller and Jones 
started from Charleston to Vincennes, whence 
Miller was to go on to Kentucky to join his 
.voung wife and child. At Miller's suggestion. 
Jones took along a cane gun. and fre<iuently 
walked behind the buggj- and shot game. Wliile 
going through a dense wood in Lawrence County, 
Jones shot Jliller in the back of the head, in- 
flicting a terrible wound. At the report of the 
gun the horse took fright and ran into the woods, 
throwing Miller out, who was piteously pleading 
for Jones to spare his life, but to no avail, as the 
murderer hastened to his victim, and, after 
breaking the gun in an effort to kill Miller by 
striking him on the head, took Miller's knife, 
which he borrowed from the victim's pocket, 
and dispatched him liy repeatedly stabbing him 
in the throat. He concealed the liody of the de- 
ceased luider some brush, then washed his liands 
in a brook, and took the horse and buggj' and 
drove to Vincennes, near where he was finally 
apprehended by the authorities. Jones believed 
Miller had a large sum of money with him and 
the object of his crime was robbery. 



668 



WABASH COUNTY 



Although the curtaiu has long been drawn 
over this tragedy, yet the shocking nature of the 
crime, the mysterious character of the defendant 
and his melancholy confession, and the eminent 
c-ouusel employed in the case, have made it of 
great interest in the legal history of Wabash 
County. 

The crime was committed May 9, 1849, and 
after the indictment was returned In Lawrenc-e 
County, a change of venue was awarded the de- 
fendant to ^Yabash County. The case was put 
to trial Sei^tember 12, 1850, the eminent Judge 
Harlan presiding. For the people there appeared 
A. Kitchen, State's Attorney, who was assisted 
by the celebrated Usher F. Linder, whose fame 
as a fervid, dramatic and thrilling orator drew 
people for many miles distant to hear him 
"plead" the cause of the people. For the defense 
apjieared E. B. Welib, a very talented lawyer, 
and the stately, elegant, scholarly and eloquent 
Charles H. Constable. As advocates, Linder 
and Constable were surpassed only by such men 
as Tom C!orwin, Ben Hardin and Tom Marehall 
In the West, and their fame filled the Wabash 
Valley. The jurors -who tried this memorable 
case were: Robert H. Leek. John M. Stewart. 
William Han-is. David Daily, Thomas R. Hill, 
William B. Kenner, William Kimbrel, Jacob 
Oman, Samuel Hauey. James C. Ashford and 
Nathan Bump. 

The evidence was circumstantial but conclu- 
sively pi-oved the diabolical guilt of the defend- 
ant. Many reputable witnesses testified that 
they knew Jones, and that he was well-behaved, 
gentlemanly, upriglit, genteel in his maimers, al- 
ways kind, sober and sedate and, in fact, a model 
young man, and well beloved by all who knew 
him. The defendant was of prepossessing ap- 
I)earance in some respects, and very quiet and 
graceful in his deix>rtment, and was called a 
"ladies' man," and it was difficult for those 
who knew him to comprehend how one so trusted 
by men and admired by women, and whose mor- 
als were so irreproachable, could suddenly be- 
come guilty of so foul a crime, and they refused 
to believe him guilty until he was convicted by 
the ove^^•helming weight of evidence and the 
publication of his confession. 

On Saturday morning, September 14th, Mr. 
Kitchell, the prosecutor, opened the argument to 
the jury in an able presentation of the evidence 
and the law. He was followed by Mr. Webb, 
who made an earnest and able speech for the 



defendant. Mr. Webb was followed by Mr. Con- 
stable, who, perhaps, made the ablest forensic ef- 
fort of his life. For four hours he siwke with 
wonderful power and his discussion of the law 
of circumstantial evidence was masterly. The 
"Mt. Carmel Register," in its report of the trial, 
says of Mr. Constable's effort : "Upon the whole, 
perhaps, so jwwerful a speech was never made 
on so poor a subject." Mr. Linder's closing argu- 
ment is said to have been the greatest of all that 
remarkable man's oratorical efforts. He siwke 
for several hours, carrying conviction to every 
mind, and the newspaper reiwrts state that 
scarcely a dry eye was to be observed in the vast 
assembly, either inside the court room or among 
the multitudes that entirely filled the c-ourt 
house yard. The struggle between Constable and 
Linder was, doubtless, one of the most thrilling 
oratorical contests ever heard in the courts of 
Southern Illinois. 

Mr. Constable was an aristocratic Marylander 
of the old school, and Linder a Kentuekian, and 
endowed with a remarkable gift of sjwntaneous 
eloquence. He was the oratorical meteor of the 
Illinois bar. His convivial habits ultimately 
wrecked his brilliant career, and in later years, 
his siilendid practice gone, his stalwart frame 
sinking under the inroads of dissipation, he was 
compelled otfen to appeal to the charity of 
others to sustain an uuahppy existence. 

The jury deliberated one hour and returned a 
verdict of "Guilty," and upon its solemn an- 
nouncement the defendant, until then so calm, 
and looking so young and innocent, realized his 
awful doom and his head fell violently forward 
and for the first time he gave way to tears, and 
his hitherto stout young heart, racked with the 
pangs of remorse and appalled with the horror of 
the gallows, broke in bitter anguish. Judge Har- 
lan's remarks ujwn sentencing the defendant, 
were a model pronouncement of judicial learning 
and wisdom, and constitute one of the best exam- 
ples of eloquenc-e and logic to be foimd in our judi- 
cial literature. For pure idiomatic English, clear- 
ness of expression and elegance of diction, they 
bear a not unfavorable resemblance to Lord 
Mansfield's address to the mob in the court of 
King's Bench. 

Jones was hung at the foot of the bluff, below 
where the water tower stands, on the 11th day 
of October, 1850, and it was estimated that the 
execution was \\-itnessed by no less than 15,000 
people, a vast host in that day, many of whom 




PRESBYTERIAN CHTRCH, MT. CARMEL 




CHRISTIAN CIIIRCII. MT. CARMEL 



WABASH COUNTY 



669 



had driven iu wagons more than 100 miles. One 
comjxiny came in wagons from Paducah. Ky. 
For tliree days prior to the execution, the fer- 
ries at Mt. Carniel were crowded witli i>eople 
from Indiana and Kentuclvy, who were coming to 
the "Hanging." 

Before his execution Jones wrote a lengthy 
and startling confession, and gave it to his jailer, 
George W. Lingenfelter, for publication, which 
had an extensive sale and which may 
he found in the edition of the "Jit. Carmel 
Register." dated October 23, 1850. While the 
case was pending in court, Jones protested his 
innocence with a quiet earnestness, that shook 
the confidence of man.v in the belief of his guilt, 
until the day of his execution, and for a time he 
was the recipient of many manifestations of sin- 
cere and profound sympathy. Jones, like the 
celebrated Eugene Aram, was a schoolmaster. 

A Civil \Yae Time Tragedy. — On Tuesday 
evening, November 3, 1863. a bloody affray took 
place in the streets of Mt. Carmel. growing out 
of the iKjlitical bitterness engendered by the 
war. During that great stniggle there were 
many men in Southern Illinois, who iutensel.v 
sympathized with the Southern Confederacy and 
did not hesitate to flaunt their disloyal senti- 
ments in the faces of their loyal neighbors, and 
Union soldiers were the esiiecial objects of their 
animadversion. 

Wabash Countj', though particularl.v loyal, 
was unfortunate enough to have some of this 
class of citizens. The "Knights of the Golden 
Circle" also had some aggressive members in the 
count.v. Cdnserjuently. it was impossible to 
supjiress expressions of opinion calculated to 
cause bloodshed, and as a result of this hostile 
feeling and the bitterness of partis;in zeal, blood 
was shed in Wabash, as well as in many other 
counties in Southern Illinois. 

Hiram Stanton, a stanch Union man. and a 
Deputy Provost ilarsbal, who had raised a 
company of hundred-days men to be mustered 
into the Union cause at the outbreak of the war. 
was attacked by George AV. Besore. an attorney 
of Mt. Carmel. and Zachariah Xewkirk. a prom- 
inent farmer, as the result of an acrimonious 
political controversy. Stanton was shot through 
the wrist and through the thigh, and though 
dreadfully wounded, drew his pistol with his left 
hand and fired at each of his assailants, who 
were continuing their fire, and inflicted mortal 
wounds upon each of them. The tragedy cre- 



ated profound excitement and intense partisan 
feeling, and of course, there were c-onflicting re- 
ix)rts about the distressing affair. Newkirk and 
Besore lingered several days, but succumbed to 
their wounds. Stanton hovered between life and 
death for some time but ultimately recovered. 
He was indictetl but never brought to trial. The 
many friends of Xewkirk and Besore greatly de- 
plored their untimely taking off. and the friends 
of Stanton applauded him as a fearless and loyal 
man who would not apologize for his c-onvictions 
or shrink from danger. 

The Sinking of the "Kate Saechet." — On 
Friday morning. June 26, 1808, the fine stern 
wheel steamboat, "Kate Sarchet," upward bound, 
in attempting to go over the Grand Rapids Dam, 
two miles above Mt. Carmel, was wrecked and 
torn to pieces in the seething whirliwol of waters 
below the dam, rendering the boat and cargo a 
total loss. 

The boat was attempting to run over the dam 
in order to avoid the paj-ment of "lockage," a 
thing which several boats had attempted, and 
narrowly escaping destruction, and this was cer- 
tainly the last of such foolhardy adventures. 
Three efforts were made to cross at the abut- 
ment, on the Illinois side, and in the third trial 
the boat was caught in the eddy below the dam 
and could not be backed out. As a last resort 
her Captain, 'Hail Columbia" as he was called, 
ran her across to the lock on the Indiana shore, 
and as she ploughed through the raging waters, 
her chimneys and pipes were shaken down by 
the commotion, and finally she crashed, headlong, 
into the guard wall, and npon which those on 
board, numbering about twenty-five souls, made 
their escajte. 

After striking, the boat careened, filled with 
water, and her cabin and boiler rolled off into 
the water. The loss of the boat and cargo was 
estimated at fourteen thousand dollai-s. The 
boat was owned by the Dusouchet Brothei-s, of 
Mt. Vernon. Ind., who. with their families, were 
aboard. The officers remained at their posts, 
surrounded by smoke and steam, until she struck. 
The pilots were Captain Stephen D. Greer, of 
Mt. C^arniel, now eighty-seven years of age, and 
his son, William C. Greer, of Mt. Carmel, who 
stayed at the wheel until their services were un- 
availing. While the Ixiat was reeling and surg- 
ing in the turbulent waters, threatening everj- 
moment to go to pieces, her passengers wore 
panic-stricken with fright, and that they all 



670 



WABASH COUNTY 



escaped seemed almost miraculous. The freight 
book was the only thiug saved from the wreck- 
age at the time. The floors of the upper and 
cabin deck were recovered and sold for lumber, 
and now constitute the floors of Judge E. B. 
Green's residence in Mt. Car'nel. 

Lebanon Camp Meetings. — In the early his- 
tory of the Western country, one of the popular 
forms of religious servic-e was the camp-meeting. 
It has loug siuce been succeeded by the revival, 
which is its natural outgrowth. 

In those days men became famous campmeet- 
Ing preachers, just as now they attain celebrity 
as revivalists and evangelists. These early 
preachers, as a rule, were not men of education 
and culture, but were zealous, self-sacrificing and 
courageous, and it was essential that they 
should be physically sti-ong and capable of great 
endurance. They preached the consoling doc- 
trine of ■■Hell Fire'' and '■Eternal Damnation.'' 
with a vengeance, and it comforted their hearers 
mightily. 

The Rev. Jesse Walker, a Methodist preacher, 
held the first camp meeting in Illinois at Shiloh, 
in St. Clair County In 1807. The places for hold- 
ing camp meetings were selected in pleasant 
woods, where plenty of shade and water 
abounded. The friends and neighbors were 
called in to assist in clearing up the ground, 
building the rude split log seats and the clap- 
board tents, which were made by setting posts in 
the ground and fastening cross-strips to them, 
on which clapboards were attached for siding. 
and the roof was made of clapboards. When all 
necessar.v arrangements were completed, the 
camp ground was dedicated witli prayer. To 
these meetings people would come for many 
miles, and they would stay fur days, often two 
weeks together. 

There were several noted campmeeting 
grounds in Southern Illinois and Indiana. One 
of these was the Lebanon camp ground, about 
three miles west of Mt. Carmel, near the Mt. 
Carmel and Albion a-oad. on what was then 
known as the William Beauchanip land, now 
owned l)y Robert Wallace, in Section 2.'?. T. 1. 
S.. R. 13 West, and which was admirably lo- 
cated in n niag:iificent forest. The meetings were 
first held, for several years, on Greathouse 
Creek, about two miles from Sit. Carmel. on the 
farm now owned l\v William Chapman, but this, 
heing low ground and su1i.1ef-t to overflow, was 
abandoned. The first meeting was held about 



1833, and the association kept up its meetings 
for nearly twenty years with great interest and 
success. Its meetings were attended by great 
concourses of people, for those days, who came 
for miles and miles away, and many famous 
campmeeting preachers annually attended these 
gatherings, which were held in the month of Sei)- 
tember. A large number of permanent buildings 
were erected on the grounds, and a two-story, 
clapboard hotel was conducted during the meet- 
ings, for a good many years. The services were 
numerous and gi-eatl.v protracted. There were 
usually four daily services, one before breakfast, 
being a prayer service, one at ten o'clock, one 
during the afternoon and a good long one at 
night. The sermons were often two hours in 
duration, and consisted almost exclusively of the 
lireachers' peculiar exposition of scripture, and 
always concluding with a detailed and vivid 
description of hell and the certainty of everlast- 
ing damnation for those who died in sin. Sur- 
rounded l)y the gloomy forest and awed by the 
austerity of puritanical preachers, who pro- 
nounced upon even the most amiable of human 
weakness the infinite vengeance of outraged 
Deit.v, and listening to the lugubrious prayers 
and agonizing groans of desiwiring sinners, com- 
mingled with the joyful songs and triumphal 
shouts of the converted, was enough to overcome 
and prostrate the har<lest sinners. In the midst 
of such emotional zeal, scores were prostrated 
and carried, utterly helpless, to their tents, 
where they would lie, sometimes for hours, in a 
pitiable state of complete mental and nervous 
collapse, which was supiwsed to be the indubi- 
table proof of their spiritual redemptions. 

THE GREAT FLOOD OF 1875. 

The year 1S75 will ever be memorable in the 
history of the Wabash Valley as the year of the 
"Great Flood." Of all the great floods that have 
visited this valley, none have ever wrought such 
devastation and inflicted such suffering as that 
of 1875. It was preceded by forty days of rain 
and reached its crests about the 18th of August, 
at which time the Wabash River rose to its high 
\\ater mark, showing twent.v-nine feet and three 
inches on the railroad bridge at Mt. Caiinel. In 
places near Mt. Carmel the river attained a 
width of between seven and eight miles. 

Tlie vast sea of water swept everything be- 
fore it. Oix)ps. live stock and fann l)nildings 
«ere enguifeil and carried down the river, and 



WABASH COUNTY 



671- 



the losses to farmers rau into the hundreds of 
thousands of doUai's. and hundreds of families 
were left homeless. Steamboats unloaded freight 
at the depot, where the Southern deiwt now 
stands, and it was «eelis liefore the deluge sub- 
sided. It lias become the great landmark in the 
histor.v of Wabash River floods. 

THE CYCLONE OF 1877. 

In 1877, at the hour of four o'clock I'. M.. on 
Monda.v, June 4th. Mt. Oarmel was partially 
destroyed by the terrible c.velone, which killed 
nineteen people and seriously in.jured seventy- 
five more, destro.ved or partially demolished 200 
buildings and rendered 0(X) people homeless. A 
more detailed sketch of this disastrous and 
calamitous storm will he found in the sketch of 
Mt. Carmel in Chapter XII of this volume. 

STORY OF THE BIG TKEE. 

"Oh, the moonlighfs bright tonight along the 

Wabash, 
Piiom the fields there comes the scent of new 

uiown-hay. 
Through the sycamores the candle lights are 

gleaming, 
On the banks of the Wabash, far away." 

The great ^.vcamore trees along the Wabash 
River have been made famous b.v that sweetly 
sentimental song, "On the Banks of the Wabash." 
The grand monarch of them all was certainly 
one of the largest trees ever known to exist be- 
tween the Allegheny and Rocky Mountains. 

It stood on the bank of Coffee Creek, a few 
hundred feet from where the creek empties into 
the Great Wabash, at Rochester, and about six 
miles below Mt. Carmel. in Wabash County. 

The tree was full twenty-eight feet iu circum- 
ference and eight feet and eleven inches in 
diameter, and its height was in proportion. It 
was a natural curiosity and was visited by many 
botanists and scientific men. It was many 
liundred years old and in a fairly good state of 
I)reservation. when the owner of the land uiwu 
which it stCKxl, about 1897. cut it down in order 
to avoid the visitations of hundreds who were 
oonstantl.v going to see this great natural wonder 
of our forests. The destruction of the tree pro- 
voked very bitter criticism and was deplored as 
an act of vandalism. Our largest forest trees are 
mere saplings in comparison with this mightj- be- 
hemoth of the forest. Its antiquity must have 



been almost as great as the oaks of Sherwood 
Forest, and it was doubtless standing as a lordly 
sentinel "On the Banks of the Wabash," when 
Columbus discovered America. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



ABORIGINES IX WABASH COUNTY. 



INDIAN TRIBES WHO HAVE CONGREGATED IN THE 
COUNTY — EMDENCE OF EARLIER OCCUPATION — 
INDIAN MOUNDS — POTTERY AND OTHB^R PREHIS- 
TORIC RELICS — SITES OF VILLAGES AND BURYING 

PLACES ORIGIN OF THE NAME WABASH — THE 

OLD INDIAN TRAILS — MODEBRN RELICS FOUND AT 
OLD PALMY'EA, MT. CARMEL AND M'CLEABY'S 
BLUFF. 

The following account of the Indians and their 
remains in Wabash County comprises about ali 
that is known with certainty concerning the 
aborigines of this section. It is made up from 
notes gathered by Dr. Schneck from the early 
white settlers who came in personal contact with 
the Indians, and from the records of explora- 
tions made during the past twenty years : 

The evidences that Wabash County, 111,, was 
occupied by a race of people prior to the present 
inhabitants are: 1. Accounts of the Indians that 
were seen here given b.v early settlers. 2. Arti- 
ficial mounds. 3. Graves in which one or more 
persons are buried, either with or without imple- 
ments used b.v Indians. 4. Ossuaries, containing 
miscellaneous collections of human bones. 5. 
Shallow excavations, sites of wigwams. 6. Shell 
heaps or kitchen refuse heaps. 7. Implements 
of flint, stone, copper, iron, bone and jwttery. 

Fii-st. the origin of the word Wabash may be 
of interest in this connection. It is derived from 
the Shawnee word. Oua-ba-chi-oui, meaning 
silver. In the Illinois dialect the letters "Ou" 
were changed to "W," this gave ' Wabashiwl. 
This name was first given by Marquette to the 
Ohio, but afterwards restricted to the present 
Wabash River. When Edwards County was 
divided, in 1824. that portion in which we live 
w.is very properly designated Wabash County. 

When the whites first came to this vicinity, 
about the begiiniiiig of the last century, they 



672 



WABASH COUNTY 



found it thickly inhabited by roving bands of sav- 
ages ; in the eastern ix)rtion by the Cherokee 
Indians, in the western by the Piankishaws and 
Shawnees. As the Euroi>eans became more nu- 
merous the Indians slowly disapi)eared, until 
about 1828, when they had all left. A few would 
occasionally return later for the purpose of 
barter. Tbeir principal headquarters were at 
Vincennes and Shawneetown. And It is only a 
few years since the last traces of the old "Indian 
Trail," or "Trace Uoad." were obliterated. This 
led from Vincennes to Shawneetown. It passed 
through Old Boupas town, near where Grayville 
now stands, crossed Bonpas Creek at the Gray- 
son ford or ferry, deiJending on the stage of the 
water. This is now the E. Freese farm. It then 
crossed the W. Wright farm, thence through the 
Compton Prairie, crossed Coffee Ci'eek at the E. 
B. Keen farm, passed over the sites of James 
Calverly's, Daniel Tilton's and Robert Chapman's 
farms, crossed the Crawlish Creek a short dis- 
tance above where the present wagon road 
bridge stands, touched the Wabash River at Old 
Palmyra, then passed up its right bank some dis- 
tance, then through the laud where the Fox 
farms are now located ; it passed northeast of the 
sites of Tiniber\-ille and Allendale, and crossed 
the Wabash River at the Vallie ferry, which was 
situated at Vallie's Ripple, a short distance be- 
low the mouth of Raccoon Creek. In the recol- 
lection of some of our oldest citizens, this was the 
highway of travel for both the red man and 
paleface. The United States mail was carried, 
for a number of years, over this route from 
Vincennes to Shawneetown. One week the mail 
went down and the next came up. Along this 
dangerous and lonely trace our forefathers, as 
well as the Indians, would carry their corn-meal 
to the salt mines in Saline county and exchange 
it, bushel for bushel, for salt. Many interesting 
incidents are told by old settlers of their hard- 
ships and fights with Indians, which occurred 
along this road in those pioneer days, but we 
cannot stop to relate them here. After there 
were settlements at Timberville, Jit. Canuel and 
Rochester, the road was so changed as to pass 
through them. 

Indian Mounds. — I have so far been able to 
locate 92 mounds in this county. I will notice 
them very l)rietiy. Beginning at the north- 
eastern comer of the county, we find a grouj) of 
six mounds on the X. B. Jordan farm ; near 
Buchanan's ferry on the Stillwell farm is 



another group of five mounds ; at Old Palmyra is 
a group of 20 mounds. I have explored a goodly 
number of these, but can only give you a general 
outline of the results. They all contained one or 
more human skeletons ; some contained flint im- 
plements and fragments of iwttery ; others, large 
boulders, and one of them more than ten bushels 
of mussel shells. I recognized eleven species o" 
shells, all of which are common at this time in 
the Wabash River. Another c-ontained a copper 
kettle and a large number of china beads and a 
large number of beads made from the c-anine 
teeth of bears and wolves. These last were 
made by boring two holes on the same side into 
the nerve cavity of the tooth, then reaving them 
on to a string. I also have record of two mounds 
on the J. G. Beesly fann. They are overgrown 
by a thicket of crab trees ; on the L. W. White 
place is another group of five mounds, they are 
also in a crab orchard thicket and near one of 
the branches of Crawfish Creek ; on the Z. Xew- 
kirk farm stands another mound from which 
have been taken pieces of isinglass and a sand- 
stone pipe, carved into the fonn of a bird. This 
pipe is now in the American Museum of Natural 
Histoa-y, New York. Near the Air Line depot, on 
the commons near Mt. Carmel. 111., there was 
formerly a mound ; the earth has all been hauled 
away. It contained human bones, a small brass 
bucket, arrow heads and a pair of c-opper brace- 
lets, marked "Montreal," and a flintlock gun. In 
the brass kettle were the charred bones of a 
small animal and some parched com. On the 
farm owned b.v Hon. S. Z. Landes is a group of 
21 mounds. They stand in an old field. This is 
the largest group of mounds in the county. None 
of them have been excavated, so far as I know. 
There is another group of 17 mounds on Mrs. 
Heniken's farm. On the farm north of Roches- 
ter. T. 1 S., R. 1.3 W., is a group of six large 
mounds. On the J. R. Bratton farm is a mound 
which I am informed is 30 feet high and covers 
near one-half acre. On the land of the Stillwell 
estate is another large mound, and there is a 
group of three mounds on the land known as the 
J. O'Neal farm. The mounds are usually located 
near a stream or a body of water, and are gen- 
erally composed of the same material as the sur- 
rounding soil, and contain various articles used 
by the American Indians, both of their own 
manufacture and of such as they could secure 
from the Europeans. Many of them also con- 
tained one or more human skeletons. Who wei'e 




SYCAMORE 

Twentv-eight feet in circumference 

Four miles south of Mt. Carmel 




INDIAN RELICS 



WABASH COUNTY 



673 



the arehiteets of these structures'.' We have not 
the time now to attempt the full answer to this 
Interesting question, but will at once give our 
conclusions. V)ase(I ou a slight knowledge of the 
most recent literature on this subject and ou the 
results of the investigation of the mounds in this 
c-ounty, wliich we have made during the past 
twentj- years. They were built by the Ameri- 
can Indians who were in ixissession of the lauds 
when the Europeans discovered the continent. 
This, we think, is true not only of the mounds 
of this county but also of the aboriginal earth- 
works tliroughout the Mississippi valley. The 
first and most important reason is. that while 
many of these remains are of unlcnown antiquity, 
it is proven beyond a doubt that many are of 
quite recent date ; numerous instances are re- 
corded where Indian tribes have built extensive 
mounds after the whites came amoug them. 
Many of the mounds have been found to contain 
articles which they must have obtained from the 
white traders. I have already mentioned the 
finding of a fliut-lock gun and a pair of cx)pi5er 
bracelets in a mound at Mt. Carmel, and of a 
copper kettle and china beads in one at Old 
Palmyra ; a number of other instances could be 
given. 

ScATTESiXG Burial Places. — In addition to 
the skeletons found in the mounds, many scat- 
tering graves have been, and are still being found 
in various parts of the county. Some of these 
contain many articles which were of use while 
alive, and were supposed to be needed in the 
spirit land. Schiller has tmthfully said : 

"Here bring the last gifts! — and with these 

The last lament be said : 
Let all that pleased, and yet may please. 

Be buried with the dead. 

"Beneath his head the hatchet hide, 

That he so stoutly swung. 
And place the bear's fat hauueh beside — 

The journey hence is long. 

"The piiints that wsirriors love to use. 

Place here within his hand. 
That he may shine with ruddy hues 

Amidst the spirit-land." 

I dug into a grave on Mr. Jacob Seller's farm ; 
it contained one human skeleton and a number 
of table knives and forks. In another there was 
found, besides a set of human bones, a catliuite 
pipe, one small-tin box filled with mica, a second 



tin box containcil a thumb lancet. There were 
also two razor blades, one steel, the other fliut, 
half-gallon red paint, iron ochre, a number of 
brass buttons, one pair of sc-issors. a large num- 
ber of small square piec-es of sheet eopiier ; 
these were twisted into small cones and probably 
served as spangles on the ends of the buckskin 
threads which were attached to his garments. 
This is the more probable explanation since they 
were tvvisted around some shreds of fibrous tis- 
sue. Three trees which stood near the grave, in 
different directions, had been blazed, but the 
markings had been covered by the new growth. 
From the annual rings which had been made on 
these trees since they had been marked, I con- 
cluded the body must have been buried there for 
nearly seventy years. This gi-ave was along the 
White River and nearly oue mile from its 
mouth ; it was about three feet deep. Many of 
these graves coutain nothing but human bones, 
while in others I have also found the bones of 
some of the lower animals; a few contain arrow 
or siiear-heads, while in others there are imple- 
ments of chase. The bodies were usually buried 
in the recumbent jxisition with the face toward 
the east ; but in the vicinit.v of Rochester, many 
of the Ixidies had been placed in the sitting pos- 
ture. We ma.v learn from this that among In- 
dians, as well as among Euroieans. a certain cus- 
tom may prevail in one neighborhood which is 
<iuite different from that of an adjoining neigh- 
borhood. 

In the northern jrartion of the county quite a 
number of a different kind of graves have been 
found : the.v are known as ossuaries. They are 
grave-like openings in the ground, and are usu- 
ally lined with .slabs or rock ; into these they cast 
the accumulated bones of their dead. It is a 
common custom with many uncivilized people to 
bury teniporarilj- those who die of disease, and 
especially warriors killed in battle. Their bodies 
are placed In the ground or ou scaffolds, or 
su.siiendcd in swings in the air. Then, at stated 
periods or before moving to a new localit.v, they 
gather up all of the bones and deposit them in 
one c-omnion grave, with high (.-eremonies and a 
feast. This custom appears to have prevailed 
quite extensively in the southwestern portion of 
the count.\. I have dtig into quite a number of 
such ossuaries; the.v usuall.v cfjutain nothing but 
a ml.scellaneous heap of tones. I remember one 
instance in which there were eleven femori, with 
many other bones in one such vault. 



674 



WABASH COUNTY 



Probably the most abuiulaut. aud to the relic 
hunter the most iuterestiuir, Iiuliau remains are 
shallow excavations, varying from fifteen to fifty 
feet in diameter, and usually about three feet in 
depth at the center, whence they gradually slope 
upward to the surface. These are the sites of 
wigwams. The structures which were built over 
them were usually cone shaped, and had an 
o])ening at the top to give exit to the smoke and 
for ventilation. The fire was built in the center, 
and lowest part of the excavation, while the in- 
mates occupied the gradually rising slope on all 
sides of it. thus getting the most benefit from the 
fire with the least loss of space. In these places 
one often finds charcoal, burnt .sandstone, stone 
impleimeuits of various kinds, and especially pot- 
tery ; I have also found burnt corn and mussel 
shell. In one instance I took seven species of 
shells from such an excavation. With a few ex- 
ceptions these are the only places where i)ottery 
has been found in this county. A number of 
these d-welHugs were built together, forming an 
Indian town. On Hanging Rock, a high bluff in 
a sharp bend of the Wabash River about two 
miles northeast of Mt. Carmel, there was such a 
village which contained no less than forty such 
wigwams. In digging atiout this old village site. 
I find that many of their dead must have been 
buried just outside the wigwam, for I found 
manj- htuiian skeletons buried in the spaces be- 
tween the excavations. It is reasonable to sup- 
pose that these were temporary burials and that 
it was the intention to take them up at the 
proper time and give them a ceremonial burial, 
and that before the time the villagers were 
driven from the home. On the commons at Mt. 
Carmel is another site of an ancient village. I 
have counted forty-seven excavations here in the 
space of a few acres. I have so far failed to find 
any skeletons near this village. 

But the most extensive and the most note- 
worthy village in the county is the one at Mc- 
Clear.v's Bluff. This is a range of hills about 
150 feet high, forming a steep bluff on the Wa- 
ba.sh River and affording an excellent view of 
the river in both directions. It is situated about 
ten miles southwest of lit. Carmel. At this iMint 
have been found by far the most interesting 
and the greatest number of specimens of ix)ttei-j- 
thus far discovered in this county. The im- 
mediate locality is an old field, on what is locally 
known as the McCleary farm. It covers about 
six acres of ground, and is on the highest point 



of the range of hills: the soil is sandy. This 
field «as the first l.ind cleared by Mr. McCleaiy 
after his arrival in this county, in 1816. and has 
now been in constant cultivation for ninety- 
four years ; a ix>rtion of it was for a while an 
apple and peach orchard. It has all this time 
been noted for the great number of fragments of 
pottery and other implements which were found 
on its surfaces from time to time. And it Is 
stated that, when first settled, there were a num- 
ber of perfect pieces of pottery found under the 
roots of trees which had been blown down. But 
it was not until after the heavy rains and deep 
washes of 187.") that the most interesting and im- 
portant finds were made. During that summer 
alone tliere were taken from this field two basins 
from eight to ten inches in diameter and about 
three inches deep; two bottles with long necks 
and of about one quart capacity; one pipe, made 
of the same material as the rest of the pottery. 
It is an imitation of an Indian woman in a sit- 
ting posture. There were also found one small 
long-necked bottle of one-half ounce capacity, ap- 
parently a trinket ; four bowls with short, wide 
necks, varying from six to twelve inches in 
height and from six to ten inches in 
diameter; one large pot whose greatest diameter 
is 19 Inches, the mouth is flaring and has two 
e.ves. through which a bale may be fasteucd and 
the vessel swung over a fire. Two rattles made 
of pottery, described further on. Many other 
objects were found here but I will mention but 
one more ; this is an image of an Indian head 
carved from fluor spar. Most of the finds have 
been made near the centers and bottoms of these 
shallow excavations, and were usually near beds 
of charcoal, showing that they had been used 
and left about the fire in the wigwam. Some of 
the vessels were partiall.v filled with small bones 
or charred corn. Some of the bones were found 
to be those of the wild turkey and deer. Mussel 
shells were also quite commonly found. Here 
were also found masses of the material of which 
the [XJttery is made. This consists of crushed 
mussel shells mixed with clay. 

There are doubtless many more of these town 
sites in this county that have been entirely ef- 
faced b.v the filling up of depressions so they can- 
not now be recognized. There is another class of 
remains that is closely related to that just de- 
scribed. I refer to kitchen refuse heaps. They 
are usually near the sites of Indian towns or 
some noted fishing or hunting grounds. They 



WABASH COUNTY 



675 



usually consist of a miscellaneous mass of bones, 
teeth, shells, frafjmeuts of ixittery beads, flint, 
etc. I have found these heaps as much as two 
and one-half feet thiclv. and in the one on Hang- 
ing Kock there were seven species of shells repre- 
sented, all of which may still be found alive iu 
the near vicinity. Near each of the three vil- 
lages mentioned above I found large accumula- 
tions of such materials. They are also fomid at 
many other places along streams where no evi- 
dences of wig^vams can be found. These places 
were probably the scenes of their ceremonial 
feasts. From the great number of mussel shells 
found in these heaps, as well as in the mounds, 
graves and wigwam sites, we may infer that the 
Indians were veiy fond of them. With the 
prairie stocl^ed with deer, turkey and numer- 
ous other game, and the river swarming with 
fish, mussels and water fowls, the Indians in 
this vicinity could truly sing as iu the language 
of their Great Spirit : 

"I have given you lands to hunt in. 
I have given you streams to fish in. 
I have given J'ou bear and bison. 
I have given you elk and antelope, 
I have given you braut and beaver. 
Filled the marshes full of wild-fowl. 
Filled the rivers full of fishes."' 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



•THE LEGEND OF TUCKAWAXXA. THE 

REXEGADE. 

(By Theodore G. Risley.) 



"Down the i-ivers, o'er the prairies. 
Came the warriors of the nation. 
Painted like the leaves of autumn. 
Painted like the sky of morning. 
In their faces stern defiance. 
In their hearts the feuds of ages." 

The Miami Indians were .i branch of the great 
-Mgonquin family. Their domain was vast and 
they were able to muster a great host of war- 
riors. Bancroft says their dialwt was the most 
fertile and widely diffused known to the red 
men. 



When discovered by the French they dwelt 
principally around Green Bay. Wis. They had 
l)ody guards for their chiefs, who received 
superior consideration. To them the English ap- 
plied the name "Twlghtwees." They were 
cousins of the lUini, and brothers of the Pianki- 
shaws, and were a warlike tribe. In their wars 
with the French and their ancient enemies, the 
fierce Sioux, they were driven southward to the 
Maumee River, near the present site of Fort 
Wayne, Ind., where the crucial conflict between 
the French and English began. They were hos- 
tile to the English, and finally joined the great 
conspiracy of the ixvwerful Ottawa Chief, Pon- 
tiac, whom the historian Parkmau says, was the 
most ambitious and resourceful warrior of his 
race. 

During the RevoUitionaiy War they were 
friends of the English. In 1790 their famous 
chief, Little Turtle, led fifteen hundred of his 
warriors against General Harmar, whom Wash- 
ington had sent against them, and infiicted on 
him a cnishing defeat, and the same year this 
adroit chief surprised and destroyed the army of 
General St Claire. Not until "Mad Anthony 
Wayne," iu 1794, overwhelmed and defeated 
their bold warriors on the banks of the JIaumee, 
could the United States make peace with this 
powerful tribe. After the "Treaty of Greenville" 
they gradually moved west and settled on the 
west bank of the Ouabache (Wabash River), be- 
tween the \'ermilion .Mnd Little Wabash Rivers. 

One branch of the tribe was called Oujatanons, 
which had five settlements on the west bank of 
the Wabash River. One village, which was said 
to have been about twenty miles south of Vin- 
cennes, was called Oujatanous, and it had a 
chief who was called "Grand Door of the Wa- 
ba.sh." This village is supposed to have been at 
Hanging Rock, about three and one-half miles 
above Mt. Carmel. and judging from the tradi- 
tions of white men and the results of excavations 
made iu the ricinit>". must have had from forty 
to fiftj- wigwams. The excavating has revealed 
many skeletons, kitchen retu.se and gi'eat quanti- 
ties of mussel shells (the mussels were used for 
food), and heaps of the bones of smaller animal.s. 
.V more iiictiires(ine and suitable locality for an 
Indian village could not have been found in the 
Wabash Valley. 

To the s<nith of this village, on the Wabash 
River about fifteen miles distant, in the vicinity 
of what is now called Village Bend, their 



676 



WABASH COUNTY 



cousins, the Piaukishaws, liad a village, tlieu 
known as Peauquinclilas. While these tribes 
were cousins, there existed between them an 
ancient and bitter hostility. The Piaukishaws 
were a fierce and marauding band, beut on plun- 
der and bloodshed, but at the time of which we 
write, the.v had a chief named "Red Wings," who 
loved peace better thau war, and was loth to 
wield the sanguinary hatchet. In his tribe there 
was a fiery young warrior called Tuckawanna, 
meaning "The Panther Hound." He was given 
tlms weird cognomen in commemoration of a dar- 
ing feat which he had iwrformed. A huge and 
ferocious panther was knmvn to have its seques- 
tered abode in the region now known as Mc- 
Cleary's Bluff, and at nights to lie in wait amid 
the trees and thickets that grew^ in dense clusters 
just above a deer lick, where the Indians were 
aocustomefl to go by moonlight and conceal them- 
selves for the purjxjse of slaying deer. 

The dread beast had not only killed many 
deer, and especially fa^^ois, in the spring time, 
and frightened the grazing herds from the 
locality of the lick, but in its hunger during a 
protracted storm of snow and sleet, had fero- 
eiousl.v attacked and desperatel.v wounded two 
"braves," who were in pursuit of game for 
their [ieoi)le, who were tlireatened with star- 
vation by the prolonged rigors of winter. The 
credulous savages had bec-ome imbued vrith a 
superstitious fear of the animal and believed it 
to be a su[>ernatural creature. But the bold 
Tuckawanna was without fear and little given 
to the idle superstitions of his race. so. preparing 
himself with a great hujiting Unite, he con- 
structed a cunning ambush at the foot of the lick 
and awaited the coming of the deer and the leap 
of the panther upon his unsuspecting prey. Ujxm 
tlie third night of his long and lonely vigil tlie 
timid deer came again to the lick, as did the 
panther. Stiddenly the great beast sprang from 
the brushes upon a deer, pinioned it to the 
ground, and as he crushed its bones and began to 
lap Its warm blood, Tuckawanna leaped from his 
ambush and instantly plunged the knife deep 
into the palpitating heart of the ferocious mons- 
ter, and as he did so it uttered an uuearthl.v 
shriek, released its bloody .iaws. and after a 
short and convulsive struggle, died at tlie feet of 
the intrepid savage. The story of this daring 
deed filled the rest of the tribe with awe and 
admiration for Tuckawanna's braveiy. 

The hunting of the panther, the elk and the 



deer was too tame a diversion for the wild and 
restless ambition of the flerj- Tuckawanna. He 
longed to be the chief of his tribe and thirsted 
for the glories of conquest. He loved war and 
his savage heart burned for the foray, the am- 
bush, the siK>ils of warfare and its wretched eai> 
fives. He was endowed with a nervous elo- 
quence that drew the listening savages about 
him, while with burning oratory he taunted 
tiem with the memory of ancient wrongs and 
bitter feuds, painted graphic pictures of fierce 
triumphs, midnight massacres, the burning of 
victims at the stake, plunderings. scalpings and 
the feats of victorious warriors. With fiery zeal 
he would denounce their tranquil chief, Hunka- 
happy, or Red Wings, so named because he was 
in the habit of wearing a plume made of the 
wings of red birds, as a feeble squaw man. who 
was unfit to be the ruler of his tril>e. which num- 
bered about twelve hundred sotils. 

The romantic eloquence, the wild tales of ven- 
geance and triumph, uttered by Tuckawanna, 
were lost upon the spirits of his hearei-s, because 
the.v believed him to be treacherous and were 
loyal to Red Wings. In the bitterness of his dis- 
apix)intnieut Tuckawanna repined and mourned 
ever his liafiled ambition, but he suddenly re- 
solved to kill Red Wings and. by his prowess and 
eloquence, make himself chief of the tribe. Mas- 
tered by his absorbing ambition, he grew morose, 
refused to join in the chase or feasts and inces- 
santly brooded over plans to encompass the de- 
struction of Red Wings. Upon this murderous 
]iur|X)se he was now fully resolved, and to which 
perfidious end he cunningly planned. Some dis- 
tance from the village, lying in verdant beauty 
between' the foot of the bluffs and the low bank 
of the river, there was a beautiful plot of luxur- 
iant meadow, a kind of natural park, where suc- 
culent grasses, flecked witb motle.v hued wild 
flowers, grew in rich ]irofusion. and to feed ui)on 
its greensward, and drink from tlie river's 
liini)id water, there would come at night time 
great troops of deer, besides it was nearliy their 
favorite "lick." where Tuckawanna had slani the 
great panther. 

Now this sylvan retreat was a favorite spot 
with Red Wings, and he was accustomed to go 
thither Ijy night, to slay deer. He would con- 
ceal himself in the hollow of a great sycamore 
tree that stood on the very brink of the river, 
and against the roots of which the moonlit 
waters rippled in mournful monody, as if chant- 




INDIAN RELICS 




INDIAN RELICS 



WABASH COUNTY 



677 



ing a requiem in iiieniory of the departed spirits 
of his kindred. 

Tuclia wanna Icnew that Red Wings frequented 
this lonely si)ot, and had designed that there he 
would take his life and cast his body into the 
hurryinir waters of the river, and havinsr pre- 
ceded his chief to the scene of the imiiending 
tragedy and retired into concealment, he 
stoically awaited the coming of his unsuspecting 
vletiui. It was not long until Red Wings ap- 
peared and seated himself on one of the pro- 
jecting roots of the great tree on the river side, 
where he was fully hidden from the sight of 
the approaching deer, and as he watched and 
waited for their apiiroach along the narrow path 
that led from the "lick'" down to the meadow, 
being exhilirated by the s^eet odors of the wild 
crab apple, and listening to the songs of myriads 
of whlp-iwor-wills, he was soothed Into tranquil 
meditation. Tuekawanna. who was hidden be- 
hind some lmmen.se logs, which the floods of the 
river had drifted against the sycamore tree, now 
sprang forward and with a tomahawk crushed, 
at one blo^-. the skull of his chief, whose body 
tumbled Into the deep waters at his feet, never 
to be found by his tribesmen. 

After the atrocious deed was done, the cruel 
Tuekawanna knew that he would be suspected of 
the fearful crime a>nniiltted against his own 
tribe ; knew that they had long mistrusted his re- 
vengeful and ti'aitorous nature, and that, as soon 
as It was discovered that their chief had disaiv 
peared. he would be accused of having ensnared 
and dispatched him. He grew fearful of their 
almost certain vengeance, and abandoned his 
dream of chieftainship and fled to the wigwams 
of the Oujatanons at Hanging Rock, where he 
found refuge and in time was adopted into the 
tribe. 

T^ickawanna's bold address, prowess and 
ready elo(iuence were much admired by their 
chief. Grand Door of the Wabash. With true 
savage stoicism, he. of course, concealed the 
reason wh.v he had turned renegade and the 
cause of his now deadly hostility to his native 
tribe. Grand Door of the Wabash had a beauti- 
ful daughter, named Xuntahalo. meaning "The 
Evening Tnilight." who was lovefl by the young 
waiTior. Callusaha. "The Sweet Waters." Soon 
after joining the tribe Tuekawanna became 
enamoured of Xantahalo, and all the arts of his 
fervid passion were exerted to play uixm the 
springs of her afTection.*. but without avail. 



Grand Door of the Wabash was, however, well 
pleased with the stately form, the strong pas- 
sions and maTtlal Are of the infatuated renegade 
and looked witli pleasure uixm his fierce wooing 
of Xantahalo. It was the habit of the .youth of 
the tribe, in the eventide, to gather about the 
etlges and on the brow of the great rock and 
listen to the songs of the whip-ix)or-wiIls, watch 
the deer come forth to drink, tell tales of their 
forefathers and talk and laugh and make love to- 
gether. One evening as the chief sat at his 
lodge door, Tuekawanna api^ealed to him for 
the hand of Xantahalo. to which request he as- 
sented, although he knew his daughter dreaded 
the jealous and furious renegade. 

Tuekawanna was under the constant suspicion 
and suiweillanee of Callusaha. who mistrusted 
and abhorred him. Callusaha had a natural love 
of iieace, was reputed to be brave and generous 
and had all the savage virtues of his Tace, He 
loved the beautiful Xantahalo. and believed" that 
the treacherous renegade intended to i-ob him of 
her, whether by fair means or foul, and so, for 
her safety and his own, he never relaxed his vigi- 
lance over every movement of IXiekawauna. 
After his meeting with the chief and procuring 
his consent to the hand of Xantahalo, Tueka- 
wanna again pressed his suit but only to be re- 
jected, and then swore vengeance against her 
.voung life and vowed to wash out the stain of his 
degi-adation in Callusaha's blood. Soon after he 
saw Xantahalo, on a summer evening, sitting on 
the crest of the rock alone, and not knowing that 
Callusaha was near, secretly guarding against 
his treachery, he stealthily stole over to whe'-e 
she was seated and commanded her to flee at 
once with him to the neighboring tribe of Shaw- 
nees. This she boldly refused to do. whereuijon 
he seized her in his great brawny aiins and was 
in the ver.v act of satiating his flaming rage by 
hurling her headlong into the river below, as he 
had often threatened her he would do, if she per- 
sisted in refusing his suit, when, like a tiger, 
leaping uiwn its prey. Callusaha sprang from a 
ilnster of wild plum bushes, and with a kc>en 
hunting knife in his hand, seized Tuekawanna 
by his raven lilack hair, and with one plunge of 
his trusty blade laid his infuriated foe in death 
at his feet, rescued his beloved Xantahalo from 
her awful peril and rolled the ghastly corpse of 
Tuekawanna into the swift flowing river. 

The river soon aftenvard, taking a sudden rise, 
had finally carried the body of Tuekawanna 



678 WABASH COUNTY 

down the swollen flood and lodged it in the drift wounds he had received in a struggle with a 

of great logs at the roots of the sycamore tree, great bear he had slain. 

the very spot where Tuckawanna had concealed Thus perished Tuckawanna, the bold and 

himself the night he slew Chief Red Wings, and treacherous regenade of the Piankishaws, 

there it was found by some roving I'iaukishaws, whose grim courage and tragic fate became a 

who had known him while living in their tribe, lasting part of the legendary lore of the fierce 

and identified it by some fearful scars left from and cruel Piankishaws. 



BIOGRAPHICAL 



CHAPTER XIX. 



THE PART OF BIOGRAPHY IN GENERAL HISTORY — - 
CITIZENS OF WABASH COUNTY AND OUTLINES 
OF PERSONAL HISTORY — INDIVIDUAL SKETCHES 
ARRANGED IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER. 

The verdict of mankind has awarded to the 
Muse of History tlie highest place amonij; the 
Classic Nine. Tlie extent of lier otiice, however, 
appears to lie. by many minds, but imi)erfectly 
understood. The task of the historian is compre- 
hensive and exacting. True history reaches be- 
yond the doings of court or camp, beyond the Is- 
sue of battles or the effects of treaties, and re- 
cords the trials and the triumphs, the failures 
and the successes of the men who make histor.T. 
It is hut an imperfect conception of the philoso- 
pliy of events that fails to accord to portraiture 
.•nid biograph.v its rightful position as a part — 
and no unimpiirtant juirt — of historic narrative. 
Hehind and beneath tlie activities of outward life 
the motive power lies out of sight, just as the 
furnace (ires that work the piston and keep the 
I>onderous screw revohing down in the darkness 
of the hold. So, the impulsive power which 
shai>es the course of communities may be found 
in the molding influences which form its citizens. 

It is no mere idle curiosit.v that i>rompts men 
to wish to learn the private, as well as the jiuhlic. 
lives of their fellows. Rather is it trui> that 
such desire tends to jirove universal hrother- 
hdcid; and the interest in personality and liiogra- 
phy is not contined to men of any particular 
caste or vocation. 

The list of those to whose lot it falls to play a 
conspicuous part in the great drama of life, is 
comparatively short; yet conununities are made 
U]) (if individuals, and the aggregate of achieve- 
ments — no less than the stun total of human 
haiipiness — is made up of the deeds of those 
men and Wdinen whiise primary aim, through life, 
is faithfully to jierform the dut.v that comes 
nearest to hand. Individual influences upon 
human affairs will be considered jiotent or in- 
siirniticant, according to the stand|Miint from 
wliicli it is viewed. To him who. standing ujion 
the seashore, notes the ebb and flow of the tides 
and listens to the sullen roar of the waves, as 
tbev break u)ion the lieach in seething foam, 
seenuni-'l.v chatiug at their limitations, the ocean 
ajviiears so v.-ist .-is to need no tributaries. Yet. 
wifbont the smallest rill that heljis to swell the 
'•Father of Waters." the mighty torrent of the 



Mississip])! would be lessened, and the beneficent 
luflueuce of the Gulf Stream diminished. Count- 
less streams, currents and counter currents — 
sonietimes mingling, sometimes counteracting 
each other — collectively combine to give motion 
to the accunuilated mass of waters. So is it — 
and so nuist it ever be — in the oci'iin of human 
action, which is formed by the blemling and re- 
jmlsiou of currents of thought, of influence and 
of life, yet more numerous and more tortuous 
than those which form the "fountains of the 
deep." The acts and characters of men. like 
the several faces that comi)ose a composite pic- 
ture, are wrought together into a compact or 
heterogeneous whole. History is condensed bi- 
ography; "Biography is History teaching liy ex- 
ample." 

It is both interesting and instructive to rise 
above the generalization of history and trace, in 
the personality and careers of the men from 
whom it s]irang. the jirinciples and influences, the 
impulses ami ambitions, the labors, struggles 
and triumphs that engross their lives. 

Here are recorded the careers and achieve- 
ments of piiuieers who, "when the fullness of 
time had come." came from widel.v separated 
sources, some from be.voud the sea, impelled by 
divers motives, little conscious of the import of 
their acts, and but dimly anticiiiafing the harvest 
which would spring from the sowing. They built 
their primitive homes, toiling for a present sub- 
sistence while laying the foundations of private 
fortunes and future advancement. 

Most of these have iiassed avva.v, but not before 
they beheld a development of business ami iHipu- 
lation suri>itssing the wildest dreams of fancy or 
expectation. X few .vet remain whose .vears have 
passed the allotted three-score and ten, and who 
love to recount, among the cherished memories 
of their lives, their reminiscences of early days. 

[The following Items of personal and family history, havlns been 
arranned in enryclopedlc (nr alpliabetical ) order as to names of 
the Individual subjects, no si>eclal Index to this part of the work 
will be found necessary.] 

ADAMS, George. — .\mong the representative 
and successful farmers of Waliash Precinct. Wa- 
bash Count.v. 111., is (ieorge Adams, fornierl.v a 
teacher in the county and for many years a car- 
penter. Mr. -Vdams has himself cleared and im- 
jiroved his farm and has put it into a fine state 
of cultivation. He has shown excellent judg- 
ment in the conduct of his affairs and has been 
successful througli hard work and energy. He 
was born in Bmoke County. W. Va.. February 
!!'■■. 1.'-.":i, and is ,i son of Francis and Eleanor 
(Green) .\i1anis. natives of Miiryhmd. Francis 
.\dains was .-i son of .Samuel and Sarah (Preston) 



679 



680 



WABASH COUNTY 



Adams, also of Maryland, aud was married in 
liis native State. He and his wife moved to Mor- 
gan County. Ohio, and there spent the remainder 
of their lives. 

In his boyhood George Adams accompanied 
his ixireuts to Morgan County, Ohio, aud in 1S04, 
when he reached his majority, left home, having 
received a good education in Morgan County 
schools. He proceeded by boat from McCouuells- 
ville to Kvansville. and thence by train to 
Princeton, Ind. With others he hired a four- 
horse team to reach Mt. Carmel, 111., and while 
traveling through the lx)ttom, it rained so hard- 
that they remained all night at a house on the 
Indiana side of the river. After reaching Mt. 
Carmel Mr. Adams wall^ed to Timberville, in 
Wali.ish I'recinct, and worl^ed for others until 
his marriage. He spent seven winters teaching 
school in Waliash County and for some time fol- 
lowed the trade of carpenter. He later turned 
his attention to farming, and after his marriage 
moved to a forty-acre farm belonging to his 
wife. Only eight acres of the land was cleared 
and he began improving the farm at once for 
cultiv.-ition, liecoming iMjssessed of loO acres all 
in one bod.v. of which he cleared and cultivated 
all except twelve acres of timber. He gave his 
son. Charles F., thirty-five acres of land. 

Hi February, is.'s. Mr. Adams married Jane 
Wodd. a native of Waliash County, daughter of 
Josliua and Klizabeth (Coucli) AVood, aud they 
became ivarents of the following children: 
Eleanor, Mrs. Charles Hunyou, now deceased; 
Flora, Mrs. Linder Courier, of Mt. Carmel ; 
Charles F.. of Wabash Precinct; Myrtle. Mrs. 
William F. Courter. of Allendale. HI.; Joshua, 
of Hulianaitolis. Hid. ; Clara. Mrs. Webster Sei- 
bert. of Mt. I'arliiel ; Delia V.. Mre. Joseph 
Wright, of Wabash Precinct; Ruth, at home; 
(ieorge, died in lOO.^'i. 

The family attend the Christian Church and 
in politics Mr. Adams is a stanch supixirter of 
the Republican party. He is among the oldest 
residents of Wabash County and is considered 
one of its most useful and public-spirited citizens, 
being identified with the best interests of his 
community. 

ALKA, John (deceased), who passed away at 
his liiiiiu' ill Keensburg Precinct, Wabash County, 
111.. Xovenilier ?,. T.lOH. was a native of the 
county, liorn in Mt. Carmel Precinct, and spent 
his entire life near bis birthplace. He was a 
useful, industrious citizen, a kind hnsliand and 
father, and had the respect of his friends and 
acrjuaintances. Mr. Alka was liorn February 20, 
1S().3. son of Ernest and Rosanna (Ameter) Alka, 
both natives of Germany. The parents emigrated 
to the United States and settled on a farm in Wa- 
basli County. Mrs. Alka was married first to a 
Mr. .\ meter. 

The boyhood of John Alka was spent on a 
farm and he received his education in the dis- 
trict schools. When a young man he l)egan 
farming on his own account on eight.v acres of 
land in Mt. Carmel Precinct, where he remained 



until isy.j. then sold it and bought eighty acres 
in .Section 4. of Keensburg Precinct, where his 
widow still resides. The latter farm was pretty 
well ini[)roved. containing but six acres of tim- 
ber land. He became a successful farmer and 
also raised considerable stock. Mrs. Alka has 
purchased two forty-acre tracts in Bellmont 
I'recinct. She now lives on the home place aud 
hires the farm work done. 

Four children were born to Mr. Alka and his 
wife, namely : Clella. born December 25, \s'M ; 
Eber Ernest. July I'J, 1S03 ; Everett Ameter, 
August 28, 1902; Cleo Madeline. February 14, 
1!)0I3. Mr. Alka was a Republi«tn in iKjlitics and 
fraternally belonged to the Modern Woodmen of 
-Vnierica. and the Indeiiendent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, of Bellmont. Pie was well known as an 
energetic, enterprising farmer and had many 
friends to mourn his loss. Mrs. Alka is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. She has shov\ii 
marked ability in the management of her affairs 
and is wholly absorbed in rearing and edticating 
her children. 

AMETER, Christian, a well known farmer of 
BelliiKiiit Precinct. Wabash County, 111., has 
spent nearly his entire life in the county, and 
has been identified with the development and 
iniprovenient of his comniunit.v. Mr. Ameter laid 
out the to^vni (if Maud, which was named l)y 
Judge Bell in honor of his deceasetl daughter, 
and for many years Mr. Ameter conducted a 
store in that town. He was born in Mt. Carmel, 
A I abash (Nninty. Xovenilier 16, 1S48. sou of Chris- 
tian and Rosanna (Stegger) Ameter, natives of 
Switzerland, who came to the I'nited States in 
1S48. Christian .\nieter and his wife lived for a 
time at Olney. III., where he died before his son's 
liirth. His widow later moved to Mt. Carmel. 
where she afterward married Ernest .\lka. men- 
tioned elsewhere in this work, in connection witli 
his son. the late .Jolin Alka. Mr. Alka and his 
wife lived in Wabash County after their mar- 
riage and there both died. By her first marriage 
she had two childen. a daughter who died in 
infancy, and Christian. By her second mar- 
riage she had 7 sons and 4 daughters. 

Christian .Vineter was the .vounger of the two 
children of his jiarents. and after his mother's 
second marriage, lived with his mother and steji- 
father until he was thirteen years of age. when 
lie was liound out to work for three years. He 
attended the district school at Olney nine months 
and spent nine months at McKendree College. 
Lebanon. 111. In 18(!0-70. he engaged in teaching, 
following this profession during the winter and 
fanning in summer, until 18S2. when he estab- 
lished a general store at Maud, becoming Post- 
master of the village and also conducting his 
store. He held the ofiice of Postmaster until 
isno. then sold his merchandise stock, but still 
owns the store building. 

In 1870. Mr. Ameter secured land in Section 
2S. Bellmont Precinct, where he developed a fine 
farm. He had but thirty-four and one-half acres 
at first, but kept adding to it until he now has a 




JOHX FISCHKR 



WABASH COUNTY 



681 



good farm. After the Town of Maud was laid 
out Mr. Ameter erected a store building and two 
residences there, and has sold three building 
lots there. He does not do much work himself 
but superintends the management of liis farm. 
He is a member of the ilethodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he is a Trustee, is also a Class- 
Leader and a teacher in the Sunday School. He 
is also Recording and District Steward and ac- 
tive in church work. He is much interested in 
the cause of prohibition and is always ready to 
give his support to any measure he believes will 
advance the public welfare. He has been School 
Treasurer since 1SS6. 

In 1S74, Mr. Ameter married Hattie R. Brown, 
daughter of Capt. G. W. Brown. Mr. .Vraeter and 
his wife never had any children, but he adopted 
the daughter of his half sister Elizabeth, after 
the latter's death. This adopted daughter. Bes- 
sie, married John Deputy, son of E. C. Deputj-. 
and they have one daughter. Christella. Mr. 
Deputy and his wife reside with Mr. Ameter and 
Mr. Deputy helps operate the farm. Mr. Ameter 
is a farmer of intelligence and enterprise and 
was also an able and successful business man. 
He has shown good judgment in carrying on his 
enterprises and has won success through his own 
energy and ambition. 

ANKENBRANDT, Michael.— One of the success- 
ful farmers and stockmen of Bellmont Precinct. 
Wabash County. 111., is Michael Ankenbrandt, a 
native of the precinct, bom February 1, 18(52, son 
of Sebastian and Catherine (Berberich) Anken- 
brandt. the former a native of Hamelburg, Ger- 
many, and the latter of Bellmont Precinct. The 
parents of Catherine Berberich were Michael 
and Lucy (Schuman) Berberich, natives of Ger- 
many, who were early settlers of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, where they secured land. Sebastian An- 
kenbrandt was left an orphan as a young boy and 
he came to America by himself when fourteen 
years of age and worked several years in a 
brewery in Baltimore, Md., then moved to Bell- 
mont Precinct. Wabash Count}', where he worked 
two years for others and then Iwtight land. He 
has added to his possessions from time to time 
and now ownis 020 acres, of which there are 200 
acres in timber and pasture. Since locating in 
Wabasli County he has lieen engageil in agricul- 
tural pursuits and attained a very fair degree 
of success, being a self-made man. 

The children tiorn to Sebastian .\nkenhrandt 
and his -wife were: Michael; Frank and George, 
of Bellmont Precinct: Anna and diaries, at 
home: Marj-, Mrs. Nicholas Waller, of Mt. Oar- 
niel : r>ena. at home: Margaret. Mrs. Earl Wal- 
ler, of St. Ixiuis : Clara, died at the age of twen- 
ty years: Philip, died at the age of two years. 

Michael .\nkenbrandt attended the district 
school as a boy and remained at home, assisting 
his father with the farm work, until his mar- 
riage. November 23. 1892. to Anna Pfeister. born 
in Bellmont Precinct, daughter of George and 
Anna CWoltz) Pfeister, natives of Germany. 
After marriage Mr. Ankenbrandt moved to a farm 



of 180 acres In Bellmont Precinct. He has cleared 

and put 100 acres under cultivation. He has since 
been conducting the farm and has purchased 262 
acres in Wayne Countj-. 111., which he rents. 
He plants about sixty acres of wheat and sixty 
acres of corn and the balance is used for pas- 
ture. He breeds registered Pereherou horses and 
keeps an average of forty head of horses and 
mnles on his farm. Mr. Ankenbrandt is actively 
interested in public affairs and in [wlitic-s is a 
Democrat. He is a substantial and representa- 
tive citizen, upright in bis business dealings and 
highly respected. He is a member of the Catho- 
lic Church. He and his wife became parents of 
children as follows: William Henry, at home; 
Minnie Magdeline, Peter John, Carl John, Mary 
L.. and Tina Valentina. 

ANKENBRANDT, Nicholas, for many years one 
of the extensive stock-raisers and large farmers 
of Bellmont Precinct, Wabash County, 111., has 
been a resident of Mt. Carmel since 1905, where 
he occupies his comfortable home at No. 210 
West Sixth Street. The retired farmers are 
veiy welcome additions to the citizenship of the 
town, when, like Mr, Ankenbrandt, they are men 
of capital and high standing and supporters of 
schools and churches. Mr. Ankenbrandt was bom 
in Germany. January 20, ISIjO, a son of John 
and Dora (Wabert) Ankenbrandt, and was one 
of a family of seven children. 

In Germany no child lacks schooling and Nich- 
olas Ankenbrandt spent a certain time at his books 
before he was twenty-one years old, when he 
went into the German army and served during 
the specified time. In 185.3 he came to America 
and as many Germans were already settled in 
the vicinity of Mt. Carmel. he continued his jour- 
ney to this point and until the fall of 1,8.54 be- 
ing emplo.ved in various kinds of work. He then 
bought an eighty-acre tract of land in Bellmont 
Precinct, which was mostly covered with timber. 
This property he cleared off and as he was able, 
kept on adding other tracts until he now has ,320 
acres. 120 of which he cleared off himself. This 
land is fine producing land and also is so situated 
that stock raising is profitable. 

Mr. Ankenbrandt has been married three times. 
His present wife was born in Germany and came 
to America at the same time her husband did. 
All their eleven children were born in Wabash 
County, as follows : .John, Nicholas, Jacob, An- 
dnis, Josejih. Mary. Margaret. Barbara. Lena, 
Rosie and Dora. The eldest son John, was ac- 
cidentally killed on the railroad. The family is 
prominent in the Catholic Cliurch at ,vt. Car- 
mel. In politics, Mr. Ankenbrandt is a Democrat. 

BAIRD, Francis M., one of the leading mer- 
chants of Mt. Cannel. III., who has taken an 
active part in local politics and public affairs In 
the vicinity for many years, is a native of Wa- 
bash County, born in Lick Prairia Precinct, 
February 11. IfUS. a son of .John W. and Re- 
becca f Stewart) Baird. the former a native of 
Kentucky, born in 1803, and the latter a native 



682 



WABASH COUNTY 



of Tennessee, born in 1808. His grandparents 
were Adam and Rebecca Baird, natives of Ken- 
tucky, and James Stewart and liis wife, of Ten- 
nessee. Tbe Stewarts were among the eai-ly set- 
tlers of Wabasli County, coming in 1826 and ford- 
ing tlie Wabash River with an ox team and 
wagon. They entered wild timber and prairie 
land in Lick Prairie Precinct, and improved it 
until they had a good farm. The Baird family 
also settled In Wabash County in 182G. securing 
Government land, and spending the remainder . 
of their lives on this farm. 

John W. Baird and his wife were married in 
Indiana, in 182.5. and settled on a farm in Lick 
Prairie Precinct, where they resided until 1S71, 
when they moved to Mt. Carmel to live with 
their sou. Mr. Baird died in 1883 and his wife 
in 1S!»."">. They were parents of ten children, of 
whom three sons and three daughters are now 
living, namely : Nancy, widow of C. B. Root. 
of West Salein. Edwards County. 111. ; Foster A.. 
of Sumner, 111. ; Adam Quiney, of Shelbyville, 
lud. : Caroline, widow of Sylvester L. ; Will, of 
Portland, Ore. ; Lillie, widow of Isaac N. Sloore, 
of Mt. Carmel. and Francis M. 

Francis M. Baird received a good common 
school education, and carried on farming on his 
own account until he was twenty-two years old, 
when he and his brother. Adam Q.. established a 
drug store at Jit. Carmel. Two years later they 
sold out and Francis JI. worked in the employ of 
others until 190G. then again embarked in busi- 
ness on his own account, in which entei-prise ha 
is still engaged. He has established a good cus- 
tom and en.ioys the confidence and esteem of his 
customers and friends. 

September 8, 1874. Mr. Baird married Candace 
A. Jennings, who was born at Cataract. Ind., 
daughter of Theodore and Emma (Yager) Jen- 
nings, of Kentucky and England. Two children 
have been born to Jlr. and Mrs. Baird : Ralph 
J., of Long Beach. Cal.. and Nora. Mrs. Edwin 
Marks, who lives with her father. Mrs. Baird 
died February 27. 1009. deeply mourned liy her 
family and all who knew and appreciated her 
high character and blameless life. She was a 
good wife and mother and died firm in the faith 
of tlie Christian Church. 

Mr. Baird has been an Elder in the Christian 
Cburcli since 1Sr>."i. He is a stanch Kepublican 
in political views and from 1804 to 1.808 lield 
the office of Countv Clerk, being the only Repuli- 
lican who has ever held that office in Wabash 
County. Mr. Baird is a member of the fraternal 
orders of Ben Hur. Modern America and Court 
of Honor. He has a large circle of friends and 
is an intelligent, useful citizen, who has tbe best 
interests and welfare of the community at heart. 

BAIRD, Winfield Scott, proprietor of the South 
View PoultiT Farm, .in Lick Prairie Precinct. 
Wabash County. 111., was born near the farm 
where he now lives. January 1?.. 18(!0. a "^ou of 
William S. and Sarah (Wood) Baird. William 
S. was a son of John and Rebecca fSte^^•art'l 
Baird. formerly of Kentucky, and was born in 



Lick Prairie Precinct, August 15, 1829, while 
his wife was born in Friendsville Precinct, Wa- 
bash County, JIarch 17, 1832, daughter of John 
and Catherine (Bratton) Wood, of Kentucky and 
Tennessee, respectively. William S. Baird, Sr., 
and his wife spent their married life in Lick 
I'rairie Precinct, where he was a farmer and 
stock-raiser. He died on his farm September 3, 
1865, and his widow died on the same farm Janu- 
ar.y 31, 1881. Their children were : Claybom, 
born October 8, 1853, died September 20, 1876, in 
his twenty-third year ; Romelda, bom March 17, 
1855, died March 15, 1S7C. at the age of twenty- 
one years ; Elmira. Mrs. F. S. Briner, born Sep- 
tember 22. 1856. died in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
June 27, 18S5 ; Winfield S. ; Zeruah, born April 1, 
1863, died January 2, 1882, at the age of nineteen 
years. 

After finishing the course in the common 
schools. Winfield S. Baird. Jr.. attended the 
normal school at Grayville. 111., during the win- 
ter of 1879-80. He lived with his parents until 
their death, assisting with the work on the 
farm. He inherited 120 acres of the home farm, 
.and from his sister's husband, Mr. Briner. pur- 
chased seventy acres, which he sold two years 
later. He has added to his land until he now 
has 188 acres in his home farm, and purchased 
twent.v-two and one-half acres of land in Fordyce 
Creek bottom, which was covered with timber, 
which he has cleared, tiled and improved. At 
the time he took possession of his farm but fifty 
acres were under cultivation, the balance being 
covered with timber. He sold twenty acres of 
tbe original 120 acres and now has eight.v acres 
under cultivation. During the fall of 1905 he 
erected the present two-story nine^"oom dwelling. 
He has also erected all other necessary buildings 
and has ever.v possilile convenience for carr^'ing 
on his work. He has a substantial new barn 42 
by 76 feet. 22 feet high, with an addition of the 
same height. 24 by 28 feet and ad.joining the 
barn is an ensilage silo with a capacit.v of 70 
tons. Besides these he has a building which in- 
cludes a corn crib, machine shed and hog house. 
46 I)v 60 feet, and a wheat granary 20 iiy 24 feet. 
Besides general farming interests Mr. Baird has 
a large dairy of Holstein cows and raises Oer- 
man coach horses and Poland-China hogs. His 
wife raises Silver Wyandotte chickens. 

In 1888. Mr. Baird purchased a threshing ma- 
chine which he conducted until 1803. then sold 
out and secured another outfit of tbe kind, which 
lie has since been operating, and has threshed in 
all parts of Wabash County. Febru.ary 1. 1910. 
while felling trees Mr. Baird was caught by a 
falling tree which wedged him against another 
tree in such a way that his left leg was crushed 
from four inches above his knee to his foot, and 
he was held a prisoner in this condition a half- 
hour before he could be released, .\fter lie had 
lieen taken home, blood poisoning set in and his 
limb had to be amputated some four inches above 
his knee. 

In politics Mr. Bnird is a Republican and 
served one term as School Director previous to 



V. 

r. 



■s- 

r. 



r. 




WABASH COUNTY 



683 



1898, aud has served In this position since 1901. 
He belongs to Monitor Lodge No. 235. I. O. O. F., 
of Bone Gaii. ICdwards County. 111. He is well 
linowu and highly respected in the community 
and his misfortune was greatly deplored by his 
many friends. 

Mr. Baird married Octolier V\ 1S.S1. Fannie S. 
MajTie. who was born in Clariv County. Ohio. 
October 15. llSCiO, daughter of Benjamin F, and 
Elizabeth (Kauffniani Mayne. the former born 
in the District of Columbia and the latter in 
Pennsylvania. Mr. Ma.vne was a son of Adam C. 
and Catherine (Kemp) Mayne. and his wife a 
daughter of Michael and Catherine ( Seitz) 
Kauffman. of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Mayne. Mrs. 
Baird's mother, died December 1. 18(51. and Mr. 
MajTie married (third) her sister, who was 
widow of William Tiffany, but who died in ISSO. 
-Mr. Mayne marrie<l ( fourth ) Mrs. Phel)e Gold- 
berg, who died the same day as himself. He 
c.onie with his third wife to Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, in 1S70. His first wife had six children 
who sunived, namely : I>eander S.. deceased : 
EUen, Mrs. Samuel McClure. of Springfield. 
Ohio: Catherine. Mrs. William Schmalhausen. a 
widow, living in OIney, 111.: Philander, of Lick 
Prairie Precinct: Clarke, of Bone Gap. 111.: Em- 
ma. Mrs. Sanuiel D. Freeman, of Lick Prairie 
Precinct. By his second mariage M. Mayne had 
one child. Mrs. Baird. and by his third and fourtli 
mariages had no children. 

Mr. Baird and his wife became parents of chil- 
dren as follows : Waldo Brown, born November 
12. 1882, a physician and surgeon of Wabash 
County: Laura Ethel, born .\pril '■'. 1884. mar- 
ried Harry Shearer and lives in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct and they have four children : Kittle Evelina, 
born May 2(5. 1890: Bt'niice Joy. born October 10. 
189."). and Glenna Bernardine. born M.ay 20. 1902, 
the last three all at home. 

BARE, Eugene Y., one of the older merchants 
of Bellmiii't. 111., is the pioneer in that town in 
the line of furniture and undertaking, and has 
built up a good liusiness through his own efforts. 
The enterprise nf which he is the head had a 
very small beginning. Init he has increased the 
business from time to time, aud has kept up 
with the growing demand for his line of goods. 
Sir. Bare had been connected with various lines 
of work before engaging in the mercantile biisi- 
tiess and has been succes.sful in all he has un- 
dertaken. He was born in Richland County. 
111.. November r>. 18fi0. a son of Joseph and M.ar- 
garet fMesleyl Bare, the former a native of 
Pennsylvania and the latter of Germany. The 
parents of .Tospph Bare lived along the Ohio 
River in Ohio, and he became a blacksmith and 
operator of a grist mill. In 1872 he brought his 
family to Bellmont Precinct. This w;is alioiit the 
time the town" of Bellmont was laid out and 
Mr. Bare boueht several lots, building a house 
and a blacksmith shop. He died in 1892, at the 
age of ei^hty-tno years and his widow died 
Felmiarv 21. 19(T0. nt the age of seventy-eiirht. 
Their children were: Sanford ; Elizabeth, Mrs, 



Samuel Skiles, deceased : C. A. : Eugene Y. ; 
Jolin, of Bellmont. Ill, ; Mary J., Alice, and Lot- 
tie, deceased. 

After receiving his education in the common 
schools. Eugene Bare learned the trade of car- 
Ijenter. at which he worked more or less after 
he was twelve years old. He was married, in 
December, 1,884, to Mrs. Alice (Crackles) Gray, 
widow of Richard Gray. She was born in Eng- 
land, and. at the time of her marriage to Mr. 
Bare, had two children — Myrtle. Jlrs. William 
Smith, of Flora. 111., and another daughter who 
died in childhood. Three children were born of 
her se<-ond marriage, namely: Bertha May, 
died at four weeks old ; George, died at the age 
of tour years, and Roy, in furniture business at 
Golden Gate. III. 

Mr. Bare's first wife died in 18«9. and he mar- 
ried (second), in May. 1891. Emma E. Jordan, 
who was born in Gibson County. Ind., a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Jane (Manck) Jordan, na- 
tives of Gilison County. Mrs. B.are's gi-andpar- 
ents were , John and Catherine (Fletcher) Jordan, 
of Indiana, and Jacob and Celestina (Hart- 
gi'ove) Mauck, of Indiana. 

.Vfter his marriage Mr. Bare taught school in 
winter and worked at his trade during the sum- 
mer until 189.S. when he embarked in his pres- 
ent business. He has prospered so well that he 
now owns two large store buildings where his 
store is located. He has established himself in 
the good opinions and confidence of his fellow- 
citizens by his honest and straightfoi-ward 
methods. He is well fitted for his work, having 
attended the Jleyers School of Embalming, at 
Evansville. Ind.. and the Barnes School of Em- 
balming, at Peoria. 111. 

Two children were born to Mr. Bare by his 
second marriage: Mabel C. l>oni March 28. 1,89,"?, 
and Edgar T., born January 1. 1!)00. Mr. Bare 
is a member of tlie Methodist E]iiscopal Church 
in which he has served as Tnistee since 190fi. 
In politics he is a Republican aud has served as 
President of the Town Board of Bellmont since 
lOOd. and also served several previous terms in 
the same olTice. besides .several other local of- 
fii-es. He belongs to the Blue I/nige of Ma.sons, 
of Mt. Carniel: to the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows of Bellmont. having served as Grand 
Master and Delegate to the .State Convention of 
this order : and to the Modern Woodmen of 
America and the M. P. L.. of Bellmont. He is 
also a member of the Illinois I'ndertakers' As- 
sociation. 

BAUMGART, Joseph.— The pleasant town of 
Mt. Carinel. 111., claims among its citizens a 
nunilier of retired farmers who. after years of 
successful cultivation of their lands, desire a 
ouiet life and closer social and church relations 
than the wider expanse of the country can give: 
hence they form a very representative portion 
of the substantial residents of the town. Of this 
cla.ss is .Joseph Baumsart. who came to Mt. Car- 
niel in 1901 and occujiies his comfortable home at 
No. 414 West iMiurth Street. 



684 



WABASH COUNTY 



Mr. Bauiugart was boni iu Germauy, Novem- 
ber (J, IS.'H. His parents were Peter aud Mary 
(Uiee) Bauiugart, both of whom were natives 
of Germauy, where tliey were married. They 
had four sous aud two daughters, all boru iu 
Germany ; Michael, Anthony, Lena, Joseph, 
Margaret aud Stephen. In 1850 the parents of 
Mr. Baumgart came with their children to 
America aud settled iu Indiana, buying a farm 
ten miles distant from Kvausville, on which he 
continuetl to live until his passing away at the 
age of seventy-two years. He was a lifelong 
De:nocrat. 

Joseph Baumgart was reared a farmer aud 
during the whole of his active life carried ou 
farm pursuits, cultivating his lands to their 
fullest capacity aud taking just pride iu his fine 
stock. He continued to live iu Indiana until 
1883. when he came to Wabash C-ounty and 
bought 100 acres near Mt. Carmel aud to this 
first purchase later added 221 acres, clearing 
about sixt.v acres of the same. He made many 
Improvements on his laud aud one of these was 
the building of a substantial farm home resi- 
dence. He left the farm, as stated above, in 1901, 
and since theu has been a valued and respected 
resident of Mt. Carmel, where he is a member 
and a devoted attendant of the Catholic Church. 

On January 1.5, ISOl, Mr. Baumgart was mar- 
ried to Louisa Kulni. who was boni near Ciii- 
•cinnati, Ohio, March ?.l, 1841. She is a daughter 
of Wendel and Margaret (Shefler) Kuhn, both 
of whom were natives of Germauy. They came 
to America after the birth of one child aud 
their family contained the following: Barbara. 
John. Adam, Jlrs. Baumgart, Jacob. Margaret, 
Katherine, Pronie being the youngest. In Ger- 
many Mr. Kuhn owned a fanu and vine.vard. 
After settling near Evansville. lud.. he followed 
farming, and there Mrs. Baumgart was reared 
and went to school. 

The following children were twrn to Joseiih 
Baumgart and wife: Katherine. Lena. Stephen. 
Peter. Henry, Frouie. Mary and .Joseph, and of 
these Stephen and Mary are deceased. The fam- 
ily all belong to the Catholic Church. In his 
political views, Mr. Baumgart is a Democrat. 

BEDELL, George T. (deceased).— The prosper- 
ity of any conuiiunity rests largely uixm the char- 
acter of its leading business men. aud iu remem- 
bering those who assisted in establishing a firm 
commercial foundation in Mt. Carmel. 111., the 
late George T. Bedell is brought to mind, his 
activit.v c-ontinuing eveu after the artlictiou of 
blindness fell upon him. He was boru at Mt. 
Carmel, June 0, 1832. a son of >Ioses and Eliza- 
beth (Tombs) Bedell. 

Moses Bedell was a native of Kentuck.v and in 
early manhood came to Palmyra, 111., where he 
built a grist mill and operated it for a number 
of years. Later he moved to Mt. Canuel and 
opened a general store and also engaged in i>ork 
Iiadiing. shipping his produce to Xew Orleans, 
lie was a Democrat in politics but led too busy 
a life to accept any kind of public office. His 



death occurred at Jit. Carmel, February 2(!, 1842, 
aud his widow, also a native of Kentucky, died 
at Mt. Carmel, May li3, 1855. 

The late George T. Bedell obtained his edu- 
cation in the Mt. Carmel schools, aud when he 
eutered into business for himself it was as pro- 
prietor of a livei-y stable which he conducted sev- 
eral years. He took au active interest in politics 
from early manhood and served several terms as 
Deputy Sheriff. He was considered one of the 
shrewd and suc"cessful busines men of the couuty 
and continued his trading during the ten years 
of blinduess prior to his death. August 20, 1902. 

January 2, 1850, Mt. Bedell married Eunice 
Lindsay, of Vinceunes. Ind., the daughter of a 
Revolutionary soldier. She was bom and 
reared at Vinceunes, her birth occuring August 
10, 18.33. She attended school in her native placs 
and there gi-ew to maturity, becoming acquainted 
with pioneer conditions. Her father, William 
Lindsay, was born in Virginia aud sen-ed under 
General Washington. He was one of the earliest 
settlers of Kuo.x Couuty, lud., and many times he 
and his family fled to the fort for safety from the 
Indians. In later life he was a contractor and 
owner of a brick yard at Vinceunes. JIt. Lind- 
sa.v married Clarissa Pr.vor, also a native of Vir- 
ginia, and Mrs. Bedell is the only survivor of 
tlie family of t\vo sons and three daughters, 
namely: Hester. Benjamin. Elizabeth, Eunice 
and Hiram. Mrs. Bedell is one of the three sur- 
vivors of the original members of the Daughters 
of the Revolution. Mr. Bedell and his wife be- 
came parents of one daughter. Elizabeth Tombs, 
who was married. June 23. 18,80. to James H. 
Decker, of the Grand Central Hotel. All of Mr. 
Bedell's life was spent iu Mt. Carmel with the 
exception of three years, when he was in busi- 
ness in New Harmony. Ind. He was a man of 
considerable wealth and at the time of his death 
owned the Grand Central Hotel, the family home 
adjoining it, and a valuable farm, and was 
engaged in erecting three large busines.s houses 
on Main Street. .\ few years before his death 
he became totally blind, and about a year before 
his decease sustained injuries as the result of 
a fall. He suffered a paral.vtie stroke which 
proved fatal, dying two days later. One sister 
sunived him. Mrs. Stephen D. Greer, of Mt. Car- 
mel. 

BEDELL, John H. — In order to achieve success 
in any line of mercantile business, certain re- 
quisite traits of character and power of judgment 
are required of a man. He should also be will- 
ing to devote a large amount of his time to his 
business interests in order to insure attention 
to all necessary details. Such a man is ,Tohn H. 
BeDell. a prominent business man of Mt. Carmel. 
111. Mr. BeDell is a native of that city. Ijorn 
Sei)teniber 24, 1871. and son of John aud Mattie 
( JIassey) BeDell. the former born in Mt. Carmel 
aud the latter iu A'incennes. Ind. His grand- 
father. Moses BeDell. came to Wabash County, 
111., among the earliest settlers and engaged in 
general mercantile business, also conducting a 




^h^c>-'OU^-^^3 ^' "^ rx^L^^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



685 



floiiriug mill and iiatking business. He reared a 
large family and died luauy years ago. 

John BeDell and liis wife were married in 
Vineennes. Ind., December 1, 1870, and he en- 
gaged in livery business at Mt. Carmel, which he 
carried on until his death. Februarj- 5. 1.S06. 
caused bv a kick from a hoi-se. His widow, Mrs. 
Mattie BeDell. died January 1. 1902. Their chil- 
dren were : John H. : William D., of Mt. Car- 
mel ; Paul S. died In infancy ; Harry M.. of Mt. 
Carmel, in the employ of the Big Four Railroad ; 
Norman K. and Lewis T.. of Mt. Carmel. and 
Charlotte, Mrs. Henry Graham, of Eureka 
Spi'ings, Ark. 

The education of John H. BeDell was received 
in the putilic schools of Mt. Carmel and when 
he was twenty-two years old he began working 
for the Big Four Railroad Company as fireman. 
In 1895 he went into the livery, transfer and 
coal business with his brother AVilllam D.. and 
ten .vears later he sold out his interests to his 
brother L. T.. who still conducts the business, 
in company with William. John H. then began 
working in the freight office of the Big Four 
Railroad, where he remained a year and a half. 
and in April 1, 1007. went to Denver. Col., and 
found emiiloyment as street-car conductor. He 
returned to Mt. Carmel. January 1. l!)f>S. es- 
tablished a retail coal-yard, and has built up a 
good business. He pays careful attention to the 
needs of his business and keeps a good grade of 
his conunodlties. 

March .">. ISOC, Jlr. BeDell married Flora M. 
Cowling, who was born at Cowling Station. Wa- 
bash Covinty, in 1874, daughter of Frank Cow- 
ling. To this union two children were born : 
Vivian and Roy, who reside with their grand- 
mother. Mrs. Cowling. Mrs. BeDell died May 
30, 1909. Mr. BeDell takes an active interest 
in public affairs and is a strong adherent of the 
Democratic party. He was elected City Treas- 
urer in April. 1909. and is well qualified for the 
office. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Knights of Pythias and of the My.stic Workers 
of the World. 

BELL, James. — One of the oldest native-bom 
residents of Wabash County. 111., is James Bell, 
who was born in Bellmont Precinct. September 
3, 18.30. a son of George and Martha (Stlllwein 
Bell, the former a native of Botetourt County. 
A'a.. and the latter of Monmouth County, X. J. 
The grandparents were Robert and Mary (Cald- 
well) Bell, natives, respectively, of County Cork. 
Ireland, and Virginia, and John and Hanna 
(Stevens^ Still well, natives of New Jersey. 
.John Stillwell and his wife settled in Barren 
County. Ky.. and later moved to Illinois, settling 
at Timberville. Wabash County, about 181fi. 
Robert P.ell and his wife located in Barney 
Prairie. Wabash County, about 1818. He .served 
seven years in the Revolution as a member of 
the Light .Vrtillery under Oon. Lafayette, in 
Pennsylvania and Kentiicky. He settled in 
Friendsville Precinct and was Imried there. 

George and Martha Bell were married about 



1820 and settled on a farm in Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct. In 1837, Mr. Bell sold out and moved to 
other laud which they entered from the Govern- 
ment, Jlr, Bell was born August 24. 1794. and 
died Januaiy 8. 1871 ; his wife died October 15, 
1870. at the age of seventy-three years. Their 
children were: John. Hannah. Hiram, Eliza, 
James, Richard. William, Jeremiah and Ellen. 
The only one of these children living is James, 
of this biography. 

James Bell attended the subscription schools 
of his native place, and lived with his jiarents 
until he attained his majority. He worked for 
a time as traveling salesman, and as Boss on 
Ohio & Mississippi, now the Baltimore & Ohio 
Railroad, a short time, and taught school some. 
He was married. November 27. 1.8.'57. to Winni- 
fred E. Overton, Ixirn in Gibson County, Ind., 
December 10, 1837. and reared in Warren 
County. Mo. Her parents died when she was 
young. After his marriage Mr. Bell settled at 
his present location in a log house in the woods. 
He had eighty-seven and one-half acres of land, 
of which five acres was cleared. This he has 
developed into an excellent farm, clearing all 
but about four acres, and has added twenty-six 
acres more in one tract and fourteen acres in 
another. He has sold some of this land, but at 
the present time owns 103 acres of as good land 
as is to be found in Coffee Precinct. Formerly 
he raised a good many horses, mules, cattle and 
hogs, but in 1890 retired, turning over the man- 
agement of the farm to his son. Mr. Bell was a 
veiy industrious and successful farmer and has 
won the respect and confidence among his fel- 
low-citizens. He has lieen a Republican since 
the time of Lincoln, and is a consistent member 
and active worker in the Christian Disciples 
Church, of which he has been Elder and Clerk. 
Mrs. Bell died August 10, 1909, having been a 
devoted wife and mother, and was mourned by a 
large circle of friends. 

Children as follows were born to Mr, Bell and 
wife: Martha Irene, resides with her father; 
Jlarj- E.. married Philander Read, of Coffee Pre- 
cinct : Permelia L„ Mrs. James Boger. who died 
in September. 1888; Anna E., married Jawb 
Bradle. of Albion. HI. : J. Harvey, who operates 
the home farm ; Vashti B., married J, W. Wil- 
liams, of Wagner, Okla., and Wiliam Henry, of 
Washington, Ind. 

BERBERICH, John.— Among the many Ger- 
mans who have located in Wabash County, 111.. 
most have attained a high degree of success and 
secured a good standing in the conuininit.v. B.v 
dint of perseverance and industry, coupled with 
the exercise of good .iudgment. .ToIiti Berberich, 
who now resides in Mt. Carmel. has been able to 
retire from active labor and enioy a life of well- 
earned ease. Ho has impToved a large amount 
of land which he formerly ciiltivated himself 
with excellent restdts. Mr. Berberich was Itorn 
of German parents, both being natives of Byron, 
Germany, who came to Wabash County with 
their parents, in the 'thirties and were maiTied 



686 



WABASH COUNTY 



after arriving tliere. John Berljeriuh was bom 
July 6, 1844, a son of Mieliael and Mary (Scliu- 
uian) Berberieli, wlio settled in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct after their marriage and there si>ent the re- 
mainder of their lives. They became the owners 
of a good farm and had nine children, of whom 
six survive. John being the second child. 

The early years of John Berberieh were spent 
on his father's farm and he attended the com- 
mon schools, .spending considerable time helping 
with the necessary farm duties. He resided 
with his parents until November 8. 1809, when he 
married Margaret Hnt-hgeiger. who was born in 
Byron. Germany, daughter of Michael and Eliza- 
beth Hoehgeiger, who came to Waljash County 
Hlien she was si.x years old. Mr. Berberieli had 
ininhased a farm of eighty acres in Bellmont 
Precinct. He kept adding land and improving it 
until he owned 240 acres, all in the same pre- 
cinct. Here he carried on general farming and 
made a specialty of raising hogs, cattle, horses 
and other stock. In the fall of l!Ml."> Mr. Berbe- 
rieh retired and purchased a handsome residence 
on West Fifth Street, where he and his wife now 
reside. They became the parents of children as 
follows: Anna. Jlrs. John Weisenberger. of Bell- 
mon Precinct; George and William, on their 
father's farm: Elizabeth, died at the age of nine 
years ; Leo. of Mt. Carmel ; and Albert, who died 
at the age of one and a half years. Mr. Berbe- 
rieh and his family are members of the Catholic 
Church and are interested in its different lines 
of good work. He is a strong supiwrter of the 
Democratic part.v and served many .vears as 
School Director. He is one of the public-spirited 
and enterprising citizens of the community and 
has contributed his share to the development of 
the commiinit.v. 

BERNINGER, Amos, who has an extensive busi- 
ness in the Ihie of wagon-making and repairing 
in Ijancaster. 111., was bom in Columbia County, 
Pa., October IS. 1S44. the .voungest child of Aaron 
and Hannah (Rhodes) Bernlnger. of Berkes 
County. Pa., and grandson of Philip Berninger. 
Aaron Berninger and his wife located in Lan- 
caster. Wabash Count.v, 111., in 18.58. with their 
four children. He had been a millwright in 
Pennsylvania and became a farmer in Illinois. 
He lived in Lancaster Precinct the q-est of his 
life, passing away in 1890. His widow died 
thirteen months later. Their cliildren were: 
Cornelius, died in Richland Coimt.v: Isaiah and 
Ezra, died in Lancaster ; and Amos. 

Amos Berninger received his education in the 
common schools and remained with his parents 
until twenty-tuo years of age. then liegan learn- 
ing the trade of wagon-maker and. a year later, 
he and his brother. Isaiah, oi'^ned tip a wagon- 
making and repair shop in Lancaster, continuing 
in partnership seven years, when the partnership 
was dissolved. Isaiah then began farming and 
Amos has since carried on the shop alone. He 
has won a reputation for hi?h class work and 
is well patronized : is a man of honesty and in- 
tegrity and considered a representative and suc- 



cessful business man. He is much interested in 
all sub.jeets pertaining to the public welfare and 
in politics is a Demooi-at. 

In 1870 Mr. Berninger married Mary Baker, 
who was born in Ohio, a daughter of Peter 
Baker, and they have one daughter. Harriet, 
since 1S98 a teacher in the high school at Mt. 
Carmel. .She was born in Lancaster and received 
her education in the State Normal Institution. 

BERTLESMAN, John (deceased).— Among the 
German-.\mericans who have won success in 
Wabash County. 111., through their own efforts, 
was the late John Bertlesman, who for many 
years conducted a harne.ss-making shop in Mt. 
Carmel. Mr. Bertlesman was bom in Hanover. 
Germany. July 2.8. 1.S44. and died at his home in 
Mt. Carmel. where lie had lived forty-one years, 
in July. 1880. his burial taking place July 12. 
in Rose Hill Cemeterj*. He was a son of Henry 
Bernard and Katherine ((iohauer) Bertlesman. 
both natives of Hanover. Germany. The parents 
lived on a farm in their native country until 
1870. then they brought their family to the 
Tnited States, locating first at Cincinnati. Ohio. 

John Bertlesman received his education in the 
public schools of St. Ijouis. Mo., and after leav- 
ing school, learned the harness-making trade. 
He was "engaged for a time in farming, but about 
1869 moved to Mt. Carmel. 111., and there worked 
for a year for Philip Fredericks, after which he 
conducted a shop of his own. He was successful 
in Ills operations and became the owner of real 
estate in the community. For forty-one years he 
occupied the same house, situated at .8.'',1 Cherry 
Street. Mt. Carmel. where his widow still resides. 
Mr. Bertlesman became highl.v respected as an 
industrious, hard-working man and useful citi- 
zen. He was a Democrat in politics and served 
as Alderman of tie Third Ward. He was a mem- 
ber of the Catholic Knights and belonged to St. 
>Lary's Catholic Church. Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Bertlesman enlisted in ISOl. in Battery L. 
Illinois Light Artillery, and served nearly four 
years in the Civil War. being discharged in 
August. l.Sn."i. He established a good record as 
a soldier, performing his duties most satisfac- 
torily. 

January 12. 1809. Mr. Bertlesman was mar- 
ried, at St. Mary's Church. Mt. Carmel. to Miss 
Barbara Peters, daughter of Michael and Mar- 
garet Peters, and they became the parents of 
five children, namely: Mrs. Mary (Bertlesman) 
Conners. born October 10. 1800: Jlrs. Ida Cyr. 
Ixmi April 4. 1871 : Frank M.. Iwrn May 0. 1874: 
Bernard, born March 28. 188?,: Edgar, born 
March 9. 1,887. Mr. Bertlesman made many 
friend.s in Mt Carmel and vicinity and his 
presence was missed in man.v circles. Although 
he has been dead many years, he is still well re- 
membered bv those who knew him and appreci- 
ated his many good qualities. 

BIEHL, Charles, who now lives retired at Lan- 
caster. 111., became a successful farmer and 
miller through his own efforts and ambition, and 



X 



n 




WABASH COUNTY 



687 



tias lived in Wiibasli Couuty, 111., since 183G, 
when lie was bi-ou^lit there by his father, Abra- 
ham Biehl. Me was born in Berks County, I'a., 
August 27, 182o, anil spent his early youth iu 
Ills native State. He has practii-ally no eduea- 
tiou e.'voept what he has acquired by his owu 
efforts, and what he has learned in the school of 
experience. When he first came to Wabash 
Oount.v it was a common thing to see bauds of 
Indians passing through the country, and deer 
and smaller game abounded. 

Abraham Biehl was a son of Daniel Biehl. of 
rennsylvania, and came to Lancaster Precinct, 
Wabash County, with a team and wagon. He 
bought 4<h;) acres of prairie and timber land at 
^7 i>er acre, and bcith he and his wife died on 
this farm. Their children were: Daniel and 
John, deceased : Charles ; Penrose, and Samuel 
and Catherine, deceased : Caroline, and Hettie, 
Mrs. Ephraim Stanninger. 

The .youth of Charles Biehl was spent on his 
father's farm, and he remained at home until his 
marriage, in 1.S40. to Mary Slenker, who was 
bom in Lehigh County, Pa., a daughter of 
Gideon and Sarah (Fisher) Slenker. Mr. 
Slenker was born in Lehigh County and his wife 
in Berks County, I'a., and they came to Wabash 
Ctounty in 183.'?. settling in Bald Hill Prairie. 
After their marriage Charles Biehl and his wife 
moved to a farm of seventy-five acres, whieli 
bis father gave him, composed partly of timber 
and partly of prairie, and they remained there 
until l.'!70. when he moved to the Village of Lan- 
caster and formed a partnership with his brother, 
purchasing a grist-mill. Charles Biehl had vari- 
ous other partners in this enterprise and con- 
ducted the mill nine years, after which he sold 
out and has since lived retired from active life. 
He has added to his farm until he owns eighty- 
five acres in Section 7 and 120 acres in Section 
]2. all being under cultivation except eight.v 
acres of timber. Mr. Biehl stands well in the 
estimation of liis neighbors, as an industrious 
and useful citizen. He is a Democrat in jwlitics 
and has served as Uoad Commissioner and mem- 
ber of the School Board. 

Cliildren as follows were born to Jfr. Biehl and 
■wife; Maria. Mrs. 0(>orge Betebcnner. of Lan- 
caster; Sallie. Mrs. .John Higgins, of Lancaster 
Precinct, and Caroline, who died in infancy-. 
Mrs. Biehl. who was born October 2."). 1.S2S. died 
Ms\y 20. 100r>. having been a fond and loving 
wife and mother, and was mourned by a large 
circle of" friends and acquaintances. Mr. Biehl's 
daughter. Jfrs. Betenbener. keeps liouse for him. 
lie is a member of the Lutlioran Church and has 
served as Elder in the same for many years. 



was born near Evansville, Ind., February 21, 
1M5-1, son of Charles and Elizabeth (Sachs) 
Bosecker, the former born iu Sa.vony and the 
latter in Byron, (iermany. Charles Bosecker 
locateil in Evansville about l.S4r) and Elizabeth 
Saclis came to the same city in 184(). They were 
married there and settled on the farm on which 
tlie.v spent the remainder of their lives. He died 
in 1S7(» and his widow iu IS'.H. Tliey had six 
children, namely : Anna, Mrs. Philip Schmidt, 
who died in lilf)!); Elizabeth, Mrs. Andrew 
Schmidt, living near Evansville, Ind. : William, 
on the home farm near Evansville; Christian; 
Andrew, of Compton Precinct; Charles, who died 
in infanc.v. 

Tlu> education of Christian Bosecker was re- 
cei\ed iu the common schools and he resided 
with his parents until his marriage. In April, 
lS7."j, when he was united with Charlotte 
Schweikhard, of Posey County, Ind., daughter of 
.lac-ob and Margaret Schweikhard, natives of 
liermany and early settlers of Posey County, 
Ind. After his marriage Mr. Bosecker operated 
tlie home farm three years, then his father died 
and he inherited a farm of sixt.v-eight acres in 
Comi>tcin Precinct, to which he added forty acres. 
Most of this land was (wered with timber and 
he cleared it and put it under cultivation. It is 
mostly level prairie land and vei-y fertile, and 
Mr. Bosecker prospered so well that he was able 
to keep adding to his possessions until he now 
owns five farms, consisting of 240. 37<i, (the 
home farm). 40, i:l!l and <i8 acres, Tcspectivel.v. 
He caried on the home farm himself until 1000, 
then moved to Mt. Carmel and bought a hand- 
siinie residence on Clierry Street, which lias since 
been the homestead. He also owns a residence 
nil East Fifth Slireet. the fine residence where 
his son resides and one on Ea.st Fourth Street, 
where a daughter lives. He rents each one of his 
farms separately and oversees the work on them, 
and all have been ]uit into a fine stale of <'ulti- 
vation b.v his efforts. 

The cliildren born to Jlr. Bosecker and wife 
were; Elizabeth. .Mrs. William Frese, whose hus- 
band is a Lutheran prenclier at Denison, Iowa ; 
Frederiik .\.. in clothing bu-^iness at Mt. Carmel ; 
Mar.v. maiTied Theodore Wirlh. who is partner 
of her brother. Frederick \. : and Lena M.. at 
home. Mr. Bosecker has been an enthusiastic 
supporter of the Republican jiart.v and has held 
several county offices. He served one term as 
County Commissioner and has been School Treas- 
urer of bis prer'inct since 1.8.80. He is a man who 
lias the fullest confidence of his fellow-citizens 
and is conscientious in the performance of his 
public ditties. 



BOSECKER, Clristian. — Among the many suc- 
cessful farmers of Wabash County. III., none has 
achieved better results through industry and en- 
terprise than Christian Bosecker. who owns sev- 
eral farms in the vicinity of Cowling. Wabasli 
County. Tie has now retired from actual hard 
work himself, but reaps good profits from the 
conduct of his land bv others. Mr. Bosecker 



BOWERS, Col. Theodore S. (deceased), former 
.\d.iutant General on Staff of Gen. V. S. Grant. — 
But few sobliers of the gi-eat Civil War had a 
more thrilling, romantic and honorable career, 
in the serviiv of (heir country, than the late Col. 
Theodore S. Bowers. His militarj' career was 
particularl.v interesting and remarkable. But few 
men in the army were so near to the heart of 



688 



WABASH COUNTY 



Gen. Grant, or so unqualifiedly enjoyed his con- 
fidence and ijersoual esteem. 

This cliivalrous and brilliant liero was born iu 
Wabash County, 111., October lU, lS3i;, the sou 
of George aud Ann Maria Bowers. Born amid 
humble surroundings, he struggled with many 
ditheulties and privations, but by arduous labor 
aud unwearied i>erseverauce overcame dis- 
heartening conditions aud adversities, aud early 
rose to a rank of influence aud honor among his 
fellow citizens. Prior to the Civil War Hr. 
Bowers was a printer and, tor several years, 
owned aud published the "Mt. Carmel Register.'' 
After the beginning of the war he took an active 
part in organizing Company G of the Forty- 
eighth Illinois Infantry and, to avoid offending a 
friend, declined the commission as Captain of 
the same, entering the ranks as a private soldier. 
Later, being detailed as clerk at Gen. Grant's 
headquarters, he at once attracted the attention 
of the great commander, who rapidly advanced 
him. until, at the close of the war, he held the 
rank of Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General 
in the i-egnlar army, and subseijuently was pro- 
moted to Brigadier-General, which was his rank 
when he accidentally met his death in 18tiii. lie 
was an uncle of Thomas and Lawrence Cole- 
man, of ilt. Carmel, that place being his home 
at the time of that calamitous event. 

Col. Bowers, after i>assing safely through the 
perils of all of Gen. Grant's campaigns, and hav- 
ing escaped many hazardous conditions and suf- 
fered many frightful experiences, was accident- 
ally killed March i;, mtiO. He met Instant death 
Ij.v falling l)etween two cars, while attempting to 
board a trail' which was leaving Garrison Sta- 
tion, on the Uudson River Railroad. General 
Grant, with his son. accompanied by Col. Bowers, 
arrived at (Tarrison Station, opjiosite West 
Point, on the evening of March 5th and was com- 
pelled to remain there overnight. The next day 
they went across the river to West Point, and 
the General, leaving his son at the Academy, re- 
turned to the east side with Col, Bowers. When 
the train arrived by which they were to return 
to New York, some confusion arose concerning 
a carpet-bag Vielonging to the partj-, which had 
been left in the station, and which Col. Bowers 
volunteered to get. Gen. Grant liad then taken 
a seat in the rear of the car. The station agent 
handed Col. Bowers the wrong cai-pet-hag. and 
he said. "This is not the one." These were the 
last words he uttered. He then rushed for the 
train, which was already in motion. In attempt- 
ing to get on lioard he grasped the railing on the 
platfoT-m of the car in which Gen. Grant was 
seated, and sprang upon the step, but striking 
with such violence as to break his hold, he was 
instantl.v precipit.Tted under the wheels of the 
next car and ground to death. When the train 
■was stopped. Mr. Garrison, proprietor of the ad- 
joining ferr\-. said to Gen. Grant. "General. I 
think your .Vdjiitant is killed.'' The General 
replied. "Something told me he was killed." and 
viewing the mangled form of his faithful officer 
and beloved friend, he sadly remarked, "That is 



he; a ver.v estimable man was he. He has been 
with me through all my battles." 

The General later directed Major Hill to ar- 
range for the burial of the body at West Point, 
and sent the following tei^ram to the deceased's 
brother, who at that time was at Lebanon, Pa. : 

Headquarters Armies of the United States 

"Washington, D. C, March 7, 1860. 
Dr. Lorenzo Bowers, Lebanon, Pa. : 

"It is with heartfelt sorrow that I communi- 
cate to you the accidental death of your most 
estimable brother. Col. T. S. Bowers. It occurred 
at 'j P. JI. yesterday, opiMsite West Point. In 
attempting to get on the cars while in motion, he 
fell between two of them, and was instantly 
crushed to death. His funeral will take place 
tomorrow at West Point, and his brother staff 
officers and myself will attend iu a bod.v. Tour 
brothei- had won more than esteem from all who 
knew him. and in his death the country sustains 
a gi'eat los.s." 

U. S. Grant, 
Lieutenant General." 

At the iiersonal re<iuest of Gen. Grant, Con- 
gress appropriated $5,000 for the erection of a 
splendid monument over Col. Bowers' grave, at 
West Point, .\fter Gen. Grant liecame Presi- 
dent, be stated that, had Col. Bowers lived, he 
would have made him a cabinet officer. 

In Xo\emI)er. lf*62. Col. Browers was made 
Captain and Aide-de-camp, and soon after Major 
and Judge Advocate in the Army of the Tennes- 
see. In Septeinlier. 1.'>I0.'5. he became Assistant Ad- 
jutant General, with the rank of Lieutenant 
Colonel, succeeding Col. ,Tohn A. Rawlins, who 
had been promoted. From that time until the 
surrender of Lee's Army, he was Gen. Grant's 
Chief .\ssistant Adjutant General in the field, 
and at the close of the war, retained the same 
IX)Sition. In September. 1804, in consideration 
of his eminent services, he was ai>pointed Major 
and .\ssistant Adjutant-General of the Regular 
Army. Col. Bowers was with Grant at the sur- 
render of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. In describ- 
ing that historic event. Gen. Horace Porter, in 
his book. "Campai.gning with Grant," says: 
"Lee now looked greatly relieved, and though 
anything but a demonstrative man. he gave every 
evidence of his appreciation of this conces-sion, 
and said : 'This will have the best possible effect 
upon the men. It will he ver.v gratifying, and 
will do much toward conciliating our people.' 
He handed the draft of the terms back to Gen. 
Grant, who called Col. T. S. Bowers of the Staff 
to him. and directed him to make a cop.v in 
ink." 

The tragic death of Col. Bowers was a source 
of personal sorrow to Gen. Grant and of over- 
whelming grief to the people of Wabash County, 
who knew so well the story of his dauntless 
r-ourage and loyal devotion to his chief, and who 
knew, as none others could know, how he had 
triumphed over almost insuTmountahle obstacles 
in his splendid career. He was a man of fine 




FRANK \V. HAVIIJ, 



WABASH COUNTY 



689 



character, the soul of houor, modest and gen- 
erous, and as conscientious as he was brave and 
loyal, and the very remeuiljrauce of his beloved 
name and tragic fate starts the tears from many 
a comrade's eyes, even to this day. The Grand 
Army Post at Mt. Oarmel was named in his 
honor. In the brilliant Memorial Day address 
delivered at Mt. Carniel May 3(i, l.ss.3, by the late 
Judge Bell, of Mt. Carmel — who was a personal 
friend of Col. Bowers — the orator pronounced 
the following eloquent panegyric in a commemo- 
ration of his noble service rendered to his couu- 
try : 

"And one who. in the flesh, has trod the green 
aisles before us; one whose kindred slumber in 
pulseless hush near by ; one whose honored name 
is borne by the Post of the Grand Army mar- 
shaled here — marred and lifeless by cruel chance 
in the morning of his brilliant promise — ^the mis- 
Biles of battle hurled by him on the field in vain, 
but the shaft of Fate struck him down before it 
was yet noon of life or fame. Duty was the 
deity of his especial worship, and his unswening 
fidelity to every trust conquered for him everj* 
gradation from the unmarked blouse to the eagle 
and the star. The star he won was burnished 
by high honor to the last : and. although un- 
tarnished and undimnied by obliquity of shame. 
It was less resplendent than his high soul — his 
high soul which never Inirned with greed or 
gain, whii-h never quailed before a foe. 

"Theodore S. Bowers is entombed in historic 
ground, and he fares well. Today the nation's 
minute guns salute his dust: the nation's musi- 
cians flu the sky above him with patriotic airs, 
and the flag of the stars floats over tlie trained 
platoons marching to deck the graves in West 
Point. 'Saint Citj' of the Dead.' 

"The Star of Theodore S. Bowers' life went 
down without zenith or twilight : but it is a 
blesse<l hoi)e that that star, eclipsed untimely 
here, may have risen in a fairer sky and bright- 
ened in the gleam of the eternal morning." 

BRADHAM, Jacob R., a veteran of the Civil 
War and a s\i(;cessful farmer of Lancaster Pre- 
cinct. Wabash County. 111., was born in Gibson 
County, Ind.. .January 2^. 1S45. son of Claudius 
and Elizabeth (S]iore) Bradham. the former a 
native of South Carolina and the latter of Vir- 
ginia. The parents of Claudius Bradham 
moved to Harrison Coiint.v. Ind.. in 1840. and 
there he became acfiuainted with his wife. Eliza- 
beth Spore was lirought by her parents. Jacob 
and Agnes (Dres.«er) Spore, from Virginia to 
Harrison County. Ind.. where they lived some 
years on a farm and then moved to Gilison 
County, same .State, .\fter their marriage 
Claudius Bradham and his wife .settled on a 
farm in Gihs<in County, where he became a suc- 
cessful farmer and an extensive dealer in hogs 
and cattle. Their children were: William, of 
Idalia. Stoddard Countv-. Mo.: Jacob IJ.: Lydia 
and Sarah, deceased : James of .Vrkansas ; .John 
and Rufns. of Wayne Cminty, 111. 

Jacob R. Bradham spent bis boyhood in Gib- 



son County and was educated in the district 
schools. He helped with the farm work and 
caring for his father's stock until he enlisted, 
-\ugust 11, 11^02, in Company B, Sixty-flfth In- 
diana Volunteer Infantry, at Princeton, Ind. 
They were assigned to Kentucky and Tennessee, 
as mounted infantry, and during the Georgia 
Campaign, in Ajiril, 1864, they were dismounted 
and served under Rosecrans and Scholield. going 
as far as Atlanta. Turning back, they later 
served in Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia. They 
took part in numerous battles and skirmishes, 
but Mr. Bradham was never wounded. He was 
discharged January 18. 1SC.5. and, returning 
home, speiit two years at fanning. 

Mr. Bradham married. Januarj' -■ 1S6S, Mary 
.\rmstrong. who was born in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, daughter of Thomas Armstrong, by whom 
he had fourteen children, as follows: John, of 
Lancaster Precinct; James E.. of Walla Walla. 
Wash. ; T. Franklin, of Clay County, 111. ; Rhoda 
Alice, of Denver Col.; Logan, of Edwards 
County. 111.: Otto: Eliza, Mrs. William Ilahn, 
of Mt. Carmel : Cleveland, of Lancaster Pre- 
cinct : Alonzo. died at the age of thirteen years ; 
Jacob, of .Mt, CaiTiiel ; David, member of Heavy 
Coast Artillery, of the United States Army ; Ira 
and Eli Leslie, at home. Mr. Bradham's flret 
wife died October 21. 1890. and he married (sec- 
ond) September 4, 1900, Mrs Elizabeth 
(Moore) Cox, widow of McLain Cox. who had 
four children by her former luisband, namely : 
Maiy, widow of .Tohn Greeniore. living at Sum- 
ner, 111.: Lewis, of Bridgeport, HI.; Allie. of Mt. 
I'arinel : and Delia, .Mrs. William Doss, of Bridge- 
port. Mr. Bradham's second wife died July 12, 
1000. and he married (third) September 20, 1909, 
Wilhelmina (Brausa-Weltz) Lecler, widow of 
Nicholas Lecler. whose first marriage had been 
to William AVeltz. Slie had two daughters — 
Xancy. Mrs. ,Tesse Shipley, and Effie. Mrs. 
Theron Woodruff, both of Lukin Township, 
Lawrence County. III. Mrs. Bradliam was Ijom 
in Lukin Township, daughter of August and 
Sophia (Holsan) Brausa, natives of Hanover, 
(jerman.v. 

After his first maiTiage Mr. Bradham bought 
a fann in Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash County, 
where be lived until 1807. then sold out and 
moved to a farm near Parkerslnirg. in Richland 
County, HI., and lived there two years, and his 
wife and small boy died on this farm. Return- 
ing to Wabash County-, he bought a farm of 14.^1 
acres in Lancaster Precinct, which he carried 
on two years, then sold out and bought his 
present farm of 100 acres In Section :f2. Lan- 
caster Precinct. This farm was well improved 
when he took occupation, except nine acres of 
timber. He carries on general farming and raises 
the highest grade of horses. He has handled 
Percheron horses ever since he began farming 
and at present has one imported horse of this 
breed and owns three stallions. He also raises 
cattle and registered Poland-China hogs. He Is 
actively interested in public affairs and keeps 
well informed on current issues and events. Id 



690 



WABASH COUNTY 



polities he Is a Republican and is always ready 
to do his share toward the improvement of his 
community. 

BRADHAM, John L., one of the prominent and 
substantial farmers of Wabash County. 111., who 
is cultivating a farm in Lancaster Precinct, is a 
native of that precinct, born October 14. 1808, a 
son of Jacob and Mary ( Armstrong) Bradham, 
and the oldest of their fourteen children. .Jacob 
Bradham. a sketch of whom appears in this work, 
was bona in Gibson County, Iiid.. and during the 
Civil War setwed in an Indiana regiment. He 
is now a successful farmer and stockman of Wa- 
bash County and an intluentlal citizen. 

The boyhood of John L. Bradham was spent on 
his father's fann and he received his education 
in the public .schools. After he was twenty-one 
years of age he worked on neighboring farms 
through the summer and lived with his parents 
during the winter. lie was married, January 
20, 180.S, to Nellie Morgan, lioni in Lancaster 
I*Tecinct, daughter of (Jeorge and Mary E. (Pres- 
ton) Morgan, the fonner a native of Lancaster 
Precinct and the latter of Edwards County. Mr. 
Morgan was a son of Calrin and Xancy Morgan, 
natives of South Carolina, and his wife was a 
daughter of Joseph Preston, a native of Wabash 
Precinct. 

After his mawiage John L. Bradham lived 
with his p.arents jiart of one year, while he was 
engaged in erecting a house and other buildings 
on a farm his wife received from her parents, 
in Lancaster Precinct. They lived on this farm 
until 1901, when they traded it for sixty-four 
acres of the home farm of her parents, in Sec- 
tion 20. same precinct. This was part of the 
farm on which her parents settled after their 
marriage and was well cultivated. Mrs. Morgan 
died November 0, ISnS, and Jlr. Jlorgan Seii- 
tember 4. lfK)6. :The children born to them were: 
Frank, of Richland County, 111. ; Nano' .\nn, 
who died at the a-ge of two years; Calvin D.. of 
-Allendale ; George W., died in Octolier, ISDO. at 
the age of thirt.v-one years; .Jacob, of Lancaster 
Precinct ; Joseph, of West Salem, Edwards 
County; Eli, of West Salem ; and Mrs. Bradham. 

Mr. Bradham carries on general fanning and 
raises horses, cattle and hogs. He has added 
twenty acres on the Bonpas bottom, which was 
all timber, and has cleared and tiled this, now 
having it under cultivation. The children born 
to him and his wife were: Joseph C., born Janu- 
ary 2:1. 1804; died March 2. 1800; Charles E., 
born October 1. ISO."; Carrie B.. born September 
IH. 1S07. died Marcli 28. 1000; Laura Pearl, born 
Jfarch 21. 100:i; Blanche P... bom January 20. 
1008. Mr. Bradham is an industrious and enter- 
prising man and has brought bis land to a high 
state of cultivation. He is a member of the 
TTnited Brethren Church and has served many 
years as Steward of same. In politics he is a 
Democrat and belonss to the Modern Woodmen 
of .\merica. Camp No. 18.^4. of T^ancaster: Lodge 
Number ^"~. Independent Order of Odd Pellow-s, 
of West Salem, and his wife belongs to Lodge 



No. 2102. Royal Neighliors of Lancaster. Both 
are well known in the community, where they 
have many friends. 

BRATTON, Robert Henry, a prominent and in- 
fluential far:uer of Lick Prairie Precinct, Wa- 
bash Countj-, 111., was born in that precinct 
Novendjer 1. 1,850, a son of Amos and Sarelda 
(Moore) Bratton, also natives of Lick Prairie 
Precinct. The grandl)arents, William and Pris- 
cilla (Wood) Bratton, natives of Tennessee, and 
Eli and Irene (Hill) .Moore, were all early 
settlers of Wabash County. William Bratton 
and his wife entered government laud, which 
was all timbered, and he cleared and put under 
cultivation forty acres, finally dying on his farm. 
.\mos Bratton's father died when he was quite 
young and he .settled on the home farm after his 
marriage. He had lived .some time with an 
uncle. Fr.udv Card, and learned the trade of 
wagon-making, at which he worked many years, 
and also made cothns. TTpon settling on the 
homestead he remodeled the house and cleared 
a great deal of land. lie was a prominent Demo- 
crat and took a deep interest in political affairs, 
also became a member of the Christian Church. 
A tree fell on him one day when he was at work, 
fracturing his skull, and he was never able after- 
ward to bear working in the .sun or endure very 
hard work of any kind. He died March 8, 187.S, 
and Ills widow afterward married Barton Bal- 
lard, though she spent ninst of her life on the old 
farm. She died September 10, 1004. 

The children born to .Vmos Bratton and his 
wife were ; Priscilla Ellen, who died when six- 
teen years old: Robert Henry; Dora .\lice, Mrs. 
.John S. Jliller, of Mt Carinel ; Pina Rosetta. 
.Mrs. Henry E. Risley, died in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct ; Jersey May. died at the age of two years; 
Flotilla, Mrs. P. A.Groff. of Bellmont Precinct. 

Robert H. Bratton received his education in 
the district schools and lived at home with his 
parents until his marriage. November 4, 1877, to 
Fannie Maria Stewart, liorn in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, Octol>er ,", 1858, a daughter of John M. 
and Marinda (Putnam) Stewart. After Mr. 
Bratton's maiTiage his mother deeded him forty 
acres of the home farm, on which be erected a 
house. I^venty-five acres of the land was cleared 
and he cleared seventeen acres more. He bought 
out two of the other heirs and now owns 120 
acres, twenty-three acres of this being in timbeT. 
Besides carrying on general farming he raises 
cattle and hogs. 

Mr. Bratton and his wife are members of the 
Church of Christ, of which be has been Elder 
since 1800. He is a Reiniblican in politics and 
served fifteen years as School Director. He is 
an energetic and industrious farmer and his 
property is kept in excellent condition. Mr. 
Bratton has spent his whole life in the neighlior- 
hood where be now lives and lias a large circle 
of friends. He and his wife had children as 
folows ; Clarence .\., born .\ugust ."^O. 1,878. lives 
at Mt. Carniel ; Henry H.. bom December 8, 1879, 
died December 28, 1.885, at the age of six years; 




^--^^"^-^ 




WABASH COUNTY 



691 



llaidie M.. Mrs. F. Albert Doyle, lx>rn Novem- 
ber 5. 18812, live.s at Bone Gap, III. ; Walter Aiiio.s, 
born January 'M. 1886. died Febi-uary 15. I'.tol, 
at tlie age of fifteen .years; Flossie Exima, born 
January !1, 1880, at home; Paul Randolph. Iiorn 
March 2.'). 1892. at home; and Beulah Isabelle, 
born January 5, 1895, at home. 

BRIAN, Charles Frederick, M. D., of Bellmont, 

111., who practices his profession in partnership 
with his wife, also a physician, is a native of 
Wabash County, born in Linn. 111., July 27, 1879. 
He is a son of Martin and II. Melissa ISehrader) 
Brian, the former born in Lawrence and the lat- 
ter in Wabash County. Martin Brian is a son 
of German parents, who settled on the Bonpas 
Bottom, in Lawrence County, 111., and died 
there. Mrs. Brian was a daughter of John 
Schrader, who was one of the pioneers of Friends- 
ville Precinct, where he secured government 
land and became the owner of several thousand 
acres. 

After his marriage Martin Brian settled at 
Orio, Wabash Count.v, and entered into partner- 
ship with George Rencheler, in a blacksmith and 
wagon-making shop, Init soon afterward the 
former sold out his interest and for about seven 
years conducted a brick and tile factory at Orlo. 
He then sold out and purchased a farm in Law- 
rence County. Since 1902 he has lived retired at 
St. Francisville. The following children were 
bom to him and his wife: Dr. J. R.. of St. 
Francisville: William, in lumber business at St. 
Francisville: .\lgia. of Meli-ose. N. Mex. : Samuel, 
William's partner; Dr. Charles F. ; .\ustin, of 
Melrose, N. M. ; Heber and Victor, at the uni- 
rersitj- at Valparaiso. Ind. ; Agues, at home, and 
Ro.v. died in infancy. 

Dr. Charles F. Brian attended colle.ge one year 
at Valparaiso. Ind.. and then entered Barnes 
University at St. Ix)uis. Mo., from which he 
graduated May ?,. 190o, with degree M. D. He 
purchased the practice of Dr. Norman Leeds, of 
Bellmont. and has since been successfully en- 
gaged in following his profession there. lie and 
his wife are members of the County and State 
Medical Societies and he belongs to the .\merican 
Medical .Association. He is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and has been a 
Trustee of the church since 1908. He al.so be- 
longs to the JIasonic Order, being affiliated with 
the Blue Lodge of Allendale: the I. O. O. F., of 
Bellmont, also the M. W. A.. Mystic Workers and 
M. P. L. In politics be is a Prohibitionist. He 
lias established a high reputation in his profes- 
sion and is well established at Bellmont. He is 
a Director in Mt. Carmel Banking & Trust Com- 
pany, he and bis wife together own a fine farm 
of 200 acres in Bellmont Township, and they 
have an interest in the .Vlhion Vitrified Brick 
Company, of .\lbion. 111. 

May "0. 1900. Dr. Brian married Flora Matina 
Tanquary. who was bom in Bellmont Preiinct. 
daughter of John F. and Flora Ellen (Price) 
Tanquary, the former a native of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct and the latter of White Conntr, 111. Mr. 



Tanquary was a son of .\lfred Tanquary, and 
his wife is a daughter of Hansford and Polly 
I Ferguson) Price. Mr. Tanquary died in 
Dwember. lOO.S. and his widow now resides at 
.Vlliion. 111. They had children as follows: Mol- 
lie. who died in infancy; Mrs. Brian; Pearl, 
died at the age of six years : and Blanch. John 
H. and Pe.afrl Lucile. with their mother. 

Mrs. Brian attended the Southern Collegiate 
Institute at Albion. 111., spent one year at the 
Northwestern Universit.v, Evanston. 111., two 
years at the Noa-thwestern Woman's Medical Col- 
lege, and two years at the College of Physicians 
& Surgeons Medical Department of the Fniver- 
sity of Illinois, from which she graduated May 
24. 1904. She spent one year as interne in the 
New England Hospital for Women and Children, 
at Boston, Ma.ss. Since her marriage she has 
jiracticed with her husliand and lias shared in 
his success. She is skilled in her profession and 
stands well in the community. 

BRINES, Franklin, one of the largest land- 
owners and most influential citizens of Lick 
Prairie Precinct. Wabash County. 111., is a repre- 
sentative of a family that is well known in the 
count.v, having been born on the farm which he 
now owns. October 1.', 18.S5. He is a son of Ly- 
man and Maria (Holmes) Brines, natives of New 
York State, and a grandson of John Brines, who 
settled in Wabash County at a verj' early date 
and was one of the first to enter government land 
there, liring on his farm the remainder of his 
life. Maria Holmes was a daughter of a soldier 
of the war of 1812. who was never heard of after 
his service, having disappeared while in the 
army. She was brought to Wabash County b.y 
some of her relatives when five years of age. and 
at the time of the Black Hawk War was in the 
foit at Cla.vpool. .\fter their marriage. Lyman 
Brines and his wife settled at CenteiTille. the first 
county-seat of Wabash County, where for several 
venrs be ran a cardinsr machine which he owned. 
Later he purchased 20."i acres of timber land in 
the wmtheastern part of Lick Prairie Precinct 
and cleared a large iiart of it. He died in 180."? 
his widow surviving him until 1900, when she 
passed away at the age of ninety years. 

Tnelve cliildren were born to Lvman Brines 
and wife, of whom Franklin was the sixth. 
Those survi\ing are: Mar.v. aged eighty years; 
Franklin, aged seventy-five; Ellen, aged seventy- 
three: Hannah, seventy; Edla. sixty-eight; 
Rebecca, sixt.v-three; and Margaret, sixty. 

In boyhood Franklin Brines attended the com- 
mon .schools, remaining with his parents as long 
as they lived, then purchased the shares of the 
other heirs and received his mother's dowry of 
20," acres. .\t the present time he owns alx)ut 
.500 acres of fine land, of which a large part is 
under cultivation. He f«rected a handsome two- 
story house in 1897 and has remodeled and built 
bams and other outbuildings. His tvvo sisters, 
Ellen and Rebecca, reside with him. 

Mt. Brines raises a good grade of hogs, cattle 
and horses, and carries on diversified farmiHg. 



692 



WABASH COUNTY 



He has won a rcpiitatiou for industry and enter- 
prise, is successful to a lari;e degree, and is well 
known and much respected in bis neiglilwrhood. 
He is a member of the Christian ChuKb and in 
politics is a Republican. Mr. I'.rines is unmar- 
ried. 

BRINES, Henry (deceased).— The late Henry 
Brines, of Mt. C'arniel I'recinct, was descendetl 
from the tirst white settler in Wabash County, 
111., his gii-eat-graudfatber having taken up gov- 
ernment laud before there were any settlements. 
Henry Brines was born in Bellmout Precinct, 
Wabash County. October 27. 1860, a son of Heni-y 
and .Julia (Ballard) Brines, his father being a 
son of Edward Brines. 

Henry Brines. Sr.. died before his son Henry 
was born, and later his widow married a Jlr. 
Finne.v. Young Henry left home at the age of 
eleven years and began earning his own living. 
Before his majority he had ])urchased forty acres 
of land in Mt. Carmel Precinct, and later added 
twenty acres to his farm. He made all possible 
improvements and cultivated this land the re- 
mainder of his life. He died in young manhood. 
October 2C>. 1898. ,1ust as he was beginning to 
reap the fruits of his ]irevlous industry and 
hard work. He was a Ueiniblican and active in 
lo<^al affairs, taking great interest in anything 
pertaining to the public welfare. He was well 
known and highly resjiected. a kind friend and 
neighbor, and his loss was keenly felt by many. 
He was a devout meniiier of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and nnich interested in its work. 

August '2i'<. 18'.n. Mr. Brines married Mar- 
garet .\nn .Jones, daughter of .Jenkin and Sarah 
Ann (Martin) Jones, who was liorn in (iihson 
County. Tnd.. Decendier 2. 1.841. Her father 
was .■! native of Wales and her mother of Eng- 
land. Both died when their daughter was eight 
years of age and she was reared by iieojile in In- 
diana. At the time of her marriage she was liv- 
ing in the family of Rev. .Jennings, at I'rinceton. 
Ind. She is a grand-daughter of Edward Martin, 
who spent his entire life in England. 

Mr. and Mrs. Brines became jiarents of chil- 
dren as follows : Paul Henry, bom August 7. 
1802: .John Richard, born March 12. lS9."i ; George 
Franklin, born February 10. 1808. all at home. 
Mrs. Brines has continued to live on the home 
farm since her husband's death, and has been 
occupied chiefly with the education and ti-aining 
of her children. She has (Widucted her affairs 
in a husines.s-like. sensible manner, and has been 
well rewarded for her efforts. She and her 
children carry on f.anning on the land left by 
Mr. Brines. 

BRINES, James Russell, Jr., of the fourth gen- 
eration of the Brines family in Wabash County. 
111., was torn in Bellmont Precinct. October .'^1. 
1870. son of Morris and Vii-ginia (Mull) Brines! 
the father, a native of Bellmont Precinct, and thp 
mother of Peru, Ind. Morris was a son of Rus- 
sel and Nellie (Oanier) Brines, of Allegany 
County. N. Y.. and Russell was a son of Edward 



P.rines. who located in Wabash County in 1816. 
later settling in Friendsville Precinct, where he 
entered land from the Government. He was 
buried on his old farm, in what is now Hallock 
Cemetery. Russell Brines, grandfather of James 
I!., was a f.irnier. and married and settled in 
Bellmont Precinct, whew his death occurred. 

Morris Brinse married and settled on land 
near his birthplace, in Bellmont Precinct. He 
started in life with nothing but a horse, buying 
land from time to time as he was al>le and clear- 
ing it. finally becoming the owner of 710 acres 
and one of the most extensive f.armers of Bell- 
mont I'recinct. He raised many hogs and was 
successful in his oiierations. The children liorn 
to him and Ills wife were: Morris W.. of Bell- 
mont Precinct: Nellie B.. Mrs. J. R. Fisher, who 
lives en her father's home farm; Jacob S., of 
Bellmont Precinct: Mina, Jlrs. T. K. Wright, of 
Bellmont Precinct : Eva Bell, living on the home 
place with her sister, Mrs. J. R. Fisher: and 
James R.. the oldest. The father died January 
.31. 1002. and the mother November 21. 1001. 

The early education of James R. Brines was 
acquired in the district schools, but later he at- 
tended the Ccnti-al Normal College, at Danville, 
Ind.. receiving a diploma in stenography and the 
commercial course in 1.880. and in 1801 a teach- 
er's diploma. At the age of eighteen years he be- 
gan teaching scIkx)!. continuing in this profession 
twentj- winters, but working at fanning during 
the summer months. In this time there was an 
interval of four years during which he did not 
teach. His teaching was all done in seven ad- 
joining districts. Since the spring of 1000 Mr. 
Brines has devoted his attention exclusively to 
bis farming interests. lie paid his father S!1.(XK) 
for ninety acres of land, wliile his wife owns 
eight;*- acres, and between them they now own 
200 acres, all in Bellmont Precinct, called the 
"Plain A'iew Farm." Mr. Brines was successful 
in his profession and has also made his farming 
very jirofltable. He is enteriirising and ambi- 
tious, and follows scientific methods and modern 
Ideas in his agricultural oiierations. He was 
President of Wabash County Teachers' Associa- 
tion, two yeai-s. and has been re-elected President 
of the County Farmers' Institute. 

May 4. 1802. Mr. Brines married Flora Viola 
Groff. boTn in Bellmont Precinct. March 4. 1872. 
daughter of John and Harriet (Gard) Groff. Mr. 
Groff was born at Hesse Cassel on the Rhine. 
Germany, and his wife was born in Lick Prairie 
Precinct. Wabash County, in 1.820. Mr. Brines 
moved to the farm, where he now lives, after bis 
marriage, and here lias made many improve- 
ments, developing a fine farm and erecting sub- 
stantial buildings. He has always paid careful 
attention to all the details of his farming and 
has nic-t with success accordingly. He raises 
nnroc Jersey hogs and Holstein cattle, and 
makes a specialty of Buff Rock chickens. In 
ix>litics he is a Repuiilican. Since 1000 he has 
lieen Government Crop Correspondent for Bell- 
mont Precinct. Fraternally he is a member of 
Tjodge Xo. 720. Independent Order of Odd Fel- 




LVMAN BRINES 




LYMAN BRINES' FAMILY 



Mar\' 



Hatnilton 
Ellen Rebecca 



Maria Brines 

Age 90 



Franklin 



Hannah 



Edia 



Margaret 



WABASH COUNTY 



693 



lows, and Royal Neighbors, of Belluiout. uud of 
Sugar Greek Lxidge No. 7045. Modern \\'oodmeu 
of America. He is a member of tiie C'liristiau 
Cliurcii, at Maud, Wabasli County, having' been 
Clerk of the church since its establishment. Jlay 
10. 1S'.»(>. and Elder since 1900. Mrs. Brines is 
a member of the Christian Church and a Royal 
Neighbor. 

The children bom to Mr. Brines and wife 
are: Mabel Ora, born May 2, 1898: Gilbert Mc- 
Kinley. born January 16. lSt).5 : Naomi Pearl, 
born October 10. lS9(i: Everett tTroff. born July 
23. 1000: Carroll Heign Scoville. born June 15. 
190«: Virgil I.eroy. Iwrn July ;!0, 1908. Mr. 
Brines is an iuteligent. representative citizen. 
and he and his wife have a large number of 
friends. 

BRINES, Robert, one of the well known and 
prosijerous farmere and stock-raisers of Wabash 
County, 111., was born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
where he now resides. September 18. 1872. a son 
of E. C. and Mary E. (Swain) Brines, both na- 
tives of Wabash County, the former born in Bell- 
mont Precinct, E. C. Brines was a son of Rus- 
sell Brines and his wife is a daughter of William 
Swain. They settled on a farm in Bellmout Pre- 
cinct after their marriage and a short time after- 
ward sold this land and bought unimproved tim- 
ber and prairie land in Lick Prairie Precinct. He 
built a house and made all possible imiirovemeuts 
before his death, which occurred August 2o. 189S. 
His widow now resides in Mt. Carmel. Their 
children were: William, who died at the age of 
twenty-four yeai-s : Phebe. Jlrs. Harry Rhodes, 
of Mt. Carmel : Effie. widow of Dr. Win Ridge- 
way, of Mt. Carmel : Mar.v, Mrs. Joseph Wilhelm, 
of Princeton. Ind. : Laura, died at the age of 
three years : Robert ; James E., of Lancaster ; 
and Joseph H., on the home farm. 

The education i-eceived by Robert Brines was 
the same as most farmei-s" sons are given in the 
district schools, and he remained with his 
mother until his marriage, February 22. 1892. to 
May Wood, who was Iwrn in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, daughter of Nelson and Sarah ll'lm) 
Wood. After his marriage Mr. Brines took up 
his residence on the home farm and lived there 
some seven or eight years, then rented a fann 
near Maud, in Bellmout Precinct, lived there 
three years, then moved to the Link Rigg farm 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct. Four years later he pur- 
chased seventj'-five acres of his present fann in 
Section 2."). Lick Prairie Precinct, and in the 
spring of 1908 purchased foi-ty acres of timber 
land on the Bonpas Creek Ixittom. He has 
cleared all the timber from his farm except 
fourteen acres, and Is tiling and otherwise im- 
proving his land, so that he will soon have it in 
a high state of cultivation. He is an enterpris- 
ing farmer, of prudent, industrious habits, and 
has won a fair degree of success through Ills 
own efforts. He raises a good grade of cattle, 
horses and hogs, besides carrying on a general 
line of fanning. 

Mr. Brines and his wife became parents of 



children as follows: Walter, born August 30, 
1892, deceased; William Austin, born August 28, 
1894 ; Lela Myrtle, born September 1, 1895 ; Mar- 
cella May, born Februarj- 5, 1897, died July 30, 
1897; Nelson Wood, lx>ni August 1, 1S9S; Lola 
Berj-1. born January 22, 1901 ; Ethan LeRoy, 
bom December 20, 1906. The family attend the 
Christian Church and Mr. Brines is a member 
of Camp No. 5227, Modern Woodmen of America, 
of West Salem, Til. Politically he is a Republi- 
can and takes a commendable interest in public 
affairs and current issues. 

BROWN, George Washington (deceased), was 

born in the State of New York. September 30, 
1814. His father came west about 18.30 and 
'rente<l a farm in .Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wabash 
County, 111. Later the father took his available 
funds and went to the State of Missouri, for the 
purpose of finding a suitable location In which to 
settle, but died and was buried in that State. 
His widow c-ontinued to reside in Wabash County 
until her son George W. was grown, when they 
went lo (Jrant County. Wis., and there Mr. 
Brown married (first) a Miss Carrollton, who 
died about a year later. Soon afterward, as he 
was driving his team on the ice in Lake Michi- 
gan, he lost his horses. He returned to Wabash 
County. 111., and being without money, worked 
for others until he had saved omething and then 
married Elizabeth Rigg. a native of Wabash 
Countj-. and daughter of Samuel and Rachel 
( Beauchampl Rigg. natives of Virginia, who 
were early settlers of Wabash County^ 

After his second marriage Mr. Brown located 
on a farm of 340 acres in Belmont Precinct, 
where he lived many years, but then moved to 
Kans<as. where he died December 3. 1897. and 
bis widow resided in Wabash County, at the 
home of her daughter, Mrs. C. Ameter, until 
her death, August 31. 1902, She was born March 
7. 1819. Their children were: James T.. of 
Missouri ; Ruth E., married J. W. Oates, of 
Shobonier, 111.; Francis S., of Pratt County, 
Kan. : Rachel H., married C. Ameter, of Bell- 
mont Precinct ; Mary E. ; George W., of Lone 
Oak. Tex. : Isabel V.. died in infancy. 

Marj- Emily married (first) George Washing- 
ton Brown, and the.v lived on a farm in Edwards 
County, 111., two years, then moved back to her 
father's homestead and lived there until his 
death. October 9. 1881. They had two children, 
namely : Charles Pierce, who died at the age of 
seventeen years ; Mary Florence, married SI. W. 
Brines, of Bellmout Precinct. Mrs. Brown lived 
on the farm one year after her husband's death, 
then moved to Bellmout, where she lived until 
her se<-ond marriage. August 22. 1883. to Louis 
<;ilck. then moved with her husband to the Glick 
farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct. Three years later 
they purchased forty-five acres which adjoined 
fifty-five acres she owned on Section 33. Bell- 
mout Precinct, where they lived until their sepa- 
ration. In November, 1808. when the land re- 
verted to Mrs. Gllck. One-half of the fift.v-flve 
acres owned by Mrs. Glick was sold several 



694 



WABASH COUXTY 



years before the sei)!U-atiou. She now owns 
eighty-four acres, which she operates in company 
with her chihlren. She is a capable business 
woman and manages her affairs veiy success- 
fully. The family attend the .Methodist Church. 
By her second marriage Mrs. (ilick has chil- 
dren as follows : Ida .Vlice. at home ; Lloyd C. 
and Roy (i., of p]ugene. Ore. ; Russell C. Eunice 
K. and Homer 11.. at home. 

BUCHANAN, Charles, a successful sur\-eyor 
and prominent citizen of Mt. Carmel. 111., has 
filled a numl)er of offices in the couuty with abil- 
ity and credit, and belongs to a family that has 
been prominent in the early history of Wabash 
County. Mr. Buchanan was born in Wabash 
Count.y. Febiiiary L'.j. IS."!!, a son of Robert and 
Elizabeth (Ilersheyl Buchanan, the former a 
native of Kentucky and the latter of Pennsyl- 
vania. Robert was a son of Walter and Jane 
((lillesjiiet Buchanan, of Scotch parentage. His 
wife was a daughter of .Joseph and Mary Her- 
shey. natives of Pennsylvania. 

Walter Buchanan and liis wife first settled in 
Lawrence County. 111., when there were few peo- 
ple there, coming down the Wabash River to 
Raccoon Creek. There they secured government 
land, which the.v cleared and impi'oved. Mr. 
Buchanan was a skilled surveyor and one of the 
best mathematicians in the county. He spent 
his last days in Lawrence County. 111. 

Robert Bnchanan and his wife were neighbors 
in childlioiid. living about six miles apart. He 
served as Surre.vor of Wabash County from 1854 
until 1S79, and also conducted a farm of .S20 
acres. His death occurred in .January. 1880. and 
that of his v\-idow in .June. 1800. Of their ten 
children seven still survive, namely : .\lice, Mrs. 
John A. Ilariington. of .Vliendale. 111. : Isadora, 
Mrs. Edwin Gamiier, of West Salem. I^dwards 
County-. 111.: Ella, widow of George W. Smith, 
also of West Salem : Robert .\.. of Little Rock. 
Ark. : Laura. Mrs. Reuben Hill, of Bellmont, 
111. : Belle, resides with her sister Ella ; and 
Charles. Those deceased are: William, died in 
infancy : Rosa, died at the age of nine years and 
seven days; Hannah J.. Mrs. L. X. Putnam, of 
Bellmont. who left one daughter. Lulu. Mrs. 
James P. I^ong. of Richland County. 111. 

Charles Buchanan spent his boyliood on a farm 
and was educated in the common schools. He 
afterward attended the normal scliool at Leb- 
anon. Oliio. where he took a course in sur\-eying. 
He became an expert in this line and in 1S7!> 
was elected Survevor of Wabash County. 111., 
serving five years in tliis capacity. He then lo- 
cated on eighty acres of land, his share of the 
home farm, and in 18!>2 removed to Bellmont. 
whci'e he conducted a general store several years, 
flien returned to his farm, where he remained 
until inon. when he was elected to the office of 
Coiuity Treasurer and moved to Mt. Carmel. 
which is now his home. He continues the work 
of surveying when his ser\'ices are in rennisition. 
He has established a reputation for ability and 
carefTil work, and enjoys the full confidence and 



esteem of his fellow-citizens. Politically he is 
a Democrat. He formerly served as Trustee in 
Bellmont J'reeinct and is much interested in the 
cause of education, as well as other matters of 
public interest. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge 
Xo. 2:^0. of Mt. Carmel. and to the Modern Wood- 
men of America, of Keensburg, 111. 

December tl. 1S85. Mr. Buchanan married 
Elizabeth Keepes. born in Bellmont. III., daugh- 
ter of Peter and Elizabeth (Peters) Keeiies, of 
Gennan ))arentage. The children b.v this mar- 
riage were: Evelina, married Lester B. I'utnam 
of Mt. Carmel. and Hany. who died when two 
and a half years old. The family attend the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. 

BUTTERICK, James, an enteqirising farmer of 
Coffee Precinct. Wabash County. 111., is a na- 
tive of tlie county, born in Compton Precinct. 
Febi-uary 7. 1875. a son of AVilliam and Per- 
milla (Compton) Butterick, the fonuer a native 
of Yorkshire. England, and the latter of Wabash 
county. William Butterick is a son of John 
and Ann (Crackles) Butterick. natives of Eng- 
land, wlio came to the Ignited States in 1.850. 
and his wife is a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- 
beth Compton. natives respectively of Wabash 
Ctount.v and Virginia. Joseph Compton was a 
son of I^evi and -Vnn Compton. among the earli- 
est settlers of Wabash County. William and 
Perniilla Compton had children as follows: Jo- 
seph and Callie. died young: Elizabeth. Mrs. 
Harrv JJilburn. of Coffee Precinct ; Laura. Mrs. 
Lewis Groff. of Bellmont Precinct : James ; Mar- 
garet, Mrs. Hugh Brines, of Edwards C'ounty, 
111. : Edward, of Compton Precinct : Xora. Mrs. 
William Davis, of Browns. III., and Mabel, wife 
of Grover Browns, of Browns. 

James Butterick i-eceived his education in the 
public schools, remaining on the home farm un- 
til his marriage, in the fall of 18r>!t. to Elsie 
Higginson. born in Coffee Precinct, daughter of 
Amzi and .\lice (Kimbrel) Higginson, of Wa- 
bash Count.v, the latter a native of Coffee Pre- 
cinct. Mrs. Bufterick's grandparents were 
Roily and I'^lizabeth (Williams) Higginson and 
William and Tina (Compton) Kimbrel. natives 
of Wabash County. Jlr. and Jlrs. Butteridi 
went to housekeeping on a farm they rentefl in 
Comiiton Precinct, and after remaining there five 
years, rented part of the Heingen farm, of 
whidi he and his brother Edward purchased 
fiorty-two acres. Tlie.v purchased seventy-six 
acres of their father, where James lived until 
the fall of 1005. when he moveil to his present 
fine farm in Coffee Precinct, within a half mile 
of Keensburg. In the spring of 1010 he and his 
brother had a division of the proj>ert.v the.v 
owned in partnership, and .James Butterick re- 
ceived as his share the farm of seventy-six 
acres where he now lives. He carries on a gen- 
eral line of farming and follows modern meth- 
ods in his work. Mr, Butterick is a Republican 
in political views. The family is well known in 
Wabash County and is identified with the best 
interests and development of the community. 






' /mi^^^-^!^^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



695 



Three cliiklreu were born to Jauies Butterick 
and his wife, luimely : William Earl, Daisy aud 
Hazel. 

BUTTERICK, John, who is extensively en- 
gaged in stock faruiiug and dairying iu Crompton 
Precinct, Wabash County, 111., was lx)rn in Lin- 
colnshire, England. May 0. 1S4U. a son of John 
and Ann (Crackel) Butterick. both natives of 
England. The grandparents all died in Eng- 
land, but John Butterick. Sr.. with his wife and 
tbi-ee children, came to America in 18.")<), first, in 
consequence of having got on the wrong route, 
landing in Canada. Then, finding himself with- 
out means, he worked by the day until he couUl 
earn money enough to resume his journey, 
finally reaching Cleveland, Ohio, where his means 
were again exhausted and one child died. After 
remaining at work there nine weeks, he was able 
to proceed to Waliash (Vinnty. 11].. where he was 
engaged in winking liy the day for aiiotit one 
year, then lived on rented land for the next three 
years, when he jiurchased l.nnd in Comjiton Pre- 
cinct, adding thereto until he finally owned .iC«l 
acres in different parts of the precinct. Mr. But- 
terick died in IST.") and his widow lived in tlie 
vicinity of the old home.stead until her death, in 
September, 1008. at the age of eighty years. 
They had children as follows: William and 
John, of Compton Precinct : Hannah. Mrs. Wil- 
liam Root, of Enid. Okla.; Elizabeth. .Mrs. Eewis 
Arnold, of Conrad. Mont. : Mary. Mrs. Henry 
Stanaker, of Scott's Bluff, Xeb. : Anna. .Mrs. 
John Vice, of CVinrad. Mont, (is a twin of 
Mary), and Harriet. Mrs. Robert Arnold, of 
Bellmont Precinct. 

The education of .John Butterick. Jr.. was ac- 
quired in the district schools of Wal>ash Counfj- 
and he remained with his parents until his niar- 
ri.age. in October. 1.87."). to Elizabeth G. Van 
Senden. born in Bellmont Precinct, a daughter 
of John A. and Saniantha TRigg) Van Senden. 
the lather a native of Germany and, the mother 
of Wabash County. After his marriage Mr. But- 
terick settled on part of his father's farm, in 
Section 10. purchasing 100 acres of land from his 
father. Forty-five acres of this land were cleared 
and he has cleared all except six acres of it. hav- 
ing ft4 acres under cultivation. He has added 
to his land from time to time and now owns 22.'^ 
acres, in Sections 2, .S. 10 and 11. all except 
eighty acres in one body. He carries on general 
farming, has a good dairy, and raises hogs, 
liorses and mules. He is an industrious fanner 
and lias managed his business in a maimer that 
assured his success. He is well known for his 
honesty and integrity and stands well in his 
communit.v. He is a Democrat in ix)litics and 
has served as School Director and Trustee, and 
fraternally he is connected with Lodge No. T."8, 
1. O. O. F.. of Browns. HI. 

Children as follows have been born to Mr. But- 
terick and his wife: Lillie. Mrs. Eli.iah Floyd, 
of T'rbana. HI. : John. Carrie and Grover C. at 
home: Xora. died at the age of one year: Maud, 
died in infancy; Jessie, at home: Minnie, died 



in infancy : Mary, at home. The family attend 
the Christian t^hurch, of Browns. 

BUTTERICK, "William, a retired farmer of 
Compton I'reciiict, Wabash County, III., was 
liorii in York.shire. England. May 5. 18-14, the 
oldest son of .John and Ann (Crackles) But- 
terick, both natives of England. The parents 
emigrated to the United States in 1S.jO. and 
after stoiiping to visit about ten weeks iu Cleve- 
land, then proceeded to Wabash County, where 
they began iuqiroviug a farm. They secured 
eighty acres of land iu Crackles Prairie, Comp- 
ton Precinct, and 120 acres of timber nearby. 
The father cleared all except a few acres and 
erected a brick house, which is still standing. 
He died in 187.0 on the home place, where his 
widow remained al>out fifteen years alter his 
death, then moved to Browns. Edwards County, 
where she remained until her death in tlie fall 
of liMlS, at the age of eighty years. Their chil- 
dren were: William; John, of Crompton Pre- 
cinct, whose sketch also appears in this work; 
Hannah. Mrs. William Root, of Enid. Okla.; 
fllizabeth. >Irs. Lewis Arnold, of Conrad. Jlont. ; 
Mary and Anna (twins) tlie former Mrs. Henry 
Stanaker. of Scotts Bluff. Xeb., and the latter, 
Mrs. John Vice, of CVinrad. Mont. ; Harriet. Mrs. 
Roliert Arnold, of Bellmont Precinct. 

William Butterick received his education in 
the country schools and helfH>d in the work upon 
the home farm as soon as he was able. He 
live<l with his parents until his marriage, in 
1S08. to Permilla Cumptou. daughter of Joseph 
aiKl Elizabeth (Ileiiiken) Compton. the former 
born in Wabash County and tlie latter in Vir- 
ginia. Mr. C'oniirtoii was a son of Levi and .Vnna 
Compton. natives of Virginia, who were among 
the earliest settlers of Wabash County. The 
Heniken family also settled in Compton Pre- 
cinct at an early day. 

Mr. Butterick settled on part of his father's 
farm after his marriage, and resided there four 
years, then spent seventeen years on a farm ad- 
.ioining the one where he now lives, which he i>ur- 
chased of his father-in-law. This fann consists 
of 117 acres, all improved. In 1007 he erected 
a handsome two-stoi-y house on the natural build- 
ing site where the old residence stood. This 
home stands on a bluff which commands a view of 
the coiintr.v for nian.v miles around. Mr. But- 
terick has his land in a high state of cultivation 
and has added forty acres to the farm. He c:ir- 
rieil on general farming and raised cattle, horses 
and hogs, but in lOOC rented his farm to his 
sons and now en.ioys a well-earned rest. He is a 
Republican in jiolitics and one of the best known 
and most highl.v respected men in the conununit.v. 

Children iKirn to Mr. and Mrs. Butterick have 
been as follows: .Toseph. died at the aire of ten 
years; Callie. died at the age of six years; 
Elizabeth. Mrs. Harry Milbuni. of Coffee Pre- 
cinct; Laura. Mrs. T>ewis (^roff. of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct ; .Tames, of Keensburg Piwlnct ; Margaret. 
Mrs. Hugh Brines, of Edwards County. III.; Ed- 
ward, of Compton Precinct; Xora. Mrs. William 



696 



WABASH COUNTY 



Davis, of Browus, III. ; Mabel, Mrs. Grover 
Browns, of Browns. 

CALVERLEY, Charles.— Many men who have at- 
tained tiuaucial sucx-ess through their own ef- 
forts and have earned a right to retire fi-om ac- 
tive life and spend their last days in ease and 
retirement, find it difficult to content themselves 
watliout the cares to which they have bec-ome ac- 
customed. Such a man is Charles Calverley, who 
owns a farm of 178 acres in Mt. Carmel Precinct. 
Mr. Calverley was born iu Bevla Parks, England, 
April 28, 1839, a sou of James D. and Martha 
(Veuia) Calverley, who emigrated from England 
to the United States, landing at New Orleans 
in 1843. They came up the Mississippi River 
and the Ohio, to Shawneetown, 111., then pro- 
ceeded by ox-team and wagon to Wabash County, 
111., and lived four yeai-s on rented laud iu Mt. 
Carmel I'reeinct. They then purchased land in 
the neighborhood and became possessed of 498 
acres of land in one body. Mr. Calverley made a 
sijecially of raising fine horses, having paid $2,- 
000 for one animal. His laud was mostly cleared 
when he bought it and he was very succesful in 
general fanning. He brought from England the 
first Shepherd dog brought into Wabash Count}-, 
which, like its master, never learned to eat com 
bread. He was a devout member of the Metho- 
dist Church in England and joined the same 
church in his new home. His wife died in 1874. 
at the age of sixty-eight years, and he resided 
with a d.iughter in Wayne County, III., until his 
death, alNiut IIXIO, at the age of ninety-five years. 
Their children were : Charlotte, Mrs. Thomas 
Jones, now deceased; James, deceased; Martha, 
Mrs. Henry Cramer, of Wayne County ; Rachel. 
Mrs. William Harper, deceased; Marj- Ann, died 
at the age of thirteen years ; Charles ; James, of 
Mt. Carmel, 111. ; Sarah Jane, died in infancy ; 
Henry, of Mt. Carmel. 

As a boy Charles Calverley attended the Leba- 
non District School and afterward helped with 
the work of carrying on the home farm until his 
marriage to Maria J. Keneipp, who was born in 
Mt. Carmel, 111., daughter of Silas and Jane 
(Harvey) Keneipp, natives of Ohio and Mt. Car- 
mel, respectively. She is a granddaughter of 
Silas Keneipp and Beachamp Harve.v. After this 
marriage Mr. Calverley moved to the farm where 
he still lives, which was given to him by his 
father. After remaining there twelve years, he 
retired from tlie farm and went to live in Mt. 
CaTmel, buying a residence there. However, 
after spending eleven years is that city he became 
tired of a life of inactivity and returned to his 
farm, -n-here he has since made his home. He 
makes a sjiecialty of raising Xorman Percheron 
horses and Red Angus cattle, also Shropshire 
sheep. He also carries on general farming with 
excellent success. Besides his farm he still owns 
city property, which he rents. 

The children bom to Mr. Calverley and his wife 
were: Martha. Mrs. Harry Standard, of Mt. 
Carmel ; Maud, died in Infanc.v ; and Mary, Jjaura, 
Charles, Earl. Edgar and Raymond, all at home. 



Mr. Calverley and his family are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He takes an active 
interest in the weltare and progress of the com- 
munity and is highly esteemed as a man of strict 
integrity and honesty of purpose. Politically he is 
a Republican. He has worked hard all his life and 
still takes an active part in conducting his farm, 
l>aying close attention to details and adopting 
modern methods. 

CAMPBELL, James. — One of the most success- 
ful and sulistantial farmers of Mt. Carmel 
Township, Wabash County, 111,, is James Camp- 
bell, who has been a resident of the county for 
more than sixty years. Mr. Campbell has a well 
improved and v,-ell stocked place, on which he 
carries on a general line of farming. He was 
bom in Wilson County. Teun., May 31, 1839, a 
son of James and Mary Glenn (Pritchett) 
Campliell, the former a native of Tennessee and 
the latter of Virginia. His parents were na- 
tives of Scotland and after coming to America 
located in Tennessee. James Campbell, Sr., was 
married in Tennessee and in 1840 brought his 
family to Wabash County, 111., purchasing a 
farm one mile northeast of Jit. Carmel. Here 
he silent the remainder of his life except for a 
short period before his decease, when he lived 
with his children. He died in 1881 and his wife 
in 1879. They were parents of children as fol- 
lows: Elizabeth. Mrs. Justus Gard, deceased; 
Cecilia, Mrs. James C. Payne, deceased; Jane; 
Mi-s. Washington Keen, of Wabash County ; 
Sarah, married William Ulm, of Wabash County ; 
and James. 

The early years of James Campbell were spent 
on his father's farm and he received only a lim- 
ited education in the country schools. He was 
about ten years old when the family came to 
Illinois and soon began helping in connection 
with the work of clearing and cultivating the 
new farm. He lived at home until his marriage, 
on December 31, 18t;i. to Martha Ann Xewkirk. 
who was born in Friendsville Precinct, a daugh- 
ter of Zachariah and Levila (Higgins) Xewkirk 
both natives of Illinois. The following children 
were Ixim to Mr. Campbell and his wife; Mary 
Eliza. Mrs. Josephus Johnson, of Knox County, 
Tex.; Charles Henry, of Mt. Carmel Precinct; 
Clara Levila, Mrs. .John Wood, of Mt. Carmel 
Township ; Edith. Mrs. Victor Wood, of Friends- 
ville Township. Mrs. Campbell died September 
22, 1879. and Mr. Campbell married (second), 
December Ifi. 1880. Judy Adams, who was a na- 
tive of Wabash County, and died January 20. 
1897. having borne no children. She was a 
daughter of .Tohn and Catherine (Bratton) 
Wood, both of Illinois. March 8. 1898. Mr. 
Campbell married (third) Laura Jane (Briner) 
Frick, widow of Charles Frick and Daughter of 
.John and Ann (Briner) Briner. both natives of 
Orange Count.v. Ind. Mrs. Campbell had one 
child by her former marriage, .\llie C. who died 
in infancy. Her first husband. Mr. Frick. died 
.\ugust 2.";. 1.89.1. 

After his first marriage Mr. Campbell moved to 





djor^cK-c,^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



697 



a farm of eighty acres, three miles uorth of ilt. 
Oarmel. There were titteen acres of this laud 
cleared and the remainder was iu timber. A log 
cabin liad been built on the place, and here the 
family lived four years; then he erected a two- 
story frame house and they had just moved into 
it when it was destroyed by tire, with all its con- 
tents. He lived with his parents until he could 
erect another dwelling in which they have since 
lived. He has added to this building since its 
erection and now has a comfortable, modern 
dwelling. He now has but ten acres iu timber, 
and has added forty acres to the home faiin, 
which he gave to his only son, the latter having 
purchased forty acres of land from his mother- 
in-law ad.ioining this land. Mr. Campbell is 
recognized as one of the representative citizens 
of his loculitj- and is highly respected by all who 
know him. He has won success through his per- 
sonal efforts and deserves the good fortune that 
has come to him. He purchased a forty-acre 
tract of land iu Mt. C'armel Precinct for each 
of his children. Politically is a Democrat, and 
is also a member of the Oliristiau Church. 

Charles Henry Campliell. son of James Cami>- 
bell, married Sarah Elizabeth Keel, a native of 
Wabash County, and a daughter of David and 
Margaret (Gard) Keel, also natives of the same 
county. The children of this marriage are: 
Fred, Pearl, Ansel, B"'ranlc aud Kalph. 

CANED Y, Lewis G. — ^Many of the older resi- 
dents of Wabash County. 111., have carried on 
their farms during the greater part oi their lives, 
and when nearing old age. have retired from 
active life to spend the remainder of their lives 
in comparative ease and comfort. Among these 
is Lewis G. Canedy, who has been a resident of 
the county since l.S.5'.l, antl has always been iden- 
tified with every movement for the welfare and 
development of the connminity. Mr. Canedy 
was bom in Geauga County, Ohio, April (3, 18.87, 
a son of Aden and Elizabeth (StockwelJ) Can- 
edy. both natives of Benulugton County, Vt. His 
grandi)a rents were Thomas Canedy and wife, 
and Willard and Nancy (Jackson) Stockwell, 
all of Vermont. 

-Vdeu Canedy and wife were married in Ver- 
mont and. aliout two years later, moved to 
Geauga Count.v, Ohio, returning to Vermont 
when their son Lewis G.. was six weeks old. 
.\fter living five years longer in Vermont they 
moved to Delaware County, Ohio, and there he 
worked in saw-mills, until compelled by failing 
health to retire from this kind of work. He 
spent the remainder of his life as a shoe-maker 
and died in the fnll of 1S7.8. His widow survived 
him many years and died about ].srt2. Their chil- 
dren were: Lewis G. (the oldest I ; Lucuis. de- 
ceased: James Monroe, of Nebraska: Louisa, 
Mrs. Joshua Buchanan, deceased : Sarah. Mrs. 
James Stillwell. of .VUendale. III.: .losephine. 
married .lames Risley, and is now deceased; 
Mitchell, died in infancy. 

Lewis G. Canedy resided witii his i>arents until 
his marriage, September 14. 1,S.58, to Catherine 



Wigtou, who was Iwrn In Delaware County, 
Ohio, January 22, 1842, daughter of Augustln 
and Mary (Koseorans) Wlgton, both natives of 
Bradford County, Pa. Her grandparents were: 
William and Elizabeth (Price) Wigton, of Mas- 
sachusetts, and Isaac and Mary (Taylor) Kose- 
crans, of New York aud Pennsylvania, respect- 
ively. After his marriage Mr. Canedy lived 
about a year on a farm in Delaware County, 
Ohio, though he spent most of his time In car- 
penter work. In the fall of 18.50 he and his wife 
came to Wabash County. 111., and rented a farm 
in Kriendsville Precinct si.\ years, then bought 
a farm in Wabash Precinct, where they lived 
twenty-seven years. They sold this farm and 
purchased 140 acres in Friendsville Precinct, 
where they have since resided. Mr. Canedy 
carru'd on general farming with success until the 
past few ye.-irs, but his health has lieen poor 
and he has been obliged to retire from active 
life. He liad made all possible improvemnts nud 
put his land into a higli state of cultivation, de- 
riving a good Income therefrom. 

The following children were bom to Mr. Can- 
edy and wife: Lilly May. died in infancy; 
Charles Albert, of Mt". Carmel ; Alvin R.. of Al- 
lendale, an instructor in band music; Willard, 
died July 2."), 1908. at the age of forty -one years; 
Clifton L.. of Mt. Carmel; Ora L., died at the 
age of three years ; LeToy, of Mt. Carmel ; Elwin 
H., wlio carries on his father's farm. Mr. Can- 
edy is a Republican iu ]x)litics and has served 
as Sch€ol Director and in other local offices. He 
enjoys the full confidence and esteem of his 
neiglihors and is considered a representative, 
public-spirited citizen. The family attend the 
T'nited Brethren Church. 

CAPOOT, George R. — Among the younger mer- 
cliants who have won success in Wabash County, 
HI., is George R. Capoot, of .\llendale. who has 
lived in the county since infanc.v. Mr. Caiwot 
was bom at GrayvlUe. 111.. September 10, 187.S, 
a son of John and Amy (Hugo) Capoot. John 
Capoot was born in Cincinnati. Ohio, Septem- 
ber 10. 18.84. and died In Wabash County, HI., 
January 20. 1010. while his wife, born in Evans- 
ville. Ind.. November 21, 1.S4.'). now resides at 
.\Ilendale. He was a son of Peter and Catherine 
Capoot. the former bom in Baltimore. Md., soon 
after his parents' arrival from France, the lat- 
ter born in Louisville, K.v.. and died at Cairo, 
111. 

Peter Capoot was a cooper and worked at his 
trade at Cincinnati. Ohio, and his son .John also 
learned the same trade. TTntil his enlistment in 
1801, the latter worked at his trade at Cairo 
and Metropolis. 111. He served in Company I, 
First Regiment Illinois Cavalrj*. from Julv 25, 
1801. until September 3. 1802. when he was dis- 
charged. He re-enlisted in Company B, Fifteenth 
Rfiriment Ilinois Cavalry-, and was discharged 
witli the rank of Sergeant. June 27. 1804, at 
Helena. .\rk. He returned to his home at Cairo 
and remained there until his marriage. Decem- 
ber 20. 1870. to -Vmy (Hugo) Pritchard. widow 



698 



WABASH COUNTY 



of Bertram Pritcbard. who was residing in New 
Harmony, Ind. She is a daughter of Philip R. 
and Martha ( Barker ) Hugo, tne former born in 
Baltimore, JId.. and the latter a native of Indi- 
ana. By her previous marriage Mrs. Capoot had 
two children, namely : Martha, who resides 
with her mother, and Victor Clay, of Allendale. 
111. Mr. (^apoot lived at New Harmony a short 
time after his marriage, and then moved to Gray- 
ville. where he lived until his removal to Allen- 
dale, in ]8T5. He worketl as cooper in connec- 
tion with a grist-mill several years, making bar- 
rels, then started a shop of his own, which lie 
conducted until 1SS.">. when he embarked in gen- 
eral merchandise business, which he continued 
some fifteen years and then transferred it to his 
son Edwin, now a farmer in Wabash Precinct. 

The children born to John Caixiot and his wife 
were : Edwin. Oeorge K. and Amy. the later dy- 
ing in infancy. 

Getn-ge R. Capoot was educated in the com- 
mon schools of Allendale and Central Normal 
College, at Danville, Ind. He worked in the 
store for his father and brothei- as a young man. 
being clerk, buyer and general agent. Later he 
went to Chicago and liecame city salesman for 
a ruliber stamp and stationei-y company, and 
aftenvards woaked in a law and abstract office 
at Sullivan, Ind. In 1900 he returned to Allen- 
dale and there opened an office, being a Justice 
of the Pence and Notary Public, also agent in in- 
surance, real-estate, coal and collecting business. 
On December 1. lOOO, he resigned the office of 
Justice of the Peace, but is still Notar.v Public, 
and has established himself in mercantile busi- 
ness, dealing in groceries, china, glass, tin-ware, 
granite-ware, books, stationeiy, watches, clocks 
and jewelry, .j and 10 cent gtwds. niiU, remnants, 
jiost cards, candy, cigars and tobacco. He also 
retains his agencies for coal, insurance, etc., and 
does a good business in all his lines. He has the 
confidence and esteem of his patrons and is a man 
of good .iudgment and business acumen. His 
store is kno\^^l as the Index Store, and he has 
trade from many miles around. 

November 29. IDOO. Mr. Capoot married Mae 
Brodhecker, who was liorn at Brownstown. Jack- 
son County. Ind.. daughter of Frank and Maiy 
(Doerr) Brodhecker. of Indiana, but of German 
parentage. To Mr. and Mi-s. Capoot has been 
born one child, Miriam Henrietta, horn Alarch 24. 
1010. Mr. Capoot is well known in the vicinity 
of .\llendale, which has been his home since ^S,~o 
His parents were members of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church, as he is. and he has served in va- 
rious church offices. He was for three yeai-s Su- 
perintendent of the Sunday School, and is Fi- 
nancial Secretary of the Church Board. Trustee 
and Recording Steward of tlie .Vllendale Cir- 
cuit, and Superintendent of the Home Dep.art- 
ment of the Sunday School. In politics lie is a 
Repulilican and takes an active interest in public 
affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Mystic Workers of the World, and has been Sec- 
retary of tlie same since its organization. 



CHAPMAN, Charles F.— One of the substantial 
and influential farmers of Wabash County, 111., 
is Charles F. Chapman, who is descended from 
two of the pioneer families of tlie county. He 
was born at Mt. Carmel, April 3, 1875, a sou 
of William Major and Ellen (Kenelpp) Chap- 
man, both natives of Mt. Carmel. William M. 
Chapman is a son of Robert Chapman and his 
wife was a daughter of Silas Keneipp. Robert 
Chapman was a native of England and both he 
and Jlr. Keneipp were among the early settlers 
of Wabash County, where they became success- 
ful farmers. \\'illiam Major Chapman was bora 
October 22. 1840, and upon his marriage settled 
on a farm near Mt. Carmel, where he now re- 
sides. He has always taken a great interest in 
public affairs and has been a strong supporter of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first wife 
died December 30. 1880. having borne the fol- 
lowing children : Sarah, died in childhood ; Wil- 
liam, of Mt. Carmel ; Nellie, twin sister of Wil- 
liam, died in infancy ; Charles F. ; Laura and 
Clara, twins, died in infancy, William M. Chap- 
man married (second) Madora Groff, of Bell- 
niont. 111., and they had the following eight chil- 
dren : Ethel, Flora, Clella. John, Gladys, 
El-nest. Genu and Eva, all at home. 

The Iwyhood of Charles F. Chapman was spent 
on a farm and he received good education in 
the district school of the neigliborhood. He had 
an opportunity of learning all the details of farm 
work, and has all his life been engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits. He helped in the work uiion 
his father's farm as soon as old enough to do 
so. and lived at home a year and a half after his 
marriage: then bought the old Kisley farm of 
14.") acres, two miles northwest of Mt. Carmel, 
where he remained until 1906. and in that year 
bought the Kingsbury farm of 101 acres, which 
adjoined his first fann on the west. Mrs. Chap- 
man also has 121 acres of land on the Wa- 
bash River near .\llendale. 

Mr. Chapman has been very successful in gen- 
eral farming and fully appreciates the value of 
high-grade stock, in which lie is extensively Inter- 
ested. He has registered Hereford cattle and 
Duroc Jersey hogs. lx)th of which he has found 
very profitable : is also a breeder of Buff Rock 
chickens. He is an entei"prising and business- 
like farmer, and has his entire farm under cul- 
tivation except eight acres still in timber. Mr. 
Chapman is highly respected in the community, 
where his entire life has been spent, and is a 
representative of the higher type of Illinois 
farmers. He has a large circle of friends and 
lielongs to the Modem Americans, of Friends- 
ville. and the Order of the Eastern Star. Po- 
litically he supports the principles of the Repub- 
lican party, and is an earnest member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, having served as 
Trustee in the same since 1900. 

March 1, 1,899. Mr. Chapman married Lovilah 
Courter, born at Allendale, 111., a daughter of 
William F. and Mary (Foxl Courter, both of 
Wabash County, and six children have been born 
to Mr. Chapman and wife, namely : Charles Ed- 



o 




WABASH COUNTY 



699 



wiinl. Wjlliiini Franklin. Mary Ella. Myrtie Jane, 
Bernarrt t'linton anil Madorah. William Frank- 
lin, the swond ihild. died at the age of five years. 

CHAPMAN, Robert (deceased), was born at 
Flixton, Vinkshire, England. July 17, 1808, came 
to this country at the age of nineteen years and 
was maried to Sarah Wharram in Philadelphia. 
The.v resided at Wilkesbarre, Pa., for eighteen 
months, when he returned to England to partici- 
pate in the settlement iif the estate of Mrs. Chap- 
man's father, John Wharram, Gent. Mrs. Chap- 
man was a niece of the illustrious emancil)ator, 
William Wilherforce. After a year spent at their 
old home, they returned to America, and in 
18.''.0. settled in Mt. Carniel for a brief period, 
when they located in the uncleared forest to 
build a home and develop a farm. 

Mr. Chapman was one of the rugged, persever- 
ing and forceful pioneers of the county and did 
much to reclaim it from i)rimitlve conditions. 
By his enei-gj- and sound judgment he acquired 
a comfortable conipetency. and his sterling In- 
tegrity and irreproachable cliaraeter won for 
him the confidence and resi>ect of all his numer- 
ous acquaintances. Ilis counsel was freely 
sought and highly regarded. He was the father 
of ten children, five of whom are still living. He 
attained a ripe old age and his days were filled 
with usefulness. Ilis life was simple and prac- 
tical, and he possessed the essence of all virtues 
— sincerity. He was a kindly, devoted and cour- 
ageous man. true to himself and lo.val to ever.v 
duty, and lived to see the fruition of his cher- 
ished hopes, and enjoy the love and veneration 
of all who knew him. He was a loved and lov- 
ing man, fearless and sympathetic, upright and 
absolutely honest. 

CHAPMAN, Thomas W., who owns a well- 
improveil farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct. Wabash 
Count.v, 111., is an entenirising and progressive 
farmer, and has spent his entire life in agricul- 
tural pursuits. Mr. Chapman was born In the 
township. March 2fi. 1847. son of Robert Chap- 
man, who was a native of England, and came 
with his wife to the I'nited States and Viought 
a tract of land in Wabash County from the Gnv- 
ernment in an early day. This land was then 
mostl.v covered with timber, and Mr. Chapman 
set about clearing and improving it. adding to 
his farm from time to time, until at the time 
of his death he omie<l fiflO acres. He died in 1sn2 
and his wife in 1S7S. They had ten children, 
of whom Thomas W. is the eighth. 

T'nfil reaching the age of twenty-four years, 
Tlionias W. Chapiuan remained at home with his 
parents. He received a good educntion in the 
district school and has since kept himself well 
informed on general subjei-ts. .\t the time he 
left home he purchased sixty acres of land from 
his father, on which he has lived ever since, 
keoping house for liiniself until his marriage. 
He has added to his farm as he was able, and 
now has I.ST) acres in bis home place, besides 
an eighty-acre farm adjoining on the north. He 



has improved all this land himself, with tlie ex- 
cejition of sixty acres which was already cleared, 
and has twenty acres left in timber. He has al- 
wa.vs caried on general farming with excellent 
results an<l has brought his land to a high state 
of cultivation, raising the crops which are best 
adapted to if. Mr. Cliainnan is well known in 
the community, having sjient his entire life In 
his native precinct, and has a large circle of 
friends. He is a man of sterling worth and in- 
tegrity, taking an active interest in the welfare 
and development of the county. In political 
views he is a Republican and he and his family 
attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he has lieen a Steward .since 1878 Fraternally 
Mr. Cha|iman belongs to the Modern Americans 
and to Lebanon fjrange. 

March 10, 1872, Mr. Chapman manied Emma 
J. Risley. daughter of John T. and Jane (Arnold) 
Risle.v. the former born in New Jersey and the 
latter in Wabash Couuty. Mr. Risley's father, 
Daniel Risley, came to Illinois from New Jersey, 
when the son was a small Iwy. Mrs. Risley's 
father was killed in the Black Hawk War and 
her mother was Elizabeth Warner. The Arnolds 
were among the first settlers of Lancaster and 
built the first house is that precinct. The chil- 
dren born to Mr. Chapman and his wife are: 
Robert Risley, died in infnne.v : Walter, living on 
Iiart of his fathers' farm : Chester Allen, of Mt. 
Carmel : Lester Ulla, a school-teacher, living at 
home. Mrs. Chapman attended the common 
schools until fourteen years of age. then entered 
the seminar.v at Mt. Carmel. Both she and her 
husband have given careful attention to the .sub- 
ject of educating their children, who have done 
credit to their parents. 

CISEL, John H., one of the most prominent and 
infiuential farmers of Wabash Countj-. 111., is a 
native i>f \\'aliash I'recinct, where he now owns 
a good farm. He was Iwirn March 6. 1.841. a son 
of Thomas and Maiy tMcClaiu) Cisel. the for- 
mer boni In New York and the latter in Ohio. 
The parents of Thomas Ci.sel removed from Ohio 
to Walia.sh County, in 1821. and died in Wabash 
Precinct. Thomas Cisel owned a fanu in Wa- 
bash Precinct, where he lived after his marriage, 
.iikI ac(|uired more land in the Wabash River 
Bottom. Here he and his wife both died. Of 
their tsvelve cliildren all reached maturity ex- 
cei)t one daughter who died in childhood. John 
II. was the sixth child. 

T'ntil his marriage .John II. Cisel lived at 
home and lieljx^d in work on his father's farm. 
He received a good education in the public 
schools and was reared to agricultural i)ursuits. 
He married. December 2.'i. 1.8(in. Jemima Keen. 
who was l)orn in Wabash Precinct, a daugh- 
ter of Dennis and Margaret (Cf>m)itont Keen 
After his marriage Mr. Cisel moved to a f.-irm of 
10(1 acres in Sei-tion 24. Wabash Precinct, which 
he cleared and inqiroved. adding to it until he 
now owns 2.'fO acTes on Sections 2. 24 and 18. He 
carries on general farming and makes a spe- 
cialty of raising fine horses, rattle and hogs. He 



700 



WABASH COUNTY 



lias been very suciessful and is known as au en- 
terplsing, ambitious farmer. He is actively in- 
terested in all imblie enterprises tliat be con- 
siders benficial to the community and ia politi- 
cal views is a DemocTat. 

The following children have been born to Mr. 
Cisel and wife : Jesse Lee, of Wabash Precinct ; 
Callie. Mrs. Harvey Pixley. of Flora. 111.; Mar- 
garet, Mrs. Wile Pixley, of Eugene, Ore. ; Levi, 
of Colorado Springs, Colo. ; Josle, Mrs. Fred 
Holsing. of .Vllendale, HI.: G. C, of Billings, 
Mont. ; and Xora. 

CLARK, Dutch Hamilton. — To achieve success 
in ;iny line of railroad worli retiuires steady 
nerves, a careful study of the details of the 
worlv being carried on and strict adherence to 
tlie rules governing the operation of the line of 
worii in question. Dutch Hanulton Clark, of 
Mt. Carmel. 111., has been engaged in railroad 
worlv of one kind and another since attaining 
the age of sixteen years, and has shown ability 
of a high order in perlonuing his various duties. 
He was born in Knox Ccunty, Ind.. July 20, 
18.55, a son of James Madison and Elizabeth 
(Lindsay) Clarlv. the former a native of Knox 
County aiul the latter of Hnpkinsville. Ky. 
.James M. Clark still lives on his farm in Knox 
County, wliere lie has resided since his mar- 
riage, and has now attained the age of eighty- 
three years. His wife pa.ssed away March IS, 
ISOfj. They were parents of the following chil- 
dren : Thomas J., deceased ; James M.. and .John 
F. P.. also deceased; Dutch H. ; and Eliza, mar- 
ried William Herin. a farmer of Knox County. 

The education of D. H. Clark was acquired in 
his native county, where he attended the com- 
mon and high schools, and when he left school he 
entered the emplo.v of the Evansville & Terre 
Haute Railroad, working some six years with 
construction gangs, and fhen for two years 
•worked as bridge carjienter. He then moved to 
Effingliam. III., where he was employed as 
bridge carpenter on the Springfield. Effingham. 
Southeasteni & P.loonnngton Railroad, now a 
part of the Illinois Central. Later he was em- 
ployed in a sinnlar capacity l)y tlie Wabash, now 
part of the Big Four Railroad, and in 18SC re- 
moved to Jit. Carmel. 111., and for four years 
worked in the railroad switch-yards of that city. 
From ISitO until 1.S04 he was employed in the 
capacity of freiglit brakeman. then spent two 
years as conductor, .\liout ISOfi Mr. Clark de- 
cided to settle down, taking a 7>osition in the 
car repair shops at Mt. Carmel. where he is still 
employed. He is a good niec-hanic and stands 
well with his employers. 

Mr. Clark was married. September .S. l.S.Sfi. to 
Essie Steely Tonilinson. who was liorn in Mat- 
toon. III., and was adopted in infancy by a Airs. 
Steely. Four children liave been born to Mr. 
Clarlj and wife, namely: James and Harry, both 
of whom died in infancy: Earl Owen and Helen 
Esther. Mr. Clark has identified himself with 
the liest interests of Mt. Carmel and vicinity, and 
has won a high degree of respect and esteem 



from his associates and fellow-citizens. Politic- 
ally he Is a sui)ix)rter of the principles of the 
Republican party. He is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and fraternally is affiliated with the 
A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. "2;i9, the Eastern Star 
Chapter Xo. VI. and the Big Four Tent of K. O. 
T. M., Xo. 273. He is a man of quiet disposition 
and industrious habits, and a good type of the 
useful, pulilic-spirited citizen. 

CLINE, Hubert Lee. — Among the enterprising 
fanners of Wabash County. 111., who have alipre- 
eiated the benefits arising from modern methods 
and ideas, is Hubert Lee Cline, who operates his 
farm of ICO acres in Section 36, Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinrt. Mr. Cline was born in Friendsville Pre- 
cinct. Waliash County. October 2i!. 1872. a son 
of Andrew L. and Lucinda (Litherlandt Cline, 
natives of Washington County. I'a., and Wabash 
County, 111., respectively. Lucinda Litherhmd's 
parents, Henry and Mary (Wood) Litherland. 
were early settlers in Wabash County and lived 
in Wabash and Friendsville Precincts. Andrew 
L. Cline was a Southern soldier and after the 
close of the war moved to Friendsville Pret-inct, 
where he married and settled on a farm. He 
died in ISSo, a comparatively young man, and his 
widow afterward married Jacoli Dntj-, but died 
about lOOO. Hubert L. Cline has a younger 
brother. John W.. of Waliash Precinct. 

After the death of his father Hubert L. Cline 
remained with his mother and stepfather, and 
acquired his education in the district schools. 
He remained at home until his marriage. May 
16, 189.^, to Sarah Bauman, who was born in 
Silencer County, Ind. After his marriage Mr. 
Cline inherited 100 acres of land in Friendsville 
Precinct, and lived on it until 10(i,5, when he pur- 
cha.sed 100 acres on Section 36. Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, the farm being well improved. He has 
erected a barn 42 by 72 feet, twenty feet high, 
and has set out a fine four-acre apple orchard. 
He has brought his land to a fine state of culti- 
vation and. besides carrying on general farming, 
raises (ierman coach-horses, short-horn cattle, 
Poland China hogs and Shropshire sheep. 

Mr. Cline and wife became parents of chil- 
dren as follows: Evota. Augusta. Irma. Hubert, 
Alta. Orlen. Harold and Orthel Eldin. Mr. 
Cline is a Democrat and has served as School 
Director since 1006. He is a member of the 
Christian Church and is interested in every 
cause for the good of the c-ommunity. He be- 
longs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows 
X'o. 17.S2. of Friendsville. and the Modern Wood- 
men of America of Cabbage Corner. Wabash 
County. He is identified with the better class of 
citizens and is highly respected for his many 
good traits of character and sterling worth. 

CLINE, John W. — Many men make their own 
way in life and achieve financial success who 
have not had the benefit of a good education. 
Such a man is John W. Cline. a prominent 
farmer of Friendsville Precinct, Wabash County, 
III., who lost his father when he was an infant. 



WABASH COUNTY 



701 



lie bad little opportunity to attend school but 
has learued much through his own efforts and in 
the school of exi)erieuce. He keeps himself well 
informed on the topics and issues of the day and 
appreciates the advantage of management on his 
farm in a scientific manner. Mr. Cline was born 
in Fricndsville Precinct. January 11. 1873, a son 
of Andrew L. and Lucinda (Litherland) Cline, 
the former born near Pittsburg. Pa., and the 
latter in Friendsville Precinct. They were 
married in the latter place and settled on a 
farm there, though he was a carpenter by trade. 
Here he died, leaving cliildren as follows : 
Hubert Lee. of Friendsville Precinct, and John 
W. His widow married (second I Jacob Doty 
and they lived on various farms in the neigh- 
borhood. She died about 1900. 

At the time of his mother's seconr" marriage 
John W. Cline was seven years of age and he 
left the parental home. He lived for a year 
with Henry Leek and later found a home at 
various places until he was sixteen years of age, 
when he began working at farming by the 
month. He was married. April 28. ISO-j. to 
Lucy Payne, who was torn in Wabash Precinct, 
October 28. 1871. a daughter of Jonathan and 
Letitia I McDonnell ) Payne. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Cline built a house on a farm of l.Stl 
acres in Friendsville Precinct, which he had in- 
herited from his (Jrandraother Litherland and 
his great-uncle. Marshall Wood. In the spring 
of lOOG he sold this land and purchased an 
eighty-acre farm on Section .8. Friendsville Pre- 
cinct. The place was well improved and he has 
put it into a fine state of cultivation. He appre- 
ciated the value of high-grade stock and raises 
registered Berkshire hogs and Holstein cattle. 

Mr. Cline and his wife have no children of 
their own Init have an adopted son. Otto, who 
was iKirn May 1. 100.5. They are members of the 
Christian Church and active in its good work. 
Politically Mr. Cline is a Democrat and is 
a<'tively interested in the welfare and develop- 
ment of the conuniinity. 

COMBS, George Washington, a leading farmer 
of Wabash County. 111., was born in Lawrence 
County, 111.. October 11. ISilL'. son of George W. 
and Rebe<-ca (I,ntz"i Combs, the former born 
near Columbus. Ohio. AinMl 2C>. 181.5. and the lat- 
ter in Franklin County. Pa.. July 24. 1821. 
George W. Combs was a son of George W. Combs. 
a Revolutionary soldier, who settled in Ohio, 
and his wife was a daughter of Henry and Mat- 
tie Lutz. natives of Germany. The pai-ents of 
tiie subject of this sketch were married Decem- 
ber 10. 18.^8. and .July ^?.. 1.830. came to St. 
Lawrence County, settling in Bridgeport Town- 
ship, where the oil fields have since been dis- 
covered. Tliev entered one thousand acres of 
land, all in timber. Mr. Combs improved some 
of the land and built a small house. 1,8 by 20 
feet, also a large bank barn. .80 by 120 feet, and 
the first of its kind erected in that section of the 
State. He became one of the most extensive 
farmers of 'hat region, taking care of a large 



tract of land liiniself and renting out a consid- 
erable iX)rtion of it. He was much interested in 
stock-raising and became very successful in his 
enterprises. He died July 31, 1860, and his wife 
passed away August 23, ItKC both being buried 
in Lawrence County. They had cliildren as fol- 
lows : Martin, died in infancy ; Eliza E., Mrs. 
Walter Gray, of Bridgeiwrt, III. ; William, de- 
ceased ; Marj- J., died in childhood ; Ainia, Mrs. 
.lames X. Thrapp, of Olney, III. ; Lafayette, of 
Vincennes, Ind. ; Addie, Mrs. John Mieur. now de- 
ceased : John, died at the age of thirty years; 
Lyda. .Mrs. Alonzo Gilspie. who died after her 
marriage ; Enmia, Jlrs. Ge<irge Emerick, of Law- 
rence Ctountj- : George W., and Jesse, who died 
at the age of five years. 

George W. Combs began his education in Law- 
rence Count>-. wliere he attended the district 
school, and helped with the work on his father's 
farm until his marriage, October 24, 1,804, to 
Laura E. Schrodt. born in Jit. Carmel Township. 
She is a daughter of John and .\nna ( Bradle) 
Schrodt, the former bom at Worms. Germany, 
.May 4, 1830. The parents of Mr. Schrodt were 
.John and Mary Schrodt, who were natives of 
(Jermany. He came from Germany in 1,838 and 
entered land from the Government, part of 
which now lielongs to .Mr. Combs. The parents 
of Mrs. Combs were married July 8. 18.51. Her 
father died r>ecember 23. 1SS7. and her motlier 
February 19. 18.82. Upon his marriage Mr. 
Combs moved to a farm which his father-in-law- 
had deeded to his daughter. This land con- 
sisted of 'IS4 acres and he also gave her .300 acres 
in Gibson Countj-. Ind. Jlr. Combs carries on 
general farming, cultivating his entire farm him- 
self and paying special attention to stock-raising 
and buying. He is one of the most progressive 
and ui>-to-date farmers of his region and is al- 
ways ready to adojit modern methods in his 
work. He is a member of the Methodist P^isco- 
pal Church, of which he served some years as 
Steward, also as Trustee. He served on build- 
ing committees of the church and helped build 
four churches, two in Lawrence County and two 
in Knox County. Ind.. where he lived eight years 
prior to his maiTiage. In political affairs he Is 
a Republican. 

COMPTON, James (deceased), who died on his 
farm of eightj- acres, one mile west of Keens- 
burg. 111. spent his entire life in Wabash 
County, and was identified with the best inter- 
ests of his community, .\lthough he died a young 
man. he had won the respect of his fellows and 
maintained a good standing among them. Mr. 
Comptdu was born in Coffee Prec-inct, Wabash 
County. .Tune 1. 1.820. son of John and Rebecca 
(Branders^ Compton. of Virginia, who were 
among the earliest settlers of the countj-. The 
parents entered wild land from the Government 
and developefl a farm. The Indians were just 
leaving the neighliorhood as they settled there. 
James Compton received but a limited education 
and early began to help his father on the farm. 
He remained at home until his marriage. Decent- 



702 



WABASH COUNTY 



ber 23, 1848, to Marj' Ann Kimbrell, who was 
born in Wayne Countj^ 111.. April 2. 1S31, daugh- 
ter of William and Permelia (Webster) Kim- 
brell, natives of North Carolina. Her grand- 
parents were Peter and Catherine Webster, the 
latter of whom came with her daughter to Wa- 
bash Count}'. 

After his marriage James Compton moved to 
his fanu near Keensburg, where he died a few 
years later, in November, isno, at the age of 
thirty years. His widow continued to reside on 
this "faVm until lUOl. The children bom to Mr. 
Compton and his wife were : Joseph H.. a sketch 
of whom appears in this work ; Jeremiah and 
Sarah, deceased ; Caroline, man-ied John G. 
Lovelette, of Keensburg, who died September 7. 
1904. Mr. Ixjvelette and his wife became par- 
ents of four children : two sons, James and 
Count, both of Chicago, and two daughters. 
Sharlotta and Laura, both of whom died of lung 
disease. 

Mrs. Compton married (second), February 3, 
1861, Joshua Fifer, born in the United States, 
son of George Fifer, a native of Germany. 
Joshua Fifer resided on the old Compton home- 
stead until his death, December 20, 1873. He 
and his wife had children as follows: James and 
Francis, of Coffee I^ecinct : Permelia. and 
William, deceased. In 1001 Mrs. Fifer went to 
live witli her daughter, Mrs. .Tohn (i. Lovelette. 
in Keensburg. She has been a widow for nearly 
fort.v years and has managed her own affairs in a 
most able manner. She has reared her children 
to honorable man- and womanhood and has done 
her whole duty liy them. She is in fair health 
and is quite active for a woman of her years. 
She is revered and esteemed by ber large num- 
ber of friends and is honored by her children, 
grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

COMPTON, Joseph Henry, a substantial and 
successful farmer of Coffee Precinct Wabash 
County. 111., and for ten years a merchant of 
Cowling, is a native of the county, bom in Coffee 
Precinct, April 24, 1849. He is a son of James 
and Mary Ann (Kimbrell) Compton, both bom 
in Coffee Precinct, and grandson of John and Re- 
beca (Branders) Compton. both natives of Vir- 
gina. and on the maternal side of William and 
Permelia (Plul]X)t) Kimbrell. the former a na- 
tive of Eastern Tennessee. John and Rebecca 
Compton settled in Wabash County at an early 
day. securing forty acres of land near Keens- 
burg village. He was a highl.v educated and 
gifted man and served at one time in the Illinois 
I^egislature. He taught school in Virginia and 
also for many years in Illinois. AVilliam Kim- 
brell and his wife were early settlers of W'abash 
County, securing eighty acres of land adjoining 
the John Compton farm. 

After marriage James and Maiy Compton 
settled on the Wabash River in old Coffee Pre- 
cinct, on what is now known as the Blunt land, 
and two years later he purchased eighty acres 
of land adjoining the Kimbrell farm. He se- 
■cured this iand from the Government, improved 



it and died uiwn his farm in 1856. His widow 
later married Joshua Fifer. and they lived on 
the Compton homestead until Mr. Fifer's death 
In 187.3. after which Mrs. Fifer continued to live 
there until 1001. since which she has lived 
with her daughter, Mrs. Caroline Lovelette. of 
Keensburg. She reached the age of seventy-nine 
years. April 2. lOlti. James Compton and his 
wife had children as follows: Joseph H. ; Jere- 
miah, died April 2. 1865 : Sarah, died in child- 
hood ; Caroline, married John G. Lovelette. By 
her second marriage Mrs. Fifer had four chil- 
dren, namely : James M., rents the old home 
from his mother: Francis, of Coffee Precinct; 
William, died about 1890 ; Permelia, died at the 
age of twenty years. 

Joseph H. Compton was but seven years old 
when his father died. He continued to live 
with his mother after her second marriage, 
meanwhile attending the district school, and re- 
maining on the home farm until his marriage. 
August 4. 1872. to Rachel E. Stewart. Mrs. 
Compton was Ixirn on the plac-e where she and 
her husband now live, and where her entire life 
has been silent, with the exception of a few years 
after marriage when they rented farms in Coffee 
Precinct. After the death of Mrs. Compton's 
father, William Boswell Stewart, they went to 
live on the farm which they now occupy and 
operate. William Boswell Stewart's wi<low, 
Mrs. Rosanna (Compton) Stewart, was born 
August 8. 1831. in (IJompton Precinct, Wabash 
County, and he in Orange County. Ind. Her par- 
ents were Ell and ilary (Lindsey) Compton. of 
Virginia, who were early settlers of Wabash 
County. Her second husband. William B. 
Stewart, was a son of John and Rachel Stew.art, 
of Indiana. Mrs. Joseph H. Compton inherited 
the homestead of 140 acres of which forty acres 
were in a different part of the prei-inct. the 
homestead being in Set-tions 17 and 20. and tho 
forty-acre tract in Section 21. Mrs. Compton's 
father died January 14, 1891. and her mother 
lived on the old homestead until 1896, when she 
went to live with her grand-daughter, Mrs. 
Perry D. Rosenburg. of Keensburg. 111. 

In October. 18!1«j. Mr. and Mrs. Comi)ton went 
to live on the place where she was born, all of 
which was in a high state of cultivation except 
four acres of timbers. From 1882 until 1.892 Mr. 
Compton conducted a general mercantile business 
at Cowling. 111., whicli he sold out in the latter 
year, and since that time his attention lias been 
devoted to agricultural jairsuits exclusively. He 
and his wife became jiarents of children as fol- 
lows : William J., liorn August 2:i. 1873: lives 
in Fresno, Cal. ; Charles, bom September 13, 
1875. died April 29. 1,880: Albert B.. lK'>rn Febru- 
ary 7. 187.8. lives In Keensburg. 111. : John C, 
Itorn Januaiy 31, l.SSl, resides in Mt. Cannel. 
111.: Laura. {>om February 19, 18,83. died Febru- 
ary 19, 1,883: Jessie 11.. born November 21. 1885. 
resides in Mt. Carmel ; Cnarence H.. lioni Novem- 
ber 4. 1,887. of Mt. Carmel : Thomas H.. born 
Sei)tenilier29. 18!10. died August 29. 1,891 : George 
H., bom September 20. 1895. 




^ j\ (hk..c^.^u 



WABASH COUxNTY 



703 



Mr. Compton is prominent in local affairs and 
in politics is a Democrat. He has liekl various 
township offices and has been Justice of the 
Peace six years. Both he and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Tribe of Ben Hur, of Keensliurg, 
and she also belongs to the Royal Neighbore. 
Both are much interested in the good work of 
tue Christian Church and give their sup]K)rt to 
every worthy cause. They have a large numljer 
of friends and are held in high esteem by all who 
know them. 

COMPTON, Martin Van Buren, of Allendale, 
III., is descended from some of the first settlers 
of Wabash County, his father having served as 
Representative in the Illinois Legislature 1S42- 
44, and his grandfather in the Constitutional 
Convention of 1818. Mr. Compton was born In 
Wabash Precinct. March 23, 18;>T, son of .lohn 
and Drusilla (Selby) Compton. the former born 
in Berkeley County, AV. Va.. and his wife in 
iveutuck.v. He was a son of Levi and Rosanna 
(Phinesee) Compton, the former a native of 
Fairfax County, Va.. and the latter of Saint 
Mary Count.v. Md. Levi Compton was a sou of 
.Tohn and Elizabeth (Hill) Compton, of Fair- 
fax County, Va., the former born February 1, 
176fi. a son of John Comiiton, who was l>oni in 
Charles County. Md.. and .she born in England. 
The wife of John Compton, father of M.artin Van 
Buren Compton. was a daughter of Jeremiah 
and Xauc.v Ann fLevens) Selby. of English 
descent, who located in Wabash County. 111., in 
1807. and entered land from the Government. In 
1820 Mrs. Selby died and he moved to Pike 
Ctount.v, Ind., where he died, about IS-W-Sl. 

Levi Comjiton came to Wabash County as 
early as 180.3 and settled in Wabash Precinct 
along the river. He raised the first corn planted 
in the county, and lived on his first farm until 
1807. when he moved to the place now occupied 
by his grandson. Martin Compton. where he se- 
cured 3.50 acres, on Section 12. which wag timber 
land. In 181fi he sold this land to his son. .John, 
and moved to Compton Precinct, entering land 
along the river. He died there in 1844. Levi 
Compton was one of the most prominent men of 
his day and served as a member of the Constitu- 
tional Convention of 1818, which prepared the 
Constitution for the admission of Illinois as a 
State. He t<vik great interest in all iniblic affairs. 

The first marriage of John Compton was to 
Jane Baniey and they settled on the farm. 
which was located where Keensburg now stands. 
Their children were: Perry, who died in 1.847: 
Levi, died in 1.822. at the age of four years, and 
Rosanna. Jeremiah and Sophronia. all deceased. 
Mi-s. Compton died in 18.32, and in 1.8.3f) Mr. 
Compton marie<l (second) Dnisilla Selby. and 
they lived at old Foit Compton. the fort being on 
the farm now occupied liy his son. Tlieir chil- 
dren were: Martin V. B. ; Thomas B.. killed at 
the Battle of Shiloh. in April. 1802: Emily, died 
in 184.3: Ornamil K.. died September 2. 1871. 
Mr. Compton died in 1851 and his widow died 
March li), 1876. 



Martin V. B. Compton lived with his mother 
until he was seventeen years of age, then went 
to Mississippi, where he chopped cord-word for 
a time, then went to California, where he worked 
at mining and at lumbering in the woods. After 
spending six years in California he returned 
home and remained with his mother until his 
marriage, in 180.5. to Sarah Faha. who was bom 
in County Galway. Ireland, a daughter of John 
and Mary (Maddin) Faha, who came first to 
Bangor. Me., and in 1.850 to Wabash County. 111. 
.\fter his marriage Mr. Compton located on land 
he had inherited from his father, and lived there 
until 1871. when he went to live with his mother, 
remaining until her death. He received 289 
acres of land as his .share, although he deeded 
land for a burying ground. His land was all in 
one body and here he carried on general farming 
with excellent succes.s, also raisiug many horses, 
cattle, hogs and sheep. He received but a lim- 
ited education in the common schools, but 
profited by experience, and being a man of in- 
telligence and natural ability, -won success 
through his good judgment and hard work. 
Politically he is a Democrat and served one 
terai as County Commissioner. He took an 
active interest in public affairs from the time 
he reached his majority, but did not care much 
for public office. His father served in the State 
Legislature during 1842-43. at the same time as 
Lincoln and Douglas. 

The children born to Mr. Compton and his 
wife were : Emily. Mrs. George A. King, of Mt. 
Carmel; John, at home; Mary Drusilla. died in 
ISSO. at the age of four years ; and Jennie May 
and Sarah, at home. 

CORY, Francis Marion (deceased), was a suc- 
cessful and highly respected farmer of Bellmont 
Precinct. Wabash Ounty. III., and was identi- 
fied with the best interests of his community. 
Mr. Cory was a native of the county, Iwrn in 
Bellmont Precinct. Xovember 29. 1840. a son of 
Lanson and Eliza (Rigg) Cory. The parents 
had twelve children, of whom Francis M. was 
the fifth. 

The childhood of Francis M. Cory was spent 
on the fann where he was Iwrn and he was ac- 
corded the education usually given to boys in the 
district schcxjls at that time. He was reared to 
farm work and remained with his parents until 
he married. September 28. 18r,7. Orilla Arnold, 
who was born in Bellmont Precinct, Xovember 
11. 1845, daughter of Thomas T. and Eliza 
(Dean) Arnold, both natives of Wabash Coimty, 
and the father a son of Ebenezer .\ruold. 
Thomas T. .\niold and his wife had children as 
follows : Rohesia. widow of John McCIary of 
Bellmont : Mrs. Cory ; William. Jacob and Til- 
ford, (lecased : Lewis, of Montana : Robert, of 
Bellmont Precinct: Melissa and Elllen. deceased. 

After his marriage .Mr. Cory Iwught eighty 
acres of land in Bellmont Precinct, where he 
lived nine years, then sold out and purchased 
seventy acres of improved land in Compton Pre- 
cinct, where he lived another nine years and 



704 



WABASH COUNTY 



</ 



then bought 120 acres iu Butler Couutj-. Kau. 
This was prairie laud, which he begau to culti- 
vate and on it erected a house and barns, mak- 
ing all possible improvements. After living nine 
years iu Kansas, he returned to Bellmont Pre- 
cinct and bought eighty acres of improved land 
where be lived until his death, which occurred 
March 9, 1898. After bis death his widow moved 
into a bouse she owned in Bellmont and lived 
there six years ; then returned to the faiiu, 
where she remained with her son until August, 
1905 ; then returned to Bellmont, where she 
lives with a grandson. Children were born to 
Mr. Cory and his wife as follows : Thomas, born 
Noveml)er 7, 1SG9, died July 14. 1871; Oliver C, 
born May 29. 1872. a barber living in St. Louis, 
Mo., Oliver C. Cory mai-ried (first) Eva Belote, 
who bore him one son. Merrill Melvin. who lives 
with his (irandmother Cory. His second mar- 
riage was to Bertha Miller. 

Francis M. Cory was a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and served as a Trustee of the 
same. In early life be was a Democrat, but 
later became a Republican. He is affectionately 
remembered in the community where so large a 
part of bis life was s]ient. and left a record of 
which his family is proud. 

COUCH, Walter R., son of Hiram R. and Mary 
Couch, was born on the Hiram R. Couch home- 
stead, two miles east of Lancaster. 111., Septem- 
ber 14, 18.'i9. His father, of English parentage, 
was born in the State of New York and in the 
year 1816. at the age of eight years, came with 
his parents and others to Wabash County, 111., 
locating near Friendsville. His mother, whose 
maiden name was Starkey and whose father was 
native Irish, was born in the State of Ohio, her 
mother being a Yankee. From such ancestry it 
is not bard to divine where the wit and shrewd- 
ness, which characterize the sulyect of this 
sketch, are derived from. Walter K. received his 
early education in the old Couch district school, 
being privileged, willi the other children of the 
neighborhood, to atlend from fifty to si.xty days 
of the winter season, after the corn had been 
gathered and the usual autumn tasks had I)een 
attended to. Here in the old schoolhouse the 
boys of the district obtained their literary train- 
ing, and from early fall and until the ojiening 
of spring called them to the toil of planting the 
new crops, with Cushing's Manual to settle all 
questions of yiarliamentary procedure, they re- 
cited their dialogues, delivered their declama- 
tions, or gravely and seriously debated the pub- 
lic questions of the day. Walter R. was a mem- 
ber of this society from the time be was nine 
years old until he reached twenty-one. taking an 
active part, that he might in everj- way add to 
his literary attainment.s. In such pursuits his 
life was passed and young manhood found bini 
with no definite calling yet chosen, save such as 
the farm would afford. In those days a healthy 
moral and religious atmosphere prevailed in 
nearly all the homes that went to make up the 
Couch school district. The parents in those 



liomes had respect for the Lord's Day. and 
loved His Word, neither taking His Name iu 
vain nor playing cards or running horse races. 
About this time Walter R. entered the first ses- 
sion of the Friendsville High School, then under 
charge of the Presbyterian Board of Education, 
where he continued until the close of the year. 
The following year he attended the Battle 
(Jround Institute, seven miles north of La 
Fayette. Ind.. conducted under the ausjiices of 
the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church, this being in 
the fall and winter of ISiil and spring and sum- 
mer of 1862. In the meantime he bad had to 
settle with his conscience as to whether he 
should enter the Christian ministry, which he 
did, and this c-onseience call was also God's call 
to him to enter actively and permanently u!>on 
that work, for the more eflicient preparation for 
which he spent four full years in the Northwest- 
ern Christian University, receiving his B. S. de- 
gree at the hands of that institution on the 28th 
day of .June. 1872. He had previously been or- 
dained to the regular ministr-y and, during his 
last three years in college, he preached on almost 
every Lord's Day in the pulpits of some of the 
surroiuiding churches. It is worthy of remark, 
as showing the strenuosity with which he pros- 
ecuted both ministrj- and studies, to mention 
that, while he kept pace with his classes in tie 
college, he held three consecutive protracted 
meetings, unaided by any other minister, at Old 
North liberty Church, iu Marion County. Ind. ; 
Old Belleville, iu Hendricks County ; and Arcade, 
Hamilton County, all iu Indiana, gathering in 
converts to the number of 80. which, for- those 
periods, was considered rather a remarkable 
achievement. During this same ministry the 
North Liberty Church was reorganized, and at 
Old Belleville the house was rebuilt. Before his 
graduation in June, 1872, he had been called to 
]ireach. half the time each, for Greenwood and 
Clarksville Churches, both located in Johnson 
Cotuit.v. aliout five miles apart, the former lying 
some ten nnles due south of Indianapolis. He re- 
ceived the stipend of .$."i(i0 from each of these 
congregations ,and for five consecutive years 
ministered for these san)e fields, at the end of 
which time he severed his connection with 
Clarksburg, but continued to preach at Green- 
wood for two years more, when he resigned there 
also and came back to Wabash County, taking 
ui> liis residence in his old home, east of Friends- 
ville and near the old Barney's Prairie Church. 
It should be said with regard to his relations 
with the churches in Johnson Countv that they 
were always of the most ha]ii)y. sympathetic 
and congenial nature, and are today one of the 
most iileasant memories of all his .vears of 
service. 

.\t the age of twenty-three Mr. Coucb was V 
married to Aliss Exima C. Wood, daughter of 
Joseiih and Charlotte Wood, and sister to Oliver 
and Ogle Wond. all of this county. She was to 
him a true helpmeet, sharing not only his joys, 
but bis privations and toils as well, and was the 
brave. lo\ing mother of all his children. During 




Jf~Ci^iyi^^ jTZ^ne^tyiy"^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



705 



his years of early struggle, when burdened with 
his college work and trying at the same time 
to render efficient service in the ministry to the 
churches to whici lie had been called, she it was 
who bore more than her share of the lalwrs, 
safeguarded him with her love and prayers, and 
taught their children to be loyal to the Lord 
whom their father and mother both serve<l. It 
is his testimony that the most exalting, joyful 
and soul-satisfying of all the years of his Chris- 
tian ministry were tliose spent with his conse- 
crated family on the border line between Green- 
wood and Clarksburg, in Johnson County, Ind. 

When he resigned liis work in Indiana and 
came back to Wabash County it was because 
he thought it would lie better for his family, 
and more especially for his boys. And what was 
his reward'.' It was in the satisfaction he had 
In seeing evei-i,- one of his sons and daughters 
pass from childhood into young manhood and 
womanhood with pure hearts, clean hands, cor- 
rect habits; besides, that each one had volun- 
tarily entered the church. And though he made 
his home on the farm continuously from Octo- 
ber, 187S, to January 1, 1910, he believes that 
scarcely any ministry was ever more free in 
service than his. this being possible from the 
fact that he enjoyed the absolute confidence of 
everj- member of his family, which feeling was 
reciprocal, so that he had the euc-ouragement 
and cooperation of the whole circle, enabling him 
to go whenever and wherever he was called, es- 
pecially in attendance uimu his regular ap- 
iwintments. It also enable<l him to hold all 
the protracted meetings for the churches to 
which lie ministered, this service sometimes com- 
pelling his absence from home for a mouth or 
more at a time, should the success of the meet- 
ing demand it. Imt even in this the family cheer- 
fully and uiicomiilainingly bore any additional 
burdens, believing it a joy to have some share in 
the success of the husband and father's sacred 
calling. As a result of meetings in which he 
had no help whatever from any other evangelist. 
Elder Couch has had the satisfaction of see- 
ing many members fi-om twenty-five to sixty -five 
profess faith in the Christ and become active 
members of the (Christian Church. He does not 
know- how many he has baptized, having kept 
no accurate records of his work, but it is safe 
to say that they number many, inan.v hundreds. 
It is also unfortunate that he has' kept no ac- 
wunt of those whom he married, nor of the fun- 
erals be has conducted. In lioth these items he 
has iind a wide and varied experience, the mar- 
riages numbering hundreds and the funerals 
jirobably exceeding the number of weddings. 

Mr. Couch was twice married, his first wife 
dying many years ago. I^ater he was united to 
Mar.v J. Cusi<'k. then a widow, who is the loved 
companion of his declining years. She was the 
daughter of Robert II. and Margaret Leek, of 
near Allendale. 111., her brothers lieing F. M. 
and John Leek, of .\llendale and Adams Cor- 
ners. Mr. and Mrs. Couch have sold the old 
family homestead near I?aniey's Prairie Church 



and have settled themselves in a cozy little home 
at llOG Mulberry street, Mt. Carmel, where they 
expect to spend the remainder of their days, or 
at least until such time as something more con- 
genial and attractive may present itself for their 
consideration. Klder Couch is a hearty, jovial, 
well preserved man. sturdy in his integrity and 
a splendid type of citizenship. His word is 
as good as his bond and the record of his life un- 
tainted with ineanness or deceit. He is hon- 
ored by all who know him. has made a large 
contribution to the good of his day and gen- 
eration, and his children shall "rise up to call 
him blessed." 

COURIER, Jacob, one of the most successful 
fanners of Waliash Precinct, Wabash County, 
111., is descended from some of the earliest 
settlers of the county, and the family have al- 
ways been identified with the best interests of 
their community. Mr. Courter was bom in Wa- 
bash Precinct. December l!2. 1.S4.0, and is a son 
of Samuel J. and Eleanor (Banks) Courter. 
Samuel J. Courter was born in Wabash County 
March 27, 1822, a son of Jacob and Rachel 
(Hammond) Courter, natives of Kentucky and 
Maryland, resiiectivel.v. Eleanor Banks was 
lx)rn in Wabash County April 21, 182(), and was 
a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Rowlings) 
Hanks, both natives of Kentucky, who came to 
Wabash County alxtut 181.5 and entered land 
from the Government, part of it timber and part 
prairie. Jacob Courter. Sr.. and his wife located 
in the northern part of Wabash Precinct and 
bought land, where they spent the remainder of 
their lives. 

Samuel J. Courter and his wife were married 
in Wabash Precinct in 1842, and rented a farm 
there about five years. They then bought out 
the other heirs to his father's farm in Section .5. 
He (lied November 4. 18s.">. on his farm, and his 
widow died .March 21. 10(12. at Allendale, III. 
Their children were : James E.. died in Georgia 
during the war ; Ja<-ob ; Nancy A.. Jlrs. E. S. 
Preston, of Lawrence County. 111.: Rachel P., 
Mr.s. William Milligan. deceased : Samuel H.. of 
St. Francisville. 111. : Mary E.. Mrs. A. M. Milli- 
gan, deceased: William A., of Hennessey, Okla. ; 
Jane. Mrs. William O. Ramsey, died in Wabash 
Precinct : (Jeorge B.. of Chicago. 111. : Mattie, 
Mrs. John Dunham, of St. Francisville. 

Jacob Courier wa^ reared on a farm and at- 
tended the district schools of his neighborhood. 
He did not leave home until his enlistment in 
Company B. Forty-second Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, in .\ugust. 18G4. He was assigne<l with his 
company to the Army of the Cumberland, and 
participated in five important military engage- 
ments, namely : Chickamauga. Siege of Atlanta. 
Rattles of Franklin. Nashville and Springfield. 
December I-") and Ki. 18(54. He was never wounded 
and was discharged in November. ISC:.". Return- 
ing home he resumed his former oci'upation and 
on March 12. 1.8G8. married Sarah E. Preston, 
wild was boni in Wabash Precinct, a daughter of 
William and L'railla (Smith) Preston. Her fa- 



ro6 



WABASH COUNTY 



tber, William Preston, was born in Ohio. Januai'y 
25, 1815, anil his wife In Allendale. 111.. October 
29. 1818. Their parents, resiiectivel.v, were : Joseph 
and Sarah Preston and William B. and Elizabeth 
(Jordan) 8initli, all natives of Ohio and among 
the earliest settlers of Wabash Couut.v. 111., 
William Smith coming to the connty al)ont 1809. 
William Preston died May 2. T.Mil. and his wife 
.March 7. 1899. 

After his maiTiage Mr. Courier located on a 
forty -acre tract in Section 5. consisting of tim- 
ber, which he cleared and put under cultivation. 
He lived there about four and a half years, when 
he traded this land for forty acres in Section 
22 and bought another forty acres. His wife 
also owns seventy-five acres ad.1oining. He 
added to his possessions many times and. at the 
present time, owns 140 acres in one body, and 
Las owned mvich more land which lie lias given 
to his sons. He built the handsome two-story 
frame house which is the present family resi- 
dence, in 1888. He has erected other Imildings 
■on the home farm and has made many lmi>rove- 
ments. having all the land under cultivation ex- 
cept ten acres which he has left in timber. Be- 
sides carrying on general farming lie pays con- 
siderable attention to raising Shrojishire sheep, 
short-horn cattle, Poland-China hogs and fine 
road and draft horses. He has been very suc- 
cessful in all his ventures and has always shown 
excellent judgment in the conduct of his affairs. 
He is an intelligent, enterprising farmer, ready 
to adopt modern methods and ideas in his work. 

The children horn to Mr. Cotirter and his wife 
were: William F.. of Wabash Precinct; Edward 
R.. also of Wabash Precinct: Sarah Viola and 
Walter J., at home. The family are members of 
the Christian Church and interested in all good 
work. Mr. Courter is actively interested in 
local afifaii-s and is a Democrat in politics. He 
served as County Commissioner from 189f! to 
1905 continuously, and filled the office with 
credit and ability. He belongs to the Modern 
Americans of St. Francisville. III., and also to 
the Farmers" Union, of Wabash Precinct. 

CROW, Alfred Joseph. — Among the successful 
farmers of Wabash County. 111., is Alfred Joseph 
Crow, who lives In Mt. Carmel Precinct and car- 
ries on general farming. Mr. Crow was bom 
in West Salem. Edwards County. 111.. February 
2.5. 1868. son of Henry and Jllnerva (McKinley) 
Crow, the latter a native of Edwards County. 
Henry was a son of Joseph and Jane Crow, na- 
tives of Daviess Countj-, Ky. 

The boyhood of .Vlfred J. Crow was spent on 
his father's farm and lie resided with his parents 
until his marriage, in 1889, to Elizabeth Stum, 
after which he resided with his Orandmnther 
McKinley. who was a widow. Later he moved 
to Missouri and lived in that State and in In- 
diana until he settled in Mt. Carmel. III., where 
he lived several years, and where his wife died 
February 21. 1901. The children were: Earl 
of Alt. Carmel, Precinct ; Ctirtis and Everett, at 
home; Edgar and his twin, deceased; twin 



daughters, deceased. Mr. Crow married (sec- 
ond) February 22, 1905. Anna Laura (Reel) 
Miller, who was born in Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
September SO, 1861, a daughter of David S. and 
Margaret (Gard) Reel, both natives of Wabash 
County, and the latter, widow of Raymond 
Miller. Her grandparents were Emanuel Reel 
and his wife, of Indiana, and Justus and Sarah 
E. (Omen) Gard. Her first husband. Raymond 
Miller, was born in Indiana. January 25. 1859, 
and they were married September 18, 1884. after 
which they renteil a farm for one year, then 
bought fifty-three acres of land in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct and later added twenty acres. Here he 
carried on general farming until his death. Fel>- 
ruai-y 8. 1904. They had three childi-en, namely 
Clyde Orlando, died February 23 , 1902. at the 
age of fifteen years and nine months; David 
Ernest, died October 10, 1901. at the age of eight 
years and ten months ; Bessie Alarguerite, 
bom Febi-uarly 25, 1895. After his second wife 
Mr. Crow took up his residence on his wife's 
farm and there has caiTied on general farming 
with excellent success. He is an enterprising 
and ambitious farmer, and pays close attention 
to the conduct of his affairs. He enjoys confi- 
dence and esteem of his neighbors and has good 
standing in the community. Politically he is a 
Democrat and attends the Methodist Episcapal 
Cliurch. Fraternally he is a member of the 
Modern Workmen of .\merica and the Mystic 
Workers of the World, of Patton Station. 111. 

DEICHER, Adam, an enterprising farmer and 
stockman of Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash 
Count.v. 111., is a native of that precinct, born 
October 4. 1865, a son of John and Mary Eliza 
(Stoitz) Deicher. the former a native of Berks 
Countj-, Pa., and the latter of Lancaster Precinct. 
Wabash County. John Deicher was a sou of 
Jacob and Mary (Biehl) Deicher, of Berks 
County, and his wife a daughter of Adam and 
Marquet (Lipoid) Stoitz, the former bom in 
Alsace-Lorraine, and the latter in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt. Germany. Adam Stoitz first settled in 
Pennsylvania, later came to Indiana overland, 
stopping for a time in Terre Haute, and then 
locating in Wabash County, 111., where he mar- 
ried and settled in Lancaster Precinct. His 
father took up government land in Wabash 
County and his grandfather was in Chicago 
when it contained but two cabins and Fort Dear- 
iKirn. The latter could have purchased land 
where the present Chicago postotfice stands at 
1214 cents per acre. He went to Eastern Iowa, 
along the Mississippi River, where the Indians 
were numerous and one exciting scene he wit- 
nessed was at a time when the Indians liad pro- 
cured some whisky ("firewater") and were linetl 
up on each side of the road. One Indian started 
to cross over to the other side, fell in the middle 
of the road in a drunken stuixir. and Adam Stoitz 
felt sorry for him. helped him up. cleaned the 
dirt off his clothe.s. and then learned it was Cliief 
Black Hawk. At this time Mr. Stoitz was on a 
Iirospecting tour and took up government land, 



WABASH COUNTY 



707 



^hicli he aften\'ard sold. He traveled a long 
wiiy up and do^\■u tbe Mississippi, and finally 
settled in Lancaster I'reciuct in 184S. He died 
there in August, I'Mo. at the age of ninety years. 

Jacob Deicher and wife came to Wabash 
County in 1855 to join his sons who had settled 
tbere in 1850, and he died in 1805. John 
Deicher settled on a farm of 234 acres of tim- 
ber land in Lick Prairie Precinct, which he 
started to clear and improve, and he worked all 
around the neightorbood as carpenter and 
builder. He died in 1885 and his widow still 
resides on part of the old farm. 

Adam I)eicber attended tbe Stoltz district 
school and belped his father in clearing tbe land 
as soon as be was old enough to be of assistance. 
He carried on the home farm two years after his 
father's death, then it was divided and be re- 
ceived twenty-five acres, whicb he sold to his 
brother, .John, two years later and bought sixty 
acres on Secti<in .SO, in Lick Prairie Precinct. 
He has alx)ut fifty-five acres under cultivation 
and the rest is timber. From the time of his 
marriage until 1008. he rented land in Lancaster 
Precinct, but in that year located on his own 
farm. He makes a ST)ecialty of raising cattle 
and Chester White hogs. He is an able and in- 
dvistrious farmer and looks carefully after his in- 
terests, thus reaping a very fair degree of suc- 
cess. 

October 13, 1SS9. Mr. Deicher married Clara 
B. Smith, who was bom in Lancaster. III., a 
daugbter of Hiram and Cecilia (Ketcnbenner) 
Smith, natives of Maryland. Mr. Smith moved 
to Lancaster Precinct in 1800 and died there in 
18S8. His widow still lives there. Mr. Deicher 
and wife became parents of children as follows: 
Herliert. Mamie. Ellis and Gilbert W. Politically 
Mr. Deicher is a r>emocrat and takes an active 
interest in public affairs. He seired seven 
years as Highway Commisioner and six years as 
Scbool Director. Fraternally he is a member of 
the Modern Woodmen of America. Camp Xo. 
1834. of Lancaster. 

DEICHER, John, (deceased).— The Deicher 
family is an old and well-known one in Wabasb 
County. 111., and has always been identified with 
llie best interests of tbe county. Although .John 
Deicher. who had a farm in Ivick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, has been dead a quarter of a century, his 
friends and associates still rememlier him with 
kindly feelings. He was t>orn in Berks County. 
Pa.. December 7. 1.S30. a son of .Tacob and Cathe- 
rine (Biebl) Deicher. of that State. About 
1848 he came to ^\■abas•h County and worked for 
some time at the trade of carpenter. Januar>- 
14. 18<>4. be married .Mary Eliza Stoltz. who was 
born in Lancaster Precinct. Wabash County. 
.July 0. 1845. a daitcbter of Adam and Margaret 
(LilKiIt) ."Stoltz. botb natives of fJermany. The 
grandparents of Mrs. r)eicher were Adam and 
Eva (Sfupple) Liliolt, and .\dam and Eva 
(Marx) Stoltz, all natives of Gei-many, who emi- 
prated to the United States and became early 
settlers of Lancastp' Precinct. Wabash County. 



After their marriage Adam and Margaret 
(Libolt) Stoltz settled on tbe farm owned by 
Mr. Stoltz's parents, which he purchased. His 
wife died August 11, 1840. and be married (sec- 
ond) her sister, Elizabeth Libolt. Mrs. Deicher 
was the only child by tbe first marriage, and by 
the second were four children, namely ; Henry, 
deceased ; John, died In infancy ; Lewis, de- 
ceased; Anna Margaret, Mrs. B. F. Seibert, of 
Lancaster Precinct. 

Mr. Deicher resided in Lancaster a year after 
his marriage and worked at bis trade as cari>en- 
ter. He had erected buildings on a farm of 160 
acres in Lick Prairie Precinct, this farm being 
mostly in timber. He set to work to clear his 
land and put it under cultivation and became a 
successful farmer and stock-raiser, continuing 
this occupation until bis death, .January 31, 
1885. Since bis death his widow has lived on a 
farm of fifty-five acres, owning ten acres and 
purchasing forty-five acres from her sons, and 
her sons .James F. and Charles F. are cultivating 
her land. She and her husband joined the Luth- 
eran Church in early life. Mr. Deicher was a 
Democrat in iKilitics. He was a gO(Kl carpenter 
and an industrious and energetic farmer and did 
bis duty as a citizen and in private life. 

Cljildren as follows were born to Mr. Deicher 
and his wife: Ad.am. of Lick Prairie Precinct, a 
sketch of whom appears in this work : Elizabeth 
M., Mrs. .John Seibert, of West Salem. 111. ; John, 
born September 5. 1800, died January 5, 1S95; 
George Wesley, died at tbe age of two years; 
Daniel, of Lick Prairie Precinct : James H. and 
Charles F., already mentioned; Nora Catherine, 
Mrs. Joseph Brines, of Lick Prairie Precinct. 

DENHAM, Albert B., a prominent farmer of 
Com])ton Precinct, Wabasb County. 111., was 
born in Clermont County. Ohio, son of Benjamin 
C. and Aristella (Webster) Denham, the former 
a native of Clermont County and tbe latter of 
Maine. His grandparents were James and 
Sarah tCrane) Denham. of New Jersey, and 
Burnham and Alice ( Sargent) Webster, of 
Maine. Tbe Webster family were of tbe same 
descent as Daniel and Xoah Webster. The 
jiarents of Albert B. Denham came to Wabash 
County. 111., in 18.52, with tbe parents of Benja- 
min Denham, having traded land in Ohio for 
land in Wabash Countj-. 111., and Gibson County, 
Ind. James Denham had been a large land 
holder in Ohio and became owner of about 600 
acres of land in Wabash County. He died in the 
latter place. (October 3. 1855. His sons. John 
M.. Benjamin C. and William W., and bis daugh- 
ter. Rachel, came with him to Illinois, and he 
divided 000 acres of land among them. 

Benjamin C. Denham and .\ristella Webster 
were married in Ohio, in 1837. Her parents 
moved to Ripley County, Ind.. while Mr. Den- 
ham and wife located on a farm in Coffee I*re- 
<-inct. near McClenry's Bluff, wbere both he and 
his wife died. Their children were: James P.. 
died in 1805; Burnham W.. killed in the Civil 
War; Sarah .\.. Mrs. Diiuiell. of Compton Pre- 



708 



WABASH COUNTY 



cinct ; David W., on the home place, in Coffee 
Precinct ; Albert B. ; Alice Isabel, lives with her 
sister, Mrs. Dinnell. A sketch of David W. ap- 
pears in this work. 

Albert B. Denhani attended the common 
scliools in Wabash County and spent six months 
in Indianapolis College. lie lived at home until 
his marriage. October 3, l.STO, to Alice A. Pool, 
born in Wabash I'recinct, Wabash County, 
daughter of Klhanan and Nancy (Compton) 
Pool, natives of Wabash County. Her grand- 
parents were James and Mary (Keen) Pool, na- 
tives of Kentucky, and Eli and Hannah (Har- 
nett) Compton, of Virginia. After maiTiage 
Mr. Denham and his wlie moved to a farm of 
eighty acres in Compton Precinct, where they 
lived tbree years, then after living six months in 
Mt. Carmel, returned to tbeir eighty acres, and 
four years later traded this for part of the old 
homestead. Ten years afterward they sold this 
land and purchased forty acres In Section SO of 
Compton Precinct, where most needed improve- 
ments were made. Jlr. Denham continued clear- 
ing and improving tbis farm and now has it all 
under cultivation except about four an-es of tim- 
ber. He carries on general farming and has been 
very successful in lireeding and raising Hamp- 
shire hogs. He and his wife have children as 
follows: Otis A., of Compton Precinct; E. Garry, 
at home; Essie, Mrs. E. Clement Keen, of Keens- 
burg. 

Mr. Denham is an intelligent and entel^1rising 
farmer and a shrewd man of business. He has 
always taken a prominent part in local affairs 
and in polities is a Democrat. He has served at 
various times in local offices, such as School 
Director and Road Commissioner, and in 1890 
was honored by election to the Thirty-seventh 
General .\sserably of Illinois. He has given most 
satisfactory and able service in public otHce and 
has the entire confidence of his fellnw-citizens. 
Fraternally he is a member of the F. M. B. A. 
The family attend the Christian Church, of 
which Mr. Denham lias been an Elder since 
188<t. He gives his approval and assistance to 
all worthy causes and is actively identified with 
measures of progress. 

A man named .James Crow purchased and set 
out a cedar tree on what is now Mrs. Mussetfs 
land. (Sel^ SO) in the spring of ISoT. which 
marks the spot where Sorghum molasses was 
first made in the fall of IS.'iO. He is supiKised 
to have been the first man in the T'nited States 
to convert the juice of sorghum cane into 
molasses. He secured the seed from .Joseph C. 
Orth. who in turn recei\-ed it from the Govern- 
ment. 

DENHAM, David Webster.— The Ball and Den- 
ham families, of which David Webster Denham. 
a fanner and veteran of the Civil War, resid- 
ing in Coffee Pi'ecinct. Wabash County, is a 
lineal descendant, are .so closel.v connectefl. that 
it is thought better to give a concise sketch of 
earli. that of the Ball Family, extending to an 
earlier period than that of the Denham branch. 



being allowed the first place. (I) Allen Ball, 
one of the first emigrants of that name to Amer- 
ica, was born in Oxfordshire. England, in 1C14, 
and aliout liUo came with five brothers to Amer- 
ica, locating in the Colony of Connecticut. (II) 
Edward Ball, the son of Allen Ball, was born 
in Connecticut Colony in 1W.5, and in 1666 
moved to the Colony of New .Jersey, and became 
the head of the New Jersey branch of the family, 
of which David W. Denham. subject of this 
sketch, is a lineal de.seendent. Descendants of 
this branch were: (III) Thomas Ball, son of 
Edward, liorn in New Jersey in 1868; (IV) 
Timothy Ball, son of Thomas, born in New Jer- 
sey in 1711: (V). Timothy Ball (III. son of 
Timothy (I), born in New Jersey in 1738, mar- 
ried Esther Brewer, born in 1716. and they had 
a family of tbree children : David. Marv and 
Rachel. 

Mary Ball, of his family, born in New Jersey 
April 19, 1758, on July 18, 1771. married Oba- 
diah Denhiim, and they soon after removed to 
Virginia. 01>adiah Denham was born August 5, 
18i4. although his e.xact birthplace is not known ; 
It is believed, however, to have been either New- 
Jersey or Virginia., They remained in Virginia 
lint a short time, soon after removing to Ken- 
tucky, where they remained twenty-four years, 
and where all their children were bona. In 
1795 they removed to Ohio, settling in what is 
new Clemont County, where Obadiah Denham 
became the owner of (i.tWO acres of land. uix)n 
which he founded the city of Bethel in Clermont 
Countj-. His decease occurred June 3, 1817, and 
that of his wife on April 28. ISIS. 

James Denham. the second son of Obadiah 
Denham. was born in the State of Kentucky. 
Aiigust 14. 1782, in 1795 came with his parents 
to Ohio, there grew to manhood and. on Decem- 
ber 3, 1807. was married to Miss Sarah Crane, 
l*orn in the State of New Jersey. March 13. 1783. 
daughter of Benjamin Crane, and came witli her 
parents to Ohio in 1800, and lived on a farm near 
Bethel. James Denham was a farmer and 
owner of a farm of 300 acres near Bethel, where 
he and his wife reared a family of seven chil- 
dren — four sons and tbree daughters — and 
where bis wife died February 9, 1841. aged fifty- 
seven years. The father continued to reside 
there until 18.52. when he and two of bis sons 
traded a part of this land for land in Wabash 
County, 111., receiving about 5fK) acres in Town 
No. 2 South. Range 13 West. To this they 
moved hi October. 1852, ,Janies Denham's family 
then consisting of one son, .John W.. and one 
daughter. Rachel B. Denham. and his little 
granddaughter. Rebecca X. Hewitt. James 
Denham. the father, departed this life October 
3, 1855. aged seventy-three years. 

Benjamin Crane Denham. son of James Den- 
ham. was born in Clermont County. Ohio. Mav 
22. 1812. and lived at the paternal home mitil 
1,837, when he marrietl Miss Aurestella Webster. 
Ixvrn hi the State of Main. September 2. 1.811. 
the daughter of Burnham and Alice (Sargent) 
Webster, who came to Ohio at an early day. 



WABASH COUNTY 



709 



lit'iijaiiiii) ('. iK'iiliam reiiialue<l there until 1852, 
and tliere rwireil a family of four mma and two 
d;iU(;lilerK :ik follows; JaiiieK Perr>-. Itonj Auirust 
10. }K',H; i'.uriiliain Webster, liorii AupiKt 2, 
^K^»■, Sarati A,. U^rn Auifust 20. ^W2: iJavld 
Welmter. Ixjrn SeptMulier 10, 1H44; Albert B.. 
iKjrii .\Iarcli 2.'{. 1H47: Alice I'., boni Xoveml)i;r 
7, 1S4!». All the children were Ixjrn In Ohio and 
came with their fKirentH to lIlinolK In XK',2. Mr. 
Denfuim waK an Industrious and successful 
farmi-r. owneij a fine Ixxly of .'{20 ac-res of land 
and became i»rf>niinent in the aflfairx of the 
county. He died in 1SH4 at the age of seventj-- 
four years, his wife having precede<l him In 18GC, 
aged sixty years. 

In -May. IWW. David W. Denham eniiste*! In 
Company C. One Ilundrwl Thirty-sixth Voiun- 
ter Infantrj-. for a r>eri'xl of KM) days. thet>er^ice 
of the retriment l)eing Iimite<l chiefly to gar- 
rison and scouting dut.v. At the termination of 
its term of enlistment It re-enlisted for fifteen 
days, and was finally mustere*! out and <lls- 
chargeflat Sjiringfield in the last days of October 
following. Returning home he resu0ie<l fann- 
ing, remaining with his pjirents until December, 
1877, when he married Elizabeth M. Landes. who 
was U/m in Augusta County, Va.. a daugliter of 
John and Delilah ^Skeltoni r>andes. lK)th na- 
tives of Virginia. After marriage he and his wife 
lived on his father's homestead, of which he in- 
herited IftO acres, including the house. He has 
sinc<' .'iddefl to his holdings until he now owns 
24fi acres in .^^ection .".2. Town 2 South. Range 13 
West. His father had erectefl a hantisome resi- 
dence on McCleary's BlufT. overlwiking the river 
and having one of the finest views in that sec- 
tion of the cf)unty. This is a natural buildinz 
site, surrounded by fine shade and ornamental 
trees and making an ideal country home. Mr. 
Denham carried on general farmlnz here, rai.s- 
Ing cattle, horses and hogs, but at sixty years of 
age retirefl from active business life, turning his 
fanning ofierations into the hands of his two 
sons. William Clyde and Perry Einjer. these 
being his only children and both at home. 

In isrt." Mr. Denham dis^^vered a vein of coal 
at Mf^'lejiry's BluflT. which has lieen developed to 
a considerable extent. In i'MCt his sons ojxjned. 
a .^'/i foot coal vein on the home place, which is 
in rvjntlnued operation, fumi.shing cf>al to near- 
by farmers and residents of neighl)Oiing vil- 
lages. 

Mr. Denham has been especially fortunate in 
his investments and has been success-ful In his 
farming operations, developing a fine farm and 
be<v>mlng one of the prominent men of his com- 
munity. In rolit''^''' he Is a DemofTat and for 
several years ser\-ed as a member of the Town- 
ship Schofil P^Mrd. The family attend the Chris- 
tion Church and lend their hearty cfi-operatlon 
In siijifioii: of the church and its work, and are 
ready to espouse any case which the.v regard as 
for the benefit of the community. 

DEPUTY, Ezra C. (deceased).— Among the 
successful farmers of Mt. Carmel Precinct. Wa- 



bash County, III., who apprw.-iated the ad- 
vantages to tie derived from foll'wing modern 
nielliods of caro'ing on their work and fr<>m 
raising high-grade stock, was the late Ezra C. 
Dei)Uty. Mr. Deputy was born Fetjruarj' IC, 
1V)1, on the farm where his entire life was 
srient, and there diwl July 2. i;»10. his burial 
taking place on July 4th in Bellmont Cemetery. 
He was a mm of William ('. and Elizabeth f Ar- 
nold) Deputy, the former tx>rn in Mt. Carmel 
Prec-inct and the latter in Richland County, III. 
William C. Deputy was a mm of William and 
Nancj' (Tavner) I)e|mty. of Virginia, and his 
wife was a daughter of .lohn and Elizatjeth 
^Jordan) Arnold. Jolin Arnold organized a 
cfjnixKiny for the Sec-ond lU-giment. .Second Bri- 
gade of Illinois, for the Black Hawk War, l>e- 
coming Captain of tliis company. He entered 
service May 12 and was mu.stered out August 
15, 38.'{2. William and Nancy Deputy were 
among the early settlers of Wabash County, se- 
curing a large amount of Oovenirnent land. He 
carried on fanning and died on his fann. which 
was on the Ixjrder between Mt. Cannel aiid 
Bellmont I're<-Incts. 

After their marriage William C. and Eliza- 
t>eth Deputy move<] to a farm In Section 21 of 
Mt. Carmel Precinct, where he secured .'580 acres 
ol land, all of which was fivered with timtjer 
at the time he got It from his father. He died 
there February 17. 1881. and his wife Seirtem- 
ber <), 1870. Their children were: Sarah .M., 
tKirn January Mt. 1849. and married Jf>achim 
.Joachims, of Oklahoma: F;zra *■. : Theodore, 
lK)rn June <;. 18-54. die<l De<-ember 18. 18fB; 
Clara .\.. Mrs, ('. M. Crundon. and died .May 0. 
V.XHr. William A.. U>ui August 14. 18.-/». died 
Septemt»er 15. IWW: Sherman, txirn July 20, 
18G5. died Decemlier 4. 1873 ; Grant J., lx>m No- 
vember 18. 1W«. die<l October 15. 1888. 

Ezra C. Der»uty attended the common schools 
and remained at home until his marriage, March 
7. 1872. to Fannie A. Rigg. who was lx>m in Bell- 
mont Pre'inet, March 20. 1850. daughter of John 
M. and Mary .Tane (Ballard) Rigg. t>oth natives 
of Wabash County. Her grandparents were 
Rot)ert and Elizabeth M'<'lary Rigg, natives of 
Virginia, and .Tosei»h and Martha (Putnam) 
Ballard, all of them among the early settlers of 
Wat»ash Oiunty. After his marriage Mr. Deputy 
erc-ted a residence on pai^ of his father's farm 
in Bellmont Precinct, and lived there until No- 
vemt)er 24. 1882. when he purchased the old 
homestetid from his stef>-mother. n-hose maiden 
name was .Sarah Lingenfelder and who was the 
widow of .Mr. Staninger. She had one child by 
Mr. Der>uty's father. Inna. who lives with her 
mother in .Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Deputy owned 290 acres in the home place 
and he and his son had eighty acres a mile and 
a quarter south. He r-arrled on general farm- 
ing, with sfiecial attention to breeding and rais- 
ing Hereford cattle and Duro'- Jersey hogs. He 
was prominent in social and fraternal circles 
and had manv friends. He was a member of 
Blue Lodge No. 239. A. F. & A. M.. of Mt. Car- 



710 



WABASH COUNTY 



mel ; of the Mutual Protective League, also of 
Mt. Camiel. aud of Camp No. 1745, Modern 
Woodmen of America, of Sugar Creeli. in wliioh 
he served one year as District Deputy. In pol- 
ities he was a Keiiuliliean, had served twenty- 
five years as School Trustee, and had also served 
as Road Commissioner. Mrs. Deputy is a mem- 
ber of the Jlethodist Episcopal Church and is 
prominent in churrli worli. 

Mr. and ilrs. Deputy liad children as follows : 
Marj- E.. lx)rn August Kt. 1874. and died Oc- 
tober 22, same year; Thomas, \yorn September 3, 
1875, resides in Bellmont Precinct ; James, bom 
May <!, 1878, of Compton Precinct; William, 
bom June 12, 1882, died August 17. ISO*! ; John, 
bom February ^'^. 1884. of Belhnont Precinct; 
Matina, born JTebruary 17, 188G. at home: Laura, 
born August 3. 1888. now Mrs. Slierman T. Rigg. 
of Lidv Prairie I'recinct ; Clark, born June 1, 
1800, at home. 

DINNEL, James H., an honored veteran of the 
Civil War, and now a successtul stock farmer of 
Compton Precinct. Waliash County. 111., was 
bom in White Countj-. 111.. November 28. 1840. 
a son of William and I-evina (Webster) Dinnel. 
natives, re-sjieetively. of Jefferson County. Tenn., 
and Evansville, Ind. William Dinnel was a sou 
of Thomas Dinnel. of Ireland, and his wife was 
a daughter of Henry and Ellen Webster, of the 
north of England, who went to Georgia after 
coming to the T'nited States, and afterward 
moved with two of Mr. Webster's cousins, named 
Evans, to Indiana, where they were among the 
first settlers. Mr. Webster was a goldsmith 
and cut up silver pieces of money to make 
change. He ran a ferry aci-oss Pigeon Creek, at 
EJvansville and spent the remainder of his life 
there. 

Thomas Dinnel emigrated to the United States 
at the age of twent^'-three years, located in 
Tennessee and there married. After the death 
of Heni-y Webster his widow. Mrs. Ellen Web- 
ster, moved to Canni. 111., where she died. 

After marriage William and Levina Dinnel 
settled in White County-, living a few years on 
a farm which they owTied there, then moved to 
Wabash County, a year later moving to Mor- 
gan Count.v. They aftenvard returned to Wa- 
bash County, where his death occurred in 1840. 
His widow moved back to a farm he owned in 
Wayne County, and died there in l.'^.'Vt. She 
was the previous widow of .Tohn Heniken. liy 
whom she had three children, as follows: 
Geoi-ge W.. Matthew and Elizabeth, all de- 
ceased. By her ser-ond marriage to Mr. William 
Dinnel she had children as follows : John, de- 
ceased : James H. ; Mary, deceased, was Mrs. 
F. M. Cowling: Julia. Mrs. Peter Bamett. of 
Keensburg Precinct : Jerr.v and Perr^'. twins, 
died at the age of seven years. 

James H. Dinnel attended the common schools 
and lived with his parents until the death of 
his mother, then lived with a half-brother. Mr. 
Heniken. until he enlisted in Company B. Sixty- 
third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. April 0. 18r>2. 



He was assigned to the Army of the Tennessee, 
serving in the Thirteenth Army Corps, under 
Gen. John A. McClernand for a sliort time, and 
later transferred to the Fifteenth Araiy Corps 
under Gen. John A. Logan. Mr. Dinnel partici- 
pated in the battles of Vicksburg. ilissionary 
Ridge. Resaca. Savannah, and Beutonville, N. C. 
as well as numerous skirmishes, and participated 
in the March to the Sea, with General Sherman. 
He was mustered out at Goldsboro, N. C, April 
0. 1805. He returned to his home with Mr. 
Heniken with whom he farmed two years, then 
rented land one year, after which he purchased 
his present farm, which then c-onsisted of eighty 
acres with a log house and log barn, boarding for 
a time witli his brother and afterward with a 
tenant on his farm. He added to his possessions 
from time to time as he was able, and now has 
2S5 acres, all under cultivation except twenty 
acres of timber land. He has been verj' suc- 
cessful in his ojierations and is one of the most 
extensive farmers of the neighborhood. He has 
made a S])ecialtv of raising stock. 

Mr. Dinnel married, February 23. 1870. Sarah 
A. Denham, who was born in Clennont County, 
Ohio, a daughter of Benjamin C. and Aristella 
(Webster) Denham, he born in Clermont 
County and she near Augusta. Maine. Her 
grandparents were James and Mary (Ball) Den- 
ham. of New Jersey, and Bumham and Elsie 
(Sargent) Webster, of English desc-ent. Mr. 
Dinnel and his wife were blessed with children 
as follows : Maud. Mrs. James Deputy, of 
Comiiton Pre<nnct : Lucy E.. at home. Mrs. Din- 
nel attended the conunon schools of (^hio and 
Illinois, coming with her parents to the latter 
State in 1852. She taught school in Illinois four 
tenns. Since her marriage her youngest sister, 
Alice I., has resided with her. Mr. Dinnel is 
a Democrat in politics and has served twelve 
years as School Director. He and his family are 
members of the Christian Church of which he 
has been an Elder since 1.880. He holds a high 
place in the estimation of liis fellow-citizens and 
has many friends. 

EPLER, Daniel S., a prominent business man 
of Kcensliur;^. 111., is a native of Wabash County, 
bom in Bellmont Prec-inct. November 4. 1865. 
He is a son of John and Bertha (Ravenstein) 
Epler. he born in Pennsylvania and she in 
Germany. His grandparents were Daniel and 
Elizabeth (Davenport) Ejiler and Peter and Jus- 
tine (.Toachim) Ravenstein. natives of Germany. 
Daniel Ei:iler was one of the earl.v settlers of Wa- 
bash County and i>urchased a farm near Mt. 
Carmel. The Ravensteins came to Wabash 
County in 1855, locating on a farm he purchased 
in Bellmont Precinct. 

The parents of Daniel S. Epler were married 
in Wabash County and settled on a farm one 
mile south of the Village of Bellmont. where he 
died June 20, 1.881. His widow has since con- 
tinued to live on the home farm. Their chil- 
dren were: Barbara. Mrs. I^ewis Harper, of 
Edwards County. 111. ; Justine. Mrs. James 



WABASH COUNTY 



711 



Lance, of Bellmont TreciiKt ; Diiniel S. ; Cath- 
erine, Mrs. 1). Z. Putnam, of Bellmont I'reciuct ; 
Peter, of Bellmont ; Flora. Mrs. William Cole, 
of Bellmont Precinct; John, of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. 

At the age of seventeen ^fears, having received 
a scanty education, Daniel S. Epler began farm- 
ing on his own account, bu.viug laud in Bellmont 
Precinct, which he kept until he was of age, 
then sold it and purchased a farm in Keeusburg 
Precinct, where he spent three years, then sold 
out and bought forty acres on the northern 
boundary of Keeusburg Village, which he uses 
for a stock farm. He has various other inter- 
ests, liowever. March 1. ISO:^., he embarked in 
the livei-j' business, and in 1808 began to deal in 
agricultural implements. His lively stable 
burned and he did not rebuild it. but continued 
handling implements. In the spring of 1!)10 he 
turned most of bis business over to his son Ed- 
ward, but .still conducts a saddlery, harness, and 
hardw^ire store. He is a man of good business 
abilit.v and an excellent farmer. He makes a 
sjiecialty of raising (Jerman coach horses and 
.lackasses. dealing extensively in horses and 
hogs. He and his wife have two children : Bes- 
sie and A. Edward, both at home. 

Mr. Epler is an ententrising citizen and prom- 
inent in fraternal circles. He is a Republican 
in politics and a menUier of the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows Lodge No. 03!>, and the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America Camp N"o. 2193. of 
Iveensburg. l)eing a charter meuil)er in both or- 
ganizations. He is activel.v interested in the 
good work cairied on by these orders and is also 
identified with the best interests of the com- 
munit.v. 

EWALD, John Jacob. — ^Among the successful 
farmers of Wabash Count}-, 111., may be found 
nian.v who are comparatively young, but have 
had the advantage of siieiMal training for their 
line of work, and have acquired laud on which 
nian.v improvements were made before it came 
into their jmssession. Among the enterprising 
.\-oung farmers of Bellmont Precinct is John Ja- 
cob Ewald. a native of the precinct, born June 
1. 18S1, a sfm of George C. and Jennie (Seller) 
EvA-ald. the former born in Oenuaug in 1S.".l, and 
the latter born in Mt. Carmel. III., in isr,2. The 
father, who is County Oonunissioner in Wabash 
CV)inity, owns fV40 acres there and 820 acres in 
old Mexico. He and his wife had children as 
follows: John Jacob. Ida M.. Heinricb. Clar- 
ence IT., Ada Matilda Tucker. Grace Elizabeth. 
Paul George. Clara Bell. Ralph Waldo. Edith 
Vivian. Fre<l. and Ernest. 

^^le bo.vhoofl of John .Jacob Ewald was spent 
on his father's farm, and he has followed agri- 
cultural pursuits since old enough to engage in 
work of any kind. He married November 2.S. 
in04, Isabella Reynolds Metcalf, daughter of 
Arthur and Kate fBaker) Metcnlf. both natives 
of England. Mr. Metcalf. who died about 1S9.5. 
was the owner of IfiO acres of fine fanning land, 
part of which he had cleared himself. He and 



his wife had children as follows: Herbert J., 
Charles T., Carrie, Ethel, Sidney R., Mrs. Ewald. 
One child has blessed the union of Mr. Ewald 
and wife, Ruth Metcalf. bom July 2.5. l!HHj. 

.Mr. Ewald lives on a fine farm of 2(X) acres 
and besides canning on general farming, raises 
and ships considerable stock, from which busi- 
ness be reaiis a very fair profit. He is energetic 
and industrious and takes an active interest in 
the Farmers' Institute, of which he has been 
President. He has contributed a great deal to 
the success of this organization and has been as- 
tive in promoting progress and development of 
his connminitj'. Mr. Ewald is sei-ving his sec- 
ond term as Town Trustee and has the con- 
fidence and esteem of his fellows. He is a 
member of the American Lutheran Church and 
in i)oIiti<'s is a Democrat. Me belongs to the 
Odd Fellows, being attiliated with the Eneami>- 
ment of this order, and is also a member of the 
Miwlern Woodmen. 

EWALD, William, one of the large landowners 
of Wabash County. 111., and member of a i>rom- 
inent family in that count}', was born in Ilische, 
Province of Kirtz Gilsow. Germany, November 
16. 1S49. He is a son of John and Catherine 
( Moriel ) Ewald, both natives of Germany. 
John Ewald was an expert cabinet-maker and 
won distinction in his art by producing what was 
kno\\ni as a "master-piece,"' which work en- 
titled him to the iirivilege of hiring others to 
work for him. He came to the United States in 
ISiHt and engaged in general farming in Bell- 
mont Precinct. He and bis wife were parents 
of the following children : William. George C. 
and Pauline. 

William Ewald was reared in Germany until 
eleven years old. when he came with his jiarents 
to Wabash County. 111. On August Id. 188.''., he 
was married to Rosa Fisher, a daughter of John 
and Mary Fisher, of Bellmont Precinct, and they 
had children as follows: John William, bom 
July 12. 18.84: Rosa Fisher, bom July If!. 1.S.S5: 
Harmon Frederick, born August Ki. 1880: Rosa 
.\melia. lx)rn August 4, 1888; Sophia C. born 
July 27. 1891: Gusta Louise, born July 2. 1.894; 
Mar}-. Iiorn August 27. 1.S90. deceased; Myrtle, 
boni July 11. 1.8!i7: Sherman Oneal. born July 
."). 19(i(». and Eliza Maria, born February 1. 1903. 

For the jiast eighteen years Mr. Ewald has 
been Drainage Commissioner, and in this con- 
nection has rendered valuable service to his lo- 
cality. He is interested in an.v project calcu- 
lated to benefit his precinct or county, and in 
politics follows the fortunes of the Democratic 
party. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to the 
Encampment of this order and is an active mem- 
ber of the Lutheran Church. 

Mr. Ewald owns .")87 acres of fine fanning land 
in Bellmont and Coffee Precincts, a large part 
of which he cleared and improved. He is ac- 
counted one of the most intelligent and pros- 
perous farmers of Wabash County and pays 
close attention to ever}- detail of his business. 
Besides bis land in this countv he owns 100 acres 



ri2 



WABASH COUNTY 



in the Panhandle district of Texas, which lie 
devotes to raising wheat, millet and katHi- com. 
He stands well with his ueighhors and associ- 
ates and has a reputation for integrity and re- 
liabilitj'. 

FISCHER, Philip Rudolph.— Among the most 

extensi\e fanners of Wabash County, 111., is 
Philip Kudolph Fischer, who owns laud iu vari- 
ous preeiucts. He was iioru iu Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. Wabash Countj-, October IS, 18.50, a son 
of John and Anna .Marie ((Jroff) Fischer, na- 
tives of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. They came 
to the United States witli their parents as chil- 
dren, and met and were married September 18, 
1845, iu the United States. In company with 
John and Jacob (iroff and a Mr. Grotz, John 
Fischer built a flat-boat on Bonpas Creek, near 
the Kitchen bridge, on the Mt. Cannel and Al- 
bion road, and on it each of them loaded what 
corn they had for market. When a rise in the 
Creek came the lioat was floated into the Wa- 
bash and down the (.)hio and Mississippi Rivers 
to New Orleans, where the coru was sold at 12i'_. 
cents per bushel, and the flat-boat for what they 
could get. Mr. Fischer made two of these trips, 
at one time having .$(5 and at the other $12 left 
when he reached home, after having sjieut about 
three mouths on each trip and walked most of 
the wa.v home. 

.\fter his marriage John Fischer spent one 
year in Mt. C'aruiel Precinct, then bought tim- 
ber land in Bellmont Precinct. He built a small 
log house, with a flrei)Iace and a mud. stick and 
straw chimney. He had alKJut .".OO acres, which 
he began clearing. He was l)oni January 31. 
1814, and died December .''., 1!)02, and his wife. 
who was born December l(i. 1S24, died Febni- 
ar>' 17. 188.3. Their children were: John, of 
Dexter. Mo. : a daughter who died in infancy, 
and a son who died in infanc.v also ; Rhinehult. 
a sketch of whom appeai-s iu this work : Mary, 
born December 11. 1853, widow of John Howard, 
of West Salem. III.; Pliilip P.: George I.... born 
October 10, 1859; Elizabeth. Ixirn August 2, 1802. 
Mrs. George Sterl. of Mt. Caruiel Precinct: 
Rosa, Mi-s. William Ewald. of Jit. Carmel. was 
born July 10. 1805: Emma, born December 5. 
1871, died September 10, 1873. 

-■Vfter living several years in a little log 
house, with a mud fireplace and stiilv chimney, 
Mr. Fischer Iniilt an eight-ixwui frame dwelling, 
the front oue-and-a-half stories high. Half of 
this building is still standing, .\fter the death 
of his wife in 188:',. he lived about nine months 
with his son Philip R.. when be moved to the 
home of his daughter. Mi-s. Ewald. where he 
spent nine mouths. In December. 1,8.84, he re- 
turned to the home of his son Philip R., where 
he remained six years. Then, after .some dis- 
agreement, he moved to the home of his daugh- 
ter. Mrs. Howard, at West Salem. Edwards 
County, and there sjient nine years, then mov- 
ing to his son's. Rhinehult. in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, where he remained until the date of his 
decease about three .years later. In February. 



1887. Mr. Fischer visited his sister, Mrs. 
Strieker, at Fort Adams, Miss., where he re- 
mained some six weeks, returuing home about 
the midle of March. Both he and his wife were 
members of the German Moravian Church, at 
West Salem. • 

I'hilip R. Fischer was i-eared on his father's 
farm and received but few educational advan- 
tages. He remained with his parents until his 
marriage, November 0, 1884, to Harriet Henry, 
who was born in West Salem. III.. August 28. 
18.50, daughter of Christian G. and Joanna 
Elizabeth (Banack) Henry, natives of <Jermauy. 
Her parents came to the United .States in youth 
and were marrieil at West Salem, settling on a 
farm nearby. The father died in Januai-j'. 1003, 
at the age of eighty-five years, and the mother 
died December 3, 1004. at the age of seventj-- 
five years. They were parents of children as 
follows : Lewis, of West Salem : Harriet. Mi's. 
Fischer: Walter, of Michigan City. lud. ; Her- 
man, died at the age of three .years : Otto, of 
(^licago. 111. ; Herman, of Beecher City, Efflug- 
ham County. 

.\fter marriage Mr. Fischer and his wife 
lived nine years on his father's farm, then moved 
to a farm near West Salem. 111. Two years later 
they returned to the old home, and lived there 
until November, 1004, when he erected a hand- 
some modern residence on part of the home 
faiTu. He was given 1.50 acres of his father's 
farm by his father and luirehased the homestead 
of 150 acres of land from his brother George. He 
now has 402 acres in the home place; 180 acres 
in Lick Prairie Precinct, and two tracts, of 142 
and sixty acres, respectively, on the Ford.vce 
Bottom. He carries on general farming and has 
been very successful in breeding and raisiug Po- 
land China hogs and Hereford cattle. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Fischer 
and his wife: Edna Viola, born August 13, 
1885; Carrie Anna. October 3, 1887: Ora Otto. 
December 5. 1880; Frank Fanes. .\iiril 5. 1,802; 
Ira Edison, Febrnan- 17. 1805: Mamie Ethel. 
August 0. 1807: Ada Mata. May 21. 10(X). Mr. 
Fischer is a Democrat in politics and is activel.v 
identified with the welfare and progi'ess of his 
community. He is a most enterprising and in- 
dustrious farmer and has well earaed the suc- 
cess that is his. He and his wife are well 
known in Bellmont Precinct, having the good 
will and esteem of a large number of friends. 

FISHER, Martin (deceased).— Jit. Carmel, 111., 

lost one of its valuable citizens in the death of 
the late Martin Fisher, who passed away Novem- 
ber 23. 1001, at his home. 414 East Eighth 
Street. Mr. Fisher was a prominent Mason, 
ha\ing served in various offices of his lodge, and 
was well knowm as a member of the Gesang- 
verein (Gennan nnartette) of Mt. Carmel. He 
was born iu Westhofen. Germany. December 20. 
1824. a son of John and .\ppalonia (Lomben- 
heimer"! Fisher, natives of Hesse Darmstadt and 
Westhofen. respectively. The father was en- 
gaged in farming and was also the principal mil- 





/^:^u^>^^^ ^^ L.^c,^i^<^^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



713 



ler of Westhofen, and spent his entire life at 
ttie old home there, lifter his death his widow 
emigrated with her family to the United States 
and settled near Mt. Carmel, 111. 

At the time Martin Fisher accompanied his 
mother to the United States he was about four- 
teen years of age. He had received his education 
in his native country and, after arriving at Mt. 
Carmel, hel])ed in the work on the farm. He 
learned the trade of shoemaker from William 
Seitz. but .soon afterward was obliged to go south 
on account of ix)or health. He went to New Or- 
leans, where he was naturalized, and lived in that 
city thirty years. He engaged in business soon 
after locating there and for many years con- 
ducted a shoe factoiy. He lost all his money 
during the reconstruction period, and had to 
build up his business anew. He joined the Ma- 
sonic Order while living in New Orleans, served 
as Junior Warden of his lodge, and after he re- 
turned to Mt. C'amiel. transferred his member- 
ship and served as Tiler of the lodge at the lat- 
ter place. He was a .stanch Democrat and in 
religious views a Presliyterian. He had many 
warm personal friends and has Iwen missed in 
man.y circles. He had the esteem and regard 
of all who knew him and took great interest 
in the welfare of the comniunit.v. Mr. Fisher 
■omied the home where his death occurred, and 
which is now the residence of his widow. He 
-was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery. 

Mr. Fisher was twice married. His first wife 
was Margaret Huft a native of Germany, who 
had one child and died in 186.5, at New Orleans, 
La. He marrie<l (second) .Tune 1.5, 1SG7, Mary 
Tossler, a daughter of .Tohu George and Mar.v 
(Messmer) Vo.ssler. She was born at Txibingen, 
Wurteniburg, May 10, 1S49. Children as 
follo%^•s blessed this union : Flora Katherine, 
born Febniary 10, 187.3; Ella May. Octolier 80, 
1ST.5; William Martin. July 16, 1879; Elizabeth 
Seller, March 22. ISS.". ; Mary Clara, April 5, 
1886; Estella Am.v, March 16, 1889— all born in 
Mt, Carmel and there received good educations. 

FISHER, Peter M. — .\mong the honored veter- 
ans of the Civil War who live in Wabash Count}- 
is Peter M. Fisher, who is a native of the county, 
born .\ugust 14, 1.840. a son of John and Ursula 
(Miller) Fisher. John Fisher was born in Chil- 
licothe, Ohio, and his wife. Ursula Miller, was a 
daughter of Peter S. Miller, and born in Gibson 
County. Ind. The Miller family moved from 
Pennsylvania to Gibson County. Ind.. about 1820. 
and >rT. Miller lived there the remainder of his 
life. 

In his youth John Fisher, after learning the 
trade of eanienter. went to New Orleans and 
traveled up and down the Mississippi River 
working at his vocation. He was married in Gib- 
son County and soon after moved to Wabash 
Precinct. Wabash County, where he followed 
his occupation a few years, and then moved back 
to Gibson County. In 1847 he moved to Lick 
Prairie Precinct. Wabash County, and piirchased 
eighty acres of land. He followed his trade in 



connection with farming, and he and his sons 
cleared most of the farm, fifteen acres having 
already been cleared when he moved on it. He 
lived on this farm until 18(!8, then twught 143 
acres ad.loining, to which he moved and culti- 
vated until 1877, then traded for 121 acres east 
of his farm, where he lived the remainder of his 
life, and where he died in 1897. His first wife 
died about 1870 and he married (second) Mary 
(Carter) Greathouse, widow of Irvin Great- 
house, who had two children by her former mar- 
riage — William, of .\rkansas, and George W., of 
Edwards County, 111. By his first marriage Mr. 
Fisher bad children as follows: Da^id. on the 
old homestead in Lick Prairie Precinct; Peter 
M. : Alameda, Mrs. Marion Sloan, a widow, liv- 
ing in Tipton, Iowa ; John W.. of Jit. Carmel ; 
Rachel. .Mrs. Homer Morgan, of Sumner, III. ; 
Susan. Mrs. James Tuel. died in Lick Prairie 
Precinct; William, of Arkansas; Cieorge W., of 
Edwards County, III. By his second marriage 
.Mr. Fisher had children as follows: Robert 
Bonner, died at the age of twenty-five years; 
Charles C, of St. Loui.s. Mo. ; Frederick, resides 
with Peter .M. ; Emma V., .Mrs. George Ulm, 
who resides with her half-brother, David. 

Peter N. Fisher attended the Ridge District 
School, remaining with his parents until he en- 
listed, October 9, 1861, in Company I, Sixty-sixth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, later part "of the 
Western Sharpshooters in the Fourteenth Mis- 
souri \"oIunteer Infantry, their first commander 
being Col. Burge. Mr. Fisher was with the regi- 
ment until .May 1. 186.3. when he went to La- 
Grange, Tenn.. later to Fort Pickering. .Memphis, 
and entered the Veteran Reserve Corps, doing 
guard duty at St. Louis. Mo., after si^nding six 
months in the invalid camp on account of rheu- 
matism. He assisted in guarding new recruits 
and drafted men. and in conducting them to the 
places assigned them, going from Benton Bar- 
racks to points along the Mississippi River. He 
was discharged at the end of his term of service, 
October 18. 18(54. and returned home. He had 
proved a faithful soldier and had performed his 
full duty at all times. 

-Vfter the close of his service Mt. Fisher re- 
mained with his father until his marriage. In 
September, 186.5, to Mary E. (Hill) Bratton. 
born in Lick Prairie Precinct, a daughter of 
Thomas and Phebe (Stewart) Hill, of Indiana, 
and widow of .Marshall Bratton. who died In the 
I'nion Ann.v. She had two children by her 
former marriage — Sarah E.. Mrs. George Mc- 
Gregor, who died in 1902. and Oliver Howard, 
who died in 18,85. After his marriage Mr. Fisher 
rnn-chased 121 acres of land adjoining his 
father's farm, and in 1877 traded witli his father 
and moved to the old home farm, where he now 
lives. There was only about fifteen acres of this 
land cleared at that time, and he has since 
cleared the remainder except alwiut four acres 
left in timber, so that he now has some ninety- 
seven acres under cultivation. His land is very 
fertile and. besides a general line of farming, he 



714 



WABASH COUNTY 



is successful in raising a good grade of liorses. 
tiogs and cattle. 

Mr. Fisher is a consistent member of tlie Chris- 
tian Churcli and is active in ehurcli worls. He 
lias been a Deacon and Treasurer since ISnO and 
a Trustee since 18ft5. He is a prominent mem- 
ber of the G. A. R. and stands well among his 
coun-ades in the post. He is well known and 
highly esteemed in the immunity where he 
lives." In politics he is a Republican. Cliildreu 
as follows were boni to Mr. Fisher and his wife : 
Elsie J., Mrs. Clark Mayne. of Bone Gap, 111.; 
Emma, Mrs. John Marville, of Danville, 111., and 
Harry U., born in 1875 died in 1885. 

FISHER, Rhinehult, who is extensively en- 
gaged in stock farming in Bellmont Precinct, 
Wabash County, 111., is a native of that precinct, 
born May 20, 1851, a sou of Johu and Anna 
Marie (Groff) Fisher, both natives of Germany 
—he born in 1814 and she December 10, 1821. 
John Fisher (whose name is spelled Fischei- in 
preceding sketch of Philip R., brother of the sub- 
ject of this sketch ) and his wife were early set- 
tlers of Wabash County and lived sometime near 
Mt. Carmel. He spent one year in Mississippi be- 
fore his marriage, and upon his return entered a 
tract of laud in the northern part of Bellmont 
Precinct, part prairie and part timber. He kept 
adding to this tract until he owned about 1,000 
acres. He spent the last three years of his life 
with his son Rhinehult, and died November 6, 
1902. His wife died February 18, 188?.. Their 
children were: John F., of Dexter, Mo., born 
December 25, 184(1; Rhinehult; Philip R.. born 
October 18. 18.5(i, whose sketch appears in this 
work; George L., bom October 10, 1859; Eliza- 
beth, bom August 2, 1862, married George Sterl, 
who now lives in Mt. Carmel Precinct; MaiT. 
born December 11, 1853, widow of John Howard, 
resides in West Salem, 111. : Rosa, bom July l(i, 
1,sfi5. married William Ewald, of Mt. Carmel; 
Emma born December 5, 1871, died September 
10, 1873. 

Rhinehult Fisher attended the public schools 
until he was twelve years old. and remained at 
home witli his i)arents until his marriage. Ajn-il 
4. 1870, to Katherine Kramer, tom January 11. 
1858, a daughter of Henry and Anna M. (Shafer) 
Kramer. Her father born in Bavaria, and her 
mother in Baden, Ciermany. Henry Kramer 
was a .soldier in Germany and emigrated to Buf- 
falo, N. Y., where he worked some time at his 
trade of cooper. From Buffalo he mo\'ed to 
Evansville, Ind. ; and later located at Mt. Car- 
mel, 111., where he worked some years, then pur- 
chased a farm near Maud, in Bellmont Precinct. 
After occupying this farm several years, he sold 
out and purchased another farm in ;Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, where he died Febrnry 27. IS.SO. his 
wife having passed away Februaiy 22. 1873. 
Their children were : Henry, died in infancy, at 
Buffalo ; Henry (II i died at the age of five years ; 
Catherine, Mrs. Fisher ; George, of Compton 
Precinct, and Henry (III), of Denver, Colo. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Fisher moved to a 



farm of 100 acres which his father gave him, 
this land being partially improved. He con- 
tinued clearing and developing the land, bring- 
ing it into first-class condition. He also iiur- 
ehased eighty acres at Bellmont. half of it within 
the corporation limits and half just outside. He 
also purchased a farm of 140 acres in Lick 
Prairie Prec'inct, which he rents. He has 
always carried on a general line of farming, 
with special attention to stock-raising. He and 
his wife became parents of children as follows: 
John R., lx)rn JIarch 7. 1877, of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct ; William H., born November 9. 1878, died 
December 19, 1878; May Elmira, born Septem- 
ber 11, 1882, died May 12. 1887; Laura E.. born 
July 5. 1885 at home ; Roy D. born August 1, 
1888. at home; Adam R., born July 22, 1890, 
died January 5, 1891 ; Anna ilarie, born Septem- 
ber 29 189.5. died March 5, 1890; Esther, bom 
June 21, 1897, at home. Mr. Fisher is an ener- 
getic farmer, winning success through hard work 
and giM>d management, and he has won the con- 
fidence of his fellow citizens as an upright, hon- 
orable man. In politics he is a Republican. He 
and his wife attend the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and take a prominent share in its good 
work. Mrs. Fisher, like her husband, had few- 
early advantages, being able to attend school 
only until she was twelve years old. Both take 
a lively interest in the public welfare and prog- 
ress, and are ready to further any good cause of 
which they become cognizant. 

FOGERTY, Charles J., a veteran of the Civil 
War and a highly esteemed citizen of Mt. Car- 
mel, 111., although a native of England, has been 
a resident of the United States since he was 
about six years of age, and has proven himself a 
patriotic and useful citizen of his adopted coun- 
try. Mr. Forgerty was born in Shetlield. Eng- 
land, Februaiy 0, 1843. a son of William and 
Harriet (Porter) Fogerty. who came to the 
United States in 1849. settling in Covington. Ky. 
William Fogerty was a surveyor and civil en- 
gineer and laid out the first division of the Ken- 
tucky Central Railroad. In 1S52 he and his 
wife, with six of their children, died of cliolera, 
and their remaining three children, including 
Charles J., were taken by friends to rear. 
Charles grew up with George H. Bussing, who 
was a banker at Cincinnati. Ohio, where the hoy 
attended the common schools and received a fair 
education. 

In July, 1801, Charles J. Fogerty enlisted in 
Company C. Nineteenth Illinois Volunteer Infant- 
r.v. which was made up at Chicago. They were 
first assigned to service in Missouri, and soon 
after to Cincinnati. In the fall of 1.801 thev 
were sent to Louisville, Ky., where they entered 
the .\rniy of the Cumberland. Mr. Fogerty jiar- 
ticipated in engagements in Kentucky. Tennes- 
see. .\labama and Georgia, several of them lead- 
ing battles in which the Eastern Army took jiart. 
He receive*! his discharge Julv 9. 18(>4. having 
served with credit to himself and shown a 
close devotion to his duties. 



WABASH COUNTY 



715 



Returning to Indianapolis at the close of his 
service in the aiui.\-, Mr. Fogerty entered the em- 
ploy of the J. M. & I. Kailroad as clerk, remain- 
ing iu that position until 1SI57. then went to New 
Orleans and took a position as night insiieetor in 
that city. Later he lield the position of United 
States Marshal at the same place, where 
he s!>ent seven years. Returning to Indian- 
apolis, Mr, Fogerty accepted a position as con- 
ductor for the Big Four Railroad, remaining in 
that capacity from IST.j until 1S8S, when he came 
to Mt. Carmel. In the latter city he became 
freight and extra passenger conductor for the 
same roa'd. liut*in IS!)!), on account of failing 
health, resigned his jMsition and has since been 
retired. He soon made his influence felt in the 
city and has rendered valuable service in the in- 
terests of the Republican party. He is now 
sen-ing as a member of the City Committee of 
the party and Committeeman of the First Ward 
of the city. He takes an active Interest in the 
progress and welTare of the community and sup- 
ports any worthy cause. He is prominent in G, 
A, R. circles, belonging to T. F. Bowers Post. 
No. 12.1. has many warm friends in Mt. Carmel 
and is highly esteemed for his many good qual- 
ities. 

Mr. Fogerty married. May T. ISGi). Melissa M. 
Mounts, of Dupont, Ind.. and they became par- 
ents of one son. Harry, who died in 1S.S0. Mrs. 
Fogerty died JanuaiT 11. 1.87.5. and Mr. Fogerty 
married (second) December 1. ISTfi. Henrietta 
Kuhlmann. who was born in Indianajwlis. Ind.. 
and they have one daughter, Eva, who married 
Clareni-e F. Stein, of Mt. Carmel. 

FORDYCE, Oliver P.— Horticulture is every 
year receiving more scientific attention and the 
success which followers of this line of work are 
attainii'g comes only through careful study of the 
subject in hand and strict attention to details. 
Oliver P. Fordyce. who conducts large green- 
houses at Mt. carmel. 111., is a .voung man of 
business ability and good judgment, and has won 
success throngli his long experi"nce in this occu- 
pation and a natural ai>titude for the same. Mr. 
Fordyce was born in Clark County. Ind., August 
Ifi. 1870. a snn of William and Eliza (Mann) 
Ford.vce. both natives of Indiana. His paternal 
grandparents. .Tarius and .ludith ( MeKinlev ) 
Fordyce, were natives of A'irginia, and were pio- 
neers of Indiana, who secured land from the 
Government His gra)idparents, on both sides, 
came to Indiana about 1830 and secured govern- 
ment land, 

William Fordyce was man-ied in Indiana and 
became owner of a farm in Clark County. He 
died December 2fl. 1008, and his widow has since 
moved to the Village of Borden, Ind,, where she 
lives with her daughter, Dena. She and her hus- 
band had children as follows: Dennis Link, of 
Princeton, Ind. : Dena. Mrs. G. M. McKinley. of 
Borden : Samuel J., of Borden : Addle .T.. Mrs. 
Zachnriah Nicholson, of Borden; Oliver P.; 
Amanda. Mrs. .lesse Wade, of Borden. 

After receiving a common school education. 



Oliver P. Furdyce attended Borden Institute. He 
has been engaged in his present line of work 
since he was fifteen years old, starting out near 
Borden, Ind., where he remained three years, 
then moved to Vincennes. where for two years he 
was superintendent of a nurseiy. He then went 
to Niles, Cal„ where he spent two years in horti- 
cultural work, and then returned to Illinois and 
took charge of a nurseiy at Normal a year and a 
half. Mr. Fordyce then became assistant super- 
intendent of a large nursery at Shenandoah, 
Iowa, with D. S. Lake. A year later he was 
called home on account of sickness in the family, 
and a short time later returned to Vincennes, 
where he found employment for two years as 
suiierintendent of another luirsery. On account 
of ix)or health he spent two years in Wyoming, 
then erected a greenhouse at Borden and en- 
gaged rather extensively in the line of horticul- 
ture. Several years later he sold out his inter- 
ests and worked one year in Chicago for George 
Rheinlnirg. who had a large greenhouse. How- 
ever, he i>referred conducting his own Inisiness 
and liought an interest in a nursei-y at Warrick. 
Ind.. where he spent three years, then sold out 
and started a similar enterprise at Mt. Carmel. 
He has ni.-iny rare and Iieautit'ul varieties of cut 
flowers, and has had such varied experience In so 
many parts of the countiT. that he is well in- 
formed as to the best manner of conducting his 
business. His greenhouses cover 12.000 square 
feet, and he handles a general line of plants, cut 
flowers, vegetables, nursery stock, such as orna- 
mental and fruit trees, shrub.s, etc. He has built 
u]! a good business in his line and has one of the 
finest establishments of its kind in Wabash 
county. He enjoys the i-espect and confidence of 
his customers and all who know him, and his 
future outlook for business is extremely good. 

In April. 1800. Mr. Fordyce married Cora V. 
Wade, who was bom in Floyd County. Ind.. a 
daughter of Henry and Mai-y CBurkharti Wade, 
both bom in the same county. One daughter 
has been bom of this union. Alma H,, bom 
December 20, 1000. Mr. Fordyce is a meiuber of 
the Christian Church, in which he served as 
Clerk eight vears. Politically he is a Republican. 

Since .\T'riI 1. 1000. Mr. Fordyce hns been asso- 
ciated with William H. Wetzel, who was taken 
into eriual partnership with him on that date, 
and the firm is known as Fordyce & Co, 

FOSTER, M, J,— Many men are able to win 
success in different lines of business, and such a 
man is M, J, Foster, who now lives at Mt, Car- 
mel, 111. Mr. Foster was born in Cambridge, 
England. October 17. 1S."0. a son of James and 
Maiy .lane (Patterson) Foster, the former a na- 
tive of Wittelsford and the latter of Duxford. 
The parents came to the T'nited States in 1.S.5S 
and settled in the northern part of Wabash 
County. He bought a farm in that vicinity and 
cultivated it six years, when he went to England 
on a visit, but upon his return engaged In gen- 
eral mercantile business at Friendsville, where 
he died in May. 187.'^. He had been a dmggist 



716 



WABASH COUNTY 



in his native country. His widow married (sec- 
ond) a Mr. Beaird. and lived at Claremont. 111., 
but while she was visiting a daughter at Olney, 
111., her death ocemred. August 5, 1S96. She 
and Mr. Foster had two ohildren : M. .1. aud Ellen 
Mafj-. the latter of whom married John Beaird, 
her step-brother. 

When he was seventeen years of age M. J. Fos- 
ter began earning his own living, having received 
his education in the common schools. He was 
engaged in various occupations until 1871, when 
he embarked in the retail grocerj- business, which 
he continued until his father's death, then .sold 
out his own business, which was situated at 
Allendale, and returned to Friendsville to take 
up the business left by his father. He carried 
on this establishment for ten years, when he sold 
out and accepted a iX)sition as traveling sales- 
man for shoes. His territory comprised Southern 
Illinois, and for tT\'enty-seven years he covered it 
successfully without losing a single day's salary 
from sickness or other causes. However, in 
October, 1909, he found it necessary to abandon 
business temporarily, on account of the critical 
condition of his wife's health. 

Mr. Foster was married, in September. 1873, 
to Lizzie Thorn, who was born in Bridgeport, 
Lawrence County, 111., a daughter of Samuel and 
Eliza Ann (Collins) Tliorn both natives of Indi- 
ana, the former of Vanderburg County and the 
latter of Vincennes. Two children have been born 
of this union : Edgar, of Mt. Carniel, who is tak- 
ing his father's place in business; and .loseph 
Kyle, of Flathead County, Mont. 

For many years Mr. Foster has been a member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for a 
long time had charge of the music for its meet- 
ings. Fraternally he is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and of the Masonic Order, being affili- 
ated with the Knights Templar of Vincennes, 
Ind. In politics he is a Republican and actively' 
interested in any subject that pertains to the 
public welfare. He keeiis well informed on all 
current topics and issues of the day, and is able 
to state his opinions on various subjects In a 
concise and convincing manner. He is well 
known in Wabash County-, having many friends 
there, as well as throughout the entire territory 
where he has traveled so many years. His busi- 
ness associations have been invariably pleasant 
and profitalile, 

FRENCH, Bascom, Jr., an enterprising busi- 
ness man of Bellmont. and formerly a teacher 
of ability and success, was lx>rn in Lukin Town- 
ship, Lawrence County, 111., November 2.5. 187l>, 
a son of Bascom and Margaret (Vanderment) 
French, the former a native of Lukin Township 
and the latter of Brown County, Ohio. Tlie 
father is a son of James and Mar.v French, and 
the mother a daughter of George Vandemient, 
who was a minister in the Christian Church. 
Bascom and Margaret French became parents of 
children as follows : ,\ddie, Mrs. S. .\. Landis. of 
Jit, Carme!, 111. ; Charles A„ of Bellmont, 111. ; 
Mary, Mrs. G. C. Higgins, of Independence, 



Kan, ; Ibba, Mrs, James Landis, whose husband 
is a minister in the Methodist Eijiseopal Church ; 
Bascom, Jr. ; Ella, married Dr. W. B. Moon, of 
Independence, Kan. ; l^ed, in partnership witli 
his brother, Bascom. 

After taking a common school course, Bascom 
French, Jr.. attended the State Xormal at Car- 
l>ondale. 111., the EtJingham College, and the 
Southern Illinois College, of Albion, 111. He 
lived with his parents until his marriage, Febru- 
ai-y 14, 1890, to Minnie .May Groff, bom in Bell- 
mont Precinct, Wabash County, a daughter of B. 
F. and Hattie (Ingram) Groff, of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. After his marriage Mr. French taught in 
the public schools of Bellmont six years, then 
went to Champaign County, 111., but soon re- 
turned to Bellmont. In 1900 he and his brother 
embarked in tie grain business at Bellmont, 
then Bascom taught one year, after which he 
formed a partnership with his father in the same 
business and two years later left to teach in 
Ctiampaign County. On June 14, 1909, entered 
into partnership with his father and brother in 
the grain, elevator and milling business. Tlieir 
elevator has a capacity of about 10.000 bushels 
and they grind about fifty barrels of flour per 
day. Besides dealing in all kinds of grain, they 
also deal in horses, cattle and hogs, and do an ex- 
tensive business in shipping stock. All three are 
hustling, energetic business men, and pay careful 
attention to every detail of the enterprise in 
which they have firmly established themselves. 
Their dealings with their business patrons and 
associates have been distinguished by honesty 
and integrity, and they have won a good repu- 
tation. 

Mr. French is a member of the Christian 
Church, in which he has been an Elder since 
190.3. He is a Republican in jwlitics and be- 
longs to the Modern Woodmen of .\merica of 
Bellmont. One daughter has blessed their mar- 
riage: Fern Vivian, born May 11, 1898. Mr. 
French and wife are prominent in social circles 
and have a multitude of friends. 

FRENCH, Howard Preston.— A successful law- 
yer and banker should be a man of high educa- 
tion and a high order of intelligence, who is able 
to see all sides of any financial question that ma.v 
arise in the routine of business and the intri- 
cacies of his profession. He should be a man 
of good judgment and always ready to follow 
[xilicies he has laid down for others in the con- 
duct of affairs, understanding every detail of 
each operation in the line of his work. 

Howard Preston French has been a resident 
of Mt. Carmel since 1905 and has formed a wide 
acquaintance and a host of friends. Mr. French 
was bom in Lawrence County. 111.. SeT>tember 8, 
1879. son of P. O. and .Mar>- .Malinda (Ruark) 
French, both natives of Lawrence Count.v. His 
paternal grandparents. Xewton and Sarah A. 
French, bom in Pennsylvania and Ohio, i-espeet- 
ively, came to Wabash County after their mar- 
riage in IfViO. and a few years later moved to 
I^awrence County. Newton French was a cooper 




Qa^^ 



'aiU.n^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



717 



in Mt. Cariiiel. but when he moved to Lawrence 
County bousht a farm, where he spent the re- 
mainder of liis life, and where his widow still 
lives. The parents of Mar.v Malinda French 
came to Lawrence Count.v. 111., among the early 
settlers, niovins there from Virsinia. about 1S15. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ruark were of English descent and 
died on their farm in Lawrence County. 

P. O. French was married in Lawrence County 
and now owns a farm there near the oil wells. 
His wife died February 2. l.Sn2. They had four 
cfhildTen, namely : Dr. A. D.. of Orio. 111.; How- 
ard P. ; E. B.. a school-teacher at Bridgeport. 
111. : and Grace, living at home with her father. 

After receivin.a a common school education, 
Howard P. French entered college at Danville. 
Ind.. and later the Northwestern University at 
Evanston. III., graduating from the law depart- 
ment of the latter in 100.5. In September of the 
same year he came to Mt. Carmel and began the 
practice of his profession, in which he has met 
with gratifying success, and now enjoys an ex- 
tensive and lucrative patrona.ge. In 1007 he be- 
came afTdiated with the Mt. Carmel Banking & 
Trust Company, of which he is Assistant Cashier. 
Director and attorne.v. being thus engaged in the 
active management of the institution. He is 
capable and aggressive, has a good standing In 
the community, is well-liked and popular, and 
promises to be a factor in the future of Wabash 
County. 

.\ugust 7. 1007. Mr. French married Martha 
Binford. who was born at Greenfield. Ind.. a 
daughter of Robert Barclay and Deborah (But- 
ler) Binford. both of whom are living and mem- 
bers of leading pioneer Quaker families of that 
State. Mr. French and his wife have no chil- 
dren. He is Exalted Ruler of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks, of Mt. Carmel. and in 
politcal views is a Democrat. He and his wife 
belong to the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Car- 
mel. 

FRIDRICH, Nicholas (deceased).— Tn the death 
of the late Xiclinlas Fridrich. who passed away 
February 20. lOO.s. Mt. Carmel. 111., lost one of 
Its best and most influential citizens. Mr. Frid- 
Tidi was interested in every movement for the 
pulilic welfare, and was known and respected by 
tlie entire population of the cit:^-. He was a 
friend of the po<ir. alw.iys kind and charitable to 
all. and was familinrl.v known among his inti- 
mates as "Uncle Xick." Mr. Piidrich was a na- 
tive of the citT. Irorn October 10. 18?.0. son of 
George and Mary (Wirth) Fridrich. of West- 
heim. Bavaria. Germanv. The parents were 
fanners and came to Wabash Countv in ISn.S. 
In his youtli Nicholas Fridrich learned the Irade 
of carpenter and worked .'it this trade for many 
years. Iiecoming a large contractor. He received 
his education In the common schools of Mt. Car- 
mel and was reared in the Catholic faith, .\bout 
1800 he and his brother-in-law. Charles Graves, 
purchased a furniture store on Market Street, in 
a central location of Mt. C'lrmel. They con- 
tinued successfullv together for about eleven 



.years and then Mr. Graves moved to Evansville. 
Ind.. after which Mr. Fridrich moved the busi- 
ness to a building of his own on Market Street. 
Mr. Eichhorn purchased the interest of Mr. 
Graves and two years later the business was sold 
to Courier F.rothei-s. After disposing of his busi- 
ness, ilr. Fridrich lived retired until his death. 
Besides other buildings, he owned several resi- 
dences in the cit.v. 

Mr. Fridrich served with credit in the Union 
army, enlisting in Company C. Twentieth Regi- 
ment Volunteer Infantry, and would have been 
with Sherman when he marched to the sea. but 
for the unfortunate mistake of becoming de- 
tached from his company and unable to rejoin 
them until they reached Raleigh. N. C. He was 
with them at the Fall of Richmond, under Gen- 
eral Sherman. Politically Mr. Fridrich was a 
Democrat, and took an active interest in every 
measure for the public good. For many years 
he served as Lay Tiiistee of St. Mary's Catholic 
Church, of Mt. Carmel. in wdiich he was a promi- 
nent and influential member. He was the soul 
of honor and never willingly wronged anyone. 
His man.v friends gave him their most loyal affec- 
tion and esteem. At his death he left a vacancy 
which will never be filled, not only in his home, 
but in other circles as well. He was buried in 
the Catholic Cemetery at Mt. Carmel. 

April 17. ISO.S. Mr. Fridrich married ffirst) 
Rachel Gard. a native of Mt. Carmel. who had 
one daughter that died in infancy, and Mrs. 
Fridrich died soon after. Mr. Fridrich married 
(second). January 12. 1800. Margaret Peters, 
who was torn at Sit. Carmel. February- 17. 1847, 
daughter of Michael and Margaret (Wirth) 
Peters, natives of Bavaria. Germany, who came 
to Mt. Carmel in an early day and settled on a 
farm. The children of this union were: Mrs. 
Elizabeth Kariho. of Mt. Carmel : Mrs. Helen 
Kolb. also of Mt. Carmel; Miss Ida. at home; 
Martin, of Mt. Carmel. The widow still resides 
in the old home in Mt. Carmel. 

GARD, Green, an honored veteran of the Civil 
War. and representative of one of the most 
prominent families in Wabash County. 111., since 
1814. was born in Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash 
Ooinity. October ?.!. \SP,S. a son of Benjamin P. 
and Mary (Bratton) Gard. Tlie father was 
Imrn near Cincinnati. Ohio, a .son of Benjamin 
Franklin Gard. for whom Gard's Point was 
named, and one of the earliest .settlers of Lick 
Prairie Precinct, where he secured land from the 
Government and remained on it the remainder of 
his life. Mary Bratton's father was a soldier In 
the War of 1812 and died in Tennessee, where 
she was born. His widow came to Wabash 
County and was again married there. 

Benjamin .uid Mary Gard settled on Bald Hill 
Prairie after their marriage and a few years 
later removed to the Bonpas Creek Bottom. He 
bought and improved a tract of land and con- 
tributed a site for a school Iniilding. His first 
farm containetl a whole section of land and he 
became the owner of many hundred acres, most 



718 



WABASH COUNTY 



of which was in Lielc Prairie Precinct. He was 
a Whig and took an active part in political 
affairs. He was bom April 3, 180.">. and died in 
August. ISiiO. and his wife, born July 16. ISCMj, 
died about 18.51. His children were: Jerusha, 
Susan. Mary, Harriet and Charlotte, deceased : 
Washington, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; Wasson, 
deceased; Ben.iamin. of Indiana; Green; Frank- 
lin. Marion and Rachel, deceased; Effie. Mrs. 
Alliin Rirkett. of Oklalioma ; Caleb, deceased. 
The two la.st-naniefl were children by his second 
wife, who was a Mis.s Kitchen. 

The youth of Oreen Gard was spent on his 
father's farm, and he received the usual educa- 
tion accorded a farmer's son in those times in the 
district schools. At the age of nineteen .vears he 
began working for his brother. Washington, 
learning the trade of wagon-making. In lSof» 
he liegan the erection of a house on a farm of 
IGO acres in Section P,C>. Lick Prairie Precinct, 
which his father had given him. Two-thirds of 
this land was prairie land and he cleared the 
remainder, putting it all under cultivation. At 
the time lie liegan building the brush was so thick 
he could hardly get through it. but he brought 
the land to a high state of cultivation. He and 
his brother. Benjamin, bought a part of the home 
place on the Bonpas Creek Bottom, which was 
still covered witli timber. Green Gard secured 
.sixty-three and one-half acres of this, but has 
given land to his son until he now owns but 
thirty-two acres, liesides 100 acres of the home 
place, having sold sixty acres in l.SOi). 

October 18. ISfil. Mr. Gafd enlisted in Com- 
pany I. Sixty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
called the "Western Sharpshooters.'' which be- 
came part of the Fourteenth Missouri Volunteer 
Infantry, in which he served for one year, when 
it was transferred to the Sixty-sixth Illinois. 
He remained with the regiment as long as it was 
in service, except six months when he was on de- 
tached sen'ice. tniilding railroads in Georgia. 
Mr. Gard received his discharge October IS. 1SR4. 
when he returned home, and has been em- 
ployed in the management of his farm continu- 
ously ever since, except during a period in 1881- 
82. spent in wagon-making business in Edwards 
County. III. 

JiT. Gard married. .January 14. 1.800. Electa 
Kitchen, who was born at Kitchen Bridce. Ed- 
wards CouTity. Fobruai-y 0. 1844. a daughter of 
Leallyn and Elizabeth (Wellsl Kitchen, of Indi- 
ana. Her father died when she was quite small 
and her mother died aiiout 1902. Mr. Kitchen 
and his wife had children as follows: Martha A.. 
who maiTied Martin V. Hon. but is deceased; 
Mrs. Gard; Mary C. married Dr. Thomas AIc- 
Clain. of Roswell. X. M. ; .John E.. of Bone Gap. 
Edwards County; William W.. died in infancy. 
The children born to Mr. Gard and wife were: 
Addie. liorn March 12. 1801, and died November 
24. 18S4: Maud, linrn October 20. 180.5. widow of 
Peter .\ndrews. and resides at Cowling. 111.; Ed- 
ward, died in infancy; Earl, born April 1. 1872. 
lives in Lick Prairie Precinct ; Leonard, boni 
January 5. 1878. lives at Bone Gap; Vernon. 



born June 28. 1,881. lives in Mt. Carmel Precinct ; 
Paul, born October 1. 1,886, at home. Mr. Gard 
is a Republican in politics and takes an active in- 
terest in the public welfare. He is an intelligent 
and progressive farmer and has Ijeen very suc- 
cessful in his enteri>rises. He has a large num- 
ber of friends in the county and is considered a 
representative, useful citizen. He is a member 
of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

GARD, Washington. — Xo family is more closely 
identitied with the early histor.v of Wabash 
C(mnty. tlian the Gard family, which has been 
represented there since 1814. and which fur- 
nished one of the meml)ers of the Constitutional 
Convention of bSlS, and of the last Territoiial 
Legislature before Illinois be<-ame a State. 
Wasliingtnn (Jard, now living retired from active 
life in Lick Prairie Precinct. Waliash Cnunty, 
was born in that precinct. Dei-enilier 20. l,s:^,.3. a 
son of P.en.ianun F. and Mary ( Bratton ) Gard. 
Benjamin F. Gard was Iiorn in Ohio, the son of 
Seth and Mary (Brown) Gard. natives of Ohio, 
and Mary Bratton. daughter of a soldier of the 
War of 1812, was born in Tenne.ssee. Grand- 
father Bratton was bom in Tennessee and died 
in his native State, after which his widow came 
to Walia.'ih County and maiTied a Mr. Wood. 

Seth Gard located in old Palmyra. Wal)ash 
County, and helped lay out the streets of that 
towni. He was one of the first Judges of the 
county and served in the Territorial Legislature 
in 1810-17. when it met at Kaskaskia. He finally 
settled on land which he secured from the Gov- 
ernment at Gard's Point, which was named after 
him. and died on this farm in 184.5. His widow 
died aI>out 1856. 

.\fter his marriage Benjamin F. Gard settled 
on a farm near Cabbage Corner in Lick Prairie 
Precinct, but soon soid out there and bought 
land in the western part of the precinct. At one 
time he owned 1.000 acres of land, mo.st nf which 
he entered from the Government. He died 
August 17. 1,800. and his wife died in February, 
18.5.5. Their children were: Seth. died in child- 
hood; Mary. Mrs. .John White, died at the age of 
thirt.v-five years; Harriet. Mrs. John Groff. died 
in 1906. in Wabash County; Charlotta. Mrs. 
Lewis White, died at Bone Gap, III., in lOOO; 
Washington ; Wasson. was killed in 1804 in the 
Civil War: Benjamin, of Pose.v County. Ind. ; 
Green, of Lick Prairie Precinct: Franklin, died 
young; Rachel. Mrs, Nicholas Frederick, died 
several years ago. in Mt. Carmel Precinct; 
Marion, died young. Mr. Gard married (second) 
a Miss Kitchen, by whom he had two children. 
Effie. Jlrs. Birkett. of Oklahoma, and Caleb, who 
died many jears ago. 

Washington Gard received his education in 
the district school of his neighborhood and re- 
mained with his parents until his marriage, 
November 12. 18.54. to Ellen Gardner, who was 
born in Luzerne County. Pa., daughter of Henry 
and Sarah (Cole) Gardner, of Luzerne County. 
After his marriage Mr. Gard moved to a farm of 
100 acres which his father gave him. erected a 



WABASH COUNTY 



719 



house and other buildings, and lived there until 
1880, when he sold out to J. Fred Groff, and went 
to Pope County. III., and purchased Itti acres of 
improved land, which he traded nine .rears later 
for a farm in Lincoln County. Kan. After living 
there five years, he sold out and returning to 
Lick Prairie Precinct. Iwught a small farm there. 
on which he has since resided. He has retired 
from active life and is enjoying the rest he has 
so well earned. In itolitics he is a Reiniblican 
and has served as School Director and Road 
Supen-isor. While living in Kansas he was a 
member of the P. of H. 

Mr. Gard is well known in the community 
where he lives as a puhlic-si>irited citizen, and 
is a worth.v representative of the name lie bears 
and of the family that has done so mucli to ad- 
vance the interests of Wabasli County. He and 
his wife became parents of children as follows : 
Alice and Alonzo. died in infancy : Frank : Glen- 
bum, of the State of Washington ; Nora, widow 
of James H. Stallons. conducts a general store at 
Gard's Point : George O.. of Saline County. Kan. ; 
and Rudolph, of Kansas City. 

GAY, Jesse 0., for many years a prominent 
educator in the public schools of Wabash 
County. 111., is a native of Wabash County, bom 
in Bellmont. October 3, 1873. a son of Adam P. 
and Mary E. (Wheeler) Gay, lx)th twrn in War- 
rick County. Ind. Adam P. Gay is a son of Adam 
and Elizabeth Ga.v. born in Penns.vlvania. of 
Holland parentage, and Mrs. Gay was a daugh- 
ter of .To-;hua and Ann Wheeler, natives of Ten- 
nessee. Adam and >rary Gay were married in 
Xewburg County. Ind.. and the.v conducted a 
saw-mill in the southwestern part of Indiana. 
Mr. Gay enlisted, at Evansville. Ind.. in .July. 
1861. in Company H. Twenty-fifth Indiana Vol- 
unteer Infantrv. became ill with the mumps at 
the time of the Battle at Fort Henrj- and was 
discharged at Cairo, in February. 180)2. on ac- 
count of disability, returning to Indiana. 

He was married in 18?iT. when but twenty 
years of age. and engaged in the saw-mill busi- 
ness which he continuefl until ISTO in Indiana, 
then engaged in a similar enterprise in Bellmont. 
In 1880 his mill engine blew up. and he discon- 
tinued his business, becoming a section foreman 
on what is now the Southern Railroad. After 
working three years for the railroad cnmpan.v. 
Mr. Gay engaged in farming and followed this 
occupation until 1803. Since 1004 he has been 
residing with his son .Jesse O.. in Bellmont. and 
his daughter. Corsi. in South Omaha. Mrs. Ga.v 
died April IS. 1.808. Their children were: Marj- 
J. and Frank, both of whom died at the age of 
two years ; Ella, died at the age of twenty years : 
William, died at the age of eighteen; .Jesse and 
Cora. Mrs. Francis L. Woods, of South Omaha. 

At the age of nineteen .vears Jes.se O. Gay be- 
gan teaching in the public schools of Wabash 
County, artd has since continued in this profes- 
sion with gratifying success, having tatight more 
years consecutivel.v than almost any other mem- 
ber of the profession in the county. He received 



his education in the public schools of Bellmont 
and in the State Normal School at Carbondale, 
111. He has won a reputation for ability in his 
profession and stands well among the educators 
of the region. He was President of Wabash 
Coiuitj- Teachers" Association in 1008-00. 

In politics Mr. Gay is a Republican and has 
served as Clerk of the Village of Bellmont. also 
acted four years as a Trustee of the Village 
Board, and since 1003 has been Police Magis- 
trate. Fraternally he belongs to the Mystic 
Workers of the World, in which he has been 
Prefect since 100.". He is a member of the I. O. 
O. F. No. 720. of Bellmont. and has been Captain 
of the Degree Team : is President of tlie Council 
of the M. P. L.. and belongs to the V. S. Endow- 
ment of Chicago. In the fall of 1004 Mr. Gay 
served as Delegate to thq Republican State Con- 
vention, being President of the Waliash County 
Delegation. In 1008 he served as Delegate to 
the SuiH-eme Session of the Mystic Workers at 
St. Paul, and in 1010 served in a similar capacity 
at their session at Elgin. 111., beginning .Tune 7. 
Besides his other interests and duties Mr. Gay 
is a writing agent for the Hartford Fire Insur- 
ance Compan.v. He is an enterprising and repre- 
sentative citizen and identified himself with 
every cause for the advancement of the public 
welfare. He and his wife belong to no church 
but generally attend the Methodist E]iiscopal 
services and have a leaning toward that faith. 

November 4. 1807. Mr. Ga.v married Mary M. 
Weisenberger. who was liorn in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, .Vpril 1. 187.^. a daughter of George and 
Margaret ('Groff) Weisenberger. Mr. Weisen- 
berger was born in Timberville. Wabash County, 
and his wife in Mt. Carniel Precinct. Tlielr 
parents were George and Rachal C Black) Weis- 
enberger. and Jacob and Mary (Fearheiley) 
Groff. also of Germany, natives of Hesse-Cassel. 
.\fter his marriage Mr. Gay moved to a house he 
had erected and furnished in Bellmont, where 
he has since resided. November 20. 10O5. he was 
a]">poiPted Postmaster of Bellmont and his wife 
is .Vsistant Po.stmaster. Their children are: 
Hazel ;\Iargaret. born August 31. 1.808: Clarence 
Arrol. born Januarv 27. 1001. and Kenneth Mer- 
win. Octolier 2. 100.5. 

GILLIATT, Claud Edison, M. D., a prominent 
and successful young physician of Allendale. Wa- 
bash County. 111., was born in L'nionville. Ind., 
July 24. 1878. son of Dr. William B. and Amy 
-Vnn (Lomax) Gilliatt. both natives of Orange 
County. Ind, Their parents were Willinni and 
Nancy nvillard) Gilliatt. natives of West Vir- 
ginia, and Lentsford and Elvira CHunt) Lomax. 
Dr. William B. Gilliatt graduated from the Col- 
lege of Physicians and Surgeons of Cincinnati, 
Ohio, about 1872. and began practicing at Fi'ench 
Lick. Ind.. in partnei-ship with Dr. Bowles, who 
invented "Greek Fire." After spending a year 
with Dr. Bowles he moved to English. Crawford 
County. Ind.. and a year later moved to T'nion- 
ville. the same State, being one of the oldest 
physicians in Orange Comity. He and his wife 



720 



WABASH COUNTY 



had children as follows : Laura, who died at the 
age of four years ; Claud E. ; and Lulu Ann. of 
Greenfield, Ind. 

After sraduatiug from the public schools Dr. 
Claud E. Gilliatt attended the normal school at 
Mitchell. Ind.. and Blooniiniiton (Ind.) State 
Universit.v. at the latter institution taking a 
prepatory medical course. He taught one year 
(1804) in Orange County, Ind.. and later at- 
tended the Hospital College of Medicine, at 
Louisville. Ky. In 1S9.5 he took a post-graduate 
cour.se at Chicago Post-Graduate Medical School. 
In 1898 Dr. Gilliatt began practicing at Union- 
ville, Ind., and in .Tune. 1.899, located at Allen- 
dale, 111. He is a skillful ])hysician. enterprising 
and ambitious, and has the largest practice of 
any physician in the vicinity. 

Dr. Gilliatt was married. March 14. 1900. to 
Beulah Price, who was born at Allendale. 111., 
daughter of .7. W. and Sarah (McLain) Price. 
They have one son. James Price, who was born 
February 10. 1901. Dr. Gilliatt is well-known 
and statids well in the community, having been 
saiccessful from the start in building up his prac- 
tice. He is a member of the Christian Church 
and has been Deacon since 190S. He belongs to 
the JIasonic Lodge, the Indejiendent Order of Odd 
Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. 
of Allendale, and the Tribe of Ben Hur 
and Lodge of Royal Arch Masons at Mt. Carmel. 
In political views he is a Democrat. 

GLICK, James Samuel Marshall, a representa- 
tive farmer aud stock-raiser of Mt. Carmel 
Precinct. Wabash County. 111., is a native of 
the precinct, born on the farm he now occupies, 
November 8, 18.^8. He is a son of Louis and 
Mar>- (Dyer) Glick. the former born near Allen- 
town, Pa., .July 20. lSL':i. and the latter in Wa- 
bash County. 111.. Septemlier 12. 1.822. Louis 
Glick was a son of George and Rachel (Fisher) 
Glick. the former born March 30. 1800. and the 
later October 17. 1799. in Mauatawny Township. 
Berks County. Pa. They were married Septem- 
ber 1. 1.822. in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Glick was a 
daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Dyer, natives 
of Virginia. George Glick located in Wabash 
County in 1818. and returned to Pennsylvania 
to be married, then returned and entered land in 
Lancaster Precinct and later moved to Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct, where the remainder of his life 
was spent. 

Louis Glick and his wife were married in 1843 
and then lived several years with bis father, who 
owned 000 acres of land and became one of the 
county's most prominent men, George Glick 
served four years as member of the County 
Court, was an eaiTiest member of the Lutheran 
Church, and a member of the Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, which organization took charge 
of his runeral. Ixiuis Click died .July 10. 189.'i. 
and bis wife .Julv 7. 1898. They were parents 
of children as follows: George Andrew, of Mt. 
Carmel : Elizabeth R,, Mrs, Charles H. Goodge, 
of Bvansville, Ind.: William F.. of Aberdeen. 
Wash. : John E., of Mt. Carmel, 111. ; Mary, Mrs. 



Frank Wirth, of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; Louis J., 
of Oregon : James S. M. : and May. Mrs. Louis 
Howell, who died July 29. 1893. 

James S. M. (Jlick remained with his parents 
until his marriage, and as a twy attended the dis- 
trict school and helped carry on the home 
farm. He has always taken great interest in 
agricultural matters and has made a study of the 
best methods of farming in his locality. He mar- 
ried. October 28, 1880,'Florence B. Howell, born 
in Lick Prairie Precinct, daughter of Samuel 
and Rebecca Howell, both natives of Indiana. 
The children of this union were : Zelma, born 
Jaiiuai-j- 12, 1883, Mrs. Roscoe Harper, of 
Beardstown. 111.; Vitula. born July 25. 18^. 
Mrs. Reuben Jordan, of Keensburg: Enola, boru 
.Vugust 9 1880, Mrs. Benjamin Smith, of Evans- 
ville. Ind. : Ethel, born April 7, 1888. Mrs. 
• ilick died Octolier 14. 1888. aud Mr. Glick mar- 
ried (second). November 26. 1891. Edith Hin- 
derleiter, born in Lancaster Pi-ecinct, daughter 
of Daniel and Jane (Discher) Hinderleiter, the 
former a native of Wabash County and the lat- 
ter of Pennsylvania, The grandparents of Mrs. 
Glick were: Daniel and Lydia Discber, of Penn- 
sylvania, and Henry and Elizabeth (Fisher) 
Hinderleiter, of Berks County, Pa. By his sec- 
ond maiTiage Mr. Glick had children as follows: 
Edward F.. born October 0, 1893, died January 
•!, 1898: Samuel L.. born January 6. 1897; Archi- 
bald W.. born October 21, 1904. 

After his first marriage Mr. Glick lived one 
year on part of his father's farm later spent one 
year in the house with his parents, and then 
Imilt a hou.se for his family on a portion of the 
home farm, where he lived until his father's 
death, when he moved back to the home place 
and has since resided in the old home. His 
mother spent her last days with him and the 
profierty has been his since her death. He owns 
13.") acres, eighty-tn-o acres of which are the 
home farm. He raises a good many horses, hogs 
and cattle, and is very successful in his opera- 
tions. He has taken an active part in local 
political affairs and has held some minor offices. 
He ser\-ed twelve years as School Director, was 
re-elected to that office, which he still holds. He 
belongs to the Jlodem Woodmen of .\meriea and 
the Tribe of Ben Hur Lodge. Mt. Carmel. He is 
highly esteemed for his sterling worth and in- 
tegrity and well known in the community. 

GODDARD, Henry Thomas, a prominent and 
r>opnlar citizen of Mt. Carmel. Til., has been 
identified with the banking interests of that city 
since 1.890. and is at present holding the re- 
sponsible position of President of the First Na- 
tional Bank. Mr. Goddard is of Scotch-Irish an- 
cesti-y. his forebears having emigrated from Scot- 
land to Cork. Ireland, and thence to America. 
His grandfather. James Goddard. a native of 
Virginia, served in a Virginia regiment in the 
War of 1812. and aftem-ard moved with his 
family to Williamson County. Til. His wife. 
>rrs. Mariah (Davis-McHaney) Goddard. was 
a second cousin of Jefferson I>avi.s, President of 




^.^^c^ ^^^OA^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



721 



the Soutlieru Coufederac}'. ami au auut of Gen- 
eral John T. Davis. 

The birtu of Henry Thomas Goddard occurred 
in Marion, Williamson Counry. 111.. .Tune 20. 1852. 
He is a son of James T. and Wiuuifred (Spiller) 
Goddard, the father l)orn in Franklin County. 
Va., in 1818, and the mother in Williamson 
County, 111. She was a daughter of William and 
Winnilred (Benson) Spiller, (early settlers of 
Illinois TerritoTj'. coming to Williamson County 
from Robinson County. Tenu. ) Her mother, 
whose maiden name was Winnif red Benson, was a 
cousin ot General Cheatham, of the Confederate 
Army. James T. Goddard and his wife lived for 
a time at Bainbridge, Williamson County where 
he was engaged in mercantile business, then 
moved to Marion, where he embarked in the 
same business, and where they sijent the re- 
mainder of their lives. 

Heni-j- Thomas Goddard received his early 
education in the public schools of Marion. 111., 
and later attended the Normal University, at 
Xormal, III., and Notre Dame University at 
Notre Dame. Ind. Upon leaving school he was 
employed in his brother's dn,'-goods store at 
Marion, and also engaged in banking business 
there for ten years. He left Marion in 1890 to 
aeept the position of Cashier of the First Na- 
tional Bank, at Mt. Carmel at its organization, 
which he held until February. 1904. when he 
wes elected President, which position he still 
holds. He is an enterprising and energetic busi- 
ness man and takes au active interest in the wel- 
fare and progress of the communit.v. He has 
many friends and is prominent in fraternal 
circles, being a member of the Masonic Order, the 
Elks and Knights of Pythias. For several years 
he served as District Deput.v Grand Master of 
the first-named order and is now a member of the 
committee on mileage and per diem a permanent 
committee of the (4rand Lodge of the State. 

Wliile Mr. Goddard is not actively engaged in 
politics and is in no sense an office seeker, he 
served as City Treasurer. Alderman and mem- 
ber of the Board of Education of Marion, and is 
now a member of the Board of Trustees of the 
Southern Normal t^niversity. at Carbondale. 111. 
He is Chairman of Group 9 of the Illinois Bank- 
ers' Association, and President of the Bank of 
AVayne Cit.v, Wayne City. 111. 

Mr. Goddard was married, at Marlon. 111.. Sep- 
tember 4. 1S7.S. to Mary E. Houts. daughter of C. 
J. and M. .T. Houts. Her father was a pioneer 
Methodist minister of Illinois and Missouri and 
a co-laborer of Peter Cartwright. having spent 
fort.v-seven years in the ministry. Mrs. God- 
dar(i's mother was Jane (^Rjindle) Houts, a de- 
scendant of the Randolphs of Virginia. The 
children born to Mr. and Mrs. Goddard were: 
Lora Houts Goddard. born July 22. 1874: Eu- 
cile Houts (Goddard) Roberts, born May 20. 
1876; Roy Houts Goddard. born April 21. 1878, 
and Henry Houts Goddard. born April 22. 1889. 

Mrs. Goddard takes an active interest in char- 
ity, club, social and fraternal affairs, being Past 
Grand Matron of the Order of the Eastern Star 



of Illinois: a member of the State Board of Cliar- 
itles, and is connected with the Reviewers' Mati- 
nee, a local ladies' club that engaged in literary 
and civic improvement work. She is a woman of 
culture and retinenient and has a large circle of 
friends. 

GRAY, Frank S., M. D.— Among the moat valu- 
able citizens of any community are its physi- 
cians, whose influence is always widely felt. 
Among the well-known physicians of Allendale, 
111., is Dr, Frank S. Gray, who was born in Fees- 
burg, Brown County, Ohio, Januarj' 20, 18.5.5, son 
of Martin Perry and Eliza (Waterfield) Gray. 
Martin P. Gray was born in Smithville. Monroe 
County. Ind.. son of Peter and Mary (Dillman) 
Gray, of Bartholomew County. Ind. His wife 
was born in Browu County. Ohio, daughter of 
Jacob and Nancy (Metzer) W^aterfleld, natives 
resiiectively of Virginia and Kentucky. The 
Waterfield family came originally from England 
and settled in Virginia. 

Martin Pen-j- (Jray and his wife married In 
Brown County. Ohio, and lived on their large 
farm there from 1854 until the spring of 18(58, 
when they moved to Merom. Ind.. the site of 
Union Christian College. Tliey disiiosed of their 
Ohio land and. in the fall of 1878. moved to 
Windsor. Mo., living there until 1S97. when they 
sold out and removed to Indianaixilis. Ind. Here 
Mr. Gray still resides with his son. Austin W. 
lie was born January 28. 1833. and has reached 
the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who 
was born November 2. 1831. died in September, 
190G. Frank S. was the oldest child and the 
others were: Alvin Scott, of Edinburgh, Scot- 
land : Ida. Mrs. Arthur DeVore. of Indianapolis, 
Ind. : Edwin, died at the age of two years : Car- 
rie. -Mrs. Harry Wheelock, who died while on a 
visit to her parents in Jlissouri : and Austin W.. 
emplo.ved in the car shops of the Big Four Rail- 
road, at Indianapolis. 

Frank S. (iray attended the public schools of 
Ohio and Union Christian College, of Merom, 
Ind.. and at the age of nineteen years began 
teaching at Covington. Ind. A year later he re- 
turned to Merom and taught two years in the 
schools of that city. He then taught two years 
in Sullivan. Ind.. one year at Paxton. Ind.. and 
then accepted a position as Principal of the 
schools at .\llendale, which he held two years. 
Julv 2.5. 1880, he began reading medicine with 
Dr.' .Mcintosh, and in the fall of 1881 entered 
Ohio Medical College, of Cincinnati, from which 
he graduated March 8. 1883. and two days later 
liecame cn-iiartner -nntli Dr. Mcintosh at .Mien- 
dale. They also conducted a drug store. Eight 
years later they dissolved partnership, and Dr. 
Gray, after practicing medicine three years, then 
established a dnig store. Since 1890 he has had 
only office practice, and now has the only drug 
store in .Vllendale. In November. 1897. he was 
appointed by President McKinley as Postmaster 
of .\llendale. and has since held the office by 
subseciuent appointments. Besides the office in 
-Vllendale. he has charge of two rural delivery 



722 



WABASH COUNTY 



routes. He has been very successful in bis 
various enterprises and has established himself 
in the good-will and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 
He stands well in his profession and has a good 
practice. 

March 24, 1883, Dr. Gray married Rachel 
Belle McFarland. who was born in Waliash Pre- 
cinct, Wabash County, and they became parents 
of cliildren as follows : Nellie. Mrs. HaUlon L. 
Gooch, of Lawreuceville, 111. ; Gertrude, Mrs. John 
C. F. Henry, of Herrin, 111. : Carrie, at home ; 
Frank Sylvester, attending school in Valparaiso, 
Ind., where he is taking a course in pharmacy ; 
Lady Jane and Martin Paul, at home. Dr. Gray 
is a Republican in political views. He is a mem- 
her of the Christian Church, is serving on the 
Board of Trustees, and has been Superintendent 
of the Sunday School since 1902. He is a mem- 
ber of tne Modern Woodmen and Mystic Workers 
of the World of Allendale, and is examining 
physician for tioth orders and for the New York 
Life Insurance Company. 

GREEN, Hon. Edward B.— (3ne of tlie moat dis- 
tinguished citizens of Wabash County, 111., is 
the Hon. Kdward B. Green, first Chief Justice of 
the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, wlio is now 
making his home at Mt. Carmel, where he has an 
extensive law practice. Judge Green was bom 
in Blair County. Pa.. Decemlier 29. 1S37. a son 
of Thomas and Martlia (Galbraith) Green, the 
former being of English ancestry, the family hav- 
ing settled in Virginia in early days. Thomas 
Green was a soldier in the War of 1.S12, serving 
with the army operating in Canada and on the 
northern frontier, and at the close of the war 
settled in w'hat is now Blair County. Pa., where 
he followed farming until his death in lS7o. His 
wife was of Scotch-Irish stock, her ancestors 
having been early settlers of Pensylvania, and 
she was born, reared and married in Blair 
County, that State. She survived hei- husband 
until 1S.S9 and died in Chicago. Judge Green 
was the youngest of the twelve children of this 
wortli.v couple, luit five of whom are now living. 

Edward I?. Green received his primary educa- 
tion in his native county, and later attended the 
Reimersburg and Leatherwood Academies, wuile 
still young, fitting himself for the profession of 
teaching, on which he entered in his seventeenth 
.year. As an instructor he became proficient in 
language.s and. for a ye.ar and six months jirev- 
ious to leaving Pennsylvania, held the chair of 
Languages in the Academy at West Freedom. 
Clarion County. r)n October 20, l.S."iS. he came 
to Illinois, settling first at Paris, Edgar County. 
where, having deternuned to adopt the profession 
of law, he entered the oflice of his brother. Amos 
Green, who was in partnership witli James A. 
Eads. In June. 1800. Mr. Green went to Car- 
lisle, Clinton County, the home of Judge Sidney 
Brese, then a Justice of the Supreme Court, and 
was liy him examined and upon his recommenda- 
tion admitted to the bar. On tlie 20th of that 
month he came to Mt. Carmel and opened a law 
office, continuing alone until 1864, when he 



formed a partnership with the late Judge Robert 
Bell, which continued until Mr. Green's apijoint- 
ment to the Supreme Court in Oklahoma in 1890. 
The law firm of Bell & Green became widely 
known throughout Southern Illinois and had a 
large and lucrative practice in Wabash and the 
surrounding counties and in the Appellate. Cir- 
cuit, State Supreme and in Fedei-al Courts. 
Politically. Judge Green has always l>een a Re- 
pul)lican, having cast his first presidential vote in 
1800, for Abraham Lincoln, and in subsequent 
elections has remained a stanch and active sup- 
porter of the Grand Old Party. In 1877 his 
ability as a lawyer and his worth as a man was 
recognized by his nomination foir tlie ottice of 
Circuit Judge of the Second Judicial District, 
.■uid in 1S79 lie was further honored by nolmina- 
tion for Justice of the Supreme Court of Illinois, 
lint in biitli instances was defeated owing to the 
fact that his party was in a hopeless minority in 
bis district. In 18.S2 Judge Gi'een was nonunated 
in the Sixteenth Congressional District for Con- 
gress, and made the canvass against Judge 
Aaron Shaw, demonstrating that he was a .strong 
and [wpular man by reducing the Democratic ma- 
jority of 1476 in the district in 1880, to 628. In 
1885 he was appointed by Governor Oglesby. on 
the Revenue Commission, to revise the revenue 
laws of the State and was elected, in 1.886, to the 
Legislature, and was a])iK)inted Chairman of the 
House Revenue Committee. In January, 1887, he 
was elected President of the Illinois State Bar 
Association. On May 14. 1890, he was appointed 
by President Harrison as the first Cliief Justice 
of the Supreme Court of the newly created Terri- 
tory of Oklahoma. The Supreme Court, with 
Chief .Justice Green presiding, and Associate 
Justices John G. Clark of Wisconsin and Abra- 
ham J. Sea.v of Missouri, organized and held its 
first session in the city of Guthrie, in June, 1890, 
with Charles II. Filson. of Indiana, as Clerk, 
Warren G. Lurty. of West ViTginia. as Marshal, 
and Horace Speed, of Kansas, as I'nited States 
Attorney. This was the first court baring api>el- 
late jurisdiction held under authority of the .\ct 
of Congress, approved May 14. 1.S90, within the 
boundaries of that portion of the Indian Terri- 
tory designated as Oklahoma and containing 
mo7-e tlian 30.000 square miles. President Har- 
rison failed of re-election, and Judge Green was 
succeeded Iiy Jlr. Frank Dale, a Democrat, ap- 
pointed l)y President Cleveland. September 1, 
1893. He was then retained by Mr. Stratton, 
the owner of the Independence Mine, at Cripple 
Creek. Colo., in litigation concerning a half-in- 
terest in this property, which is one of the larg- 
est gold mines in the I'nited States. He was 
also the attorney in litigation concerning the 
Little .Johnny Gold Mine at Leadville. Colo. 
When the union of the Cumberland Presbyterian 
Church and Presbyterian Church of the United 
States of America was being consummated. 
Judge Green was general attorney for the former, 
wliich was opposed to the union, .\fter his re- 
turn from Colorado, in 1898, Judge Green formed 
a partnership with Theodore G. Risley, under 




JJ:P^/kAZJiZu^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



723 



the firm name of Green & Risley, and this part- 
nership lias continued to the presnt time. Judge 
Green has taken an active interest in education 
and liy his zeal and energy has succeeded in con- 
nection with other meniliers of the School Hoard 
(of which he was a meuiher for thirteen years), 
in building up the present excellent graded 
schools of Mt. Carmel. He prepared the first 
curriculum of study in the Mt. Carmel High 
school, which, with some additions, is still in 
force. Judge (ireen has no church affiliation, but 
his sympathies are with the Methodist Episco- 
jjal denomination. Fraternally, he is connected 
with the Mt. Carmel lodges of the Masons and 
Odd Fellows. 

On October 23. 1801, Judge (Jreen was mar- 
ried to Emma E. Lutes, of York County. Pa., and 
three children have been born of this union : 
Daisy, who died March 28, 1898, the wife of S. 
L. Rtissell, leaving one daughter ; and Pearl and 
Paul, at home. 

GREER, Capt. Stephen D., who has been a resi- 
dent of Mt. Carmel for more than eighty years, 
during which time he has seen marvelous changes 
take place in that city, is now living retired at 
his home at No. 122 West Second Street. He 
was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Februaiy 2.j, 1824. 
a son of William and Elizabeth t Clark) Greer. 
William Greer was bora in Pennsylvania. Octo- 
ber 3. ITOG. and in Bedford Ctounty, that State, 
was married April 6. 1820, to Elizabeth Clark, a 
native of the county, who was born January 8. 
1802. William Greer was a printer by ti-ade and 
worked at that occupation in Pennsylvanai, but 
in 1824, with his wife and son William C. he 
started for the West by boat. On reaching Cin- 
cinnati lie left his wife to go to Louisville. Ky.. 
and while he was away Stephen D. was born. 
After his refuni the famil.? went on to Louis- 
ville, where the.v resided for four years, and in 
1829 the family, then consisting of two boys and 
two girls, came by the steamboat Tippecanoe to 
Mt. Carmel. 111., where Mr. Greer purchased a 
tavern, this being conducted by his wife while 
he caiTied on operations on the Mississiptii River, 
going to Xew Orleans and dealing in corn. While 
on one of these expeditions accompanied liy 
Moses P>edell. he was stricken by cholera and 
died at Menijihis, Tenn., May 4, 18;^". His widow 
survied until February 20, lS."iS. when slip died 
at Mt. Carmel. Mr. Greer is the only survivor 
of his parent.s' six children, the others being: 
William C. Mary Jane. Margaret Ellen. Juliana 
and .Tames Monroe. 

Capt. Stephen D. Greer redved his education 
in the subscription schools of his day. but owing 
to his family's humble circumstances, he could 
not get nuich scliooling. .\fter his father's death 
he and his brother. William ( .. cut cord wood 
until the steamer Concord sank above Terra 
Haute in 1.837. .\fter it was raised and repaired 
Mr. Greer secured a position as second cook, and 
his brother as cabin boy. They were to receive 
ten dollars per month, in "wild-cat" money, but 
after making the first trip to Cincinnati, the boat 



was tied upon account of a debt and the brothers 
were left without money. They were finally able 
to work their passage back to Evansville, Ind., 
whence they walked home, starting out in the 
night and reaching home the following morning, 
a walk of sixteen miles. They next worked on 
the steamer Othello, which was engaged in trans- 
porting rock for the proiwsed dam above Mt, Car- 
mel, but this boat later sank. William became a 
steamboat captain and helped to build the larg- 
est boat than ever ran on the Wabash River, the 
John M. Stockwell. In 1847 Stephen D. (Jreer 
bought the steamer Sligo. at Cincinnati, and took 
charge of it, running from that city to Lafayette, 
continuing to operate it for nine mouths. He 
then too!». charge of the Fannie Farrar, as cap- 
tain and pilot for about a year, and was later 
captain and iwlot of such well known vessels as 
the Atlanta, Kwasind and Osseo, and stood at 
the head of captains and pilots on the river. On 
the breaking up of navigation on the rivers. Cap- 
tain Greer retired and has been living quietly 
ever since in Mt. Carmel. 

On October 24. 1,S44. Capt. Greer was married 
to Winnie Ann Bedell, who was born November 
14. 1,820. at Bedell Dam, Wabash County, and 
died March 2:;. I'.Hr,. To this union there were 
born two children : William C. born August 12. 
1847. and living in Mt. Carmel, maiTied Eliza- 
beth Masse, of Vinceunes, Ind., died in 100.5, 
leaving two children — Cahill Masse and Winnie 
Greer ; and >Lary E., born September 2, 1850, 
and died January 28, 1870, at Paterson. N, J. 

Mr. Greer built his present brick residence in 
18.50. and it is still in a fine state of ])reserva- 
tion. He and his wife were members of the 
>rethodist Epi.scopal Church, and in his ixvlitical 
views he is a Republican, although he has never 
occupied any office except that of School Director. 
He has seen many changes in Mt. Carmel since 
the time when it was a typical frontier town, 
surrounded by hea\w timber and with many 
bad characters, and he has done his share 
towards improving conditions. The Greer family 
has quite a military record. Captain Greer hav- 
ing lieen a KMVday man in Compan.v H. One 
Hundred Thirf.v-sixth Regiment, Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry, while his son, William C, served 
about nine months in an Indiana regiment dur- 
ing 1S64, and his grandson, Cahill Masse enlisted 
in the army during the Spanisli-.\merican War 
and served three .vears in the Philippines. AH 
three — the father, son and grandson — draw 
I)ensions. 

GREY, George Byron. — One of the best-known 
citizens of Mt. Carmel. 111., is George Byron Grey, 
a native of the State and veteran of the Civil 
War. and now an emjiloye of the United States 
Government. Mr. Grey has had an eventful life 
and has been engaged in several differnt lines of 
work with fair success. He was born in Morgan 
County, September 1.5. 18.50, son of Thomas and 
Margaret (Cunningham) Grey, both natives of 
Clare Coiuitj-, Ireland. The parents were mar- 
ried in their native county in 1833, wlien they 



724 



WABASH COUNTY 



emigrated to the T'liited States ami located on a 
farm in Morgan Coiiutj-. 111., where they spent 
their remaining years. They bad three sons: 
Thomas, of Wichita. Kau. ; Richard, of Gene- 
see County, N. Y.. where he lives ou a farm ; and 
George B. 

The early education of (ieorge B. Grey was 
received in the c-ommon schools. At the age of 
thirteen years he enlisted in the Sixth Missouri 
Cavalry, the date of his enlistment Ijeing March 
14, 1SC8. He was first a bugler, hut in lSi;4 be- 
came a private. He served some time in Mata- 
gorda, Te.x., where he was discharged. May 15, 
186."). having established a good record as a sol- 
dier. 

At the close of the war Mr. Grey found em- 
ployment at St. IjOuIs. Mo., and from that time 
until 1872, traveled through different parts of 
the countiy. working at whatever he found to 
do. In that year he settled at Mt. Carmel, 
where he worked as a carjienter and at bridge 
building principally, although he spent some time 
also in farming. He had previousl.v taught school 
eleven terms in Missouri, Iowa and Illinois, and 
after locating in Wabash County he taught eleven 
terms in Gibson County, Ind., ten terms being in 
one School. In 1891 Mr. Grey purchased 240 aci-es 
of land from the State, in Gibson Count.v. which 
he partly improved, and siient eight years farm- 
ing on the ])ortion that was cleared and ready 
for cultivation. He then sold out and returning 
to Mt. Carmel. in 1901. secured the iKist of rural 
mail carrier out of that city, in which jiosition he 
has since served. He secured the first route, 
called Route No. 1, and has held this route to the 
pi-esent time. Six other routes have since been 
estahlishefl. He has been very faithful in tlie 
discharge of his duties and has missed very few 
days since he started. 

April 10. 1875. Mr. Grey married Laura Trout- 
man, a native of Gil)Son County. Ind.. and daugh- 
ter of .Tohn and .Tane (Watkins) Troutman. he a 
native of Kentucky and she of Tennessee. To 
this union children have been lx>rn as follows : 
Theresa. Mrs. Stanley Berry, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct: Ellen. Mrs. Anton Reisinger, of Mt. Car- 
mel : Gertude and Ethel, at home. 

Mr. Grey is a member of the Methodist Ejusco- 
pal C'huTch and politmlly is a Republican. He 
belongs to the Modern Ameri<Tin Fraternal Order. 
As a teacher he attained a high reputation, as a 
farmer he was very successful, and in his ser- 
vice during the Civil War he showed gi'eat devo- 
tion to his duty as a soldier. He lias been 
equally patriotic in his private life, and has ever 
been identified with the best and highest princi- 
ples of citizenship. He has the happ.v faculty of 
winning and holding the warm friendsliip of 
those with whom he is a.s.soc-iated. and has the 
esteem and regard of his fellow-townsmen. .Vl- 
thongh he has never cared for public office he has 
kept himself well informed on the issues of the 
day and takes an active interest in public af- 
fairs. 

GROFF, Jacob, now living retired at Mt. Car- 



mel, 111., is one of the venerable citizens of Wa- 
bash County who has seen this part of the coun- 
try develop from a wild waste of prairie and 
swamp lands into prosperous farms and flourish- 
ing cities and villages. He was born December 
25, 1822, near the River Rhine, and nine miles 
from the city of Wonns. Germany, and is a son 
of John Frefleriek and Margaret Groff. 

Jacob Groff was the eldest of the ten chil- 
dren of his parents, nine of whom came to the 
United States, and only one besides Jacob is 
now living, Fred, of Grayville, 111. The family- 
came on a three-masted sailing vessel to New 
Orleans, being forty-five days on the Atlantic 
Ocean, and journeyed up the Mississippi and 
Ohio Rivers to Evansville. Ind., coming thence 
b.v wagon to Mt. Carmel, where the.v rented a 
house until the following March. At this time 
.John Frederick (iroff paid 700 five-franc pieces 
for 2(Kl acres of land west of Mt. Carmel, which 
could not now be purchased for .$65 an acre. 
This land was only partly improved and on it a 
log dweling and barn were erected. Here the 
father and his sons set to work to clear a farm, 
and he continued work there until his death in 
1847, after which the mother and two of the sons 
continued the imi)rovemeut of this property. Mrs. 
Groff died in ihe new residence her sons had 
built for her. 

On Novendier 5. 1845. Jacob Groff was mar- 
ried to Maiy I'heirhiler and purchased eighty 
acres of land in what is now Bellmont Precinct. 
The land was wild, deer were to be found in 
plenty, and Mr. Groff remembers having seen 
twenty -six in one drove. He cleared this prop- 
erty and later purchased 160 acres, fort.v acres 
of this being purchased from the Government, 
and put it all in a good state of cultivation, and 
here he continued to reside until 1869. when he 
retired and moved to Mt. Carmel, For many 
years he was engaged in loaning mone.v. On 
June 2. 1898. his first wife died in the faith 
of the Catholic Church, having been the mother 
of eight children, four of whom still survive, 
namely : Margaret Weisenberger, Mary Baum, 
Maria Sites and Eliza .Tohn.son. After the death 
of his first wife. Mr. Groff gave his property to 
his children. On January ,S. 1899. Mr. Groff 
was niarrie<l (second) to Mrs. Louisa M. Rhine- 
hardt. who was bom and reared in Wabash 
Counts-. Her birth occurred in 1839, she being a 
daughter of Frederick and Rachel (Hedrick) 
.\Iaser. the former born in Germany and the lat- 
ter in North Carolina. The father, who had 
buried his first wife in Germany, was one of the 
early settlers of Waba.sh County, was a car- 
penter by trade and for man.v .vears worked in 
Mt. Carmel. He died when Mrs. Groff was three 
.vears old, and as his widow survived him Imt 
one year, the daughter was reared Iiy Mr. and 
Mrs. David Reinhardt. who c-anie from Pennsyl- 
vania and were earl.v settlers of Wabash County. 
Mrs. Groff was married (first) to .Tohn Alfred 
Reinliardt, July 14. 1857. who died Decendier .SI, 
1875. The.v had six children, of whom two sur- 
vive : Edward Hammond and Mrs. Viola Kamp, 




i^^7j 



"WABASH COUNTY 



725 



both of Mt. Cannel. The first railroad ever 
built through Mt. Carmel ran through Mrs. 
(jiroff's pro]}erty. 

Mr. and Mrs. Groff are members of the Lu- 
theran Church. He is a Democrat in politics, iind 
for thiree terms has served as a member of the 
Cit.T Council of Mt. Carmel. He has seen many 
changes occur in the county, and has done his 
.share towards the development and upbuilding 
of his communit}-. and, as a good citizen and 
trustworthy man. is respected and esteemed by 
his fellow townsmen. 

GROFF, John Frederick, a representative and 
progressive farmer of Lick Prairie Precinct. Wa- 
bash County. 111., belongs to a family that has 
been rejiresented in the county for several gen- 
erations. Mr, (Jroff was born in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, Wabash C'ountj'. .January 29. 1.S5?., son of 
John and HaiTiet (Card) (k-off. the former a 
native of Germany and the latter of Lick 
Prairie Precinct. John Groff was born in 1,S2.">. 
a son of John and Margaret Groff. of Germany, 
who brought their family to Wabash County in 
1840 and settled in Bellmont Precinct. Grand- 
father Groff entere<l IW acres of land which was 
covered with timl>er. and started to clear it. He 
died on this farm in 184.S, having made many 
improvements including the sotting out of an 
orchard. Harriet Gard was a daughter of Frank- 
lin Gard, an old settler of Wabash County. 

John Groff, Jr.. secured the old homestead, 
manufactured brick and erected one of the first 
brick houses in Wabash County, which is still 
standing. At one time he owned 818 acres of 
land. He worked for his father, received a house 
in payment and acquired all bis land through 
his own enterprise and jndustiy. He cared for 
his mother until her death in IS.'iS. Mr. Groff' 
moved to Mt. Carmel. where he lived a few years, 
but did not like it there and returned to his 
farm. He died March 4, 190.5, and his widow 
survived him but a short time, passing away May 
1, 1905. Their children were: Benjamin Frank- 
lin, of Bellmont, HI.; .John F. ; Elizabeth, Mrs. 
Thomas Davis, who died at Bone Gap, 111. ; Anna 
Margaret, Mrs. George Rigg. of Bone Gap; 
Perry A., of Bellmont Precinct: Albert, who 
died in infancy : Frances Elniira, Mrs, Prank 
Cowling, a widow, living in Mt. Carmel. III.: 
Harriet M.. married Major Chapman, of >rt. 
Oarmel I'recinct : William A., of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct ; Lewis E., lives on the old homestead ; 
Flora, Mrs. James Brines, of Bellmont Precinct. 
John Groff gave each of his children eighty 
acres of land and John Frederick received his 
s<hare out of the home farm. 

John F, (Jroff received his education in the 
district schools and was reared to fann work. 
He erected a house and other buildliiiis on the 
land he received from bis father and .after living 
there four .years, sold it and purchased Ico acres 
in Section ."11 of Lick Prairie Precinct. The lat- 
ter farm contained an old house and alxnit 100 
acres of the land was cleared, I.,ater Mr. Groff 
bought another house and built two barns, 42 bv 



50 and 'AO by 3G feet, clearing the land of timber 
until there is but twenty-eight acres left in its 
original condition, the rest being under cul- 
tivation. He has showu excellent judgment in 
the LHinduct of his affairs and has been success- 
ful in his operations. Besides cairying on gen- 
eral farming he keeps imported horses and Span- 
ish Jacks and horses for trotting and coai-h use. 
He also raises Jersey and Holstein cows for 
dairy purposes and Poland China hogs. 

October G. 1875. Mr. Groff' married Margaret 
L. Brines, who was born in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, April 1, 1851, daughter of Lyman and 
Maria (Holmes) Brines, the former born in 
New York In 1807, and the latter in Knox 
Count.v, Ind.. in 1.S07. Mr. Brines and his wife 
had twelve children, namely: Ezra, deceased; 
Alary, Mrs. Robert Rigg, of Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct : Orilla A., died at the age of eighteen 
years : Hamilton, died in lAck Prairie Precinct ; 
Franklin, of IJck Prairie Precinct : Charlotte E., 
lives with Franklin : Hanna, widow of Lavel 
Aboni, of Bellmont Precinct : Jemima A.. Mrs. 
Henry Bruce, died in Bellmont Precinct ; Re- 
becca J., resides with Franklin ; Eda. Mrs. Bar- 
ber Shearer, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; Clara C. 
Mrs. Samuel Litherland, died in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct ; Mrs. Groff, the .voungest child. Mrs. Groff 
attended the Friends fJrove District Scb(K)l and 
Mr. Groff the (Jroff District School. They are 
memhers of the Christian Church. He is actively 
interested in current events and public issues, 
and in politics is a Democrat. He has served 
as Sch(X)l Director, Fraternally he belongs to 
the Ben Hur Lodge of Mt, Oarmel and to the 
Farmers' Union, of JJck Prairie. 

Mr, Groff' and his wife had children as follows : 
Hattie M., torn November 17. 1876. widow of 
Rolla H. Miller, whose husband died April 19, 
190f!; Rosa B.. Iwm June 14, 1878, married 
James Hare of Lick Prairie Precinct; John L., 
born January l.",, 18S0, died February 3, 1880; 
William Lewis, born February 20, 1881, lives in 
Granger, Wash, : Carrie May, born December 
29, 1882, but died in infancy; Amy Edna, 
born January 28, 1.S84, died February 20, 1884; 
Charles Franklin, born September 4, 1885, of 
Mt. Carmel Precinct; Eda, born September 1, 
18S8, married Ora Woods, of Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct. Mrs. Miller had three children : Her- 
man, born Felvruary 12, 1,890; Beulah. born 
Jaiiuars- 12, 1903; Eldon, born August Ifi. 1905 
died July 20, 1906, William Lewis married Mat- 
tie Walker and they have two children— Virgil 
Frederick and Dorothy Pearl, Mr. and Mrs. 
Hare had three children : Cuma Bell ; Stella, 
ilied in infancy, and Ixirena. Charles Franklin 
Groff' married Viola Ales, and they had three 
children: Hollis, died in infancy; Edna and 
Cecil. 

GROFF, Louis Edward. — Among the most beau- 
tiful country hom(>s in Wabash' County. 111., is 
that owned by I^ouis Edward Groff, "who has 
spent his entire life on his ])resent farm in Bell- 
mont Precinct, where he was born June 9, 1S(;7. 



726 



WABASH COUNTY 



He is a son of John and Harriet (Gard) Groff. 
the former a native of Gernuiny and tbe latter 
of Wabasli County. Jolan Groff Ijet-ame owner 
of l.CMJO acres of land, most of which he cleared 
and improved himself. He and his wife had 
the followini.' children : Frank. Lizzie. Fred. 
Margaret. Klmira. Albert, Dora, ^^^^iam, Louis 
Edward and Flora. 

November MO. 1892, Louis E. Groff was mar- 
ried, at Mt. Carniel. HI., to Flora Butterick. 
daughter of William and Amelia (Compton) But- 
terick, the former a native of England and the 
latter of Wabash County. Mr. Butterick was a 
general farmer and brick-layer by occuiiatiou, 
and he and his wife had children as follows : 
Lizzie. Flora. .Tames. Maggie. Edward. Nora. Ma- 
bel and Collie. Mr. Groff and his wife became 
parents of the following children : Maude, born 
February .3, 1893: Ravmond. Augtist 3, 1S94 ; 
Bessie. April 2.5. 1890; Harold. May 25. 1898; 
Holland. September 3. 1900; Leonie Atigust 28. 

1904, and one child, bom July 5. 1910, and died 
in infancy. 

Mr. Groff was reared on his present farm and 
educated in local schools. He has spent his en- 
tire active life in agricultural pursuits and met 
with gratifying success in his enterprises. 
He pays special attention to dairying and appre- 
ciates the value of high-grade stock in securing 
the best results. He raises thoroughbred Hol- 
steiu cattle for this purpose and finds them a 
profitable investment. He owns 235 acres of 
land and is well known for the excellence of his 
crops. He is actively interested in local public 
affairs and for three terms has served as pre- 
cinct school director. He contributes consider- 
able time and influence to the promotion of the 
interests of the Farmers' Union, as well as to 
any other cause which he believes will benefit 
his community. He is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church. 

GROFF, Perry Allen. — Among the enterprising 
business men of Wabash County. 111., is Periy 
Allen Groff. of Bellmont Precinct, an extensive 
dealer in agricailtural implements, threshing ma- 
chines and clover hullers. and well known in con- 
nwtion with the work he has done in tlie interest 
of the Farmers' Co-operative and Educational 
Union. Jlr. Groff was born on the farm he now 
occupies. Febrtiarj- 2.5. 1800. son of .John and 
Harriet (Gard) Groff. the former native of Hesse 
Cassel. Germany. The grandfathers were .John 
Groff and Fi-ank Gard, the former having located 
in Wabash County in 1842. on timber land in 
Bellmont Precinct, purchased from the Govern- 
ment. 

After marriage the parents of Perry .\. Groff 
settled on land in Bellmont Precinct that was 
seciu'cd fi-oni the Government, where they sjient 
the remainder of their lives, with the exception 
of three years spent in Mt. Carmel. Both died 
on the farm, he March 3. 1905, and she in May, 

1905. They were parents of ten children. 

The boyhood of Perry A. Groff was sjieut on 
his father's farm. He received a common school 



education, attended the normal school at Gray- 
ville. 111., one term, and spent a year and a half 
at Holbrook's Normal School, at Lebanon. Ohio. 
He lived with his parents until his marriage, 
January 12. 1SS8. to Flotilla Bratton. who was 
born in Lick Prairie Precinct, daughter of Amos 
and Zerelda (Moore) Bratton. of Wabash County. 
Mr. Groff and his wife settled on part of the 
home farm, which his father gave him. and 
which contained a good house and other neces- 
sary buildings. He had eighty acres at first and 
has added to it until he now has four bodies of 
land, all in Bellmont Precinct, aggregating 120 
acres. lie has managed his fanns himself ex- 
cept for two years when he rented them. Besides 
doing general fanning he raises Shorthorn and 
Jersey cows, draft and other horses, and a few 
Poland China hogs. He sells the milk from his 
dairy. 

Mr. Groff has natural ability in the line of 
mechanics, and is a good carjienter. iron and 
brick worker, and able to run man.v kinds of 
machinery. Since 1889 he has handled harvest- 
ing machines and binders, and he has added to 
his line many other farming implements, hand- 
ling all stich machines put out by the Collins- 
Gale Importing Company, the Fish Brothers 
Wagon Comjiany and the Banner Buggy Com- 
pany. In 1894 he added threshing- machines 
and clover hullers. as well as fodder shredders. 
Mr. Groff has worked up a good business in 
this line, and his dealings with his customers 
have been most satisfactorj*. He is a stanch 
Democrat and has served as Clerk of the Road 
District since 189() and as School Director since 
]90Ci. He is a charter member of the Farmers' 
Co-operative and Educational Union of .\merica, 
ha\ing served as Secretary and Treasurer since 
its organization. He is a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and ready to supix>rt any worthy 
cause which comes to his notice. 

Children as follows were boni to Mr. and Mrs. 
Groff: Virgil A., died November 29. 1895. was 
born March 14. 1889; Mamie Pauline, born No- 
vember 14. 1891 : Dolice Viola, bom November 1, 
1893. the last tn-o being at home. 

GRUNDON, Ulysses Grant, a prominent and 
successful farmer of Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
where he carries on diversified farming, is a na- 
tive of the ]irecinct. born Feliruary 12. 1864. son 
of Thomas and Anna (Connor) Giiuidon. lx)th 
natives of Lebanon County. Pa., and married in 
their native State. Mr. Grundon knows ver.v lit- 
tle about his grandiiarents or wliere tliey were 
born. Thomas Gnnidon and his wife came to 
.Mt. Cn rniel Precinct in 18(10 and purchased a 
farm three miles west of Mt. Carmel. where he 
lived until bis death, cultivating 120 acres of 
land. He died October 31. 1892. and bis wife 
.Vpril 21. 1S,»J5. They were parents of children as 
follows: Cyms JI., of Bellmont Precinct; 
.\nna. Mrs. Henrj- Ciilverly. of Mt. Carmel ; 
Oliver II. P.. of St. Louis. Mo. ; Sadie Jane, mar- 
ried Dr. J. B. Maxwell, of Mt. Camiel ; Rnse A., 
Mrs. Charles M. Risley, of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; 



WABASH COUNTY 



727 



Ulysses G. ; Elizalietli >r.. Mrs. S. S. Seiler. ot 
Mt. Curmel rretiiK-t ; William T., of Princetou, 
Ind. ; and James Monroe, who died at the age of 
five and a half years. 

The boyhood days of Ulysses G. Gruiulon were 
spent on his father's farm and he received a 
good education in the district schools. lie early 
learned to do all kinds of farm work and ttxik 
great interest in agricultural matters, so that 
he is now able to cultivate his farm to the 
best advantage and is considered one of the most 
intelligent farmers of his vicinity. He married, 
August 30. 18.0.3. Emma T. Seiler. a native of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, a daughter of Jacob and Ann 
Matilda (Behm) Seiler. and they rented a farm 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct, where they lived two 
and a half years, then moved to a place near the 
farm inberited by Mrs. Grundon, where they have 
since resided. He erected a handsome two-stoiT 
frame house on this proiiert.v. which was com- 
pleted March 3. 1807. and here the family have 
been comfortably installed since that date. He 
has 120 acres of land and has cleared and im- 
proved a large part of it himself, although there 
were forty acres cleared when he moved on to 
it. and he has left ten acres of timber stand- 
ing. He has a good grade of horses and cattle 
and his fine Poland-Oiina and Chester White 
hogs are profitable stock. He has shown ex- 
cellent business judgment in the conduct of his 
affairs and has well deserved the success that 
has attended his efforts. 

To Mr. Grundon and his wife children have 
been born as follows: Walter Winton. born 
May 24. 180.5; Thomas Vern. December 22. 1807; 
Ruth .Matilda. December 0. 1S90. died May 12. 
1000; Florence Elizabeth, bom September 10, 
1001 ; Leroy Grant. December 28. 1004 : Edna 
Marie. March 31. l'.M17. The family attend the 
Reformed Lutheran Church, of which they are 
members. Politically Mr. Grtindon is a Repub- 
lican and although he does not care to hold public 
ofl[ice, takes a commendable interest in local af- 
fairs, as well as national issues. He is a mem- 
ber of Lodge No. 3~>. Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and No. 1910. Modern Woodmen of 
-America, of Mt. Carmel. 

HABBERTON, William P. — Some men are born 
with a special instinct for business. From child- 
hood they show an aptitu<le ahead of their com- 
panions for advancing tliemsolves. In every com- 
munity there are men who dominate the business 
world of their locality, and one who has con- 
trolled some very large enterprises from time to 
time, is William P. Habberton. of Mt. Carmel. 
now a heavy dealer in coal and oil. and Vice- 
President of the Mt. Carmel Tnist & Savings 
Rank. He was born in New York City, March 
3. 1847. n son of William S. and Tlmdisia L. 
(Peck) Habberton. The former was born in 
England in 1811. and died in Mt. Carmel in 180."). 
while the latter was born in Flushing. N. T.. 
in 1820 and died in Mt. Carmel in 18.83. 

William S. Habberton learned the trade of 
harness- and collar-making in England, and after 



he had served his apprenticesliip. he emigrated 
to the United States. For many years he worked 
at his trade in New York City, and being an ex- 
ceptionall.v fine mechanic, did some e.xcellent 
work. Some of his leather-work took premiums 
at the American Institute in New York City, in 
184(1. when all kinds of high-grade leather work 
was displayed. -Vfter coming to Mt. Carmel he 
invented and patented a machine for making col- 
lars for horses. In 1.850 the family emigrated to 
Mt. Carmel, and immediately Mr. Habberton es- 
tablished a harness making business. His 
brother. Michael J. Habberton. had preceded the 
others and was already established as an expert 
wagon-maker in Mt. Carmel. and he made one 
of tlie first buggies used in Wabash County. 
During the 'fifties these two brothers bought 
horses and drove them l,.o(M) miles across three 
mountain ranges to New York City. He was a 
man of e.xemplary character and a member of the 
Methodist Cliureh. as was his wife. Both were 
fine vocalists and. for many years, sung in the 
old Sands Street Church of Brooklyn. N. Y., and 
after conung to Jit. Carmel. were leaders of the 
choir. 

William P. Habberton was edticated in the 
public schools of Mt. Carmel. and while in 
school and for .years afterward, worked with his 
father. Following his father's death, he assumed 
charge of the business and conducted it for 
many years. He then engaged in an express 
and coal business, and has since added the han- 
dling of oil to his other lines of activity. With 
the exception of three years spent in Vincenues, 
Ind.. during his father's lifetime. Mr. Habl>er- 
ton has lived in Jit. Carmel since first coming 
here. 

Jlr. Habberton is a man who has a war record 
of which he may well be proud. On Jlay 14. 
1.S04. be enlisted in Company II. One Hundred 
and Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 
and was stationed most of the time in Tennessee. 
He was mustered out at Indianapolis, having 
enlisted from Posey County. Septemlier 2. 1804. 

He married Helen .M. Redman, daughter of 
William L. and Jane (Clarkl Redman, the for- 
mer a native of Indiana and the latter of Illi- 
nois. Mr. Redman was a merchant at Bridge- 
Tiort. 111., and prior to that carried on the same 
business in Indiana. Jlr. and Mrs. IIal>berton 
have a family as follows : Ruth, wife of .\. F. 
Orr of JIt. Oarmel; Kittle Maud, deceased; 
.Vnna Belle: William L.. deceased: JIarguerite; 
Norma ; William and Benjamin. The two eld- 
est are graduates of JIt. Carmel Tlish School. 
and the others are attending school. 

For many yeai's Jlr. Hablierton and his fam- 
il.v have belonged to the Methodist Church and 
are very active in all its works. An ardent Pro- 
hibitionist, he has been very aitive in temper- 
ance matters and was one of the leaders in the 
successful movement in 1007 to do away with 
saloons in Wabash County. He has ser\"ed as 
President of the Board of Education for sever- 
al vears and has been a member of it for a 



728 



WABASH COUNTY 



longer period. He has also served as a member 
of the Citj- Council. 

In addition to his other interests. Mr. Hab- 
berton is one of the Directors of the Wabash 
Building & Loan Association, and Viee-I'resident 
of the Mt. Carniel Trust & Savings Bank. He 
was at one time the owner of two low-water 
boats which plied in the Wabash and White 
Rivers; they were the "Irene" and the "(ieorge 
T. Frank." "which were used in towing timber, 
lumber, grain and similar cargoes. He handles 
anually large quantities of coal, his soft coal 
being from the Ayrshire Mines and his hard 
coal from the Kast. 

Superintending all of his business. Mr. Hab- 
berton is kept busy with details, but is always 
glad to exert his influence towards the better- 
ment of Mt. Cannel. of which he is very proud. 

HALLOCK, Aaron B., one of the oldest resi- 
dents of Wabash County. 111., is well versed in 
the early history of the county, where most of 
his life "has been spent, and has always taken 
great interest in the welfare of the connuunity 
in which he lived. He was formerly ver>- active 
in promoting the interest of the Farmers' Grange, 
and has given his financial aid to the erection 
of at least a dozen chureiies. of various denomi- 
nations. Mr. Hallock's immediate ancestors were 
of the Quaker faith. He was born in Tuckerton, 
N. J., April 24. ISIS, son of John and Lydia (Col- 
lins) Hallock, natives respectively of New York 
and New ,Tersey, and gi-andson of John Hallock 
and John Collii'is. both of the State of New York. 

In 1S"!> the family of John Hallock moved 
west, going by rail to Philadelpliia. thence by 
stage to Pittsburg, and then down the Ohio River 
by boat to Evansville. where a party of six hired 
a wagon to take tliem to Wabash County. There 
Mr. Hallock purchased 120 acres in Lick Praiiie 
Precinct, the farm containing a one-room house. 
His land was on Bald Hill Prairie. Mr. Hallcx-k 
tried to make things convenient for the farmers 
in the vicinity in eveiy ixjssible way. and con- 
ducted a general store, a hay press and a cider- 
mill. 

His mother being deceased. Aaron B. Hallock 
started out in life on bis own account at the age 
of fourteen years, going to the State of New 
York where he worked for farmers at a wage 
of .?4-50 per month. Being aml)itious to better 
■himself, he went to Philadelphia soon after to 
learn a trade, but had to abandon his punwse 
on account of a death in his family. Soon after- 
ward he went to New York City and began learn- 
ing the profession of druggist, conducting a store 
for his brother some six years. Mr. Hallock 
has spent an active life up to the last few years, 
but since that time has lived practically re- 
tired from business and other cares. In his 
work for the Grange he has had many large 
gatherings at his place. He has disjxised of all 
his land except 120 acres in his home farm. 

May 5. 1842. Mr. Hallock married .\senath Og- 
den. who was born in Ohio, and died Fehruar\- 
24. 185<>. having borne her husband children as 



follows : Mar.\'. Mrs. Joseph Shearer, a widow, 
living iu Mt. Carmel ; John, of Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct ; William P., of Harrisburg, 111.; Aaron, 
died in a southern hospital during the Civil 
War ; Allen, of Harrisburg, 111. ; .Martha. Mrs. 
Rufus Newkirk, of Mt. Carmel Precinct; Lydia, 
Mrs. David Ro.ver. of Centralia, Wash. ; Charles, 
of Keensburg, 111. ; Lillie, died in infancy; James, 
Asenath and Amy. live with their father; Katie 
PMnle.v. Mrs. Lewis Rigg. of Elbert, Colo, ; Harry, 
died in infancy. Mr. Hallock married (second) 
his first wife's niece, who bore the same name, 
al.so born in Ohio. They were married in 18(50 
and she died April 28. 1873. 

Mr. Hallock is still more active than many 
men of fewer .vears, and has a retentive memory. 
In religious views he is inclined in favor of 
SiiiTltualism. He was one of the first voters for 
the Anti-Slavery ticket iu Wabash' County and 
has since voted the Republican ticket. He 
served many years as a Justice of the Peace, six- 
teen years as a Magistrate and sixteen years as 
School Trustee. Many are the men who are 
glad to claim Mr. Hallock as their friend, and he 
is accorded the highest regard and resi)eet where- 
ever known. 

HAMMAKER, Jacob A., a prominent farmer of 
Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash County, 111., has 
been successfully engaged in a number of enter- 
prises. Mr. Hammaker was born in Springfield, 
Ohio. August n. IS^iO. son of Adam and Susan 
(Prince) Hammaker, the former born in Read- 
ing. Pa., and the latter in Springfield. Ohio. 
Adam Hammaker was a son of Adam Hammaker, 
a native of Reading. Pa., of German descent, 
and Mrs. Hammaker was a daughter of Peter 
and Susan Prince, of Schuylkill. Pa. 

The parents of Jacob Hammaker settled on a 
farm near Springfield. Ohio. He had learned the 
trade of tailor in Pennsylvania, and was but 
nineteen years of age when he went to Spring- 
field, working at his trade until his marriage in 
1.842. when he c-onducted his father-in-law's farm 
until 1857. then moved to Lick Prairie Precinct, 
Wabash County, making the journey with 
wagons by way of Terre Haute, where they 
crossed the Wabash River. Abraham Hammaker 
conducted a grist-mill in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
and tliere was a block-house or fort on his place 
to protect the white settlers from the Indians. 
Mr. Jacol) .\. Hammaker well remembers seeing 
the foundations of the old fort. Mr. Hammaker 
boufTht a farm of forty acres in I>ancaster Pre- 
cinct and lived there until 1S70. when he sold 
bis fann and moved to Mt. Carmel. His wife 
died in Lancaster Precinct and he lived with bis 
son Jacob A., three years prior to his death. 
The following children were tiorn to him and his 
wife : .James and Oliver, deceased ; Peter, of 
Si>ringfield. Ohio ; .Jacob .\. : Mary, widow of 
Sylvester Wheeler, of Keensburg Precinct : Anna. 
Mrs. William Roberts, of Mt. Carmel : Adam, of 
Springfield. Ohio; Abram, died at the age of 
three years. 

Jacob A. Hammaker was educated in the dis- 




MR. AND MRS. \VII,I,IA:M R. MINDY 



WABASH COUNTY 



729 



trict schools and in bis youth helped his father 
in farm work. He lived at the jKitonial home 
until his marriasre. May 4. ]S72, to Mary Rob- 
erts, iMirn in Mt. t'arniel. daughter of Archibald 
R. and Harriet (Gardner) Roberts, the former 
born in Mt. Cannel and the latter in Pennsyl- 
vania. Her grandparents were Henry and Sarah 
(Cole) Gardner, of I'ennsylvania. 

After his marriage Mr. Hammaker lived in 
Mt. Carmel, working in a saw-mill and at various 
occupations. In 1878 he moved to Lick Prairie 
Precinct, where he bought two acres of land, a 
threshing machine, clover huUer and saw-mill. 
Later he purchased his present home, erected the 
dwelling an<l other buildings, and has worked 
as agent for various companies, tirst for the (Jar 
Scott Machlnei-^- fompany, of Richmond, Ind. 
and later for the Buffalo-Pitts Company, of Buf- 
falo, X. Y. He was one of the first jiersons to 
become associated with the Farmers' Wabash 
County Mutual Telephone Company, being one 
of the" first stockholders. The Card's Point Ex- 
change has been located at his home since April, 
1909. 

Mr. Hammaker is a Universalist ; fraternally 
is connected with the Indeiiendent Order of Odd 
Fellows Xo. 1.37. at We.st Salem, and of Ben Hur 
Lodge. No. 9.3. at Mt. Carniel. Politically he is 
a Democrat. Jlr. Hammaker is well known and 
highl.v esteemed in his community, having the 
public welfare at heart. Children as follows 
were bom to Mr. Hammaker and his wife: 
Rosa Ma.v, bom Xovember 1.5. 1S72. married 
Henry Wood, of Seatle. Wash., and they have 
one son, Forrest, born May 1.5. 18S9: Hattie 
Susan, born Man-h 1. 187."). died September 12. 
1S7ii: rtaisy Sybil, born October 30, 18.S5, mar- 
ried Frank Freeman and they have one daughter 
Willa Madge, born .June 4, 1902 : Daisy S.. lives 
vnth her father and mother. 

HANSON, Henry Alfred (deceased). — Among 
the prominent citizens of Mt. Carmel. 111., who 
have been well known for their successful careers 
in the line of railroad work, was Henry Alfred 
Hanson, whose death occurred Xovemlier 8. 1S98. 
Though he has been gone from them many years 
his old friends and asso<-iates remember him well 
and still miss him. Mr. Hanson was boi-n at 
Oswego. X. Y.. September 9. 1840. son of Henry 
and Mary Hanson, natives of Oswego. He re- 
ceived hl.s education in his native city, removing 
to Illinois in 1S91. He began his railroad ca- 
reer in 1870. when he entered the emjiloy of the 
Big Ftnir Railroad Company, for whom he 
worktHi the remainder of his life. an<l at the time 
of his death held the position of Supervisor of 
Buildings and Bridges, having faithfully dis- 
charged the duties of this res]ioiisil>le post for 
man.v years. He had been a resident of Mt. Car- 
mel for about seven years and was well known 
and respected there. In early life Mr. Han- 
son was an Episcopalian. Imt later l>ecanie a 
Presbyterian. In i>olitics he was a Republican 
and was a member of various fraternities, his 
lodge associations being as follows: Wabash 



I>odge Xo. 227. Knights of Pythias ; Mt. Carmel 
Lodge Xo. •2?.d. A. F. & A. M. ; Mt. Carmel Cliai>- 
ter Xo. 1.59, R. A. M. ; Mt. Carmel Chapter Xo. 
•■'.2. Order of the Eastern Star ; and Gorin Com- 
mandery Xo. 14, Knights Templar, of Olney, 111. 
Mrs. Hanson is a member of the Order of the 
Eastern Star. 

Mr. Hans<in was married. August 21, 1877. at 
R(X'hester, X. Y.. to Helen Eli/.alieth, daughter 
of .James and Mary (Campbell) Haz-zard. Mr. 
Hazzard was born in Orange County, X. Y'., in 
1822, and his wife was born in Oswego, X. Y.. in 
1820. One daughter and three .sons were Itorn 
to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, as follows: Victoria, 
born at Rochester, X. Y.. .July 13, 1870, married 
Fred Herman, of Cleveland. Ohio, and later Dr. 
.T. il. Olin. with whom she is now living in. 
Cleveland; .James Alfred, born at Cleveland, 
Ohio. August 21. 1,872: Harry Elvin. lx)ni at 
Franklin. Ohio. September 21. 1879; Howard 
Leonard. Iwrn at Cleveland. Ohio. September 21, 
1887. Victoria and James were educated In 
Cleveland. Ohio, and Hariy and Howard In Mt. 
Carmel, and James. Harry and Howard are all 
living in Mt. Carmel. Mr. Hanson died at his 
home In Mt. Carmel and was buried in Rose Hill 
Cemetery. 

HARMON, William Mitchell (deceased), who 

died at his home in Mt. Carmel. 111., was a prom- 
inent attorney and had held various public of- 
fices of honor and trust. Jlr. Harmon was bom 
in Wabash County. 111.. Xovember 1. 18.30. son 
of Enos and .Vbigail Matilda (Mitchell) Jlar- 
mon. The father, who was born in West Sufl^eld, 
Conn., .June 15. 1785, served in the War of 1812, 
and afterward emigrated to Illinois, settling In 
Wabash County. He was a man of education, 
and culture, and by occupation was a surveyor, 
teacher and nurseryman. His wife was born at 
Granville, Mas.s.. May 28. 1803. 

The txiyhood of William M. Harmon was passed 
in Illinois and he received his education in the 
public schools at Jerseyvllle. 111. He was a quiet, 
studious child, and made the most of his oppor- 
ttmities for ac(]uiring knowledge. He engaged 
for a time in teaching and received his legal 
training at Mt. Carmel. III., under the tuition of 
.Judge Constable. He was admitte<l to the bar 
aliout 1.8.54 and began his practice at Mt, Carmel. 
Mr. Harmon stood well in his profession and won 
the confidence of those who had dealings with 
him. He was active in iKilltical affairs, being an 
aiYlent Re]inblican. and served as Justice of the 
Peace at Mt. Carmel and as Suiieiintendent of 
Schools in W.ibash County. He built up an ex- 
tensive practice and won many warm friends, 
and after his death was greatly missed in man.v 
circles. He was a member of the Inde|)cndeiit 
Order of Odd Fellows, baring served as Grand 
.Master of Lodge Xo. 35. I. O. O. F.. and was a 
member of the Methodist Episcoiial Church of 
Mt. Carmel. He was interested in the public 
welfare and gave his support to many good 
causes. He owmed a home on Cherry Street. Mt. 



730 



WABASH COUNTY 



Carmel, and was also proprietor of some un- 
improved land in Edwards County. 

Jir. Harmon was married at Mt. Carmel, Janu- 
ary 31, 1860, to Hannah Harriet Russell, who 
was bom at Mt. Carmel. February 27, 1843, 
daughter of Abraham and Hannah (Stewart) 
Russell. Four children blessed their union, 
namely: Mai-y Eliza, liorn April 1, 1861: Agnes 
Eleanor, November 1.5. 1862; ,Tobn Russell, April 
21, 186.0; Hannah Stewart, August 25, 1867. 
Mr. Harmon died at his home, in Mt. Carmel, HI., 
November 23, 1867, and was buried in Rose Hill 
Cemetery. 

HAVILL, Rene. — One of the most prominent 
citizens of Mt. Carmel, 111., whose father was 
for many years one of the city's leading citizens 
and held many public offices there, is Rene Ha- 
vill, a native of Mt. Carmel. born May 15. 18S2, 
son of Frank \V. and Elizabeth (Willman) Ha- 
vill. Frank W. Ha^ill was bom at Roscoe. now 
Coshocton, Ohio, September 15, 1842, and his 
wife was a native of .Mt. Carmel. The Willman 
family emigrated from German.v in 18.30 and 
.settled at Mt. Carmel. securing government land 
which the.v improved. Mr. Havill and his wife 
were married at Palmyra, now Frieudsville. 111., 
and settled at Mt. Carmel. where he was em- 
ployed at day-labor. His enterprise and ability 
were soon appreciated, and lie was asked to ac- 
cept public office, serving first as Marshal two 
years, also served tvvo years as Street Commis- 
sioner, and was alderman from the First Ward 
for one term. He served with distinction in the 
Union .\Tmy. enlisting as private in Comp.any I, 
Fortieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. July 25, 
1861. He was promoted to the rank of Lieuten- 
ant and later to that of Captain, holding the lat- 
ter jwsition until his discharge. July 25, 1,865. 
He participated in many of the important bat- 
tles of the war and was with Sherman in his 
March to the Sea. He suffered from gunshot 
wounds in his left shoulder, right side and right 
leg. 

.\t the close of the war Frank W. Havill re- 
turned to Mt. Carmel. and in 1877 became editor 
of the "Mt. Carmel Register." He was .\ssistaut 
Inspector of the First Division of the First Army 
Corps, and served in the secret service as Ad- 
jutant of Harrison's Tennessee Cavalry, in 1863. 
In 1872 he became half-owner of the paper of 
which he afterward became editor. .John H. 
Willman being his partner. The paper was Re- 
publican in policy until 1878. then became Demo- 
cratic. In 1881 Mr. Havill was appointed Post- 
master of Mt. Carmel. bv President Cleveland, 
and sen-ed until 18,8,8. when he resigned, at the 
time President Harrison took office. In 1800 
he was electetl Clerk of the Supreme Court serv- 
ing six years, and in 1896 was elected Clerk of 
the .\ppellate Court, in which office he also 
served six years. In 1003 Mr. Havill was the 
choice of the people for Mayor of Mt. Carmel. 
and served one term, giving the city a good ad- 
ministration. He served one .vear as member 
of the Democratic State Committee, also on many 



other imixirtant Democratic Committees, and 
served his party in a multitude of ways. He 
sold out his business interests, November 8, 
1906, on account of failing health, having been 
for many years the leader of his party in Wa- 
bash County. He was well known throughout 
the section of the State where he resided, and 
was regarded as one of the most useful and pub- 
lic spirited citizens of Mt. Carmel, having done 
more to advance the pi-ogress and prosperity of 
the oitj" than any other man who ever lived 
there. He had merely a common school education 
to liegin with, but was always a close observer 
and deep student, and rose to a high iwsition by 
dint of great industry and perseverance. He at- 
tended the common schools until fourteen years 
of age and upon coming to Mt. Carmel. in 1857, 
soon found work at common labor, which line 
occupied his attention until he enlisted for .ser- 
vice in the .\rmy. He was highly esteemed on 
occount of his high character and honest, upright 
life, and is well remembered for the efforts he 
made to keep his business affairs and public work 
up to the high standard he had set for himself. 
He was prominent in several fraternal orders, 
ha\-ing held offices in all the lodges to which he 
belonged. These included the Ancient Free & 
Accepted Masons ; the Knights Templar, of Jit. 
Venion ; the M.vstic Shrine of Chicago ; the Tribe 
of Ben Hur Lodge. Mt. Carmel. and the Order 
of the Eastern Star. He was also affiliated with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its 
Encampment, the Cirand Army of the Republic, 
T. S. Bowei-s Post, Mt. Carmel ; the .\ncient Or- 
der of United Workmen, of Mt. Carmel. No. 125. 
and was a charter member of the Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks. Mrs. Havill was an ac- 
tive member of the Eastern Star and of the Re- 
bekabs. Mr. Havill died June 5. 1907, and his 
wife July 30, 1006. They were parents of the 
following children : Guy and Fred, both of whom 
died in infancy; St. Clair, who was killed at 
Robinson. 111., in 1.893. while employed on the 
Big Four Railroad: Orra F.. editor of the Mt. 
Carmel ."Morning Pai>er," who was Chief Clerk 
of Cliester (111.') Penitentiary, under Governor 
Altgeld. was Captain of Company G, Ninth Illi- 
nois Volunteer Infantry, during the Spanish- 
American War ; Duke, editor of the "Mt. Car- 
mel Register." and jirivate secretary of Supreme 
Judges, at Mt. Vernon. 111., for six years; and 
Rene. 

Rene Havill was educated in the common and 
high schools of Mt. Carmel, then attended Or- 
chard City Business College, at Flora, 111,, after 
which he spent a year as his f.ather's secretary 
in the "Register" office. Since 1002, he has been 
official court reporter in the Second Judicial Dis- 
trict, and is now serving his second term. He 
is secretary of the Mt, Carmel Register Com- 
pany, and inherited his father's handsome resi- 
dence in Mt. Carmel on West Fourth Street. He 
has always been much interested in public aff.airs 
and political issues, and keeps thoroughly In- 
formed on the current topics of the day. He 
follows the foot-steps of his father in being active 



WABASH COUNTY 



731 



in local matters, and though young, has held im- 
portant ixisitions in the Demoeratie party organi- 
zations. He is now Chairman of the Democratic 
Central Committee and member of the State Cen- 
tral Committee. He is one of the promising 
young men of Wabash County, and has a bright 
future: is representathx* of the best interests of 
the conununitj-, and in business affairs has shown 
himself to be honest and upright, so that he has 
won the respect and esteem of all witli whom he 
has been associated. He is a member of Lodge 
No. 2.30. A. F. & A. M.. of Mt. Carmel. and of the 
Order of the Eastern Star, and of IvOdge Xo. 715. 
Order of Elks. 

Aiigust n. lt>On. Mr. Havill married Amy Lee 
Sn.vder. Iwrn in Mt. Carmel. January 20. 1883, 
a daughter of Charles and Martha ( McPaniels) 
Snyder, natives of Gibson County. Ind.. and of 
this union one son has been born. Frank Walden. 
born June 21, 1907. 

HEIN, Paul J. — Among the natives of Germany 
who have located in Wabash County. 111., are to 
be found many who have come to the county with 
almost nothing and b.v dint of hard work and 
perseverance liave acquired a competency. Paul 
J. Hein. who now lives at Mt. Carmel. is one of 
those who have been successful to a gratif.ving 
extent in a financial way, as at the time he came 
to this community he was an orphan, without 
money and almost witliout friends, and is now 
the owner of a comfortable two-story home of six 
rooms. [)rovided with modern comforts and con- 
veniences, and a lot 100 by 200 feet, besides 
bams and other buildings and all necessai-y 
utensils for carying on farm work. 

Mr. Hein was horn in Hesse Darmstadt. Ger- 
many. October 17. IS.'iO. a son of George and 
Mary (Willmanl Hein. both natives of Germany. 
He was one of five children, four sons and one 
daughter, and by the death of his father in ISOC. 
and that of liis niinther in 1878 he was left with 
the care of his brotliers and sister. He received 
but a limited education in his native country and. 
at an earl.v age. had to assume cares and respon- 
sibilities far beyond his years. In 1881 be emi- 
grated to the Ignited States, locating at Mt. Car- 
mel. During the first year he worked for an 
tmcle. then purchased a team and began cultivat- 
ing land for others, on shares. He continued this 
occupation with success and profit until be 
flnall.v located on his present place. 

November 12, IS'%2. ^^r. Ilein married .\nna 
Marie fKornl Stromaer. who was bom in Wur- 
temburg. Germany, daughter of .John ^T'cbnel 
and Barbara CRonlfoose') Kern. She had pre- 
vious! v married George Stromaer. who died, and 
they had four children, namely: Patherinp. who 
lives with her mother: Sarah. Afrs. M. Litber- 
land. of Rmnswick. Neb., and two died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Hein and wife had children as fol- 
lows: Fred, who is ensraged in the coal business 
in Mt. Carmel: Marie. Mrs. Ernest Shepard. of 
Mt. Cannel. and Cora. Mrs. ,Tohn Sbennrd. of 
Mt. Carmel. M"r. Hein and his familv belong to 
the Evangelical Church pnd are active in its 



w»>rk. He is ready to advance tlie interests of 
any good cause, both by personal effort and in a 
financial way. He is a Democrat in ]x)litics and 
actively interested in the welfare of his county 
and State. 

HENIKEN, Benjamin F., a progressive and buc- 
cessful farmer of Compton I'recinct. Wabash 
Count.v, 111., is a native of that precinct, bom 
Januaiy 2.5. 1S73. a son of (ieorge W. and Mar- 
garet (Frair) Ileniken. the former a native of 
Wa.\me Count.v. 111., and the latter of New York 
State. The father came to Wabash County as a 
young man and purchased a farm in Compton 
Precinct, and tlie mother was brought to Comp- 
ton Precinct b.v her [wrents wlien a child. They 
were married in Wabash County and settled on 
4."0 acres of land in Conijiton Precinct, where 
they spent the remainder of their lives. He died 
in 1878 and his widow survived him many years, 
passing awa.v October 7. 180ri. Their children 
were : John E.. of Cleveland. Ohio, where he is 
engaged as a grain inspector; Willie Ann., Mrs. 
G. W. Rimstidt. of Compton Precinct: Mary L., 
who died at the age of twenty-two years ; Ben- 
jamin F.. and Dora M.. wife of Dr. J. H. Wil- 
liamson. 

After receiving a common school education, 
P.en.lamin F. Heniken attended Eureka College, 
in Woodford County. 111., and took a course at 
Bryant & Stratton's Business College. Chicago. 
\t the age of seventeen years he was employed 
by a grain-dealer at Cowling. III., where he re- 
mained three years, when he began farming on 
120 acres of land in Compton Precinct, six years 
later being employed as book-keeper by a firm 
in Grayviile. 111., also working for a time in the 
grain busine.ss. Returning to Comjiton Precinct, 
he has since been engaged in farming and raising 
hogs and cattle. He is an intelligent farmer, 
an able business man and is higlily esteemed by 
all who know him. Mr. Heniken is actively in- 
terested in general jirogress and welfare of the 
community and is a stanch Democrat in polities. 
He has many friends and fraternally is a mem- 
ber of the B. P. O. E. No. 71.5. of Mt. Cannel. 
al.so the Blue Lodge and Chapter of the Masonic 
Order. 

'I'wo children have been born to Mr. Heniken 
and wfe. namely: Dorothy M.. liorn September 
7. lOO.",, and Sereno L., November 14, 100(1. 

HIGGINS, John F., a prominent citizen of 
Lancaster. TIL. formerly a successful business 
man and farmer, but now retir(>d fixini active 
business life, was bom in the town where he now 
resi<les. October 24. lSi>4. son of John and Judy 
nvercher) Higgins. .John HisKlins was born in 
Ca.vuga Count\-. N. Y.. in 1812. son of .John Hig- 
gins, who was born in England. Judy Kercber 
was born in Berks County. Pa., daughter of 
Jonathan Kercber. 

Jolm HiiTgins. Jr.. father of .Tohn F. Higcins. 
was brought West )iy his parents in 1810. Tliey 
came by wagon to Cincinnati, thence down the 
Ohio and up the Wabash to Mt Carmel. with 



732 



WABASH COUNTY 



keel-boats. They drove to Laueaster and entered 
land, part timber and part prairie, about eighty 
acres altoy;ether. Jonathan Kercher entered 
land near that of the Higgins family in 1818. 
and heli)ed lay out the towii of Lancaster, and 
iKith families made permanent settlements in 
Lancaster Precinct. John and Judy Iliggins set- 
tled on part of his father's farm after tlieir mar- 
riage and he purchased eighty acres of land ad- 
joining. He finished clearing the land and in- 
verted it into a line farm, making all iwssible 
iinjirovements. Part of the land was in Section 
4 and part in Section .">. Town 1 North. Range VA 
West. .Mr. Higgins died Janu;u-j- IS. lt:H)2. and 
his wife died May 12. ISUl. They we''e parents 
of two sons and ten daughters. 

The boyhood of John K. Higc" s was spent on 
his father's farm and he att nded the district 
school of the neighborhood. 'le heli>ed with the 
farm work and lived at honu nutll hi.s marriage. 
June 2. ISTs. to S.irali .\nu Hiehl. who was lx)rn 
in Lancaster Prwinct. daughter of Charles and 
Mary (Schlenker) Pielil. natives of (lermany. 

John F. lliggins and wife settled on part of 
the home farm. whi<-h he liought from his father, 
and to which he added twenty acres more. He 
carried on general farming and stock-raising and 
conducted a furniture, hardware and lumber 
business for ten months, at Flat Rock, III., serv- 
ing in the capacity of clerk, and also took care 
of the postoffice. Later he worked four months 
as clerk of a general store in Lancaster, and for 
three years served as I'ostmaster of that town 
under Presidents Grant and Arthur. November 
S. 1010. he was elected Justice of Peace and has 
now retired from his farm. He has been success- 
ful in all his enterprises and has won the ayt- 
I)roval and resfyect of his fellow-men by his in- 
dustr.v and high character. He is a member of 
the Christian Church and is afJiliated with the 
>rystic Workers of the World. In politics Mr. 
Higgins is a Rejiublican and served three years 
as Deputy Assessor. He and his wife lieea me par- 
ents of children as follmvs : Charles F.. of Lan- 
caster Pre<'inct; Adam J., on his father's farm; 
Naomi, the oldest child, died in infancy ; Ruth 
K.. lives with her father. 

HILL, Morris (deceased). — The late Morris Hill, 
of P.ellmont. 111., was a veteran of the Civil 
War and an honored citizen of the rtllage where 
his last days were sjient. He was representative 
of the best interests of his community and his 
loss was widely mourned. He retired ,\pril 2(1. 
i;>10, and lived in his cozy little home in P.ellrainit 
until his death. December 1?.. inOT. Most of his 
life was spent on a forty -acre farm in Bellmont 
Precinr-t. which he purchased the stmuner before 
his marriage and canned on until his retireTuent 
from active life. He was an industrious and 
successful farmer and stix)d well in the com- 
nninity. having always lieen most upright and 
fair in his business dealings. It is such men as 
he who build up any communitj' and promote the 
general welfare. 

Mr Hill was born in .\tlantic City. N. J.. Mny 



17, 1833, a son of Horace and Dorcas (Hackett) 
Hill, the former a native of Ireland and the lat- 
ter of England. The parents located in Wabash 
County in 1836 and spent the remainder of their 
lives on a farm in Bellmont Precinct. Of their 
ten children Morris was the fifth. After the 
death of his father, in 1840. Morris Hill lived 
with various families until September 1, 1861, 
when he enlisted, at Mt. Carmel, in Company G, 
Forty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He 
was dischargetl in December, 1863, and re- 
enlisted January 1. 1S(>4, in the same company 
and regiment. He was discharge<l August 15, 
1.8(k>, at Little Rock. Ark., and after living a year 
with a sister at Buffalo. 111., returned to Wabash 
County. He participated in the battles of Shiloh. 
Vicksburg. Chickaniauga. Chattanooga, Siege of 
.Vtlanta. and marched with Sherman to the sea. 
Septend)er 11. 1.87(». .Mr. Hill marrie«l Sarah E. 
Tanquary. born in Bellmont Precinct. May 31. 
l>Ciii, ,1 daughter of Reuben C. and Margaret 
(RiggI Tanquary. Mr. Tanquary was bom in 
Mt. Carmel Precinct, a son of Fielden and Kliza- 
lieth (Beauchamp) Tauquaiy. and his wife was 
horn in Bellmont Precinct, her parents being Rob- 
ert H. and Elizabeth iMir-Clary) Rigg. Mr. Tan- 
quary was an early settler in W^abash County 
and secured a large amount of land from the 
Government. Since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Hill has lived alone in the Bellmont resi- 
dence. Both she and her husband received their 
educations in the common schixils of Wabash 
County. Both were meniliers of the Methodist 
Church. Mr. Hill was a Republican in iwlities. 
The children l)orn to them were: Reuben M.. 
of Bellmont Precinct : Thomas G.. a clerk in the 
post-office at Mt. Carmel. 111. : John X., of Da- 
coma. Okla. 

HILL, Morris. — One of the most enterprising 
and progressive farmers of Wabash County. 111., 
is Morris Hill, of Lick Prairie Precinct, a native 
of the county, liorn in Bellmont Precinct. Febru- 
ary 10. 181^3. He is a son of Sanuiel S. and Ellen 
(Wallace) Hill, the former a native of New Jer- 
sey and the latter of Wabash Clounty. Samuel 
Hill's father came to Wabash County alwut 1.8.36 
and died a few .vears later. Mrs. Hill aftenvaTd 
married James Wiley. Ellen Wallace's parents 
were natives of Ohio, who became early set- 
tlers of Friendsville Precinct. Wabash County, 
and later moved to Bellmont Precinct, where 
their last days were srient. 

Samuel and Ellen Hill were married in Wa- 
bash County- and settled on a farm of Forty- 
acres, mostly timber, which he owned in the 
eastern part of Bellmont Precinct. He cleared 
the land and brought it under cultivation. living 
many years on this fann. and ber-oming success- 
ful in this occupation, .\tiout 1001 he moved to 
Mt. Carmel, where his death occurred January 1, 
1006. his wife dying in .\pril. 1004. Thev had 
children as follows: Eliza. Mrs. George Olden, 
a widow, of Mt. Carmel ; Fannie. Mrs. Curtis 
Browai. of Coffee Precinct; .John, died young; 
.\nna. Mrs. John Beauchamp, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 




J. Ci. REEL 



"WABASH COUNTY 



r33 



oinct ; Mattie, Mrs. George Aiusburg, of Chicago ; 
Morris : Dora, lives with Morris ; May. Mrs. 
Frank Weisenberirer. of Mt. t'anuel ; Tessie 
Maud. Mr.s. Fretl Aiii.sburg. of Chicago; George, 
tUeil at the age of six years, and Samuel F., of 
ViiK-eiiiies. lud. 

Morris Hill attended the district school and 
remained at home until his marriage. Oetol>er 
2."{. 1S8T. to Aquila Munsey. born In Kellmont 
~ Precinct, daughter of George and Elizabeth 
(Towner-Sappi Munsey. Mrs. Mun.sey's first 
marriage was to Henry Sai>p. who died, having 
had children as follows : Albert, of the State of 
Washington: Marian, of Friendsville rre<-inct ; 
Meander. Mrs. John Fisher, of Mt. Carmel ; Ol- 
lie, Mrs. William Anthis. of Keensburg ; Vina, 
deceased; Charles. Mt. Carmel Precinct. Mr. 
Munsey and his wife had children as follows ; 
Anna, Mrs. Thomas Williams, of Coffee Precinct; 
Ida.. Mrs. .Tose]ih Dillon, of the State of Wash- 
ington ; Mrs. Hill and Priscilla. twins, the latter 
the wife of William Christian, of Arkansas; 
General Grant, died in infancy. 

JiT. Hill and his wife were married in Mt. 
Carmel. an<l he then settled on a farm and 
worked at building the Wabash River dam for 
the T'nited States Gtovernment. In the fall of 
IS.S.S he moved to a farm and three years later 
located on his father's fann in Bellniont Pre- 
cinct, where he lived ten years, then sjient an- 
other four and a half years in Mt. Cannel Pr^ 
clnct, a year and a half in P.ellmont Precinct, 
and on January 1. lOOn. moved to the farm of 
Frank P.rines. in I-irk Prairie Pi'ecinct. The 
farm on which he now lives contains (iOf» acres, 
with 4W acres under cultivation. Here he car- 
ries on general farming and makes a sjiecialt.v 
of raising horses. Jersey cows. Poland-China 
hogs and other high-grade stock. He is well 
known in the comnuniit^' and has a large num- 
ber of friends ; he is actively interested in pub- 
lic affairs and in jxilitics is a Republican. Fra- 
ternallv he Is a member of the M. W. .V. of Maud. 
HI. 

Children as follows were bom to Jlr. Hill and 
his wife: Frank, at home; Granville. Fre<l ; 
Stella, diwl in infancy : Clara. Oscar. Effie. Pris- 
cilla. Hazel, and Ernest. 

HOLSEN, Fred, Jr., of the tii-m of Holsen and 
Dorney. who own and operate one of the largest 
grist-mills and elevators in Wabash CYiiuity. III.. 
at Mt. Carmel. Is one of the enterprising young 
business men of his locality. Mr. Holsen was 
horn in Luken Township. Lawrence County. HI.. 
February 2^. 1S7S. a son of Fred and Nancy Jane 
fKeneipp> Holfjen. the former a native of Ger- 
many and the latter of Illinois. Fred Holsen, 
Sr.. was a son of a farmer and came with his 
parents to Lawrence County. 111., when about 
twelve years old. T^ater the family removed to 
Wahasli County. His wife was a daughter of 
James Keneipp. They were residents of Law- 
rence County, where he was a farmer and mil- 
ler, until 1R70. when they lo<>ated in Allendale, 
where be purchased a flouring mill. Later his 



brother Herman was taken into the business as 
partner and they continued together twenty 
years, when he bought out his brother's interest 
and conducted the busine.ss alone until 1H05, 
then selling it to his son Fred and L. A. Kemps. 
Mr. Holsen died in Atigust, litO!.», and his wife in 
May, 1892. They had children as follows: Wil- 
liam, of Lawrence County; Charles L.. also of 
Lawrence County ; Jude L.. Mrs. J. A. Pi-out. of 
.\llendale; Sadie. Mrs. J. R. Brown, of Sullivan, 
Ind. ; Fred ; Edgar L.. of Mt. Carmel ; Hester L, 
Mrs. John J. Mcintosh, of Allendale. 

After receiving a common .school education, 
Fred Holsen. Jr.. spent one term in Ilayward 
School at Fairfield. 111. In IIMKI he became pro- 
prietor of an elevator at Mt. Carmel. and in 1901 
sold a half-Interest to Heni-j- Wetzel. A year 
later he bought the Bluff City Mill, which heand 
his partner conducted for a time, taking Poke 
French into partnership one year later. At the 
death of Mr. Wetzel. James Sugan and .Mr. Hol- 
sen formed a c-o-parfnership in the Bluff City 
Mill i.*i Elevator Company, which they conducted 
until V.\iC,. when they sold out and Jlr. Holsen 
located in Allendale. 

Since 1905 Mr. Hol.sen and F. J. Domey have 
ccmducted a good business, handling wheat, c-orn, 
clover seed, etc. They also have the only coal 
y.-ird in .\Ilendale and realize a good profit from 
this line of business. They also make IW bar- 
rels of flour per da.v. The building was rebuilt 
in 188;? by Mr. Holsen's father and brother, and 
is now a large establishment, known for miles 
around for the high quality of the output from 
the mill and the honest dealing accorded all 
who have dealings «ith the honest and enter- 
I)rising proprietors. Mr. Holsen has been asso- 
ciated with this kind of business since boyhood 
and is well fitted to carry on his share with abil- 
ity and .iudgment. 

August 11. 189tl, Mr. Holsen married Josie 
Clsel, who was bora in Wabash Precinct, Wabash 
Countj-, daughter of .John II, and Jemima 
(Keen) Clsel, both natives of Wabash County, 
Three children have been born of this nnion : 
Paul Jennings, Levi Sharon and Frederick, Jr. 
Politically Mr. Holsen is a stanch Democrat and 
takes a connnendable interest in miblic affairs. 
He is a :neml>er of the Christian Cliurch and fra- 
ternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
.\merica of Allendale, the K. O. T. M. of Mt. 
Carmel and the Masonic Order at Allendale 

HOSKINSON, Millard Fillmore (deceased), a 

former successful attorney of Mt. Carmel. 111., 
had serve<I two tenns as City Attorney, was 
prominent in the councils of the Reiaiblican 
party and well known as a public-spiritefl and 
useful citizen. He spent most of his life in Mt. 
Carmel and there first engaged in the practice 
of his profession. 'Mr. Hoskinson was txirn in 
Owensville. Ind.. August 19. 1.8.i2. a son of 
Bishop .\sburj- and .Mary .\nn (Myers) Hoskin- 
son. and died December 23. 189.5. Bishoi> A. 
Hoskinson was a lumber dealer by occupation 
and moved with his family to Mt. Carmel at an 



734 



WABASH COUNTY 



early date. He and his wife had several chil- 
dren, of whom three now survive: Thomas G., 
Clara F., and Laura D. (Mrs. M. R. Jones). 

■±ue boyhood of Millard F. Hoskinson w-as 
spent mostly in Mt. Carmel, and he received his 
primary education in the common schools of 
that place. His legal training was acquired 
in the law school of Wesleyau University at 
Bloomington, 111., from which he was graduated 
In 1875. He had previously worked at the 
trade of tinner with Lewis Reese, of Mt. Carmel. 
but his natural preference led him to take up the 
study of law, and after his graduation he en- 
gaged in i>ractice, building up a good practice in 
Mt. Carmel and standing high in his profes- 
sion. He won the confidence and respect of 
those with whom he came in contact and was ac- 
tively interested in the public welfare. He died 
a comparatively young man when he had briarht 
prnsi>ects for future achievements in his pro- 
fession and in public life. He was admitted to 
the Bar in Wabash Couutj', January 7. 187fi. and 
continued in actice practice until the time of his 
death. He always adhered to the principles of 
the Republican party and was honored by his 
fellow citizens by being elected to the office of 
City .Vttorney in 1S79, and again in 1S91. also 
served one term as County Judge, being elected 
In December. 18<S6. He was popular in many 
fireles and had a large number of warm per- 
sonal friends to mourn his loss. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Mr. Hoskinson married, at Mt. Carmel, April 
2.", 1878. Laura Ellen Seller, who was born 
InMt. Carmel, October 8, 1S.54, a daughter of 
Sebastian and D«rcas Seller. Children as fol- 
lows blessed this union : Eldon Earl, born De- 
cember 29, 1878, married Salena F. Severs, and 
they have one son, Charles Earl, l>orn June 27, 
1008; Roy, bom August 23. 18S0. married Lizzie 
May Camjibell, and they have no children ; 
Laurel H., boni October 2, 188;^. married Edwin 
R. Wood, who died, leaving one child, Edwin A. 
Wood, born July 13. 1904. and she married (sec- 
ond> L. W. Coffman ; Theo. married W. A. 
Owens, and they have one child. Hazel Esther, 
born November 20. 1907 : Raymond S., born May 
1. 1.887; Lisle and Leslie, twins, born December 
2.3, 1888. Mr. Hoskinson died at his home in 
Mt. Carmel, and was buried in Rose Hill 
Cemetery. 

HYNE, Major Wolfgang. — One of the venerable 
i'ltizens of Mt, Carmel, 111., is Ma.ior Wolfgang 
Hyne. a veteran of the Mexican and Civil Wars, 
wiio is now living retired after a long and use- 
ful life of activity in Wabash County, during 
v\iuch he has served in various official capacities. 
Wolt'giing llyiie was born in Bavaria. Oermany, 
March 20. 1,82(>. son of Deitrich and Anna (Hib- 
ner) Hyne, natives of the same place, who died 
in Stewartsville. Bosey Countj-, Ind. 

In 1840 Ma.jor Hyne accompanied his parents 
to America, the trip being made on a sailing ves- 
sel which landed at Baltimore after a long and 
stormy voyage. From Baltimore the family went 



to I'ittsburg, where a brother and sister of Mr. 
Hyne had preceded the 'other members of the 
family, and later went to Evansville, Ind., 
whence they removed to Posey County, in that 
State. There the father engaged In agricultral 
pursuits and he and his wife continued living 
in that part of the country until their deaths. 
Wolfgang Hyne received his education in the 
schools of his native country and in Posey 
County, Ind., and as a young man learned the 
trade of a turner, and was engaged in making 
spinning wheels, reels, wagons, etc., at Stewarts- 
ville, until the outbreak of the Mexican War, 
when he enlisted under Captain Oliver and Col- 
onel DeBetz, serving until the close of the war, 
when he was discharged with the rank of Cor- 
poral at XewiX)rt, Ky. He then commenced 
working at his trade at Stewartsville, where he 
was married March 27, 1849, to Elizabeth Par- 
vin, who was torn in Clay Count}-, 111., October 
18. 1831, a daughter of Thomas and Frances 
(Maugrum) Parvin, early settlers of Clay 
County. Mr. Parvin was a cattle drover and 
died at Chicago, while his wife passed away at 
Carmi, 111. Five children were born to Mr. and 
Mrs. Hyne, namely; Frances Ann, torn March 
2, 1850. is the widow of Mathias Iluntzinger and 
lives at Orayville; Ida Bell, born Febraari- 10, 
1854, and died at Mt. Carmel when about forty 
years of age, was the wife of John Williamson, 
a njachinist: Louisa Ellen, born September 28, 
1857. is the wife of Jack Warfel. aud lives at 
Laramie. Wyo. ; William Richard Owen, born 
August 9. 18i;4. is a resident of Sacramento, Cal. ; 
and Amy Elizabeth, bom June IG, 1871, is the 
wife of Charles Seitz, of Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Hyne continued to work at his trade un- 
til the outbreak of the Civil War, when on 
March 7. 18(12. Company B. Sixtieth Regiment, 
Indiana Volunteer Infantry, which he had or- 
ganized and of which he was chosen Captain, 
was mustered into the service. The regiment's 
first duty was guarding prisoners at Indian- 
aix)lis. While in pursuit of Morgan. Mr. Hyne 
was sun-struck and. for a month following, was 
confined in a hospital on the Mississippi River, 
being then .sent to his home at Stewartsville. 
For a long time he was not even able to recog- 
nize the members of his own family, but he 
slowly recovered and in a few years had re- 
gained full ]V)ssession of his faculties, although 
he has never entirely recovered from the effects 
of the stroke. He -n-as promoted to the rank 
of Major and was discharged at the close of 
the war. After his health had improved, Mr. 
Hyne commenced working in the car yard at 
Carmi, where he was foreman for atout twenty 
years, and when the yards were moved to Mt. 
Carmel, he came to this place In the same ca- 
pacity, continuing therein until a few years ago, 
when he retired. 

Mr. Hyne is a Democrat, politically, but be- 
lieves in voting for the man he considers best 
able to fill the office at issue. Wlille living in 
Posev County, Ind.. lie was elected a member of 
the Legislature, serving one term. He has served 



WABASH COUNTY 



735 



two terms as City Treasurer, and it was while 
lie was acting in tlie capacity of Mayor of Mt. 
Carmel that the liciuor interests were driven 
from tile town, his vote being the deciding one 
as the Council stood at a tie. He has always 
been a stanch adherent of the cause of Temiier- 
ance. Fraternally, he is connected with the A. 
F. & A. M. at Xew Harmony, Ind., and the 
Grand Army of the Republic at Mt. Carmel, 111. 
His wife is a member of the Methodist Bi)isco- 
pal Church, which he also attends. The Hyne 
family has always been a long-lived one, sev- 
eral members having lived to be more than 
ninety years of age, and Jlr. Hyne although well 
past the three-score-and-teu mark, is possessed 
of his faculties and is very active for a man of 
his years. He is honored and respected by all 
who know him. and his record, both as a soldier 
and a citizen, entitles him to this honor and 
respect. 

INSKEEP, James Edward, M. D.— The medical 
profession of Waliash County is ably repre- 
sented by men of skill and sympathetic character, 
and one -worthy of special menti(m is Dr. .Tames 
Edward Inskeep. of Mt. Carmel, l>oni in Culpeper 
Coimty, near Culpeper, Va.. December 29. 1851. 
a son of James W. and Frances B. (Hudson) 
Inskeep. The former was born at Mt. Pony, 
Culpeper County. Va.. in 1824. and died on a 
part of his old plantation in ISO."). His wife was 
born in the same county as her htisband, in 
182.0. and died there in ISfif). Dr. Inskeep 
comes of an old and honored famll.v, his fore- 
bears having emigrated from England to the 
colonies in 1775. locating in New Jersey. Judge 
John Inskeep was the first one of the family of 
whom there is definite data. The great-grand- 
father of Dr. Inskeep, Rev. James Inskeep. emi- 
grated to Virginia from New Jersey. His son, 
Joel Inskeei*. later bought Mount Pony, two and 
one-quarter miles from Culpeper, a large planta- 
tion which is still in possession of the family. 

Dr. Inskeep was the third of a family of ten 
children born to his parents. His father married 
again, and b.v his sec-ond wife lie had six chil- 
dren. Seven of the first family and all of the 
second survive. 

Dr. Inskeep was educated in Col. TJghtfoot's 
Academy and military school at Culpei^r. In 
April. 1872. he started west, coming to Frank- 
fort. Ind. He had learned the trade of plaster- 
ing from his father, who was a contractor and 
builder, and so Dr. Inskeep found ready em- 
ployment in his new home where he remained 
two years. However, he \\as not satisfied, and 
soon began studying medicine under Dr. M. S. 
Canfield. During the winters of 1S74 to 1S77. 
he studied at the Eclectic Medical Institute at 
Cincinnati. Ohio, from which he was graduated 
in May of the latter year. During the sum- 
mers, while attending medical college, he worked 
at his trade at Frankfort and Indianapolis. 

Immediately after graduating. Dr. Inskeep be- 
gan practicing at Merriam. Wa.vne County, 111.. 
■and for thirteen years remained there, hut in 



November, l.S'.tl). moveil with his family to Mt. 
Carmel, which has since been his home. He is 
engaged in general practice. 

On December IS, 1879, Dr. Inskeep married 
Elizabeth C. Harris, of Wayne County, a daugh- 
ter of John M. and Sarah C. (Parker) Harris, 
the former a native of Tennessee and the latter 
of Kentucky. They were married in Kentucky, 
whence they came to Waj-ue Count}' al)out 1S49, 
locating on a large farm, the greater portion of 
which Mr. Harris improved. Mr. Harris still 
survives, and is an old man, having been born in 
May, 182S. Dr. and Mrs. Inskeep have had four 
daughters : Leonie. who died in infancy ; Kathe- 
rine M., of Mt. Carmel ; Claribel. wife of C. A. 
McClure of Bone Gap, 111., and Callie M., of Mt. 
Carmel. The oldest and youngest are gradu- 
ates of the Mt. Carmel high school. They are 
menil)ors of the Christian Church, to which Dr. 
Inskeep is a liberal contributor. 

Dr. Inskeep is a Democrat and was Chairman 
of the Democratic County Central Committee in 
Wayne Countj- in 1882. and held that position 
from 1894 to 1908, a period of fourteen years. 
He was Coroner in Wayne County for six years, 
and served in the same office since coming to 
Wabash County, from 1892 to 1008. with the ex- 
ception of four years. Since 1804 he has been 
President of the Columbian Building & Loan A.s- 
sociation of Mt. Cannel. When Sheriff Alex- 
ander Compton died. Dr. Inskeep was Coroner, 
and he therefore became successor to the office 
of Sheriff until the next election, and discharged 
the duties pertaining to it faithfully and well. 
He has the record of attending all but one of the 
Democratic National Conventions in sixteen 
years, and has frequentl.v been a Delegate to 
State and local conventions. He is a stock- 
holder in the "Mt. Carmel Register."* both 
weekly and daily. The fraternal affiliations of 
Dr. Inskeep are with the A. F. & A. M. and the 
F. O. E.. and is physician to the Bluff City Aerie. 

JAQUESS, Arthur L.— The Jaquess family lo- 
cated in Jit. Carmel. 111., among the early 
settlers, and the father of Arthur L. Jacquess 
took a prominent part in the public affairs of 
Wabash County until his death. He was a son 
of Isaac Newton and Jane (Tilton") Jaquess, 
early settlers of the (Xiunty. Isaac N. Jaquess 
was a cabinet-maker by trade and followed that 
occupation many years in Mt. Carmel. In bis 
day he was probably the most influential man in 
the county and held many public offices. He 
served two terms as Sheriff of the county, and 
the only hanging in the county took place under 
his administration. Thouch he had never at- 
tended school more than about six months in his 
life, he was a man of intelligence and foresight 
and had a good understanding of the needs of 
the people. He owned the farm where his 
gr.indson, .\rthur L.. was bom. and where he re- 
sides, on the northern edge of Mt. Carmel. ad- 
joining the present citv limits. Isaac N. Ja- 
quess was born in Harrison Cotintv. Kv . Febru- 
arv 10. l.SII. and died at Mt. Carmel Novemlier 



736 



WABASH COUNTY 



12, 189C. Ills wife was born In Atlantic County. 
N. J., February 7, 1818, and died July 1, 18(;:i. 
They wi»ro married in Wabasli County. HI.. 
March 20. IS'54, by Keverend Aaivn Wood. Tlu'y 
had ten children, namely : Sarah E., Mao' Ann. 
John. Laura Jane. Sarah Koxanna. Ella S.. 
Isaac W.. I'harlotte F.. Siirah T. and James 11. 
The only two now living are: I^aura Jane. Mrs. 
T. J. Kiii.u', of Mt. Carmel. and Mrs. Uiili.ird 
Weaver, of CoUunbus, Ind, 

Artlnir L. Jaquess was born in Mt. Carmel. 
Seiitember l(i. 1SS4, son of Isiiac W. and Mary 
E. (lAini;) Jaquess. the former a native of Mt. 
Carmel and the latter of Carnu. 111. Isaac W. 
Jaquess was lM>rn March ."i, 181S, and when a 
.vouue: man learned tlie trade of cariienter. but 
before his marriaiie enpiiied in farming. He was 
married December Hi. 187.">, and settled in Sa- 
line County. HI,, where he mana.ued a farm for 
two years, when he returned to the home farm 
and remodeled the old house. lie added to it 
until it was one of the tinesi n'sidences at Mt, 
Carmel, beins surrounded by a tine grove of oak 
trees. 'I'here were 108 acres in the farm, of 
which much was covered by timlter. and he 
cleared and improved it. developing a tine es- 
tate, Thirly-four acres of this farm was In- 
cluded in the <'ity limits and, in 1',102. Mr. Ja- 
quess succetHled in having an ordinance passed 
by which it should be c<uisidered outside of the 
limits. He was a successf\il farmer and stock- 
raiser, and for six months sen-ed as Assistant 
Postmaster under Postmaster John T. Stanstield. 
Mr. Jaquess died June 2;?. IIHH'.. and his widow, 
who was born March liS. 1.>*r>l, still resides on 
the old homestead. The following children were 
born to them: Sus:in. lxirn XovemlHn- *'<. 1874. 
died January 12. lS7."i: Sarah E.. born April 20. 
1877. lives with her mother: Nellie, born Novem- 
ber 5. 18,80. also at home: .\rthnr L., Mabel Oer- 
trude. borit Aug\ist 14. IWtl. at home, is one of 
the graduating class of 1010 in Mt, Carmel 
High School, 

.Vrthur L. Jaquess attendt^l the public and 
high schools of Mt. Ciirmel and for two weelcs 
in two winters attendetl siiei'ial ctmrses at the 
State T'niversity at I'rbana, His sisters also 
attemled the pui>lic and high schools of Mt, Car- 
mel, lie always assisted his father on the 
farm from tlie time he was old enough, and tooii 
entire charge of the farm after his father's 
death. He was the first in the county to secure 
registered Berkshire hogs and mises more of 
them now than any other breeder in this 
vicinity. He has made exhibits of this stock at 
various State and county faii-s, in Indiana and 
HIinois, and has won many prizes. He is the 
youngest man in this part of the State to receive 
prizes on his st(X-k. and is oinsidered one of the 
most enterprising and progressive fanners of 
the region. He has also raised some fine sheep 
and other stivk and (Xintemplates investing more 
extensively in registered grades, which he be- 
lieves pay l>est in the long run. thousrh the initial 
exivnse considerable, ^tr. Jaquess is a Director 
Of the Mt. Carmel Banking & Trust Company, in 



which his mother also holds stock. He is a mem- 
ber of the Knights of Pythias of Mt. Carmel, and 
of tlie .Methodist Episcojial Church, to which the 
family are generous c-ontributors. He is iuter- 
esteil in the progress and welfare of the cx)m- 
iiumity and has been a zealous worker in the 
cause of I'lMhibitiou. He is one of the most 
prouusing yimng business men and farmers of 
.Mt. Carmel and vicinity, and looks carefully 
after his interests, being of an ambitious, indus- 
trious charai-ter. 

JAQUESS, Hon, Isaac N, (deceased).— In the 
dentil of the lion. Isaac N. Jaijness. which oc- 
curred November 12. l.SOi;. Wabash County lost 
one of its most distinguished citizens, and a man 
wlio had abl.\' servetl in various public offices 
within the gift of the i>et)ple. The Jaquess 
family, to which he belonged, is of French origin, 
Jonathan Jaquess. from whom the family 
de.scended. having died previous to the American 
Kewilution. He had four sons. Jonathan, Isaac, 
William and Jolin, and five daughters. Polly. 
Itulli. Susan. Massy and Letty. His eldest son, 
Jonathan, was liorn April 28. 1775. went to se:» 
when twelve years old and followed a sailor's 
life until twenty-seven. He married Sally 
Jaquess. a third cousin, daughter of Samuel and 
-Vbigail Jaquess. and she lived but thirteen 
months. He then marrietl Mrs. Esther E. Koy 
and movetl from his home in Essex County. N. 
J., to Kentuck.v, in 1789. settling near the 
jiresent site of Cynthiana. His wife. Esther, 
died, leaving two children: Sara Christina and 
Isaac, the latter the father of Isaac N, Isaac 
Jaquess was born in New Jersey, February 1, 
17.8i;. and dieil June '>. 1812. He marrietl Betsy 
Jolmson. who died February It!. 1841. in Marion 
CountN- Mo, Her father was a native of North 
Carolina, and a noted Indian fighter of his day. 

Jonathan Jaquess. the grandfather of Isaac 
N.. emigrateil frtnn Kentucky to Indiana in 181(>, 
and settled in Henderson County, and from tliere 
mo\e to Pose,\- County, where he died. Isaac 
N, Jaquess was the only child of Isaac and 
Elizabeth (Johnson) Jaquess, He was born in 
Harrison County. Ky.. February 10. 1811. 
learned the cabinet maker's trade in his .vouth 
and. in 18'28. went with his mother to Marion 
County. Mo., returning to Posey County Ind„ in 
tlie fall of 18:^1, to see friends, also spent a short 
time at Mt. (^armel on a visit to his uiicle. W. T. 
Jaquess. Liking the town and the people he 
met there, he decided to remain and rommenced 
working at his trade, at which he c<intinued for 
a number of years. He served as Constable for 
a time, and in 1844 was elected Sheriff of the 
county, and (xmtinned to be reelected for a num- 
ber of years. He sulisequently en.g;iged in dif- 
ferent I'lusiness vennu-es. merchandizing princi- 
pally, until 1,870. when he engaged in the lum- 
ber business and the s;iw-milling business In con- 
nection with his son-in-law. '\fr. Chipman. In 
18,11, during the Black Hawk War, he enlisted in 
Capt. Jordan's companv and served thnuighout 
the struggle, being discharged at the close. 





^^^\^-i^M 



/v^yLAJLA^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



737 



During the Civil War lie was Chaplain of the 
Serenty-Thii'd Hesitneut. Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, serving from February, 1SG4, until the 
close of the war. 

On Jlareh 20. 1SS4. Mr. Jaquess was married 
to Jane, daiifrhter of John Tilton, and she died 
July 1, lSt;.'i. She was bom In New Jersey, but 
came to Illinois with her parents when young. 
There were ten children lx)ru tt) this union : five 
of whom died in infancy: Sarah, who was the 
wife of William F. Chlimian. <lied. leaving one 
son, Paul : Laura, widow of T. J. Kigg : Ellen S.. 
wife of Richard F. Weaver ; Isaac W.. who mar- 
ried Mary Long ; and James Heuiy. who mar- 
ried Dora Beachem. Mrs. Jaquess died July 1. 
186.3. 

On October I.'!. lS(i7. Mr. Jaquess was married 
to Mrs. Catherine McClintock, nee McGregor, a 
native of Wabash County who had a child by 
her former marriage, William T. McClintock. 
who married Mildred Pool. Mr. Jaquess joined 
the Methodist Episcopal Church when he was 
seventeen years of age and eontintied a member 
thereof all of his life, his widow also belonging 
to that denomination. Politically, he was origi- 
nally a Whig of the Emancipation school, and 
was always Anti-Slavery. In lS.n6 he was one 
of the few voters in Wabash County who cast 
their votes for John C. Fremont, and in 180O he 
voted for Lincoln and for every Republican 
Presidential candidate who followed. In 1874 
he was elected to represent his district in the 
General Assembly of the State, and in that capa- 
city' ser\'ed his constituents well and honorably 
He was an avowed and outsjioken advocate of 
of temperance, and joined the first temperance 
organization formed west of the Mississippi in 
his j-outh. and fix>ni that time until his death 
never swen-ed from its principles and teachings. 

JOHNSON, Charles A. — One of the men who has 
dcme much to introduce high-bred horses in 
Wabash. County. 111., is Charles A. Johnson, 
of Mt. Carmel. who has been very successful 
as breeder and trainer of fine lioi-ses. Mr. John- 
son is a native of Mt. Carmel. although nuich of 
his life has been slieut in Gibson C^ounty. Ind., 
where for several years he conducted the farm 
left by his f.ither. He was l)orn June 30. ISti:'.. 
and is a son of James S. and Eliza C. (Robb) 
Johnson, both born near Princeton. Gilison 
County. Ind. Their parents were Jacob Johnson, 
and wife, of Virginia, and Mr. and Mr.s. David 
Robb. who always lived in Indiana. The maiden 
name of Mrs. Robb was Sinii>son. The pater- 
nal grand|)arents were among the pioneers of 
Gibson County and James S. Johnson, and bis 
wife w<>re married there. 

Jam.es S. Johnson, was a farmer and owned 
a large farm, which he left in 1802 and locating 
In Mt. Carmel. there engaged in liveiy and 
transfer business, sending passenger and freight 
vehicles over routes to EvansviUe. Vincennes. 
Bridseport. Princeton and other jioints in that 
section. He also carrie<l the I'nited States mail. 
and was an enterprising, intelligent business 



man. After carrying ou this business some ten 
years, he traded it for a hub-factorj- at JIt. Car- 
mel. and five yeare later sold this business and 
returned to his farm in Gibson County, which he 
carried on for the remainder of his life, al- 
though much of the time he lived in Mt. Car- 
mel. He was always interested in livestock, 
being a dealer and trader in various kinds. He 
Served for sometime as Alderman of the Second 
Ward, being elected for one term on the DemcH 
cratie ticket and for one term as a Prohibi- 
tionist. Jlr. Johnson died in 1889 and his widow- 
survived until 1902. 

To James S. Johnson and wife seven children 
were born, namely : Jacob, of Mt. Carmel ; David, 
who died in Seattle. Wash., in 1909; Thomas, 
whose whereabouts are not known at the present 
time; John of New Orleans, La.; Laura, Mrs. 
Green, wife of Dr. Thomas E. Green, who resiiles 
iu Chicago, hut lectures all over the world ; 
Charles A. ; and Effie., who married Daniel 
Keen, editor of the "Mt. Carmel Republican." 

Charles A. Johnson was reared in Mt. Car- 
mel, 111., where he remained until eighteen years 
of age. He received his education in the public 
schools of Mt. Carmel and Princeton. Ind.. at 
the latter spending one year. Upon leaving home 
he went west and spent five years and eight 
months in various States in occupation as a 
co«-boy. He then returned home and took charge 
of his father's farm, which he conducted four 
years, then began dealing in horses and brought 
the first French coach-horse into Wabash 
County. He ahso dealt in other high-bred 
horses, and during eight years, while actively 
engaged in this business, carried on a teaming 
and wood and coal business at Mt. Carmel. Re- 
turning to the farm, of which he inherited 100 
acres, he carried on farming there four years, 
when he sold his interest and engaged in the 
livery business with Harvey Keneipp. Two 
.vears later he sold out his interest in this busi- 
ness and since then has about sixty acres of 
land adjoining the City of Mt. Carmel" where he 
deals in horses. <hiefly Standard Bred. 

In May. 1891, .Mr. Johnson married Eliza 
Groff, who was born in Bellmont Precinct. Wa- 
bash County, a daughter of Jacob and Mary 
(Fearheileyt (Jroff. both natives of German.v. 
Mr. Johnson and his wife have no is,sue. He "is 
a member of the Presbyterian Church and be- 
longs to the B. P. O. E.. of Mt. Carmel. He is 
actively interested in jwlitical issues, and 
though he has followed his father's example 
in many things, is a strong Republican in his 
lK)litical views. He is a man of high order of 
intelligence, an enterjirising business man and 
Iiosses.sed of good judgment, having won his suc- 
cess through his own industry and andiition. 

JOHNSON, Harrison, one of the .substantial and 
infiiiential farmers of Wabasli County who has 
now retired from active life, ownis a" well-culti- 
vated and fertile farm in Wabash Precinct. 
Mr. Johnson was Ixu-n in Knox County. Ind.. 
October 4, 1,'U4, a son of Thomas and Nancy 



738 



WABASH COUNTY 



(Warth) Johnson, the former a native of Wa- 
bash County, 111., and the latter of Kuox Coufity, 
Ind. Thomas was a flat-boat pilot for many 
years an imjwrtant calling in the early days. 
Harrison Johnson's grandfather, William John- 
son, was the first white child born in Vinceunes, 
Ind., a son of one of the tirst white settlers of Vin- 
ceunes, who came from Virginia., William John- 
son married Christina Anthis, and they settled in 
Wabash County, 111., where they lived many 
years, then moved to Lawrence County and 
bought land, where they speut the remainder of 
their lives, Mrs. Thomas Johnson was a daugh- 
ter of Robert Warth. of Kentucljy, and after her 
marriage, which took place in Kno.x County, Ind., 
she and her husband continued to live in the 
vicinity of her old home several years. In tbe 
spring of lS4f> they moved to Wabash County, 
111., and bought a tract of land in Section 6. 
Wabash Precinct, consisting of HiO acres, where 
they located permanently. He died in 1854 and 
liis' widow in 1871, Their children were: Har- 
rison ; Frances, Jlrs. John Greer, who died in 
Knox County, Ind.. Squire died In 1872 : Miner- 
va, died in i873. 

The I)oyhood of Harrision Johnson was spent 
on his father's farm and he attended subscrip- 
tion schools at Allendale. He lias spent most of 
his life on the old farm and made all possilile 
Improvements. Most of tlie buildings on the 
place were erected by him and lie brought it to 
a high state of cultivation. About 100 acres 
are under cultivation and the remainder has 
been left in timber. He carried on general 
farming and raised considerable jwultiy, but 
since 1007 has rented out his farm. He has 
always been recognized as an industrious and in- 
telligent farmer, and bas been accordingly suc- 
cessful. He comes from a family well liuown 
and highly respected in the neighborhood where 
most of bis life lias been spent and is a worthy 
representative of same. Politically he is a 
a Democrat and has identitied himself with the 
best interests of the community. 

Mr, Johnson married, January 3, 1864. Nancy 
Banks, who was born in Daviess County, Ind.. 
daughter of William and Sarah (Johnson) 
Banks, of Virginia, and they became parents of 
children as follows : Sarah, Mrs. John Breen. of 
Wabash Precinct; Harriet, died in bSSl ; 
Thomas, at home ; Nellie and Ida, died in cbild- 
bood ; Clara. Mrs. John Jordan, of Decker, Ind. ; 
Alice. Mrs. Daniel Reilier, of Wabash Precinct; 
Charles, in the United States Coast Artillery, 
stationed at San Francisco ; Anna. Mrs. Everett 
Banks, of Allendale, 111. 

JOHNSON, Jacob F., who has been a resident 
of M. Carmel. 111., since 1861. and has con- 
tributed his share toward the progress and d^ 
velopment of the city during that time, is a native 
of Gibson County. Ind.. l>oni October 31. 1.84.5. 
He is a son of James S. and F.liza E. (Robb> 
Johnson, both natives of Gibson County, and 
grandson of Janib Johnson and wife and of 



David and Elizabeth (Simpson) Robb, all early 
settlers of Gibson County. 

Jacob John.sou (I) was born in Virginia, in 
1784, and died in Indiana in 1875. In 1798 be 
was taken by his parents, John and Sarah 
Johnson, to Kentucky, and four .years later they 
crossed the Ohio River near the present site of 
Evausville, and made tbeir way on horseback to 
a tract of land a mile west of Princeton, Ind., 
where they built a shanty and spent the winter. 
During the winter their horses got away and 
started bac-k for the old home in Kentucky, and 
the son, Jacoli. started in pursuit, on foot, not 
even waiting to jiut on a cap. He went bare- 
lieaded through the forest, keeping on their trail, 
and caught them near the place where they had 
crossed the Ohio. On his way he passed no 
haliitations and saw no one, but kept fearlessly 
on. In the .spring they built a log cabin a few 
miles northwest of Princeton, and began improv- 
ing their land. The meii of the family became 
quite celebrated hunters and trappers. Jacob 
enlisted in 1813 in Hargrove's Company of 
Rangers. He also assisted in the survey of 'semi- 
nary land, being camp-keeper. John Johnson, 
bis wife and the older cbildren, were natives of 
Virginia, Their seven children were : Rebecca, 
Betsy. Mary. Hannah, Jacob, David, John. 

Jacob Johnson first married a Miss Stewart, 
and after her death, a Miss Skelton, daughter of 
John Skelton. He had two children, by his first 
marriage. James Stewart and Sarah Ann, Mrs. 
McFetridge. By his second marriage bis chil- 
dren were: John, Jackson, Mrs. Fairchilds. Mrs. 
Martha McCrea. Lydia and David. Jacob 
Johnson secured several pieces of government 
land in Gibson County and became a large land- 
holder. 

David Roiib was born in I'nion County, Ky., 
May 22. 1709, and died in Gilison County, Ind., 
.\pril 8, 18,88. His wife, Elizabeth Simpson, was 
born in Tennessee February 1, 1805, and died In 
Gibs<in County, October 'l.5, l.'?82. Mr, Robb 
served as Justice of the Peace and County Com- 
missioner, and was prominent in his support of 
religious work in pioneer days. 

James Stewart Johnson was married in Gib- 
son County and inherited land from his father. 
He also purchased various tracts until he owned 
CXK) acres, all prett.v well inqiroved. In 1S61 he 
moved to Mt. Carmel. 111., and in tbe winter of 
1801 went to Texas, where be died, at the age of 
sixty-eight years, being buried at Mt. Carmel. 
His widow "died at Mt. Carmel, about 1901 at 
the age of seventy-three years. Six children 
were bom to them, namely : Jacob F. ; David. 
who died in Seattle. Wash., in 1.899; James T., 
who has not been heard from since 1870; Laura, 
Mrs. Thomas Green, of Cbicpgo; John, of 
Louisiana; Effle. married Daniel Keen, editor of 
the Mt. Carmel Republican, and Postmaster 
since 1894; Cbarles A,, of Mt. Carmel. 

Jacob F. .Johnson received bis early education 
in tbe district schools of Indiana and for a time 
attended the public school in Mt. Carmel. He 
lived with liis parents until he was eighteen 




/r.nf. ^QyU^^L^d^^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



739 



years old, then put in a crop of corn which he 
took care of on his own account. The next year 
he became clerlv in u dry-goods store at Bridge- 
port. 111., where he remained six years, then 
rented a farm near I'rinceton, Ind., and worked 
on it three years, after which he again took a 
Ix>sition as clerk in a dry-goods store, this time 
in Mt. C'armel. Several years later he began 
speculating in timber, buying the trees standing, 
felling them and cutting them into logs and 
otherwise putting them in shape for sale. Ha 
found this business very protitaWe and continued 
in it for nine years, after which he began farm- 
ing on land he owne<l in Gibson County. He 
started with 200 acres, but now owns (>58 acres, 
all in one body. He has 500 acres under culti- 
vation and the remainder is covered with tim- 
ber. Since 1S61 he has lived in Mt. Carmel and 
his land is situated c<inveniently near, across 
the Wabash River from the citj-. He is an in- 
dustrious, practical farmer, and carries on his 
farm in a manner to reap the best results and 
largest profits. 

Politically Mr. Johnson is a Democrat and 
actively interested in local affairs. He is a mem- 
ber of the B. P. O. E. of Mt. Carmel. tieing the 
second life member. He is proud of his an- 
cestors -who were among the hardy pioneers of 
the region of his home, and appreciates what 
they did for their neighborhood and jKisterity in 
making the beginnings of fine farms and doing 
their share to help the cause of education and 
religion in the new country. Their records still 
live, a fine monument to their good work and high 
pnrjxise. 

In September, 18T5. Mr. .Johnson married 
>rary Compton. who was bom in Wabash 
County, daughter of .Teremiah Compton, who 
died in October. ISTfi, without issue. He married 
r second 1. in October. 1.8S1. Fannie Cihbs. a na- 
tive of Indiana, who died October 30. 1,SS4. 
leaving one daughter, Fannie 0.. who married 
Carl Putnam. Cashier in the First National 
Bank, of Mt. Carmel. The daughter was reared 
bv Mrs. James Jeffers. of Danville. Ind.. where 
she lived until her marriage, and since then her 
father has lived with her and ber husband, in 
their handsome residence, situated at 1?.0 East 
Fourth Street. Mt. Carmel. 

JOHNSON, William R. (deceased), former 
owner of a large and fertile farm in Wabash 
Precinct. Wabash County. 111., was l>orn in that 
precinct and spent his entire life there on the 
same farm, and at his death was widely 
mourned. He had the fullest mnfidence and 
esteem of bis neighbors, and bad many warm 
personal friends. Mr. Johnson was liorn .Janu- 
ary 4. ISO"), a son of William and Rebecca 
CJacobus) Johnson, born in Knox County, 111. 
William Johnson was one of the early settlers 
of Wabash County and purchased a large ti-act 
of land in the northeast corner of the county. 
Both he and his wife died on tlie homestead, 
he on February 21. 1.S.S2. and his widow on Mav 
17. 180". They had two children: Hezekiah. 



l)orn January 9, 18(iO. and died September 13, 
1802. and William R., who died .\pril 12, IS'.MJ. 

The boyhood of William R. Johnson was spent 
in much the same manner as that of other 
farmer boys, and he received his education in the 
public schools. As soon as he was old enough he 
lielped in tlie work on his father's farm of 2.51 
acres, and at the deatb of the latter took entire 
charge. He carried on general fanning, culti- 
vating 100 acres, the remainder of the land being 
in timber. He was married, August 2, 1880, to 
Sarah Louisa Jordan, who was bom in Wabash 
Precinct, Februar>' 3, 1802. daughter of William 
B. and Jerusha (Barney) .Jordan, natives re- 
spectively of Wabash and Friendsville Precincts, 
iier grandparents were \'arnold and Rebecca 
(Buchanan) Jordan. 

After his marriage Mr. Johnson resided with 
his mother, and after his death his widow and 
his mother continued to live together on the 
home farm until the death of the latter. Since 
the death of her husband Mrs. .Johnson's 
brother, Thomas, has carried on the farm. Mr. 
Johnson and wife were members of the Christian 
Church and he belonged to the Modem Wood- 
men of .\merica. Politically he was a Democrat 
and was actively interested in public affairs. 
They had two children, namelv: John Riley, born 
September 4. 1802. and William Ogle, horn 
.Vugust n. l.SOn. and they attend the district 
schools and assist in the farm work. Mrs. .John- 
son is a good manager and conducts her affairs 
in a manner to insure a good income. She has 
many friends and is much esteemed by all -who 
know her. 

JOHNSTON, Asa Williams.— Among the beat 
citizens of Mt. Carmel, 111., are many men who 
are employe<I on railroads and spend much of 
their time away from the city, but they are all 
interested in the progress and welfare of the 
community. Asa Williams .Johnston, who is a 
passenger engineer on the Big Four Railroad, 
is a native of Mt. Carmel, born July 2.". 1801, a 
son of .James S. and Charlotte (Bowen) John- 
ston, the former born in New Jersey and the 
latter in Wales. Mrs. .Johnston came to the 
United States with her parents in infancy, and 
was married in the East. Mr. Johnston was a 
cabinet-maker and worked at his trade in New 
Jersey and in the 'forties moved to Mt. Carmel, 
where he engaged in the furniture business in 
[lartnership with Henry Stees. also in the tin- 
smith business with I.ouis Reese. Later he be- 
came interested in jKilitics and served as County 
Clerk sixteen years, consecutivelv. He was 
County Judge eight years and served many years 
as Police Magistrate. In 1870 he left jit. Car- 
mel for Loveland. Colo., with all his family ex- 
cept his son. Asa W.. and an older son. Of the 
children five sons and three daughters reached 
maturity, and of these four sons and one daugh- 
ter still survive, namely: Margaret, of Denver, 
Colo. : .John, of Mt. Carmel : Asa W. : and 
William and Gibson, of Denver. 

The early education of Asa W, Johnston was 



740 



WABASH COUNTY 



afquired in the common schools and he also at- 
tended Mt. Carniel Seniiuary. lie took a course 
in a business college at Evansville, Ind., and at 
the age of seventeen yeafs became employed as 
fireman on the Southern Railroad. In 18X0 he 
entered the employ of the Cairo & Viucennes 
Railroad, in the capacity of fireman. He has 
since continued with this comijany, the line now 
being i)art of the Bijr Four, and in I.S.S2 he was 
promoted to the position of engineer on freight 
trains. After twelve years' e.xperience as engi- 
neer, he was transferred to the pa.ssenger service 
and now nuis from Xlt. Carmel to Cairo. He has 
the confidence and esteem of his employers and 
fellow workers, and is most conscientious in his 
discharge of his duties. He fully realizes the 
importance and res])onsibility of his work, and 
is well fitted by training and natural aliility to 
hold this position. Mr. Johnston has purchased 
a handsome residence on Mulberiy Street, in Mt. 
Carmel, which he has recently re-modeled and 
fitted with modern conveniences. 

In 18S9 Mr. Johnston married Catherine Dor- 
ney, of Mt. Carmel, who died in 1S98, and on 
December 10, 1000. he maiTied (second) Mar- 
garet E. Clarke, of Lafayette. Ind.. daughter of 
John E. and Elizabeth (.Madden) Clarke, the 
father born in .Vlbany. X. Y., and the mother in 
Ireland. Mr. Clarke and his wife had three 
children, namely : Mar\-. Mrs. William A. Reddy. 
of Terre Haute. Ind.. Edward J., of Penria. Ul- 
an engineer on the Vandalia Railroad; Mrs. 
Johnston. Mr. Johnston and liis wife have chil- 
dren as follows: Charlotte E., born October 2, 
1901; James Clarke, and Mary Lucile (twins'), 
born March 1.". 1904: Asa Edward, born August 
17, inoc. died August 2.5, 1907. 

Mr. Johnston and wife have many friends in 
Mt. Carmel l).v whom they are held in high es- 
teem. She and the children are members of the 
Catholic Church, she having received her educa- 
tion in parochial schools. He is a stanch sup- 
iwrter of tne Democratic party and fraternally 
belongs to the Masonic Lodge Xo. 2.'i9. of Jit. 
Carmel, Mt. Carmel Chapter Xo. 32 Royal Arch 
Masons. Wabash Lodge No. 227 Knights of 
Pythias. Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Xo. 
71.') of Mt. Carmel. and P>rotherhood of locomo- 
tive Engineers. Division Xo. 40(1. 

JORDAN, Levi (deceased), who was for many 
years identifie<l with the best interests of Mt. 
Cannel. III., will be greatl.v missed in many 
circles. He was a veteran of the Civil War and 
was prominent among his comrades of the O. A. 
R.. having left a rec-ord as a soldier of which his 
family may well be proud. He made his own 
wa.v in life from the time he was a yotmg boy, 
leaving home withoait capital to go among 
strangers, but finally achieved a fair degree of 
financial success. 

Mr. Jordan was born near Owensville. Ind.. 
October 19, l.'>44, and received his somewhat 
limited education in the common schools near 
his home. At the age of eleven years he felt 
compelled to leave home on account of the cruel 



treatment accorded him b.v his father and step- 
mother, and siJent two years in the Sate of Mis- 
souri. He then returned to tlie vicinity of his 
old home and began learning the work of a sta- 
tionary engineer from a man named James 
Hughes, who befriended him and gave him a 
home and employment until the time of his en- 
listment for ser^ice in the Union Army, which 
t(X)k i)lace September 13, 18(31, when he bec-ame 
a member of ('ompany E, Forty-sec-ond Indiana 
Volunteer Infantry. He was captured at the 
Battle of Stone River and confined in Libby 
Pri.-ion four months, being then discliarged and 
re-enlisting the following day. He served until 
July 21. 18(i."i. serving in all a period of three 
years, nine months and twenty-seven days, and 
during th.-it time participating in some of the 
most memorable battles of the war iieriod, in- 
cluding Pero-ville, Murfreeslniro, Chickamauga, 
Lookout Jlountain, Mission Ridge. Ringgold, 
Re.saca. Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, 
Atlanta and numerous other engagements and 
skirmishes. After his discharge he located at 
Mt. Carmel. where he worked as machinist in 
various lines for about ten years. In 1875 he 
purcha.sed twelve acres of land in the south- 
western part of Mt. Carmel and established a 
truck garden, where he raised sweet corn, sweet 
ixitatoes and many other vegetables and plants, 

December 28, 1S69, Mr. Jordan married 
Frances Parkinson, who was born in Mt, Carmel, 
August C<. 1849, daughter of William and Eliza 
( Russell ) Parkinson, Mr. Parkinson was born 
in Wilkesbarre. Pa., three weeks after his par- 
ents came from England, a son of Edward and 
Mar.v (Beilby) Parkinson, both natives of Eng- 
land. His wife was born in Mt. Carmel. a daugh- 
ter of Abraham and Hanna (Stewart) Russell, 
the former a native of Xantuckett. Mass.. and 
the latter born in Xew Jerse.v, her mother's 
maiden name being Ingersoll. Mr. Russell and 
wife settled in Mt. Carmel among the pioneers 
and there died. 

\»illiam Parkinson was a merchant and car- 
ried on a business some years in Mt. Cannel. Imt 
on account of poor health was compelled to 
abandon his occuixition. and in 18.52 went to 
California, where for two years he worked In 
the gold mines. Returning to Illinois by way of 
the Isthnuis and by ship to Xew York City, 
whence he made his wa.v to Mt. Carmel. he en- 
gaged in work as a stone mason. He enlisted 
in the Cnion .\rmy as member of the Fortieth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at 
the Battle of Pittsburg Landing, April (i. 1802, 
having enlisted during the previous month. His 
widow die<l at St. Francisville. 111.. Xovember 27. 
189.5. 

Mr. .Jordan and wife had children as follows: 
Ella. Mrs. George Sharp, a merchant of St. 
Francisville. 111.: Edwin. R.. of Mt. Carmel; 
Bertha, died at the age of three years; Eliza. 
.Mrs. Frank Kuhn, of Mt. Carmel ; Ani,v, Mrs. 
Giistave Dieschaurer, of Evansville. Ind. Mrs. 
.Jordan received her education in the schools of 
Mt. Carmel, where her entire life has been 




RESIDENCE OF W. H. SCHAFKR, COFFEE PRECINCT 




VILLAGE CREEK FARM, \V. H. SCHAFER 



WABASH COUNTY 



741 



spent. Mr. Jordan was a member of the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, as also is his wife. He 
always took an active interest in politics, 
although not desirous of holding public office. 
He was the friend of education and ready to help 
all worthy causes, a kind husband and father and 
a good friend and neightior. He was a prominent 
member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to the En- 
campment and to the Order of Reliekahs. He 
also belonged to the B. V. O. E. and the G. A. R. 
He had held all the offlees in the Odd Fellows 
Lodge and took an active part in the other or- 
ganizations of which he was a member. Mr. 
Jordan died January 15, 1910, after having been 
confined to his home for eight months. His 
widow now resides at home with her grandson, 
Raymond Jordan, twim June 11, ISO.", who has 
made his home with his grandparents since In- 
fancy. 

KAMP, Louis W. — Among the successful Ger- 
man-.\nierieans who have located in Mt. Carmel. 
ni., is Ixmis W. Kamp, who owns and controls 
the stock of the L. \V. Kamp (T'onijiauy sheet 
metal works and plumbing and heating estab- 
lishment, is also owner of a half interest in the 
firm of Kamp Brothers, hardware dealers. Mr. 
Kamji was bom in ^'anderburg ('ounty, Ind., 
March 24. 1S7.">. son of Louis and Sarah (Ball) 
Kamp. the former a native of Germany and the 
latter of Vanderburg County, He came to the 
United States as a young man and spent some 
time in Philadelphia, where he worked in grist 
mills and then proceeded to Vanderburg Count.v, 
Ind., where he became the owner of a farm, also 
a Iwnt on the Ohio River. Later Mr. Kamp 
moved to Mt. Carmel, 111., and there conducted a 
flour mill from 1S70 until l.«!ni. when it Imrnefl. 
and he then established a plant for manufactur- 
ing ice, which he carried on three .vears. then 
sold out and retired from active life. Mr. Kamp 
died in July. ^U0?,, and his wife died in .\ugust. 
l.sno. They were parents of eight children, of 
whom two died in infancy, the others being: 
Berthold. who has a department store at Mt. 
Carmel: Emi] L.. with Kamp Brothers: Angeto. 
of Mt. Carmel : Eugene, of Mt, Cnrniel, and 
Clnra, :\rrs. Howard Sherrv. of Mt. Carmel. 

Louis W. Kamp received his education in the 
common and high schools and in 1S!12 entered 
the employ of Mr. L. Rees. a tinner in Mt. Crtr- 
mel. where he remained till ISOfi. then went to 
work for the Pnlliiian car-shops at rullman 111., 
being employed tT\-n years as plumlier. and then 
located in New Tnrk City, where be worked one 
,vear in a plumbing and heating plant establish- 
ment. Returning to Mt. Cartel \\r. Knmp be- 
gan business on his own account, dealing in 
sheet metal, nlumbing supplies, heating appara- 
tus, and similar lines. Tbc firm is known as L. 
W Knmn Companv. which does an extensive 
business throughout Southern Illinois. Making a 
specialty of the Countv Water Systems and Gas 
Licrhtintr Plants. Mr. Kamp. having served time 
at the sheet metal, plumbing and heating busi- 
nes,s for past 18 years, has been very suc- 



cessful and built up a large business, carrying a 
complete line of up-to-date, high-grade stock. 

June 1, 1908, Mr. Kamp married Jessie Rein- 
hard, who was l>orn in Fairfield, 111., daughter 
of John D, and Betsey (Sheets) Reinhard, the 
father born in Mt. Carmel and the mother in 
Frankfort, Ky, Mr. Kamp and his wife have 
one child, Robert L,, bora December 17, 1909, 
Mr, Kamp is a member of the Lutheran Church, 
being one of its Trustees and Superintendent of 
the Sunday School. He is a member of the A. 
F. & A. yi.. the I. O. O, F., Elks and the M, 
W, A. Politically he is a stanch supporter of 
the Republican party and takes a commendable 
interest in pulilic affairs. 

KAVANAUGH, John Dillon.— Many self-made 
men have achieved a high degree of succ-ess and 
have won the highest resiiect and esteem from 
their associates. John Dillon Kavanaugh, of 
Friendsville. III., has made his own way in the 
world since he was seventeen years of age, and 
is now one of th e most i)rominent men in his 
communitj'. He was born in Mt, Carmel Pre- 
cinct, Walwsh Couutj-, 111., March 18, 18.S8, a 
son of Leroy and Rachel (Martin) Kavanaugh, 
Ixirn in Clark County, Ky. His father was a son 
of William and Anna (Hinde) Kavanaugh, of 
Virginia, 

.\s a boy .John D. Kavanaugh attended tlie dis- 
trict school and the public schools at >It. Car- 
mel. He started out for himself by helping get 
out timber in Indiana for a firm in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, and three years later went into a mill at 
Grand Rapids, Wabnsh County, learning the 
milling trade, at which he worked twenty-five 
.years in that neighl^orhood. In 1887 Mr. Kava- 
naugh was ajipointed Deputy Sheriff, under 
.\lfred McXair. and served two years. He pur- 
chased a residence in Friendsville in 1871. and 
has made this his home since. In 18,81 he was 
appointed Deinity I'nited States Marshal under 
Charles P. Hitch, and held that position four 
years. He spent three years in the retail gi'o- 
cery trade and has also followed various other 
occupations, thouirh for the past few years he 
has been practically retired from active life. 
From 190.S until 1905 he served as guard at the 
Southern Illinois Penitentiary at Chester. He 
has shown excellent .iudgment in his various lines 
of business, and his public service has been con- 
scientious and satisfactor.v. He is well known 
and popular socially, is a member of the Masonic 
T/idge Xn. 2r.9. Mt. Cannel. and politically a sup- 
Itorter of the Ttoin'blican party, showing keen in- 
terest in public affairs. 

Mr. Kavanaugh married. March 7. 1.S(il. Eliz.a 
Benedict, who was born in Crawford County, 
Ind,. a daughter of Ciirlton and Delila (Hvden) 
Benedict, and thev became parents of children as 
follows: Elizabeth. Mrs, George Wilkinson, now- 
deceased: Isaac r,. died in 1872- Luella. Mrs, 
.T, N. T/Oudin. of Mt Carmel. III. The family at- 
tend the Methodist Church and are identified 
with every cause that has for its object the im- 
provement of existing conditions. 



742 



WABASH COUNTY 



KEEN, Albert B.— One of the oldest residents 
of Wnliash County, III., is Albert B. Keen, of 
Frientlsville Prec-inct, whose name beads this 
biogra]>b.v. Mr. Keen was born in that precinct, 
October '20. ISHd, a .sou of Ira and Eleanor (Jor- 
dan ) Keen, the former a native of Hamilton 
Oounty, Ohio, and the latter of Bowling Green, 
Ky., and is a grandson of Peter and Jemima 
(Gard) Keen, the latter of New Jersey, and 
Caleb and Rebecca Jordan, natives of Kentucky, 
Peter Keen and his wife landed where Cincin- 
nati. Ohio, is now located, and Iielped build the 
first f-aliin there. They, as well as the rest of 
their party, were pursued by Indians. They 
came down the Ohio to the Wabash River, and 
while on the way the Indians shot at the boat 
with their arrows, but he and the others escaped. 
He located near Tiraberville, Wabash County, 
but soon afterward moved to Friendsvllle Pre- 
cinct, where he entered land. He cleared this 
from the scrub oak and imitroved it. After his 
marriage he lived at Patton Station, in Wabash 
Precinct, but later secured a tract of land in 
Freindsville Precinct, where he died in l.'^ST. at 
the age of eighty-seven years, his wife having 
died there some years prior. She was born in 
1801, tv\-o years before her parents came to 
Friendsvllle Precinct. Her father secured a 
large tract of land from the Government and 
died at the age of eighty-two years. Her mother 
died at the age of eighty-one. 

After his marriage Ira Keen spent the re- 
mainder of his life in farming. He and his wife 
had nine children, the only survivors now being: 
Rebecca. Mrs. Thomas Wilkinson, of Friendsviile 
Precinct : Alliert P.. ; William C. of Wavne City. 
Wayne County, 111. ; Louisa. Mrs. A. D. Rutter. 
of Mt. Carniel. 

Albert B. Keen received his education in the 
schools of his neighborhood and made the most 
of his advantages. Most of the .schools in his 
early boyhood were subscription schools. He 
remained at home with his parents until his mar- 
riage, in December, I.SCO. to Mnrtha Shoaff, who 
was born in W.'ishington. Pa,, daughter of Jacob 
and Martha ( Wolfenbargerl Shoaff, of Penn- 
Sj'Ivania. After theii- marriage they moved to 
a fanii of eighty acres in Friendsviile Prwinct, 
where he has since resided. Mrs, Keen died in 
1881. His father deeded him a farm of eight:*- 
acres at Patton Station, which he afterward 
sold. He began clearing the timber from his 
land and improving it. and added twenty acres 
to It. He discovered coal on his land and sunk 
a shaft, which he mine many years, the vein, 
which is soft lump coal, varying from .30 inches 
to four feet in depth. He rented out several 
tracts of his land, on which three shafts were 
sunk. He ha.s received a good income fi-om this 
industry and has al.sn. been successful in his 
farming operations. He has practically retired 
from active life, but takes great interest in 
every detail of tl\e work carried on. 

The children born to ;Mr. Keen and wife were: 
Elizabeth. Mrs. Mnrcellus Andrus. died at Poplar 
Grove, Mo. : Robert and Herscliel, died in in- 



•■ancy ; Romana. with her father, and Alberta, 
Mrs. Thomas Besley, of East St. Louis, 111. Mr. 
Keen is a Democrat in politics and served one 
term as County Commisioner. He is a member 
of the South Star Odd Fellows Lodge No. 732, 
of Friend.si'ille. He is well kuoWn in the county 
and universally esteemed for his many good 
qualities of heart and mind. lie keeps fully in- 
formed on the topics and issues of the day and 
is much interested in public affairs. 

KEEN, Daniel E,, is a native son of Wabaah 
County, III., Ijeiug a descendant of one of the 
pioneer families of this section. His father was 
the late Hon. Ezra B. Keen, a sketch of whose 
lief also appears in this volume. His mother 
is Mrs. Luciuda (Knowles) Keen, whose parents 
were among the early settlers of Gibson County, 
Ind. He was Iwni November 21. IStU. on the 
farm just north of Keensburg, where his grand- 
father settled in the second decade of the last 
century. His youth was spent on the farm in 
the ijerformance of such tasks as usually fall to 
the lot of the farmer boy. During the winters 
lie attended the pulilic school of the neighbor- 
hood. After acquiring such an education as this 
institution afforded, he entered the Southern In- 
diana Normal College at Mitchell. Ind.. from 
which he graduated in 18S1 with tlie degree of 
B. S. LTpon his graduation he was chosen as one 
of a liody of young teachers from the North, 
selected to compose the faculty of the Milan Nor- 
mal College, at Milan. Tenn., where he taught 
successfully for two years, the last year as Asso- 
ciate Principal. 

During his residence in Milan, thrnugh his 
acquaintance with the publisher of the local 
paper, Mr. Keen acquired a taste for newspai^er 
work, and returning to his native c-ounty pur- 
chased the "Mt. Carmel Republican." then owned 
by Thomas L. .Toy. He began the jiublication of 
the ■■Renulili'^aii" Anril ''" 1SSS. and has been in 
charge of the paiwr continuously from that day 
to the present time. His early experience in 
the newspaper field was not encouraging. The 
"Republican" ix)ssessed an equipment that was 
meager in the extreme and the ojitiosition was 
far stronger than that usually encountered by a 
new candidate for public fav(U', Having little 
to rer-onuiiend him hut his own strength of char- 
acter and honesty of pui-pose. bis progress was 
slow indeed and the struggle was often 
severe. .\s the years passed, however, the 
paper gradually won its way to the front, the 
office was given a more fitting equipment and the 
pulilication was accorded a standing equal to 
that of any of its contemixiraries. On Septem- 
ber 4. 1890. the publication of the "Daily Repub- 
lican" was commenced, this being the first daily 
pa]>er ever established in Aft. Carmel and its pub- 
lic.ition at first undertaken as an experiment. 
Its existence was rather precarious for a time, 
the town being scarcely large enough for its sup- 
port : but it. too. won the favor of the nubiic n^d. 
in due course lias become one of the firmly estab- 
lished institutions of the city. The publisher 



WABASH COUNTY 



r43 



now lias the satisfaction of knowing that the 
"Republican," Daily and Weekly, is regarded as 
one of the foremost papers of Southern Illinois, 
and fully up to the standard of the c-ountry press 
of any section of the .State, while the old iiand 
press, broken jobber and worn-out tyi^, have 
given place to the linotype, the cylinder press 
and a complete modern equipment in every re- 
spect. In his editorial capacity ilr. Keen has 
always endeavored to stand for decency, honesty 
and fair-play, not only in strictly local matters, 
but in polities and affairs of government as well. 
His intluenc-e has always been thrown in favor 
of progress, and the elevation of public morals 
and the betterment of conditions under which we 
live. 

Mr. Keen"s position as editor of the Republi- 
can party organ, of necessity has caused him to 
take a somewhat prominent part in jwlitics. and 
his worth in this line was recognized by his ap- 
pointment in 1898 as Postmaster at Mt. Carmel. 
He was re-appointed in r.Mi2 and again in 1906. 
making his term of service in this position longer 
than that of any other incumbent, save one. who 
held the office during the days when Mt. Carmel 
was but a village. His administration of the 
affairs of the ixi.stoffice has been marked by a 
wonderful growth of the iwstal service. Largely 
through his efforts the present extensive rural 
free deliverj- senice was established, and a little 
later city free delivery was added. Dtiring his 
incumbency the expenditures of the office on ac- 
count of local service have grown from alwut 
.$2..'!n0 per annum to a total of almost .i;iS.(XiO. 

In this youth Mr. Keen became a member of 
the old Coffee Christinn Church, later removed 
to Keensburg. of which his grandfather. Daniel 
Keen, was one of the founders in 1819. He re- 
tains his memliership there at the present time, 
thoutrh naturally his attendance is at the 'M. Car- 
mel Church of the same bod.v. He has been a 
member of the Order of Knights of Pythias since 
18.S9. having been one of the charter members of 
Wab.nsh Lodee Xo. 227. of Mt. Carmel. w'li-li ho 
has frequently served in various capacities. For 
many years he was a member of the Grand 
Lodge of the order in Illinois and had the dis- 
tinction, as Chairman of the Committee on Aged 
Pythians and Pythian Onihans' Home, of pre- 
senting the report establishing the magnificent 
home for the dependents of the order, recently 
erected at Decatur. 

Mr. Keen was united in marriage. September 
24. 1902, at Palmer Lake. Colo., to Miss Effie K. 
Johnson, of Mt. Carmel. One daughter, Eleanor 
J., was- born to them November 2S. 1900. Mr. 
Keen is extremel.v domestic in his tastes and 
practically all his time, not taken up by business 
affairs, is devoted to his famil.v and his home. 

KEEN, Hon. Ezra B. (deceased), who. at the 
time of his death, was the oldest native citizen 
of Wabash Ooiint.v. 111., came from a race of pio- 
neers and was a worthy representative of the 
hardy stock from which he sprang. His familv 
werp among the founders of three States. They 



came originally from New Jersey, of which State 
his grandfather. Peter Keen, was a native. Soon 
after the Revolutionary War the grandfather re- 
moved to the Northwest TeiTitorj', settling near 
Cincinnati, then but a struggling frontier village. 
In 1S14 he sold out and, gathering his effects to- 
gether, removed to the Territory of Illinois, 
settling on what is known as the Fox farm, r\vo 
miles south of Allendale, in what is now Wabash, 
but which was then a part of Edwards County. 
He was one of the original proprietors of the ill- 
fated town of Palmyra, which was the first 
county-seat of Wabash County. He died in 1840 
on a farm near Frieudsville. to which he had 
removed. His wife was Jemima Gard, a sister 
of Seth Gard. another pioneev and a man of 
prominence in his day. who was a member of the 
Constitutional Convention of 1818, and of the 
Territorial Legislature in 1817. One of the chil- 
dren born to this family was Daniel Keen, who 
became the father of the subiect of this sketch. 

Daniel Keen was born in Hamilton County, 
Ohio, in 1794. and was a young man when the 
family came to Illinois. He was married In 
1815 and removed to the southern part of the 
county, settling on a tract of wild land in Cof- 
fee Prec-inct just north of the present town of 
Keensliurg. There he opened up a farm uiwn 
which he remained until 1.8.52, when he returned 
to the northern part of the county, but later 
came back to end his days on the old place, dy- 
ing there in 187.5. He was married, in 1815. to 
JIary Compton. daughter of Levi and Rosanna 
Compton. who came to Illinois from Virginia 
in 1802. and who are .said to have been the first 
settlers of this part of the State. Levi Compton 
was one of the prominent men among the 
pioneers of Illinois, was the colleague of Seth 
Gard as Delegate from Edwards County to the 
Cbnstitutional Convention of 1818. the year Illi- 
nois was admitted into the Fnion as a State, and 
Representative from the same county in the 
First General Assembly (181,8-20'). His son Jo- 
seph was he first male child liom within the 
limits of what is now Wabash County. Mary 
f Compton) Keen died in IS."?!, the mother of five 
sons and two daughters, the subject of this 
sketch being one of the former. Daniel Keen 
was married in later years to .Tulydia. daughter 
of Thomas MeClain. who survived him at his 
death. 

Ezra Baker Keen, the third son of Daniel 
and Mary (Compton") Keen, was born on the old 
homestead near Keensburg. December 1. 1821. 
He grew up on the fann and was subject to all 
the privations and trials which marked the 
pioneer life of those days. He received a lim- 
ited education in the subscription schools, the 
only kind then in existence in that part of the 
State, and in he old log school houses with 
puncheon floors and greased-paper windows, he 
learned to read, write and cipher. His onl.v 
opportunity for a more advanced education 
came when for a short time under the tutelage 
of a shrewd Yankee. Reuben Fox. he was given 
in.struction In English grammar in addition t" 



744 



WABASH COUNTY 



hii! other studies. Meager as were his early 
educational oi)iiurtunities. he ne^-er ceased to 
add to bis store of informatiou. and through 
travel, reading and t-outact with men, awjuired 
a broad knowledge of affairs that made bim one 
of the best informed men of his time. 

In bis youth the waterways afforded prac- 
ticall.v the only means of communication with 
the outside world, and bis desire to leani some- 
thing of other .sections of the counti-y led him 
early to turn liis attention to the river. .\t the 
age of eighteen years he made his first trip to 
New Orleans, as a tlatlxwtman, and the aptitude 
which he at once showed for the work caused 
him to be in great demand as a pilot for these 
rude craft, which constituted the only means 
by which the early settlers could get their pro- 
duce to market. In the intervals of farming 
be followed the river for many years, making 25 
round trips to New Orleans, a record i)erhaps 
equaled by no other person in his section. He 
had many stirring adventures and the story of 
his experiences wotUd fill a volume. He in- 
herited a rugged constitution and his i)byslcal 
prowess made him a leader among the young 
men. few of whom could best bim in a wrestling 
bout or equal him in lifting with the baud- 
spike, the favorite methods of determining pli.vs- 
Ical superiority in those days. 

Jlr. Keen taught one term of school at Lick 
Prairie and a little later located in Mt. Carmel 
where, in partnership with the late D. S. Har- 
vey, be conducted a store for a short time. He 
could not be content, however, to be trannneled 
by the restrictions of a business career, and. 
soon disiwsing of his Interests, returned to 
farming, iwrcbasing the old homestead, uix>n 
which be remained until tlie day of bis death. 
He was progressive in bis methods as a farmer" 
and. before his days of activit.v had passed, ac- 
quired quite a comfortable competence. 

In 185(1 Mr. Keen was united In marriage witli 
lAieinda Kiiowlos. of Gilison County. Ind. Mrs. 
Keen is a daughter of K|ihraim and Pynthia 
(Kimball) Knowles. Her family came origin- 
ally from the State of Delaware, but her father 
was a native of Georgia, emigrating to Indiana 
in bSll. .Jesse Kimball, the maternal grand- 
father, was a soldier of the Revolutionaiy War. 
removed from his native State of Connecticut 
to Kentucky and later to Indiana, where be died 
in IS.'iS, at the advanced age of ninety-seven 
years. Six children were born to the union of 
Ezra R. and Lncinda Keen, of whom three are 
living, namely: Mrs. E. .\. P.urbolz. of Keens- 
burg : Daniel E.. of Mt. C'annel, Postmaster and 
editor of the "Mt. Carmel Republican." and 
Marshall G.. of Chicago. 

Politically. Mr. Keen was a Reputiliean of Re- 
publicans. Originally a Whig, when the break- 
up came, his opposition to human slavei-y led 
him to identify himself with the tiarty of free- 
dom. He voted for Lincoln in 1S(iO and con- 
timied a leader in his part.v almost up to the 
time of his death. He was a Republican 
throughout the troublous times of the Civil War. 



when to be so required courage, both moral and 
l)bysiral. In 18S0 he was nominated b.v his 
party for Representative in the General Assem- 
bly in the old Forty-fourth District, being as- 
sociated on the ticket with the late Governor 
John R. Tanner, who, as a candidate for State 
Senator, was just then beginning his political 
career. He was elected and served with credit 
to himself and bis constituents. 

In character Mr. Keen was a representative 
of all that was best in tJie rugged ancestry 
whence he came. He was absolutely fearless in 
bis stand for the princi])les in which be believed, 
and allowed no opposition to swerve bim. He 
was generous and honorable in all his dealings, 
and bis word was ever as good as his Iwnd. 
He was charitable to the poor, and no hungry 
man was ever turned from his door unfed. For 
almost two generations he was a leading mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, known as the Old 
Coffee, and afterwards as the Keensburg 
Chtireli. giving ireely of his time and means for 
its support. In earlier years his home was a 
haven for the ministers of the chun-h and a 
gathering i>lace for those who came from a dis- 
tance to attend the services. He always took a 
deep intere.st in the progress of the neighborhnod 
and gave his support to all movements for the 
betterment of conditions therein. For man.v 
years he served as a member of the School Board 
and in every way possible did what he could 
for the advancement of education. The i>ositive- 
ness of his character caused man.v to disagree 
with him. but none failed to accord him the full 
nieasttre of resiie<-t and esteem to which his 
patriarchal character entitled bim. 

The last several years of his life were sjient 
b.v Mr. Keen quietl.v at his home near Keensburg, 
where he passed awa.^•. Tuesday. May 4, 1900, 
at the age of eigbt>--seven years, five months and 
three days, bis death occuring almost within 
a stone's throw of the spot where be was born. 
The interment was in the nld Coffee Cemetery, 
to which other members of his family preceded 
bim. 

Those who have come upon the stage of action 
at a later date have but little comprehension of 
the vast changes that took place during Mr. 
Keen's lifetime, or how far back into the his- 
tory of his countr.v that lifetime reaches. Wlien 
he was born the Union was yet in its infancy : 
Tllinois had been a State but three .years and 
Wabash County had not lieen created. Tlie en- 
tire country in this section was a howling wil- 
derness, from which the footjiTlnts of bnstile sav- 
ages had scarce been ol)literated. The railroad 
was as yet unknown and the telegraph was a 
generation in the future. The steamboat had 
but recently I>een invented and as yet had 
scarcely made its wa.v to western waters. He 
lived tuider all but four of his country's Presi- 
dents and voted in seventeen of the regular 
iiresidentinl elections, lieginning with William 
IIenr>- Harrison and ending with William How- 
ard Taft. 

Willi the lives of none of her sons is the his- 



WABASH COUNTY 



745 



torv of Wabash County more intimately cou- 
net'ted. and few indeed have borne a hirger part 
in its development and progress, or left a 
stronger impress for good upon the community 
in which they lived. 

KEEN, William E., a prosperous merchant of 
Keeusburg. 111., and a citizen of Coffee Precinct. 
Wabash County, is a native of the precinct, 
born May S. 1849. sou of Oruamil H. and Mar- 
garet P."(Sproun Keen, the former a native of 
Coffee Precinct and the latter of Lexington, Ky. 
Ornaniil H. Keen was born in 1S17. a sou of 
Daniel and Marj- (Compton) Keen, natives re- 
spectively of New Jersey and Wabash County. 
and Margaret P. Sproul was bom In 1-^24. Peter 
Keen, the father of Daniel, was born in Tren- 
ton. X. J., and came to Waliash County in 181:2, 
settling on the prairie at Friendsville. Mary 
Compton was a daughter of Levi Compton. a 
native of A'irainia. who in ISiy located at Tim- 
berville. now Allendale. Wabash County. Both 
the maternal and iKiternal gi-andparents of Will- 
ian E. Keen were married in Wabash County, 
as were also his parents, the latter settling in 
Coffee Precinct where Keensburg now stands. 
They were all farmers. Tlie father served sev- 
«rar times as County Commissioner and laid 
out the town of Keensburg on his farm in 1872. 
the same being named in his honor. Mr. Keen 
was a large land holder and an extensive stock 
farmer. He died at Keensburg. August 30. 1877. 
that town having been laid out on his farm, and 
his widow died about 1890. They had children 
as follows : William E. : John M.. died in in- 
fancy ; Ornamil IL ; Oliver P.. died at the 
age of twenty-five years : Daniel, died in in- 
fancy. By a previous marriage, to a Miss Mc- 
Clain. Mr. Keen had one daughter. Mary I., 
who married D. F. Moyer. and died in Mt. Car- 
niel about 18.08. 

The boyhood of William E. Keen was spent 
at Keensburg and he received his early educa- 
tion in the public schools. He also attended the 
Presbyterian school at Friendsville and the 
Northwestern Christian University at Indian- 
apolis, Ind. He remained at home with his 
parents until his marriage. June 2i. 1874. to 
Hattie A. Burns, who was born in Grayville. 
White Countj-. 111., a daughter of Xeil C. and 
Hannah Ann (Gilbert) Bums, the former born 
in Po.sey Countv. Ind.. and the latter in Phila- 
delphia. Pa. The Burns family, which was of 
Scotch desc-ent. early settled in Eastern Illinois. 
Mr. Keen engaged in mercantile business soon 
after his marriage and did his .share toward 
the progress and development of the thriving 
town of Keensburg. and still conducts a general 
store there, carrying dry-goods, household furn- 
ishings and various farm appliances and imple- 
ments. Tliere were three children born to Mr. 
Keen and wife, namely: Elery C. Helen B. 
and Mar.v. Elery C. Keen married ffirstt 
Bertlin Harrinston. who died in f'p spring of 
lOOi;, leaving three children. Elizabeth. William 
and Xeil B.. and married (second) .\nrestella 



Denham. by whom he had one son, Oliver P. 
Helen B. Keen, who lives at home, is now at- 
tending school at Huntington Hall. Los Angeles, 
Cal. Mary died in infancy. 

Mr. Keen is a member of the Christian 
Church and in politics is a Democrat, He has 
been ai-tive in local affairs and is an influential 
and useful citizen. He served as Clerk of the 
Circuit Court from 1876-80. during which time 
he resided in Mt. Carmel. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Tribe of Ben Hur, of Keensburg. 

KELLER, John H,, a prominent merchant of 
.Mt. Carmel, 111., member of the firm of Keller & 
McClung. has been successful as a farmer, manu- 
facturer and merchant, and has acquired his 
present position through his enterprise and per- 
severance. Mr. Keller was lx)rn in Heilmandale, 
Lebanon County. Pa.. March 12. 1855. a son of 
John and Sarah (Richard) Keller. His pater- 
nal grandparents. John and Elizabeth (Lyuts) 
Keller, were natives of Strassburg. Germany, 
and his maternal grandparents. John Peter Rich- 
ard and his wife, were Iwru in England. John 
Keller was a farmer in Pennsylvania. 

John H. Keller received his education in the 
common schools of his native county and re- 
mained at home until he was twenty-one years 
old. then went to Wichita. Kan., and remained 
there three months, after which he walked back 
as far as Bloomington. 111., having not a cent 
of money. He worked on a farm in McLean 
County until he had money enough to take him 
to Hoopeston. 111., and worked on a farm near 
there six months, during which time his par- 
ents had moved to Mt. Carmel. He then re- 
turned home and worked for them until his 
marriage. May 27. 188?,. to Alice Risley, a na- 
tive of Mt. Carmel. dauffhter of John T. Risley. 
After his marriage Mr. Keller rented a farm 
near Mt. Carmel from his brother-in-law, and a 
year later a e.vclone destroyed all his proi>erty. 
He then located in Mt. Carmel and engaged in 
business for one year, when he bought a farm 
five miles north of Mt. Carmel. whii'h he car- 
ried on three years, then rented it and pur- 
chased another farm two miles north of Mt. 
Carmel, where he lived two years. Mr. Keller 
then moved to Mt. Carmel and engaged in the 
lumber business, in company with D. F. Rhein- 
hart and M. R. Jones, the firm name beins J. 
H. Keller & Company. They continued in busi- 
ness a year and a half, when Mr. Keller sold 
his interest to his partners and for two years 
engaced in fani'ln" : he then bousht f'^p 'iri.^k 
yard which was owned by George G. Blood, .iust 
north of Mt. Carmel. and conducted this enter- 
prise with success seven years. He sold the 
brick plant and two of the nine acres, there be- 
ins a fine brick house on part of the land. He 
also sold out his farms in Wabash Count.v and 
purchased the hardware business of W. S. Mer- 
ritt. in partnership with George \. McCluns. 
The firm of Keller & McClung have since car- 
ried on the business and carry a good line of gen- 
eral hardware merchandise, having one of the 
best stores in Mt. Carmel. They are both men 



746 



WABASH COUNTY 



of euterprise and business acumen and pay 
proper attention to tlie needs of their custom- 
ers. In Marcli, ItHjO, tliey purcliased a 30<)-acre 
farm in Knox County. Ind.. under the name of 
Keller & MeClung. This is well improved, fer- 
tile land, and all under cultivation except forty 
acres of timber. 

Mr. Keller and his wife became parents of 
children as follows: .J. Everett, at home; Lee, 
at San Diego, t'al. : Arthur and Ralph, at home. 
Mr. Keller is a member of the B. I'. O. E.. No. 
715. Mt. Oarmel, the Modem Americans and the 
Modem Woodmen of America. In political 
views he is independent, voting for the man he 
considers best fitted for othee. In llKi."> he was 
elected Alderman of the Third Ward in Mt. 
Carmel on the Democratic ticket, and dis- 
charged his duties with ability and good judg- 
ment. He takes an active Interest in ])nblic af- 
fairs and keeps himself informed upon the is- 
sues of the day. 

KENEIPP, Alexander P.— Among the substan- 
tial and entenirislng farmers of Wabash County, 
111., one of the most successful is Alexander P. 
Keneipp. who owns a farm .iust outside the city 
limits of Mt. Carmel. besides considerable proi)- 
erty in the city. Mr. Keneipp was born in Mt. 
Carmel. May !). 1852. son of Silas and Jane 
(Harve.v) Keneipp. Silas Keneipp was born in 
Painesville, Ohio, son of Charles Keneipp. a na- 
tive of HesserDarmstadt. Germany, and bis wife, 
who was born in Bedford. Ohio, was a daughter 
of Beauchamp and Hester (Saylor) Harvey. 

The parents of Silas Keneipji died when he 
was but eleven .years of age. and he came to Mt. 
Carmel with hi.s uncle. Andrew Keneipp. He 
remalnetl in that city, while bis uncle went to 
Lawrence Count.v. 111. Silas Keneipi> leameil 
the trade of blacksmith and afterward hou'-'bt 
out his employer, conducting the shop until 1S5S. 
when he sold out and purchased a farm of 120 
acres just west of Mt. Carmel. Besides oi)eratlng 
his farm he conducted a saw-mill, but retired 
from active business several .vears before bis 
death, which occurred about 1.SS2. He was born 
July 2!t. 1,111. and his wife, who was born Oc- 
tober 17. 1S17. died about 1S7.'!. They bad c'"'- 
dren as follows: George M.. died in l.SO,S; Ed- 
, ward B.. of Mr. Carmel; Mary E.. Mrs. Major 
Chapman, deceased: C.vms IT., of Mt. Carmel 
Precinct ; Benjamin F.. deceased ; Maria J.. Mrs. 
Charles Calverly. of Mt. Carmel Precinct; Alex- 
ander P.; Judith Hester, married .\. M. Orr. of 
Mt. Carmel Precinct. 

I'ntil six years of age Alexander P. Keneipp 
lived in Mt. Carmel. when bis iwirents moved to 
their farm a little way outside the city limits. 
He attended the district school and Central 
Normal College, at Danville. Ind. .Vfter bis 
father's death lie Inherited the bnme'^tead. He 
wa.s married. May 1.S, 1,SS5. to Gertrude Ebert. 
born July <i. ISi"!. in Bvron. Germany, daughter 
of Andrus and Margarita Ebert. ITer parents 
die<l In Germany and she came to Mt Carmel 
when nineteen years old. living with a sister un- 



til .she found employment. She and her husbaud 
were married in Mt. Ctirmel. Mrs. Keneipp died 
December V.). 1902, and her loss was widely 
mourned. She was a conscientious Christian, 
discharging her duty to her family, a kind neigb- 
iKjr and true friend. Mr. Keneipp and his wile 
have had children as follows : Mary Elizabeth, 
born April 12. l.s^ti. at home ; Laura Gertrude, 
April 5, 1.S88, married I'aul H. Kolb ; Catherine 
Jane, born November 23. 188!), at home; Judith 
Esther, liorn September 20, 1891, died August 
17. 1892; James Silas, born June :i. 189:!. died 
August 25. IS'.Kt; Helena Margaretta, born June 
i:'.. 1,894. at home; Albion W. Tourgee, bom Sei>- 
tember 12. 1.S97. aud Frances Wllhelmlna. Ixjrn 
November 17. looo. at home. 

Mr. Kenelp)> is a most intelligent aud euter- 
lirislng famier and gives close attention to all 
the details of his work. He taught school a few- 
winters before his marriage, but has since de- 
voted bis entire time aud attention to his agri- 
cultural operations. A Republican politically, be 
has been prominent in political affairs, has 
served fifteen years as ScIkxjI Director, and has 
bc-en identified with ever.v movement for pub- 
lic improvement and the general welfare. In 
religions views he is identified with the Metho- 
dist Ei)iscopal Church and has contributed his 
share to the work of bis church. A useful and 
representative citizen he has a large number of 
friends. 

KENEIPP, Cyrus Harvey, a farmer of Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct, where he owns an extensive farm, 
is a native of the precinct where he resides, 
born July 2l!. l,84(i. He is a son of Silas and 
Jane ( Harvey t Keneipp. the former a native of 
(iermany and the latter of Wabash County, 111. 
-Mrs. Kenel])p's falher and mother, Beauchamp 
and Hester Harvey, were natives of Ohio. Silas 
Keneii)p was one of the earliest settlers of Mt. 
<'.irmel. and the land he secured was all cov- 
ered with timber. I'pon bis marriage he set- 
tled a mile and a half southwest of Mt. Carmel. 
and here spent the remainder of his life, pass- 
ing away about 1.870. His widow survived sev- 
eral years and died aliout 1889. They were par- 
ents of children as follows: (ieorge JI.. de- 
ceased: Edward, of Mf. Carmel ; Ellen, deceased, 
wife of .Major Chapman, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct: .Maria. .Mrs. Charles Calverly. of Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct; Alexander, of Alt. Carmel: Frank, 
died at the age of eight years, and Judith. Mrs. 
A. M. Orr. of Mt. Carmel. 

The boyhood of Cyrus II. Keneipp was spent 
on bis father's farm near Mt Carmel. where he 
resided with his ]>nrents until his marriage. In 
December. l.'*(!9. to Catherine Wilbelm. damihter 
of Conrad and (Jertnide f Smith) Wllbeim, 
both natives of Worms. (Jermany. Mr. Wil- 
belm's father. Conrad Wilbelm. and his wife's 
father. William Smith. c.-\me to Wabash Ciiunty 
in an early da.v. and here Mrs. Kei'elpp's ]iarents 
were marrie<l. They settled on a farm in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, where he died, about 1.8.58. 
and his widow lived In Mt. Cannel until her 




^>/if/i^ :y^//// 



WABASH COUNTY 



747 



death, in 1890. After his marriase Mr. Keiieipp 
moved to his t'anii of eighty acres, oue and a 
half miles southwest of Jit. ('Mrniel. lie had to 
dear a large part of this land, eret-ted ou it 
inodern huikliiigs and made all possible improve- 
nients. adding to his ix>ssessions from time to 
time, until he is now tlie owner of 332 acres, all 
well improved. He raises registered Hereford 
cattle and has a good grade of horses and hogs. 
Mr. Keneipp is ind('])endent in ix)litical matters 
and votes for the man he considers best fitted to 
hold ottice. He belongs to the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church of Mt. Carmel. ranks as one of the 
intelligent and successful farmers of Wabash 
Count.v, and is held in high esteem b.v all who 
know him. He takes an active interest in po- 
litical affairs, although he does not care for 
imblir- otH< e. 

Mr. Kenei]»]) and his wife have one son. Stew- 
art, born .Tune 11. 1871. who resides on part of 
the home farm. He mari'ied Maud Murray, 
born in Mt. Carmel. daughter <if William and 
Luc.v (Konninger) Murray, the fonuer a native 
of Pennsylvania and the latter of Mt. Carmel. 
Three children have been boni of this marriage: 
Helen and Richard, at home, and Wilhelm. born 
in August. ISnS. but died in May, litOT. 

KENEIPP, Capt. George M. (deceased), a high- 
ly honored citizen of Wabash Cuunty. HI., and 
a veteran of the Civil War, died on his farm a 
mile and a half west of Jit. Carmel. October 14. 
IS.Sft. He had spent his entire life in Mt. Car- 
mel and vicinity, with the exception of three 
.years and eight months" service in the T'nion 
Arniv. He was a most generous and kind- 
hearted man. honest and upright in his deal- 
ings, conscientious in his relations with his 
fellow-men. pure in politir-s and faithful to his 
church, and was mourned most sincerel.v b.v his 
family and a host of warm personal friends. He 
had served his country most f.-iithfully and ful- 
filled his everv duty in public and iirivate life. 
and had won the highest esteem of all who knew 
him. 

Captain Keneipi) was born at Mt. Carmel. 
March 18. 1.<*3,8. son of Silas and .Tai>e (Hirvevi 
Kenelpn. Silas Keneipp was born .Tulv 20, 1.811. 
near Winchester. Oeauga County. Ohio, and 
came with his uncle to Mt. Carmel. in 1827. 
There he learned the trade of a blacksmith with 
James IT. Tieall. afterward buying a shop of his 
own and carrving on business in this line for a 
quarter of a century. In 1.8.")n he moved to his 
farm near Mt. Carmel. where he spent the re- 
mainder of his life, and died .Vpril T*, 1.'<^!. 

The founder of the Keneipp family in America 
was Chri.stian Keneipp. a Hessian soldier, who 
was c-aptiired at Trenton, and later .ioined the 
Continental Army. After the war he married 
and Incated in Geauga County. Ohio. Many of 
his descendants .settled in Wabash and Law- 
rence Counties. HI. 

Captain Keneipp received his education in the 
publi<- schiHiIs of .Mt. Carmel, and then learned 
the blacksmith trade in bis father's .shop. He 



moved to the country with the family in 1859, 
and there followed farming until his enlistment 
in the war. Septemlier 1. l.s<il. He became pri- 
vate in Company O. Forty-eighth Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, and November 19, 1862. was c-om- 
mlssioned First Lieutenant, and on March 24, 
1,S(!4, promoted to the rank of Captain, his en- 
tire service being in the Fifteenth and Sixteenth 
Army Corps. Army of the Tennessee. lie was 
wounded by a shell April 0, 1SC2, at Shiloh, and 
again wounded by a gunshot in the hip, at Jones- 
boro. Ga.. September 1. 1.8(14. while commanding 
his conipan.v on the advance skirmish line. He 
was a member of T. S. Bowers Post, No. 125, 
Grand Army of the Republic. 

Captain Keneipp was married, February 17, 
18tU. at Mt. Carmel. 111., to Miss Rosalind Mur- 
ray, daughter of Henrv and Marilla A. Murray 
who was liorn at Oxford, Holmes County, Ohio, 
December 20. 1844. and move<l with her jiarents 
from Coshdcton County. Ohio, to Jit. Carmel, 
111.. Xovendier 1. 1.8."iS. Five children survive 
Cai)t. Keneip]!. namely : Dr. E. P. an<l Hugh, 
of Washington. r>. C. : Rolla. of Illinois: two 
daughters. Rosalind and JIary Ethel, who reside 
with their mother, in Jit. Carmel. Capt. 
Keneipp owned 102 acres of land near Jit. Car- 
mel. and had operated this farm several years, 
with success. He was buried in Rose Hill Ceme- 
tery. His widow moved to Jit. Carmel in 1894. 

KENNARD, Frank, who has a well developed 
farm in ColTee Precinct. Wabash Count.v. Til., is 
a native of that county, born in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. February 2. 1S."9. a son of Robert and 
Sarah Jane (Paul) Kennard. natives of Jiason 
County, Kv. The parents were married in Tven- 
tucky and soon after removed to Wabash 
Countj-, buying a farm in Bellmont Precinct, 
where they lived for a time, then jnirehased 
another i>lace In the same precinct. In 1870 
they moved to Coffee Precinct, and he and his 
wife Iioth died in the village of Rochester. 
Their children were: Nancy, married .Tosejih 
ICennard. nf Bellmont Precinct: .Vngeline. mar- 
riefl George Adamson. and died in Coffee Pre- 
cinct : Henry, of Griffln, Posey County. Tnd. : 
Frank: Ella, died at the age of sixteen years; 
Ennna. Jlrs. Robinson, of Sullivan County. Tnd. ; 
.\lvii'. died at the age of twenty-eight .rears; 
James, of Sullivan. Tnd.: Fannie. Jlrs. Owen 
Gard. of Griffin. Tnd.: Laura, Jlrs. George 
Smothers, of Jlissouri. ^ 

The eflucation of Frank ICennard was ac- 
quired at the JTud Prairie and Ridge District 
Schools, and he lived with his parents until his 
marriage, JIar<-h 27. lS.':."i. to \'ictoria Willyard. 
of Coffee Precinct, a daughter of Wesley and 
Elizabeth (Desaii) Willyard.. both natives of 
Wabash County. Jlr. Kemiard and his wife first 
rented a farm In Coffee Precinct, where they 
lived four years, then moved to old Rochester, 
where they purchased a farm, and after living 
on it four .years rented the I\een farm, also in 
Coffee Precinct, whii-h they occupied four years. 
They then moved U. t/ie Village or ICcenslnirg. 



748 



WABASH COUNTY 



where they resided six months, after which they 
purchased the farm of eii;hty-one aud a half 
aeres in Coffee Preciurt, adjoining Rochester. 
This place was only partly cleared and he has 
since c-ontinued clearing and developing It until 
he had hut five acres of timber, which he had 
lately cleared and put under cultivation. He 
has erected on it sulistantial buildings and has 
an e.\celleiit farm. He also owns eight lots in 
Rochester. He does general farming and raises 
cattle and hogs. Four children were born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Kenuard, uamely : Alfred, at 
home; Ephraim, a school teacher, also lives at 
home; Essie. Mrs. Robert Strauthers, of Keens- 
burg; Cliarles, at home. 

Mr. Kennard has always been au industrious 
aud energetic farmer and has followed the most 
approved and modern methods of canning on 
his agricultural work. He is well known and 
nmch esteemed in the community which is his 
home, aud has a host of friends. Fraternally he 
is a hiember of the Modem Woodmen of Amer- 
ica and Indepeudent Order of Odd Bellows, of 
Keensburg. In political views he is a Democrat 
and served ten years as School Director, having 
also served as Drainage Commissioner .since 

100". 

KINGSBURY, Alonzo M.— A man who has 
served in several positions of public trust and 
has been a successful farmer and business man. 
is Alonzo M. Kingsbury, now living in Mt. Car- 
mel, HI. The family has been prominent in 
Wabash Couuty for many years, and has cou- 
tributed a fair share to the growth and develop- 
ment of public and ]irivate enteii)rises. Alonzo 
M. Kingsbury was born in Mt. Carmel Precinct. 
April 13, 18.54. a son of Wooster P. and Eliza- 
beth Ann (Reel) Kingsbury, mentioned in con- 
nection with the sketch of Theodore H. Kings- 
bury, to be found also in this volume. 

After completing the course in the district 
schools of Mt. Caniiel Precinct, Mr. Kingsbury 
took a business course at the Normal School at 
Danville. Ind. After reaching liis nia.i<u'ity he 
tauglit school in winter and worked on a fann 
during the sununer for eight years, and after his 
maiTiage began farming on his own account, on 
a farm which was owned by his wife, in Coffee 
Precinct. Two years later the home was burned 
and he then bought forty acres adjoining this 
farm uiion which he built a residence where the 
family lived ten years. Mr. Kingsbury then 
traded this place for the farm owned by his 
wife's parents, which joined the home place, then 
rented his farm and went to De<-atur, 111., for the 
T)ur|iose of affording his children good educa- 
tional advantages. However, he spent but one 
year in Decatur, then locating in Mt. Carmel, 
where he is employed weighing grain. He rents 
his farm and through the summer months looks 
after it somewhat himself. He is a business 
man of superior jtidgment and has been ver.v 
successful in his transactions. He is a man of 
enterprising and industrious nature and has been 



well fitted by experience and training, for the 
position he now occ-upies. 

Mr. Kingsbury was married, April ij, 1883, to 
Julia E. Henikeu. who was born in Coffee Pre- 
cinct, a daughter of George W. and Margaret J. 
(Frier) Henikeu, the father a native of Wayne 
County. HI., and the mother of New England. 
Children have been born to Mr. Kingsbury and 
wife as follows: Ethel J., Mrs. Benjamin John- 
son, of Dexter, 111. ; and Leah D., (iladys 
Naomi, Alonzo D. and Robert L., all at home. 
Mr. Kingsbury is well known in Wabash County 
and has si>ent almost his entire life within its 
limits. The spring of the year when he was 
twenty-three years old he went to (Jirard. Craw- 
ford County. Kan., where he spent one year, 
working on the farm through the summer aud 
.siH'uding the winter in fiirard. 

Politically Mr. Kingsbury is a supiwrter of the 
principles of the Republican party. He served 
two terms as Justice of the I'eaee in Coffee Pre- 
cinct, a i>eriod of eight years, aud served three 
terms of three years each on the School Board. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Modern 
Woodmen of .\nierica No. 21!)3. of Keensburg. 

KINGSBURY, Theodore H.— Many men are 
able to acquire success in several different lines 
of work, and among the residents of Wabash 
County, 111., who have been fortunate in invest- 
ing in and carrying on, various euterprises, is 
Theodore H. Kingsbury, now a resident of Mt. 
Carmel. Mr, Kingsbury was bom in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct. OctolK>r I'd. IS.")!), a sou of Wooster P. 
aud Elizabeth Ann (Reel) Kingsbury. The 
father was a native of Meigs County. Ohio, and 
the mother of Wabash County. 111. The grand- 
father. Emanuel Reel, of Indiana, was among the 
first settlers in Waliash County and became a 
.successful farmer of Mt, Carmel Precinct. He 
died in lSO(t, at the age of eight>--five years. The 
paternal grandparents were also early settlers 
of Wabash County and later moved to Richland 
Countj-. where they conducted a store, and some- 
time afterward returned to Mt. Ciirmel, Wabash 
County, where the grandfather died about 187."). 
at the age of sixty-three years, having spent his 
last days in Friendsville. 

Wcnster P. Kingsbury and his wife were mar- 
ried in Wabash County aud owned a farm in 
Mt. Canue! Precinct, although for eleven years 
after their marriage they traveled throiigh that 
part of the State in the interest of a Bible So- 
ciety. Mr. Kingsbury then t^irned his atten- 
tion to farming and served as a hx-al preacher 
in the Methodist EiiiS(^opal Church, .\bout four- 
teen years before his death he moved to Ponca. 
Xeh.. where he died June 17, ISim. His wife 
died in March. 1SS7. and he married (second") 
Mars' .\nn Scott, by whom he had no children. 
She now lives at On-ensville. Ind. Bv his first 
maiTiage his children were: A. M.. of Mt. Car- 
mel: L. E.. of Hiicago. III.: Laura V.. Mrs. H. 
B. .\ndrews. of Knoxvllle. III.: Theodore H. ; 
Clarence .\.. au attorney-at-law. at Pouca. Xeb. ; 
Emerv S., an attornev living at Evansville, Ind.; 



WABASH COUNTY 



749 



Luella May, of Deoatur, 111.; Mary J., of Chi- 
cago ; Elmer B., who couduc-ts a newspaper at 
Ponca, Neb. ; Rosa E., Mrs. Rudy Bachiuan, of 
Ponca, Neb. 

Theodore II. Kingsbury received his educa- 
tion in the c-onuiion schools and, when old 
enough, began farm work for others. He con- 
tinued in this line of employment until his mar- 
riage, in JIarcb. 1SS7, to Martha A. Lincoln, who 
was l>orn in Milltown. Harrison County, Ind., a 
daughter of Mordecai and Maiy (Si>encer) Lin- 
coln. After his marriage Mr. Kingsbury rented 
a farm in Mt. Carniol I'recint for a .year and a 
half, then bmight thirty-two and a half acres of 
land, which was a part of his Grandfather Reel's 
farm. Tn-o years later he sold this and bought 
his father's farm which was his birthplace, and 
on which he carried on farming three years, 
after which he bought eighty acres in Mt. Car- 
niel Precinct. This he cultivated two years, 
when he sold It and bouirht another farm, where 
he lived three years. He then traded his last 
purchase for city property at Mt. Carmel. and 
eight months later traded this property-, taking 
in its place his father's old farm, which he car- 
ried on seven years. Then having sold this out. 
he purchased another farm, but without operat- 
ing it himself located in Mt. Carmel and there 
engaged in real estate business for one year, 
after which he embarked in his present business, 
dealing in stock feed and seed-grains, in which 
he has been very successful and has Imilt up a 
pood trad". 

The children born to Mr. Kingsbur.v and his 
wife are: Everett E.. of Mt. Carmel: Grace 
May. Mrs. A. .\. Kuhn. of St. Louis. 'VIo. : Elsie 
E.. at home; Vern E., also at home. The family 
are members of the Christian Church and in po- 
litical atflliations Mr. Kingsbury is a Republic- 
an, although he takes no very active part in 
public affairs, being chiefly absorbed by bis 
business affairs. In his dealings with nUiors' 'ip 
has invariaiily proved himself a man of probity 
and high honor, and those who have transacted 
business with him have been fairly dealt with. 
Fraternally he Iielongs to Columbia Ca"iTi. No. 
IfilO. Modern Wondmen of \nierica. of Mt. Car- 
mel, and Knights of Pvtbias, "U'aliasb I/idge, 
No. 22T. 

KITCHENE, George Theodore, a former citizen 
of Wabash County resldim; in the vicinity o," '^It. 
Carmel. but now a resident of Vermontville, 
Mich,, w;|s born in Cliarle'stnn, Coles County. 111., 
June .'{(). 1S71. a son of Georgius and Belle Perrj-- 
rian Kitchene. natives respectively of Paris. 
France, and Pana. 111. The father emigrated 
to the T'nited States when a .voung man and be- 
came a telegraph ojierator in the State of New 
York. Later he secnrefl a position with the 
Big Four Railroad, at Charleston. 111. He and 
his wife had two children, namely : Georgius. 
wlio died at the age of two years, and George T. 
When the latter was about six mnnths old his 
mother secured a divorce from her husband 
and subsequently married Dr. .T. T. DoUohan. a 



dentist of Sumner, 111., where he died August 
14, 19(12. His widow still resides at Sumner. 
They had children as follows : .lohn Franklin, 
a traveling salesman in Illinois; Harry Kecley, 
also a traveling .salesman, and Nellie Isabel, 
widow of John Lature, who has one daughter, 
Laverne, and lives with her mother. 

After receiving his education in the public 
schools George T, Kitchene started working as 
a p.iinter and iiaper-hanger, and followed this 
decollation ill Sunmier and Olney, 111,, some time, 
then engaged in conducting a feather renovator, 
which he continued in Michigan, Illinois, Indi- 
ana, Missouri and Texas. He married. Septem- 
ber 1, ISO.'i. Katie Reel, who was born in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, and is a daughter of David S. 
and Margaret (Gard) Reel, both natives of Wa- 
bash County. Her mother, who was horn March 
10, l,'*.'52. still resides in Jit. Carmel Precinct, 
and Jlr Kitchene's maternal grandmother. Mrs. 
Marks, who was Iwrn in April, 1831, now lives in 
Olney, 111. The children born to Mr. Kitchene 
and Avife were: Marie I., born May .3, 1S98 ; 
George A., born June 30. inoo; Mabel E., born 
October 4, 1003. 

After his marriage Mr. Kitchene lived in IMt. 
Carmel one year and then Ixiught a ten-acre 
tract of land two miles north of Mt. Carmel. to 
which he later added nine acres, and also owned 
a five-acre tract one-half mile east. He rented 
out his land and followed the business of reno- 
vating feathers. His wife is a mendjer of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church and active in 
church work. Mr. Kitchene is a Repulilican in 
p<ilitics and fraternally a member of the Odd 
Fellows Lodge No. 3.5.' of Mt. Cannel. and En- 
campment No. 11. his wife akso being a member 
of the Rebekah Lodge No. 441. He also belonged 
to the .Modern Woodmen of America No. OIG. of 
Mt. Carmel. and his wife is a member of Royal 
Neighbors No. 1177. He is a man of energy and 
industry and has established himself in the good 
opinion and respect of his neighbors. During the 
year 1010 Mr. Kitchene removed to his present 
linme ,it \'crmontviIle. Eaton County. Mich. 

KNO'WLES, James, a veteran of the Civil War 
and a most biirlily honored citizen of Keensburg 
Precinct. Wab.-ish County. HI., has lived more 
than half a century in the county and has been 
actively identified with its progress and welfare. 
Mr. Knowles was horn in Gibson County. Ind., 
Seiitember 2.S, I.S.'^I. son of Ephraim and Cynthia 
(Kiiiiliall) Knowles. the former a native of 
(4iorgia and the latter of Gibson County. The 
grandparents were James and Eliznbetb fMar- 
vol I Knowles. of Georgia, and Jesse and Sarah 
(Holloson) Kimball, natives respectively of 
New England and Pennsylvania. Jes.se Kimball 
was a Revolutionary soldier and came to Posev 
Cnunty. Ind.. at an early day. There he spent 
the remainder of his life, excejit the last few 
years, which he sjient with his daughter. Mrs. 
Knowles. James Knowles and his wife located 
in Gibson County. Ind.. in 1,S12, securing a tract 



750 



WABASH COUNTY 



of government land near Oweusville. lie was a 
prominent Whig. 

After tlieir marriage Epbraim Knowles and 
his wife settled ou a farm in (iibson County, 
where he died August 17, 18S2. being about 
eighty-Hve years of age, as his birth occurred 
in ITlt". His wife was liorn April 1. 1S0'.», and 
died October 4, lS(i5. They were married Oc- 
tdlier 2(1. 1.S25. and their children were: Will- 
iam and Polly, deceased : Lucinda. widow of 
Ezra P.. Keen, of Keenshurg ; .lames: Elizabeth, 
widow of Milton Westtall. of Findlay, Ohio: 
Patience married Henry I'ollard and died al 
Owensville, Ind. : Alunra. Jlrs. Harvey Maricle, 
of Boone. Xeb. : Mahala. married Florin Mar- 
tin and died in Wabash County: Cynthia. Mrs. 
Coleman, died in Boone. Xeb. : .Jesse, of Canon 
City. Colo. ; Eli and Frank, died in Gibson 
County. Ind. ; Eliza, widow of Henry Burke, of 
Mt. Vernon. 111. 

.James Knowles. the subject of this sketch, 
lived with his jiarents in Gibson County. Ind.. 
until he was twenty-four years old. then located 
in Wabash County. III., and there worked for 
a time at farming and wood-cutting, finally 
purchasing 2S0 acres of land in Section 7 of 
Keensburg Precinct, where he developed a fine 
farm. He has been married three times. His 
first marriage tonk place October P<0. 1,S.")(), when 
he was unite<J with JIary JlcIiOan. a native of 
Wabash County .-md daughter of Henry and 
Susan ((;rayson> McLean. Children as fol- 
lows were born of this marriage: William Har- 
very, lK>rn .July 24. 18.">7, died in .January. 1S,S.S: 
Susan A., born Xnvembei- 17. lS.^)ri, married Clar- 
ence Harvey, of Mt. Carrael. 111.: Etihraim H.. 
born May .".l, 1,S02. lives with his father: and 
Cynthia, born Anril 21. 1.S(W, also at home. Mrs. 
Knowles died Febniarj- 10. l.Sns. 

The second marriage of Mr. Knowles occurred 
AJarch 27. lono, when he was united with Airs. 
Ellen (Braxton) J^rancisco. a widow, whose 
death oci-nrred November 17. ^0()~>. "Vtr, iv'^mvles 
ninrried Cthird) Peceniber 23, 100(^ Fannie Mc- 
.Vllister, born at Marietta. Ohio. .June 'i. 1S07. 
dnM':rhter of .Tames A. and Mary (Noffsinger) Mc- 
Allister, natives of Morgan County. Ohio, Her 
grandparents were Andrew and Hannah (Cra- 
mer) McAllister, natives respectively of Vir- 
ginia and Pennsvlvania, and .James and .Tane 
CTjVnnI Xoffsinger. the former horn in l^no, in 
Greene County. Pa., and the latter in 1,S0."i, In 
Belmont Conntv, Ohio. .James Xoffsinger was 
a son of Mathias and Xaiicy n'rill) X^offsiuger, 
the former a native of Pennsylvania and a sol- 
dier in the Revolutionary War. son of .Jacob 
Xoffsinger. who came from (iermany to the 
TTnited States, crossing the ocean on the shin 
•'Brotherhood." and locating in Philadelphia, 
Nancy (Brill) X'offsinger was a native of Vir- 
ginia. .James and Mary fXoffsingerl McVllis. 
ter came to Indianapolis in ISOO and there their 
dauL'hter was married to ^\v. Knowles. 

Before his first marriasre Mr. Tvnowles had 
purchaseil a tract of land in Wabash County, 
mostly covered with tind)er. He set about 



clearing and improving it and eventually put 
practically all of it under cultivation, and there 
carried on general farming with excellent suc- 
cess. Some years since he moved to Bellmont 
and engaged in business with his son William 
Harvey. Iiut after the death of the latter in 
188,8. the father returned to his farm, where he 
erected a handsome residence. Later he Ixuight 
a lot and erected a home in Mt. Carmel, living 
there three years, then moved to Paoli, Ind., 
where he owned property, and lived there in 
retirement four years, then sold out and re- 
turned to the home farm. He has rented his 
land for many years and has sold seventy acres 
of it. now retaining 21(1 acres. 

Mr. Knowles enlisted, in Febniary. 1S(!4. in 
Company K. Sixty-fourth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry, and marched with Sherman to the sea. 
He was discharged in .July, 18(l."i. having never 
been wounded or taken prisoner. He is a 
member of Bowers Post Xo. 12."). G. A. R.. of 
Mt. Carmel. In religious views he is a Con- 
gregationalist and in i)olitics a Republican. He 
is one of the l>est knowm men in his commun- 
ity and has a large number of friends. 

KOLB, Adam. — Man.y farmers in Illinois attain 
success to such an extent that, in their old age, 
they are able to retire to some neighboring 
town or city, and si)end the remainder of their 
lives in comparative ease and comfort. Among 
such residents of .Mt. Carmel. in Wabash County, 
may be mentioned .Vdam Kolb. who carried on 
his farm thirt.v-three .vears. then sold out and 
retired. Mr. Kolb was bom in Bavaria. Ger- 
many, Februarv- 22. 18:^.5. a son of Sultbert and 
Elizabeth (Dunkel) Kolb. The parents came 
to the United States and bought a farm a few 
miles from Mt. Carmel. where they built a log 
cabin and began clearing their land, which was 
mostl.v covered with tindier. Mr. Kolb increased 
Ids holdings from eighty to 1(">0 acres, and died 
in lS8,"i. His widow moved with her family to 
Jrt. Carmel about 1.8!)('>, and died there in 100(5, 
having reached the age of about eighty-nine 
years. She and her husband had nine children, 
of whom six survive, namely : Adam, the old- 
est : Jjawrence. of St. Maries. .Jasper County, 
III. : .John, of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; .Joseph, of 
Jit. (\armel : Mary, widow of Henry Ernest, of 
Mt. Canuel : Margaret. Mrs. .Joseph Herberholt, 
living near (Jrayville. 111. 

The childhood of .Vdam Kolb was spent on a 
farm and he was reared to hard work. He re- 
mained at home until his marriage, then bought 
a farm near Rochester, Wabash County, but 
after the death of his wife sold this and bought 
another farm three and one-half miles north- 
west of Mt. Carmel. where he remained after his 
second marriage, and until September, 1001. 
when he sold out and bouglit three hou.ses and 
lots in Mt. Carmel. Since then he has not en- 
gaged in nn.v active work. 

Jfr. Kolb married (fir«t) in 18(50, .Josephine 
AJecher, who was horn in I>ouisviIle. Ky.. and 
they had two children, who died in infancy. 



WABASH COUNTY 



751 



Mrs. KoUi died in 1863. Mr. Kolli nuirried (sec- 
ond) on February 11. 1867, Anna Kohlhaas, 
who was born in Wabasli Count.v, daugliter of 
John and Mary .\nn (LilK)lt) Kohlliaas, the 
former born in I'russia and tlie latter in Hesse- 
Darmstadt. Germany. Coming to America Mr. 
Kohlhaas landed at Baltimore. .Md.. .\ug:ust 1, 
1836. and went direetly to Natrhez. Miss., where 
he workeil for a short time and then worked 
on the railroad to reach r.rt)uisville. Ky.. where 
he married. Ills wife had come there with her 
parents. Soon after their marriage they located 
in Louisiana and. a few years later, moved to 
West Salem. 111., where they spent Bve years, 
then located near Friendsville. Wabash County, 
where they lH)ughf a farm of 16(1 acres. His 
wife dieil March 4. l.s."i(l, and he resided with 
his .son-in-law. Mr. Kolb, until his death, De- 
cember 1, IST.'i, at the age of eighty-one .rears. 

Mr. Kolb had children by his second marriage 
as follows: Charles, of Chester. 111.: George, 
an attorney practicing in Chicago : Peter J., an 
attorney at Mt. Carmel. given extended mention 
elsewhere in this work : Mary. Mrs. .Joseph .\n- 
kenbrand, of Cleveland, Ohio : Laura. Mrs. Joseph 
Moeller. of Mt. Carmel. Mr. Kolb is a stanch 
supiwrter of the Democratic party and takes 
an active interest in current issues and events ; 
is a Catholic in religious belief. He and his 
wife have reared a family of whom they may 
well be proud, and in this way have deserved all 
the honor and respect which they are accorded. 
The.v have a large circle of friends and are uni- 
versally esteemed. 

KOLB, Peter J. — Among the prominent young 
husine.ss men of Mt. Carmel, 111., may he men- 
tioned I'eter J. Kolb, who is successfuU.v en- 
gaged in the practice of law and is interested in 
several local enterprises, and is also prominent 
in political affairs. He was elected State's At- 
torney of Wabash County, serving from Decem- 
ber, 1904, until December. 190.8. and in Xovem- 
ber,1900, was apixiinted Master in Chancery, of 
Wabash County. Mr. Kolb was born three miles 
west of Mt. Carmel, .\ugust .5, 1874, a son of 
Adam and .\nna (Kohlhaas) Kolb, the former 
a native of Tluilba, Bavaria, Germany, and the 
latter of Wabash ('ounty. 111. The grandparents 
were Suitbert and fjlizaheth (Dunkel) Kolb, of 
Bavaria, and John and Mary (Leipold) Kolhaas. 

The Kolb family came to Wabash Countj- in 
1840. and settled on a farm northwest of Mt. 
Carmel. Some time later Mr. Kohlhaas came to 
America, making the trip in a sailing vessel and 
spending three montlis on the ocean. He landed 
at Baltimore, then worked his way west, finally 
looating near Mt. Carniel on a farm, Adam 
Kolb was married in Wabash County in 1.867. 
and then settled on a farm where he and his 
wife lived until September, 1000. when he sold 
out and moved to Mt. Carmel. where he and his 
wife now reside. They had the following chil- 
dren : Charles H.. in business at Chester. 111. : 
George, who is practidng law at Chicago: Peter 
J, ; M.iry. Mrs, Joseph .\nkenbrand, of Cleve- 



land, Ohio ; Laura, Mrs. Joseph Moeller, of Mt. 
Carmel. 

Peter J. Kolb received his education in Wa- 
bash County schools and lived at home until 

nineteen years of age. then began teaching in 
the district schools of Wabash County, which he 
continued for four years, when he came to Mt. 
Carmel and taught in the high school one and a 
half years. In Deceml>er. 1898, he resigned to 
accept the position of Deputy County Clerk, 
under George King, which othce he held two 
.vears. He had attended the Illinois Normal 
Uuiversit)- at Carlwndale. during the winter 
of 1.892-93, and the following winter engaged in 
teaching, as before mentioned. During the 
sunnner of 189.") he attended the Indiana Normal 
at Danville. Ind., and during the summer of 1896 
attended Austin C^ollege, of Etlingham, 111. In 
the fall of 1896 he began reading law with 
Messrs. Leeds & Ramsey, at Mt. Carmel, and the 
following summer (1897) attended school at 
Blooniington (111.) Law School. Mr. Kolb was 
admitted to the Bar in December. 1899, at Mt. 
Vernon. III., and September 2.5. 19(J0. formed a 
partnership with Judge S. Z. Laudes. which as- 
sociation continued until the first Monday in 
Decemlier, 1!H13. when Mr. Landes was elected 
Count.v Judge and ilr. Kolb conthuied in prac- 
tice alone. He had acquired valuable experi- 
ence through his association with Judge Landes 
and has been very successful throughout his 
professional career, standing high in the esti- 
mation of all with whom he has been associated. 

Besides his pul>lic offices, the duties of which 
Mr. Kolb has performed with marked ability, 
he is Vice-President and Director of the First 
National Bank, of Mt. Carmel. and is al.so Presi- 
dent and Corixiration Director of the Colum- 
bian Building and Loan Association, of Wa- 
bash County. In November, 1906, he and \. 
E. Snnth purchased the "Mt. Carmel Register," 
from F. W. Havill. and conducted the pafier un- 
til Februarx'. 1908. when the business was In 
corporated under the name of the Mt. Carmel 
Re^-ister Cimipany. Mr. Kolb is one of tlie most 
iuiblic-s|)irite(l and enterprising young men of Mt. 
Carmel and has done mucli to interest others in 
its welfare. He organized the Knights of Co- 
Inmbns in that city, October 18. 190,8. and since 
then has serred as (Jrand Knight. He is a mem- 
ber of the B. P. O. E.. No. 71.5. of Mt. Carmel, 
and he and his family are members of the 
Catholic Church. 

Mr. Kolb married. October 15. 1902. Helen 
Fridrich. who was born in Mt. Carmel. .\ugust 
25, 1,879. a d.aughter of Nicholas and Margaret 
(Peter) Fridrich. and tno children have been 
bom of this marriage: Margaret, horn .January 
21, 1!>04. and Walter, born Decemlier 6, 1908. 

KUHN, Christian, — .\mong the natives of Ger- 
many who have met with success in Mt. Car- 
mel. 111., is Christian Kuhn. who was born in 
Lantrcnbriicken. Baden. February 5. 1.875, son of 
Weiidelin and Sophia (Haffner) Kuhn. who died 
in Germany. .\t the age of seventeen years Mr. 



752 



WABASH COUNTY 



Kuhn left his home and native laud, and came 
to Illinois tO' start life on his own account. He 
worked first in a wagon-shop for his uncle, Jo- 
seph Kuhn, and four years later went to St. 
Louis and worked nine months in the butcher- 
ing business, but selling out his Interests on ac- 
count of poor health, for two years worked for 
others. Later, he again embarked in the butch- 
ering business iu Mt. Carmel in ccmpany with 
Harvey Keueii'p, but one year later bought out 
his partner and continued the business one year 
alone, when he sold out and worked five months 
for others. He then started business on his 
own account, but a year later sold out and re- 
turned to Germany on a two months' visit. 
Upon returning to Jit. Carmel he engaged in 
the livery business with Benjamin Moore (now 
Sheriff of Wabash County) and Harvey Ke- 
neipp. but four months later sold out his inter- 
ests to his partners and opened a butchering es- 
tablishment at Princeton. Ind., carrying on this 
enterprise one year. He then returned to Mt. 
Carmel and opened a butcher's shop there, which 
he sold tAvo ye:u's later, Imt after being out of 
business six months took up the same business 
in partnership with H. P. Lowry on Market 
Street. They have built up a fine trade and 
have an attractive line of salt and fresh meat 
and fisli. ■ The.v also handle a large amount of 
poultry and are both able, intelligent busine.ss 
men, ready tn take good care of their custom- 
ers' needs and supply the best of everything. 
Tliey have established a reputation for honest 
and upright dealings, and those who do business 
with them feel assured of fair treatment. 

September G. 100.'), Mr. Kuhn married Rffie M. 
Piles, who was born in Orayville. 111., her par- 
ents being both natives of Wabash County. The 
children l>orn to Mr. and Mrs. K:uhn are: Mil- 
dred. Hnzfl and Fred. 

Mr. Kuhn is considered one of the enterpris- 
ing and representative citizens of Mt. Carmel, 
taking an active interest in all worthy causes 
and doing his full share toward the development 
of the conununity. Politically he is a Republic- 
an and is a member of the Evangelical Church 
He was educated in the common schools of his 
native country, but has been ambitious to im- 
prove his knowledge of the English language 
and has learned nnich through his own efforts 
and in the school of experience. He is a mem- 
ber of the K. of P. and the I. O. R. M., of Mt. 
Carmel. and has a large inimher of friends. 

LANDES, Hon. Silas Z. (deceased).— Few men 
have been better known in Wabash County, 111., 
than was the late Hon. Silas Z. Landes, who 
practiced law at Mt. Carmel for nearly half a 
century, and was prominently identified with the 
public interests of the citv and county for a 
long period. As a lawyer .Judge Landes will be 
ranked as one of the most eminent, faithful and 
successful practitioners of Southern Illinois. 
He was a devoted and consistent member of the 
Catholic Church and a liberal contributor to its 
support. By his energy and fine business abil- 



ity he had acquired a haud.some fortune and 
was liberal iu his efforts to relieve suffering and 
distress, but was extremely modest about his 
charitable deeds. By nature he was ardent, 
positive and honest, and always fearless 
and resolute in prosecution of his purposes. 
He iH>ssessed indomitable energy which, com- 
bined with his capacity for physical endurance, 
made him almost invincible iu his professional, 
political and business undertakings. His loyalty 
to his friends and to any cause he esix)used, was 
absolutely unfaltering and he labored and 
wrought with unwearied zeal. 

Judge Landes was born May 1.5. 1842, in 
August.! County, Va., whenc-e he was brought 
liy his parents, John and Delila (Skelton) 
Landes, to Edgar C^junty, 111., in 185C, the fam- 
ily later moving to Henry County, Mo. John 
Landes died iu Wabash County, 111., December 
1, 18,S8, his wife having passed away in Edgar 
County, April 28. 1864. The early education of 
Silas Z. Landes was secured in the subscription 
.schools of Virginia, and later he attended the 
academy at Paris, 111., where he made up his 
mind to adoi>t the profession of a lawyer, subse- 
(piently entering the office of Amos Green, at 
Paris. IHiring the time he was studying law he 
supported himself liy teaching in the schools of 
his vicinity. He pursued his studies diligently 
and. at the August term of the Supreme Court 
in ISllo, held at Springfield, he was examined 
and admitted to the Bar. In May. 18&4, he 
came to Mt. Carmel and oi>ened an office, and 
that city was the field of his practice until his 
death. His practice was large and lucrative, the 
direct result of close application, studious habits 
and unfiagging zeal and industry in the cause 
of his clients. 

A Democrat in his ]>olitical beliefs. Mr. Landes 
at various times represented his ]iarty in nu- 
merous po.sitions of trust and honor. In 1872 
be was nominated and elected State's Attorney 
for Wabash County, was re-elected in ISTO and 
again in 1880, and in that capacity earned the 
reputation of an able and vigilant pro.secutor. 
In .\pril, 1878, he was appointed Master in 
Chancery and held that office until 188-"?. In 
1882 his zeal and fidelity to his party made him 
a suitable candidate for Congressional honors in 
his district. In the convention which met at 
Olney to nonnnate a candidate for Congress, he 
was jilaced in nomination am] led all competitors 
for aliont rt.'iO ballots, but withdrew from the 
race in the interest of harmony, .iltbougb be was 
the strongest man in the convention, and his 
withdrawal resulted in the nomination and sub- 
sequent election of Judge Shaw as Congress- 
man from the Eighteenth District. In ]8Sv4 he 
was the nonnnee of his party for Congress, and 
was elected, being re-elected in 1886, and served 
from 1SS.'") until 1880. He was a member of the 
Democratic State Central Committee in 1S7G. 
On the first Monday of June. 1.801. he was 
elected to the Circaiit Bench, performing his 
duties in this connection with exceptional credit 
for six years. 




^mtl^UA^Cl^ J^uJ^ ^A£^Ai^ 



WABASH COUNTY 



75a 



Ou October 31, 1SC5, Mr. Landes was married 
to Clarissa Sears, who was born iu Mt. Carmel, 
daughter of Paul aud Eliza J. (Gibsou) Sears. 
Dr. I'aul Sears was born near Zanesville, Ohio, 
June 5, 1)S»U, a son of Dr. Natlian Sears, who 
was born in Massachusetts and graduated iu 
medicine in Boston, stud.ving iu the office of Dr. 
Bryant, the father of William Cullen Bryant. 
After his graduation Dr. Nathan Sears came to 
Zanesville. where he practiced his profession 
until 1S34. when he removed to Wayne County, 
Mich., and in ISillt came to Mt. Carmel, 111., con- 
tinuing a resident of the latter place until his 
death, February 1, 1S4S. Dr. Paul Sears re- 
ceived his early education at Granville. Ohio, 
and Elyria (Ohio) High School aud College, and 
went to Michigan with his father. He com- 
menced the study of medicine with his father 
and in 1843 entered the Ohio Medical College, 
at Cinciuuati, from w^hich he received his di- 
ploma in 1845, after which he came to 
Mt. Carmel. where he .soon built up a large prac- 
tice in the city aud vicinity, not infrequently 
riding sixty miles in twenty-four hours to call 
upon his jiatients. He was known in almost 
every household iu Wabash and the surround- 
ing counties. Later he opened a drug store in 
Mt. Carmel aud also engaged in other enter- 
prises, and achieved success professionally and 
financially. On May 5. 1S41. Dr. Sears married 
Eliza .7. Gibson, of Cincinnati, daughter of Alex- 
ander and Martha (Sturges) Gibson, and there 
were three children born of this union : Dr. 
Alfred Alexander, who died December 13, 1867 ; 
Charles Nathan, who died August IS. 1804. and 
Clarissa, who became the wife of .Judge Landes. 

To the marriage of .Tudge and Mrs. Landes 
eleven children were born, two of whom sur- 
vive, viz. : Mrs. Pauline S. L. Eichhorn and 
Bernard S.. both of Mt. Carmel. One .son, Her- 
bert S.. a young man of promise, died after be- 
ing practically grown, but the remaining children 
died in infancy. The mother of these children 
died November 7th. in().">. .ludge Landes died 
May 23. lltio. being at the time of his demise 
sixty-eight years of age. He enjoyed the af- 
fection and admiration of his multitudes of 
friends, and tlie esteem and respect of his op- 
ponents. He was always a student and a clear 
thinker and his mind was ever under the do- 
minion of serious and earnest thought. He was 
frank, decisive and masterful in every situa- 
tion. He had strong passions and intense con- 
victions, but was conservative and judicious. He 
was a iKipular, strong and resourceful citizen, 
who profoundly impressed his life uix>n the af- 
fairs and the people of Wabash County. 

LEACH, Horace J. — A man wlio is able to em- 
bark in an enterprise \\ith very small capital and 
influence, and make a sticcess of it through his 
energy, ambition and persistence, deserves his 
good fortune. Horace .7. Leach, of Mt. Carmel. 
III., has built up a good business and since 1003, 
has been Manaser of the Mt. Carmel Telephone 
Company, of which he is princii>al owner, and 



which he organized and promoted. Mr. Leach 
was born at Bone Gap, Edwards County, 111., 
November 8, 18.j8, a son of Daniel B. aud Maria 
(Koot) Leach, the former a native of Smlth- 
ville Flats, N. Y., and the latter of Virginia. 
Daniel B. Leach left home iu 1839, at the age 
of seventeen years, aud began farming iu the 
neighborhood of Bone Gap, and his wife came 
with her parents to Edwards County, 111., about 
the siinie year. At the time of their marriage 
he had to seud to his home in New York for 
money to pay for a lic-euse, aud when a tive- 
doliar bill returned he found it dithcult to dis- 
pose of it. However, he found a man who wa* 
going to New Y'ork, and who was willing to take 
it iu e.Ychange for hve silver dollars. Mr. Leach 
entered land from the Government, part prairie 
aud part timber, and used a team of oxen in 
plowing the virgin soil. He lived on this farm 
from the time he was twenty years old until 
his death, in February, 1909, and his widow 
still resides on the home place. He was a de- 
vout member and a local preacher of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church and often filled vacancies 
in neighboring pulpits. Of their twelve chil- 
dren eleven lived to maturity and Horace J. is 
the third from the youngest. 

In boyhood Horace J. Leach attended the dis- 
trict schools and helped with the work on his 
father's farm until sixteen years of age, and 
then he and two brothers traveled through 
Wayne. Edwards and Wabash Counties, with a 
portable saw-mill. He contiimed iu this enter- 
prise until he was about twenty-seven years of 
age, then sold out and engaged in farming on 
Sugar Creek, four miles southwest of Mt. Car- 
mel. He carried on his farm until 1890, when 
his left ankle being broken, necessitated his 
giving up this kind of work, so he looked about 
for some other occupation. For two .vears he 
traveled for the New Y'ork Life Insurance Com- 
jBiny. and during the following year for the 
Diamond Publishing Company, of Minneaix)lls, 
Minn. St)Ou afterwards he engaged in the 
telephone business, and in 1903 jiromoted and in- 
corporated the Mt. Carmel Telephone Company 
(Independent!, with which he is still connected. 
He had very little capital of his own and al- 
most no experience in this line, but by hard 
work, determination and perseverance he has 
made a success of the enterprise. 

Iu opposition was an old established Cumber- 
land Bell Company with its eijuipment already 
installed, but by using new and improved meth- 
ods and giving fair treatment, the new company 
soon out-distanced the old company and has 
had a phenomenal growth from its inception. 
This fact has caused the old company to make 
numerous flattering offers and propositions to 
the new compan.v to sell out to them, but this 
Mr. Leach has stubbornly and persistently re- 
fused to do. Probably not one man in one hun- 
dred, luiaided and alone, would have had the 
courage to undertake the establishment of a 
business in face of the strong opiwsition that ex- 



754 



WABASH COUNTY 



isted at tluit time. Mr. Leaeli cau certainly be 
proud of wliat he has accomplished. 

January 23, lS,So, Mr. Leach married Auua M. 
Schrodt, wlio was Ijoru iu Sugar Creek I'recinet, 
Wabash County, daughter of Peter and Amanda 
(Keel) Schrodt. Mr. Schi-odt was born iu Ger- 
many and his wife in Wabash County. The chil- 
dren lioru of this union are as follows: Loren 
E. ; Olive K., now Mrs. Guy Mundy : Virgil H.. 
at home; ller.schel B., who met his death at the 
age of thirteen years, as the result of an in- 
jury received when a log rolled on him iu De- 
cember, 1!»04 ; and Lester K., Edgar S., and Lot- 
tie R., all at home. Mr. Leach is a Kepublieau 
and has served four years as Justice of the 
Peace. Fraternally he belongs to the ilodern 
Woodmen of America, of Mt. Carmel. He and 
his wife are well known in the community and 
have many friends. Their oldest son. I^oreu, 
has been deaf since he was five years old. and 
received his education at the St;ite School for 
Deaf and Dumb, at Jaclisonville. He graduated 
from this institution and has now secured a 
good position in a furniture factory at Sala- 
luanea, N. Y. 

LEEDS, Edgar Francis. — Many men have rea- 
son to be proud of their ancestors, not so much 
for iniinjrtant public ixjsitions which they have 
held, but because they have l)een sturdy pioneers 
in a new country and liave lived in a manner 
that left conditions lietter for their having lived 
and worked in it. Kdgar Francis Leeds, a pi-om- 
iuent farmer of Frieudsville Precinct, Wabash 
County, 111., is descended from several pioneer 
families of the county. He wa.s born in Mt. 
Carmel, April 28, 1802, a son of Philip and Mary 
(Danforth) Leeds, fhe former a native of Day- 
ton, Ohio, and the latter of Frieudsville Pre- 
cinct. The grandp.'irents were Benjamin Leeds 
and his wife, the former of English parentage, 
and George and Uuth ( P.rown ) Danforth. early 
settlers iu Frieudsville Precinct. Benjamin" 
Leeds was one of the first merchants at Roches- 
ter, Wabash County, and also conducted a store 
at Mt. Carmel. (ieorge Danforth was a farmer 
and in later life moved to Sumner, Lawrence 
Ctiunty, 111. He died in 1902, at the age of 
eiglity-uine years, and his wife died in IftOO. 
at the age of ninety years. 

After bis marriage I'hilip Leeds located at 
Mt. Carmel and worked at the trade of car- 
I)enter. He also became a contractor and builder 
and erected many of the finest buildings in the 
vicinity. lie died in February, 1S8.5. and his 
widow now resides in Anna. 111. Their children 
were: (ieorge, deceased: Edgar F. ; William, 
deceased: Hattie. Mrs. Charles Harris, of Mt. 
Carmel: Harmon, deceased: Russell, of Toklo. 
Japan : Fannie, of San Francisco, Cal. 

Edgar F. Leeds remained at home with his 
parents until ten yeai-s of age. then went to live 
with his uncle. Joshua Strop, four and one-half 
miles northwest of Mt. Carmel. where he re- 
mained until he reached his majority, mean- 
while receiving his education in the district and 



Mt. Carmel public schools. He started work- 
iug on a farm as a young man and was em- 
ployed in various places in Wabash County. In 
1880 he iiurcliased a farm of 160 acres on Sec- 
tion 22. Frieudsville I'recinet, and later sold it 
to sucli good advantage that he doubled the pur- 
chase ijrice. He later moved to the home faiTu, 
to which he added forty acres about 18'J2. There 
were m.iny improvements on the farm, to which 
he has added largely, and now has the entire 
place under cultivation. He has the buildings 
in good order and the whole place shows careful 
attention to details, which is one of the greatest 
attributes of success. Mr. Leeds fully under- 
stands the line of work in which he is engaged 
and endeavors to reap the maximum of profit 
from his work. He is industrious and thrifty 
and is considered one of the intelligent, repre- 
sentative farmers of his neighborhood. 

Jlr. Leeds married (first) in April, 1892, 
MeroLi (Jardner. who was born in Frieudsville 
Precini-t. and they bad two childreu — Larner and 
Verner, both at home. Mrs. Leeds died July 12, 
1890, and June 10, 1897. Jlr. Leeds married (sec- 
ond) Era Litlierland, who was l)orn in Cherokee 
Count.v. Kan., daughter of Ananias and Mary 
Jane ((Jard) Litherland, the former a native of 
Indiana, and the latter of Lancaster Precinct, 
Wabash County. Her grandparents are: William 
and Susan (Hall) Litherland. of Indiana, and 
Justus and Elizabeth (Campbell) (iard, the latter 
of Tennessee. The Cards were early settlers in 
\\'abash County. By this second marriage Mr. 
Leeds had childreu as follows : Ruth, May, Mary- 
Bell and Blanche Marie. Mr. Leeds is a Socialist 
in jiolitical afliliations. and served tor a time 
as School Direi'lor. 

LEEDS, James A., among the prominent and 
influential farmers of Frieudsville Precinct, Wa- 
bash Coiuit.^;. 111., was for~ many years engaged 
in nierc;\ntile business at .Vllendale. and has 
been successful in all of his various enterprises. 
Mr. Leeds was born in Frieudsville Precinct, Sep- 
temlier (>, lSfi8. a son of James and Annis (Bal- 
lard ) Leeds, natives respectively of Dayton, 
Ohio, and Wabash County, 111. His maternal 
grandparents were James and Vashti (Barney) 
Ballard, she l>orn In Frieudsville Precinct. 
iliughter of William and Jerusha Barney, 
among the earliest settlers in the precinct, who 
located on Barney's Prairie and entered land 
from the Government where Frieudsville is now 
located. .Tamos Ballard also settled in Frieuds- 
ville Precinct and spent the remainder of his life 
in farming. 

James Leeds was a iihy.sician and located in 
Mt. Cannel. where he practiced some years, and 
in 1849 removed to Friendsville. He was mar- 
ried at the latter olace and practiced his i)ro- 
fession there until his death. He and his wife 
liad children as follows: Harry. M. D., of St. 
Francisville. 111. : Edith, of Poseyville. Ind., 
Mrs. Robert Tiltou : James A.; Lyman, died in 
Mt. Carmel: Xorman : Clara, Mrs. Grant Hall, 
of Mt. Carmel ; Anson, of Colorado ; Simon 



WABASH COUNTY 



755 



died at the age of eighteen jears ; Eva, Mrs. 
Kobert Wallace, of Mt. Carmel I'reeiiict. 

The education of James A. Leeds was obtained 
in [mblic and private schools of his neighborhood 
and he lived at home until twenty-four years of 
age. He was married in June, 18X4, to Miss 
Delia McXair, born iu Friendsville Precinct, 
daughter of .Vlfred and Luciuda (Newkirk) Mc- 
Nair, both of Friendsville Precinct. Alfred Mc- 
iS'air, who served two terms as Sheriff of Wabash 
County, was born July 24. ISoo, and was a son 
of Charles McNair. a pioneer settler of Wabash 
County. The younger man served with credit 
during the Civil War in Company I, Thirty-sec- 
ond Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and after 
his return developed into one of the leading citi- 
zens of Ills connuunity. His entire life was spent 
in the county, and his death occurred, in IttOo, 
on the farm where he was born. His first wife, 
who was a daughter of William Newkirk. died 
a few years after their marriage, having had but 
one child, Mrs. Leeds. After the death of his 
first wife Mr. McXair was luarried to Miss 
Mahala Sii.vder. who bore him two children, of 
whom one daughter, Dora, lived to young woman- 
hood. 

Mrs. Llella Leeds died in March 1907, missed 
by a large circle of friends and most sadly 
mourned as a devoted wife and mother. She 
was well known for her good iiifiiience and 
example and her high character made her univers- 
ally admired and esteemed. She and her hus- 
band had children as follows: Elsie, a school 
teacher in Jit. Carmel public schools ; Jessie, a 
clerk in the general store of J. W. Price, at Allen- 
dale: M.irgaret. works in the telephone exchange 
at -Vllendale; Harvey; a school teacher, and Cora, 
at home. 

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Leeds lived on 
his father's farm one year, when he moved to 
.\llendak'. and there embarked in business, sell- 
ing drugs and groceries, having been in business 
but three months when his store Imrned. He 
afterward entered business in the line of hard- 
ware and implements, in company with George 
McFarland. and after this connection had con- 
tinued ten years. Mr. McFarland sold his inter- 
est to Charles Saunders, who continued the liusi- 
ne-s with Mr. l,eeds two years, when they sold 
out and Mr. Leeds spent two .vears traveling in 
the enii)loy of the McConniek Harvester Com- 
pany, lie followed the trade of carpenter six 
years and then, in the spring of IflO". moved to 
a fann of IfJO acres which had been left to his 
wife li.v her father, located three-(pinrters of a 
miles north of Friendsville. Here he has since 
carried on general farming and raises dinsider- 
able stock — cattle, horses and lings. Politically 
Mr. Leeds is a Democrat and takes a lively in- 
terest in the progress and welfare of the com- 
munity, although he does not care for public 
office. 

LENNERT BROTHERS.— One of the leading 
business estalilislmients of Mt. Carmel, 111., is 
that of Lennert Brothers, harness-makers, who 



liave been identified with the busines.s and public 
interests of the city for a long jjeriod. Adam E. 
and Joseph B. Lennert, twins, were born at 
Evansville, Ind., July 2{j, 1801, sons of Peter and 
Elizabeth (Schafer) Lennert, the former born 
in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 183t), and the 
hitter at St. Joseph, Ind., in 1S41J. Peter Len- 
nert came to the United States with his parents 
iu 18.j3. first locating in New York and later in 
Pennsylvania, where for three years his father 
drove the stage-c-oai-h from Dalton to Susque- 
hanna over the Allegheny Mountains. He then 
went to Evansville. Ind., where he continued to 
reside during the remainder of his life. 

The Lennert brothers have, throughout their 
lives, manifested the greatest affection for each 
other, and neither has been satisfied in any un- 
dertaking unless he was accompanied by his 
brotlier. They were educated in the common 
schools of Evansville, Ind., and when about 
fourteen years of age, began learning the har- 
ness-makers trade, serving three years and nine 
months as apprentices, and then working at the 
bench for four years for J. O. Flickner & Sons. 
In 1SS6 they came to Mt. Carmel, HI., and im- 
mediately opened a harness-making shop there 
under the firm style of Lennert Brothers — a 
jiartnership which has continued to the present 
time and is numbered among the old firms of the 
city, there being but six firms now in business 
that were here when the brothers first came. 
They are fine mechanics and make all of tlie 
harness they sell, disdaining to handle factory 
made goods. In addition to their business, which 
is a large and lucrative out, they o^^^l 150 acres 
of fine farming property in Gibson County. Ind. 

On May S. 1888. Joseph B. Lennert was mar- 
ried to Dora L. Verhiley. who was born in Wa- 
bash Couiitj-. 111., and they have two children : 
Peter and Emil. On June 21, 1891, Adam E. 
Lennert married Carrie M. Kranz, and they have 
had four children, Laura and Elizabeth (who 
are deceased). Bernard and Edward. Mrs. Car- 
rie M. Lennert was born at Evansville. Ind. 
Both families reside in the same house, and all 
are memliers of the Catholic Cliurch, of which 
Joseph has been a trustee for the past nine years. 
The brothers are Democrats in politics, and 
.Vdain has served two terms as Alderman of Mt. 
Carmel and is now a County Commissioner. 
Ever since coming to Mt. Carmel the brothers 
liave been members of the voliuiteer fire depart- 
ment, which was organized about that time and 
which is still in existence. Joseph B. Lennert 
was apiiointed Fire Chief under Frank W. Havill 
servii'ir two years, and Is now acting in the same 
capacity under Ma.vor Striekman. Both are 
nienibers of the Catholic Knights of America, 
the Knights of Columbus and the St. Joseph 
Benevolent Society. 

Both of these brothers are shrewd business 
men. pnblic-spiriteil citizens and good neighlxirs. 
Their reseo'blance to each other is striking and 
it Is ditlicult for the casual observer to tell one 
from the other. They have always l>eeii fore- 
most ill all niovements which promise to be of 



756 



WABASH COUNTY 



benefit to tbeir community, and are classed 
among ilt. Carmel's must useful aud represent- 
ative men. 

LESCHER, Jacob, M. D.— The late Dr. Jacob 
Lescber was born in Lancaster, Pa., aud early 
decided uiwu entering tbe medical profession, in 
wbicb he afterwards became su eminent. In 
1832 be moved to Obio from Pennsylvania, but 
remained only one year, feeling tbat better op- 
portunities awaited in Mt. Carmel, aud tbis city 
continued to lie bis bome aud tbe scene of bis 
successful jiractice until bis demise, August 31, 
1854. 

Witbout doubt be was a man far abead of his 
times, being well informed ui:iou almost every 
subject, and bolding very advanced views with 
regard to some matters. Some of his theories 
are now proven facts. His great delight was his 
large library composed of standard and miscel- 
laneous works, where be si>eut bis leisure mo- 
ments engaf-'ed in study, (ieuerous to a fault, 
he gave bis services many times witbout thought 
of recompense, traveling miles to see a patient 
who, as he knew, could never remunerate him 
for his time and trouble. 

Altbongh he never identified himself with any 
religious organizations, he lived entirely accord- 
ing to tbe Golden Rule, and carried out the Di- 
vine teachings in his charities and sympathies. 
In his death Wabash County lost not only its 
most beloved pbysiciau. but a loyal citizen, and 
its peojile a devoted friend who could always be 
depended niKin in any emergency. 

LIDDLE, David Runyon, of Friendsville Pre- 
cinct, Wabash County, 111., was torn on tbe farm 
he now owns and operates, which was purchased 
by his paternal grandfather. Sir. Liddle was 
born October 2, 1S03. a son of Steven L. and 
Eliza M. (Vermule) Liddle, the former torn on 
the farm now owned b.v his son David, aud the 
latter a native of Xew .lerse.v, born iu ISiT. 
Steven L. was a son of Ralph and Mary (Rigley) 
Liddle. tbe former a mitive of England, who 
came to Wabash Coiuit.v, 111., and there located 
permanently. A portion of tbe laud purchased 
by Ral|ib Liddle was prairie, and Ite accom- 
plislied a great deal in the way of improving it 
and bringing it under cultivation. He died on 
this farm. 

The first marriage of Steven L. Liddle was to 
Mary Cnsic. by whom he bad one son. who died 
in infancy. He owned 100 acres of his fatber's 
old bnmestead. and here he settled after bis 
marriage. lie married (second) Eliza M. Ver- 
mule. ;uid continued to clear an<l improve his 
land, aihlin^ to it until be owned 200 acres at 
the time of bis death. He died February 3. 
1906, at tbe age of seventj'-three years. an(l bis 
widow .still resides on tbe bome farm with her 
son. Tbeir children were: Ella L.. Mrs. Charles 
A. Seibert. of Friendsville : George E.. of 
Friendsville Precinct: David R. : Clara, Mrs. 
Frank Tavlor, of Friendsville Precinct. 

David R. I,iddle was educated in tbe district 



schools of tbe neighborhood where he was reared, 
and early learned the important features of 
farming. He has silent most of his life on the 
old homestead and since tbe death of his father 
has bad full charge of it. He makes a specialty 
of registered stock, raising Berkshire hogs, 
I'ercberou horses, Holstein cattle and Leghorn 
chickens. He has adopted modern methods of 
carrying on tbe work aud has found his invest- 
ment in bigb-grade stock a well-jiaying one. He 
is one of tbe most successful and i>rosperous 
farmers iu bis vicinity and enjoys the respect and 
esteem of bis neightors. 

Mr. Liddle married, March 18, 1885, Laura 
Hinderliter, who was torn in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct, Wabash County, a daughter of Daniel F. 
and Mary .1. (Deiscber) Hinderliter, the former 
a native of tbat precinct and tbe latter of Penn- 
sylvania. Mr. Hinderliter is a son of Henry and 
Elizabeth (Fisher) Hinderliter. of Pennsylvania, 
who came overland to Wabash County and en- 
tered the land where tbeir son aud his wife now 
live. Tbe following children have been born to 
Mr. Liddle and his wife: Mabel B.. Mrs. Henry 
Deiber, of Wabash Precinct; Ethel G., Mrs. Ollie 
Leigbty. of Friendsville Precinct; Mary E., Mrs. 
Mac Leigbty ; Floy Eulalie, Virgil Sylvin, V. 
Feni and Ruth Ivalou. at home. Mr. Liddle is 
a Republican politically and has served two 
terms as School Director. He is a member of 
file Siodern Woodmen of America aud the Royal 
Neighbors, of Friendsville. In anything that 
pertains to tbe pulilic welfare and progres.s. ■ he 
shows a keen interest and is ready to supiiort 
every worthy cause. Mrs. Liddle is a member 
of tbe Lutheran Church. 

LIDDLE, Robert Ralph.— A large number of the 
farmers of Wabash Ccmuty, 111., appreciate the 
advantage of raising oidy registered high-grade 
stock, and tbeir ueigliliors are shown what can 
be accomplished Ity gocid judgment and care in 
selecting tbe kind of stock in wbicb to invest. 
One of tbe enterprising farmers of Friendsville 
Precinct, who has become convinceil of tbe value 
of this brnncb of farming, is Robert Ralph 
Liddle. who has one of tbe best kept farms in 
his neighborhood. Everything upon his farm 
bespeaks care and neatness, and he is considered 
one of the most intelligent and industrious farm- 
ers of the precinct. Mr. Liddle was torn in Lan- 
caster Precinct. Wabash County. 111., December 
i^i, 1803. a son of William :\nd Emma (Round- 
ing) Liddle. His gmndiiarents. Ralph Liddle 
and wife, and Thomas Rounding and wife, were 
all natives of Enirland and early settlers in Wa- 
liash County. Thomas Rounding paid a visit to 
bis native country and on his return died as 
soon as he reached the American shore. Ralph 
Liddle settled on a farm two miles north of the 
village of Friendsville. where be died about 1898. 
His widow has since lived in Friendsville. where 
tbev had lived about ten years at the time of his 
death. 

The education of Ralph R. Liddle was secured 
in Friendsville schools. He was the seventh of 



WABASH COUNTY 



757 



twelve children and, after he reached the age of 
eighteen years, worked at various OL-cupations. 
He worke<l six mouths building fences for the 
Southern Kailroad, and later worked a year for 
the Big Four Railroad, with a bridge gang and 
in the car-shops at Mt. Carmel. He then worked 
on various farms by the month until his mar- 
riage. February 24, 1SS9, he married Amy 
Alice Mundy, who was born in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, a daughter of Ezra and Amy (Litherland) 
Muudj". both natives of \Val>ash County. After 
his marriage Mr. LUUlle settled on a twenty-lour 
acre farm in Friendsville Precinct, belonging to 
his wife, and three years later purchased forty 
acres of land which adjoined another forty acres 
owued by his wife, thus making 104 acres, on 
which he built a house, later adding thereto 
twenty-nine acres, so that they now have 133 
acres in one body. He has taken great pride in 
improving this farm and operating it to good ad- 
vantage. He has registered PoUed-Angus cattle. 
Poland-China hogs, Shropshire Down sheep and 
draft hoi-ses. 

The following children have been bom to Mr. 
Liddle and his wife: Bonnie, Mrs. Granville 
Rigg. of Po.stle. Okla. ; Bessie, at home ; Carrie, 
died in infancy : Ezra R.. died at the age of two 
.vears and five months ; Addis Alvin. Dewey R., 
Winnie Bell, Roy .John. Dudley French, and Fay 
Millie, at home. Mr. Liddle is a Republican and 
has served as School Director. Fraternally he 
is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, 
of Friendsville. 

LOPP, Judge J. A., one of the most prominent 
memliers of the Wabash County Bar. was born 
in Edwards County. 111.. August 1«>, 1SG3, a son 
of Jacob and Flliza .1. (Cl'aver) Lopp, the former 
born in Edwards County in 1832 and died there 
in 18S9, and the latter born in the same place 
in 1842 and died there in 1908. The paternal 
grandfather. ,Tohn Ivopp. was one of the very 
early settlers of Edwards County. Both he and 
his wife came there from Forsyth Coimty, N. C, 
in the early 'twenties. The maternal grand- 
father, Jac-ob Craver, came with his family from 
Davidson County, X. C. in the 'twenties. Both 
were farmers, taking up government land in Ed- 
wards County, which they improved and lived 
upon the balance of their lives. The Lopp family 
still owns the land secured by .John Lopp. Jacob 
Ijopi). father of Judge Ix>pp. was born and lived 
on a iiortion of the farm his father entered from 
the Government until his death. 

Judge Lopp was graduated from the Northern 
Indiana Law ScIio<il at Valparaiso. Ind.. in 1891. 
and was admitted to the practice of law in Illi- 
nois before the Supreme Court the following 
.rear. In 1S9.-« he removed to Mt. Carmel. Wa- 
bash County, since which time he has carried on 
a general law practice. He makes a specialty 
of ahstractinir and examining titles. A strong 
Democrat, Judge Ix)pp has l>orne his part in pub- 
lic affairs. In 1904 he was appointed Master- 
ir--rbancerv of Wabash County, in 1900 was 
elentod County .Judge for a term of four yf^irs. 



and in 1910, was re-elected for a second term by 
a greatly increased majority. Mr. Lopp married 
Arlett;i Brenzel, who came from Pontiac, 111., a 
daughter of George H. Brenzel, who resides at 
Mt. Carmel, and one daughter was born of this 
union, Fredreka M. Judge Lopp is a member of 
the Odd Fellows Fraternity, also being af- 
tiliated with the Order of Rebekahs and the 
Encampment ; also belongs to the Masonic Order, 
the Red Men. Modern Woodmen and Modern 
.\merlcaus. He is a Past Grand in the Order of 
Odd Fellows and Past Grand Conductor of the 
tirand Lodge of Odd Fellows of Illinois. In his 
business relations Juge Ijopp is a Director of the 
Mt. Carmel Trust & Savings Bank. He is a con- 
scientious Judge, a learned lawyer and a good 
citizen, of whom the county has rea.son to be 
proud. 

LUTZ, WilUam Rudolph, who is a prominent 
and suci essful farmer of Wabash County, 111., 
has spent his entire life on the farm which he 
now owns and occupies in Mt. Carmel I'recinct. 
He is a son of Nicholas Lutz, who was born near 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, February 2, 1816, 
and came to the L'nited States in 1833, locating 
in Wabash County and there spending the re- 
mainder of his da.vs. He was married three 
times and his first two wives were sisters, both 
of whom died in Mt. Carmel Precinct. His 
third wile was Elmina Good, wlio was born in 
Pennsylvania, and they settled down on a farm 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct, where he became owner 
of ninety-four acres of land. In his later years 
he retired from active life and moved to Mt. 
Carmel. where he died, in 1!XI3. his wife having 
I>assed away in 1900. They were i>arents of 
children as follows : Fannie, Mrs. Henry Hilbert, 
of Mt. Carmel ; William R. ; John, of Wabash 
Precinct ; Laura, died at the age of twenty- 
two .vears; Ella. Mrs. Allen Groff, of Mt. Car- 
mel ; Victoria, Mrs. Allen Wier, of Bellmont 
Precinct ; and Adam, of Mt. Carmel. 

William R. Lutz was bom Februarj- 5, 1859, 
and \\as reared on his father's farm, where he 
learned the details of successfully oi^erating the 
same. He received his education in the common 
schools and helfied his parents as .soon as old 
enough. After the death of his father he con- 
tinued on the farm, purchasing the interests of 
the other heirs. He is a general farmer, paying 
special attention to the breeding and raising of 
horses and mules. He is a man of good judg- 
ment and superior intelligence, and stands well 
anmng his fellows in the commimity in which his 
entire life has been spent. 

On September 27. 1891. Mr. I^utz married Mary 
Rosignol. born at Mt. Carmel. January 26. 1865, 
a daughter of .\dam and Caroline (Willman) 
Rosingol. natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, 
and grand-daughter of John Willman. Mr. 
Rosingol came to Mount Carmel before his mar- 
riage, in the "forties, and his wife came in the 
'fifties. The children of Mr. Lutz and his wife 
were as ffiUnws: Albert. Glenn and George, at 
home: Pauline and Christine, twins. Christine 



758 



WABASH COUNTY 



(lyiug in iufauc-y ; I'bilip. Frances and I'aul, at 
home. Mr. Lutz is a Uepublk-an in politics and 
a niemljer of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

MALONEY, Patrick J.— The subject of this 
sketch, r. J. Maloney, was bom in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, May 24. ]8(J0, a sou of Daniel and Mar- 
garet (Moran) .Malouey. They were both natives 
of Ireland who eniiijrated to Auierira in early 
life, and to them were born six children : Mary, 
1*. J., John, Dennis, Margaret and Helen. Daniel 
Maloney was connected, for many years, with 
the Ohio & Mississippi (now Baltimore & Ohio 
Southwesteni ) Uailroad. and was alile to give 
his son the information derived iruni much prac- 
tical e-\perience, and inculcated in him a reso- 
lute ambition to make himself a valuable and 
successful railroad manager. 

Jlr. JIaloney was united in marriage to Mary 
Leonard, at Covington, Ky., October 24, 1888. 
Mrs. Maloney was the daughter of Michael and 
-Margaret (O'Rourke) Leonard, who were born in 
Ireland. On coming to America they made their 
home at Covington, Ky., where ail their chil- 
dren — Dennis, Nellie, Mary, Michael, John, Jose- 
phine and -Margaret — were born. To -Mr. and 
Mrs. Maloney have lieen born three children : 
Raymond D., liorn -\ugust 29. 1889; Margaret, 
born November 10. 18'.n. and Helen, Ijorn Novem- 
ber 29, ISO?!, all of whom are still members of 
the family circle. 

Mr. JIaloney is a man of clear convictions, 
frank in manner and liberal in his views, and 
has a natural faculty for winning and holding 
the fri('ndslii]i of people, and the simplicity and 
cordiality of his manners elicit the confidence 
and esteem of those with whom he comes in Con- 
tact, either in business or in a social way. He Is 
energetic, prompt and self-poisefl, is ready to as- 
sume just resixmsil)ility and initiate active en- 
teiT>rises. He posse.sses the quality nf dealing 
with men on fair terms, and securing their 
earnest co-operation in mutters where .joint in- 
tersts are at stake. 

Politically Mr. Maloney is a Democrat, was 
brought up in the Tatholic faith and is devoted 
to the work of tliat great chiirch. is also a niein- 
Ivr of the Knights of Columbus. He is piiblic- 
spirited and his heart re.sponds fervently to the 
meritorious appeals of charity. 

Since he was ten years of age Mr. JIaloney has 
followed the busines.s of railroading. -\t that 
tender age he began work as a water carriT fnr 
the Ohio & jrississippi Uailroad. and has faith- 
fully and persistently worked his way up. through 
privations and by uni-eniitting toil, to the re- 
simnsible r-o=itioTi of Superintendent of the train 
sorvicp of the Cairo & D-inville Division of tho 
Cleveland. Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis Rail- 
wnv. which he has so ciTiiably filled since Mav 1.", 
inOfi. This branch of the service has since lieen 
enlarged and imnroved until the number of men 
under his supervision has been increased from 
200 to 2.000. and the monthlv pav-roll from 
.$20,000 to .$80,000, of this sum about $nO.(X)fl be- 
ing exiieuded at Mt. Carmel. At the present time 



the road is being double-tracked from Danville 
to West I'nion, in Clark County. Between 50 
and To miles will be double-tracked during the 
year lUlO, and it will be within a iJeriod of only 
lour to ti\e years when the whole line will be 
double-tracked from the coal-fields at Harris- 
burg, in Saline County, to the city of Chicago. 
-Mr. -ilaloney is one of the most efficient and popu- 
lar officials that has ever been connected with 
the Cairo & Danville Division of the "Big i^our." 
He is a man of enterprise, has constructive capac- 
ity and is a thorough railroad man by impulse 
and training, and as a conseciuence his advice 
and reconnnendations are highly regarded by the 
managers nf the line. He is also a valuable' citi- 
zen and is favored with a most estimable family. 
From a humble beginning, by unfla.gging industry, 
and the jiatient and sueces.sful discharge of every 
duty entrusted to him, Jlr. Maloney has demon- 
strated his ability and won for himself the re- 
si)ect and confidence of his superiors and a wide 
circle of friends. 

MANLEY, Addis R.— Mt. Carmel is the home 
of some of the most progressive business men of 
the eountj-. and one who is jirofitably engaged in 
production her&, is -\ddis R. Mauley of the Mt. 
Carmel (Jas & Electric Company, a stock com- 
pany which furnishes the city with its light. Mr. 
Manley was born in Bellmont Precinct on a 
farm. July 12. 1800. being a son of Frank C. Man- 
ley, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this 
work. Mr. Manley was educated in the Bell- 
mont schools and the Normal Fniversity at Car- 
liondale. 111. He then taught school for a time 
in Wabash County. Tlie West then claimed him 
for a year, during which time he clerketl for a 
concern in Slaughter, Wash. 

Returning home he entered his father's store, 
and when the elder Mr. Manley moved to Mt. 
Carmel. -\ddis R. went with him. Later he 
clerked for J. G. Stanfield and for Mark Wise. 
During these various experiences he gained a 
valuable knowledge of business methods, and 
when in 1002 he organized the Mt. Carmel Gas 
& Electric Company, he was able to make It a 
success from the start. 

In 1801. Mr. JIanlev married Martha Rigg of 
Mt. Carmel, a daughter of .John Mack Rigg of 
Bellmont. Two children have been liorn to them, 
namely: Frankie and Helen. -Vlthough his time 
is closel.v occupied with business affairs, he is in- 
terested in securing good government and sup- 
ports anv imiirovements he believes will work 
out for the ultimate good of the majority. 

MANLEY, Frank C— W.nbash County is the 
home of some of the mnst solid and representa- 
tive men in the State, and one who has borne 
his full part in the struggle of life is Frank C. 
Manley of Mt. Carmel. born in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct, Wabash County, July 20. 1844. a son of 
Francis Perrj' and Maria (Wiley) Manley. The 
family is one well known in the military his- 
tory of the country, as the representatives did 
their full duty whenever called upon. The 



"^ffl^^B^^ 


^- 'Vlfc. 




-t 








^' ' 


1 



!^xJC^>6^ -a^tr^ ^^JL^U^f-y*^ . 



WABASH COUNTY 



r59 



Wiley family was uot t'ournl wanting, eitljer, 
and James Wiley, the father of Jlrs. JIanley, was 
a soldier in the War of 1S12. He came to Illi- 
nois with a Dr. HaUer and worked for him a 
year to defray the expense the latter incurred 
in bringing him from New Jersey. 

Franli C. JIanley had few opiwrtunities of at- 
tending school. Being the eldest of the sons, 
the labor of providing for the supijort of the 
others devolved u|ion him after the death of 
the father in ISliH. Starting out with but a 
meager edui-atiou, i)y close study he Btted him- 
self to become a teacher, following that oceujia- 
tion during the winter months and working at 
farming iu the sunuuer for six or seven years. 
In 1S77, he move<i to I-!ellmout, Wabash County, 
and for ten months clerketl in a store. Then, iu 
1877, he purchased a stoik of groceries, and con- 
tinued iu that busines.s until lS7t), when he sold 
out. In 1S7S he was apiwinted Postmaster of 
Bellmont, and served for several terms, when he 
resigned. However, he was re-appointed in ISS^, 
and continued for .some years, eveutually resign- 
ing again. As early as 1863 he had learned the 
Iirinter's trade in the office of E. L. Merritt. of 
Salem. 111., but not liking the work abandoned 
it after two years' experience. 

In the spring of 1880. Mr. Mauley formed a 
partnership with W. II. Knowles. for the pur- 
jKise of handling agricultural implements, and 
this asociation continued until July 2(5, 1882. 
after which he continued in the same line alone. 
He latei- formed a [)artnersliip with his brother, 
I>r. I'aul (J. .Mnnley. :it Keensburg. in 18S,S. with 
Mr. .Manley in charge of it. In less than a year, 
however. Mr. Manley sold to his brother, who 
continued the store. In December. 1880. Mr. 
Manley nime to Mt. Carmel and engaged in a 
livery ibusiness. which he continued foi- nearly 
five years. He then sold it to become a real- 
estate dealer with R. T. Wilkinson, and they con- 
tinued together for four or five years, when the 
jiartnership was dissolved, and he continued 
alone, 

Mr. Mauley has always been a strong Republi- 
oan, and in addition to his serving as Postmaster 
so etiiciently for a number of years, he was 
elected Justice of the Peace at Bellmont. but re- 
signed one year after election. 

On August 22. 18(58. Jlr. Manle.v married 
Ixjuisa M. Cory, Iwrn in Bellmont Precinct in 
1S4.S, a daughter of Alanson W. and Louisa 
fllunterl Cory. Mr. and Mrs. Manley have had 
five children, as follows: Addis, a sketch of whom 
appears in another part of this work : Nora 
Olive, wife of Joe E. Degan of Mt. Carmel : 
I<eonard. of Mt. Carmel : Frank died when six 
weeks old: and Bertha, wife of Frank Goche. 
now of \"incennes. Iiid. Mr. and Mrs. Manley 
are members of tlie Methodist Church, in which 
tliey are deservedly jxipulaT, as they are among 
their wide circle of friends. 

MANLEY, Paul G., M. D., a reprosentativp citi- 
zen of .Mt. Carmel, 111., and one of the best 
known jihysicians and surgeons in Wabash 



County, was born at Bald Hill Prairie, six miles ^ 
west of .Mt. Carmel. Januarj- 14, 1855. His pater- X^ 
nal grandfather. Benjamin F. Jlauley, came from 
Vermont and settled near Zlinesville, Muskingum 
County. Ohio, whence he removed to Mt. Carmel, 
Wabash County, 111., in 18;i"J. His wife, whose 
maiden name was Julia Ford, and whom he had 
married in Ohio, died in 1854, after which he 
mo\ed to Logan County, 111., and there his death 
occurred a few years later. He had three sons, 
of whom Francis Perry Manley was the father 
of our subject. He was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, in 1821. and accompanied his par- 
ents to Illinois, at the age of eighteen. He mar- 
ried and settled on the home farm in Bonpas 
Precinct in 1841. He began the study of medi- 
cine in the office of Dr. Paul Sears at Mt. Car- 
mel in 18.54. and continued in the practice of his 
profession until his death, which occurred De- 
cember 11. 1803. He married Maria Wiley, who 
was born near Gard's Point, Wabash County, 
and died in April, 1803, daughter of James 
Wiley, an early settler of Wabash Counfy. 
There were nine children born to Dr. and Mrs. 
Manley. of whom four survived their parents: 
Laura, wife of William Hamilton; Fi-ank C, 
Alfred P. and Paul G. 

Paul G. Manley's opportunities for obtaining 
an education were somewhat limited, but he 
studied hard and read all the books which fell 
in his way. When he was eight ye.-irs of age his 
parents died, leaving the fannly without means, 
and .viiung .Manley was compelled to become self- 
su|>jK>rting at a tender age. At seventeen he had 
secured sufficient education to teach school, 
which he did for five terms. While teaching, he 
decided to enter upon the study of medicine, 
conunenced reading standard medical works and 
also pursued his studies a part of the time in the 
office of Dr. Lemen. at Olney. 111., who later be- 
came President of the Board of Health of Colo- 
rado and Dean of the Denver Medical College. 
L.iter lie studied with Dr. Paul Sears of Mt. Car- 
mel. and in the winter of 1,870-77. entered the 
Miami .Medical Ciillege of Cincinnati, graduating 
therefrom in .March. 1879. and receiving the 
highest percentage of any in his class. During 
the last .vear of his collie term, he was )ihysi- 
eian at the Free Disjiensary at .Miami. In the 
s|]ring of 1870 he conunenced jtractice at Keens- 
burg. Wab.-ish County, where he met with flatter- 
ing success and remained there until ISS:^. when 
he went to Xew York City and conunenced a 
year's work in the Bellevtie Hospital Medical 
College, from which he gradiiated iu spiking of 
1884. He then returned to Keensburg. where he 
rein.'iiiicd until July. l.so:'.. at which time he 
moved to Evaiistoii. 111., and took a ye.-ir of post- 
graduate <tudy in Chicago Pi>st-Graduate Medi- 
cal School. Cook CoTMitv Hosiiital .and Dr. .Senu's 
Clinics at the Presbyterian Hospital and Rush 
Medical College. In May. 18.04. he returned to 
Wabash CViunty and liegan his practice at Mt. 
Carmel. where he has been particularly succe.ss- 
ful. It is s.iid that he has a wider circle of 
friends and acquaintances than any otli(>r physi- 



760 



WABASH COUNTY 



ciau in the couut.v. is immbered auioug tlie lead- 
ing ujembers of liis jiroiession in tlie State, anil 
is honored and respeL-ted by all for his upright 
fharai-ter and moral condUL-t. lu politieal mat- 
ters he is a I'rohibitionist. and his religious con- 
nection is with the Jlethodist Episcopal Cliurcii. 
Ou April (J, 1.STG, Dr. JIauley was married to 
Mary E. McClure, who was born in Lawrence 
County, 111., a daughter of Capt. Richard and 
Mary J. (Earls) MeClure. To them have been 
born six children. Ave of whom Ihed nearly to 
adult life, and four of whom are still living 
(November. litlO). They are: Dr. Richard S.. Mt. 
(i'armel. 111. ; Paul S.. of Medina. Mexico ; Mrs. 
Mary Mason, of Washington. D. C. ; and ,lohn 
A., who graduates in Ittll from the College of 
Liberal Arts, at Northwestern I'niversity. in 
which institution they have all been educated, in- 
cluding I'auline 1'. Mauley, the twin sister of 
Paul S.. who died at school in 1808. 

MARVEL, WUliam.— One of the finest farms in 
Wabash County. 111., is owned by William Mar- 
vel, who owns uiuety-tive acres of land in 
Friendsville Precinct. Mr. Marvel was born in 
Gibson County, Ind.. October 10. 1,S5S. son of 
Wesley and .lenetta (Davis) Marvel, both na- 
tives of Gibson County. His grandfather. .lohn 
Marvel, was a native of Kentucky. Abijah 
Davis, the father of .lenetta Davis, was also a 
native of Kentucky, and came to (iibson County. 
Ind., in an early day. Both he and John Marvel 
were farniei-s and among the earliest settlers of 
Gibson County, where tliey spent the greater 
part of their lives. Mr. Marvel died in Wabash 
County, 111. Wesle.v Marvel and wife, were mar- 
Tied in their native county and settled in Mont- 
gomery Townshi]!, that county. Their first home 
was a log ci\bin and their land was heavily tim- 
bered, mostly with black walnut and yellow ix>i)- 
lar. Mr. Marvel cleared a large amount of land 
and put it in cultivation and became a large 
land-owner. Me has kept for himself ISn acres 
of land, and gave each child a farm or its equiva- 
lent, upon reaching their majority. He was 
liorn October 22. 1.S20. and his wife in 1834. and 
t)oth are still strong and active. They live on 
the home farm with a son and a daughter. Their 
children were: .Tohn. who died in infancy: Abi- 
gail, widow of Alfred Simpson, resides with her 
parents: William: .Tulius. living at home witti 
his parents : .John, who was killed by a runaway 
borse alxmt LST."!: James, of Gibson Coimty ; 
Flora Bell. Mrs. Elza Mount, of Gibson County; 
Ella. Mrs. Massey. of Owensville. Ind. 

The education of William Marvel was received 
in the district school, and he early began learn- 
ing the science of farming. He has been en- 
gaged in f:irnnn<r since he was old enough to be 
of assistance to his father, and when he reached 
his majority, received from his father eishty 
acres of land in Wabash County, in Section "1 of 
Friendsville Prec-inct. which was partly im- 
proved. He ha« n'ade many other improvements 
and has brought it into a high state of ciiltiva- 
tion. He has added to his farm and now owns 



ninety-five acres, in one body. In the fall of 1899 
he erected a fine frame house, and he has put up 
other suosiantlal liuii.iings. Besides carrj-ing on 
a general line of t.-irniing. he pays si)ecial atten- 
tion to raising a good grade of horses and cattle. 
JIarch 4, 1S79, Mr. .Marvel married America 
Dougherty, born in (iilisou County. Ind. — where 
tuey were married — a. daughter of Wiliam F. and 
Jane (Montgomery) Dougherty, tlie former born 
in Adair County, Ky., and the latter in Gibson 
County. Ind. His parents, Stephen Dougherty 
and wife, were natives of Kentucky, and Mrs. 
Dougherty's parents. James and Nancy (Cook) 
Montgomery, were natives of Indiana. Mr. 
Marvel and his wife have no children. He is 
prominent in public affairs, is a member of the 
Prohibition party and took a strong stand in the 
recent movements in the cause of temperance 
which have agitated the public of Illinois. He is 
an earnest and sincere member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, of which he has served as 
Trustee many years. He belongs to the Tribe of 
Ben Hur. No. 97. Mt. Carmel. He is a progress- 
ive farmer and reaps good profits as the result 
of his enter]irise and iudustn-. 

MARX, John Henry, an enterprising and pros- 
perous farmer of Lancaster Precinct. Wabash 
County, III., owns jjart of the farm on which he 
was born. October 2(1. ISiJl, the son of Philip H. 
and Margaret (Stephens) Marx. I'hilip H. 
Marx was born in Pennsylvania, son of Michael 
and Margaret (Barnhardt) Marx, natives of 
Germany, and his wife was born in Indiana, 
daughter of George and Margaret (Miller) 
Stephens, natives of Germany, who beciime early 
settlers in Lancaster Precinct. Philiji Marx 
and wife located in Lancaster Precinct after 
their marriage, and still live on their farm, 
where he owns l."i4 acres, and his wife forty 
acres. They had children as follows : Samuel C. 
of Lancaster Precinct : William, of Bellmont. 
111. : John Henry ; Catherine. Mrs. Charles Sei- 
bert, of Evansvllle. Ind. : Mary E.. Mrs. Edwin 
Seibert. of I^ancaster I'recinct. 

In his boyhood John H. Marx attended Stoltz 
District School and heli>ed in work on his 
father's farm as scxin ;is he was old enough to 
do so. He resided with his parents until his 
marriage, in September. ISSo. to .\melia Seibert. 
who was born in Lancaster Precinct, daugh- 
ter of John Seibert. The children born 
to them were : Orrie E.. living with her 
Iiaternal grandparents; Katie C. Mrs. Robert 
Storkman. also with her father's parents. The 
first wife of Mr. Marx died in September. 1888. 
and he married (second), in April. 1S89, Flora 
Orilla Baird. born in Lick Prairie Precinct. Wa- 
bash Couutv. a daughter of Fletcher and Luretta 
Olundy) Baird. By his second marriage Mr. 
Marx had children as follows: Callie. Mrs. 
Lewis Morgan, of Gibson County. Ind. ; .Tosie E.. 
Mrs. Frank Fessel. of Lawrence County. 111. ; and 
Effie M.. Jessie G.. Fern Anetta. Raymond Baird. 
Ida F.. Mattie Bell, at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Marx lived on his 



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WABASH COUNTY 



761 



I'atber's farm iu a separate residence from his 
parents aud managed the place until 1891, when 
he went to Seattle, Wash., and siH.>ut fourteen 
months in that State. He purchased twenty 
acres of laud in Kitsap County, where he lived 
three mouth-s hefore his return home. When he 
reached home his father gave him forty acres of 
the home place, where he erected a house and 
barns and continued to improve it. He carries 
on general farming aud raises horees, cattle, and 
Poland China aud O. I. C. hogs. The Marx 
family is well known in the community and have 
always taken an Interest in the improvement and 
development of the same. John H. Marx is a 
Republican in iwlitics, though he takes no active 
part in public affairs, and he is a member of the 
Evangelical Association. He can always be de- 
pended upon to support any cause that will tend 
to promote the general welfare and is considered 
a representative citizen. 

MARX, Philip Henry, one of the oldest citizens 
of Wabash County, 111., has been a resident of 
the couuty since he was four years of age and 
has always been identified with its best inter- 
ests. Mr. Marx was born in Northampton 
County, Pa., April 21, 18.32, a son of Michael and 
JIargaret ( Buesch ) Marx, natives of Germany. 
The parents emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1829, 
and lived there until 1836, when they entered 
120 acres of government timber land in Lancas- 
ter Precinct, Wabash County, and there erected 
a log hut and began clearing the land. Mr. 
Marx later added to his possessions until he 
owned several hundred acres, and he and his 
wife died about 1ST5. within two months of each 
other. Six children were born to them, namely : 
Barbara, Mrs. Jonas Deiseher, deceased; Samuel, 
died in Lancaster Precinct, about 1895 : Philip 
H. ; Lena, Mrs. George Schafer, died at Mt. Car- 
mel ; Margaret, Mrs. William Schafer, died at 
Mt. Carmel ; Mary. Mrs. JIartin Stephens, of Lan- 
caster Precinct. 

The education of Phili]) H. Marx was received 
in the district schools and remained with his 
parents until his marriage on March .5. 1S.57, to 
Margaret Stephens, who was born in Warren 
County. Ohio, December 23. 1837, daughter of 
George and Margaret (Miller) Stephens, natives 
of Germany. Mr. Stephens and his wife moved 
from Ohio to Shelby County, Ind., in 1838, and 
lived on a farm there until 1S,52, then bought 
land in Lancaster Precinct, Wabash County. Mr. 
Stephens died in Wabash County. Children as 
follows were Ixini to Mr. Marx and wife : Samuel 
C, of Lancaster Precinct, a sketch of whom ap- 
pears in this work : William M., of Bellmont Pre- 
cinct : John H.. of Lancaster Precinct, wliose 
sketch appears in this work ; Catherine, Mrs. 
Charles Seibert. of Evansville, Tnd. ; MaTj-. Mrs. 
Edwin Seibert. of Lancaster Precinct. 

After his marriage Mr. Marx moved to a farm 
his wife secured from her parents, in Lancaster 
Precinct, where they lived about six years, then 
moved to the home of his parents, which was 
deeded to him. He has erecf^d all the buildings 



now on the place and has made many improve- 
ments, liringing the land to a high state of cul- 
tivation. He has added to his iwssessions until 
he now owns 2(»0 acres all in one body. He is 
well known and much esteemed in his com- 
munity, is a Democrat and has served on the 
School Board. He is a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Association aud contributes his share toward 
iis supiKjrt. 

MARX, Samuel Clinton. — ^Among the enterpris- 
ing farmers of Wabash County, 111., who are 
making a specialty of raising high-grade stock is 
Sanmel Clinton Marx, who has developed a tine 
farm in Lancaster Precinct. He has been promi- 
nent in the Democratic affairs of the couuty and 
has sened as Justice of the Peace since 1890. 
Mr. Marx is the oldest child of Philip H. Marx, 
whose sketch also appears in this work. Philip 
H. Marx was born iu Berks County, Pa., and 
married Margaret Stephens, a native of Shelby 
County, Ind. They still live on their farm in 
Lancaster Precinct. 

The early education of Samuel C. Marx was 
acquired in the connnon schools, and later he at- 
tended Friendsville (111.) Seminary. Aftpr 
reaching the age of twenty years he taught 
school iu Lancaster Precinct, every winter for 
eighteen years, working at farming during the 
sunnner. He married, September 4, 1881, Julia 
A. Burton, who was born in Lancaster Precinct, 
daughter of James and Martha (Adams) Bur- 
ton, who were natives of Nashville, Teun. After 
their marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Marx settled on the 
(Jeorge Glick farm, iu Lancaster Precinct, where 
he rebuilt the house and liarns. and put up all 
the impovemeuts. This farm was on the edge of 
I>ong Prairie, on the border of Bonpas Creek. 
-Mr. Marx also received 100 acres of his father's 
homestead, all of which he has under cultivation 
except twelve acres of timber. This farm is lo- 
cated in Section 7. Town 1 North, Range 13 West, 
and he also owns forty acres in Section 2. Town 
1 North. Range 14 West, all of which he culti- 
vates except five acres of timber. 

Mr. Marx carries on general farming and 
makes a specialty of raising short-horn registered 
cattle. Jersey Red hogs, horses for general pur- 
ix)ses, and Plymouth Rock and Leghorn chickens. 
He is a member of the United Brethren Church, 
has held all the church offices, served four times 
as Delegate to the Annual Conference, and since 
1S9.5 has been Superintendent of the Sunday 
.Schonl. He is a charter member of the Modem 
Woodmen of .\merica. Camp No. 1834, of Lan- 
caster, which was instituted in 1892. has held all 
the offices in the same and has served as Dele- 
gate to the State Oidge. Mrs. Marx is a mem- 
ber of the Mystic Workers of the World, of Lan- 
caster. Roth have many friends and are popu- 
lar in social circles. 

Children as follows have been bom to Mr. 
Marx and his wife; Bertha, at home; Delia M.. 
Mrs. H. C. Hinderliter. of Lancaster Precinct ; 
Ilenrv E.. (iied in infancy; ,\Ivin C. died at the 
age of eight years; Martha E., at home; James 



762 



WABASH COUNTY 



Stepheusou, died at tbe age of six years; Samuel 
Burton, I'hilip Herman, Fay Beatrice and Alma 
Edith, at home. 

MAXWELL, J. B., B. S., M. D.— Perhaps one of 

the best luiowu physicians of Wabash County, 
111., is Dr. J. B. Maxwell, whose skill has proved 
a mine of comfort to the afflicted in times of sick- 
ness and distress. He was born at Frieudsville, 
111., in 1S5!>. Although in youth he obtained a 
good ordinary education, he was not satisfied, 
and entering the Central Normal College at Dan- 
ville, lud., there took a scientific cour.se. He 
then taught school for six years in Knox County, 
Ind., and in White and Wabash Counties. III., 
gaining a well-earned reptitatiou for the thor- 
oughness of his metliods which made liis services 
valuable to those desiring a conscientious in- 
structor. 

In spite of liis success as an educator, be de- 
cided to study medicine. His father. A. M. Max- 
well, .M. D.. was a successful physician who had 
been educated in the Medical Department of the 
Michigan State University. Dr. A. M. Maxwell 
was born in Lycoming County, Pa., and practiced 
medicine from 1853 until his death in 188S. The 
son entered Kush Medical College, Chicago, in 
1887, and graduated therefrom in 1890, follow- 
ing which lie began practicing in ^he office where 
he continued for twenty years. He has gained 
the confidence and gratitude of a wide circle of 
patients, many of whom have retained him as a 
family physician for years. He is a member and 
secretary of the W^abash County Medical Society, 
The Illinois State Medical Society and the Amer- 
ican Medical Association. He has written and 
has published in the various medical journals of 
the country, articles uixtn the subject of epilepsy, 
and through his personal agitation a bill was 
passed by the State Assembly for the establish- 
ment of a State institution for the treatment of 
patients suffering from this disease. 

In 1891 Dr. .Maxwell was married to Miss 
Sarah .1. (irundon. of Mt. Oannel. He belongs 
to the Kiiights of Pythias and the Masonic 
order, in religious matters is a Presbyterian, and 
in polities a Reiaiblican. Dr. Maxwell is a pub- 
lic-spirited citizen, and is interested in the wel- 
fare and prosperity of the community. He is the 
owner of considerable property in Mt. C'armel. 
and has several fine farms in the country adja- 
cent thereto. 

McCLANE, Edwin B. (deceased), formerly a 
well-known and prosperous farmer of Bellmont 
Precinct, Wabash County. 111., was born in that 
precinct, August 6, 18:^7, a son of Charles 
and Louisa (Sloan) McClane. and grandson of 
John Sloan. The parents were early settlers of 
Bellmont Precinct and spent the remainder of 
their lives there, she dying many years before 
her husband. He owned several different farms. 
Their children were: Henry and Edwin, de- 
ceased : Thomas. M. D.. of Roswell. N. M. : Mary 
J., deceased ; Julia, Mrs. Alpheus Adis, living in 



the State of Washington ; Rebecca and Malinda, 
deceased; Edwin B. ; Hannah, deceased. 

Edwin B. McClane received his education in 
the public school and heli->ed with the work on 
his father's farm in boyhood. He remained 
with his jjarents until his marriage, January 13, 
1859. to Mary E. Brines, born in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. April 27, I80.J, daughter of Ilussell and 
Nellie (Ga.-ner) Brines, the former a native of 
New York and the latter of Connecticut. The 
father was a sou of Edward Brines and the 
mother's parents were Charles and Margaret 
Garner, all of whom settled in W'abash County, 
the Brines family in Bellmont Precinct and the 
Garners at Timberville, iu Wabash Precinct. 
Uussell Brines and his wife were married in Wa- 
bash County and settled at Bald Hill Prairie, 
where both died, having had children as follows: 
Jlorris, who died in Bellmont Precinct ; Jane and 
Julia, deceased ; Mrs. JlcClane ; Henry and Rus- 
sell, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; Harvey and Ed- 
win C, decvis.id. 

After their marriage Mr. McClane and his 
wife settled on a farm of eighty-six acres, of 
which there was but six acres cleared, and they 
lived (here in a log house for many years. He 
develojied ;i good farm and carried on general 
farming most successfully for many years, and 
then retired to live in Mt. C'armel. where his 
death occurred. November .3, 1871, about two 
years after they had left the farm. His widow 
remained for a time iu Mt. Carmel, then re- 
t\u'ned to the home farm, where she rented the 
farm five year s but now hires the farm work 
done. She is an excellent manager and lier af- 
fairs have prosjiered under her care. She has 
n'an.\- friends in tlie c-ommunity and is highly re- 
si.c'-led for the manner in which she has reared 
her children to be useful men and women. The 
children born to this t-ouple were: Henry Allen, 
of Bellmont Precinct: William M.. died in in- 
fancy, in November. ]862: Ida. Mrs. Otto Brad- 
ham, of Edwards County, III. ; Virginis Gertrude, 
Mrs. Jerrj- (Jinther, of Bone Gap, III.; Edwin 
Baker, of New Baden. III. ilr. Mc-Clane was a 
member of the Cliristian Church and in polities 
was a Democrat. He was an industrious and 
energetic farmer, an excellent neighbor, and a 
kind husband and father, and was much re- 
spected by his fellow-citizens. 

McGregor, George Henry, who for many 
.vears. carried on extensive agricultural opera- 
tions in Wabash County, III., and is now living in 
retirement in the village of Bellmont. is a na- 
tive of Wabash County, born in Friendsville Pre- 
cinct. May ."). 1842. a son of Asa and Mary (Ulm) 
McGregor. .\sa McGregor was liorn in Wabash 
Count?-, his father, Henry McGregor, being one 
of the early settlers of Palmyra, once the county- 
.seat. Henry McGregor was a native of Ireland 
nnd came to the T'nited States as a young man. 
He secured government land and developed a 
farm, passing his last days in Palm,\-Tn. Mary 
T'Im. who was l>orn near Chillicothe. Ohio, was 
a daughter of Edward and Catherine Ulm. both 



WABASH COUNTY 



763 



natives of Ohio, who were among the llrst 
settlers of Mt. Carmel. where Mr. Ulm built the 
first mill for griudiiig corn. This was a tread- 
mill run by horse-power. Mr. Ulm was a shoe- 
maker as well as a miller. He first entered laud 
near Mt. Carmrf, but later sold out there and 
moved to Wayne County. 111., where he died. 

Asa Mc-tiregor and his wife settled in Frieuds- 
ville I'rednct after their marriage, and there he 
conducted a faiin until his death, March 7, 1857. 
His widow continued on the farm and married 
John T. Risley. Some time after her second 
marriage she went to live in Mt. Carmel, where 
her death occurred about 1882. Mr. McGregor 
and his wife had children as follows: George 
Henry: Sanih. Anna. Scott and Harry died in in- 
fanc-y ; Sanmel died in 1898, in Gibson County, 
Ind. 

The education of (Jeorge Henry McK^regor was 
acquired in tlie district schools and he remained 
with his mother until her second marriage ; then 
began working on a farm by the month, contin- 
uing this until he attained his majority, when 
he came into i)ussession of 120 acres of the home 
place. He carried on the farm until his brother, 
Samuel, was twenty-one years of age, when he 
sold his interests to the latter, buying a farm of 
160 acres, of which about forty acres were 
cleared. This farm contiiined some old log 
buildings and here his first wife died, after 
which he lived in the log cabin by himself, hiring 
a man to help him. He continued to improve his 
farm and cleared alwut sixty acres in all. He 
sold this farm later and purchased 120 acres 
in one jjart of Lick Prairie Precinct and 160 
acres a few miles south, putting it all under cul- 
tivation excei>t twenty acres of the first farm. 
He sold the farm of 120 acres and lived on the 
one of 160 acres until Fel)rnary. 1910. when he 
purchased two lots and a residence in Bellmont. 
■where he now lives. He rents all his land and 
has retired from active business life. Jlr. Mc- 
Gregor has always been a most enteiprising and 
intelligent farmer and achieved a very fair de- 
gree of success. He is a public spirited citizen 
and actively interested in the public welfare, 
giving his earnest support to the cause of Prohi- 
bition. 

The first marriage of Mr. McGregor took place 
in Febni.-iry. 186(5. when he was united with 
Elizabeth Shearer, bnrn in Vermont, a daughter 
of William and .Joanna (Olden Shearer, who 
were very early settlers of Friendsville Precinct. 
The children born to this union were: Lewis, of 
Lick Prairie Precinct: Cliarles. of Seattle. 
Wash.: Laura. Mrs. William Brians, also of 
Seattle: .Mark, of Aberdeen. Wash. Mrs. Mc- 
Gregor died in 1S7.'?. 

Mr. McGregor was married (second), on Sep- 
tember i;'.. 187.J. to Fannie Wood, wlio was born 
in Friendsville Precinct, a daughter of Victor 
and Eliza (Armstrong) Wood. One daughter 
was b-rn of this union. Eliza, wife of William 
Garrett, on Mr. MciJregor's farm. The second 
Mrs. JfcGreuor died in 1.S77 and .Mr. McGregor 
•was married (third), on February 6. 1880, to 



Sarah E. Bratton, born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
a daughter of Marshall and Elizabeth (Hill) 
Bratton. To this latter union were born chil- 
tlren as follows : Mabel, Mrs. Elmer Wetherholdt, 
of Jasper County, 111. ; Elizabeth, Mrs. Samuel 
Woods, on her father's farm ; Asa, of Danville, 
HI.: Howard and Ilollis, on their father's farm; 
Opal, died in iniani-y. The third Mrs. McGregor 
died in I'.JOl, and Mr. McGregor married 
(lourtli). on Septi-mber 6, 1005, Mrs. Maria L. 
(Uigg) Brown, who was born in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, a daughter of Thomas and Mary J. 
(McCleary) Rigg. Her first husband, Samuel 
(i. Brown, was born in Miami County, Ind., and 
died November 26, 1897, in Bellmont Precinct. 
Jlr. Brown and his wife had children as follows : 
Elmer, died in Mt. Carmel. in 1904. leaving three 
children — Alli.son. George and Delia; Thomas, 
died in infancy; \"ictor, died at the age of thir- 
teen years ; David is engaged in the management 
of a threshing machine and saw-mill. u\\'nlug one 
of the best outfits in the county — resides in Bell- 
mont Precinct ; and Alonzo. who died in infancy. 
David was twice married, (first) to Elfiie Omp- 
bell, who bore him one son, Carl Raymond, and 
(second) to Joselyn Gray, of this union there 
being tlu'ce children — Earl. Davis and Charles. 
Mr. McTiregor is a man of upright character 
and honest intentions, and his many good quali- 
ties of mind auil heart are widely appreciated by 
his many friends. He is well known in Wabash 
County and held in high esteem. 

McINTOSH, John Jerome, M. D., a prominent 
j)hysician of Allendale. 111., whose father was 
the second practicing physician in Wabash 
County, and who had a diploma from a medical 
college, is a native of Allendale, born July 2. 
1S.S1. ?Ie is a son of Dr. Andrew J. and Jane 
(McFarland) Mcintosh, the former born at Tim- 
berville, Wabash (/(mnty. and the latter in Wa- 
bash Precinct. His paternal grandparents were 
Samuel and Eleanor (Mathews) Mcintosh, he a 
native of Pai-is. Bourbon (\)Unty. Ky.. and she of 
Sullivan County, Ind. Samuel Mcintosh was a 
son of John Ogg and Sarah (Bennett) Mcintosh, 
the former born in Invernesshire. Scotland. He 
was an assistant surgeon luider Cormvallis in the 
Revolutionary W;r. and was appointed presid- 
ing Judge at the organization of Wabash County. 
Jane McFarland was a daughter of James Alex- 
ander an<l Rachel (Oslwrn) McFarland. the 
former born in Christian (\junty. Ky.. and the 
latter in Lawrence County. III. James A. Mc- 
Farland was ii fon of .John and Mary P. (Thomp- 
son) McF.arland. the former born in Elkton, and 
the latter in Christian Countj-. Ky. 

In 1814 Samuel Mcintosh and John McFar- 
land. came to Wal ash Precinct and County and 
settled on farms, the former being a wheel- 
wright, veterinary surgeon and farmer. He 
served in the War of 1812. and entered land 
from the Government. Dr. Andrew J. Mcintosh 
married and set! led at Allendale, being the sec- 
(md physician to practice in the county who had 
a diploma. He graduated from the Fniversity 



764 



WABASH COUNTY 



at Ciuciunati, Ohio, in 1809, altliougLi prior to 
this he had prai.ticed ten years. He served 
many years as Coroner of Wabash County, and 
his widow died ilay 9, 1908. HLs first marriage 
was to Sarah Grayson, by whom he had two 
daughters; Jennie, iXrs. W. C. Burns, oi Dan- 
ville. 111., and Sarah, Mrs. David Crawford who 
died in Tennessee. Mr. Mcintosh married i sec- 
ond) J:uie (McFarland) l''o.\, widow of Hiram 
Fox, by whom she had one sou. Hite, Assistant 
Cashier of the First National Bank, ot Allendale. 
The only child of the second marriage was Dr. 
John J. 

At the age of sixteen years John Jerome Mc- 
intosh entered the univei"sity of Vincennes, Xnd., 
two years later matriculated at Center College, 
Central University, Kentucky, and two years 
later entered the medical department of the 
Northwestern University, of Chicago, 111., 
from which he was graduated Cum Laude 
in June, 1905. He was elected to membership in 
the Aliiha Omega Alpha (Honorary Medical 
Fraternity). While a student he was an active 
member of the I'hi Beta Pi Medical fraternity. 
After serving eighteen months as interne in the 
Cook County Hospital, he returned to Vincennes, 
Ind., where he remained for six montlis in order 
to secure a life certificate for service in the State 
of Indiana. lu July, 1907, he located in Allen- 
dale, and took u|> the practice of his father, to 
which he has added materiall.v, and now has the 
satisfaction of being well established and very 
busy. He has established himself also in the 
confidence and esteem of all with whom he has 
aSKOCiated. and is considered one of the leading 
.voung physicians of the county, being well fitted 
by natural ability and training to rise in his pro- 
fession. In the fall of 1008 he was elected to the 
important office of County Coroner and is dis- 
charging the duties of same with credit. 

Dr. Mcintosh married. October ?>. 1908, Hester 
Holson. born at Allendale. 111., a daugliter of Fred 
and Xancy (Keneipp) Holsou. he born in Ger- 
many and she in Lawrence Count?'. 111. They 
have one daughter, Mary .Tane, born July 21. 
1909. and one son. John Jacksnn. born August 
9. 1910. Dr. Jlclntosh is a devout member of 
the Christian Church and is a deacon of same. 
Politically be is a Democrat and fraternally a 
member of the Jlodern Woodmen of America, 
Camp 1799. and the Masonic Lodge. Xo. 752. of 
.\llendale. He has many firm friends in the 
ooiinty and takes a lively interest In everything 
that affects the welfare of the people. He is a 
tvpical yoimg physician of today, keeping well 
informed on the latest discoveries and theories 
of bis i.riifession. and taking an intelligent in- 
terest in other current topics and issues. 

McKOWN, Larry H. — Among the enterprising 
youni: business men of Mt. Carmel, 111., is 
Larry H. JIcKown. who has built up a good busi- 
ness in the line of mortgage loans. Mr. McKown 
has been engaged in several lines of business and 
is well fitted by experience and ability to con- 
duct his enterjirise successfull.v. He was bom 



near Greenville, Floyd County, Ind., December 
t>, 1878, sou of M. C. and Anna (Sheets) Mc- 
Kown, both natives of Floyd County. His grand- 
parents were Hiram McKowu and wife, natives 
of Virginia, and Jacob Sheets and wile, the 
former born in West Virginia and the latter in 
Indiana. Hiram McKowu was a farmer in In- 
diana. 

M. C. McKown was married in Indiana, where 
he owned a farm and alSD conducted several 
cooper shops, which business he had learned 
when he was a young man. He lived in Indiana 
five years after his marriage, when he became 
ordained a minister of the Methodist Church 
and was located at different places. At this 
time he sold his farm to be able to devote his 
time entirely to his pastoral duties. He is now 
located at Bellmont, 111., where he has been liv- 
ing since the fall of 1908. Four children were 
born to Mr. McKuwn and wife, namely : Eva, 
died at the age of eighteen months ; Louis S., 
of Shawneetown, 111., a Methodist minister; 
Larry H. ; Harriet, Mrs. Bert Wilkes, of Mt. Car- 
mel. 

Larry H. JIcKown received a common and 
high school education, then attended the De 
Pauw L'niversity at Greencastle, Ind., and Vin- 
cennes University. He made the most of his 
educational advantages and became well fitted 
for making his own way in the world. He lived 
with his parents until his marriage, then lived 
for a time at Caunelton. Ind., where he t-on- 
ducted a tailor shop six mouths. Then moring 
to Louisville. Ky., he worked two years in a 
wholesale clothing house, when he removed to 
Xew Albany. Ind., and there took up life insur- 
ance business, which he followed two years, 
after which he worked about six months in a 
wholesale clothing house in Chicago. August 1, 
1906. Mr. McKown located in Mt. Carmel and 
engaged in his present line of business. He has 
won the confidence and regard of all who have 
bad dealings with him, in the way of business 
or .so(^ially, and is considered a representative, 
useful citizen. He is a Republican in politics 
and is nuich interested in local affairs. He be- 
longs to the Methodist Church and to the B. P. 
O. E. Xo. 715. of Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. McKowu man'ied. December 3, 1901, 
Mabel Rogers, who was born in Loogootee, Ind., 
daughter of B.vron L. Rogers and wife, of Ken- 
tucky. Mr. McKnown and his wife have one 
daughter. Lelia Ruth, born December 30. 1904. 

McNAIR, Charles E., of Friendsville Precinct, 
Wabash County. 111., conies of a family well- 
known in the county for nearly a century, and 
always identified with its best interests and pro- 
Tcss. The grandfather of Mr. McNair entered 
land three-riuarters of a mile north of Frlends- 
ville. and was one of the pioneer settlers. 
Chnrle* E. McNair was Iwrn in Friendsville Pre- 
cinct. January 13. 18-53. a son of James P. and 
Alargaret A. (Dennison) McNair. the former a 
native of the same precinct and the latter of 
Lawreiue County. 111., being born near Bridge- 



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WABASH COUNTY 



765 



port. Jaiues P. McXair married and located on 
an eighty-acre farm oue-lialt' mile east of liis 
father's home, this laud having been given him 
b.v the latter. lie built a house and entered 
fort.v acres more on the Crawfish l)ottoms. He 
died May 17, IS'JS. and his widow died August 5, 
ItKJO. Charles E. was their second child, the 
others being George, who died at the age of six- 
teen years, and JIary. who died at the age of 
seventeen years. Nearly the entire life of 
Charles E. McXair has been spent on the home 
place. He attended the district school in boy- 
hood and came into possession of the farm at his 
father's death. Here he carried on general 
farmlnir and raised cattle, hogs and horses, until 
February, 1902, then sold out and purchased 
nluetT,' acres oue-half mile west of Frieudsville, 
where he has resided since September, irx»6. 

Mr. McXair married (first) Sonora Jones, -who 
was born in Gibson County, Ind., daughter of 
Charles and Rachel (Xewsom) Jones, and they 
had two children : George, who died in infancy, 
and Maggie, married William L. Crum, of Lan- 
caster Precinct, and they have one child — Beatta 
Ruth, born October 2!). I'JOo. Mr. McXair mar- 
ried ( second » on December 30, 1891, Mary Ellen 
Oourter, liorn in Wabash County, a daughter of 
Daniel and Rebecca (Ashcraft) Courier. Her 
parents died when she was a .•^inall child, and she 
was reared in the family of Gifford Runyon, of 
Friendsville Precinct. By his second marriage 
Mr. McXair. has one child. Effle. at home. He 
and his wife are well-known and iiopular and 
have a large circle of friends. He is a Repub- 
lican in iwlitics and served as School Director 
one term. Fraternally he is affiliated with the 
Modern Woodmen of America, of Friendsville. 
and the Farmers' I'nion. of the same place. He 
is interested in every good cause. Like his 
father and trraiidfatlier before him. he is greatly 
interested in the development and welfare of the 
community, and is one of the public-spirited citi- 
zens of the county, being representative of its 
highest interests. 

MEYER, H. A., proprietor of a general store at 
Bellniont. 111., carries everything necessary in 
the way of hDUsehold and fann furnishings and 
appliances. Jlr. Meyer was born in Freeport. 
111., September 20. 186,S, a son of Harm and 
Catherine X'. (Ravenstine) Meyer, natives of Em- 
den, Germany. Catherine Ravenstine's father, 
located on a farm in Bellmont Precinct in 18.51. 
Harm Meyer was a sailor and after spending 
fifteen years on the ocean located at Ulim. Wis. 
There l>eing only Indians living there at that time 
he later moved to Wabash County. 111. After his 
marriage he and his wife located near Freeport. 
and two and a half years later they moved to 
Efl^ngham County ami bought PJOrt acres of farm 
land. He died there in 1902 and his wife on 
March 17, 1909. Their children were: H. A. 
Meyer, subject of this sketch ; Peter L., living 
in Bellmont since 1904: .John H.. of Mt. Carmel : 
Justus, dipfl at the age of seven years, l)eing the 
third child. 



At the age of nineteen years, having been edu- 
<-ated in the common and high schools of Effing- 
ham County, H. A. Meyer began working as clerk 
in a store at Bible Grove, 111. Two years later 
he went to Terre Haute, Ind., and took a two 
years' course in telegraphy and bookkeeping, after 
which he became manager of a general store at 
Dieterieh, 111. Mr. Meyer became a resident of 
Bellmont in 1889, when he took the position of 
station agent on the Southern Railroad, remain- 
ing in this iKJsition until 1905, when he embarked 
in the mercantile business with his brother Peter. 
This partnership was continued until March 7, 
1908, «hen Peter withdrew from the concern and 
H. A. Meyer has since carried on the enterprise 
alone. He keeps a large stock of standard grade 
goods and has built up a good trade, as well as a 
reputation for honest dealing. He stands well 
in the community and is successful in a financial 
way. 

Mr. Meyer married, July 3, 1893, Kate E. Maid- 
low, burn in \'anderburg County, Ind., a daughter 
of Henry and Elizabeth (Earl) Maidlow, also 
natives of Vanderburg County. Children as fol- 
lows were born to Mr. Meyer and his wife: Helen 
Frances. Ivy Gertrude and Edith Laura, all at 
home. Mr. Meyer's first wife died in April, 1903, 
and he married (second), on June 20, 1907, Fan- 
nie Avis Maidlow, sister to his first wife. They 
have no children. 

Mr. Meyer is an enterprising citizen and ac- 
tively interested in public affairs ; is a member 
of the Republican party and belongs to the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. He is afliliated with 
the I. O. O. F. Xo. 729. the JL W. A. Camp No. 
4f;71. the Royal Xeighbors and the Jlystic Work- 
ers, all ol which meet at Bellmont. 

MITCHELL, John Minton, who is one of the 
liest-knowu business men of Wabash County, 111., 
I'resident of the American National Bank of Mt. 
Carmel. and interested in many other public and 
private enterprises, has heen a resident of JIt. 
Carmel since 1883 and has identified himself 
with the progress and welfare of the community. 
The Mitchell fannly is of Scotch-Irish descent 
and came from England to America. They set- 
tled in Illinois about 1810 and the grandfather 
of .lohn M. Mitchell served as Colonel in the 
Forty -eighth Illinois Cavalry during the Civil 
War. Mr. .Mitchell was born in Franklin County, 
111.. July 10. 1802. son of Jesse G. and A. E. (Mar- 
vel) Mitchell. The father was born in Franklin 
County in 183."), and the mother in Gibson Count.v, 
Ind,, in 1837. Jesse G. Mitchell was for many 
years Postmaster of Locust Grove, Franklin 
Coimty. and was also a farmer, school-teacher 
and merchant. He became an extensive dealer 
in grain, tobacco and stock, and was successful 
in many lines. He was a natural leader of men 
and a man of influence in the community in which 
he lived, where he won many warm friends. He 
was naturally an optimist, and his liberality, 
good nature and high character were strongly 
felt by all who had any dealings with him. He 
also served as a local preacher of the Methodist 



766 



WABASH COUNTY 



Eniscopal Church. lu 1880 he sold his farm aud 
moved to Beutou, 111., where he engaged m mer- 
cantile business. He and his wife had six chil- 
dren, one of them dying in infancy. . , „ 
The early education of John Miuton Mitcuell 
was received in the public school, and he later 
attended the Southern Illinois University at Car- 
boiKlale aud the Central Normal College at Dan- 
ville, Ind., graduating from the latter institution 
at the age of eighteen years. He spent his hoy- 
hood on his father's farm and early learned the 
habits of industry which he has since followed. 
Upon leaving school he began working in his 
father's store at Uenton, 111., and in lS8a located 
in ilt. Carmel, where he engaged in the clothing 
business on his own account. After continuing lu 
this business a few years he embarked in the 
dry-goods business. In 18'J4 he sold his mercan- 
tile interests aud entered the banking business as 
President of the Wabash Savings Bank, and later 
became President of the American State Bank, 
which in 1901 became the American National 
Bank. Under his able management the affairs 
of this institution have prosi)ered and it is con- 
sidered one of the sound flnaucial institutions 
of this part of the State. Mr. Mitchell is well 
fitted to fill such a position, having had consid- 
erable experience in the business world, and his 
patrons naturally feel a confidence in his judg- 
ment and discretion in directing to the best in- 
terests of all concerned, the investments and 
other business interests that come under his su- 
Ijervision. 

Mr. Mitchell has been identified with many 
business enterprises besides the American Na- 
tional Bank, being President and owner of the 
American Exchange Bank, of Browns, 111.; Re- 
ceiver for the Mt. Carmel Gas & Electric Com- 
pany and for Mt. Carmel Light & Water Com- 
pany, and Treasurer of the Wilcox \^1iolesale 
Grocery Company. He is an active member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church of Mt. Carmel ; 
President of the Board of Trustees of McKendree 
College, of Lebanoi,, 111. : President of the South- 
ern Illinois Laymen's Association Southern Il- 
linois Conference, and of the Southern Illinois 
Conference Claimants' Society : a member of the 
Finance and Executive Committees of the Board 
of Sunday Schools of the Methodist Church of 
the W<irld. and served as delegate to the General 
Conference of the church held in Chicago in 1900. 
and of the one held in Baltimore in 1908. For 
the past fifteen years he has served as Superin- 
tendent of the Methodist Sunday School. Mt. 
Carmel, is member of its Board of Tnistees 
and serve<l four years as District President of the 
Epworth League for the Mt. Carmel District, 
and served eight years as President of the local 
Epworth League. Fraternally. Mr. Mitchell is a 
member of the Masonic Order, a Knight Templar 
.-iiid Mystic Shriner (affiliated with Medinah 
Teniiile. Chicago '). and is also identified with the 
Odd Fellows. Woodmen and the Tribe of Ben 
llur. In fiolitics he is a Republican. 

.Tune 1. IS.Sn. Mr. Mitchell was maiTied. at 
3It. Carmel. 111., to Miss Delia Russell, who was 



born in Mt. Carmel, March 28, 1868, a daughter 
of Charles R. and Franc-es Russell. The Rus- 
sell family was identified with the early pi-o- 
gress and development of Mt. Carmel, the grand- 
father of ilrs. Mitchell, Abraham Russell, set- 
ting there lu 1817. They are of rugged, pio- 
neer stock, and have always been public-spirited, 
useful citizens. Three daughters have blessed 
the union of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell, namely : 
Grace Rand, born March 9. 1887 ; Frances Rus- 
sell, May 28, 1890; EUnor, October 14, 1892,— all 
born in Mt. Carmel. Mr. Mitchell owns the fam- 
ily home on East Fifth Street aud other city real 
estate, besides large holdings of Texas lands. 
He is a genial, whole-souled optimist, not easily 
discouraged in any undertaking in which he has 
embarked, is by nature industrious aud conserva- 
tive, but the friend of real progress and believes 
In modern enterpri.se. He is socially inclined aud 
greatly enjoys the company of his friends and 
intimates. Both he and his wife are prominent 
in church and social circles. 

MOORE, Benjamin Franldin. — One of the repre- 
sentative men of Wabash County who has been 
before the public in various capacities during 
the past few years is Benjamin Franklin Moore, 
Sheriff of \\'abash County, aud a well known 
citizen of Mt. Carmel. He was born December 
20. 1861. near Metroiwlis, Massac County, 111., 
and is a son of Benjamin Franklin aud Emily 
(Tanner) Moore. 

The father of Mr. Moore was born in Perry 
County, Tenn., in 1826, and there married Emily 
Tanner, who was bom in the same county in 1834. 
In 1860 they moved to Mas.sac County, 111., there 
bought a farm, and in 1861 Mr. Moore enlisted 
in Company B. (Jue Hundred Thirty-first Regi- 
ment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry. While on a 
.scouting expedition near Atlanta. Ga.. Mr. Moore 
was captured by the Confederates and sent to 
Andersonville Prison for several months, but fi- 
nally, in company with four others, he managed to 
escape and made his way to his home in Massac 
County, arriving in a nearly starved condition. 
Being unable to rejoin his regiment, he went to 
Caseyville, Ky.. and there joined the Third Ken- 
tucky Volunteer Cavalry, with which he re- 
mained until the close of the war. After the 
close of hostilities he bought a farm in Union 
County. Ky., which he operated until 1871. then 
moved to Saline County, 111., but subsetpiently 
went to Johnson County, where his death oc- 
curred in 188.5. His wife survived until 190.'5, 
when she passed away at the home of one of her 
daughters, having formerly lived with her son, 
Benjamin F.. for some time. 

Benjamin Franklin Moore was educated in 
T'nion County. Ky.. and Saline County. III., and 
remained at home until eighteen years of age, 
when he went to work in the coal mines at Spil- 
lertown. Williamson County, working for John 
Wilerfiird for a little over a year. He then went 
to Murphysl>oro. 111., where he worked for a 
short time in the mines, then beroming a brake- 
man on the Mobile & Ohio Railroad, a jKisition 



WABASH COUNTY 



767 



which he held lor six months. In 1881 he came to 
Wabash County, 111., and tirst worked in a mine 
near Maud, working for a few mouths for Ja- 
cob Zimmerman, then going to Saline County, 
111., and assisting in opening a mine at Clifton. 
He worked there until his marriage, July 3. 1883, 
to Lida Van Seudeu, born in Wabash County, a 
daughter of J. A. and Samautha (Rigg) Van 
Seuden. After marriage Mr. Moore worked for 
Harvey Hughs in the Clifton mines until the fol- 
lowing spring, when he commenced farming, his 
first venture being on the farm of his father-in- 
law, near Maud. The following year he rented 
the Jack McLain farm on Bonpas Prairie, which 
he sold and moved to I'ratt County, Kan. He 
next went to Metropolis, where he conducted 
a liverj- concern for three years, then going to 
Johnson CV)unty and serving as City Marshall at 
Buniside, and as Deputy Sheriff of the county 
under Sheriff M. A, Hankins. Moving back to 
Wabash County in liXlO, he came to Mt. Carmel 
and bought a livery business on Fourth Street, 
and in 1!K>3 was elected Alderman on the Repub- 
lican ticket. In 1904 he sold his business on 
Fourth Street and bought the old Woods House 
and a lot adjoining on which he erected a liv- 
ery stable. In addition to these, he owns three 
other properties in Mt. Carmel. In the fall of 
1906, Mr. Moore was nominated for the office 
Sheriff and Collector of Wabash County, his op- 
ponent being Alec Compton. who defeated him. 
Twenty days after the election. Mr. Compton 
was murdered, and at the subsequent special 
election necessary to fill the vacancy, Jlr. Moore 
defeated James Williams, his Democratic op- 
ponent, by 160 votes, in a county that ordinarily 
has a Democratic majority of .SOO to 400. He has 
been one of the liest officials Wabash County has 
ever had and has the confidence and resi^ect of 
his fellow citizens. 

Mr. Moore has a daughter. Carrie, and an 
adopted daughter, Glad.vs. He and his wife are 
members of the Christian Church. Fraternally 
he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Mod- 
ern Woodmen, the Tribe of Ben Htir and the 
Order of Elks. 

MORGAN, Calvin Douglas (deceased). — The 
Morgan family has been prominent in Wabash 
County, 111., for many years, and its members 
have been representative of the highest t.vpe of 
citizenshiii. Calvin D. Morgan, who was a pros- 
perous farmer of Wabash Precinct, was engaged 
at various times in other pui-suits. but again 
turned his attention to farming, and became the 
owner of a larsre farm. He was bom in Lancas- 
ter Precinct. April 29. lS(il. a son of George W. 
and Man- t Preston) Morgan, the former of Lan- 
caster and the latter of Friendsville Precinct. 
The grandiiarents were Calvin and Xancy ( Oun- 
ton) Morgan, of Tennes.see and North Carolina, 
resiiectively, and .Joseph Preston and wife, all 
early settlers and farmers of Wabash Countj-, 
where they died. 

After his marriage George W. Morgan settled 
on a farm in Lancaster Precinct and became an 



extensive farmer. He died in 1906 and his wife 
in 1901. Their children were: Frank, of Ed- 
wards County, 111. ; Calvin D. ; George, deceased ; 
Jacob, of Lancaster Precinct ; Joseph and Eli, 
of West Salem, Edward Ctountj', 111. ; Nellie, Mrs. 
John Bradham, of Lancaster Precinct. 

Until his marriage Calvin D. Morgan resided 
with his parents, then settled on part of the home 
place, where he carried on farming. He also 
conducted a portable saw-mill and a threshing 
machine, and a clover huller. Later he moved 
to Allendale, and continued to oi)erate the thresh- 
ing machine and saw-mill until the date of his 
death, during which time he purchased 160 
acres of land in Wabash Precinct, and con- 
tinued to add to it until he had 367 acres, all 
river bottom laud e.xcept nine acres where the 
houst and other buildings are located. He was 
an extensive corn-grower, dividing his time be- 
tween this industrj- and operating his threshing 
machine and s;iw-mill. He was a Democrat in 
ixditical belief and had served as School Direc- 
tor. Fraternally he belonged to the Modern 
Woodmen of America and the Mystic Workers of 
the World, of Allendale. He and his wife won a 
large circle of friends and became important 
factors in the social life of the neighborhood. 
They always espoused the cause of progress and 
sliowed interest in every worthy cause. Both be- 
came members of the Christian Church of Allen- 
dale. 

Mr. Jlorgan's marriage occurred January 11, 
18S2, when he was united with Laura B. Roberts, 
born in Mt. Carmel. III.. January 30, 1865, a 
daughter of Rudd and Lucinda (Montgomery) 
Roberts, both natives of Wabash County. The 
children born of this marriage were: Clara, Mrs. 
Cain Clark, of Waba.sh Precinct; Albert, Mamie 
and Gladys, at home; Flora, who died at the age 
of nine ye.ai-s : and seven children who died in 
infancy. Mr. Morgan's death occurred August 
22, 1910, 

MOYER, Charles Wesley, a prominent and high- 
ly esteemed resident of Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wa- 
bash County. 111., where for many years he has 
carried on general farming, is a native of Prince- 
ton, Ind., born February 14, 18.">7, a son of Joseph 
and Sarah (Stone) Moyer, the former born in 
Pennsylvania and the latter in Wabash Couuty, 
III., and grandson of Peter Moyer, who was born 
in Pennsylvania, and William Stone, born in 
England. The grandparents were all earl.v set- 
tlers of Waliash County, 111., where .Joseph and 
Sarah Moyer were married. They moved to In- 
diana and lived on a rented fanu six .vears, but 
retttriied to Wabasli County, where both died, he 
about 1SS2 and she about l.S.'^O. Their children 
were: Maria, Mrs, George Wilson, deceased; 
William, of Mt Cannel : Charles W. ; .Tames, 
of Mt. Carmel. and Franklin, deceased. 

T'ntil he was twenty years of age. Charles W. 
Mover lived with his mother and received his 
education in the public schools. He worked 
about ten years at farm work for others, and 
when thirty years old. rented land and farmed 



768 



WABASH COUNTY 



for himself, coutinuiug tbis occupation iiutil 
HMO, when lie purcliased six acres of laud in 
the eastern part of ilt. Carmel. He rents sixty 
acres of land near Lis borne and bere carries on 
general farming. He lias been successful in his 
work and is well known for his industry and 
thrift. The Moyer family has been ideutitied 
with the history of Wabash County and its 
members have been among the highest tyi^e of 
citizens, doing the best for themselves and their 
community. 

Mr. Moyer married, in September, 1881, Emma 
Stroh, who was born in Wabash County, daugh- 
ter of Isaiah and Eliza (Seitz) Stroh, the former 
a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Wa- 
bash County. The children born of this union 
were : Leslie I., of Mt. Carmel, 111. ; Nora E., 
Mrs. Ijyman Stultz, of Friendsville Precinct ; 
Maud, died in infancy. Mrs. Moyer died in Janu- 
ary, l'J02, and in September. 1903, Mr. Moyer 
married (second) Mrs. Flora (Wirth) Kern, 
widow of Thomas Kern, who had seven chil- 
dren by her former marriage, namely : Mame, 
of Mt. Carmel ; Laura, Jlrs. Fred Baringer, of 
Los Angeles, Cal. ; ,Iohn, of Danville, 111. ; Will- 
lam, of Wabash County ; Maud, Jlrs. Christ 
Onihy, of EsthervlUe, la. ; Fred, of Mt. Carmel ; 
Martha, of St. Louis, Mo. By his second mar- 
riage Mr. Moyer has one child. Paul, born March 
12, 1905. In iwlitics Mr. Moyer is Independent 
and votes for the man he considers best fitted 
to hold oflSce. He is a member of the Evangeli- 
cal Association and fraternally is a Modern 
American. He stands well in the community 
and has a large circle of friends. 

MOYER, Edward Joseph (deceased), who died 
at his home in Mt. Carmel, 111., September 18, 
190.3, was for many years iirominent in public 
affairs in Wabash County and had served in 
city and county offices. He was a stanch sui> 
porter of the Democratic party, took a deep inter- 
est in political matters, and is kindly remembered 
by all who knew him. Mr. Moyer was the friend 
of education and of all worthy objects, devoting 
both time and niduey to the ]ii-ouiotion of any 
cause which he believed for the Interest of the 
people. He was a man of sterling honesty and 
integrity and. in his business dealings, was ac- 
tuated by the highest jirinciples of fairness and 
honor. He was a kind, indulgent husband and 
father and gave his children the best educational 
advantages he was able, always feeling a deep 
interest in their being fitted for useful lives. 

Mr. Moyer was born in Mt. Carmel. .July 23. 
1842. a son of Paul and Mary (Alenderl Moyer. 
both natives of Pennsylvania, being born in Allen- 
town, where their marriage took jilace. Paul 
Moyer went to Wabash County to make a home 
for his family, and after si>ending a year there, 
returned for his wife and they came back as far 
as Princeton, when their funds being exh.austed, 
they found it necessar.v to walk the remainder 
of the way to Mt. Carmel. where they settled 
down. He performed any kind of work he could 
find at first and for some time clerked in a store. 



In 1873 his wife died and in the fall of 1875 he 
married (second) Susan Ilamer, of Marshall, 111., 
where they lived until 1894, when Mrs. Moyer 
died. Mr. Moyer finally returned to Mt. Carmel 
and lived with his daughtei', Mrs. Fred Kern, un- 
til his death, November 9, 1903. 

Edward J. Moyer received his primary educa- 
tion in the common schools and also attended Mt. 
Carmel Academy. Between the ages of seven- 
ten and twenty-one years he learned the trade 
of cabinet-maker with Mr. Cosier, of Mt. Car- 
mel. He then went to Evansville, Ind., and 
worked as a mill-wright until his marriage, No- 
vember 14, 1867, to Mary E. Collins, of Vin- 
cennes, Ind., where she was born January 8, 
1850. a daughter of Alexander and Delilah (El- 
der) Collins. Mr. Collins was born in Tennes- 
see and his wife in North Carolina. He was a 
stationary engineer and in 1850 moved to Patoka, 
Ind., where he died in February, 1875, and his 
widow in Jlay of the same year. 

After his marriage Edward J. Moyer took up 
his residence in Mt. Carmel and for many .years 
was employed as clerk. He was afterward em- 
ployed by various firms as buyer, and in 1898 
began working at book-keeping for different con- 
cerns, as his ser\ices were needed. In 1895 he 
purchased a handsome residence on East Ninth 
Street, Mt. Carmel. where his widow still resides. 
The following children were born to him and his 
wife : Cloten, a school-teacher, of Kingman, 
Kan. : Frank, of Cairo, 111., a yard-master in the 
employ of the Illinois Central Railroad Company, 
married Helen Gallagher, of Marshall, 111. ; Ethel, 
married Deloyd Malloy, of Chicago; Cora, Mrs. 
Paul E. I'epper, of Mt. Carmel; Lyman T., of 
(ialveston. Tex., freight clerk for a railroad com- 
pany; Muriel, married Joseph L. McClellan, an 
engineer for the Big Four Railroad Company, 
living at Mt. Carmel ; Helen, attending the high 
school. 

Mr. Jloyer served several times as Alderman 
of Mt. Carmel, and in the fall of 1902 was elected 
to the office of Treasurer of Wal)ash County. He 
discharged the duties of each office in a satisfac- 
tory manner, and was considered a competent of- 
ficial. 

MTJNDY, Hon. Mahlon H., who is one of the most 
jirominent Democrats in Wabash County, 111,, 
and has served in several public offices in the 
State, as well as in local offices, has been en- 
gaged in the practice of law at Mt. Carmel, 111., 
since 1880. Mr. Mundy was born in Lancaster 
Precinct, Wabash County, March 8, 1S.50, a son 
of Henry and .Mary ( Penson ) Mundy, the former 
a native nf Edwards County and the latter of 
Waliash CWunty. Heniy Mundy was a son of 
Samuel and Phelie (Reed) Mundy, lioth born 
in New Jersey, the fonner in 1785 and the latter 
in 1787. Phel>e Reed was a davigbter of William 
and Rachel Reed and a cousin of President 
Pierce, and her husband was a .son of Samuel 
and Abigail Mundy. 

Samuel JI\uidv and his wife were married 
November .30. iSOn, and in 1818 they came to 



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WABASH COUNTY 



769 



wliat is uow Wabash County, 111., llieu a part 
of Edwards County. Their children were : 
Gritlith, bom Juue 22, 1S13 ; William, born May 
2t), 1S15 ; James M., born Juue 0, ISIT ; Henry, 
boru February 2U, 1S20 ; N'elsou, boru Februaiy 
10, 1822, died January 3, 1824; Caroline, boru 
May 21, 1824 ; Samuel, boru December 25, 1825 ; 
John Q. A., born October 15. 1827 ; Phebe A., 
born July 23, 1829; Julia A., born November 1, 
1831 ; Jersey A., boru November 12, 1834. The 
I'enson family were natives of Couuectlcut and 
were early settlers of what is now Wabash 
County. 

Henry Munday married and settled on a farm 
in Lancaster I'recinct. He was born February 
26, 1820, and his wife March 12, 1824. He 
died on his farm, Juue 7, 1896, and since then 
his widow remains on the old homestead. Their 
children were : Carl, died in infancy ; -\lleu, 
deceased ; JIahlon ; Samuel, of Mt. Carmel ; 
Maria and Frances M.. deceased ; Sarah Jane. 
Mrs. W. A. Risley, of Mt. Carmel ; JIary Ellen, 
died in 1888 ; PUebe A., Mrs. John Mason, of Ed- 
wards County, 111. 

The early years of Mahlou H. Mundy were 
spent on his father's farm and he attended the 
coumion schools. He remained at home until he 
reached his majority and then worked a year 
and a half on a farm, after which he went to 
Warrontou. Warren County, Mo., and attended 
the Central Western College two years. Return- 
ing to Illinois he went to Edwards County and 
taught four years, then began reading law with 
Judge Phinney 1>. I'reston. of Oluey. 111. Three 
years later he came to Mt. Carmel and engaged 
in the practice of law there, January 1, 1880. He 
has been successful from the start and stands 
high in liis profession. 

In ]ioIitical views Mr. Mundy is a strong Demo- 
crat and is active in party affairs. He served 
from 18.84 until 1.S06 as State's Attorney, and 
as a nipniber of the Forty-third and Forty-fourth 
General Assemblies of Illinois. He held the of- 
fice of Master in Chancery from 1905 to 1909. 
and was elected City Attorney in 18S2 and again 
in 1884, .serving two terms of two years each. 
Fraternally he is a member of the Benevolent 
Protective Order of Elks. No. 715, of Mt. Car- 
mel. and has many friends among all classes. 
He is w-ell known among business men and is 
looked upon as a representative, patriotic citizen 
of the city, county and State. 

Mr. Mundy married (first). January C. 1884. 
Mrs. Isabel Phipps. who was bora in Lawrence 
County, Ind.. widow of Larkin Phipps, and 
daugliter of David and Catherine Boyles. of 
Lawrence County, Ind. By her first marriage 
she had two children: Harry M.. of Mt. Car- 
mel, and Minta, Mrs. J. F. SicDonald. of Vir- 
ginia. One daughter was liorn of her marriage 
to Mr. Mundy. Hazel. Mrs. Fred Lewis, of Co- 
lumbus, Ind. Mrs. Mundy died September 21. 
1894. and Mr. Mundy married (second) October 
18. ia95. Mrs. Emma L. (Koegley) Robinson, 
widow of John Robinson. She had two children 
by her first marriage: Estella. Mrs. J. S. Camp- 



bell, of Marion, HI., aud Hattie, who lives with 
.Mr. Mundy aud her mother. By his second mar- 
riage Mr. Mundy had no children. 

MUNDY, William R. (deceased).— The late Wil- 
iam R Mundy, of Lick I'rairie Precinct, Wabash 
County, 111., spent most of his life in the county, 
where his parents were among the earliest set- 
tlers. The family have been useful members 
of the community aud have helped build up the 
local institutions and promote the general wel- 
fare. Mr. iluudy was a prominent member of 
the Methodist Church aud served many years as 
a steward. He was active in ix>litical affairs 
and served several years as County Commis- 
sioner, beiug a Republican in his views. He was 
active in the Farmers' Grange and was much 
interested in its progress. He has beeu missed 
from many circles and his many friends remem- 
ber with gratitude his public spirit and many 
good traits of character. 

Mr. Mundy was born iu New Jersey, May 26, 
1815, the sou of Samuel and Phebe Mundy, also 
natives of New Jersey, who located on a farm 
iu Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash Couuty, when 
the surrounding country was a vast prairie and 
almost entirely unsettled. They entered land 
from the Government aud lived on it until a few 
yeare before their deaths, then moved to Mt. 
Carmel. William R. Mundy lived at home with 
his parcn-ts until his marriage, and was educated 
in the country schools of the time. He and his 
wife began housekeeping on a farm iu Lancas- 
ter Precinct, and he afterward entered a farm 
of ](!(• acres in Lick Prairie I'recinct, part of it 
in timber. He improved the land and erected a 
house, developing a fine farm. He became an ex- 
tensive stock-raiser and was an energetic farmer, 
making the most of his opportunities. He be- 
came very successful and had a good standiug in 
the couHuunity. 

-Mr. .Mundy married (tirst) December 30, 1S;58, 
.Sarah Risley. who was boru in Wabash County, 
a (laughter of Jeremiah and Rachel Risley. Mrs. 
.Mundy died in June, 18.59, having had children 
as follows: I'hineas. boru April 9, 1,S40. died 
at the age of a year and a half; Frances C, born 
October 23, 1841, married Isaac Breese, who 
died, and she now lives in Mt. Carmel ; Henry 
Clay, born June 3, 1844. died at the age of a 
year and a half ; Ezra Green, born January 12. 
1846. deceased: William Hardin, liorn January 
3. 1.S49. deceased; Charles Miller, bom June 11, 
1851, deceased; Sarah Alice, born May 31, 18.54, 
now Mrs. Eli Knowles of El Paso County. Colo. ; 
.\scnath .Vdeline. born October 5. 1.857. married 
Simon Epler. and died at .\Ibion, 111., in 1908; 
.\nna Isabel, born Jinie 19, l.s.59. now Jlrs. Jacob 
Ejiler. of Glendora. Cal. .Mr. Mundy was mar- 
ried (se<'ond) M.-irch 20 1860. to Mary .\nn Ris- 
ley, born in Mt. Carmel, 111.. May 20. 18.35, daugh- 
ter of Daniel aud Eliza (Harl'and) Risley, na- 
tives of New Jersey, aud grand-daughter of Jere- 
miah and Rachel (Tilton) Risley, also natives 
of New .Tersey. who were early settlers of Wa- 
liash County. 111. By his second marriage Mr. 



770 



WABASH COUNTY 



Muudy had no children. His death occui-red No- 
vember 7, 1899, siiK-e which time his widow- 
has lived on the home farm, which she rents out. 
Mrs. Muudy is well known in the vicinity of her 
home, having spent her entire life in Wabash 
County, and she has a large circle of friends. 

MYERS, Albert, who, for some fifteen years 
fouducted a saw-mill and threshing machine, 
besides conducting his farm in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct, Wabash Couuty, III., uow confines his at- 
tention to the cultivation of hi.s laud. Mr. Myers 
is active in public affairs, is a Republican in 
politics, and has served several terms as School 
Director. He was born in West Salem Township. 
lOdwards C'bunty. 111.. March 28, 1852, a sou of 
John and Emily (Xiphong) Myers, the latter a 
native of North Carolina. No complete record 
regarding the family iif .Jolm Myers is in exist- 
ence, as he was working on a flat-boat on the 
Mississippi River aud died of cholera at 
Natchez, Miss., the year his sou .\.lbert was liorn. 
I'hnily Nijihoug was brought by her parents to 
Edwards County, 111., when she was a small child 
and. in 1832. married (first) Peter Snider, a 
cabinet-maker, wlio was born in 1800 aud died 
at Mt. Carmel, March 11, 1839. They had chil- 
dren as follows: Mary C, Cynthia A., William 
H.. and Susixn A.,* all deceased. John aud Emily 
Slyers had five children, of whom All>ert was 
the .voungcst. They were : Jo.seph, of Edwards 
Cbuuty. III.: Martha, deceased; John, of Bur- 
ton, Kan. ; Mathias. of West Salem, aud Albert. 
Mr. Jlyers had been married before and had 
three children : (Jeorge, who died in January, 
1910; Philip, of Richland County. 111.; Jane, 
Mrs. C. Cunningham, deceased. After the death 
of her husband Mi-s. Myers married (third) An- 
thony Wilkinson, by whom she had no chil- 
dren. She died April ,5, 1893. 

The education of Albert Myers was secured in 
the common schools of Edwards, Wliite and Wa- 
liash C<mutics, and he remained with his mother 
until he was sixteen years of age, then worked 
five years for Rosander Smith, on a farm in 
L.-incaster Precinct. Waliash Couuty. He worked 
one sunuuer at Bone Gap. Edwards County, and 
then bought a farm of forty acres in Section 1, 
of Lancaster Precinct, of which only two acres 
were cleared. He made all the improvements on 
the jilace and added twenty acres, having it 
all under cultivation exceiit six acres of tim- 
ber. He first erected a log house, in which he 
lived fifteen years, aud it is still standing, be- 
ing now used to hold cattle fodder. He has since 
erected a modern residence aud has Iniilt all the 
barns aud other buildings on his farm. In the 
fall of 1875 he sold out and went to Rockdale. 
Tex., where he remained two months, then re- 
turned and bought back the old farm ; about 
fourteen years later engaged in conducting his 
tlireshing machine and .saw mill, whidi he dis- 
continued in 1905. He has been successful 
through his own efforts and is a self-made man. 
He belongs to the Church of Christ, of Berry- 



ville. 111., and is much interested in every good 
cause. 

September 28, 1870. Mr. Myers married Anna E. 
Ilinderliter, who was born in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct. March 7. 1857. daughter of Henry aud 
Caroline (Seibert) Ilinderliter, the former born 
in Pennsylvania aud the latter in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct. The paternal grandparents were Henry 
and Elizabeth (iisheri Ilinderliter, of Penn- 
sylvania, who came to Lancaster Precinct when 
their son Henry was a child ; and on the maternal 
side John and Mary Ann (Carriger) Seibert, who 
were al.so from Pennsylvania, and among the first 
to settle in Lancaster Precinct. Two children 
were born to Mr. Myers aud his wife: Rosa 
Jane, who married Elder S. O. Pool, a minister 
of the Church of C^hrist, now at Wenatchee, 
Wash., and they have five children — Minnie Inez, 
Jacob Essou, Paul Sharon, Eunice Joy and Leon 
Myers, and John Wilbur, of West Salem Town- 
ship. Edwards County, 111., who married Bessie 
McKenzie and they have four childi-en — Morley 
Lavine. I^ester Albert. Roy Kenneth and Clifton 
Samuel. 

NEWKIRK, Paul, on of the most extensive 
farmers in Friendsville Precinct, Wabash 
County, was born on the farm where he now re- 
sides, aud upon which his father settled as a 
young num. He is a sou of Zachariah aud Eliza 
X. ( (ireathouse) Newkirk, and was born Oeto- 
lier 20, 1851. His father was a native of Ohio, 
and had two brothers. Hugh aud William, who 
were early settlers of Wabash County. Eliza 
A. Greathouse was a daughter of early setlers 
ofof Friendsville Precinct, Wabash County, 
where she was born. 

The first marriage of Zachariah Newkirk was 
to a Mi.ss Higgins, and they had two children : 
a son. who died in infanc.v, and Martha, who 
niaiTied James Campbell, and had four chil- 
dren — Mary Eliza, Clara, Charles and Ada. Af- 
ter his second marriage Mr. Newkirk located on 
the farm where his son Paul now lives, and be- 
gan housekeeping in a very modest manner. For 
their wedding supper he and his wife had corn 
meal mush. However, he was ambitious and in- 
dustrious and liecame the owner of a fine farm 
of 040 acres. But little of this land was cleared 
aud he <-leared and impi'oved most of it himself. 
Part of this land he secured from Geary W. 
Smith, who had entered it from the Govern- 
ment. Mr. Newkirk was a successful farmer and 
raised a large number of cattle, horses and hogs. 
He died on this farm November 7. 1863, and his 
widow died in August, 1876. Their children 
were : JIarv E.. married Jackson Buchanan, de- 
ceased : William IT., deceased; Paul; Clara, mar- 
ried .Tames Buchanan, who died, and she after- 
wards married Clate TTutchinson. of Wabash Pre- 
cinct; Eliza .\nn. Mrs. ,\ll)ert Sapp. of Washing- 
ton ; James Enoch, of Mt. Carmel Precinct. 

Paul Newkirk was reared on his father's farm 
and also siient two terms in the Friendsville 
High School. At the time of his father's death 
he came into possession of sixty-six acres of 



WABASH COUNTY 



771 



land, helped his mother as long as she lived, and 
after her death bought 141) acres from the 
other heirs. He has added to his laud until he 
now owns 338 acres, all of which except forty 
acres, is under cultivation. He is an enterpris- 
ing and intelligent farmer and. besides carrying 
on general farming, has invested in high-grade 
stock, raising Oxford and Shropshire sheep, Po- 
land China hogs, registered Durham cattle and 
draft horses. 

Mr. Xewliirk married, November 22, 1877, 
Catherine L. Stroh. of a well known pioneer 
family in Wabash County. She was born in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, daughter of J. B. and Elvira 
(Leed) Stroh, natives of Pennsylvania and Mt. 
■Carniel, resj^ectivel.v. Children were born to 
them as follows: Eliza Ann. lX)rn May 8, 1879, 
died January 7. 1001 ; Bertha, born July i. 1880, 
married Glenn Shephard and they have a daugh- 
ter, Catherine, born April 23. IfXJG ; Lillie May, 
born March 9, 1882, of OIney, 111. ; Herbert Nel- 
son born January 12 1884 married Blanche Wil- 
kinson, who was born in Friendsville Precinct, 
September 10, 1883. and they have one child, 
Virginia May, born Maixh (J, 1909 : Joshua Bern- 
ard born February 10, 188:5, lives at home 
Herbert Nelson and his family reside on a part 
of the home farm. Jlr. Newkirk is a member 
of the Christian Church and has been an Elder 
since 19f).5. He is an Independent Democrat, and 
fraternally belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
America : the Tribe of Ben Hur of Mt. Carmel. 
and Modern America of Friendsville. He sunk 
a well on his farm in 1908. The family have a 
large circle of friends and are well known in the 
comnmnity. 

NEWKIRK, Rufus M., an enterprising and pub- 
lic-spirited citizen of Friendsville Precinct. Wa- 
bash County. 111., who is actively identified with 
every movement that tends toward tne welfare 
and development of his comuiunity. was born in 
Muskingum County, Ohio. February 6. 1.849. a 
son of William and Sarah (Crooks) Newkirk, 
the former bcirn in New Jersey and the latter in 
Maryland, and grandson of Abram and Grace 
(Lojierl Newkirk. natives of New Jersey, and 
Robert and Elizabeth ( Brelsford ) Crook, of Ire- 
land. .\liram Newkirk was killed when his son 
William was but six years of age. and his widow 
brought her family to Wabash County. 111., be- 
lwet>n lS4."i and 18."j0. William Newkirk did not 
oome to Wabash County until 1,S.5S and in IS-'tO 
he purchased a tract of land in Section do. 
Town 1 North. Range 13 West, in Friendsville 
Precinct, half prairie and half timber. He had 
160 acres in the home farm and 100 acres south 
of Friendsville. where Jacob Zimmerman now 
lives. Mr. Newkirk made all possilile improve- 
ments and erected one of the tii-st brick bouses 
in the county. lie was killed by the memorable 
cyclone at Mt. Carmel. June 4. 1877. and his 
widow survived him until December. ISOl. Their 
rbildren were: MaiT Jane. Mrs. Jairus Great- 
house, died at Anna. 111., in 1908 ; Clarinda. JIi-s. 



Alfred McNair, died about 1861 ; Nathan Henry 
and Clari.ssa, drowned in 1852. and Rufus M. 

Rufus M. Newkirk was the youngest child 
of his parents and has spent his life on the home 
farm since he was brought there a small child. 
He attended the district schools and Friends- 
ville Academy and received a good education. 
His father gave him the homestead, to which he 
has added twenty acres. He has cleared it and 
put it under cultivation except about fifteen 
acres of timber land. Besides carrying on gen- 
eral farming he makes a specialty of raising 
Red I'olled, Durham and Jersey cattle, and has 
a fine dairy herd. He also raises Poland-China 
hogs, and horses for general use. He is a Re- 
publican in ix)litics and served twenty years as 
School Director. Fraternally he is a member 
of the Masonic Order, being affiliated with 
Ijodge No. 329. of Mt. Carmel. and also belongs 
to the Ben Hur Tribe. No. 97, of Mt. Carmel. 
He is an ambitious farmer and has developed 
his farm to a fine i)roi>erty. 

.Mr. .Newkirk was married, in September, 1874, 
to Martha Hallock. who was born in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, daughter of Aaron B. and Acenih (Og- 
den) Hallock. Children as follows were born to 
this union : Sarah Catherine, Mrs. Adelbert 
Shearer, of Centralia. Wash. ; Anna, died in in- 
fancy ; Gertrude and Grace, twins, the latter 
of whom died in infancy, and Gertrude is wife 
of A'ern Mundy. of Clierry, Colo. : Amy, at home ; 
William, died at the age of two years; a .sou and 
daughter who died in infancy; Allen, at home; 
and another daughter who died in infancy. 

NOLLER, William, a successful buaineaa man 
of Mt. Carmel. 111., is a native of that city and 
inherited his present busines-s from his father, 
who established it in 1853. It is, therefore, one 
of the oldest enterprises in the county and 
has been constantly doing business for more 
than half a century. William Noller was born 
November 21, 1864, and has sjient his entire life 
in the city where he now resides, having received 
his education there and also his business train- 
ing. His father. Carl Noller. was born in Ger- 
many, at Geildorf. and his second wife, Margaret 
Zindel. was born near the same place. They 
were married near Mt. Carmel and became the 
parents of four children. He was a cabinet- 
maker and worked for some time at his trade in 
Evansville. Ind.. and later established a furni- 
ture factory in Mt. Carmel. in connection with a 
retail furniture and undertaking establishment. 
By 1.S64 be had steam-power for carr.vlng on his 
work at the factory and in time had a very good 
trade. He died January 1. 1906. leaving his 
entire business interests to his son. His wife 
died in 1872. His children were Amelia. Jlrs. 
J. Q. Ilersrbelman. of South Dakota ; Louisa, 
whi) married .Michael Walsh, of Springfield 
Mo. : Wilhelmina. Mrs. .Michael Smith, of Gray- 
ville. 111., and William. 

Mr. Noller worked with his father until he 
was twenty-one years old when lie became his 
father's business jiartner. and the firm name 



772 



WABASH COUNTY 



was Noller & Sou. He has coutiuued the busi- 
ness aud also makes a specialty ot repairiug tur- 
uiture. Uuder liis father s iustructiou he had 
learned the lull details ol the work carried uu, 
aud was well litted to take charge of the es- 
tablishnieut. lie stands well iu the commuuity 
and has been successful iu a financial way. He 
carries a good stock of modern goods and gives 
carelul attention to his customers" wants. 

Air. NoUer is well informed on current topics 
and the issues and events of the day, aud takes 
an active iuterest in the welfare and pi-ogress 
of the community. He is well known iu >It. 
Carniel aud has a large circle of friends. Po- 
litically he is indepeudent, aud is a member of 
the German Evangelical Church. He is un- 
married. 

ODOM, James, one of the most extensive farm- 
ers of Bellmout Precinct, Wabash County, 111., 
has become the owner of cousiderable land as the 
result of hard work aud earnest effort combined 
with e.xcellent .judgmeut. Mr. Odom was born 
in Coffee Precinct. Wabash County, April 3, 
1857, a son of Zedekiah aud Louisa (Leasor) 
Odom, the former a native of Iowa. When James 
Odom was but three years old his father died, 
his widowed mother later marrying Matthew 
Crackle, of Couipton Preciuct. where they con- 
tinued to live. Mr. Crackle was killed during the 
Civil War, about 1803. and his widow aftenvard 
married Shuble Jordan, and they moved to Posey. 
County, lud. After living about six years in 
Posey County, they moved to Gibson County, 
Ind., where Mr. Jordan died iu 1875. His 
widow then returned to Compton Precinct, Wa- 
bash County, where her death occurred in 1879. 
By her first marriage she had two sous : James, 
subject of this sketch, aud William, who died at 
the age of fifteen years. By her third marriage 
she had five children. 

As a boy James Odom attended the district 
.schools in Indiana and helped in the work on 
his step-father's farm. At the age of seventeen 
years he begau working on a farm iu Posey 
County, living three years there and three years 
in Gibson County, Ind. He theu moved to Comp- 
ton Preciuct. Wabash Comity, where he was 
married. September 8. 1878, to Mary E. Painter, 
who was boi-n in Compton I'reeinct. a daughter 
of Henry and Martha (Gray) Painter. After 
marriage Mr. Odom rented various farms iu Cof- 
fee aud Cbmpton Precincts until he purchased 
forty acres of land in the former, where he lived 
six .years, and then moved to Bellmout Precinct, 
where he bought 280 acres of laud in two tracts. 
He has since .sold forty acres aud there are 
eighty acres iu the home place, which is the old 
Xick Ankenbraud farui. Mr. Odom is a most 
energetic farmer and an excellent manager, and 
has brought his laud to a high state of cultiva- 
tion. He raises excellent horses for general pur- 
poses, a good grade of cattle and registered I'o 
land-China hogs. He is a public-spirited aud 
useful citizen, and much iutere.sted in the wel- 
fare of his conmiunity. In poli'tical views he is 



a Republican, is a member of the Christian 
Church and athliated with the Modern Wood- 
men of America. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Odom 
and wife ; Ida, at home ; Susan, Mrs. William 
Kigg. of Bellmout; Maud, Zelma, Verla, Johu 
and James, at home. 

O'DONNELL, Thonias, for "many years a suc- 
cessful business man of Mt. Carmel, 111., and 
other cities, but now living iu retirement, is a 
well-known and ixipular citizen aud actively in- 
terested in public affairs. Jlr. O'Donnell was born 
in Bridgeport. 111.. September 211, ISGO, a son of 
Charles aud Mary Ann (Monahau) O'Donnell. 
Charles O'Donnell was born in County Donegal, 
Ireland, a sou of Patrick O'Donnell, aud Mary 
Ann Monahau, the latter born iu Hamilton 
County, Ohio, a daughter of Owen and Bridget 
Monahau. Mr. O'Donnell came to the United 
States as a young man, lauding iu New Orleans, 
and proceeding to Lawrence County, 111., where 
he became a farmer and extensive stockman. He 
was killed there September 25. 18W. His widow 
lived on tlie farm a few years longer, then moved 
to Vincennes. Ind., where she now resides. The 
farm eoutains twenty-two oil-wells, which pro- 
duce from 50 to 5CM_> barrels of oil per day. 

Of the fourteen children of Charles O'Donnell 
and his wife eight survive, namely : Charles B. 
and James M., of Ylncennes, Ind. ; Thomas ; 
Alance B.. Mrs. L. J. Mooney, of Indianapolis, 
Ind. ; Margaret, Mrs. Eugene Qulnu. of Vin- 
cennes ; Mar.v E.. married Dr. Johu Downey, of 
Vincennes : Hugh, of Vincennes ; Berdinett, Mrs. 
William Vetz. of Indianapolis. 

Thomas O'Donnell lived at home uutll twenty- 
two years of age and received his education in 
the conunon schools. He theu went to Indiana- 
Iiolis and worked in a butcher shop until the 
death of his father, which necessitated his re- 
turning home to take charge of the home farm, 
which he carried on until VMM). He then engaged 
in the liquor business in Bridgeport one year, 
then conducted a saloon at Enfield. 111., after 
which he located in Vincennes and worked one 
year with his brother. Charles. June 20. 1903, 
Mr. O'Donnell purchased a liquor cafe iu Mt. Car- 
mel. which he conducted until Jul.v. 1907, then 
had charge of a liilliard parlor until January 20, 
1910. since which he has lived retired from 
active Imsiuess. He ha.s been successful In a 
financial way aud is a devout member of the 
Church of the Immaculate Conce))tion. of Bridge- 
port, 111., and affiliated with the St. Joseph's Fra- 
ternal Benevolent Societv, F. O. E.. No. 1145. of 
Bluff City. 

January 10. 1899. Mr. O'Donnell married Car- 
rie Dillon. l)orn near Princeton, Ind., a daughter 
of .Toseph and Bridget (Maher) Dillon, both na- 
tives of Ireland. Tlie following children were 
lx)rn of this marriage: Blanche Catherine, 
Willam Joseph. Philip Francis aud Mary Eliza- 
beth. Mr. O'Donnell and his wife have a large 
circle of friends and are esteemed by all who 
know them. In jiolitics he is a Democrat, and is 



WABASH COUNTY 



773 



actively interested in the welfare and prosperity 
of the comniuuity. 

PARMENTER, Aden Theodore, an extensive 
laraier of Wabash Couuty, 111., was boru In Lick 
Prairie I'reciuct. Wabash Count}-, May la, 1857. 
He is a son of Henry and Xauey Jane (Putnam) 
Parmeuter both natives of Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
Wabash County, grandson on the paternal side 
of Isaac and Mary (Utter) Parruenter, natives 
of Xew York State, and on the maternal, of Eber 
and Trifosa (Ballard) Putnam, of English de- 
scent. The Parmenter family were early settlers 
of Bald Hill Prairie, Mt. Carmel Precinct 
Isaac Parmeuter and his wife lived at Ceuter- 
ville. Mt. Carmel Precinct, where he was a car- 
penter and farmer. Before c-oming west he had 
owned laud in Rochester. N. X. His wife came 
to Wabash Countj- with her parents and they 
were married iu Wabash County. At the time of 
his marriage. Mr. Parmenter was Sheriflf of Ed- 
wards County, of which Wabash County then 
formed a part. 

Henry Parmenter and wife were married in 
Wabash County and about 1854. moved to Coffee 
(once Keensburg) Precinct, where he purchased 
167 acres of land, twenty acres of which was 
cleared, the balance being in timber. There was 
a double log house on the farm, also some log 
bams. After living eighteen years in the log house, 
they erected a large frame dwelling. He kept add- 
ing to his land until he had atout 336 acres. He 
cleared up a large amount of his land and de- 
veloped one of the best farms in the county. Mr. 
Parmenter died January 16. 1900. and his widow 
died May ^a. 1006. Their children were: Lester, 
died at the age of thirteen years; Aden T. : Letta 
Ann. married George Graham, of Mt. Carmel 
Prec-inct : Sarah Melinda. married Alonzo Ander- 
son and died in Coffee Precinct : Marian, 
widow of John Alka. lives in Coffee Pre- 
cinct ; Harry, died February 1. 1906, on the home 
farm : William Franklin, of Coffee Precinct. 

Aden T. Parmenter received his education in 
the district school and lived with his parents 
until his marriage. August 4. 1S77. to Mary Alice 
Bristow. horn in Pike County. Ind.. daughter of 
Dr. Nathaniel and Maria Jane (Caneda^ 
Bristow. natives, respectively of Kentucky and 
Illinois. After his marriage Mr. Parmen- 
ter moved to the old log house in which 
his parents had formerly lived, remaining there 
alxiut one year, then bmiirht a farm on Bonpas 
Creek, remained there three years, when he sold 
out and spent one year on the home place, after 
which he bousht eighty-eight acres of the Brum- 
field farm in Bellmont Precinct, where he resided 
twenty-two years. Mr. Parmenter returned to 
the home place in 1906. buying all except twenty 
acres of it. He is now the owner of 333 acres 
of land, eighty acres in Bellmont Precinct. ]6.=> 
in Coffee Precinct, and eight^'-eisht acres 
along the south line of Bellmont Precinct. He 
raises cattle and hogs and has always done gen- 
eral farming as well. Mr. Parmenter Is a good 



manager and an excellent farmer, and has been 
most successful in his operations. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Parmen- 
ter and his wife: Frances and another child who 
died in infancy ; Daisy A., Mrs. J. S. Brines, of 
Bellmont Precinct; Ben, a physician, at Bell- 
mont ; Anna F. and George H.. at home ; Milo 
Aden, of Bellmont Precinct ; Mary Alice, Mrs. 
Hiram Myers, of Bellmont Precinct; Effie, died 
at the age of one and one-half years ; Harry B. 
and Winnifred, at home. Mr. Parmenter is 
prominent in public affairs in the community and 
has served as School Director and Drainage Com- 
missioner. In politic-s he is a Republican, is 
well known and has many friends. 

PARMENTER, Ben, M. D.— Among the younger 
lihysicians who have established themselves suc- 
cessfully in the practice of their profession in 
Wabash Countj-, 111., is Dr. Ben Parmenter, of 
Bellmont. Dr. Parmenter is a member of a 
family that is well known in the community and 
has identified himself with its best interests. He 
was bom in Bellmont Precinct, Deceml)er 8. 1881, 
son of Aden Theodore and Mary Alice (Bristow) 
Parmenter. the former a native of Wabash 
County and the latter of Gibson County. Ind. 
Aden T. Parmenter is a son of Henry and Jane 
(Putnam) Parmenter, of Wabash Countv-. and 
his wife is a daughter of Nathaniel and Maria 
(Collins) Bristow. the former a native of Ken- 
tucliy. Henry's father. Isaac Parmenter. was 
one of the earliest settlers of Wabash County, 
when it was part of Edwards County, coming 
from the State of New York. He was a farmer 
by occupation and served as Sheriff of Edwards 
County. Aden T. Parmenter was married in his 
native county and settled on a farm of 2.53 acres 
in Bellmont Precinct, where he reared his family. 
He has always been engaged in farming and 
owns auother farm of eighty acres. He and his 
wife had children as follows : Daisy A.. Mrs. J. 
S. Brines, of Bellmont Precinct : Dr. Ben ; Anna 
and George H.. at home : Milo. farms part of the 
home place : Mollie. married Harm Myer. a mer- 
chant of Bellmont; Harry and Winnifred. at 
home. 

After receiving a public school education. Ben 
Parmenter entered the Southern Collegiate Insti- 
tute, at Albion. 111., from which he graduated at 
the age of twenty years. He taught two years 
in the public schools of Bellmont. then served 
one year as Superintendent of Schools in Xorris 
Cit.v. 111. He received his professional training 
at the Barnes University. St. Louis. Mo., from 
which he graduated in medicine and surgery in 
1909. Dr. Parmenter has had a very good prac- 
tice in Bellmont since hx^ting there and stands 
high in the profession. He is prominent in so- 
cial and political circles, is a Republican and Is 
affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows. No. 720. of Bellmont. and the Modem Wood- 
men of Americti of St. Louis. Mo.. Olive Camp. 
Dr. Parmenter is unmarried and makes his home 
with his sister. Mrs. Mver. 



774 



WABASH COUNTY 



PHILLIPS, WilUam E. (deceased).— In the 

death of the late William E. I'liillips, of Mt. Car- 
uiel, 111., tlie couiiiiuuit}- lost oue of its best citi- 
zens. His tragic death was a great shoclc to his 
many friends and he left a place in their hearts 
which will never be tilled. Mr. Phillips was 
highly esteemed and his relations with all who 
knew him were pleasant and satisfactorj". 
whether in the nature of business or friendship. 
He was born in Troy, I'erry County, Ind., Decem- 
ber IS, IS.'iO, a sou of John H. and Elsie M. 
(Sanders) Phillips, both of Indiana. 

John II. Phillips was a common laborer and a 
hard-working man. He and his wife are uow 
deceased. William was the oldest of their nine 
children, the others being : Rebecca, Mrs. John 
Southwood. of Tro.v. Ind. ; Thomas, of Ti'oy ; 
Mary, Mrs. James Hall, died in Troy; George, 
who was killed while at work on a railroad at 
Henderson. Ky. ; Mary, Mrs. Sanders, died at 
Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Ilettie. .Mrs. James Hawkins, 
of Iluntingliurg. Ind., and her twin sister. Bettie, 
Mrs. Wesley Hawkins, of Evansville, Ind. 

After reaching the age of thirteen years 
William E. Phillips was employed by the farmers 
of the neigliborhorid. He received his education 
in the common .schnols and, being the oldest child, 
early began to earn his own living. When about 
tnenty-three years of age he removed to St. 
Francisville. 111., and became employed in the 
construction of the Cairo Division of the Cairo, 
Vincenups & Chicago R.-iilroad, now a part of the 
"Big Four System,'' and later became a bridge 
carpenter for the Big Four. 

April n, 1,SS2, Mr. Phillips married Rosa Cour- 
ier, who was liorn near Lancaster. Wabash 
County, daughter of Newton .T. and Esther C. 
(Couch) Courter. Mr. Courter was a soldier in 
Company I. Sixty-sixth Regular Sharpshooters, 
and in Felirnnry. 18114, at tlie Battle of Lookout 
Mountain, w:is shot in the hand, crippling it for 
life, serving however, until the close of the war. 
Before the war he had been a blacksmith, and 
after returning home after the war, taught school 
seven years, then was ordained a minister of the 
Christian Church, in which field he worked until 
his death. Mr. Courter died February Ifi. 187?!, 
and his widow has since lived with her children. 
She and her husband had ten children, five of 
whom died young and five still survive, namely : 
MaiT .Mice. Mrs. William II. Moore, of Vineen- 
nes. Ind. ; Hiram, died in infancy : Sarah Eliza- 
beth, died at the age of oleven years: Susan 
Olive. Mrs. George W. Maurer. living near Sum- 
ner, 111, : Mrs. Phillips and Lillle. twins, the 
latter. .Mrs. '\^ J. T.\Trell, of Chicago; Charles 
Clinton. Hattip May and Frankie, died in in- 
fancy: and William .\., of Peoria, 111., who mar- 
ried Laura Page, of Vincennes, Ind,. and has five 
children —John Newton. Lambert Maurice. 
Esther I>ouise. Charles Albert and Martha Alice. 
After his marriage Mr. Phillips continued to 
live at St. Francisville some time, being employed 
as bridge carpenter one year. December 1. 18.8:?. 
he moved with his family to Mt. Carniel. where 
he was employed in the round-house of the rail- 



road company. Later he was promoted to the 
machinery department, but soon after began 
work as tireman. After serving fourteen years 
in the latter position, he became an engineer on 
the road, but about one year after being pro- 
moted to this ixjsitiou was fatally injured in a 
head-on collision at Ilarrisburg, 111,, September 
;i, l!i(i4, dying there two days later, and being 
buried in Mt. Carmel Cemetery, September 13. 
His widow still resides in Mt. Carmel, where 
she has erected a handsome residence on West 
.\inth Street. She is Secretary of the Mystic 
Workers Lodge. Mr. Philliiis was a meml>er of 
the Christian Church, with which the entire 
family is connected, and iu politics was a Repub- 
lican : was also a prominent member of the B. of 
L. F.. of .Mt. Carmel. 

The children born to Mr. Phillips and wife 
were: Charles Augustus, bom December 12. 1882, 
a boiler-maker at Mt. Carmel. who married Dora 
Followell, and they have one child — .\Iice Marie, 
born February 15, 101(1: and Clyde J., born 
March 2t», ].S8.'5, a switchman at the Big Four 
Yards at .Mt. Carmel. who married Ro.se Wolf, a 
daughter of Frank Wolf of Mt. Carmel, liut they 
have no children. Besides the residence where 
Mrs. Phillips lives, she ahso omis and rents a 
house on West Fourth Street. 

PHIPPS, Harry M,, States-Attorney, Mt. Car- 
mel, III., and one of tlie leading young lawyers of 
Waba.sh County, was born in Seymour. Jackson 
County, Ind., Febniai-j- 10, 1.877. a son of Larkln 
and Isabelle (Boyles) Phipps. The former was 
born in Sjiarta, N. C, and died September 24, 
1883. aged thirty-four years. He was an engi- 
neer on the old Ohio & Slississippi. now the Balti- 
more & Ohio Railroad. His wife was born In 
Sparksville, Ind.. and died September 2], 1904, 
aged fifty-two years. She married after her first 
husband's death. JI. H. Mundy. the present Mas- 
ter-in-Chancery of Wabash County. Mr. Phipps 
has a sister. Minta. now the wife of Joseph Mc- 
Donald, living at Richmond, Iowa, and the two 
were the only children bnni to their parents. 

About 1.8.S0. Mr. Phipps and his sister came to 
Mt. Carmel to live with his mother, who had by 
this time maiTied again. He attended the public 
.schools of Mt, Carmel. from which he was gradu- 
ated in 1,807, after which he attended McKendree 
Ctollege for one year, at Lebanon. 111. From there 
he went to the Wesleyan University at Blooming- 
ton, from which he was graduated from the law 
department in 1800, and immediately thereafter 
began practicing at Mt. Carmel. Hi's oflices are 
in the Cowling building. A strong Democrat, he 
has received recognition at the hands of his 
party, being appointed in 1002 and again In 1904 
Master-in-Chancerj-. In November. 1008. he was 
further honored by election to the office of State's 
.\ttorney of Wabash County, for a period of four 
years. In religious faith he is a member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is 
a Maccabee. 

On August 23, 1,808, Jlr. Phipps married Ida 
Farnsworth. born at Parker.sbur,g. 111., daughter 



WABASH COUNTY 



776 



of I. N. Farusworth. who is uow a resident of Mt. 
Carmel, but is a traveling salesman. One son 
has been boiu to Jlr. and .Mrs. Phlpps, William 
Farnsworth I'hiiips. During the first three 
mouths as State's Attorney, Mr. I'hipps suc- 
ceeded in convicting a woman and son of mur- 
der, and they were sentenced to imprisonment for 
life. This was the famous Lucas ease. 

PICKERING, John M., one of the most sub- 
stantial and prominent citizens of Allendale, 111., 
has risen to a position of trust and responsibility 
by his habits of industry and reliability. Mr. 
Pickering was iKirn in Lukin Township, Lawrence 
County, 111., the oldest of eight children of Jor- 
dan and Mary (Keneil)p) Pickering, natives of 
Pickaway County, Ohio, and Lawrence County, 
111., respectively. She was a daughter of Solo- 
mon and Xancy Keneipp. Jordan I'ickering was 
a carpenter and cabinet-maker and married in 
Lawrence County. In later life he became a 
farmer in the same c-ounty. John M. Picliering 
was born August l(j, 1!-H<.>. liy his father's first 
marriage, and lived with his parents until his 
marriage, being educated in the common schools. 

In ISW John .M. Pickering moved to Claremont, 
111., and worked at the trade of Cooper, making 
flour barrels one year, then removed to Bridge- 
port, 111., and worked at his trade a year and a 
half longer, after which he returned to the home 
farm and conducted same until 18,S2. At that 
time he moved to Allendale and became engi- 
neer in a grist mill. After working one year in 
the mill he took a position as Exchanger on the 
floor, and also i-un the engine, until 1904, when 
he was made chief miller, and has held this posi- 
tion since in the plant of the Holsen & Dorney 
Milling Company. He is an expert in his line 
and has the c-omplete c-onfidenee of his employers, 
earini; feu- their interests as though they were his 
own. He has sold the iiroperty left him by his 
parents and invested in real estate at Allendale. 
Politically he is a Democrat and has served as 
School Director. While living in Lawrence 
County he served one term as Assessor of Lukin 
Townshij). He is devoutt member of the Method- 
ist Episcopal Churcli and has been a Class- 
leader since 1808. Mr. Pickering is a well-known 
and popular member of society, and is considered 
a representative and public-spirited business 
man. 

March 3, 1804. Mr. Pickering married Sarah 
Woodward, who was born Xovember ?>, 1841. in 
Connecticut, a daughter of Samuel Woodward, 
also a native of that St.ate, Of this union cliil- 
dren were horn as follows : Sanuiel. died in lSfi5 : 
Marion, of Vincennes. Ind. : Marj- Caroline, keeps 
house for her fatlier : George A., of Robinson, 
111., Solomon, died in infancy : Harriet J.. Mrs. 
Reeder Courty. of AVabash Precinct : Horace of 
r^awrence County. 111. : and Viola, who died in 
infancy. Mrs. Pickering died .\ugust 12. 1881. 
mourned by a large circle of friends, remembered 
as a kind neighbor and a devoted mother and 
■wife, a.s well as a devout Christian. 



POOL, Andrew, a prosperous farmer of Licit 
I'rairie i'recinct, Wabash County, 111., was born 
in Lewis County, Ky.. November 5, 1800, a son of 
John and Serena (I'ell) Pool. He is a grandson 
of Thomas and Mary (McKenzie) I'ool, natives 
of Maryland and Kentucky, respectively, and 
Henry and Sarah (Ai'ms) Pell, natives of Vir- 
ginia and Kentucky. The Pool and Pell families 
were farmers in Lewis County, Ky., where they 
entered land and where their deaths occurred. 
.lohn Pool and his wife were married and settled 
on a farm in Lewis County, Ky., where they spent 
the remainder of their lives. Mr. Pool died in 
August. ISU.'i. and his wife in 1805. They had 
children as follows: .Mary, Mrs. R. H. McCann, 
who died in Kentucky : Sarah, died at the age of 
seven years ; .Vudrew ; and Henry C. who died 
in infancy. .Vfter his first wife's death Mr. Pool 
married (second) her sister, Maria Pell, by whom 
he had one son, Paris, of Vernulion County, Ind. 

The boyhood of .\ndrew Pool was spent in his 
native State, where he remained with his father 
until his marriage, October 28, 1883, to Nellie 
Mc\'aney. a native of I^ewis County, and daugh- 
ter of .\aron and Caroline (Harvey) McVaney. 
Mr. McVaney was born near Philadelphia. Pa., 
October 9. 1S09. and his wife in Lewis County, 
being a daughter of William and Sallie (Martin) 
Harvey, of .Maryland and Kentucky, respectively. 
.\aron McVaney and his wife had children as fol- 
lows : Moses, of Lewis County. Ky. ; Mary, mar- 
ried W. W. Thurmau. of Lewis County; William, 
died in Kentucky, in 18f»0: Sallie, .Mrs. W. H. 
Gorman, of Fleming County. Ky. ; Mrs. Pool, the 
youngest, bom .\ugust lo, 1S(>7. 

Mr. Pool and his wife liegan housekeeping on 
his father's farm, November 24. 1885. and lived 
there until his removal to Wabash County, 111., 
in Feliruary. ISOtj. He purchased a farm in Bell- 
niont Precinct, where they lived about six years, 
and then traded it for a forty-acre farm on Sec- 
tion 1 of Town 1 North, Range 14 West, Lick 
Prairie Precinct. Mr. Pool has replaced many 
of the old buildings on the farm with new ones, 
and has made many other imi>rovements. In 
June. 1901. he purchased forty-eight and one-half 
acres more in Lick Prairie Precinct, on the For- 
dyce Bottoms, and lias all his land under cultiva- 
tion. Besides carrying on general farming he 
raises horses, cattle and hogs and makes a 
siiecialty of chickens. 

The children liorn to Mr. Pooi and his vife 
were: Flossie, bom .Vpril 24, 1888, at home; 
John. Itorn October 5. 1890. died at the age of one 
year: Fred, liorn January 28. 189.S. Ralph, born 
Febmary 14. ISO.'i. Caroline, born February- 21, 
1902, and Garnet, born June 1,S, 1908 — all at 
home: and the oldest. Goldie, bom October 4. 
188f!. wife of Elmer Arnold, of Beaver County, 
Okla. Mr. Pool is a Rei>nblican in politics and 
is identified with the best interests of the (X)m- 
nuniity. He is actively interested in public af- 
fairs and ready to support any movement which 
he considers is for the benefit of the public. He 
and liis wife are memliers of the Methodist 
Church and fraternally he is affiliated with the 



776 



WABASH COUNTY 



Indtiieiulent Order of Odd Fellows of Boue Gai), 
and tbe Tribe of Beu Hur, of Bellmont. 

POOL, James, of I'riendaville, Wabash County, 
111., is ;i graiidsou of Jaines Pool, who came to 
the county iu 1810, with .-i brother. William, and 
took up a half-section of prairie land in Friends- 
ville I'recinet, where he spent the remainder of 
his life, and died in March, 1855. He i>reaehed 
in the Christian Church, the first funeral ser- 
mon in Wabash County, and besides being a 
preacher, was also a successful farmer and tan- 
ner. The subject of this biography was born in 
Wabash Precinct, March 26. 1851. a son of Lemon 
and Mary ( Potts-Swaney ) I'ool, natives of 
Friendsville Precinct and Dresden, Ohio, resiiec- 
tively. The mother was the widow of James 
Swaney at the time of her marriage to Lemon 
Pool, who was a son of .James and Angelina 
(Keen) Pool, both natives of Ohio, while she was 
a daughter of William Potts, also of Ohio. 

After his marriage Lemon Pool settled at St. 
Francisville, 111., and for three years worked in a 
saw-mill. He then took a trip through the 
Southern States and conducted a saw-mill one 
year in St. Francisville, and uiK)U his return 
purchased the shares of the other heirs to his 
father's homestead. After carrying on the farm 
four years he moved to Ilazelton, Ind.. in Spring 
of 1S(>1, where for four years he followed the 
trade of cari)enter. He then returned to his 
fjtrm. where the remainder of his life was spent. 
He died October 13. 1S95, at the age of .seventy- 
nine yeans. His children were: .Tames (the old- 
est) : .John, of Mt. Carmel, 111.; Peter, of Evans- 
ville. Ind. ; Lemon IT., of Friendsville, 111. ; 
William, a Jlethodist Episcopal minister; 
Charles, who died in Evansville in lOtiS. 

.James Pool was educated in the public 
schools and Friendsville Semnar.v. and when 
eighteen years of age began working m a foundry 
and machine shop in Vincennes, Ind.. removing 
six months later to Evansville. where he spent 
gix months, in a machine shop, later returning to 
Friendsville. where he erected a general repair 
shop. He also taught Natural Philosophy and 
Astronomy in Friendsville Seminary. Three 
years later he embarked in the manufacture of 
scientific instruments, such as telescopes, micro- 
scopes, batteries, etc.. and continued in this en- 
terprise eight vears. and then worked eight years 
in various machine shops in Mt. Carmel. lie re- 
turneil to Friendsville in 18SS and in 1897 was 
appointed Postmaster, which office he has held to 
the T'resent time. He has also carried on other 
business in connection with the postoffice, for ten 
years did general job-printing, and since has con- 
ducted a general merchandise store. He is an 
expert mechanic and in lS7f! made the first elec- 
tric telephone ever used in the county. In 1002 
he made the first automobile ever run on public 
roads in the countv. first trip November 24. 1902. 
and since turning his attention to other lines has 
shown business acumen and good judgment in 
the conduct of his public and private affairs. He 
is one of the most prominent Republicans of Wa- 



bash County and served four years in the United 
States Signal Service, four years as Justice of 
I'eace, eight years as School Director, and one 
year as Overseer of the Poor in Wabash County. 
Fraternally he is a memlier of the Modern Wood- 
men of America, is well known in social circles 
and highly esteemed by his associates and neigh- 
bors. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. 

Mr. Pool married, September 7, 1880, Anna 
Simonds, who was Iwrn in Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
a daughter of William and Mary (Hill) Simonds, 
and they became parents of children as follows : 
Vitula. Mrs. Harley Geissler, of El Reno, Okla. ; 
Eugene E.. a mail clerk on the Louisville & Nash- 
ville Railroad, his run being from St. Louis to 
Nashville; Nellie, cashier in a bank at El Reno, 
Okla. ; Ethel, a stenographer at El Reno, Okla, ; 
and Robert, Harry and Lenora, all at home. 

PRICE, James W. — One of the leading citizens 
of Allendale, 111., is James W. Price, who helped 
lay out the town and was the first Postmaster 
of the place. He is proprietor of one of the old- 
est stores in Wabash County, the oldest and 
largest of its kind, and also owns 500 acres of 
farm land, all in Wabash Precinct, which he 
rents. He is one of the oldest residents of the 
County and took the State census of same iu 1855. 
He is one of the most prominent Democrats in the 
region and some years ago served as Postmaster 
of TiinbeTville. a village a mile and a half south 
of Allendale. Mr. Price was one of the organ- 
izers of the First National Bank of Allendale, 
and has since been its President, the other offi- 
cers being: William F. Courter, Vice President; 
William M. Price (son of James W.) Cashier, 
and II. A. Fox Assistant Cashier. Mr. Price has 
nia<le his own way in the world, against great 
odds, and although he has Iteen a cripple from 
bo.vhood. his ambition and energy' have triumphed 
over difflctilties and he has forged his way to 
financial success and position. 

Mr. Price was bora in Richland County, Ohio. 
July 28, IS-W, a son of Benjamin, Sr., and Sarah 
(Wolf) Price, the former a native of Delaware 
and the latter of Virginia. His grandfather. 
John C. Price, settled in Ohio, where he carried 
on farming until his death. Benjamin Price. Sr., 
was married in Ohio and he and his wife moved 
to Lawrence County, 111., where he bought a 
farm, and where he died in 1844. Later his 
widow moved to Allendale, 111., where her death 
occurred in 1875. She and her hu.sband had six 
sons and five daughters. James W. being the 
sixth child. 

T^ntil he was seventeen years of age James W. 
Price lived with his mother, and then began to 
work out on a farm. While he was hauling a 
load of wheat a man with a gun asked for a ride, 
and while they were going through a marsh, the 
gun was accidentally discharged and the ball en- 
tered Mr. Price's left knee, injuring him so 
severely that he was obliged to spend six months 
in bed and when he recovered sufficiently to 
walk, was obliged to use crutches for a year. His 



WABASH COUNTY 



777 



leg was doubled aud stiff and he lias never re- 
covered from his injury. When able to work 
he secured a position, driving cattle to Chicago, 
and later bought cattle lor himself and made two 
trips from Southern Illinois to Chicago. He 
then embarked in business on his own account at 
Timberville, in Wabash County, and kept a gen- 
eral mercantile aud grocery store there from ISSti 
until 1S70, when he assisted in laying out the 
town of Allendale. The railroad was then being 
built through Allendale and he moved his busi- 
ness to that place, where he has since remained, 
having greatly increased his trade as the town 
grew. He is one of the most .enterprising mer- 
chants in the countj- and keeps a flue stock of up- 
to-date goods. lie has established a reputation 
for strict honesty aud integrity in his business 
dealings and has the entire confidence of his 
fiatrons. 

Mr. Price was married (first) in 1855. to .Tane 
Oompton. who was liorn in Wabash Precinct, a 
daughter of Perry Compton. They had two chil- 
dren, namely : Addie, who died in infancy, and 
Harvey, in business with his father. His wife 
died in 1863 and on September 22, ISW, he mar- 
ried (second) Sarah I. McClain, born in Wabash 
Precinct, a daughter of William and Margaret 
(Crossen) McClain, both twm near Cincinnati, 
Ohio. The children liy this marriage were : Eva 
L.. Mrs. Lvman Leed.s. who died at Allendale. 
111. ; William M.. of Allendale; Emma, died at the 
age of twenty-nine years: Sharon II., in liusiness 
with his father ; Beulah G., married I^r. Claud E. 
Gilliatt. of Allendale and James Noble, who died 
in infancy. Mr. Price attended school less than 
two years in childhood, but has always tried to 
improve his ojiportunities to acquire knowledge, 
studying on his own account and learning much 
from experience. He is well infomied on cur- 
rent to]>ics and is much interested in the welfare 
of his community, as well as his county and 
State. 

PRICE, William M.— The bankers and success- 
ful business men of any place have great influ- 
ence on the progress and welfare of their com- 
munity, and are necessarily men of prominence 
and stability. The financiers of a farming coun- 
try are usually conservative and careful in their 
business dealings, and are so well known by their 
patrons, who are also their neighbors, that they 
have gained the confidence and respect of all 
who know them. The First National Bank of 
Allendale. 111., the only institution of its kind 
ever establislietl in that town, was organized by 
a number of leading men who resided in the 
vicinity, their names being: James W. Price, 
Willia;n M. Price, Fred Holsen. Sr.. William F. 
Courter. H. A. Fox, James Stillwell. and 11. T. 
Ooddard of Mt. Carniel. III. 

Wiliam M. Price was born at Timberville. Wa- 
bash County. 111.. August 15, 1869, son of James 
W. and Sarah T. (McOlain) Price, the former a 
native of Richland County. Ohio, and the latter 
of Wabash Precinct, Wabash County, III. (For 
list of their children see sketch of J. W. Price.) 



The education of William M. Price was re- 
ceived in the public schools of Allendale, 111., 
after which he began working in his father's 
store, following this occupation until 1906, when 
he participated in organizing the Allendale Bank. 

The otUcers of The First National Bank, of Al- 
lendale, are : James W. Price, President ; William 
F. Courter, \ice President ; William M. Price, 
Cashier, and H. A. Fox, Assistant Cashier. Mr. 
Price has been Cashier since the organization of 
the bank aud is well fitted by training aud es- 
jierieuce for this resiwusible position. The bank 
is one of the chief financial institutions of Wa- 
bash County and stands well in that part of the 
State. 

September 11, 1895, Mr. Price married Cora B. 
Tracy, born at Chapel Hill, N. J., a daughter 
of Elizabeth R. Tracy. To this marriage one 
son was born, James Tracy Price, born June 11, 
INiG. Mr. Price is a member of the CTaristian 
Church, in which he is a Deacon, having held that 
liost siuie ItHii. lie is a .sound Democrat and 
Served seven years as a member of the Demo- 
cratic Central Committee. Fraternally he be- 
longs to A. F. & A. M. No. 752, of Allendale; 
Chapter No. 159, of Mt. Carmel; Knights of 
Pythias, No. 227, of Mt. Carmel, and Modern 
Woodmen of America No. 1799, Allendale. He is 
well known in Allendale and vicinity, and has 
many warm personal and political friends. He 
has discharged the various duties that have come 
to him in private and public capacities to the best 
of his ability and has won the approval of all 
with whom he has had dealings. 

PUTNAM, Lafayette P., a substantial farmer 
of Bellmont Precinct, Wabash County, 111., is a 
native of that precinct, boru October 26, 1861, a 
son of Alfred D, and Rebecca (McClane) Put- 
nam, both natives of Wabash 0)unty, the former 
born in Mt. Carmel I*recinct and the latter in 
Bellmont Precinct. The grandparents — Eber and 
Trifosa (Ballard) Putnam and Charles and 
U)uisa (Sloan) McClane, were all from the East 
and among the early settlers of Wabash County, 
where they became extensive farmers. 

After their marriage Alfi-ed D. Putnam and his 
wife settled on eighty acres of timber land, which 
he cleared and put under cultivation. Later they 
i-old this farm and punhased ."(X) acTes five miles 
northwest of Bellmont. where both died, he on 
April i. 1S7.S. and she August 20. 18SS. They were 
Iiarents of children as follows: Louisa. Mrs., 
John (iroff. died in Bellmont: Lester, .\llen. La- 
fayette: Williams, died in Bellmont: Zoll. of 
Bellmont Precinct; Elton, of Colorado City, Colo. 

Lafayette F. Putnam received his education in 
the district school and remained with his par- 
ents until he was married, March 1. 18.S2, to 
Clara E. Barker, born in Rockport. Ind.. daugh- 
ter of Heniy and Ilattie (Drum) Barker. iKJth 
natives of Indiana. Mr. Barker and his wife lo- 
cated in TJck Prairie Precinct. Wabash County, 
in 1861;. niKi hp died there in 187."). Ills widow 
continued to live on the farm and in Bellmont 
until she married (second) George West, when 



778 



WABASH COUNTY 



tliey moved to Lovelaud, Iowa, where she now re- 
sides, a widow. 

Mr. Putuam and his wife moved to eighty-two 
and one-half acres of laud in Section 22, Bell- 
mont Precinct, part of the home farm, which was 
deeded to him, and of this he cleared forty acres 
from timber and now has the place all under cul- 
tivation. He erected a house and other neces- 
sary buildings and has developed an excellent 
farm, where he carried on general farming. He 
also raises a good grade of cattle, hogs and 
horses. He is an energetic and industrious 
farmer and has met with gratifying success. Mr. 
Putuam is a member of the Christian Church and 
Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School. 
He has also served as Deacon of the church. In 
political affairs he supports the Democratic party 
and has served as Justice of the I'eace and 
Deputy Assessor. Fraternally he is a member of 
Lodge No. 729, Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows, of Bellmont. 

Children as follows were bom to Mr. and Mrs. 
Putnam : Luretta, Mrs. Riley Duke, of Bellmont 
Precinct, has one sou, Raymond, born July 10, 
190U ; William A., of Bellmont Precinct, married 
Mary Johnson, and they have one daughter. 
Fern, bom May 25. 1908, and a sou, Vern La- 
fayette, born May 3, 1910; Bertha, Mrs. Lewns 
( Berbericb ) lives with her father and has one 
sou, Emmet Eugeue. bom July 20, 1910, Amy who 
died at the age of three years aud Mina, at home. 

PUTNAM, Samuel R. (deceased).— For many 
years the late Samuel R. Putnam was actively 
engaged in a large law practice in Mt. Carmel, 
111., and was not only one of the best kuown 
law-yers in AVabash County, but was before the 
public frequently as organizer in matters of a 
business aud fiuaueial nature. Mr. Putuam was 
born in Lick Prairie Preciuct, Wabash County, 
111., October 19. 1S49, the eldest sou of Chester F. 
and Elizabeth (Baird) Putuaui. When he was 
sixteen years of age the family moved to Bridge- 
port, III., but about two years later located in Mt. 
Carmel, which was Mr. Putnam's home until the 
time of his death. His father being a man of 
limited means, young Putnam had to make his 
own way in the world, aud immediately after 
completing his iiublie school course he entered 
the law office of Bell and Green, one of the most 
widely known legal firms in Southern Illinois. 
He was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1870. 
In the practice of his profession. Mr. Putnam 
was one of the most successful o' Wabash County 
attorneys. He made no attempt at oratorj- and 
rarely argued a case liefore a jury, but as an 
office lawyer and counsel he had few equals. He 
was a director of the First National Bank from 
Its organization and Vice President from 1891 
until his death. lie was President and Director 
of the Wabash Savings Bank until it was sold out, 
now being the American National. He was Sec- 
retary of the Friendship Mutual Fire & Lightning 
Insurance Company for fifteen years and for 
twelve years served as City Clerk of Mt. Carmel. 
He was a lifelong Republican and believed in the 



principles advocated by that party, but was 
broadminded enough to vote for aien rather than 
for party in local matters. He was connected 
with the Order of Elks. Although quiet and un- 
assuming by nature, he stood high in his com- 
munity and his life was one of usefulness and 
wielded a mighty iufluence for good. On May 30, 
1907, just as the funeral procession of Mrs. 
Katheriue Stein (Mr.s. Putnam's foster mother) 
was leaving his home on Third Street, he died, 
lie had reached the walk on the street with his 
wife, intending to get into his carriage to go out 
to the cemetery, when suddenly he fell in an un- 
conscious condition aud, on being carried into 
the house, died in a few minutes without regain- 
ing consciousness, his death being probably 
caused by heart failure. Mr. Putnam had not 
been in the best of health for some four or five 
years, but his condition had not beeu considered 
serious, and there had been no noticeable change. 
His death under these conditions, so closely fol- 
lowing that of Mrs. Stein, proved such a shock 
to Mrs. Putuam that it is doubtful If she will ever 
entirely reco\er from it. 

On April 21, 1878. Mr. Putnam was married to 
.Vgatha Weinliaeh. who was born in Mt. Carmel, 
111.. December 20, 185-1, daughter of Frederick 
aud .Margaret (Schafer) Weinbach. Mr. Wein- 
bach was born in Hesse Darm.stadt, Germany, 
October 27, 1829, and died at Mt. Carmel Novem- 
ber 5, ISC-i. He came to the United States with 
his parents in 1831. the family first locating at 
Cairo, going thence to Evansville, aud finally to 
Mt. Carmel, where a wild farm was purchased 
alwut one mile from the town. Margaret Schafer 
was born at Mt. Carmel in 18.''.4 and died there 
in 1856. She was a daughter of John and 
Agatha Schafer. natives of Germany who came 
to Mt. Carmel. HI., from Pittsburg at an early 
day. Frederick and Margaret (Schafer) Wein- 
bach were married In Mt. Carmel. He was a 
carriage-maker by trade, following that occupa- 
tion throughout his life. He and his wife had 
two daughters : Jlrs. Putnam, and Clara, the lat- 
ter the wife of Albert Corle of Tuscola. 

Karl F. Putnam, a son of Sanuiel R. aud 
.\gatlia (Weinbach) Putnam, is Cashier of the 
National Bank of Mt. Carmel. with which he has 
been connected ever since his graduation from 
the Northwestern TTniversity. He married Fannie 
Johnson, daughter of Jacob F. Johnson, and they 
have a daughter: .\nna Elizabeth. 

RAMSE'y, George P., formerly States-Attorney 
of Wabash County, is one of the leading repre- 
sentatives of the Bar, and a man widely known 
and imiversally respected. He was born at 
Xenia, HI., January 19. 1S(>3. a son of Dr. Ram- 
sey, who died In 1901 while engaged In active 
practice at Xenla. HI. Mr. Ramsey was eradu- 
.'ited from McKendree College. Class of 1882, and 
then began his law studies with M. Thompson, 
of St. Lotils, which he continued there with Felix 
Corwell of Clay County. After a careful prepara- 
tion, he was admitted to the Bar in 1SS5. and lo- 
cating at Tu.scola, Douglas County, began prac- 



WABASH COUNTY 



•79 



tlce immediately. By December of tbe same year 
he was appointed Deputy County Clerii, but re- 
signed to returu to Clay Couuty. On June 3, 
isyi, he came to Mt. Carmel, which has since 
been the scene of his worli. lie tooli up the prac- 
tice of Judge Laudes, upon the election of the 
latter to the office of Circuit Judge. Always ix)p- 
ular and a strong Democrat, he was elected City 
Attorney tor two years, in 18'J3, and re-elected to 
the same office in 1805. In November, 1S90, he 
was elected on his party ticket to the office of 
State's Attorney, and during his term, was fear- 
less in his administration of justice, and his 
prosecution of crime. 

On July Itj. 1.SS4, occurred the marriage of Mr. 
Ramsey to Amanda L. I'hillips, and they have 
two children : Mary E. and Edgar P. He is a 
member of the K. of P.. of which he has been 
Chancellor Commander twice, and also belongs to 
the A. O. U. W. and Elks. 

Strong in the councils of his party, a liberal, 
far-seeing man and eloquent lawyer. Mr. Ramsey 
is one of the uio.st valuable citizens of Wabash 
Couuty, and one whose services have always been 
at the command of his fellow-citizens. 

RAMSEY, J. Eli, who all his life has taken an 
active interest in the welfare and progress of 
the public scho<Jls of the State of Illinois, and 
who has served twelve years as Couuty Superin- 
tendent of Schools for Wabash County. Is well 
known to educators through Southern Illinois in 
consefiuence of the work he has done in the in- 
terests of the cause in which there is so much 
need of constant activity. Mr. Ramsey has now- 
engaged in another line of work, but retains his 
interest in school work and re.ioices when any 
good has been accomplished along the line of his 
niau.v years of endeavor. He is a native of Wa- 
bash County, a son of Robert and Rachel ( Wood ) 
Ramsey, both natives of Wabash County. His 
grandrathers were Dr. James Ram.sey. a native of 
Ohio, and Eli Wood. 

Dr. James Ranii^ey was one of the early set- 
tlers of Wabash County and was a veterinary 
surgeon, practicing there many .vears. Rubert 
Ramsey and wife were married in Wabash Pre- 
cinct, and he became the owner of three farms in 
the county, besides two in Lawrence County, 
though he spent most of his life in the former. 
He died, however, on one of his Lawrence County 
farms, November 18, 1804, at the age of sixtj- 
two years. He was an extensive stock-raiser 
and a successful farmer. His widow now resides 
in St. Franeisville. 111. Eleven children were 
bom to them, as follows : J. Eli. the oldest ; Mary, 
Mrs. Edgar Plxlpy, of Friendsville Precinct ; 
James M., of Mt. Carmel. dealer in fine stock ; 
Willi,-im R., an attorney in Chicago; Belle, who 
died at the age of twentj'-flve .vears; Cary W.. an 
attorney living at Ooldendale, Washington, 
Florence E.. Mrs. Ezra Vandermark, of Cross- 
ville. 111., whose liusband is a furniture dealer 
and Tindertaker; Under, living at home; Essie 
M,. Sirs. Harl(>y Orr, of Bicknell, Ind. ; and 
Maud, Mrs. Charles Silencer, of Bridgeiwrt, 111. 



J. Eli Ramsey spent his boyhood on a farm 
and upon reaching manhood spent his summers 
at farm work and his winters in teaching school. 
He received part of his education iu the seminary 
at Friendsville, 111., and also attended the Normal 
College at Danville, Ind. After teaching some 
years he attended the Southern Illinois Normal 
University, at Carbondale, III., from which he 
graduated in 18'J0, having completed the full 
classical course. He served one term as I'resi- 
deut and held other offices in the Southern Illi- 
nois Teachers" Association, and has held offices 
in other educational asociations. In 1890 he was 
elected County Superintendent of Schools and 
rendered an able administration of affairs. He 
then entered the employ of the Prudential Life 
Insurance Company at Mt. Carmel. and two years 
later was appointed Assistant Sui>eriutendent. 
After holding this position he became business 
manager of the Mt. Carmel Register Company. 
At the same time he has been actively interested 
in the real estate business, in connection with the 
life and fire insurance business, and has met with 
gratifying success. 

.Mr. Ramsey was married, July 7, 1887, to Eliza- 
beth .Mundy. who was born in Lick Prairie Pre- 
cinct, daughter of James and Irene (Wood) 
Mundy, and to this marriage children were born 
as follows: Clarence, who died In tbe fall of 1907, 
at the age of nineteen years ; Leota M., a teach- 
er in the imblic schools of Mt, Carmel ; Everett 
E. and Fred W. E., at home. Mrs. Ramsey died 
April IS, 1896. and in February, IS'.Xt, Mr." Ram- 
sey married (second) Maggie C. Copeland. born 
in .Mt. Carmel. daughter of James Copeland, one 
of the old settlers of Mt. Carmel, 

Mr. Ramsey has been Deac-on several .vears in 
the Christian Church and Is now an Elder, He 
is a teacher iu tbe Sunday School aud served 
eight years as Superintendent of same. He is 
also the chorister. He is a member of the Wa- 
bash County Sunday School .\ssociation and for 
some time gave instruction in music in various 
counties in Illinois. He takes an active interest 
in all kinds of church work and is an active mem- 
ber of the various societies of Mt. Carmel Chris- 
tian Church. 

In [Kjlitical affiliations Mr. Ramsey is a Demo- 
crat and is much interested in ix)litical affairs. 
He lias been very prominent as a memlier of the 
State Teachers' Association, and is a member of 
tbe Scientific Society of Mt. Carmel. He be- 
longs to Lodge No. 8.39. A. F. & A. M., of .Mt. Car- 
mel ; also to the I. O. O. F.. the K. O. T. M. and 
the M. W. of A. He and his wife have a large 
circle of friends and are well known for their 
generous hosiiitality. 

RAVATT, Daniel S., one of the most extensive 
farmers in \A'abash County. III., owns one of the 
Largest farms in his part of the State and carries 
on bis work according to modern theories and 
methods. Mr. Ravatt was born in Middletown, 
Monmouth County. X. .L. in 1S.")2. son of William 
S. and Emma tSeely) Ravatt. Itoth natives of 
.Monmouth County. His grandfather, William 



780 



WABASH COUNTY 



Ravatt, was a soldier iu the Revolutiou from New- 
Jersey. William S. Ravatt aud bis wife had 
six children. Tlie pareuts died iu the East. The 
father was a farmer by oCL-upatiou. 

About 1872-73 Dauiel S. Ravatt moved to Wa- 
bash Coimty, 111., aud rented laud there for 
twelve year.s. theu purchased about 1,000 acres 
in Wabash I'reelnct. This land was very muck 
run dowu aud he found it necessary to nurse it 
bacli to a state of productiveness, which he has 
been very successful in doing. He uow has as 
fine an estate as is to be found iu the county and 
also owns 150 acres in Lancaster Precinct. Of 
his larger farm about GOO acres has been left in 
timber. He raises considerable wheat, corn and 
oats and makes a specialty of stock-raising, hav- 
ing Polled Angus cattle, draft horses, a registered 
Percheron stallion and Poland China hogs. The 
handsome and comfortable house where he now 
resides was erected in I'JOS and contains many 
modern c-onvenlences. 

In 1894 Mr. Ravatt married Alice Staley, born 
in Colorado, but they were divorced in 1907, since 
which time he has lived alone. Mr. Ravatt has 
demonstrated a high degree of busiuess ability in 
conducting his agricultural affairs, and takes 
great interest and pleasure in what he has ae- 
complished along this line. He is a member of 
the Christian Church, a stanch adherent of the 
Democratic party and belongs to Masonic Lodge 
No. 752. at Allendale. He has become well 
known and [wpular in his locality, and is looked 
upon as a valuable public-spirited citizen. 

REEL, David S., one of the oldest native-born 
residents of Wabash County, 111., was born in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct. Marcli 1. 1830. a son of Emanuel 
and Nancy (Simonds) Reel, natives of Indiana 
and Ohio respectively. The parents were early 
settlers of Wabash County, where they were mar- 
ried, and located on a farm north of Mt Car- 
mel, where both died. Children were born to 
them as follows: David S. (the oldest); Eliza- 
beth A.. Mrs. Wooster Kingsbury, now deceased ; 
.Vnianda, Mrs. Peter Schrodt, deceased ; Jacob, 
died at Camp Butler, during the Civil War; 
Cynthia E., Mrs. Fielden Muney, deceased; 
Oliver, of Mt. Carmel ; Benjamin, deceased ; 
Susan, Mrs. .Tobn Beard, of Mt. Carmel. 

The education of David S. Reel was olitained 
in the Simonds District School and he lived with 
his parents until his marriage, November 15, 1855, 
to Margaret Gard. born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
March 10. 1832. daughter of Justus and Anna 
(Oman) Gard, natives of Ohio and of Rochester. 
N. Y.. resjiectively. Justus Gard was a son of 
Seth and Amelia (Font) Gard. the former horn 
in Ohio and the latter in Pennsylvania. Mrs. 
Gard was a daughter of George and .\nna Oman, 
of Rochester. N. Y., who came west with their 
family on a houseboat down the .\llegheny and 
Ohio Rivers, to Vincennes. Ind.. then on to 
Friendsville Precinct. Wabash County, in 1818. 
'I nev secured government land liegan improving 
their farm. Seth Gard and his wife brought 
their family to Card's Point, in 1814. and se- 



cured a large tract of land, where they si)eut the 
remainder of their lives. Mr. Gard was a New 
Light preacher, a soldier iu the Black Hawk 
War aud served as a member of the last Terri- 
torial Legislature of Illinois, lSlG-17, and mem- 
ber from Edwards County in the Constitutioual 
Convention of 1818. 

Justus Gard aud his wife were married and 
settled at Gard's Point, where he bought land, 
and also entered land iu Lick Prairie Precinct. 
A tannery was erected on the place, and Dr. 
Baker conducted it. Mrs. Gard died in 1855, at 
the age of forty-eight years, while her husband 
survived until February, 1870, dying at the age 
of sixty-two years. 

.Vfter his marriage David S. Reel took up his 
residence ou a forty-acre tract of land northwest 
of Jit. Carmel, also became owner of forty acres 
two miles north of Mt. Carmel. August 14. 18(32, 
he enlisted iu Company C, One Hundred Fif- 
teenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, serving uutil 
June 25. 18(55. Upon his discbarge he returned 
home, whpre he found his wife and children had 
had many hardships during his absence. He 
participated in many battles, was wounded sev- 
eral times, and his head having been injured, 
he was assigned to the hospital corps, where he 
served the remainder of his time. He had sold 
his farm before going to war and after he was 
gone his wife moved to the original place he had 
owned, which was all covered with timber. She 
was left with four children, the oldest si.x and 
the .voungest less than a year old. Her neigh- 
liors banded together, cut trees and erected a log 
cabin. She hired a man to put on a roof, cut and 
made fence rails, cut cord wood and often she 
and her children went huugy. After the return 
of the husband they were a happy family and 
prospered well. He was sick a great deal for a 
few years but managed to clear off the timber 
and jnit his farm under cultiv.-ition. He improved 
bis land as much as possible and erected good 
buildings, adding as man.v modern conveniences 
and appliances as he was able. He died March 
21. 1899, since whicli time his widow has contin- 
ued to reside on the farm, with one servant. 

The children born to Mr. Reel and wife were : 
Mary K.. Mrs. George H. Higgins. of West Salem, 
Edwards County. 111. ; Emanuel S.. of Friends- 
ville Precinct; Justus G.. of Mt. Carmel Precinct; 
.Vnna L.. Mrs. Alfred Crow, of Jit. Carmel Pre- 
cinct ; Frank, who died in infancy: Sarah Eliza- 
beth. Mrs. Charles Campbell, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct : Catherine D.. Mrs. George T. Kitchene. of 
.Mt. Carmel Precinct. Mr. Reel was well known 
throughout the county and highly esteemed for 
his patriotism and high character. He was a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
in politics was a Republican. He was a repre- 
sentative citizen and his loss was widely 
mourned. 

REEL, Justus Gard, who is well kno-mi for 
the fine registered stock he raises, on his farm in 
Mt. Carmel Precinct. Wabash County. 111., is a 
native of the precinct, born April 5. 18G0. He is 



I '^iiiiBijii'iiiiiimi 

r ■ "im 




oJLcnoiyyi ^ 0'ri-u^4t. 



WABASH COUNTY 



781 



a son of David S. and Mart;aret (Gard) Reel, na- 
tives of Wabasli County. Their parents were 
Emanuel S. and Nancy Reel, natives of Indiana, 
and Justus Gard. of German parentage, all of 
wboni were early settlers of Wabasli County, 
where they entered land from the Government. 
The Reels settled at Reel's Corners. David S. 
Keel and wife settled where their son Justus was 
iKjrn. the land then being covered with timber 
and the latter well remembers the time when 
deer, wild turkeys, and other wild animals and 
fowls were plentiful. The father served in Com- 
pany C. One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment. 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, enlisting in 1862 and 
serving until the close of the war. While help- 
ing clear a road through the woods for artillery 
to pass through, a tree fell upon him and he had 
to remain in the woods a week or ten days until 
he was able to join his regiment, as they were not 
able to get him to a hospital. At the close of the 
war he continued to clear and improve his farm, 
and carried on this work until his death, in 
March. 1003. His widow still resides on the 
home farm, having reached the age of seventy- 
five years. They were parents of children as 
follows : Mary Ellen, married James Wiggs. who 
died, and she afterward married Arthur Higgins. 
of Salem. 111. : Emanuel S.. of Friendsville 
Precinct: Anna. Mrs. Alfred Crow, of Jit. Car- 
niel Precinct : Justus G. ; Frank, died in in- 
fancy : Elizabeth. Mrs. Charles Campbell, of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct : Catherine. Jlrs. Tlieodore 
Kltchene, of Mt. Carmel Precinct. 

Justus G. Reel spent his childhood on a farm 
and received but a meager education in the dis- 
trict schools. He began working on his father'.'! 
farm as soon as he was able to help, and was 
reared to hard work and habits of thrift. When 
he reached his majority be left home and began 
to work for his uncle. Peter Schrodt. where he 
remained until bis marriage. He was married 
February 21, 1,S,S.S. to Mary, daughter of John and 
Maria (Bradle) Schrodt. who was born in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct. Her parents were natives of 
Germany, the father bom in Hesse-Darmstadt. 
Mary Schrodt married (first! Fred Guagy. who 
was killed in the cyclone at Mt. Carmel in 1877. 
By her first marriage she had but one child. 
Serena, who died in infancy. After his marriage 
Mr. Reel moved to the farm given them by his 
wife's f.-ither. which consists of 127 acres, where 
they still reside. He has bought land himself, 
ninefy-four acres in one tract and seventy-four 
in another, lioth in Mt. Carmel Precinct, and his 
wife also owns IfiO acres in Mt. Carmel Precinct. 
He has raised registered Shropshire sheep and 
Berkshir(- liogs. and has found high-grade stock 
to he a profitable investment, a line in which he 
has been veiy successful. He is an enterprising, 
progressive citizen and takes an active interest 
in public affairs. Politically he is a Republican 
and he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of Amer- 
ica of Mt. Carmel. 

The following children have been born to Mr. 
Reel and his wife: Daisv L., Mrs. Frank Seller. 
of Chico. Cal.. who has one child — Bemice Reel. 



boi-n January '.), lOOO; Rosa, married Paul Hu- 
bert, who lives near her father, and they have 
two children — Geneva Aline, born March 23, lt»03, 
and Violet Bernadine. born September 20, 1909 ; 
Mamie, married Charles Trover, of Mt. Carmel, 
111., but has no children ; Beatrice, resides at 
home, won a four years' scholarship in 1900, and 
is attending the Southern Illinois Normal Col- 
lege at Carbondale. 

REEL, Manuel S.— The Reel family is one of 
the best known in Wabash County, 111., where its 
members have always stood for the best interests 
of their conmuniity. One of the representative 
menjbers of this family is Manuel S. Reel, who 
was born in Mt. Carmel Precinct. September 16, 
lS.''i8. the son of David S. and Margaret (Gard) 
Reel, natives of Mt. Caruiel Precinct, whose par- 
ents were Emannel and Nancy ( Simonds ) Reel, 
and Justus and Anna (Oman) Gard. David S. 
Reel and his wife are mentioned elsewhere in 
this work. He was a soldier in the Civil War 
and served with honor and distinction, during his 
absence in the field, leaving his wife to care for 
the children. 

The early education of Manuel S. Reel was 
obtained In the district schools, but after reach- 
ing his majority, beginning to appreciate more 
fully the value of a higher education, he bor- 
rowed money with which he paid for private in- 
struction, and tins has since proved to him worth 
the time and money expended on it. He remained 
with his parents until his marriage, July 23, 1884. 
to Maggie Parkinson, who was born at Grand 
Rajiids, Mt. Carmel Precinct. February 18. 1859. 
a d.iughter of Edward and Sarah (Hodgson) 
I'arkinson. Mr. Parkinson was born at West- 
moreland and his wife near Leeds. England, the 
latter a daughter of Edward Bealby and wife, 
who came to the Tnited States In 1S41. making 
the trip in a sailing vessel and landing at Phila- 
delphia after three months spent on the ocean. 
They then jiroceeded to what is now Wabash 
County, then a part of Edwards County, 111., 
where they located permanently. Mr. Parkin- 
son was brought to the same county by his par- 
ents in 182.5, when but two years old. the family 
settling in Mt. Carmel. He was married in Mt. 
Carmel In 184(3, and worked there at his trade as 
a millwright, also being engaged at different 
times in v.irlous other lines of work. He died 
February IS. isn.s. and his wife on January ]S. 
1S02. Their cliildren were: .Vnna. Mrs. George 
W. Shilling, of Mt. Carmel. III. : Joseph, of Salt 
Lake City. T'tah : .Mary and Esther, died in in- 
fani'y : Lena. Mrs. Jacob Marks, of Mt. Carmel. 
III.: Mrs. Reel: Alice. Mrs. .John Ritter. of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct: Laura Ellen, died at the age of 
three years, and William, died In infancy. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Reel lived for some 
tinie on rented land In Mt. Carmel Precinct, and 
then iMiught his present farm of forty-one acres 
of well Imiirovcd land in Friendsville Precinct. 
In 1.S02 he added sixteen acres and about 190.5 
six acres more, in Mt. Carmel Precinct, near the 
Wabash River. Besides carrying on a general 



782 



"WABASH COUNTY 



line of farming he raises Poland China and 
Berkshire hogs, as well as a good grade of cattle 
and chickens. The following children ^vere born 
to him and his wife: Anna Laura, Mrs. Frank 
Shurtlitr, of Friendsville. 111. ; whose first hus- 
band, Harvey Wetzel, died ; Herman M., of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, married Pauline Briner ; Esther 
Pearl, of Mt. Carmel ; David William, Sarah and 
Amy Marie, at home : Nellie and Ethel, twins, 
and Koliert Edward, all at home. 

Mr. Keel is a devuut member of the Methodist 
Ei)isco])al Church, having served as Trustee, 
Steward and Sunday School Superintendent, and 
is now District Steward. In polities he is a Re- 
publican. His wife was reared in Mt. Carmel, 
where she attended the common and high schools. 
Fratern.allv Mr. Reel belongs to the Independent 
Order of Odd Fellows. No. 732, of Friendsville: 
Modern Woodmen of America, No. 2074 ; Royal 
Neighbors No. -US^. to which his wife also be- 
longs ; both are also members of the Order of Re- 
bekahs, and Mrs. Reel belongs to the Modern 
Americans No. ."4. to the Eastern Star I^odge and 
also to the Uoyal Neigbbcjrs. Both have many 
friends in the community and are popular in so- 
cial circles. 

REES, Lewis (deceased). — One of the oldest 
settlers of Mt. Carmel, 111., during his later years 
was Lewis Rees. who was born in Cincinnati, 
Ohio, February 8. 18:3;?. and whose death occurred 
Seijfember 2!). 1!»10. He was a son of Henry and 
Margaret (Fogle) Rees. natives of Germany, who 
came to Cincinnati in 3830. Henry Rees learned 
the trade of tailor and later became a contractor, 
wcrking on the Whitewater Canal, at Lawrence- 
burg, Ind.. wbiib he continued until 1840, ami 
then conducted a hotel at Lawrenceburg. In the 
early 'forties he joined the regular United States 
Armv and took i)art in the Mexican War. While 
located at Fort Green Bay he purchased a farm 
there. Later he re-enlisted at Chicago, serving 
until the end of the war. After being mustered 
out at .Teffer.son Barracks. Mo., he died, at St. 
Louis, in 1848. Meantime his wife had bought 
a farm in St. Clair County. 111., bnt later moved 
to St. Louis, and after her husband's death mar- 
ried again .and retunieil to St. Clair Count.v. 
where she died In 18114. Lewis Rees was the sec- 
ond of three children, the others being : Henry, 
who died at New Richmond. Ohio, in IftO.'i. and 
Caroline, who died at Leavenworth. Kan., jire- 
vlous to the death of her l>rother Henry. 

At the age of nine years Lewis Rees began 
learning the tinner's trade, at Lawrenceburg. 
Ind., remaining in that city until 1848, when he 
went down the Ohio River to Newburg. Ind., 
where he spent a niontli. on .January fi. 1840, lo- 
cating at >rt. Carmel. 111. He worked there two 
years as a journeyman tinner for the firm of 
Cunua & Rosier, and in November, 1850, bought 
the interest of William Kosier, the firm then be- 
coming Cuqua & Rees. A year later this partner- 
shit) was dissolved and Mr. Rees worked for 
various employers until the spring of 18.52, when 
he formed a p:irtnershii> with Messrs. Tilton & 



Johnston, a year later he and Mr. Johnston buy- 
ing the interest of Mr. Tilton. In 1860 Mr, Rees 
bought out Mr. Johnston's interest and carried on 
the business alone until 1903, when he sold out 
to Kamp Brothers. He had built up a good trade 
and carried a good stock of stoves, hardware and 
tinware. From that time during the rest of his 
life he c-onducted the tinshop for Kamp Brothers. 
He built up a large business from a small begin- 
ning, and was considered one of the leading mer- 
chants of Mt. Carmel. 

In March, 18.52, Mr. Rees married Sarah J. 
Wilson, who was born at Mt. Carmel, in August, 
1833, a daughter of J. L. and Sarah (Thrapp) 
Wilson, natives of Ohio, who were early settlers 
of Wabash County. Mr. Wilson came to Illinois 
in 1824 and conducted a grist-mill, saw-mill and 
foundr.v. Mrs. Rees was one of the first pair of 
twins born in Mt. Carmel. She died June 5, 
inOS, and was buried in Rose Hill Cemeterj-, at 
.Mt. Carmel. She had borne her husband chil- 
dren as follows: Frances C, born May 18. 1853, 
married James V. Hurd and died February 15, 
1882 : James Henry, bom December 14, 1854. died 
May 23. 1857; Agnes M.. bom November 22, 
1856, married John Steckler ; William Lewis, 
born April Ifi, 1.859, died February 27, 1863; 
Luella, born September 3, 1861, died JIarch 5, 
1867: one daughter died in infancy: Nellie, born 
July 31. 1.807, now Jlrs. B. H. Kamp, of Mt. Car- 
mel. Mrs. Hurd had two children : Leila, born 
August 22, 1.871, died August 8, 1876: Hattie 
Rees. liorn October 24. 1.877. now Mrs. Frank Or- 
land. of Mt. Carmel. who has one daughter. Fran- 
ces Hurd. and one son. Lewis Rees Orland. Mr. 
and Mrs. John Steckler have two children: Lillie 
M.. married A. F. Ray. of Detroit. Mich., and 
they have one son — Marion ; and Gladys W.. born 
November 12. 1.888. is at liome. Mr. Rees and 
wife celebrated their golden wedding in March, 
1902. 

Mr. Rees was a self-educated ami self-made 
man, having begun his career at a tender age, 
and attended school only four months. He 
learned nnich in the .school of experience and 
from personal observation. He manifested good 
judgment in his business operations and was suc- 
cessful to a gratifving degree. He was a mem- 
ber of Wabash Lod'.re No. 35. Independent Order 
of Odd Fellows, of Jit. Carmel. which he joined 
March 12. 1.8.54. Politically he was a stanch Re- 
fiublican and always took an active iTiterest in 
local affairs, especially in the growth and devel- 
opment of his home city of Mt. Carmel, He 
served two terms as Mayor of the city and twent.v- 
eigbt years as .Vlderman of the First Ward, and 
was a village Trustee long before Mt. Carmel he- 
came a city. 

REIBER, Andrew. — Among the prominent and 
successful German-.\mericans of Wabash County, 
III., none are accorded higher respect than veter- 
ans of the Civil War. who supported the caiise 
of their adopted countrv so courageouslv and de- 
fended its interests with their greatest treasure 
- even life itself. Among the thinning ranks of 



WABASH COUNTY 



783 



these veterans may be found Andrew Reiber, of 
Wabash Precinct. Mr. Reiber was boru in 
Hesse-Cassel, Germany, April 23, 1842, a son of 
Henry and ilartraret Reiber, who came to the 
United States in 1S1(3. The parents settled in 
Newcastle, Fa., wliere for some time the father 
worked at his trade of l>laclismith. They moved 
to McKeesport, and later to I'hilipsburj;:. Pa., and 
in 1857 Mr. Reiber and a neitihbor. with the lat- 
ter's son. removed to Lancaster, 111., where they 
located. Here Mr. Reiber conducted a black- 
smith shop with the help of his three sons. He 
was born May 13, 1813. and died July 2. 18S4, 
and his wife, who was l)oru in January. 1815. 
died July 20. 1893. Of their twelve children the 
following grew to maturity : Mary, Mrs. Samuel 
Biehl, now deceased ; John, of Missouri ; Andrew ; 
Catherine. Mrs. Henru Biehl, of Brazil, Ind. ; 
William, died October 3. 1883. at the age of" 
thirty-seven years, ten months and four days ; 
Elizabeth, Mrs. Daniel Selbert. of Lancaster 
Precinct. 

Andrew Reiber remained with his parents un- 
til August 21. 18t)2, when he enlisted in Company 
C, One Hundred Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer In- 
fantry. They were ordered to Springheld, 111., 
where they were drilled a short time, thence 
went to Cincinnati, then being assigned to the 
Army of Kentucliy. .Mr. Reiber took part in a 
battle near Nashville. Tenn., then was taken 
sick and sent to a hosi)it;il at Nashville. After 
spending a few months in the hospital he was 
examined and put in the veteran re.<erve corps, 
rtr.aining in that body until his discharge, al- 
though he had previously Ijeen orderly in the 
War Department at Washington, D. C. As a 
part of the Army of the Cumberland, the regi- 
ment took part in a number of the most memor- 
able battles of the war, including Chattanooga. 
Resaca. Nashville and the pursuit of Hood 
through Northern Alabama, and received re- 
peated commendations for liravery. It was mus- 
tered out at Nashville June 11. 180.5. and received 
its final discharge at .'Springfield. June 2.3. after 
which the Mr. Reiber returned to Lancaster. 

Mr. Reilier married. January (5. ISfi'.t. Catherine 
Schafer. who was born in Mt. Cannel. daughter 
of Henry Schafer and .Margaret (Weinbacht 
Schafer. natives of Germany. .Vfter his mar- 
riage Mr. Reiber worked with his father until 
1870. then moved to a farm near Allendale, which 
he has since cleared and put under cultivation. 
While living in Lanca.ster he bought forty acres 
of timber land, which he has improved and put 
under cultivation. He had conducted a shop in 
Lancaster three years before locating near Allen- 
dale. Mr. Reiber live<l one year in a log house 
on his farm, but his wife's father having died 
his land was divided among his children. Mrs. 
Reiber receiving twenty acres and the home, so 
that Mr. Reiber l)Ought the Interests of some of 
the other heirs and has ISO acres in his present 
home farm. He also bought forty acres of the 
James Randlin farm adjoining his place on the 
northwest. Mr. Reiber carried on farming until 



IttOO, since which he has lived retired from active 
life. 

The children born to Mr. Reiber and wife are : 
John, of Oklahoma ; .Margaret A., Mrs. Frank 
Courter, of Wabash Precinct ; George W., of 
Lawrence Count?-. 111.; Fred E., at home; Anna 
E.. died July 31, 1880, at the age of two years; 
Julia E.. Mrs. Herman Stillwell. of Wabash Pre- 
cinct ; Fannie. Mrs. Clinton Payne, of Wabash. 
Precinct ; Daniel P., of Wabash Precinct. 

Jlr. Reiber received his education in the com- 
mon schools in Lancaster and learned of his par- 
ents habits of sturdy honesty and thrift. He is 
a member of the United Brethren Church and 
politically is a Democrat. He has drawn a pen- 
sion since 1875. and since .September 1, 1908, has 
received .$17 per month. He has been a hard 
worker all his life and has well earned the days 
of rest and comfort that now await him. 

RIGG, Dr. Thomas Jefferson (deceased). — In the 
death of I>r. Thomas Jefferson Rigg. which oc- 
curred February 3. 1800. the city of Mt. Carmel 
li'... lost its oldest jiracticing physician and one 
of its most distinguished citizens. For over 
tliirtj- years he had been prominently identil3ed 
with the public, educational and medical inter- 
ests of Wabash County, and few men have ren- 
dered more valued services to their community. 
Dr. Kigg was born at Catlettsburg, Ky., .\pril 
17. 1829, a son of George and Cynthia Rigg, na- 
tives of Kentucky. They had live children, all 
deceased, namely : Thomas Jefferson, Alfred, 
Harvey. Robert and Cynthia Stlmpson. 

When still a youth Dr. Rigg accompanied his 
parents to Wabash County, in., and the greater 
piirlion of his time imt'l reaching manhood was 
sp°nc on tbo home l.iru,. bis education being such 
as w.is affoidid by the country schools of his day. 
which he attended during the winter terms. 
Later he taught school for a time at. or near. Cab- 
bage Cor'iti'. but (leterminiiig to become a physi- 
cian, he v.cnl to Ohica.ao and entered Rush Medi- 
cal C'll.'ege. jaid after being graduated therefrom 
in 1800. practiced his profession in that city for 
a lime, being also engaged in the drug business. 
.\t the outbreak of the Civil War he was ap- 
pointed .-Vssistant i^urgeon in the Seventh Illinois 
Volunteer Cavalry, and was with Grierson in 
many of his famous raids, participating in some 
of the most stirring scenes of the war. Before 
its close he had lieen promoted to the position of 
surgeon, with tlie rank of Ma.ior. After the close 
of hostilities. Dr. Rigg came to Mt. Carmel. 
where for a .short time he was In the drug busi- 
nes in partiiershiii with his father-in-law. the 
Hon. I. N. Jaquess. but after disposing of his in- 
terests In this line he devoted himself entirely 
to the practice of his profession and was so en- 
gaged UP to the (lay of his death. In disposition. 
Dr. Rigg was most kind and genial, and was de- 
voted to his family. He always had a pleasant 
smile and kind word for whomever he came in 
contact with, was a great favorite with chil- 
dren, and one of the secrets of his success as a 
I)hysician was the cheerful manner in which he 



784 



WABASH COUNTY 



entered a sick room. He \Yas au honored citizen 
and after a long and useful life, died firm in the 
belief of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
was always a stanch aiid loyal Republican in 
politics, and at one tiaie was a member of the 
City Council. He was a strong advocate of the 
cause of education, and for twelve years in suc- 
cession and at different times afterwards, he 
served as President of the School Board. He be- 
longed to the Udd Fellows, the Masons and the 
Grand Army of the Republic, while his profession 
connected him with the Wabash County Medical 
Society. Dr. Rigg"s death came suddenly, and 
it is a co-incidence that he had always expressed 
a desire that it should so be. On the afternoon 
of the day of his death he had been around town, 
apparently in better health and spirits than 
usual, even for him, and had remarked that he 
felt better than he had in a long time. The fun- 
eral was held from the Methodist Episcopal 
Church and was conducted by Rev. J. F. Har- 
mon and largely attended. 

Dr. Rigg was married (first) to Sarah Clark, 
who died in 185G, having been the mother of two 
children : George E., of Mt. Carmel, and Mrs. 
Mary Courtright of Edwards County. In 18G6 
Dr. Rigg married Miss Laura Jaquess. and there 
were three children born to this union : Nellie, 
died in infancy : Mrs. Ida R. Curtis, of Mt. Car- 
mel ; and Mrs. Dr. C. P. Danks of Washington, 
Ind. 

RISLEY, Charles Miller, whose parents and 
grandparents were all early settlers in Wabash 
County, 111., is a native of Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
where he now resides, being bom August 27, 
1857, a son of Ezra and Margaret H. (Wallace) 
Risley. Ezra Risley was born in Wabash County 
and his parents, Daniel and Sarah Risley, were 
natives of New Jersey and early settlers of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct. Margaret H. Wallace was a 
daughter of Elijah and Jane Wallace, natives of 
Virginia and early settlers of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, who spent the remainder of their lives in 
that vicinity. 

The marriage of Ezra Risley and his wife took 
place in Mt. Carmel Precinct, where she was 
born, and where he died in 1902. His widow 
continued to live on the home farm until three or 
four years ago, when she went to live with a 
daughter. Mrs. J. E. Seller, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct. The children born to Mr. Risley and wife 
were : Louisa V.. Mrs. F. C. Seller, of Mt. Carmel 
Precinct : CTiarles M. : Mary Ida. died at the age 
of forty years: Will S.. of Friendsville Precinct; 
Harlan E., resides near Seattle, Wash. : Emma. 
Mrs. .T. E. Seller, a widow ; John and Fannie died 
in infancy. 

Charles M. Risley spent his boyhood on his 
father's farm, helping in the farm work as soon 
as old enough. He remained at home until his 
marriage. December 4, 1882. to Emma Dyar. 
born in Mt. Carmel Precinct, a daughter of John 
D. and Elizabeth (Seller) Dyar, natives of Ger- 
many and Pennsylvania, respectively. Mr. Ris- 
ley's first wife died in February, 1885. and on 



March 15, 1S87, he married (second) Rosauna 
Grundun. born in Mt. Carmel Precinct, a daugh- 
ter of Thomas and Annie (Connor) Grundou, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. To this union children 
were born as follows : Annie G., Charles Oliver, 
Fred G., May Belle and Nellie Enola. 

Mr. Risley's farm is in Mt. Carmel Precinct, in 
Section 1, on land that he had bought from his 
father. It was partly cleared at the time he 
purchased it, but contained no buildings. He 
had erected a house prior to his marriage and 
continued improving the land, so that now he 
has all except hve acres under cultivation. He 
has also erected other necessary buildings of a 
substantial character, and has oue of the best 
kept estates in Wabash County. Mr. Risley has 
ninety-six acres of land in what is called the 
"Sugar Tree Front Farm." where he carries on 
diver.sified farming and raises registered Poland- 
China hogs, Jersey cows for his dairy, and 
Percheron horses. He received his education 
in the local schools and has spent his entire life 
near his present home. He is well known and 
much esteemed, having a host of friends. Po- 
liti<-ally he is Independent and in religion is 
a Lutheran. Mr. Risley and his wife are mem- 
bers of the Tribe of Ben Hur fraternal organi- 
zation. He is descended from some of the 
pioneers of Wabash County, who took the keenest 
interest in the public welfare and progress and 
is a worthy representative of his race. 

RISLEY, John T., was born at Little Egg Har- 
bor. N. J., in 1813, and coming to Wabash 
County, 111., in 1822. lived there seventy-five 
years. In 1837 he was married to Sarah J. Arn- 
old, a daughter of Captain John Arnold, who 
commanded a company in the Black Hawk War. 
She died in 1858. In 18C0 he was married to Mrs. 
Mary McGregor. By his first marriage there 
were born two sons. Lamer and Edwin, and six 
daughters. Mrs. Sarah Lewis. .Mrs, Thomas W. 
Chapman. Mrs. (i. W. Sharp. .Mr.s. J. H. Keller, 
Mrs, Mary Wolfe and Hrs. Laura Hallock. 

Mr. Risley was a sturdy and enterprising pio- 
neer, who toiled earnestly to sulidue the wil- 
derness and overcome the privations of pioneer 
life, and greatly helped to build up and advance 
the welfare and prosperity of Wabash County. 
He was a man of firmness and energy, 
honest in all his transactions and successful in 
business. His temperament was hopeful and he 
kept himself abreast of the times. He was un- 
pretentious, but his sterling integrity, clear judg- 
ment, jirogre-ssive character and fidelity to 
friends and neighbors made him influential. He 
was beautifully devoted to his children and con- 
stantly solicitious about their happiness and 
welfare, even to the very end. and in his last 
days they comforted him with unfeigned devo- 
tion. Mr. Risley's long and useful life will fill 
a bright and honored page in the history of the 
brave and generous forefathers of our county. 
The moral example of such a life is rich with 
sweet influences and redolent with honors that 
bless succeeding generations. He was one of the 




HENRY SPIRLING AND FAMILY 



WABASH COUNTY 



785 



first Abolitionists of the county, always a loyal 
Republican in politics, and evinced a deep inter- 
est in public affairs. He was endowed with an 
alert iutcllisence and unusual penetration and 
sagacity, which would easily have qualified him 
for a superior part in the larger affairs of men, 
had he given reiu to ambitious purposes. 

HiSLEY Lineage. — Richard Risley, ancestor of 
the American branch of the Risley family, im- 
migrated to Massachusetts from near Boston, 
England, in company with Thomas Hooker and 
John Cotton, clergjanen of the church of Eng- 
land, in March. Iti.S.S. "Risley Hall." in the east 
of England, still standing, was the ancient fam- 
ily seat. The party, emigrating from Xewton 
to the present site of Hartford, there purchased 
a tract of land from the Naubuek Indians, which 
was apiwrtioned among the settlers, in SO acre 
tracts, and to Richard Risley fell the tract on 
which stood the famous Charter Oak. A family 
coat of arms, which represented a body of wa- 
ter, on which were ducks floating, with a shield 
surmounted by a gre.vhound. was registered in 
l(v!4. as api^ears from the office of the Registrar 
of Vital Statistics in London. One member of 
the family was a General who conmianded a por- 
tion of Cromwell's Army on the Field of Rowton 
Moor, where King Charles I. from the Watch 
Tower on the walls of Chester, saw his last 
Royal Army defeated and scattered in flight. 

Richard died in Hartford in October. iCAS. 
and his name is graven on the monument erected 
to commemorate the pioneers of Connecticut, 
which stands on State Street, in Hartford. The 
record of his will is on file in the office of the 
Secretary of the Commonwealth of Connecticut. 
His son Richard died in 1729. leaving four liv- 
ing sons. He possessed a valuable estate in Hart- 
ford County. Careful research tends to show 
that all the Risle.vs. except the family that went 
from England direct to South Carolina in 172.3, 
are descended from Richard I and Richard (II) 
and his four sons. 

The Risleys were among the first settlers of 
Oneida County. X. T.. and Little Egg Harbor, 
N. .7. At the latter place the subject of this 
sketch was born in 1811. He was the son of 
Jeremiah Risle.v. who was the son of Samuel 
Risley who was in direct line of decent from 
Richard (T). Jeremiah emigrated from New Jer- 
sey to Wabash County. Illinois, in 1827. 

RISLEY, Larner (deceased), was born in Wa- 
basli County, III., .\ugust :il. 1.S.30. where he re- 
sided until his death, which occurred November 
22. 1000. He was the eldest son of .John T. and 
Sarah Jane Risley. who were prominent among 
the pioneers of the county. On February 14. 
1.8fi4. Mr. Risley was united in marriage with 
Mar.v J. Chapman, a daughter of Robert and 
Sarah Wharram Chapman, who came from York- 
shire. England, in 1830. She died January 19. 
ISf!.'). Mrs. Risley was a .vonng woman of most 
amialile character, esteemed and beloved by all 
who knew her. She was of studiotis habits, and 
a devoted member of the Methodist Church ; 



was intensely loyal to the cause of the Union 
during the dark days of the Civil War. and spent 
much time in writing beautiful, patriotic and 
insjiiring letters to the soldier boys of her ac- 
quaintance. Her early demise was deeply de- 
plored, and the memory of her sweet and beau- 
tiful life is fondly cherished by all who came 
within the sphere of its beneficent influence. 
She died leaving one child, Theodore Granville 
Risley. now of Mt. Carmel. 111. 

In September. 1871, Mr. Larner Risley was 
married (second) to Mary Lois Roberts, daugh- 
ter of Archibald and Polly Roberts, well known 
residents of the county. By this union there 
were born the following children : Mary A., who 
died in infancy ; Elma L.. married Allen I. Veih- 
man. who died June 14. 1897; Charles B., for- 
merly of Princeton. Ind., but now a resident of 
Mt. Carmel. III., and Roy T., of Mt. Carmel. Mrs. 
Risley departed this life May 22. 1910, having 
outlived her husband just six months. She was 
an intelligent Christian woman and was zeal- 
ously devoted to the welfare of her family. 

Mr. Larner Risley was a successful farmer and 
stockman, and for .years one of the county's 
prominent and infiuential citizens, and enjoyed 
the deserved esteem and confidence of a barge 
acquaintance throughout the entire county. He 
was conservative and retiring in temperament, 
but of firm convictions, sound judgment and 
strong common sense. He was eminently fair, 
and his opinions were highly regarded. In poli- 
tics he was a devoted Republican and took nmch 
interest in political matters, always keeping him- 
self well informed on questions of public inter- 
est. He was a member of the Methodist Church 
but quite liberal in his theological views. He 
was a man of irreproachable character and lov- 
able disposition. His earnest, patient and de- 
voted life shed a benign influence upon all who 
came within its radiant circle. 

Mr. Risley was a man of enterprise and en- 
ergy and never ceased his business activities 
until his death. He grew old beautifully, and 
his heart always seemed young and in full sym- 
pathy with the vital currents that animate the 
meridian of life. He was a fearless, hopeful, 
conscientious and devoted man. and the memory 
of his pure and useful life is a legacy of honor 
to his posterity. 

RISLEY, Theodore G., was born in Wabash 
County, III., December 4, 1SG4. was raised on a 
farm and. after the usual cour.se In a country 
school, attended school at Lebanon. Ohio, and 
afterward spent two years at the Geneseo Nor- 
mal School, from which he graduated. He com- 
pleted the law course at Weslevan T^niversity, 
Bloomington. 111., and after graduation went to 
Olympia. Washington, where he was engaged for 
a time in rei>ortorial work for the "Portland 
Oregonian." the "Tacoma Ledger" and "Olympia 
Partisan." During this time he canva.ssed the 
territory in the statehood campaign, under the 
auspices of the Republican Territorial Commit- 
tee. 



786 



WABASH COUNTY 



Mr. Kisley at the age of tweutj-four was ap- 
pointed Clerk of the United States District 
Court, at Gutbrie. Olcla., organized tlie otKce 
and for more tlian tliree years conducted its 
great volume of business In a manner tbat elic- 
ited higb commendation from tbe Department of 
Justice at Wasbiugton, uiwn bis retirement. 
While in Oklaboma Mr. Risley was twice elected 
President of tbe Territorial Republican League 
clubs, was Secretary of tbe Republican Terri- 
torial Committee four years, and its Treasurer 
two years. After five years' residence lu Okla- 
homa, be returned to Mt. Carmel and engaged 
in the practice of law. 

In 1S96, and before be had been home long 
enough to be again a legal voter in Illinois, the 
Republican Congressional Convention nominated 
him. over several strong candidates, lor Presiden- 
tial Elector in tbe Twenty-third District, as he 
would be a legal voter before election and to 
this office be was elected. In tbat memorable 
campaign be took tbe "stump" on the 1st of 
August and continued in the canvass, throughout 
the State until the election, speaking the last 
ten days in Chicago. 

In ISOS the Republicans of tbe Twenty-third 
Congre.ssional District appealed to him to make 
the race for Congress against tbat eloquent and 
resourceful Democratic campaigner. Hon. J. R. 
Williams, who had attained distinction as a re- 
doubtable deliater in the Halls of Congress. Mr. 
Risley was nominated and. although the distiict 
was normally Democratic by o"2.")0 majority and 
the democracy had nominated a candidate who 
was recognized as one of its most formidable 
champions in the State, he entered into the 
canvass with relentless energy and boldly chal- 
lenged his opponent to confront him in a dis- 
cussion of the leading issues before the people. 

Both candidates entered uix>n a seven-weeks' 
speaking campaign, making two speeches a day, 
and. while defeated. Mr. Risley succeeded in 
reducing the Democratic majority about 1700 
votes. By request of Senators Cullom and Ma- 
son, in 1000, be accepted the appointment of Su- 
peiTisor of the Census for tlie Fourteenth Dis- 
trict of Illinois, and in 1901, Hon. Charles G, 
Dawes appointed him Si^ecial Counsel to the 
Comi)troller of tbe Currency, and assigned him to 
conduct a legal investigation as to the liability 
of the Directors of the faile<l Pynchon National 
Bank, of Springfield. Mass. As a result of bis 
work, the Directors assumed the payment of 
about $1.50.000 to the receiver for tbe benefit of 
the creditor.*, as a liability for having illegally 
Tinder^Titten securities of tbe American Writ- 
ing Paper Company, of Ilolyoke. Mass. 

In 100.") Comptroller Ridgley assigned Mr. Ris- 
ley to the same class of work iu connection with 
the failure of the First National Bank, of Fari- 
bault. Minn., and after completing the investiga- 
tion, in connection with Hon. Frank B. Kellogg, 
of St. Paul. Mimi.. President Roosevelt's "Trust 
Buster." Mr. Risley instituted suit against the 
Directors of tbe defunct bank, and thev settled 
by the payment of .?100,000 in cash to the re- 



ceiver. In loutj. the Comptroller sent Mr. Ris- 
ley to succeed Receiver Eugene T. Wilson, of 
the .Etna Banking & Trust Company, of Butte, 
Mont., and after assuming charge of his new 
trust, he was appointed by Judge Bourquin of 
that State, Receiver of the JEtna. Saving and 
Trust Company, an allied concern of the cele- 
brated copper mine and frenzied finance manipu- 
lator, F. Augustus Heinze. 

These large concerns, with all their compli- 
cated affairs, be practi<-ally closed up, acting as 
bis own attorney, within seventeen months. 

Mr. Risley is widely known as a campaign 
speaker, as an orator on public occasions, and 
has made hundreds of speeches on various sub- 
jects and in many States, several of which have 
attained celebrity and been extensively pub- 
lished as political documents. He has given 
much attention to tbe question of protection of 
American industries, and has traveled iu Europe 
for tbe jmriKjse of studying tbe industrial con- 
ditions of tbe old countries. He has been in- 
vited by the National Reiniblicau Committee and 
numerous State Committees to make political 
speeches for his party, and has always resimnded, 
when pos.sible, both as a speaker and party man- 
ager and worker. He first took the stump for 
Blaine when eighteen years of age. 

The law firm of (Jreen & Risley, of which Mr. 
Risley is the junior member, has a large prac- 
tice, and has lieen employed in .some celebrated 
cases. Judge (Jreen was formerly President of 
tbe Illinois State Bar Association. 

Mr. Risley's closing arguments for tbe de- 
fendants, in tbe famous Showalter and the 
.\dams murder trials, were pronounced by jur- 
ists and lawyers who heard them, as being 
among the veiy ablest and most eloquent for- 
ensic efforts ever made in the courts of Southern 
Illinois. He devotes his time almost exclusively 
to his jirofession. 

ilr. Risley is Vice-President of the American 
National Bank, of Mt. Carmel. and is engaged 
in tbe breeding of pure bred Hereford cattle and 
faruHng. He takes an active interest in all pub- 
lic matters pertaining to the welfare of his 
city and county. 

He has been urged to become a candidate for 
various offices, but since his candidacy for Con- 
gress has declined to be a candidate for any other 
office, yet has thrown his whole strength into 
every campaign, local. State and National, on 
the stump, in party councils, and at the polls 
for tbe success of his party. His standing in 
the public estimation is such tbat his counsel 
and assistance are sought and requested in al- 
most every class of affairs that interest the pub- 
lic or tend to promote local jirogress. 

His family consists of his wife. Edith D., and 
two sons. Maynard C. and Sherwood B. 

RITTER, John E., a substantial farmer of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, living four miles northwest 
of Mt. Carmel, III., is a native of Wabash County, 
born at Rochester. January 23. 1S55. He is a 
son of George and Susan M. (Donnell) Ritter, 



WABASH COUxXTY 



787 



the former born in Pennsylvania and ttie latter 
In Illinois. (Jeorge Hitter came to Wabash 
County, 111., about 1835, and was there married. 
He settled at Rochester and lived there on a 
farm until about ISOO, when he moved to Knoi 
County, III., where he and his wife died, he in 
ISTU and she prior tu that date. He was a farmer 
and also worked at his trade as cabinet-maker. 

John E. Hitter spent his early years on his 
father's farm, and was educated in the dis- 
trict schools of Knox County. He spent his boy- 
hood like other farmers" sous and was reared to 
iabits of industry and thrift. At thirteen years 
of age he began working his way in the world, 
and at the death of his parents came to Jit. Car- 
mel and worked on a farm in that vicinity. He 
married. August 14, ItSSl. Alice Parkinson, who 
was born in Mt. Carmel, a daughter of Edward 
and Sarah (IIodgs<5n) Parkinson, both natives 
of England, who came to Mt. Carmel among the 
early settlers. Jlr. Parkinson managed the first 
grist-mill in Wabash Couuty. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Ritter rented different farms until 
100(!, then bought his present farm of sixty- 
one acres from C. A. ,Tohnson. upon which he 
carries on general farming and raises consider- 
able stock. He has brought his land to a high 
state of cultivation and makes the most of his 
opportunities, following modern methods with 
good results. 

The following children were born to Mr. Rit- 
ter and wife; Leroy, of Mt. Carmel. a mall 
carrier : Fannie Ruth. Mrs. C. C. Cannon, of 
W'ater Valley. Mi.ss. ; Sarah. Mrs. Guy Case ; 
Mary Jane. Mrs. Lin Hunt, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct : Robert, who died in infancy ; Lyman. Del- 
bert. Katie and John, at home ; Joseph, died in 
infancy. Mr. Ritter is a member of the Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church and served many years 
as Superintendent of the Sunday School. Fra- 
ternally he is a member of the Independent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of 
America, of Mt. Carmel. politically supixirts the 
principles of the Republican party, taking a 'com- 
mendable interest in public affairs. A public- 
spirited and enterprising citizen in his business 
dealings, he has ever shown himself to be ac- 
tuated by the highest prineiple.s. 

ROBERTS, Charles Henry, one of the most Buc- 
cessful among the yoiuiger business men of Mt. 
Carmel. 111., has built up a good trade and es- 
tablished himself in the confidence and esteem 
of the people who have dealt with him. Mr. Rob- 
erts carries a complete stock of jewelrj' and fine 
china, as well as similar goods, and also does 
watch and clock repairing. He has been engaged 
in Ibis line of work since leaving school and Is 
a skilled workman along this line. Mr. Roberts 
was born in Mt. Carmel. February 2S. 1S74. a 
son of Cliarles and .Tersey (Mnndy-Manley) Rob- 
erts, both natives of the East, who were married 
In Mt. C.irmel. Charles Roberts was a manufac- 
turer of shingles and was engaged in this busi- 
ness in Mt. Carmel. He died in 187.3 and Cliarles 
H. was his only child. His widow continues to 



reside in Mt. Carmel. By her first marriage to F. 
C. Mauley, she had three children, namely : Ella, 
Mrs. George M. Burleigh, of Mt, Carmel ; Samuel 
M.. deceased; and Frank C, Mrs. H. E. Tuttle, 
of ILimmond. Ind. After the death of Mr. Man- 
ley his widow resided in Mt. Carmel until her 
marriage to Mr. Roberts. 

The education of Charles H. Roberts was ob- 
tained in the common and high schools of Mt. 
Carmel, and when seventeen years of age he be- 
came apprentice to learn the trade of jeweler, 
si^endlng fifteen years in the employ of Rush & 
Smith, after which he embarked in a similar line 
of business on his own account. He stands well 
in the communitj- and Is considered a useful, 
repre.sentative citizen. In politic-s he is a Demo- 
crat, and takes great interest in the public wel- 
fare. Fraternally he belongs to the R. A. M. of 
Masons. Xo. ?A9. B. P. O. E.. No. T15, and the 
M. W. A. of Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Roberts married, June 1, VJ05, Lucile 
Houts Goddard, who was born in Marion, 111., 
daughter of H. T. and Mary (Houts) Goddard, 
both also natives of Marion, but now residents 
of Mt. Carmel. where he is in the banking busi- 
ness, as President of the National Bank. Mr. 
Roberts and his wife have one son, Henry God- 
dard. twru October 21. 1007. 

ROSE, George W., a prominent farmer of 
Coffee I'recinct. Wabash County, 111., was 
born near Keensbnrg. not far from his present 
residenc-e, August 28, 1870, a son of Philip and 
Ruth Anna ( Eastwood ) Hose, the former a na- 
tive of Windheim, Germany, and the latter of 
Bellmont, 111. The father was a son of George 
and Dorothea Rose, who came to the United 
States in 18.53 and settled in Cincinnati. Ohio, 
where they died, after which their son Philip 
came to Wabash County, III. Philip Rose worked 
for others in Bellmont Precinct until his mar- 
riage. Octolier 22. 1802. when he began farming 
on his own account. His wife was a daughter of 
William and Mahala (Stewart) Eastwood, 
earl.v settlers of Wabash County. 

Philip Hose enlisted in Company G. Forty- 
eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, for service 
in the Civil War. and was later transferred to 
Comi)any II of the same regiment. He was dis- 
charged at the close of the war. August 15. 1865. 
Fpon returning home he lived on the Peter Har- 
nett farm in Coffee Precinct, which he bought, 
and in February, 1875. traded for eighty 
acres of land near Rochester, where he died. 
He secured .3<in aci-es of land, all in Sections 14 
and 1.5. Coffee Precinct, and all under cul- 
tivation except twenty-five acres of timber. Mr. 
Rose died May 23. in<iO. and his wife April 8, 
1,8!»<".. Mr. Rose married (second) Oc-tober 2.3, 
1S0<;. Mrs. Mary A. Weir. Her first husband, 
by whom she had one child, was Joseph Groff, 
and her second husband, by whom she had four 
children, was Sylvester Weir. Philip and Ruth 
.\nna (Eastwood) Rose had children as follows: 
.Sarali J., horn November 21. I,8fi3, lives on the 
old homestead : Dorothy M., born September 30, 



788 



WABASH COUNTY 



1S67. lives with her sister Sarali J,; George W., 
tlie youngest. 

George \V. Rose lived with his parents until 
his first marriage, Dei;eniber 25, 1802. to Mary 
L. I'L'))|ile. who was born in Lawrence County, 111., 
January 8, 187.3. The young couple began house- 
keei)ing on part of his father's farm, where he 
rented land until his father's death, since which 
time he has owned 127 acres of land, of which 
122 acres are under cultivation. Here he car- 
ried on general farming with good success. His 
first wife was accidentally burned and died from 
her injuries. April 5. IfMiO, leaving no children. 
Mr. Rose married (second) January 9. 1901, 
Emma M. ( Putnam > Courier, widow of Eben W. 
Courter, who was born in Lancaster Precinct. 
Wabash County, January 2?,. 1872. d.aughter of 
William H. and Miriam W. (King) Putnam. 

Mr. Rose is a member of the Christian Church, 
in which he has iieen a Deacon since 190G. He is 
Prohibitionist in political views and is active- 
ly interested in public affairs. He is a member 
of the Modern Woodmen of America No. 219?.. of 
Keensburg. and has been clerk of the order 
since irxiO. Mr. liose is an enterprising and 
representative citizen and is generally held in 
high esteem by those who know him. 

SAPP, Marion T., one of the substantial and 
progressive farmers i.pf Wabash County, III., was 
born in Clermont County. Ohio. January 8. 1850, 
a S(m of Henry and Elizatieth (Touner) Sapp, 
natives of Ohio, the latter a daughter of Abra- 
ham Touner. Henry Sapp and his wife came to 
Wabash County. 111., in 1854 and bought a farm 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct, where he died in 18(!0, 
and two years later his widow married George 
W. Munsey and lived sometime in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, then moved to 'Lick Prairie Precinct. 
Mr. Munsey finally sold his farm and moved to 
Mt. Carmel. where he died about 1888. Mrs. 
Munsey died while visiting in Keensburg in 1890. 
Mr. Sapp and his wife had children as follows: 
Meander. Mrs. John Fisher, of Mt. Carme! ; Al- 
bert, of Machias. Wash. : Marion T. ; Lavinia, 
died about 1877: Ijoreta, Mrs. Robert Peters, of 
Evansville. 111. : Charles, of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; 
Olive. Mrs. Lynch, of Keensburg. 111. Mr. Mun- 
sey and Ills wife had children as follows : Diana. 
Mrs. Thomas Williams, of Keensburg; Ida, of 
Seattle. Wash.; Priscilla. Mrs. William Chris- 
tian.- of Kansas ; Aquilla. Mrs. Morris Hill, of 
Bellmont Precinct, the last two being twins. 

The boyhood of Marion T. Sapp was spent on 
a farm and he attended the district schools. He 
remained at home until seventeen years of age, 
then worked at farming by the month until his 
marriage. December 2. 1870, to Sarah Melvina 
Martin, born in Washington County. Ind.. daugh- 
ter of William and Mary (Pickler") Martin, of 
Washington County. After his marriage Mr. 
Sapp began living on a rented farm in Friends- 
vilie Precinct, and afterward moved to another 
farm in the same precinct, where he remained 
two years, .spent one year on another farm in 
the neighborhood and then spent one year on 



his brother's farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct. He 
purchased a small place in Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
where he lived eighteen months, but later sold it 
He lived four years on a rented farm in Friends- 
ville I'recinct, spent nine months in Harrisburg, 
111., and returning to Friendsville Precinct, 
worked for his brother Albert, and for eight years 
rented a farm in Friendsville Precinct. 

In April, 1901. Mr. Sapp purchased eighty-five 
acres in Section 2(i of Friendsville Precinct. This 
land was in iwor condition and he had to make 
many improvements. He has fifty acres in the 
home place, twentj--five acres forty rods north of 
it, and has it all under cultivation. He raises 
considerable stoel;: and makes his farming pay 
well, using scientific methods and modern ideas. 
He is well known and stands high in the com- 
nuuiity, being recognized as a public-spirited, 
useful citizen and a man of high character. He 
takes an active interest in the public welfare 
and belongs to the Republican party. He is a 
member of the Christian Cliurch and is ready 
to contribute time and money to any good cause. 

Two sons were born to Mr. Sapp and his wife : 
Albert Glen, of Friendsville Precinct, and Carl 
Edgar, at home. The latter is a member of the 
Indcjiendent Order of Odd Fellows, of Friends- 
ville. also of the Order of Rebekahs and the 
Modern Americans. 

SCHAFER, George E., who has developed a fine 
farm in Wabash County, 111., is a native of the 
county, born in Compton Precinct, near his pres- 
ent home. May 21. 1875. He is a son of George 
P. and Enmia (Compton) Schafer, the former 
born in Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, and the 
latter in Wabash County. The father died when 
the son. George E.. was but fourteen years of 
age, and the latter lived with his brother Will- 
iam H.. until his marriage, which occurred in 
August. 1895, when he was united with Jennie 
P.illett, a native of La\^Tence County. 111., and 
daughter of John and Mary Ettie (Shroyer) 
Billett. both of German descent. 

After his marriage Mr. Schafer moved to a 
farm of 120 acres on Section 18 of Compton Pre- 
cinct, where he erwted a suitable house and other 
buildings. A large part of this land was tim- 
bered, which he has cleared and put into culti- 
vation. He has added eight.y acres and all his 
land is in Coffee Precinct except the forty acres 
containing his buildings. Jlr. Schafer has been 
successful in raising stock and breeds Duroc Jer- 
sey hogs. Jersey cattle and (Jerman coach horses. 
He carries on a general line of farming and is 
one of the enterprising, up-to-date farmers of his 
community, always read.v to consider modem 
methods and theories. 

Mr. Schafer is a Republican in politics and 
has served fourteen years as School Director. 
He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Churci and also lielongs to the Indei>endent Or- 
der of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of 
America and the Tribe of Ben Hur, of Keensburg. 
He has spent his life in the community, received 
his education in School District No. 53. of Wa- 



M 



r. 



M 

t/5 



o 

> 



r 

r. 

> 



O 

5 

o 




WABASH COUNTY 



7«9 



basil Couuty, and has won a large number of 
friends. He and bis wife have four children, 
namely : Florence, bom May 25, 1S06 ; Mildred, 
born February 3, 1S99 ; William, born Dec. 2S, 
VM2 ; and Ross, born March 4, 1907. 

SCHAFER, Wilham H., proprietor of the beau- 
tiful "Village Creek Stock Farm," in CofCee 
I'reciuct, Wabash County, 111., Is a native of the 
county, born in Coffee Precinct, June 19, 1857, 
a sun of George P. and Magdalena (Marx) 
Scbafer, the former a native of Hesse-Darmstadt. 
Germany, and the latter of Wabash Couuty 111. 
The parents were married in Wabash County 
and settled on a farm of seventy acres in Cof- 
fee Precinct. He kept adding to his posses- 
sions until be owned 220 acres. Mr. Schafer 
cleared and put most of this land under cultiva- 
tion, and died tliere in February. 1SS9. his wife 
having preceded him about 1803. He served dur- 
ing the Civil War in Company K, Sixty-fourth 
Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Four children were 
born to him and his first wife, namely: William 
H. ; Mary, Pernielia aud Georgiana, died in in- 
fancy. Mr. Schafer was married (second) to 
Susan Compton, by whom he had two daughters : 
Nancy, married C. M. Batson. of Coffee Precinct, 
and Nellie, married Charles G. Seller and died 
in Coffee Precinct, in 1904. The second Mrs. 
Schafer died about 1870. and Mr. Schafer mar- 
ried (third) Emeretta Compton. by whom be had 
two children: a daughter who died in infancy, 
and George E.. of Coffee Precinct, a sketch of 
whrmi appears in this work. 

William H. Schafer received a common scliool 
education and remained at home until his mar- 
riase. May 14. 1879. to Miss Mary C. Compton, 
born in Coffee Precinct, a daughter of Noah and 
Louisa ( Lance > Compton. the former a native 
of Wabash County and the latter of Indiana. 
After his marriage Mr. Schafer moved to a farm 
of thirty-seven acres which he had purchased 
preparatory to estal)lishing a home, and he has 
since added to this tract until he owns 485 acres, 
all in Section 7 and 18 of Coffee Precinct, the 
l)uildings being on Section 7. Besides his own 
residence he has erected two comfortable houses 
for the occupancy of liis employes. 

Mr. Schafer makes a speci:\lty of breeding and 
raising registered Shorthorn cattle and Berk- 
shire hogs. He has established a jiasture of 140 
acres which he uses for no other purpose, but 
has the remainder of his land under cultivation. 
Since 1903 he has had annual sales of l)looded 
stock on his farm, and is a regular advertiser in 
the "Breeders" Gazette" (of Chicago), and the 
"Cliicaiio Daily Drovers' .Journal." where the 
dates of Ills extensive sales are given. Breeders 
from all sections of the Unit(*d States are visitors 
of his extensive stock farm, of which Wabash 
County is justly proud, and a visit to the same is 
a pleasure and a revelation of the sreat jiossi- 
bilities of this industry. No county in the State 
is better adapted to the raising of stock, as Mr. 
Schafer has amply demonstrated, liaving been 
a jiioneer in this line in his section of the State. 



His usual herd numbers about 1(X) head of pure 
Sc-otch breeding, at the liead of which may be 
mentioned Imported Koau Archer No. 10OU74, 
ImiKjrted Royal Fusilier No. 2S2940, also I'rlm- 
rose Sullau No. 294034, grand.son of White Hall 
Sultau, champion bull of the world. This herd 
includes six imported cows. In the Hue of Berk- 
shire hogs Mr. Schafer keeps such stock as sons 
of Masterpiece, Lord Premier aud liiley's Pre- 
mier ; in fact, the highest breeding in the country. 

In September, 19ttO, Mr. Schafer lost two of 
his large barns by tire, with about 100 tons of 
hay, but at once replaced these buildings by- 
others that are motlern in every respect. He has 
his laud well tiled aud carries on oi^erations on 
a large scale, following approved modern meth- 
ods aud usiug up-to-date machinery and appli- 
ances. His laud is uuexcelled for raising corn 
aud he has been most successful in all his ven- 
tures. He has erected several substantial and 
sanitary barns and other buildings and in 1891 
built a handsome residence, which he has equip- 
ped with a hot-water heating phtnt and has in- 
stalled an excellent water system in the same. 
He has fitted it with many other moderu com- 
forts and conveniences and takes great delight 
in providing eveothing possible for the well- 
being aud enjoyment of his family. He is a man 
of geuerdus nature and kind heart, and has a 
host of warm personal friends. He is a Repub- 
licau in iMjlltics. takes an active interest in the 
conduct of public affairs aud is a supporter of the 
Christian Church, of which all his family are 
members. Fraternally he belongs to Lodge No. 
939, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Mod- 
ern Woodmen of America and the Tribe of Ben 
Hur, of Keensburg. 

Seven childreu blesse<l the union of Mr. Scha- 
fer and wile, namely : Stella M.. married Dr. H. 
R. Lovellette, of Keensburg, and they have two 
children— Iris and H. R.. Jr.; Albert and Fre- 
donia died in infancy; Maud, married Charles 
G. Isenhower. of Martinsville, Ind. ; Ida, at 
home : Mary died at the age of four and a half 
years : JIarie, died in infancy. 

SCHERER, Peter. — Among the most success- 
ful liusiness men of Wabash County, 111., are to 
be found many men who are natives of Germany 
or of German parentage. The proprietor of the 
oldest harness-making establishment in the 
county. Peter Scherer. is a native of Wabash 
County, born on Stuiz Prairie, November 15, 
1.S42. a son of Peter and Catherine (Fischer) 
Scherer. toth natives of Germany, he born in 
Rein-Byron and she in Hesse-Darmstadt. The 
father served in the Prussian Army from July 
17. 1827. until his discharge. July 17, 1^33. He 
was a blacksmith by trade and. a few years after 
leaving the army, came with his brother to Cin- 
cinnati. Ohio. He lost track of his brother and 
never again heard of or from him. When Mr. 
Scherer settled permanently he located in Wa- 
bash County, because he had friends there, and 
he found employment at first among the farmers. 
He bought forty acres of land an<i was married 



790 



WABASH COUNTY 



at Mt. Carmel, his wife buviug couie to Jit. Car- 
mel trom Germany with her mother, a widow. 
Mr. Seherer died in 1S47 and his widow remained 
ou the home farm until her brother came for her 
from Wilkinson County, Jliss. They returned 
with him (I'eter Fischer) to Jlississippi and 
there Mrs. St-herer married Jaoob Stevens, in 
April, 1S.52, and returned with her entire fam- 
ily to Mt. Carmel, where they siient about two 
years, tJien moved to the Lutheran Church prop- 
erty on Jordan Creek, and three years later 
moved hack to the home place, where they set- 
tled permanently. The four cJiildreu born to 
Mr. Scherer and his wife were: Peter (the old- 
est) ; John, killed in the Union Army durin;; the 
rebelli(ju ; Elizabeth A., Mrs. .Vusjust Fornoff, 
now dece;ised ; and Barbara P., of Evansville, 
Ind. 

Peter Scherer, Jr., resided with his mother and 
sisters while his brother and step-father served 
in the Union .\rmy at the time of the Civil War, 
and received only a common school education, 
but he has a fine command of the En^clish lan- 
guage and has learned much by his own efforts 
and in the school of e.xperience. When twenty- 
one years old he went to Fort Branch, Ind., and 
worked on a farm until July 2.5, 18(U, when he 
went into a harness-making shop and began 
learning the trade. In ISOO he located in Lan- 
caster, 111., and bought a shop, which he con- 
ducted until 181K), and established his business 
in Carmi, but a few months later moved it to 
Mt. Carmel. where he has since carried on an 
extensive business. He is a skilled workman 
and is recognized as one of the leading business 
men of the city. He stands well in the com- 
munity and takes an active interest in public 
affairs, discharges his duty as a citizen and 
working in the interest of every cause which he 
believes to be for the promotion of the welfare 
and prosperity of city and county. He is a 
Democrat and served seven years as Postmaster 
at Lancaster. 11!.. half of this time uuder (irant 
and the other half under Cleveland. He is a 
prominent member of the Masonic Order and a 
Royal Arch Mason, being c()nnecte<l with the 
Cha[iter at Mt. Carmel. He is a devout member 
of the .Methodist E])iscopal Church and is one 
of the Stewards. He has also lieen class leader 
and Sundav School Suiierintendent. 

Sejiteniber 12, 1872, Mr. .Scherer married Mary 
Angeline Tiffney. born in Xenia, Ohio, and they 
became i)arents of eight children, live of whom 
died in infancy, the others being: Emery K. and 
Kirby E.. of Evansville. Ind. ; and Zelma E.. Mrs. 
Henry E. Seip. of Evansville. Mrs. Scherer died 
June 17. IStC, and Mr. Scherer married (second) 
April ](i. 180.5. Mar\- Jane Eves, liorn in Illinois, 
her parents l)eiiig natives of Delaware. They 
have one son. Charles J., born June 11. 1807. 

SCHNECK, Jacob (deceased).— No history of 
Wabash County woubl be com|ilete without spe- 
cial mention of the late Dr. Jacob Schneclj. 
physician, surgeon, botanist, author and veteran 
of the Civil War. and one of the most universallv 



poiiular men the State has ever kuown. Dr. 
Schneck, was of German extraction, his ances- 
try dating back to the sixteenth centurj', the fam- 
ily originating from Westphalia, Germany, 
whence they were dri\"en by wars and f)ersecu- 
tions, subsequently changing their residence to 
Stuttgart. Many of the family h.-ive been able 
and learned men and noted writers ou theological 
subjects. 

Johu F. Schneck emigrated to America in 1839, 
settling in Lancaster County, Pa., whence he re- 
nm\ed in 1.843 to New Harmony, Posey County, 
Ind. He died in 1857, leaving six children. Of 
these. Dr. Jacob Schneck was born near New 
Harmony. Ind.. December 11, 1843, and died at 
Mt. Carmel, 111.. December IS, lOOG. He lived ou 
his father's farm until the latter's death, attend- 
ing the common schools of Posey County. On 
November 13, 1801, he enlisted as a private iu 
Company E, Sixtieth Regiment Illinois Volun- 
teer Infantry, and was taken prisoner while on 
the skirmish line at the battle of Jackson, which 
occurred after the fall of A'icksburg, He was 
jiaroled, but owing to au irregularity in the 
e.xchange, he failed to rejoin his original com- 
pany, but on May IS, 1SC4, enlisted in the naval 
service at Brooklyn, N. Y., and was assigned to 
duty in a vessel that had a roving commission en- 
gaged in the capture of blockade iiumers. After- 
ward he was assigned to duty on the Metacomet 
and took part in the naval campaign off Mobile 
under Admiral Farragut at Fort Morgan and 
Spanish Fort. He was mustered out of the ser- 
vice at Philadelphia, May 31, 18li.5, and returned 
to his home at New Harmony. At that time his 
education was very limited, he being able to read 
and write only slightly, and feeling the neces- 
sitj- of obtaining a better education, he entered 
an academy at Owensville, fitting liimself for the 
profession of teaching. In 18(i7 he taught school 
at OIney, 111., and decided while there to fit him- 
self for the iiractice of medicine under Dr. Gos- 
lin. The following year he came to Mt. Carmel 
and further adv.-inced himself, and during the 
winter of 18(;8-(10 he took a course in the (i'hicago 
Medical College, but his funds becoming ex- 
hausted, he was compelled to resume teaching. 
.Vfter earning sufficient money, he re-entered the 
college for a second course and graduated in 
March, 1871. with the degree of M. D. He en- 
tered upon the active practice of medicine at Mt. 
Carmel. where he resided and contiiuied to prac- 
tice his profession to the time of his death. 

On November 28, 1872, Dr. Sclmedc was mar- 
ried at Mt. Carmel to Miss Mary Ilartnian, 
datighter of John Hartman. Mr. Ilartman was 
born in the (irand Dudiy of Hesse-Darmstadt, 
January 10. 1.813. and died at the age of eighty- 
three years. He came with his parents to Amer- 
ica in lS2»t. locating at .Vllegheny City. Pa., where 
he remained until attaining his majority. In his 
iKiyhood he had learned the trade of a black- 
.sniith. at which he became an expert, and after 
visiting various jiarts of the country, located in 
Mt. Carmel in 1844. where the remainder of his 
life was sjient in various occtipations. including 



WABASH COUNTY 



791 



blacksuiithing aucl foundry work manufacturing 
wagons and buggies, selling clocks and buying 
furs, and was also iu the grocery and mercantile 
lines. His first wife was JIary Beal, to whom 
he was married February 22, 1S40, at New Or- 
leans, La., and who died September 9, 1S90. She 
was born iu Beekenheim City, Germany, August 
7, 1824, came to America in 1839, and to Mt. 
Carmel with her husband in 1844, and here she 
died when past sixty six years old. There were 
seven children born to this union : Mrs. Mary 
Sehneck, Mrs. Caroline Crone, of Pittsburg, Pa., 
and Mrs. C. L. Kenner of Mt. Carmel. who are 
living; and ,Tohn. Mrs. Vinnie Smith. Mrs. Tula 
B. Oberheilman, Ellen Belle and Charles, de- 
ceased. 

To Dr. and Mrs. Sehneck was born one son, 
Sereuo \V.. who is practicing medicine in Mt. 
Carmel. having graduated at the same school as 
his father. His wife and one sister, Mrs. Bar- 
bara Sanders, of Grayville, 111., and two brothers, 
Charles, of Hot Springs, Ark., and Henrj', of 
New Harmony, Ind., also survive. 

Dr. Sehneck was for many years, and up to 
the time of his death, an active member of the 
Methodist Eiiiscopal Church, and a member of the 
Masonic Lodge of Mt. Carmel, in which he for 
some time tilled the ofBce of High Priest. He 
was one of the charter members of the Mt. Car- 
mel Scientific Society and always took an ac- 
tive interest in its meetings. He also acted in 
the capacity of local surgeon for the Big Four 
and Southern railroads. 

It is a prevailing custom to laud the good 
deeds and noble characteristics of tho.se deceased 
and to throw the shroud of forgetfulness over 
their faults upon such occasions. However, it 
may be said with jierfect freedom that, in this 
case, language would scarcely snftice to enable 
one to sufficiently laud the noble deeds or em- 
phasize the praiseworthy traits of character 
of Dr. Sehneck. He was a man whose highest 
ambitious in life was to make himself a useful 
Individual in the community. It was not a de- 
Sire to shine before his fellow men or to ac- 
cumulate riches that prompted him to follow 
a life of intense activity, but merely his unselfish 
love for his fellow men. Edticationally, he w'as 
one of the best informed men in the State. He 
was a student of natural sciences, and in the sci- 
ence of Botany he bore a national reputation, 
being the original discoverer of several branches 
of plant life, the existence of which were there- 
tofore unknown to science. Several varieties of 
these have been named after him jiarticularly a 
beautiful oak. "Quicus Schneckii." and he was 
frequently quotecl as an authority on scientific 
sub.1ects. His constant and unceasing effort was 
to add to his vast store of information rather 
than to store up riches. He had visited all the 
points of interest in the I'nited States, par- 
ticularly those of natural interest, for he loved 
Nature and connnuned with her as few men do. 
He al.so made an extensive tour of Europe a few 
years ago. He was a careful observer and kept 



note of all bis travels, never tiring of convers- 
ing uiwn these matters. He also frequently de- 
livered lectures u[K)n subjects connected with 
his travels. Professionally, he was held in the 
highest esteem by patients and colleagues alike, 
as well as by the general public. No hardship 
was too great, or condition of the patient in 
life too menial, for bis uttermost endeavors for 
the welfare of those who placed themselves in 
his care. In fact, had he been less zealous in 
the pursuit of his professional duties and taken 
some of the rest and recreation he so righly de- 
served in the latter years of his life, he might 
have been spared to us for a long time to come. 
He had a most gentle disimsition, was an indulg- 
ent husband, a kind father, and was extremely 
simple in his tastes and habits. There is no man 
•in this county that will be more generally missed 
or whose death will be more universally mourned 
than that of Dr. Sehneck. In the life that is 
gone out is typified the noble sentiment that Is 
so aptly expressed in the beautiful lines penned 
by Oliver Wendell Holmes: 

"Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, 

As the swift seasons roll ; 
"Leave thy low vaulted past 

Let each new temple, nobler than the last. 
Shut thee from Heaven with a dome more vast, 
'Till thou at length art free. 
Leaving thine outgrown shell by life's un- 
resting sea.'' 

Dr. Sehneck exists now as only a precious 
memory in the hearts of his family and many 
friends. The funeral took place at the Methodist 
Church, and the services were both impressive 
and beautiful. The casket was banked with 
flowers; perhaps never has there been such a 
beautiful offering, and this was as it should be, 
as Dr. Sehneck was such an admirer of them. 

No more fitting close could be given to this, all 
too brief, sketch of a noble life, than to quote 
from the beautiful memorial tribute written by 
Dr. Schneck's lifelong friend, (!. L. Kenner: 

"Dr. Sehneck was a lover of nature and Na- 
ture's God; he admired all things of His creation 
.and appreciated the beauties of His handiwork; 
be beheld Ills smile in the sunshine and heard 
His voice in the nmrinuring I)reeze. To him there 
was a l)enediction in the opening buds of spring- 
time and the sere leaf of autumn; to him the 
heavens declared the glory of God ; the stars were 
bis delight, he called them by their names ; unto 
him the dumb stones unfolded their long guarded 
secrets and the birds sang their sweetest .songs; 
to him there was nuislc in the laughing brook and 
in the moaning of the forest trees; his greatest 
delight was to labor for htnnanity and for his 
.Maker; though often wan and weary, bis hopes 
were ever bright ; (Jod was gracious unto him 
and kind; for sixty-three years he was permitted 
to tarry with us (>re lie called him homo; thou 
good and faithful servant, a brief farewell. 



792 



WABASH COUNTY 



"Sleep in peace, oh brother dead, 

Rest iu thy narrow tomb. 
We scatter o'er thy peaceful bed 

The sweetest tlowers that blooiu. 
Wlieii we shall ioiii that happy baud 

Uiwn the other shore 
We'll clasp a brother's friendly hand 

Where tears are shed uo more." 

SCHNITZ, Joseph Sylvester, a prominent far- 
mer of Lancaster I'reciuct. Wabash County, 111., 
who has been successful largely through his 
oiierations in high grade stock, has been a resi- 
dent of the county aliout twenty years. Mr. 
Schnitz was bom in Huntington, Ind., July 8, 
18GG, a son of William and Elizabeth (Schleu- 
cher) Schnitz, the former a native of Ohio and 
the latter of Germany. William is a sou of 
George Schnitz. a native of Germany, who lo- 
cated on a farm in Ohio as a young man. When 
William was a bo.v his father moved to Indiana, 
and in that State William Schnitz and his wife 
were married and still reside. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Schnitz was lirought to Indiana b.v her mother 
when she was fourteen years old. She has now 
reached the age of ninety-two .years, is enjo.v- 
Ing good health and is strong and "active. She 
and her husband had eleven children, all of whom 
survive except one. 

The education of .To.seph S. Schnitz was re- 
ceived in the common schools of Indiana, and he 
was reared on his father's farm. He was the 
fifth child of his parents and remained at home 
until he was twenty-three years old, then be- 
gan working at the trade of caiiienter. Later he 
learned telegraphy and worked eighteen months 
for what is now the Big Four Railroad. In 
.\pril, 1890. he moved to Lancaster. 111., and 
■worked there three years at the trade of car- 
penter, after which he moved to a farm of 2-10 
acres in Sections G and .31. Lancaster Precinct, 
which belongs to his wife. He has since operated 
this place, carr.ving on general farming and rais- 
ing registered Durham cattle, Poland-China hogs 
and horses for general use. 

Mr. Schnitz was married, August 18, 1892, to 
Laura E. Cmniingham. born in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct, daughter of William C. and Mary (Cro- 
well) Cunningham. Mr. Cunningham was born 
in Lancaster Precinct, a son of Johri Cunning- 
ham, a native of Virginia, wlio was one of the 
earliest settlers of that precinct, and Mrs. Cun- 
ningham was born in Friendsville Precinct. Wa- 
bash County. Mr. Cuiniingham died .Tanuar.v 1. 
1910. Four children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. 
Schnitz. namely : Mary E.. Cora May. Herman 
W.. and Pearl Ellen. Mr. Schnitz and his wife 
are interested in church work and behing to the 
Evangelical Association. Mr. Schnitz has served 
as Sunday School Superintendent since 190."). In 
politics he is a Democrat. He is much respected 
in the community as an industrious, useful citi- 
zen, and has many firm friends. 

SCHRADER, William S., one of the substantial 
and prominent agri<niltiu-ists of Wabash County. 



resides at Lynn. Friendsville Precinct. Mr. 
Schrader is a native of the county and his par- 
ents and grandparents were among the earliest 
pioneers of the State. He was born in Lancaster 
Precinct, November 29, 1S34, son of Jacob and 
Elizabeth (Cunningham) Schrader, natives of 
Eastern Tennessee and Lancaster Precinct, re- 
spectively. The iiarents of Jacob Schrader lo- 
cated iu Lawrence County, III., among its early 
settlers, and there secured a quarter-section of 
timber land. The parents of Elizabeth Cunning- 
ham were very early settlers in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct, securing jirairie land. 

Jacob Schrader and his wife lived on his 
father's place after their marriage. Soon after 
that event he bought and entered land in Lan- 
caster Precinct, and both he and his wife died 
there, he iu 18ti2 and she many .years prior. He 
was married three times and William is a child 
liy the first marriage, the others being two sons 
;ind three datighters. By his second marriage he 
had five children. 

Until he was twenty -one years of age William 
S. Schrader lived with his parents, and acquired 
his education in the country school. When he 
reached his ma.iority he began working on a farm 
in Indiana, whence he went to Richland County, 
111., and worked in a gri.st- and saw-mill one .vear, 
then returned to his old home and married f first) 
in 1858, Hannah Ilazleton, by whom he had chil- 
dren as follows: William and Mar.v, deceased; 
Julia. Mi-s. William Smith, of Mt. Carmel, 111. 
Mrs. Schrader died May 2."'>. 1874. and Mr. Schra- 
der married (second) Aiiril 27. 187.5. Sarah 
(Greenhood) Hariier, widow of John Harper. 
Mr. Schrader's second wife died and he married 
(third) November 19. 1885. Emily K. Greenhood, 
born in Lawrence County. 111., daughter of Will- 
iam and Caroline (Beesle.y Greenhood, natives 
of England and early settlers in Wabash County. 

After his first marriage Mr. Schrader moved 
to a farm in the northern part of Friendsville 
Precinct, where he remained until 1888, then 
moved to his present home at Lynn, in the same 
precinct. He owns 1131-; acres here and also 
sixty acres in Lawrence County. He has always 
carried on general farming and makes a specialt.v 
of raising stock. He is one of the representative 
men of the count.v and in his business dealings 
has always shown strict honesty. He is much 
respected and has many warm friends. He is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church and served 
some time as Trustee of the same. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics and has served many times as 
School I) i rector. 

By his third marriage Mr. Schrader had chil- 
dren as follows: Charles, now on the home 
farm: Jacob, born October 6. 1888. died Novem- 
ber 11. 1.88.8: John T^ro.v, of Lawrence County; 
Robert, born February 1-1. 1896, and died August 
7. 1897. 

SCHRODT, John H.— The Sehrodt family has 
l)een well represented in Wabash County, 111.. 
since 1S.'',8. when John Sehrodt, the grandfather 
of John H. Sehrodt. came to the county with his 



WABASH COUNTY 



793 



wile and oldest son, Peter. John H. Sehrodt was 
born in Mt. Carniel Precinut, Wabasli County, 
April 25, ISlil, son of Peter and Amanda (Reel) 
Scbrodt, the former a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, 
Germany, and the latter of Mt. Carmel Precinct. 
Peter Scbrodt, son of John and Marie (Kader) 
Sehrodt, is mentioned elsewhere in this work. 
He and his wife were parents of four sons and 
two daughters, namely : Anna, Mrs. H. J. Leach, 
of Mt. Carmel ; John H. ; George and Lincoln, 
both of whom died when about two and a half 
years old ; Uosa, Mrs. Jacob Steine, Jr., of Mt 
Carmel ; J. lillswortb, resides at home. 

The education of John H. Scbrodt was secured 
in Sugar Creek District, Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
and he resided on his father's farm until bis mar- 
riage April 17, 18S2. to Mary Seller, who was 
born in Mt. Carmel Precinct, daughter of John 
and Mary (Mauck) Seller, the former a native 
of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. After bis mar- 
riage Mr. Sehrodt moved to a farm he had bought 
two miles northeast of Mt. Carmel, where be 
lived until l.S!i2. when be rented another farm 
nearer the city and lived on it four and a half 
years, then bought from his mother and the 
heirs his present twenty-four-acre farm. He has 
lived on this farm ever since, and has added 
twenty-eight acres to it. Mr. Sehrodt still owns 
the first farm he purchased, which contains 
118.23 acres, which he rents to his son and son- 
in-law, and he deeded the twenty-eight-aere 
farm to his daughter and son-in-law. In the 
month of April, 1900. when Mr. Scbrodt was 
working in the field, he suffered a slight para- 
lytic stroke and the team and wagonload of fifty- 
two bushel of wheat went over bis chest, since 
which time he has lieen unable to do any actual 
work, although be looks after bis land. 

Children born to Mr. Sehrodt and his wife are 
as follows : Ethel Agnes ; Marshall, born May 5, 
1886, died July 20. 18S8; Alvin. born November 
9, 1888, died November 0, ISSO; John Estes, 
born June 2.S. 1800. is at home; Mary Leona. 
born November 20. 18[).3 ; Edna Charlotte, born 
December 3\. 1890, died August 14, 1899. Ethel 
,\gnes was married. October 24. 19tU, to Kolla 
Vernon A'eibman. who was born in Wabash 
Countv. May 21. 1887, and they have one child, 
Camille Cecilia, bom June 12, 1907. Mrs. 
Sehrodt's mother was born in Harrison County, 
Ind.. a daughter of Christly and Catherine 
(Hump) Mauck. of Pennsylvania. 

.Mr. Scbrodt is ii faithful member of the Luth- 
eran Church, of which be has been a Trustee 
since 1901. Politically he is a Republican and 
served nine months as Highway Commissioner, 
then was elected County Commissioner and 
served one term of three years. He has t>een a 
School Trustee since 1897. Fraternally he is a 
member of the Modem Woodmen of America No. 
1910. Inderiendent Order of Odd Fellows No. 35, 
Rebekahs No. 441, all of Mt. Carmel. and his wife 
is also a member of the Rehekah Ixidge. He is 
well known and highly resjiected and has been a 
successful farmer through his energj- and in- 
dustry. He is a representative of the best type 



of citizen and is much interested in questions 
affecting the public welfare. 

SCHRODT, Peter, one of the prosperous and 
successful German-Americans o f Wabash 
County, HI., has been a resident of the county 
since he was one year old. He was born in 
Westhofen, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, Janu- 
ary 2, 1837, a son of John and Marie (Rader) 
Scbrodt. also natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, and 
grandson of John Sehrodt, who lived all bis life 
there. In September, 1838, John and Marie 
Scbrodt settled in Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wabash 
County, and bought an eighty-acre tract of tim- 
ber land, which be set out to clear. When about 
sixty years of age be moved to an adjoining 
farn'i, where he died in 1803. He divided his 1,000 
acre farm among his six children in 1800, having 
added to his land as be was able. His widow 
died at the age of sixty-seven yeitrs. Their chil- 
dren were : Catherine. Mrs. Michael Broadel, de- 
ceased ; John and Conrad, deceased ; Peter ; 
Mary, Mrs. Melcher Libolt. of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct : Margaret, widow of Jacob Steltzer, of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, now deceased. 

As a boy Peter Sehrodt helped his father at 
clearing land as soon as be was old enough and 
attended school only a year and a few months. 
He lived at home until his marriage. April 8, 
18G0, to Amanda M. Reel, bom in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, daughter of Emanuel and Nancy (Si- 
monds) Reel, natives of Ohio and Indiana. After 
bis marriage Mr. Scbrodt moved to a farm of 
ninety-six acres that was given him by his father, 
all timber except twenty-five acres. He started 
clearing it and placing it under cultivation, add- 
ing five and three-quarters acres to it. He 
erected a house from brick which he manufac- 
tured on his farm, and cultivated this land until 
1898. then turned over its management to his 
son. Jacob E. 

In 1892 Peter Sehrodt began grain and stock- 
dealing and carried on this business some years 
in connection with bis farm. He now devotes 
his whole attention to his business interests. His 
wife died February 22. 1890, after which he 
bought a tract of an acre and a half where 
Scbrodt Station on the Big Four Railroad stands. 
There was a small general store on this land, 
which be also purchased, improved and added to 
it. occupying it until 1908, when he erected a 
store building. 24 by 44 feet, twelve feet six 
inches high. Besides a stock of general mer- 
chandise be keeps a large variety of household 
soods. farm appliances, coal, paints, oils, etc. 
He has bandied agricultural implements for the 
Rock Island Plow Company. Mr. Sehrodt is a 
man of friendly, jovial character, being of large 
pjysique and very good-natured. He has a mul- 
titude of friends and is successful in a business 
wav. Pdlitically be is a Republican 

The following children have been born to Mr. 
Sehrodt and wife: .\nna M.. Mrs. Horace N. . 
Leach, of Mt. Cannel. 111. : .John N.. of Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct : Rosa C. Mr.s. Jacob J. Stein, of 
Mt. Carmel : Jacob E.. on his father's farm, and 



794 



WABASH COUNTY 



two now dec'eased. The family stand well in the 
comjuunity and are representative of its best in- 
terests. 

SCHRODT, Philip, member of a family that is 
well known iu Wabash County, III., was born in 
Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wabash County, April 22, 
ISOti, a son of John and Mary (Brudle) Scbrodt. 
both natives of Germany, and grandson of John 
Scbrodt. The grandparents were all early set- 
tlers in Wabash County, and secured timber land 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct. They were among the 
first Germans who located there and became 
large land-owners. 

The parents of Philip Scbrodt were married in 
Wabash County and settled on a farm near Jit. 
Carmel. The fatJier acquired about 2,50o acres 
of land, of which part was in Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, part in Coffee Precinct, some in Lawrence 
County, 111., and one farm in Gibson County, 
Ind. Mr. Scbrodt was born May 4. 1830, and 
died December 22, 189T, and his wife, who was 
born January 2(1, 1S3.0. died in l.SSl. They had 
children as follows : Mary, Mrs, .Justus G. Reel, 
of Mt. Cannel Precinct; Pliilip and B. F.. the 
latter of whom died in August. IIXHJ : George who 
died many years ago ; i^aura. Mrs. G. W. Combs, 
of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; Daniel B.. died ab(jut 
189.5 ; Ellen, died in childhood : Catherine. Mrs. 
Fred Goke. died in Mt. Carmel ; several other 
children dying in infancy. 

Philip Scbrodt attended the Sugar Creek Dis- 
trict School and assisted in the work on his 
father's farm until his marriage, Ff^bruary 22. 
1887. to Hattie Nunley. who was born in Mt. 
Carmel. a daughter of Robert and Mary (Cope- 
land) Xunley. the former a native of Tennessee 
and the latter of Mt. Carmel. She is a grand- 
daughter of Samuel and Phebe (Keneipp) Nuu- 
le.v, the former a native of Virginia and the lat- 
ter of Ohio, .\fter his marriage Jlr. Scbrodt be- 
gan farming on MrCleary's Bluff, on the AVabash 
River, in Coffee Precinct. Most of the land 
was cleared and it had some log buildings on it. 
He erected a modern dwelling and substantial 
barns, as well as other necesary buildings, and 
now has one of the best farms in the county. 
There were .seventy-seven acres in the farm 
originally, and he has kept adding to it until he 
now owns .3,S0 acres, known as the "McCleary 
Bluff Stock Farm," all cleared except thirty 
acres of timber. He raises registered short-born 
cattle, horses for general use. and a mixed breed 
of hogs. He manages the entire farm, which is 
In the garden spot of the county, and has been 
most successful in his operations. He is promi- 
nent in social and fraternal circles and accounted 
one of the representative men of the connnunity. 
He belongs to The Tribe of Ben Hur. Independ- 
ent Order of Odd Fellows No. 9.10. the Modern 
Woodmen of .\merica, the Mystic Workers, and 
the Royal Xeighbors. all of Keensburg. In 
politics he is a Republican and is a member of 
the Christian Church. 

Mr. Scbrodt and wife became parents of the 
following children : John Robert. Leora H., 



Harry P., and Lela E., all at home. The family 
home is well situated and one of the most pleas- 
ant and comfortable in the county. 

SCHRODT, William, an industrious and suc- 
cessful farmer of Mt. Carmel. Precinct, Wa- 
bash County, 111., is a native of that precinct, 
bom November 9, 1861, a son of conrad and 
Catherine (Ackert) Scbrodt, the former a na- 
tive of Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and the lat- 
ter of Switzerland. Their parents, John and 
Anna Mary Scbrodt. and John and Anna (Wal- 
ters) Ackert, were all early settlers of Wabash 
County, where they became prominent and useful 
citizens. John Scbrodt brought his family to Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, where he secured unimproved 
land and developed a fine farm. John Ackert 
and his family came to New York, by way of the 
canal to Buffalo, thence by boat to Chicago, and 
trom there drove to St. Louis, where they took 
a boat by way of the Ohio and Wabash Rivers to 
Mt. Carmel. His wife's brother, John Walters, 
induced them to locate iu this locality, where 
they both died. 

Ccnirad Scbrodt was man-led iu Wabash 
County and settled on a farm near Mt. Carmel, 
where he and his wife spent the remainder of 
their lives, he passing away February 13, 1907, 
and she June 2, 1906. They were parents of 
nine children, of whom five survive, namely : 
William; Margaret. Mrs. W. H. Crossley, of 
Fairfield. 111.; Jacob, of Dallas Tex.; Fred C, 
of Jackson. Miss. 

William Scbrodt was reared on a farm and 
was early taught habits of industry and thrift. 
He received a fair educaticm in the district 
school in bis neigbliorhood. and helped with the 
farm work when still quite .voung. He has car- 
ried on farming all bis life, with very satisfac- 
tory results, and has made a careful study of 
modern theories and methods of fanning, so that 
he is considered a wide-awake and progressive 
man. He lived with his parents until his mar- 
riage. He has been active in public affairs and 
served fifteen years as School Director. He is 
a stanch Rci)ublican in political views. Frater- 
nally Mr. Scbrodt is a member of Sugar Ch'eek 
Camp No. 7(i4.5. Jlodern Woodmen of America, 
and be and his family attend the Lutheran 
Church, of Mt. Carmel 

December 2."i. 18S2, Mr. Scbrodt maiTied Chris- 
tina Baumgaertner, born in Mt. Carmel, daugh- 
ter of John and Barbara fKnorr'i Baumgaert- 
ner. natives of Germany, who came to New 
York before they were married. They located 
in Mt. Carmel and there he died in 1862 and his 
widow in 1879. Mr. Scbrodt and his wife be- 
came ])arents of children as follows: Sereno, 
Katie. N. and Clara J., all at home. 

SCHUH, Philip, one of the many German- 
Americans of Wabash Countj-. 111., who have won 
success by industry and perseverance, is a native 
of Hesse-Dannstadt. born November 2.5. 1840. 
He is a son of Philip and Elizabeth (Hummer) 
Schuh. and grandson of Henry Schuh and of 



WABASH COUNTY 



795 



Philip and Elizabeth (Weiubach) Hummer, all 
of whom (lied iu Germauy. The boyhood of 
Philip Schuh, subject of this sketch, was spent 
on his father's farm in Hesse-Darmstadt, and for 
eight years he attended school there. In 1860 
ie entered the Hesse-Darmstadt Division of the 
German Army, serving until February, 1866, 
when he emigrated to the United States, landing 
at Xew York. He came to Mt. Canuel, 111., and 
worked nearly four years on the farm of John 
Schrodt. then began farming for himself in Cof- 
fee Precinct. For ten years he rented land of 
John Schrodt. near his present home, then 
bought 113 acres on Section 7 of Compton Pre- 
cinct, at Horse-Shoe Bend. Forty acres of this 
land was cleared and it contained an old log 
house in which be lived fifteen .vears. He 
erected a comfortable two-stor.v. frame house on 
this land and has kept adding to it until he now 
owns 640 acres in one body, besides two other 
farms — 120 acres in Section 31 and eighty acres 
in Indiana. He has cleared 350 acres of this 
from timber and has about 500 acres under culti- 
vation. He managed the entire place until 1004. 
when he began renting the land and retired from 
active business life. He also piu-chased 120 
acres of improved land in Coffee Precinct, which 
he rents. 

Mr. Schuh married (tirst) iu 1870, Hulda Max- 
well, a native of Virginia, and they became par- 
ents of one daughter. Anna. Mrs. .lohn Hoffman, 
of Comiiton Precinct. Mrs. Schuh died in 1872, 
and Mr. Schuh married (second), in 1873. Mis- 
souri Douglas, born in Gibson Count.v. Ind.. and 
the.v became jiarents of children as follows: Ida 
married Wesley Jlerideth. living on part of the 
home farm, and they have two children — Manvil 
and Ethel : Man' married John Hell, and they 
live on Mr. Schuh's farm in Coffee Precinct, and 
have five children — Maggie. Carrie. Edward, 
Bennie and William ; Effie married Richard Ash- 
worth, of Posey County. Ind.. and they liave two 
children — Milferd and Margaret ; Benjamin, on 
the borne farm, married Lelia Finnel. a native of 
Wabash County, and they have two children — 
Bonnie and Elba. Mr. Sehuh"s second wife died 
in ISSS'and he married (third) in September. 
1804, Margaretta (Gardner) Boutz. widow of 
William Boutz. of Posey County. Ind. She was 
bom in Aldagrona. Hesse. Germany, and by her 
first marriage bad si.x children, namely : Mar- 
garet. Mrs. Fred Sandwald. of Evansville. Ind.: 
I>ouisa. was accidentally burned and died of her 
injiiries. at the age of three years: John and 
Adam, of Mt. Vernon. Ind. ; Catherine, married 
Stephen t'nderwood, of Texas Cit.v. Saline 
County. 111.: Elizabeth married George .Mor- 
loek. of Mt. Vernon. Ind. 

Mr. Schuh is a member of the Evangelist 
Church and iu politics is a Repul)lican. He has 
been one of the most successful farmers of his 
community and through his own efforts has ac- 
quired a large amount of land. He has wou 
many friends, who greatly respect him for his 
many sterlinir nualities. 



SHULTZ, Charles, of Keensburg, 111., is en- 
gaged in the grain, live-stock, coal and seed busi- 
ness, with which be has been connected since 
1895. Mr. Schultz was born in Olney, 111., 
December 14, 1866, a son of Charles and Sarah 
E., (Gaddy) Shultz, the former bom on the 
lUver Rhine, in Germany, and the latter a native 
of Richland County. 111. The paternal grand- 
father of Charles Shultz started for the United 
States in 1848. and died just liefore the vessel 
l.-uided at Xew Orleans, his widow dying two 
years later at Claremont. 111. Sarah E. Gaddy 
was .1 daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Gaddy, 
her mother's maiden name being Jordan. The 
father was a native of Tennessee and the mother 
of Lancaster Precinct, Wabash County, 111., 
where the former taught school and where they 
were married. 

The marriage of Charles and Sarah E. Shultz 
tooli place in Olney. 111., where he was engaged in 
grocery business. He served as a sutler during 
the Civil War and afterward resumed his busi- 
ness in the grocery line, but two years later es- 
tablished a general mercantile business, which he 
continued until 1805. when he conlined his busi- 
ness to dry-goods, clothing and similar lines, and 
he is still proprietor of the Schultz Depaitment 
Store at Olney. 111. In 18S5 he established a seed- 
store, which he conducted until 1008. which he 
(ben turned over to his son. Arthur E. His two 
daughters are in partnership with their father 
in the diy-gonds business. Children as follows 
were born to Mr. Shultz and wife: Nettie, mar- 
ried E. C. Feutz, of Olney : Ma.v, died in infancy ; 
Charles : Bertha and Anna with their parents ; 
Winnifred. Mrs. William Gray, of Kinmund.v, 
.Marion Count.v. IU. : Edward, died at the age of 
two years: Artbtir. Harrv and Cleveland, of 
Olne.v. 

Charles Shultz. the subject of this sketch, re- 
ceived his education iu the common and high 
schiH)ls of Olney. and when he reached his ma- 
jority en.gaged in the dry-goods business at Law- 
renceville. HI., in partnership with E. A. Pow- 
ers, of Olney. Two and a half years later they 
sold out this business and Mr. Shulty- began 
working for his father, remaining one and a half 
years. In the spring of ISOO he bought the dry- 
goods business of Dr. P. G. Mauley, but two and 
a half years later sold this and bought a grain 
elevator and grist-mill, which he coiulucted four 
years. He then formed a iiartnership with M. 
I.. Rosenberger. and two years later they took 
into t>artnersbip. H. H. Wetzel, the firm assum- 
ing the Name of Wetzel. Shultz & Company. A 
year later Mr. Wetzel sold his interest to Mr. 
Schultz and Mr. Rosenberger. In 1004 their es- 
tablishment was Imrned and they rebuilt a grain- 
ele\:itor on the same site. In the spring of 100.S 
Airs. .v. P. P.tmib iMiught out Mr. Rosenberger 
and six months afterwards Mr. Shultz bought 
out the interest of Atrs. Bumb, which later un- 
derwent various changes. This company has 
been successftil despite the misfortune of loss b.y 
fire. Tlie members of the firm are men of 
energy and ability, fully understood every detail 



796 



WABASH COUNTY 



of tlielr business, and have been able to build up 
an extensive enterprise from a small beginning. 
Mr. Sclniltz has been largely resixmsible for the 
success of the company. Besides doing business 
at Keenslmrg. they have a branch at Cowling, 111. 
Mr. Shultz is a Democrat in ix)litics and has 
served as a member of the Democratic Central 
Connuittee. At the incorporation of Keensburg 
he was elected President and held the office one 
term. He is a member of the Knights of 
I'ytliias of Olney, of Henry Dobbins Lodge No. 
174 of Masons, at L.iwrenceville. Guriu Com- 
mandery, Xo. 14, K. T. of Olney ; Medinah Temple 
Shrine, of Chicago ; Jit. I'aruiel Benevolent Pro- 
tective Order of Elljs, No. 715 ; the Modern Wood- 
men of America and the Royal Neighbors, of 
Keensburg. He is identified with the progress 
and welfare of the conununity and jirominent in 
.social circk's. Mr. Shultz is unmarried. 

SCOTT, Alfred Winfield, wlio conducts a ma- 
chine shop, lilacl;smitli and repair establishment, 
and an agricultural iuiiilement liusincss in Bell- 
niont. 111., was born in Leach Township. Wayne 
County, 111.. October 30. 1S49. a son of William 
and Narcissa (Hunt) Scott, the former a native 
of Wayue County and the latter of Edwards 
County, III. The grandfather, William Scott, 
was born in Scotland, and his wife in Illinois. 
They were the first settlers of Scottsville, Wayne 
County, which was named in their honor, and 
here Mr. Scott worked at his trade of blaclismith- 
ing. Narcis.sa Hunt was a daughter of Thomas 
and Mary (Edmonson) Hunt, of Indiana. 

The father of .Vlfred W. Scott was a black- 
smith by trade and all his active life conducted a 
sho]i at Scottsville. where he died about 1900. 
During the latter part of the Civil War lie served 
a year and a half in the One Hundred Thirty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In politics he 
was a Kepublican. His widow died in Febru- 
ary, lt)0,S. They had children as follows: Alfred 
W. ; Laura. Mrs. .lohn Sti-oup. of Ellery, 111. ; 
E^nnna. of Arkansas; Nettie, Mrs. Henry Skin- 
ner, of Mt. A'ernon. III. : Francis E., of Bone Gap, 
111. : Amos and John, who died when small and 
were buried in the same coffin. 

Alfred W. Scott learned the trade of black- 
smith after receiving a common school education 
in a log school house in the countr.v. He worked 
with his father at this trade until 1870. then 
moved to Merriam, Wayne County, III., where 
he conducted a shop on his own account until 
Februarv 24. 1S02. when he located in Bellmont. 
He conducted a blacksmith shop in Bellmont for 
ten years, then erected the building he now occu- 
pies, where he also does wagon, carriage and 
automoliile repairing and similar work in a well 
equipped machine shop, where his power is fur- 
nished by a gasoline engine. He also handles 
agricultural imiilements. wagons, carriages, etc. 
He has built up a good trade in the surrounding 
countr.v and is a first-class workman. 

Mr Scott married October 12. 187.",. Cynthia 
.\nn Copeland, who was born near Fairfield. 
Wayne County, daughter of James and Elvira 



(Hodges) Copeland, the former a native of Ten- 
nessee and the latter of Wayne County. Chil- 
dren as follows blessed this uniou : Prundy, died 
in infancy ; Etfle, man-led William Bruc-e, of 
Terre Haute, Ind. ; Myrtle, married John Epler, 
of Bellmont Precanct ; Maud, married Ed. Hilge- 
man. who conducts a brick and tile factory at 
Bellmont ; Herschel, of Bellmont. in partnership 
with his father : William, of Bellmont, in the 
concrete manufacturing business with his 
brother-in-law. 

Alfred W. Scott is a member of the Methodist 
Ejiiseopal Church and in politics is a Republican. 
He has served three terms on the Town Board in 
Bellmont and three on the School Board, and 
vk'hile living in Wayne County, served as High- 
way Commissioner. Fraternally he is a mem- 
ber of tlie Independent (Jrder of Odd Fellows No. 
72il, of Bellmont. He is actively interested in 
the progress and welfare of the community and 
is an enterprising, energetic business man, who 
has been successful in building up one of the 
leading enterprises of his community. 

SEIBERT, James F. — Among the prosperous 
farmers of Wabash County. 111., who have demon- 
strated the advisability of following modem 
methods of carrying on their work and investing 
in high-grade stock, is James F. Seibert, who has 
spent most of his life on the farm where he now 
lives in Lancaster Precinct. Mr. Seibert was 
born on his present farm, June 21, 18(50. a son of 
Jacob and Mary Jane (Williams) Seibert, the 
former a native of Lancaster Precinct and the 
latter of Tennessee. Jacob Seibert was a son 
of Jacob and Catherine (Fritz) Seibert, of Le- 
high County Pa., and grandson of Solomon 
Seibert. a native of Pennsylvania, whose parents 
came to .\merica at the time of the Revolution. 
Mary Jane Williams is of Irish descent, a daugh- 
ter of .Tames Williams, who married a Miss 
Campbell. 

The paternal grandparents of James F. Seibert, 
Jacnli Seibert and wife, came to Wal)ash County 
on horseback in 18^2. settling in Lancaster Pre- 
cinct, on land they entered from the Government. 
The Williams family came down the Ohio River 
to Evansville, Ind.. then drove from there to Mt. 
Carmel. Mr. Williams was one of the early 
mail carriers from Mt. Carmel to Olney. kept a 
toll-gate, and worked at various other occupa- 
tions. Jacob Seii)ert. Jr.. and his wife settled on 
a farm in Lancaster Precinct .after their niar- 
riasre. He was a carpenter and worked on the 
first church built in Mt. Carmel. He also worked 
on many other buildings in the community. In 
politics he was a stanch Democrat. Mr. Seibert 
died in November, 1900. at the age of seventy- 
one years, and his widow now resides at Lan- 
caster, having reached the age of sixt.v-nine 
vears. They were parents of children as fol- 
low.? : James F. ; Charles, of Evansville. Ind. ; 
Antc'nette. Mrs. William Marks, of Bellmont : 
Catherine, Mrs. Isaac Guisewitt; Robert Lee and 
Clarence, of Lancaster Precinct ; Mary Jane. 



WABASH COUNTY 



(97 



with her mother ; Laura, Mrs. Thomas Moore, 
of Lawrence Couut.v, 111. 

James F. Seibert attended the common schools 
of his neighborhood and the normal school at 
Danville. Ind. He lived with his parents until 
his marriage, June IG, 1884, to Maria Elizabeth 
Staninger, a native of Lancaster Precinct, daugh- 
ter of Ephraim and Esther (Biehl) Staninger, 
natives of Lehigh Couuty, Pa. For twelve years 
Mr. Seiben taught school in winter and worked 
at farming during the .summer, being successful 
in his profession. In 18'J4J he purchased a house 
and lot in Lancaster, being elected to the othce of 
County Treasurer at that time and serving four 
years in that position, during part of which time 
he was interested in mercantile business. In 
1892 he purchased a half-interest with D. G. Sei- 
bert in a general store at Lancaster, which he 
held ten years, then sold out to N. E. C-ouch. Mr. 
Seibert now has 280 acres in two farms, one of 
them including the homestead of his father. He 
also owns forty acres of timber in Phelps County, 
Mo. Mr. Seibert cultivates all his land in Wa- 
bash County himself, and makes a specialty of 
raising registered American trotting horses, 
Hereford cattle. Poland-China hogs and Shrop- 
shire .sheep. He also raises some fine poultry. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Seibert 
and his wife : Myrtle, Ernest. Iva. Ralph and 
Sheldon. Mr. Seibert is a Lutheran in religious 
faith and in politics is a Democrat. He has 
alw-ays favored every movement that he con 
sidered for the best interests of the public. 

SEIBERT, Reuben A., was bora in Lancaster 
Precinct. Wabash County, 111.. August 20. 18C2, 
a son of Keulien and Marj- (Markley) Seibert, 
both natives of Berks Cotmty, Pa., and a grand- 
son of Abraham Seibert. who was born in Ger- 
many. His grandparents were all born in Ger- 
many and came to America, settling in Pennsyl- 
vania, Berks County, about 17!M). In 18.S.3 they 
removed to Wabash County and settled in Lan- 
caster I'rci-inct (in the northwest quarter of Sec- 
tion 2. Township 1 North. Range 1.". West. The 
land was purchased from the Government and is 
yet in the hands of the family. 

Mr. Seibert's parents were married in this 
county and settled on the farm his father had 
purchased from the Government and lived tliere 
until their death which came June 10. 1884. for 
his mother, and Apiil 8. 180.S. for his father. 

Reuben A. Seibert was edticated in the com- 
mon schools of Wabash County and remained 
on his father's farm until his marriage to Sarah 
A. Marx, daughter of Samuel and Fannie 
(Schlanker) Marx. May IT. l.SS.">. After his 
marriage he settled on a rented farm near West 
Salem, in Edwards County. He remained here 
only a year, after which he removed to Wabash 
County and again settled on a rented farm in 
Lick Prairie Precinct and afterwards in Lan- 
caster Precinct. 

In .\U2Ust. 180.5. Mr. Seibert purchased a forty- 
acre farm in Section 21. and soon removed there- 
to, after having erected comfortable buildings. 



He has added to this farm until he now owns 120 
acres, which he has developed into one of the 
best in the community equipped with all neces- 
s:ir.\ modern improvements. He was an exten- 
sive farmer and stock-raiser and for fourteen 
years was engaged in the live-stock business 
where he made countless friends by his honest 
dealings with everybody. In 1909 he was the 
unanimous choice of the Democratic party for 
County Commissioner and in November of the 
same year he was elected by a handsome 
majority. 

In the spring of 1910 Mr. Seibert engaged in 
the farm iuiplement business in Mt. Carmel, 
with his son Alvah A. and Mr. A. M. Carter. 
All indications are that the business will be very 
successful, as the proprietors are industrious 
men and possess good business judgment. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Seibert has been 
blessed with three children, two sous and a 
daughter. Alvah A., the older son. who was for 
six years one of the leading school teachers of the 
county and for one year teacher of grammar and 
ai-iilniietic in the Southern Collegiate Institute 
of Albion. 111., is now engaged in the implement 
business with his fsiMier. He is a Woodman, an 
Odd I'ellow and a Ma.son. Gideon E., who is 
now engaged in farming on his father's farm, 
was married to Miss Jes,sie Thompson, Febru- 
ary 12. 1910. He is a Woodman and an Odd Fel- 
low. Josie G.. the daughter, resides with her 
parents in Mt. Carmel. 

In religious faith Mr. Seibert is a Lutheran 
and has served as Deacon since 1900 and as 
Church Treasurer since 1007. Fraternally he is 
a Woodman and an Odd Fellow. His wife is a 
member of the Royal Neighbors and the 
Rebekahs. 

SEILER, Frederick Christian, Justice of the 
Peace ill Mt. Carmel Precinct. Wabash County, 
III., where he owns a well-improved farm of 240 
acres, is a native of that precinct, born August 
8. 1848. a son of Jacob and Ann Matilda (Beiim) 
Seller, the former born in Westliofen, Germany, 
and the latter in Lebanon County. Pa. The par- 
ents of Jacob Seiler were Frederick (born Sep- 
tember 1."). 17.88) and Elizabeth (Copp) Seiler, 
liorn February o. 1782. His wife's parents were 
Riidoliih and Mary Ann (McKee) Behm, the 
foiTuer born January 27. 1798. the latter July 
27. 1808. and both natives of Pennsylvania. 
Frederick Seiler brought his family from Ger- 
many to New Orleans, thence by water to Evans- 
ville. Ind.. where they remained one winter. 
Jacob Seller was seventeen years of age when he 
came to the I'nited States, and during the winter 
of l.S.'!r;-:?4 he cut cord wood where the city of 
Kvansville now stands. The family settled on a 
farm of pight.v acres in Mt. Carmel Precinct, all 
timber land except about twenty acres, which 
was cleareil. A log cabin liad been built there 
and the father and mother spent the rest of their 
lives on this land. Jacob Seller lived with his 
parents until his marriage, then settled on his 
father's farm. His wife's parents had movM to 



798 



WABASH COUNTY 



Wabash County in 1832. He secured the home- 
stead after his lather's death and also became 
the owner of several other farms. He was a 
farmer all his lite and became iutlueutial in Wa- 
bash Count}'. He served one term as County 
Commissioner and many years as Township 
School Treasurer. He was born December 16, 
1817, and died November 12, 1900, while his 
widow, born August 7, 1829, died in 1902. They 
were parents of eleven children, of whom Fred- 
erick C. was the oldest. The others were : Mary 
Ann died in infancy; David, of Chico, Cal. ; 
John G. died May 2U, 1902; Elizabeth, Mr.s. J. 
O. Wood, of Friendsville Precinct ; Jennie, Mrs. 
George Ewald, of Bellmont Precinct; Amelia 
died in infancy; Sebastian and Jacob E., twins, 
the former living in Mt. Carmel Precinct and the 
latter died March 10, 1902; Clara M., Mrs. C. S. 
Andrus, of Friendsville Precinct; Emma, Mrs. 
U. G. Grundou, of Mt. Carmel Precinct. 

Frederick C. Seller remained at home with his 
parents until his marriage and received his edu- 
cation in the district schools of the neighborhood. 
He married. May 31 1877, Louisa Virginia Kis- 
ley, who was born at Mt. Carmel. December IS, 
1854. daughter of Ezra and Margaret H. (Wal- 
lace) Risley, he born in Mt. Carmel Precinct and 
she in Virginia. Mrs. Seller's grandparents 
were Jeremiah and Kachel Risley, of Xew Jer- 
sey, and Elijah and Jane Wallace, of Virginia. 
After his marriage Mr. Seller took up his resi- 
dence on a farm of 120 acres given him bv his 
father, all timber land. He cleared a space and 
In December. 187(5, began building a house, which 
was ready the following spring. The following 
year he erected a good barn and began exten- 
sively clearing his farm, and soon bought another 
120 acres, all in timber except thirty acres. He 
no\y has 160 acres of land under cultivation, upon 
which he has a magnificent new residence of 
ten rooms, with all modern improvements. He 
has been very successful as a farmer and raises 
.short horn cattle for market and Jersev cows 
for dairying purjwses. He also raises Poland 
China hogs and German coach-horses. He is 
well known and highly respected in the com- 
munity and has taken an active Interest in pub- 
lic affairs. He is a Democrat and was elected 
County Coniinissioner in 1888, serving three 
years. He has been a School Trustee since isg-^ 
and since the fall of 1909 has been Justice of the 
Peace. He was a very active member of the 
Patrons of Husbandry of Wabash County and 
Past Overseer of the State Grange of IlUnols. 
He and his family are members of the Evangeli- 
cal Lutheran Church and are active in support- 
ing every worthy cause. The following children 
have been born to Mr. Seller and wife: Xellie V 
horn August 2. 1878. a school teacher ; Lottie E ' 
horn March 19. 18.S0, living with her Grand- 
mother Risley: Reulah I., born December '^O 
1881. married J. W. Heinrich. live in St. Louis' 
Mo., and they have three children— (William' 
horn August 1.",, 1004; Lottie. Iwrn August 19 
liKlfi. and Walter Frederick, born Julv 17. 19101 • 
Mabel Grace, born February 29, 1884. at home- 



Ethel, died March 27, 1891, at the age of two 
years ; E\-erett E., born June 28, 1886 ; Irving S 
born January 4, 1891 ; Waldo F., born Dec-ember 
2o, 1892 ; Freda E., born January 1, 1S95. 

SEILER, George, member of a family that has 
been prominent in Wabash County, 111., for sev- 
eral generations, «as born in (iibson County, 
lud., March 3, 18o4, son of John and Mary 
(Mauckj Seller. John Seiler was born in Hesse 
Darmstadt, Germany, and his wife in Harrison 
County, Ind. He was a son of Frederick Seiler 
who brought his family to Wabash County, lU.', 
m 1830. Mary Mauck was a daughter of (jhrist- 
ley aud Mary Mauck, the former born near 
Alexandria, Va. Mr. Mauck brought his famUy 
to Gibson County about 1860, and about 1880 
he and his wife moved to Owensville, but died at 
lort Branch, Ind., about 1885. 

John Seiler and his wife were married about 
1860, in Gibson County, and after living with her 
father a couple of years, they moved to Wabaah 
County and purchased an eighty-four acre farm 
in Mt. Carmel Township. This farm contained 
some of the most heavily timbered land in the 
county, and he at once set out to clear and de- 
velop it. He lu-ought it to a high state of culti- 
vation and became a successful farmer. He died 
there July 12. ItMJO. his wife having passed away 
November 16. 1903. They vN-ere parents of chil- 
dren as follows: William and Farley, died in in- 
fancy: George; James and Catherine, on the 
home farm ; Jlary. Mrs. John H. Schrodt, of Mt 
Carmel Township; and Christley and Margaret 
on the home farm. ' 

The early days of George Seiler were spent on 
the home farm, and as soon as old enough he be- 
gan assisting with the work of operating it. He 
attended Sugar Creek District School and there 
received a good common school education. He 
lived at home until his marriage, September 14 
1893, to Ida B. Tilton. born at Mt. Carmel 
January 6, 1870, daughter of Isaac and Mary L 
(Shadle) Tilton. both natives of Wabash County. 
She IS a grand-daughter of Daniel and Phebe 
(\\ alters) Tilton, the former a native of New 
Jersey, and the latter of Gibson Countv. Ind., and 
of Samuel and Barbara (Dale) Shadle. the 
former a native of Pennsylvania. After his mar- 
riage .Mr. Seiler moved to a farm of eightv-four 
acres, which he had purchased a few years prior. 
He has placed the entire farm under "cultivation! 
and although there was a house on it. he has in- 
stalled all other improvements and has left but 
eight .acres in timber. Besides general farming 
he raises a good grade of horses, cattle and hogs. 
He and his wife became parents of children as 
follows: Lowell E.. born September 16, 1894; 
Harry Fay. born March 1(5. 1897; and Mary 
Aleta. born May 21. 1903. Mr. Seiler is a pub- 
lic-spirited, useful citizen and activelv interested 
in tlie welfare and in-ogress of the "community. 
He is a stanch Reiniblican and .served three years 
as School Director. 

SEILER, Jacob Ellsworth (deceased).— \monff 
the f.irmers of Wabash County. III., who have 



WABASH COUNTY 



799 



been more than usually successful and have been 
considered among the most useful and public- 
spirited citizens of the county, have been many 
members of the Seller family, which has been 
well represented here since Frederick Seller 
(born in Germany, in 17S8), came to the county 
with his family in 1830. He was the progenitor 
of a large f;iniily, most of whom have followed 
agricultural pursuits. His grandson, Jacob 
Ellsworth Seller, was born in Wabash County, 
June 22. 1802, son of Jac-ob Seller, of Jit. Car- 
mel Precinct. Jacob Seiler was about seven- 
teen yeai-s of age when bis father came to imer- 
ica, and he inherited the farm which his father 
secured in Mt. Cannel Precinct. He and his 
wife, Ann Matilda (Behm) Seiler, are given 
somewhat extended mention m connection with 
the sketch of their son, Frederick Christian 
Seller, to be found elsewhere in this work. 

The late Jacob E. Seiler was born on the farm 
where his entire liCe was spent, and at the time 
of his marriage, his father deeded the homestead 
to him, with the provision that be was to provide 
a home for his parents as long as they lived. This 
was the farm his Grandfather Seiler had se- 
cured and started to clear. The portion of the 
farm which was given Jacob E. Seiler was 130 
acres containing the house, and to this tract he 
added until he owned 173 acres in one body. 
Here he always ciirried on general farming and 
stock-raising, and was up-to-date in his methods. 
He had received a good education, having taken 
a course at the University of Illinois, and another 
at the Danville (Illinois) Normal School. He 
made the most of his opportunities for securing 
learning and culture, and was an intelligent, 
well-read man, keeping in touch with current 
topics and events. He was a member of the 
Lutheran Church and fraternally belonged to the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Knights of 
Pythias, of Mt. Carmel. He was a stanch Demo- 
crat and served two years as Master in Chan- 
cery, also four years as Justice of the Peace. 

December 8, 1880, Mr. Seiler married Emma 
Rlsle.v, bom at Mount Carmel, September 11, 
1868, a daughter of Ezra Risley. and to this union 
children were born as follows : Jacob Oliver, 
born Decenilier 1. 1890: Lyman Eston. born 
May 14, 1892 ; and Herman Mauley, born May 
2.'?. 180.5. 

Mr. Seiler died March 16. 1902. mourned by a 
large circle of friends and missed by the entire 
community. He had been a kind neighbor and 
sincere friend, and was well liked by all who had 
dealings with him. for his many good traits of 
character and sterling honesty and integrity. 
His widow and children reside on the homestead 
and carr.v on the home farm. 

SEILER, Peter Jacob.— .\ retired farmor and 
business man. living in Mt. Carmel Precinct. 
Wabash County. 111., is a native of that precinct, 
born September 12. ]S.")7. a son of Henry and 
Margaret (Oswald) Seiler. natives of Hesse- 
Darmstadt. Germany, the former horn In 181.5. 
The father came to New Orleans In 18.35. and 



worked there eight years as a mill-wright, then 
coming to Wabash County, 111., where he was 
married about 1845. Keturuing to New Orleans 
after his marriage, he worked a few years at his 
trade, and then bought a farm two miles west of 
Mt. Carmel, which was partly improved. Here 
he carried on farming until his death, February 
6, 1870, though several years before his death he 
was an invalid and had to leave the actual work 
to others. His wite died December 26, 1869. 
They were parents of children as follows: 
Lewis, decased ; Elizabeth, died in 1869 ; John 
F., deceased : Peter J. ; and Edward, deceased. 

Peter J. Seiler spent his boyhood on the home 
farm and attended the district school, helping 
with the farm work as soon as old enough. He 
was about eighteen years of age at the time of 
his father's death, and then received his iwrtion 
of the estate, where he began farming on his own 
account. He built a house and barn, and in 
.\pril, 1883, he and his brother, Lewis, bought out 
the shares of the other sons, and later divided 
the land, Peter receiving as his share eighty- 
three and one-half acres in Section 30. To this 
he added eighty-four acres, which he bought 
from his brother, John, and nineteen acres from 
Louis Glick, a half-mile from the home place. He 
has made all possible improvements and has 
erected substantial buildings for his stock. 

April 3. 1883. Mr. Seiler married Elizabeth 
Hart, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, a 
daughter of Gerhardt and Gertrude (Celtz) 
Hart. Mr. Hart died in Germany and his widow 
brought her family to Wabash County in 1876, 
where she was afterward married to Nicholas 
Peters, of Mt. Carmel. The following children 
were liorn to Mr. Seiler and his wife : Gertrude, 
born April 28. 1884, at home ; L<iuis H.. born 
November 14. 1886. a machinist of Mt Carmel ; 
Peter Jacob, died September 16. 1909. born Sep- 
tember 10. 1880: and Edward Franklin, born 
June 21, 1893, at home. 

Mr. Seiler was very successful in his farming 
operations and since 1877 has o!)erated a thresh- 
ing machine, with good results. He is prominent 
in Democratic circles and has filled several offi- 
ces. He was elected County Commissioner In 
1W6 and served three years; has been School 
Trustee since 1000 and served eleven years as 
.School Director. Fraternally he is a member of 
Camji No. lOK!, Modern Woodmen of America, of 
Mt. Carmel. and he and bis family are mem- 
bers of the Catholic Church. He has raised con- 
siderable stock on his farm, which he now rents 
and lives retirerl from active life. He Is weH 
known in the comnninity and held in high regard 
by all. He Is a pul)llc-spirited. useful citizen, 
and lias done his share in advancing the inter- 
ests of his locality. 

SEILER, Sebastian (deceased).— In the death 
of Sebastian Seiler. which occurred at Mt. Car- 
mel. 111.. October 21. 1802. Wabash (Tounty lost 
one of its substantial citizens, and a man who 
had done his full share in bringing agricultural 
conditions up to a very high standard, as well as 



800 



WABASH COUNTY 



lent his inllueuL-e to the betterment of tlie com- 
munity. He was boru in Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- 
many, November 26, 18"2U, a sou of Frederick and 
Anna Elizabetli (Copp) Seller. The father was 
born September 15, 1788, and died October 28, 
1861, and the mother bom February 3. 1782, died 
December 17, 1866, both natives of Westhofen, 
Palatinate, Germany. In 1835 Sebastian Seller 
accompanied his parents to the United States, the 
voyage being made on a sailing vessel, which 
landed the travelers In New Orleans. From there 
they came by water to EvansvUle, Ind., and from 
that point to Wabash County, 111., where the 
father purchased a partly Improved farm located 
about five miles from Mt. Carmel. On that farm 
the parents passed the remainder of their lives. 

Sebastian Seller was one of four children, all 
of whom are now deceased. He attended school 
first in Germany and later in Wabash County. 
He was his father's helper until he reached man- 
hood, when he purchased a farm for himself, con- 
sisting of 160 acres of land near his father's 
farm, and this was then nearly in Its virgin state. 
On this land the young man built a modest log 
cabin and began clearing his propertj', and in the 
course of time the cabin was replaced by a nice 
brick residence. After fencing his land with 
split rails, Mr. Seller toiled perseveringly to de- 
velop every resource of his farm, meanwhile 
adding to its extent by acquiring 188 acres more 
in the same vicinity. In 1875 he moved to Mt. 
Carmel and in 1S87 erected the c-omfortable resi- 
dence on the corner of Sixth and Mulberry 
Streets now occupied by his widow, and there his 
death occurred. He is remembered as a kind 
neighbor and a good citizen. He was a stanch 
Republican and fraternally was connected with 
no other organizations than the historic order of 
Odd Fellows. He was a faithful member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, which his widow 
still attends. 

In 1851 Mr. Seiler was married to Dorcas Gib- 
bons Dyar, who was born in Wabash Comity in 
18.34, a" daughter of Andrew F. and Elizabeth 
(Rigg) Dyar. When Mr. Dyar first came to Wa- 
bash County, from Virginia, he found the coun- 
try in a wild and uncultivated state, with wild 
game and wilder Indians roaming the fields and 
forests. He was a surveyor, being employed by 
the Government to survey land in Wabash 
County, and also owned several pieces of property, 
his last farm being a fine tract of 188 acres, 
which was later purchased by Mr. Seiler. He 
was a Republican in politics and a Methodist in 
religious belief. For many years he served as 
Justice of the Peace in the community where he 
had first settled when there was only one other 
white family in the county. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Seiler there were born six 
children : Elizabeth, the wife of J. R. Stein, of 
Mt. Carmel; Mary, wife of T. B. Mclntyre. of 
Missniirl : I^anra. widow of F. M. Hoskinson ; 
Zula. who lives with her mother; Eliza, wife of 
H. E. Johnson, of Michigan ; and Maude, who re- 
sides at home. 



SEILER, Sebastian Seigel. — A prominent farmer 
and stock-dealer of Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wa- 
bash County, 111., is Sebastian Seigel Seller, who 
is interested in various enterprises besides his 
agricultural business. He is a native of the 
precinct, born June 22, 1S62, a son of Jacob and 
Matilda (Behm) Seller, the former a native of 
Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and son of Fred- 
erick Seiler, and the latter a native of Lebanon, 
Pa. Sebastian S. Seiler is a tivln brother of 
Jacob E., and his parents had three sons and 
three daughters older than they. He lived with 
his parents until his marriage, except when away 
at school. He received his early education in 
the sommon schools and attended the Independ- 
ent Normal, at Carmi. 111., a short time. He also 
took a short agi'icultural course at the Illinois 
State University, at Urbana. which he has found 
of much benefit to him in his work. 

October IS. 18S7, Sebastian S. Seiler married 
Mary Elizabeth Grundon, boru June 5. 1866, 
daughter of Thomas and Anna (Connor) Grun- 
don. Jlr. Grundon was born in Dauphin County, 
Pa.. July 1. 1820, a son of Thomas and Mary 
(Mageej Grundon, the former born in Ireland, 
in 1783. and the latter in Chester County, Pa., in 
178!J. The grandfather of Mrs. Seiler was mar- 
ried in Pennsylvania, March 27, 1807, and he 
died in Pennsylvania, in 1828, and his widow in 
Mt. Carmel, III., in 1843. Thomas Grundon and 
wife, parents of Mrs. Seiler, located in Wabash 
County in 18<>(>, and after spending one year at 
Mt. Carmel, bought a farm in the precinct, 
where both died, the former October 29, 1892, and 
his wife April 21, 1885. They were parents of 
twelve children. After his marriage Mr. Seiler 
located on a farm of 127 acres, given him b.v his 
father, in Sections .34 and 35, Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, to which he has since added three acres. 
This farm was partly cleared and improved and 
Mr. Seiler cleared thirty acres more, putting the 
entire farm under cultivation. He has carried 
on general farming and makes a specialty of 
raising registered Shorthorn cattle. Since 1892 
he has made a business of buying and feeding cat- 
tle, hogs, lior.ses. mules and sheep, which he ships 
to market. He has embarked extensivel.v into 
the business of buying and selling live-stock, 
which he has found very satisfactory. 

T\vo children have been born to Mr. Seiler and 
his wife namely: Leah, born August 31, 1889. 
died Octolier 8. 1890; and Lela, born June .30, 
1893. is at home. Mr. Seiler is a stockholder in 
Mt. Carmel Banking & Trust Company and is 
President df the .\lbion District Mutual Wind- 
storm & O'clone Insurance Company, of .\lbion. 
He takes great Interest in the welfare and prog- 
ress of the county, and in political principles is 
a Prohibitionist. He is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church and always ready to support any 
measure he believes to be for the public welfare. 
He sen'ert one term as School Director, but is 
not an office-seeker. Mr. Seiler belongs to Wa- 
bash Ivodge No. 35. Independent Order of Odd 
Fellow.s, and the Modern Woodmen of America, 
of Sugar Creek. He is highly esteemed for his 



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WABASH COUNTY 



801 



many f;oo(l qualities of mind and heart, and is a 
representative and public-spirited eitineu. 

SEXTON, Sydney A.— Tlie art of pliotography 
requires careful study and loug yeare of prac- 
tic-e belore proticiencj- is readied, and in this line 
a uiau has an opi)ortuuity to exercise his artistic 
taste to a gratifying degree. The principal photo- 
graph studio in Mt. Caruiel, 111., is owned and 
oi)erated hy Sydney A. Sexton, who has estab- 
lished a good business and stands well in the 
community. Jlr. Sexton was born in Odell, Liv- 
ingston County, 111., June 5, 180!>, a son of Alonzo 
and Mary (Wanchope) Sexton, the former a na- 
tive of Hartford, Conn., and the latter of Living- 
ston County. Alonzo Sexton was a farmer and 
owned land in Livingston County. He served in 
the One Hundred Twenty-ninth lUiuois Volunteer 
Infantry, and during his service was crippled by 
rheumatism. In ISTU he sold his farm and moved 
to Grayville. Wabash County, where he owned a 
place, and some years later he moved to Lacon, 
111., where he died. His widow now lives with 
her children. They had two children, Sydney A., 
and Annie. Mrs. J. W. Johnston, of Springfield, 
Mo. 

AVhen he reached the age of eighteen years 
Sydney A. Sexton began earning his own living. 
He had been educated in the common and high 
schools and began life on his own account as 
salesman for a house that enlarged photographs. 
He traveled two and a half years through the 
Southern States, and one year in Indiana and 
Illinois, and during this time took up the study 
of photography in Warren and Grayville. He 
then took up the business of taking views on his 
own account, traveling through Wabash. Ed- 
wards and White Counties, 111., two years, then 
went to Indiana and spent two years in similar 
business. He first opened a studio at Lacon. 
111., and after siiending eight years there looked 
for a larger town in which to establish himself. 
In October. ISKe. he located in Mt. Carniel. 111.. 
and by the 10th of that montli had his studio 
ready for business. He is an expert photogra- 
pher and does all kinds of work in this line, also 
enlarges photograiihs and does crayon work. His 
studio is 2.5 by 100 feet, and is fitted with all 
the latest cameras and aitpllnnces. He has 
erected a hands<ime frame residence on North 
Market Street, .iust outside the city limits. 

July S. ISftO. Mr. Sexton married Rosamond 
Shepherd, who was born and reared at Gray- 
ville. III., a daughter of Joseph and Laura (Bat- 
son) Shepherd, natives of Keensburg. Wabash 
Count.v. They became parents of children as fol- 
lows : Margaret, died at the age of si.x and one- 
lialf venrs: Maliel Grace, born February 1. 1800: 
Stanford. l>orn March 11. 100.3; Elizabeth, born 
January 1-1. 1007. 

>rr. .Sexton is n prnminont and active member 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in politics 
Is an Independent Republican. He is affiliated 
with the Mystic Workers of the World and with 
the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. N'o. .3.5. 
of Mt. Cariiicl. lie and his wife have a wide 
circle of friends and are highly esteemed. 



SEYBOLD, Charles.— Among the successful Ger- 
mau-^Vmericaus of Illinois are to be tound many 
who came to the United States without any 
other asset than their youth and strength, 
coupled with a willingness to work hard in the 
struggle to gain a foothold in the new country. 
Such a man is Charles Seybold. of Frieudsville 
Precinct. Wabash County. Mr. Seybold was 
born in Wurtemburg, Germany, March 8, 1839, 
son of John and Madeline Seybold, the latter of 
whom died when Charles was but six years old. 
As a boy Charles Seybold attended school in 
his native country and at the age of sixteen 
years came to America, locating in Bartholomew 
County, Ind., where he worked at farming by 
the month until his marriage, August 2. ISOG, to 
Elizabeth Boman, born October 25. 1845, in De- 
catur County. Ind.. daughter of Samuel and Mar- 
garet (Anderson) Boman. of New Jersey. Mr. 
Boman and his wife removed to In<liana in an 
early day and there the latter died, after which 
he removed to Wabash County. 111., and lived 
at Lancaster at the time of his death. 

After his marriage Mr. Seybold lived on a 
rented farm in Bartholomew County for a time, 
then bought twenty acres of land in Vigo County, 
where he lived nine years, then sold out and 
moved to Crawford County. Iowa, where he pur- 
chased seventy acres of land and lived on this 
farm a year and a half, then sold out and jiur- 
chased eight.v acres in Shelb.v County, Iowa. 
Mr. Se.vbold remained four years in Shelby 
County, then sold out and bought a farm in Lan- 
caster Precinct. Wabash County, living there 
from 1882 until 18f«. In the latter year he 
traded for a farm of 120 acres in Frieudsville 
Precinct. Later he added another twenty acres, 
seven acres being timber land. He has made all 
possible improvements on his farm and carried 
on general farming and stock raising. He has 
lived retired from active life since 1004. though 
he still resides on his farm, which is carried on 
b.v OHe of his sons. He has been a firm believer 
in high-grade stock and has raised some of the 
best in the localit.v. He is a progressive and en- 
terprising farmer and has taken careful note of 
all details of his work, thus being able to at- 
tain a high degree of success. He has many 
warm friends in the community and has proven 
himself a good neighbor and valuable citizen. 

Eight children were born to Mr. Seybold and 
bis wife, namely: William, of Lawrence County, 
111. ; Edward, who operates the home farm for 
bis father: Charles C. of FYiendsville Precinct; 
Ellen. Mrs. Liithie. of Mt. Carniel ; two children 
died in infiuuy : Mary. de<^eased. left two chil- 
dren : Martha, deceasefl. left one child. Mr. Sey- 
tiold is a Kepulilican and served two terms as 
Scliroil Director. He became a member of the 
,\. F. & .\. M. at Denison. Iowa, and now be- 
lomrs to I/odie No. 752. .\llendale. and to the 
Eastern Star at Mt. Carniel. 

SHARP, Frederick. — One of the most successful 
farmers of Mt. Carniel Precinct. Wabash County. 
111., is Frederick Sharp, a native of the precinct, 
born on tlie farm he now oci'upies. November 14. 



802 



WABASH COUNTY 



1868, a sou of George J. and Rebecca (Cbapiuauj 
Sharp, both natives ot Eugland. The tatber was 
a sou of Burgbley Park aud Elizabetb il'age) 
Sbarp, uatives ot Stauitord, England, aud the 
motber a daughter of Robert aud Surah ( Wbar- 
ram) Chapman, uatives of Yorkshire, England. 
Robert Cbapuiau aud his wife came to the United 
States in livio, crossing the ocean in a sailing 
vessel. They settled near Wilkesbarre, Pa., 
where they were married and lived seven years. 
In 1835 they went to Eugland ou a visit and re- 
mained there a few mouths, after which they 
returned to Penusylvauia. About a year after 
their return from England they settled ou a farm 
in Jit. Caruiel Preciuct, Wabash County, where 
they became owners of a large tract of laud. 
Mrs. Chapmau died in 1875, and her husband, 
having survived her several years, passed away 
In 1892 at the age of eighty-four years. 

George .J. Sharp and his wife were married iu 
Wabash County, to which he had cijme iu 1800, 
from Canada, where be had landed aud lived a 
short time. After their marriage they bought 
a farm of 114 acres iu Mt. Carmel Precinct and 
Mr. Sharp died there iu 1876. His widow lived 
on the place some years, then keiit house seven 
years for her brother, William Ma,ior Chapmau, 
but returned to the home farm in 1883. She died 
In 1!:m>4. Their children were : Granville W. aud 
Minnie, who died in infancy ; All>ert G.. who died 
In 1894 : Frederick, and Sarah Ella. 

Frederick Sharp attended the public school iu 
his home district and spent one term at Leb- 
anon Normal School. When twenty years old 
he began teaching and continued six years iu 
this profession. He has always taken an active 
interest iu any question connected with the pub- 
lic welfare aud gives his substantial supiiort to 
every worthy cause. He has lived on the home 
farm since retiring from the profession of 
teacher and be and his sister. Sarah Ellen, have 
added to it until they ni>w own 2."il acres iu one 
body. Since 18!« their aunt. Elizabeth Chapman, 
has lived with tliera. Mr. Shai-p carries on gen- 
eral farming and raises a good line of cattle aud 
hogs for the market, as well as a good grade of 
horses. He is energetic and industrious aud has 
been very successful in a business way. For ten 
years he has been a Director of tlie American 
National Bank of Jit. Carmel. aud is Secretary 
and nirector of Mt. Carmel Canning Company. 
In politics he is a Republican aud served two 
and one-half years as District Road Clerk. In 
1910 he was the Republican candidate for County 
Treasurer. 

Mr. Shai-p is a man of recognized probity and 
business ability aud has been administrator of 
several estates. He is a member of the Jleth- 
odist Episcopal Church, served as Assistant Class 
r^eader aud Assistant Sunday School Superin- 
tendent, and was for two years President of the 
Sunday School .\ssociation of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct. 

Mr. Sharp was married .Tuly 3. 1910. to Miss 
Susan Stoltz. an intellisrent and popular voung 
lady, who is descended from one of the pioneer 



families of the county. His sister, Sarah Ella, 
was married April 10, 1910, to Mr. Beauchamp 
Kigg, who was boru and raised iu Wabash 
County, aud is a member of one of its best aud 
most favorably known families, and who is at 
present Cashier of the American Exchange Bank 
at Browns. Edwards County, 111. 

SHEARER, Barber Austin, a retired farmer of 
Lick I'rairie Preciuct, Wabash Couuty, 111., Is 
au bouured Civil War veteran and has beeu a 
resident of the communitj- where he now lives 
for more thau half a century. Mr. Shearer was 
born in Franklin Couuty, Mass., July 0, 1836, 
sou of Joseph aud Elizabeth (Canedy) Shearer, 
the former a native of Massachusetts and the 
latter of Windham Countj-, Vt. Joseph Shearer 
was a son of William Shearer, of Boston, and 
his wife was a daughter of Thomas Canedy, of 
Vermont. Joseph Shearer married (first) a Miss 
(iregg. iu Massachusetts, and was a soldier in 
the War of 1S12, removing to Mt. Carmel about 
two years after the war. Mrs. Shearer died in 
Mt. Carmel aud her husband returned to his 
native State, where he remained until his sec- 
ond marriage, to Elizabeth Canedy, and In 1854 
be brought his family to Wabash County, buy- 
ing land iu Friendsville Precinct, where he spent 
the remainder of his life. He died in 1857 and 
his widow survived him ten years. They liad 
children as follows : Joseph, of Loveland, Ohio ; 
Jane, died in Massachusetts, a year ago ; Ear- 
lier A. : Christopher, deceased ; Lura, Mrs. John 
Dardeen. now decea.sed ; Thomas, died while 
serving in the Fuion army : Lucy, Mrs. Lorin 
Jordan, of Alamosa. Colo. ; Lucinda, Mrs. James 
Payne, of Lick Prairie Preciuct ; Laura A., died 
iu Childhood : Augeline aud Jonathan, died in 
childhood, in Massachusetts. 

The education of Barber A. Shearer -was ac- 
quired iu the (Ommon schools of Franklin 
County. Mass.. and he remained with his parents 
in Wabash Couuty until the father's death, then, 
with his mother and two sisters, started back to 
Massachusetts on a visit. The.v made the jour- 
ney in 1861. aud when tliey had proceeded as 
far as Olive Green. Delaware County. Ohio, Mr. 
Shearer learned of the President's call for 75,- 
000 men. Mr. Shearer enlisted, in April, 1861. in 
Company I, Fourth Ohio Volunteers, spending a 
week in training iu Columbus, then being sent 
to Camp Deiinison. His regiment was assigned 
to the Army of the Potomac, and Mr. Shearer re- 
mained constantly with his regiment except when 
he spent three weeks in a hospital and was en- 
gaged iu manv important engagements, including 
the battles of Antientan. the Wilderness, etc. 
He received his discharge in the summer of 
1S64. then returned to Illinois and purchased 120 
.ncres of land in Mt. Carmel Precinct, living on 
this farm thirty years and making all jxissihle 
improvements. He then traded it for the .Tames 
Mnndv farm iu Lick Prairie Precinct, where he 
bns 2?.0 acres of fine land, all improved except 
tbirtv acres of timber. Mr. Shearer has been 
retired from active life since 1890, and his son 



WABASH COUNTY 



803 



llatry and bis sou-in-law, Otto Marx, operate 
the farm. He is well kiiowu for liis energy and 
industry and bus been one ot the most success- 
tul farmers of bis community. 

.Mr. Shearer married, in July, 1866, Edith 
Brines, who was born iu Lick Prairie Precinct, 
daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Brines, na- 
tives of Wabash County and New York, respect- 
ively. Children as follows have blessed this 
union : Thomas, of Centralia, Wash. ; Mary, 
Mrs. Fred Palmer, of Seattle. Wash. ; May, Mrs. 
Otto Mar.x, on the home farm; Harry, on the 
home farm, married Ethel Beard. 

SHEARER, George C. (deceased), who was a 

veteran ot the Civil War, discharged with the 
rank of Sergeant, developed a tine larm ia 
Friendsville l're<-iuct and worked many years 
at the trade of carpenter in Wabash County. 
Mr. Shearer was born iu Franklin County, Mass., 
October 3. 1836, a sou of Joseph and Elizabeth 
Shearer, of Massachusetts. He remained iu Ver- 
mont, whither his parents bad moved, and re- 
ceived a common school education in that State. 

Mr. Shearer married, December 24, 1859, 
Catherine Case, who was born in Lick Prairie 
Precinct. Wabash County. January i), 1841, a 
daughter of Jonathan and Theresa Jane (Mc- 
Dowell) Case, of Orange County. X. Y. Mr. 
Case and wife were married in New York and 
became early settlers of Wabash County, enter- 
ing land from the Government, which they im- 
proved and occupied until a few years before his 
death, when they moved to Mt. Carmel. Mr. 
Case died in 1802 and bis widow survived him 
many years, passing away in 1887, at the age 
of eighty years. They had children as follows: 
David and Chauncey. deceased: Julia, widow of 
Benjamin Fuller, of Tell City. Ind. ; John, died 
in the Union army ; Charles, died at the summer 
home, at Sleep.v Eye. Minn. ; Theodore, of Sleepy 
E.ve: Clark, of Sumner. 111.: George, of Valley 
Center. Kan. Mrs. Shearer is the fifth child. 

After bis marriage Mr. Shearer rented a farm 
in Lick Prairie Precinct. At the time of the 
Civil War he responded to the call of his coun- 
try and enlisted, in the fall of 1861. in the One 
Hundred Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 
serving until the end of the war. making a good 
record as a soldier. He participated in man.v 
important engagements but was never wounded. 
While he was away his wife remained with her 
mother and upon his return he remained with 
his wife's i>eoi)le until 18".". when he purchased 
ninety acres of unimproved land, wliich he be- 
gan to cultivate and develop, erecting a com- 
fortable house and other buildings. He worked 
at his trade of carnenter also, and built a sood 
many houses in the vicinity. Fie was enter- 
prising and energetic and became successful in 
his undertakings. .\t the time of his death he 
owned eighty acres of fine land, on which his 
widow now resides. He was nnich interested in 
the cause of education and every movement he 
deemed for the good of the community. He was 
a Republic.nn in politics and served many years 
as Sdiool Director. He had a host of friends and 



was highly esteemed among bis army comrades 
in particular, and by all who knew him and grew 
to appreciate his many good mualities. Mr. 
Shearer died at his home, January 8, 1806, aud 
was buried at Gard's Point. 

Children as follows were boru to Mr. Shearer 
and his wife : George Henry, of Ontario, Ore. ; 
Nora Angeline, Mrs. Alfred Putnam, of Wabash 
County; James, of Centralia. Wash.; Frank aud 
Samuel, died in infancy ; Adelbert, of Centralia, 
Wash.; Clarence, of Mt. Carmel, 111.; Lucy Bell, 
Mrs. Lemuel JIalone, of Washington ; Fannie 
Maria, Mrs. Joseph Majors, resides with her 
mother ; Carl, of Centralia, Wash. 

SHOAFF, Ross. — Many men who have led an 
active lile are not willing to retire from their 
work, eveu after they have pas.sed the age at 
which most men rest from all labor and prepare 
to .spend their remaining days in ease. Such a 
man is Koss Shoaff, who was boru in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., October 3, 1834, and has for 
many years beeu engaged in contracting in Wa- 
bash County, 111. He is a son of Jacob and Mar- 
tha (Wolfenburger) Shoaff, both natives of 
I-;ebanon County, Pa., and a grandson of John 
Wolfenburger, of Lancaster County, Pa. 

Mr. Shoaff received his education iu the dis- 
trict schools of his native county and there in 
1800 learned the trade of bricklaying and plaster- 
ing. In 1854 he came with a brother to Terre 
Haute, Ind., aud though they had plenty of "wild- 
cat" money, this was of no use to them on ac- 
count of the failure of so many banks. Ross 
Shoaff began working at his trade aud a year 
later returned for his parents, who came with 
him. bringing their daughter also. They then 
moved to Friendsville. 111. Ross Shoaff built up 
a good business in the line of contracting and 
erected a great many of the best buildings of Mt. 
Carmel. as well as other buildings throughout 
that region. He made his home in the village 
of Friendsville until 1868, when he traded his 
village i)roi>erty for a tract of land in Friends- 
ville Precinct, and in 1870 he exchanged that in 
turu for his present home one mile east of 
Friendsville. where he owns fifty-nine acres. He 
continues his business of contracting and at times 
em[iloys from six to ten men. He has been suc- 
cessful in this line of work, is a man of execu- 
tive ability aud business judgment. 

Mr. Shoaff married (first) May 0. 1861. Dor- 
thula Keen, who was bom in Coffee Precinct, 
daughter of Daniel and Julydia (McClain) Keen, 
natives of Ohio. Tvro children blessed this 
union, namely: Maggie, married Dr. William I. 
Farr. who died, and she married (second) Scott 
Secerns, of Edward County. 111. : Orion, died at 
the ase of three vears. Mrs. Shoaff died Febru- 
ary- 7. 1870. and Mr. Shoaff married (second) De- 
cember I>. 1874. Mary Ellen Pixley. who was born 
in Friendsville Precinct, a daughter of William 
and Lnura f White) Pixley. the former a native 
of .\nrora. N. Y.. born December 7. 1703. and 
died December 7. 1876. and the latter born in 
Boston. Mass.. November 10. 1700. and died 
•Vugnst 1. 1805. Mr. Pixley and his wife were 



804 



WABASH COUNTY 



uiun-ied in 1S20, after which they lived ou the 
prairie iu Friendsville I'reciuet, ou the tarm 
where he died, after which his widow spent the 
reuiaiuder ot her days with her daughter, Mrs. 
Slioaff. -Mr. I'ixley was a soldier iu the War of 
1.S12. lie v.-allied to Vermout aud back on an 
errand for his lather, a distance of about 1,0(XI 
miles, ilr. I'ixley was 'a son of Job and Abigail 
(I'atcheni I'ixley. of Vermont, aud his wife was 
a daughter of John aud Lydia (Woodruff) 
White. Mrs. Laura (White) I'ixley started with 
a sister for the West, coming down the Ohio 
River aud stopping over Sunday iu Kentucky. 
Seeing a cabin on the opixislte side of the river 
they went across, and while playing on a sand 
bar they saw a man and woman named Evans. A 
town had just been platted and the man said it 
was to be named for his nephew, Robert Evans. 
This was iu IJSlti. The family came to Wabash 
Countv iu that year aud eutered land in Frleuds- 
ville I'reciuet iu 1S18. One child was born by the 
second marriage of Mr. Shoaff, Bertha E., Mrs. 
Philip Kiue, of Golden Gate. Wayne County, 111. 
Jlr. Shoaff is a member of the Christian 
Church iu which he has been Deacon since 1880. 
In politics he is a Democrat. He has always 
been interested in public affairs and has contrib- 
uted his share to the progress and development 
of his county. He is a good type of an ambitious, 
useful citizen, and is held in high esteem where- 
ever ne is kncwi.. 

SIMONDS, William (deceased).— In the death of 
William Simonds the people of Mt. Carmel, IU., 
lost a good man and a representative citizen, one 
whose long life was full of usefulness. He was 
born October 25, 182."i. a sou of Elijah and Katli- 
erine ( Ulm ) Simonds. Elijah Simonds was boru 
in Oliio and came to Wabash County when a 
young man. settling in a still uncleared part of 
the county, where he subseciuently engaged in 
farming. lie married Katherine Ulm. who was 
of German descent but was born in Ohio, and 
they had three children, William being the only 
one to survive infancy. 

William Simonds obtained his knowledge of 
books in the district schools of Wabash Comity. 
From earlv voutli he was of a serious east of 
mind and ' united with the Methodist Church, 
later becoming a local preacher and in that call- 
iiiiT visited many jiarts of the county and became 
well and fnvorablv known. When his father 
died he inherited the home farm of eighty acres, 
a large portion of it yet reniaiiiing uncleared. 
To the clearing up of this land and to its im- 
provement and cultivation. Mr. Simonds devoted 
himself, these cares restricting somewhat his 
labors in the local ministry, nUhough to the close 
of his life he was an active and useful member 
of the church. 

On AUL'ust 12. 1.S4fl. Mr. Simonds was married 
to Mary R. Hill, horn Februarv 7, 1827, in New 
.Jersey and was brought to Wabash Countv by 
her nn rents in 1887. She was a daughter of 
Horace Hill, a native of that State, who formerly 
followed tbe son. He married Dorcas H-ickett. 
also a native of New .Jersey, and they were the 



pareuts of three sous and three daughters who 
survived, two children being born after the 
family came to Wabash County. The names are 
as follows: Sarah, Rhoda, Mary R., John, Sam- 
uel. Morris, Aaron, Ann Eliza aud Harriet, Hor- 
ace Hill located at first ou Bald Hill I'rairie, en- 
tering loriy acres from the (joverument, a part 
of which he cleared up and improved aud con- 
tinued to live ou that place until the close of his 
life. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Simonds eleven children were 
born, all on the old Simonds homestead. They 
were given the loUowiug names : C.vnis, Nathan, 
William, Edward, Maria, Eliza, Abraham, Al- 
fred, Anna, Ellsworth and James, Of these : 
Cyrus, Nathan, William, Abraham and James 
are deceased. 

In his political sentiments, the late William 
Simonds was a Republican aud he was ever a 
loyal supporter of the Government. During the 
great Civil War he served one year as a soldier 
in Co. I. Thirty -second Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try, being discharged ou account of disability. 
He was identified w-ith both the Masons and the 
Odd Fellows. Mrs. Simonds died April 18, 1910. 

SMITH, Edwin, a life-long resident and repre- 
sentative farmer of Wabash I'reciuet, Wabash 
Oouut}-, 111., was born December 4, 1851, a son 
of George and Mary (Banks) Smith, the former 
a native of Indiana and the latter of Lawrence 
County, 111. George Smith and his wife were 
children of John and Rebecca (Ballard) Smith, 
of Nw Ilaniiishire and New York, respectively, 
and Alexander and Nancy Banks, all pioneers 
of Wabash County. John Smith was a farmer 
and tinsmith, (ieorge Smith and his wife mar- 
ried and settled iu the northwestern c-orner of 
Wabash Precinct, where they acquired 300 
acres of land, on which he made man,y improve- 
ments. He died in December, 1860, and his 
widow died in February, 1002, at the age of 
eighty years. Their children were: Helen, Mrs. 
Daniel Hersliey. a widow, living iu Oklahoma : 
Rebecca, Mrs. Theophilus Smith, who died at 
Bridgeport. 111. : Nancy Ann. Mrs. Newton 
Schrader, of Lawrence County, 111. ; Mary, lives 
with her brother Edwin ; James B.. died in 
Wabash Precinct; Edwin; Sarah, Mrs. Aimer 
Wood, of Mt. Carmel ; Hester, Mrs. Edwin Curr.v, 
died in Wabash Precinct; George B., of Wabash 
Precinct. 

In his toyhood Edwin Smith attended the pub- 
lic schools and as soon as old enough helped in 
the work on his father's farm. Having lost his 
father when ho was aliout seven years of age, 
he lived with his mother until he was tliirty- 
six ve'irs old, .-iltbough he had purchased a 
ninety-five acre farm on Section 0. Wabash Pre- 
cinct, which was partly improved. He now lives 
on his own farm, which he has all under culti- 
ration except tn-entv acres of timber. It was 
partly improved, but he has erected all the build- 
ings on it and added many other improvements. 
He does n sreT'eral line of fannint' and stock- 
raising, and tbromrli his industrv and crond judg- 
ment lias won a gratifying degree of success. His 




MARSHAIJ. WOOD 




I. \V. CI.IM': AND FAMILY 



WABASH COUNTY 



805 



sister Mary has beeu his liouselieeper siuce Uie 
death of his mother. Both are unmarried. Mr. 
Smith is a publif-spirjted, useiul citizen and ac- 
tively interested iu Uie public welfare, lie is 
a Democrat in political views. 

SMITH, Dr. James Edward. — Many prominent 

physicians of Illinois have acquired their medical 
educations through their own efforts, and have 
found it necessary to worii very- hard to earn the 
uioney with which to pursue their studies. Dr. 
James Edward Smith, of Mt. Carmel, who is a 
veteran of the Civil War, and present member 
of the United States Pension E.\aiulniug Board, 
has taken a prominent part in public affairs 
siuce living in Wabash County, and enjoys a 
lucrative practice in Mt. Carmel. Dr. Smith 
was born iu Campbell County, Ky., December 11, 
1838, a son of George Washington and Ilhoda 
(Jenner) Smith, Iwth natives of Campbell 
County. 

When George Washington Smith was a small 
child his father died and he was reared by an 
uncle, a .Mr. Harrison, with whom he lived until 
his marriage. He became a farmer in Kentucliy 
and iu June, 184(1, came with his family to Rich- 
laud County, 111., making the journey by horse 
and wagon, and settling near Olney. He en- 
tered 12(1 acres of goverimient land, eighty acres 
of prairie and forty of timber. He improved the 
former but retained the timber. He died in 
1868, his wife having passed away in March, 
18t!5. They had eleven children, of whom 
James E. was the second. 

Dr. James E. Smith remained with his par- 
ents until he was twenty-two years of age. then 
spent his summers in farm work and taught 
school in the winter until April IT. ISC.l. when he 
enlisted in the Eiglith Illinois Volunteer Infan- 
try, lint the company in which he enlisted being 
already full, he Vas not accepted. In June of 
the same year he enlisted in the Eleventh Mis- 
souri Volunteers, but his father having been 
disabled by an accident, he found it necessary 
to withdraw his name until his father's recovery. 
On .Vugnst ."i. l.Srt2. he re-enlisted at Olney. Ill,, 
in Conipanv B, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer 
Infantry, and his company was first assigned to 
duty at Louisville, Ky.. but being taken sick at 
Bowling Green. Ky.. he was there placed on de- 
tailed duty until January 1. ISOn. wh(>n by order 
of General Rosecrans. all detailed soldiers re- 
ported for duty at Murfrecsboro. Upon reaching 
Murfreeshoro in January. 1S(«. he was assigned 
to Wildcr's Brigade, and the next spring they 
were mounted. They were engaged in service 
in Tennessee, opposing the progress of Gen- 
eral .Morgan, and in June. 1S(«. Wilder held the 
pass -it Hoover's Gap. against the ronfederates. 
Dr. Smith was placed on duty in the field hos- 
T'itnl. where be had to stand guard in his turn. 
tl,o .-.me as the other soldiers. He was a mem- 
ber of the division that captured Jefferson Davis, 
near Macon. Ga. ,\fter his discharge at Spring- 
fielrl. Jnlv .". ISr..". he returned home. 

.\fter the war Mr. Smith continued teaching 
during winters and worked at farming during 



the summer, until 1870, when he began the study 
jf medicine under Dr. D. Bates, of Calhoun, near 
Olney. HI. After spending u year there he at- 
tended the Eclectic Medical College at Ciiiciu- 
nati, and a year later began practicing medicine 
at St. Fraucisville, 111., where he remained four 
years, then tor twenty-seven yeare practiced his 
prolession at Allendale. His work was mostly 
in the country and. in VM2. he gave up his prac- 
tice at Allendale and removed to Mt. Carmel, 
where he is engaged in city practice only. He 
has sold his Allendale property and bought a 
residence in Mt. Carmel. 

April 7, 18t;7, Dr. Smith married Nancy How ay, 
who was burn in .Vrkausas, and they had chil- 
dren as follows: Lena, died at the age of one 
year : Hayward died at the age of nineteen 
months ; Zillah, Mrs. G. W. Klindera, of Tulare 
County, Cal., has two daughters ; Edwin 
Freeman, killed at Harrisburg, IU., in August, 
1900: Elmer, ticket and passenger agent of the 
Iron Mountain *; Missouri Pacific Railroad Com- 
pany, at Memphis, Teiin.. is married and has 
two children ; Morris, ticket agent for the Big 
Four Railroad Coiiipaiiy at Mt. Carmel: Mattie, 
married Ed. L. Ilolsen, Deputy Circuit Clerk of 
Wabash County, and they have two daughters 
and one son ; Vera Grace, at home. 

In 1877 Dr. Smith re-entered the Eclectic Medi- 
cal College, at Cincinnati, and graduated there- 
from in 187S, receiving his degree. He is a 
stanch Republican in politics, having cast hi.s 
first vote for .Vhraham Lincoln, and served four 
years as Postmaster at .\lleiidale. under Presi- 
dent ILirri-oii. He still has in his po.ssession a 
draft on the Fuited States Postoffice Depart- 
ment which was sent to him at the close of his 
service in the department, the amount of the 
same heins' one cent, the number 0276 and the 
Auditor's Report Number 385.35. Dr. Smith was 
appointed a member of the Pension E.xamining 
Board February 15, 1004, and served some time 
as Secretary, but is now its Treasurer. He is 
prominent in Grand .\rmy circles and is a mem- 
ber of T. S. Bowers Post, No. 125, of Mt. Car- 
mel. He belongs to the State Eclectic Society. 
He has been a member of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Cliurch since he was fourteen years of age 
and is active in church work. He stands well in 
his [irofession and has the confidence and es- 
teem of all who know him. 

SMITH, Rozander, who has resided in Wabash 
County. HI., nearly ninety years, is a son of one 
of the earliest settlers of that region, born April 
!), 1817. in Ftica, N. T., and brought to Illinois 
by his parents in 1821. His parents. Rausler V. 
and Mary fOrmshy> Smith, were both natives of 
New York, the former a son of Benjamin F. 
Smith, who served scv<>n .vears in the Revolu- 
tionary War. Rausler Smith and his wife came 
down the Allegheny to the Ohio River, thence 
on to the Wabash. u|i which they came to Old 
Palmyra, in Wabash Count>-. They settled on 
government land in Lancaster Precinct and later 
bought land, jiart prairie and part timber. At 
that time there were many deer, hears, panthers 



806 



WABASH COUNTY 



and wolves in the iieigbburhood, as well as In- 
diaus. Tbe mother died at Lancaster, iu 1823, 
and was the first person buried iu the cemetery 
there. Mr. Smith married (second) Jane l\irner, 
and lived in the northwesteru part of Lancaster 
Precinct. lie died in Evansville, lud., iu 1844, 
having lived there about six months. By his 
first marriage he had four children, o( whom 
Kozander was the oldest, the others being: 
Rosella, deceased ; Lucetta, Mrs. Barney Higgins, 
of Berryville, Richland Couuty, 111. ; and a daugh- 
ter who died iu infancy. By his second marriage 
Mr. Smith had five children, as follows: Perrln, 
deceased; Abner, and Simeon (twins), Franklin, 
and Jane, all deceased. 

When fifteen years of age Rozander Smith was 
bound out to George Glick, of Lancaster Precinct, 
for whom he worked three years before securing 
his freedom, then continued iu his employ a few 
years longer, tor two mouths of that time, help- 
ing to build bridges on the first railroad con- 
structed through Mt. Carmel, Mr. Smith and 
John Sproul started in a canoe for Xew Orleans, 
and after they had proceeded about twelve miles 
down the Wabash River, they were halted by a 
crew of men who were raising a building, one of 
the crew pointing a gun at them aud asking them 
to come ashore. Jlr. Smith pointed a gun at him 
In turn, advising that he and his comrade did 
not care to disembark, aud they were allowed to 
go on tlieir way, They landed that night at the 
home of Eli Comi]ton, who was building a boat, 
and the.v made a contract with him to help him in 
return for their passage to Xew Orleans. By 
the time the boat was finished the river was 
frozen over. Mr. Sproul and Mr. Smith pro- 
ceeded to Shawueetown ou foot and worked two 
days there in a saw-mill, cutting slabs, then se- 
cured a ]iosition cutting liard wood, at which they 
worked several days, then engaged to go to Xew 
Orleans, securing forty dollars apiece for the 
trip. Their boat was sunk at Plum Point, being 
run into by another boat. They then secured 
passage to Vicksburg, where Mr. Smith and Mr. 
Sproul obtained passage on a coasting boat, hir- 
ing out for one dollar a da.v and hoard. After 
these adventures and mishaps, they finally 
reached Xew Orleans, worked there four days 
aud then started back, after reaching Evansville, 
Ind., walking the rest of the way to their home. 
Mr. Smith was twenty-one years old at the time 
of his return and soon after found employment 
as pilot on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, mak- 
ing seventeen consecutive trips upon the river. 

In 1S44 Mr. Smith married Rebecca Hulibard. 
a native of Lancaster Precinct, and daughter of 
Lindsey and Patsie (Jordan) Hulibard. natives 
of Teiuiessee. who were early settlers in Wabash 
County, coming there about one year later than 
Mr. Smith's parents. Mrs. Smith died in lS(i4, 
and Mr. Smith married (second), .\pril 14, 1867, 
Cinthia Snyder, a native of Wabash Couuty. who 
died Octoher 0. 1007. 

.\fter his marriage Mr. Smith bought the 
farm in Lancaster Precinct that had belonged 
to his father, paying .$00 in gold and giving his 
note for $40 for eighty acres of land. He has 



since resided on this farm aud added to his pos- 
sessions from time to time until he became the 
owner of 7U0 acres of land iu one body, all in 
Wabash County. He has sold much of this 
laud, and now owns but 100 acres in the home 
place. He has turned over to each of his sous 
eighty acres of laud, for which they pay him one- 
sixth of the product of same. He has been a 
member of the Universalist Church since 1860 
and has held offices iu the same. In politics he is 
a Democrat aud has always taken an active part 
in local affairs. He served sixteen years as Jus- 
tice of the Peace, four years as Associate Jus- 
tice, eight years as Xotary Public and one term 
as County Commissioner. He is oue of the best 
known citizens of the county aud is well versed 
in its early history, taking great interest in the 
development of the region from a wilderness to 
a scene of prosperity and thrift. Mr. Smith 
had children as follows : George, who died in in- 
fancy ; and Frank, of Lancaster Precinct, by the 
first marriage ; and William, Levitt and Edward 
by the second marriage. Though an old man, 
Mr. Smith is still iu possession of much vitality, 
and it is a pleasure to his many friends to con- 
verse with him on past aud present issues and 
events. 

SPURLING, Henry. — Among the most successful 
stock farmers of Wabash Count.v, 111., is Henry 
Spurting, of Lancaster Precinct, who was born 
in Shelby Count}', Ind.. December 31. 1845, son 
of Eli.iah Spurling, a native of Ohio. Elijah 
Spurliug and his wife died when their son Henry 
was a mere infant, and the latter was taken in 
charge liy the family of John Heitz, in Indiana. 
The Heitz family moved to Wabash County when 
Henry was seven .vears of age, aud settled on 
the farm where he now lives. 

Mr. Simrliug was an inmate of the Heitz home 
until his marriage. March* 25. 1870. to Hester 
.Tane Biehl. born in Lancaster Precinct. Mrs. 
Spurling is a datighter of John and Hannah 
(Darney) Riehl. natives of Pennsylvania. Her 
mother died when she was three years old and 
she was reared iu the family of Ephraira 
Stauinger. where she made her home until her 
marriage. Mr. Spurling aud his wife began 
housekeeping on eighty acres of laud, a part of 
the home place, which he purchased of Mr. 
Heitz. He also purchased eighty acrgs on Section 
IS of Lancaster Precinct, on the Bonpas Creek 
bottom, which tract he sold in 1881. He pur- 
chased seventy acres adjoining the home farm 
and forty-two and one-half acres nearby. Mr. 
Spurling has 140 acres mider cultivation and 
forty-seven and one-half acres in timber. He 
has always carried ou diversified farming and 
raises mules, cattle and hoes. He formerly dealt 
extensively in cattle, which he bought as calves, 
fattened and sold. He also raises Shropshire 
sheep. Mr. Spurling is a prominent Democrat 
and nctivelv interested in anvthins pertaining 
to the nuWic welfare. He has been Treasurer of 
the Independent Farmers' Telephone Company. 
which has nn exchange nt Lancaster. He is the 
friend of progress aud contributes his share 



WABASH COUNTY 



807 



towards its cause. In religious affiliations he is 
a Lutheran and has served as Deacon since 1904. 
Four children were born to him and his wife, 
namely ; Edward, who died in 190U, at the age 
of thirty years ; Elijah, of Lancaster Precinct, 
married Ella Mayue and has six children ; John 
Franklin, and Harvey Wilson, at home. 

STEES, Rudolph K., who represents one of the 
oldest families iu Mt. Carmel, 111., has now re- 
tired from active life, but is deeply interested in 
everything that pertains to the progress and wel- 
fare of the city, county or State. His father was 
one of the early Postmasters of Mt. Carmel, and 
served several years after his apixiintment in 
1849. Kudolph K. Stees has also served in va- 
rious public offices and is very well known 
throughout the county, having been Postmaster 
of Mt. Carmel for seventeen years, from lSt>5 to 
1882. He was born in Covington, Fountain 
County, Ind.. February 2. 1839, a son of Henry 
and Susanna (Kelker) Stee.s, the former a na- 
tive of Union County and the latter of Lebanon 
County, Pa. His grandparents were Frederick 
and Jlary (Riblet) Stees. of Pennsylvania, and 
Henry and Elizabeth (Grunenwalt) Kelker, na- 
tives of Switzerland. The Stees family origin- 
ally came from Germany, the first in America, 
being sold by a shipmaster to pay for his pass- 
age to the United States. He was an iron worker 
and did some work on cannon used by Revolu- 
tionary soldiers at the Battle of Brandywiue. 
The family became prominent in Snyder and 
Lebanon, as well as in Berks County. Pa., and 
Frederick Stees had a carding mill, in addition 
to carrying on a farm. He and his wife lived 
all their lives in Pennsylvania. 

Henry Stees was married in Lebanon Count.v. 
Pa., and moved to Marion, Ohio, and later to 
Covington. He lived in Indiana from 18:?7-39. 
then located in Mt. Carmel and started a tin- 
sho]). whirli be conducted ten years, after which 
he conducted a grocery and notion store six years. 
He was a strong Whig and. besides serving from 
l,S4!)-riP, as Po.stniaster at .Mt. Carmel. was for 
many .ve.ars .lustice of the Peace. In ISfi.") he re- 
tired from active business and his death occurred 
in .Tuly. ISfiS. His first wife died in November. 
ISA^. and after her death he married her sister. 
Mary >r. Kelker. By his first marriage he had 
four children, naniel.v : Mary, resides with her 
brother Rudolph : Elizabeth. niarrie<l Henry 
Harrington and both are deceased ; Catherine, 
married Hiram Barcus and died at Pekin. 111. : 
and Rudolph. By his second ijiarriage Mr. Stees 
had no children. 

At the age of sixteen years Rudolpli K. Stees 
began working as clerk in a drug store. For 
his first year's work he received .¥25. for the sec- 
ond $?>0 and for the third .<flO. From necember. 
1860. until November. 1801. he clerked in a 
drug-store in I.awrenceville. III., then served one 
year as assistant to the County Clerk. In .Tnly, 
1862. he became .\ssistant Postmaster under his 
father, .\pril 1. ISO.'i. he succeeded bis father 
as Postmaster at ^It. Carmel. and held this of- 
fice continuously until 1882. Fturing this period 



he also conducted a book and news stand, and 
after retiring from office, continued to conduct 
this business until 1892, when he retired. In 
1878 he erected a handsome brick residence at 
419 Cherry Street, and here he and his sister 
JIary. neither b.iving married, reside together. 
He is a strong Prohibitionist and an active mem- 
ber of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he is Steward and Treasurer. He is identified 
with the best interests of the community and 
has contributed to every good cause that appeals 
to his judgment as being worthy his support. He 
is well known and popular in Mt. Carmel and has 
a large circle of warm personal friends. He has 
served the public well while holding office, and 
in a private capacity has fulfilled the duties of 
good citizenship. 

STEIN, George B.— George B. Stein was born 
in Mt. Carmel, 111., August 17, 1872, the son of 
Jacob and Julia (Grott') Stein, prominent pio- 
neers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Stein were 
married in 1851 and, on February 23, 1901, cele- 
brated their Golden Wedding. Mr. Stein was 
educated in the public schools of Mt. Carmel. 
His youth was spent on his father's farm. For 
fifteen years he was engaged in a general mer- 
chandising business, but for the last six years 
has been writing insurance, iu all its branches, 
and has built up an extensive and prosperous 
business. He is thoroughly familiar with all 
(lasses i]f insurance, and his diligence and re- 
liability is an assurance to his patrons that their 
interests are perfectly safe in his hands. lie is 
now Public Administrator of Wabash County, by 
I'ppointment of Gov, Deneen, and makes a ca- 
llable and trustworthy official. 

Mr. Stein jirepared and iiublished. in con- 
junction with Mr. E. F. Eichhorn, the first City 
Dirt^torj- of Jit. Carmel and "Gazetteer of Wa- 
bash County," a publication of excellent merit. 
He is a very prominent and influential member 
of several fraternal orders, being Esteemed Lead- 
ing Knight of the Elks Lodge, Master of Ex- 
chequer of the Knights of Pythias and a social 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America, as- 
sociated with the local Lodges of Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. George B. Stein and family are influential 
members of the Lutheran Church. In polities 
be has alwa.vs been a zealous, active and prom- 
ii'eiit Republican, always looking for an oppor- 
tiniit.v to do some honorable and valuable service 
for bis party. He is a man of unremitting en- 
trgy. alw.-iys alert and striving with persistent 
industry to accomplish whatever l;e sets his hands 
to <lo. and conseciuently becomes a leader in 
nearly every political, social or public matter in 
which he takes a part. He is obliging, liberal, 
frank and generous, and quick to see and avail 
himself of the first opiiortunity to render assist- 
ance in cases of individual or public necessity. 
He is athletic and fearless, a fine angler and suc- 
cessful hunter, provides lKmnte<iusly for his fam- 
ily and hosiiitalily entertains his friends. 

On necember '20. 1894. Mr. Stein was united 
in marriage to Miss Ella Harris of OIney. 111., 
who was born and raised in that city. Mrs. Stein, 



808 



WABASH COUNTY 



on the maternal side, is a direct descendant of 
Lord William Berkeley, Colonial Governor of 
Virginia. Her father's family settled in Virginia 
in the seventeenth century. Both families were 
owners of large estates in Albermarle and Cul- 
I>eper Counties. The Harrises left Virginia he- 
cause of their opposition to slavery, going tirst 
to Ohio and, in 1S40, removed to Illinois. 

Mr. and Mrs. Stein have four children : Maur- 
ice Harris, horn January 9. 1S90 ; Dorothy, born 
February 11, 1899; and Frank Berkeley and 
Bernard Jacob, born Januarj- 23. 1908. 

STEIN, Jacob, Sr.— Jacob Stein, St., was born 
in West Huveu, Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, 
Jantiary 23, 1821. He came with his father's 
family to America in 1849 and located in Mt. 
Carmel in 1850. He was a coojier by trade and, 
for a quarter of a century, conducted an e.xten- 
sive business in Mt. Carmel. Subsequently he 
engaged in farming and was successful in all 
his business inidertakings. He was a man of 
clean judgment and strict integrity, and his 
sterling virtues were admired by all. He was of 
an amiable di.sposition, though tirm in his con- 
victions and I rank in expression of his opinions. 
He enjoyed the confidence and esteem of all his 
acquaintances. 

On P^bruary 2.'5. 18.51. Mr. Stein was married 
to Julia Groff. and on February 2'A, 1901, they 
celebrated their fiolden Wedding on the premises 
where they went to housekeeping, having lived 
tliere continuously. Mrs. Stein was born at En- 
sheim. Hesse-Darmstadt. Germany, May IC. 18.31. 
whence she came with Iier parents to this coun- 
try in 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Stein were the par- 
ents of ten children, of whom these are still 
living: .1. Fred; George B. ; Jacob, of Wabash 
County ; Lewis, of White County, 111. ; Mrs. A. 
Maggie Tucker ; Mrs. Clara L. Geiger ; Mrs. Car- 
rie H. Seibert. aiurMiss Allie. of Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Stein died July .'iO. 1901. and Jlrs. Stein 
departed this life April W. 1907. They were 
honest, moral, industrious Christian i^eople. who 
were respected and beloved by all the jieople of 
Mt. Carmel. among whom it was their happy lot 
to spend so many useful, prosjierous and happy 
years. They were always amialile. cheerful and 
buoyant with hope, and even at their great ages 
seemed still to be young and inspired with the 
vigor and animation of youth. Tlie memory of 
their noble lives will be a precious legacy of 
honor to their many de.scendants. 

STELZER, John J., a successful and enterprising 
farmer of Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wal)ash Count.v. 
111., was l>orn on the farm where he now resides, 
and part of which he now owns. .June 21. 1874. 
He is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Schrodt) 
Stelzer. the former a native of Bladersheim. Ger- 
many, and the latter of Mt. Carmel. and a daugh- 
ter of John and Anna M. Schrodt. natives of 
Germany. 

Jamb Stelzer came to New York City when 
twenty years of age and later removed to Osh- 
kosh. Wis., where he visited an uncle. He went 



from there to Wabash County, where he married, 
May 19. 1872. and moved to a farm of eighty- 
four acres given the young couple by Mr. Schrodt. 
He followed farming and stock-raising, and he 
and his wife together became owners of about 
500 acres of land, all in Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
and in a single tract, excejit IfK) acres in Coffee 
Precinct. His wife died April 12. 1901, and he 
married (second). Decemlier 5. 1901. Sarah <}. 
Glick. a widow, and native of Wabash County, 
whose maiden name was Wirth. After his sec- 
ond marriage he retired to Jit. Cannel and lived 
at ease until his death. He was killed while 
walking on the tracks of the Southern Railroad, 
January 21, 1910. He was born January 10. 
1847. He was a prominent man in public affairs 
and was well known in the county. By his first 
marriage he had two children : John J., and 
Mary M.. Mrs. Robert Woolard. of ilt. Carmel 
Precinct. 

John J. Stelzer has spent his entire life on the 
farm which his Grandfather Schrodt secured as 
a homestead, and was educated in Sugar Creek 
District School. His farm is in Section 36. 
where be carries on general farming and stock- 
raising. His father gave him alx>ut eight.v acres 
of the home farm, and here he settled after his 
marriage. He has added ninety acres and now 
has a fine farm of .>j6 acres, 50 acres of which 
are in Coffee Precinct, which he has put into good 
condition and has improved as much as possible. 
He is a progressive and enterprising business 
man, carrying on his work in a manner to give 
him the maximum of profit from his operations. 

December 29. 1895. Mr. Stelzer married Claudia 
Stillwell. born in Wabash Precinct. January 7, 
1.875. a dam.'hter of Samuel J. and Sophia Sa- 
bina (Kaiser) Stillwell. the former a native of 
Wabash Precinct and the latter of Hesse-Cassel. 
Germany. Mrs. Stelzer's grand|iarents. Samuel 
and Elizabeth (McKinney) Stillwell. were 
among the earliest settlers of Wabash County, 
and secured land from the Government, most of 
which is still owned by the Stillwell family. 
The following children were born to Samuel 
Stillwell and his wife: James K., of Wabash 
T'reiinct; Pauline. Mrs. William C. Brown, died 
March 4. l.SOfi ; Elizabeth. Mrs. Charles W. Ma- 
son, of Keniort. N. J. : Mrs. Stelzer : Samuel J.. 
of Wabash Precinct: and George W., on part of 
the home place. The children bnm to Mr. Stel- 
zer a'ld his wife are: .John .Jacob, born August 
21. 1897: Ogle P.eryl. born November 15. 1899; 
and Cecil Everett, born December 9. 1902. Mr. 
Stillwell was born June 0. 1S.32. and died June 
24. 1.S95. His wife was born November 1. 1836, 
and still resides on the old homestead. 

Mr Stelzer is an earnest member of the Chris 
tion Church, as also is Mrs. Stelzer. and is lib- 
eral in his support of the same. He favors the 
principles of the Republican party, and although 
he does not care for public office, takes an active 
interest in public affairs, 

STERL, George L., a representative farmer of 
Wabash County. III., and a native of the county. 



WABASH COUNTY 



809 



was born in Rochester, Coffee Precinct, April IS, 
1857, a son of George and Catherine (Broedel) 
Sterl. of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, the latter 
a duugluT of Leonard and Mary Broedel, who 
came to the United States and settled iu Mt. Car- 
niel Precinct, Wabash Conuty, at an early day. 
George Sterl came to Mt. Carmel as a young man 
and there married and worked at his trade of 
blacksmithing. Later he owned a shop at Roches- 
ter and later moved to Deputy Corners, where he 
bought a forty-acre farm and also conducted a 
blacksmith shop. He died in 1S05, at the age of 
thirty-eight years and his widow went to live 
with her father near Mt. Carmel. She after- 
ward married .John Schrodt and lived some years 
In Mt. Carmel, where he conducted an elevator. 
After the death of Mr. Schrodt she moved back 
to the old home farm and lived with her son 
there up to the time of her death, December 26, 
1907. at the age of seventy-three years. The chil- 
dren of Mr. Sterl and wife were : Mary, who 
died in infancy; George L. ; Elizabeth, died at 
the age of eighteen years ; Rosa, died at the age of 
twelve years. 

The only child to reach maturity in the fam- 
ily of George Sterl and wife was George L.. their 
only son, and he lived with his mother and helped 
her until his marriage. March 24, 18S6. to Eliza- 
beth Fisher, who was born in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct. Wabash County, a daughter of John and 
Mary (Groff) Fisher, natives of Germany. The 
children of this marriage were: Rosa May. a 
trained nurse employed at the State School for 
Girls at Geneva, 111.; John William, Frank T. 
and Grace M.. at home. 

After his marriage Mr. Sterl and Wife lived 
on the old Sterl farm until the spring of 1893. 
when he bought a farm of 120 acres in Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct, to which he later added eighty 
acres. He has a fine farm, all under cultivation, 
and also owns 200 acres in Bellmont Precinct. 
He and his wife together own 480 acres of land 
in Wabash County, and he inherited 160 acres 
in Wayne County from his mother. He also 
owns 627 acres near Stratford. Sherman County. 
Texas. His sons cultivate about 240 acres and 
he rents the remainder. He makes a specialty 
of raising short-horn cattle. Duroc Jerse.v hogs 
and German coach horses. Mr. Sterl has always 
worked at farming and still helps his sons carry 
on the farm. He is a progressive and enterpris- 
ing man of business and has interests outsiae 
his farm. He is a stock-holder and Director in 
the Mt. Carmel Banking & Trust Association 
and is much esteemed by all who have had deal- 
ings with him in a social or business way. He 
i.s a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Asso- 
ciation and is a Republican in politics. Frater- 
nally he belongs to the Modern Woodmen of 
America, of Maud. 111.. Sugar Creek Camp, 
and to the Fanners' Co-ojierative Union. Mr. 
Sterl and wife are well known in the commu- 
nity and have a large circle of friends. 

STEWART, Wesley C— Few men are better 
known throughout Wabash County. 111., than 



Wesley C. Stewart, of Lick Prairie Precinct, an 
honored veteran of the Civil War, aud formerly 
engaged in conducting a threshing machine and 
saw-mill in the county. Mr. Stewart is still ac- 
tively engaged in farming, having disjMsed of 
his other business Interests. He is a native of 
the precinct where he now resides, having been 
boni un the farm he now owns and occupies, 
January ;!1, 1S4.5, a .son of John M. and Mi- 
randa (Putnam) Stewart, the former born in 
Dubois County, Ind., and the latter in Wabash 
County. The grandparents of W. C. Stewart 
were John and Rachel (Shively) Stewart and 
Samuel and Relief (Chaffee) Putnam. Mr. Put- 
nam was a native of Connecticut and his wife 
of Vermont, and they became very early settlers 
of Wabash County. 111. 

John and Miranda Stewart were married in 
Wabash County and settled on a farm in Lick 
Prairie Precinct, where they lived a few years, 
then moved to another part of the precinct. 
He learned the trade of wagon-maker, at which 
he worked some years. He tinall.v purchased a 
farm on Section .32, Town 1 North, Range 13 
West, where there was a log house and a few 
acres cleared. Later he manufactured brick to 
erect a house to replace the frame one which 
burned. His farm contained eighty acres, and 
in addition to cultivating it he operated a 
wagon-making, repair and blacksmith shop. He 
was born in 1821. and was killed liy the run- 
ning away of a team of horses with a land 
roller, in September, 1S77. His widow, who was 
born in 1827. lived on the farm several .vears 
longer, then lived with her children until her 
death in September, 1907. They had children 
as follows : Wesley ; Edwin F.. deceased ; 
Amanda, deceased. Mrs. John Gard ; Virginia 
C.. married Samuel Mundy. of Mt. Carmel : J. 
Chester, of California ; Emma, Mrs. George 
Robinson, of Edwards County. 111. ; Fannie M., 
Mrs. R. H. Brattou. of Lick Prairie Precinct ; 
Oliver S.. of Colorado ; Minnie M., Jlrs. John 
Snider, of Louisville. Ky. : Tessie M., Mrs. 
George Jessup. of Eastonville. Colo. 

Wesley C. Stewart was educated in the dis- 
trict .school and remained at home until his en- 
listment, in October. 1861. in Company I, Sixty- 
sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, organized as 
Fourteenth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, mostly 
made up from Illinois men. and enrolled as 
sharpshooters. They .spent their tirst winter in 
Xorthern Missouri, then took a boat to the 
Ohio River, and thence went to Fort Henry, 
Tenn., where they were assigned to the Army 
of the Tennessee. They participated in the Bat- 
tles of Fort Donelson. Shiloh and Corinth, 
then took part in the Atlanta campaign and 
were one hundred days under fire, after which 
they marched with Sherman to the sea. Mr. 
Stewatt took jiart in the Grand Review at 
Washington and was mustered out of service 
July 19. 186."). lieing discharged at Springfield. 
111. Though he took part In many important en- 
gagements. Jlr. Stewart was never wotnided, 
taken prisoner or sent to a hospital. At the close 



810 



WABASH COUNTY 



of the war he returned to Wabash County, 
where he remained until after his marriage. 

In March. 1868, Mr. Stewart married Cer- 
villa R. Hill, born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
daughter of William S. and Anna (Moore) Hill, 
natives of North Carolina and Tennessee, re- 
spectively. After his marriage Mr. Stewart 
moved to Greenwood, Kan., soon afterward to 
Elk County, that State, and pre-empted 160 
acres of Indian land. He erected a house, put 
his farm under cultivation and lived there about 
six years, then traded it for a flour and grist 
mill at Longton, Kan. After operating this 
mill for four years, he sold it, and in 1879 re- 
turned to Wabash County and there rented a 
farm. Soon after his return he bought a 
threshing outfit and saw-mill, which he eon- 
ducted until about 1905. when he sold out to his 
sons. In 1002 he purchased the shares of the 
other heirs to his father's old homestead, and 
has since been engaged there in farming. He 
raises Poland-China hogs and keeps dairy cat- 
tle. Children as follows were born to Mr. 
Stewart and wife : Anna M.. at home ; Agnes 
L., married T. H. Gilkinson. of Friendsville 
Precinct, and died at the age of twenty-seven 
years; W. Claud, of Lick Prairie Precinct, mar- 
ried Etta Williams, daughter of H. Williams ; 
Winter C of Lick Prairie Precinct, married 
May Smith, daughter of William and Abigail 
(Payne) Smith; and John W., who died in. Feb- 
ruary, 1900. at the age of twenty-two years. 

Mr. Stewart is a devout member of the 
Christian Church, of which he is an Elder. He 
is a Republican in politics and served twelve 
years as Justice of the Peace In Illinois, also 
two years in the same office while living In 
Kansas. He is a liroad-minded and reliable 
citizen, much interested in the public welfare, 
and highly respected wherever he has lived, 
h.iving earned a reputation for reliability and 
integrity. 

STEWART, WiUiam B. (deceased), was for 

many years a successful farmer of Conii]ton 
precinct. Wabash County. 111., where his death 
occurred January 14. 1891. He was born in 
Sulphur Springs. Orange County. Ind.. in June. 
1822, a son of John and R<achel (Shively) Stew- 
art, became a resident of Wabash County, 111., 
when about twenty-three years of age, and 
there was married, April 2, 1854, to Mrs. Ros- 
anna P. (Compton) Vincent, widow of James 
Vincent and daughter of Eli and Mary (Bar- 
nett) Compton. The latter was born In Coffee 
Precinct. Wabash County. August S. 18:-.2. Her 
parents were well known in the county and her 
grandparents. Levi and Rosanna (Phinesy) 
Compton. natives of Virginia, were among the 
first settlers in Illinois, coming from Kentucky, 
where they lived a few years. He settled on 
Compton Prairie, which was named in his 
honor. 

James Vincent was born in Compton Pre- 
cinct, in 1S29. a son of Joseph and Susan 
(Garner) A'incent. of Wabash Countj'. and af- 



ter his marriage he rented a farm in Compton 
Prceinct two years, then bought seventy acres 
in the same precinct. He died there February 
14. 1854. He and his wife had children : Su- 
sanna, who died at the age of sixteen and a 
half years, and James, who died at the age of 
thirty years. 

William B. Stewart lived on various farms 
after his marriage and finally settled on a farm 
of forty acres in Compton Precinct, to which he 
later added 100 acres more. After the death of 
Mr. Stewart his widow lived on the farm until 
1890, when she went to live in a residence 
which she had erected in Keensburg, and where 
she now resides. Her granddaughter, Myrtle, 
Mrs. Perry Rosenbei-ger, with her husband and 
children, live with Mrs. Stewart. By her sec- 
ond marriage Mrs. Stewart had one daughter, 
Rachel, who married Joseph Compton, of Coffee 
Precinct. Mrs. Stewart has spent her en- 
tire life in Wabash Count}* and is universally 
esteemed by her many friends. She is in good 
health for a woman of her years and takes an 
active interest in her surroundings. 

STILLWELL, James F.— Many farmers of Wa- 
bash County, 111., have adopted modern meth- 
ods in carrying on their work and have seen the 
advisability of raising high-grade stock in pref- 
erence to common. One of these enterprising 
men is James P. Stillwell, who owns 162^4 
acres of land in Wabash Precinct. Mr. Still- 
well was born on the farm where he now lives, 
April 7. 1879. a son of James and Sarah (Can- 
edy) Stillwell. natives of Illinois and Ohio re- 
spectively. Tlie parents had children as fol- 
lows: John H.. of Allendale. III.; Mrs. John 
Trimble ; Mrs. Lyman Brooks, of Lawrence 
County. 111.: William, died in infancy; Lewis 
G.. of Allendale ; James F. ; Joseph, died in in- 
fancy ; Mrs. Harley Collison. of Lawrence 
Count}'. Mr. Stillwell and his wife resided on 
tlieir farm until 1892. when they moved to Al- 
lendale, where they now reside. 

The education of James F. Stillwell was re- 
ceived in the common schools and he lived on a 
farm until his parents moved to Allendale, then 
remained with his parents in that city until his 
marriage, July 15, to Bert .Vrmstrong, daughter 
of Burk and Angeline (Price) Armstrong, na- 
tives of Wabash Count.v. Burk Armstrong is a 
son of Judge Thomas and Martha (Crane) 
Armstrong, natives of AVabash and Lawrence 
Counties, respectively, the former a son of 
John Armstrong, a native of Ireland, and one of 
the earliest settlers of Wabash County. Ange- 
line Price is a daughter of Benjamin and Sarah 
(Wolf) Price, natives of Virginia. 

After his marriage James F. Stillwell and his 
wife moved to the Stilwell f.arm of 162'o acres, 
which his father gave him. He here carries on 
general farming with much success and raises 
registered Clydesdale and Percheron horses. 
Mr. Stillwell is an intelligent young man and 
takes great interest in the development and 
moral progress of the community. In October. 



WABASH COUNTY 



811 



1909, he accepted an agency for the Regal au- 
tomobile, iu Lawrence and Wabash Counties, 
and has made a good beginning in this business. 
Politically he is a Democrat and a member of 
the Christian Church. He belongs to the B'arm- 
ers' Union and stands well among his neigh- 
bors, having many friends. 

Children as follows have been born to Mr. 
Stillwell and his wife : Ida Margaret, born 
April 19, 1900; Clara Myron, born May 23, 
1901 ; Martha .\ngeline. born August 11, 1908. 

STILLWELL, WilUam.— The grandparents of 
William Stillwell, Samuel and Elizabeth Still- 
well, both natives of New Jersey, were among 
the early settlers of Wabash County, 111., where 
they entered government land and began devel- 
oping a farm. They endured the hardships in- 
cident to pioneer life and were among those who 
helped to pave the way for the prosperity and 
comfort of their descendants. William Still- 
well was born in Wabash Precinct. October 2, 
18S0. the sou of James D. and Anna C. 
(Keiser) StDhvell. the former a native of Wa- 
bash Precinct and the latter of Hesse-Cassel, 
Germany. The father of Anna C. Keiser died 
in Germany when she was a small child and she 
came to Wabash County, 111., with her mother. 
She was married to James D. Stillwell in that 
county and they began housekeeping on land iu 
Wabash Precinct his father had entered from 
the Government. He remained on this farm 
until his death, in May. 1902, his widow still 
residing there. They were parents of eleven 
children, of whom the following eight survive : 
Siddy L. ; Samuel, of Lawrence County ; Odella. 
Mrs. Walter Short, of Corning. .\rk. ; .Vrzona, 
Mrs. Charles Canedy. of Mt. C'armel ; Herman, 
of Wabash Precinct : Mary, with her mother ; 
James, of Wabash Precinct : and William. 

The education of William Stillwell was re- 
ceived in the district schools. He was the third 
child of his r)arents and lived at home on the 
farm until his marriage. June 10. 1900, to Flor- 
ence R. Smith, born in Wabash Precinct. October 
11, 18S.'?, daughter of George W. and Harriet 
Amanda (Wood) Smith, of Wabash Precinct. 
The parents of George W. .Smith were John and 
Lucy -\ (Hanks') Smith, the foniier born iu 
Wabash Precinct and the latter in Lawrence 
County, 111. Mrs. Smith's parents were Obed 
and Mary Abiline (Daily) Wood, of Wabash 
County. 

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Stillwell 
located on a forty-acre farm he had inherited 
from his father, to which he has added twenty 
acres. They lived five years in an old house 
which was located on the farm and then erected 
a new story and a half frame house, with mod- 
ern conveiuences. He has also erected new 
barns and outbuildings and has made many im- 
provements, having sixty-two acres under culti- 
vation. Besides carrying on different varieties 
of farming, he makes a specialty of raising 
horses, mules and hogs, in which he has been 
successful. He is a young man of enterprise 



and intelligence and a representative of the 
highest class of citizen. He is up to modern 
Ideas in carrying on his work, and stands well 
among his neighbors as upright and lionest in 
all his dealings. 

Mr. Stillwell and his wife became parents of 
children as follows : Elva Lois, born December 
23, 1900; Lilla Jane, born December 3, 1902; 
Florence Catherine, born Februarv 25, 1905, and 
Clara Smith, born January 1, l!k)8. Mr. Still- 
well is a member of the United Brethren 
Church. Politically he is a Democrat and has 
been School Director since 1907. He belongs to 
the Mystic Workers of the World, of Pattou, 
111., and to the Farmers" Co-operative Union. 
He and his wife are well known in the commu- 
nity and have a large number of friends. 

STOLTZ, Edmond L.— The Stoltz family haa 
been prominent iu Wabash County for several 
generations, and its members have contributed 
their full share toward the progress and devel- 
opment of that region. The first to come to the 
county was the grandfather of Edmond L. 
Stoltz. who came with his wife and family from 
France to Berks County. Pa., and later "settled 
on a farm near Friendsville. 111., where he and 
his wife sjient the remainder of their lives. 
Edmond L. Stoltz was born in Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct. Waltash County. June 9, 1861, a son of 
Lewis and Maria P. (Le.scher) Stoltz. 

Lewis Stoltz was born in France and was an 
infant when his parents brought him to Berks 
County. Pa. His wife was a daughter of Jacob 
and Mary (Bricker) Lescher. both of Ger- 
many, and she was born in Womelsdorf. Pa. 
Mr. Lescher came to Wabash County. 111., in 
1835. and was one of the earliest physicians in 
the county. He settled in Mt. Carmel. Lewis 
Stoltz was a tailor and was engaged in business 
at Lawrenceville. 111., two years after his mar- 
riage, then settled on a farm near Mt. Carmel. 
which he purchased and conducted until his 
death, June 10. 1898. His widow died in March. 
1900. The.v were parents of eight children, as 
follows : Charles, died in infancy : William E. 
and George H.. of Mt. Carmel ; Henrietta, died 
in .March. 1888: Mary L.. Mrs. L. L. Coleman, 
of Mt. Carmel ; Samuel L.. of Leesville. Tex. ; 
Edmond L. : Lillie M.. Jlrs. Samuel Spencer, 
of Mt. Carmel. 

The lio.\-hood of Edmonil L. Stoltz was spent 
on his father's farm and he lived at home until 
his marriage, receiving his primary education 
in the district schools. He later attended the 
Elliott Business College, at Burlington. Iowa. 
He was married, in September. 1888. to Fan- 
nie Fearheile.v. born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
Wabash County, daughter of Andiiis and Mary 
(Peters) Fearheiley. natives of (iermany. 
After his marriage Mr. Stoltz resided at Bell- 
mont, and was engaged in the agricultural iin- 
lilement business there until 1892. when he sold 
out and moved to Mt. Carmel. where for si.x 
years he worked at the trade of carpenter. In 
1898 he moved to the old homestead and carried 



812 



WABASH COUNTY 



on the home farm four years, then returned to 
Mt. Carmel, where he has since been engaged in 
carpentry and contracting worli. He has estab- 
lished a reputation for sijill and thoroughness 
in his worli, and his dealings with his fellows 
have shown good judgment and business acumen 
in his various investments. In 1802 he erected 
a handsome residence in Mt. Carmel, where he 
now resides. 

The children born to Mr. Stoltz and wife 
are : Roscoe. died in infancy ; Charles, at home ; 
Noble E., died in infancy ; Hubert, at home ; 
Marie, died in infancy ; Lester and Russell, at 
home. Mr. Stoltz is proud of his family, as he 
has every reason to be, and is a worthy member 
and repre.sentative of his name. His Grand- 
father Lescher was a prominent citizen of Mt. 
Carmel and highly respected. Of his ten chil- 
dren but one is surviving. Jlrs. Margaret Kel- 
ser, who now resides with Mr. Stoltz. but be- 
fore taking up her residence with him had 
lived twenty-five years in Nebraska. Mr. Stoltz 
is a Republican in jxilitics and served one term 
as Alderman of the Fifth Ward. He is a prom- 
inent member and a Ti-ustee of the Carpenters' 
& Joiners' Union. He has established a good 
business through industry and thrift, and is 
looked upon with confidence and esteem. 

STOLTZ, William George, a member of the 
well-known and highly esteemed Stoltz family 
who have contributed so much to the develop- 
ment and welfare of Wabash County. Hi., was 
born in Lick Prairie Precinct, near his present 
farm, September 5. 1867. a son of Henry and 
Hester (Deisher) Stoltz, both of Lick Prairie. 
Henry Stoltz is a son of George and Margaret 
(Hinkle) Stoltz, natives of Lancaster, Pa., and 
Virginia, respectively, who were early settlers 
of Wabash County. Hester Deisher is a daugh- 
ter of William and Sarah Deisher, natives of 
Alsace-Lorraine, who were also early settlers 
of Wabash County. Henry Stoltz and his wife 
have spent most of their lives in Lick Prairie 
Precinct, at their marriage settling on Stoltz 
Prairie, where they lived until 1892. then sold 
their sixty-four acre farm to Arthur Williams 
and moved to Lawrence County, where they 
bought 138 acres in the oil belt. They carry 
on this farm and live there, both having reached 
the age of sixty-eight years. They had children 
as follows : William " G. ; Ollie. Mrs. Gideon 
Gardner, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; Eflie, Mrs. 
John J. Collison, of St. Franeisville, 111. ; Ada, 
Mrs. Rnren Highsmith, of St. Franeisville; 
Nora, the third child, died in infancy. 

The boyhood of William George Stoltz was 
spent on his father's farm and he was educated 
in the Stoltz District Sdiool. He remained 
with his parents until his marriage. October 18. 
1801. to Nellie Roe Williams, who was born 
in Friendsville Precinct, daughter of Arthur 
and Esther (Williams) Williams, natives of 
Wilson County. Tenn., the father a son of 
James Williams, of Tennessee. After his mar- 
riage Mr. Stoltz moved to a forty-acre farm in 



Section 29 of Lick Prairie Precinct, whicn he 
improved and erected a house and barns. The 
land was cleared but not fenced. He has added 
to it and now owns eighty-three acres, nine 
acres of timber, the remainder under cultiva- 
tion. He carries on a general line of farming 
and specializes in raising horses, cattle and 
Poland-China and O. I. C. hogs. His father-in- 
law died February 11, 1908, since which Mrs. 
Williams has made her home with Mrs. Stoltz 
and another daughter. Mr. Stoltz has carried 
on the Williams farm since 1904. 

Two children blessed the union of Mr. and 
Mrs. Stoltz, namely : Forrest Authwin, born 
August 23, 1894, and Oma May, born May 7, 
1897. Mr. Stoltz Is a member of the Uuited 
Brethren Church and has served as Superin- 
tendent of the Sunday School. He is a Demo- 
crat in politics and has seri-ed as School Trus- 
tee since 1907. He Is interested in the Inde- 
pendent Telephone Company and is clerk of the 
exchange at Gard's Point. Fraternally he be- 
longs to the Jlodern Woodmen of America, 
Camp No. 1834. of Lancaster, the Indei^endent 
Order of Odd Fellows, No. 732, of Friendsville, 
and to the Farmers' Tniou. He is considered a 
representative and useful citizen and Is well 
liked by his associates. He is well known in 
the community, having spent his entire life 
there and has become successful as a farmer. 

STRINE, James. — Among the self-made men ot 
Wabash County, III., who have been successful 
in the line of farming, is James Strine. of Lan- 
caster Precinct. Mr. Strine is a native of Kos- 
ciusko County. Ind., born March 26, 1853, son 
of Matthias and .\nna (Nine) Strine. the lat- 
ter a native of Indiana. Matthias Strine was 
a son of Jonathan and Mary Strine, and his 
wife a daughter of Matthias Nine. Matthias 
Strine was maiTied four times and had children 
by each wife. James is the son of his second 
wife, with whom he lived in Indiana until 1863, 
when he moved to Wabash County, 111. Mr. 
Strine died in Lawrence County, 111., In 1886. 

The education of James Strine was somewhat 
limited, as he had to hustle for himself in his 
youth and attended the district schools but a 
few terms. As soon as he was old enough to 
work away from home he engaged as a farm 
hand, chiefly in Wabash County, where he was 
married, in December, 1881, to Elizabeth Weyl, 
who was born in Lancaster Precinct, a daughter 
of Henry and Elizabeth Weyl, natives of Ger- 
many. Mr. Weyl and his wife settled down to 
farming on timber land in Lancaster Precinct, 
and he developed a fine farm where he erected 
the first brick house in the county. He died 
on this farm about 1880, and his widow died 
about 1895. After his marriage Mr. Strine 
lived with his wife's parents for a year, then 
spent one year in Wayne County, where he 
worked by the month, and returning to Wabash 
County, purchased six acres of land from his 
mother-in-law. He rente<l other land, purchased 
a team and began farming on his own account, 





l/\'V\ny*''^^-0'-r^^^^uC^^\ 



WABASH COUNTY 



813 



which he has since continued. He has added 
to his land from time to time, and has it all 
except ten acres in a hifrh state of cultivation. 
He owns 142 acres in Sections 17 and IS. and in 
1903 erected his present handsome residence. 
In 1904 he erected a commodious barn. He 
carries on general farming and raises a good 
many cattle and hogs. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Strine 
and wife : Eva, married Paul Bleakley, and 
died in Lancaster Precinct ; Minnie, of Fairfield, 
111. ; Dolphie, married Mary McCrary and lives 
in Lancaster; Ethel, George, James. Vera, 
Ellis and Clifton, at home ; Bessie, died in in- 
fancy, Mr, Strine is a representative of the 
best class of citizen, industrious and steadfa.st, 
always ready to take advantage of any oppor- 
tunity for bettering his own condition or that 
of the community. He is a member of the 
United Brethren Church and in politics is a 
Democrat, 

TANQUARY, John F, (deceased), who spent 
most of his life in the vicinity of Bellmont, 111., 
was bom in that village, January 1, 184(3. a son 
of Alfre<l and Susannah (Parker) Tanquary, tlie 
father a farmer by occupation. Alfred Tanquary 
was born in Ohio and accompanied his parents 
to Wabash County when he was five years of 
age. John F. Tanquary spent his childhood on 
his father's farm south of Bellmont. and ac- 
(juired his education at the Bethel public school 
and Friendsville Seminary, .\fter leaving school 
he first engaged in teaching, which he continued 
for some eight years, and later took up farm- 
ing near Bellmont, He was industrious and en- 
terprising in his methods and consequently met 
with gratifying success in his work, becoming 
the owner of about 680 acres of land. He paid 
special attention to stock-raising and br<night hi.s 
farm to a high state of cultivation. He lived in 
Section 1, Township 2 South, Range 14 West, un- 
til 1802, then moved to .\lbion, Edwards County, 
■where he purchased a comfortable residence and 
there spent his remaining years retired from 
active business life. He had been an active 
member of the local Grange Organization, and 
was alwa.vs much interested in the public prog- 
ress and welfare. 

At the age of thirteen years Mr. Tanquary 
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which 
he remained a faithful menil)er until his death. 
In early life a strong supporter of the Kepublicau 
part.v. sevenil .vears before his death he ad- 
vocate<l the principles of the Prohibition party, 
being convinced of the righteousness of that 
great cause. He was always respected as an up- 
right. God-fearing man and a most desirable 
citizen, and won a large number of sincciv 
friends, who greatly deplored his loss. 

The marriage of Mr. Tanciuary occuiTed at 
Carmi, 111.. September 11. 1874, when he was 
united with Flora Ellen Price, liorn at Gra.vville. 
111.. .May .'50. 1854. a daughter of Hansford and 
Polly (Ferguson) Price, the father born in 
Indiana in 1819, and the mother In Kentucky in 



1812. To Mr. Tancpiary and wife children were 
born as follows: Mollie Parker, born August 
27, 187.5, died April 20, ]87«j; Mrs. .Matiua (Tan- 
<iuar>') Brian, txirn .March 20, lS7!t: Lydia Pearl, 
liorn March 22, 1883, died November 2;!, 1889; 
Mrs. Blanche (Tanquary) Runcie. lx)ru April 
16, 1887; John Hansford, born October 9. 1.890; 
Pearl Lucile, bom September 23, 1893. Mr. 
Tanquary was a kind and indulgent husband 
and father and a true friend of all who reposed 
confidence in him. His death occurred Decem- 
ber 13, 1003, at his home in .\lbion, 

TILTON, Mark Lake, who is master of one of 
the most important lines of industrj- in any sec- 
tion — one on whidi every c-ommunity is more or 
less dependent for all its material growth — 
is a carpenter, builder and contractor and his 
home is a beautiful residence at Mt, Car- 
niel, which he built in 189.5. He was born near 
Mt. Carmel. Wabash Count)'. 111.. January 17, 
1841, and is a son of Daniel L. and Phebe Jane 
(Walters) Tilton. 

Daniel L. Tilton, now deceased, was one of 
the best known and most active business men 
of Wabash County for many years. He was 
born in New Jei-sey and was brought to Wabash 
Countj- when nine years old. b.v his step-father, 
with whom he learned the slioemaking trade, 
near Mt. Carmel. Later he engaged in team- 
ing and still later bought a flat-boat and car- 
ried commodities to New Orleans and other 
jioints for about eight years, then bought a farm 
of eight.v acres near >It. Carmel and to the first 
purchase added eighty acres more. He cleared 
and improved this land to some extent, but 
subsequentl.v went into the Imtchering business 
in connection with farming, and built up a large 
meat trade which was ver^- profitable during 
the Civil War and in which he contimied for 
twent\-five years. During this time he also 
bought and sold cattle, hogs and sheep. For a 
time he was also interested in a peddling Imsi- 
ness. representing a mercantile store at Mt, 
Carmel. He was a life-long Repulilican in his 
imlitical views. He belonge<l to the Masonic 
fraternity and aiso to the Sons of Temperance. 
For a large portion of his life he was a niem- 
lier of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
lived to the age of seventy-three years. 

Daniel L. Tilton was married first in 1840, in 
Gibson County, Ind.. to Phebe Jane Walters, 
who died in 18.51. She was the oldest daughter 
of Reuben Walters. Ixirn in the city of New 
York and was seven years old when her father 
moved to Vincennes, Ind. Later he moved to 
Fort Branch. Gibson Count?-. Ind.. and kept a 
stage stand for years on his farm. To Daniel 
L. Tilton and his first wife the following chil- 
dren were bi>m : Mark Lake. Ruth. Sarah Jane, 
Isaac C, Mary A.. Ly'lia E.. Clara F. and I>aura 
E.. all born in Wabash County. Daniel L. 
Tilton was married a second time, to Mrs. Mary 
Sissel. a widow, there being no issiie. He was 
married (third) to Mr.s. Alice AVood, a widow, 
and to this union a son was born, Charles C. 



814 



WABASH COUNTY 



Mark Lake Tilton obtained his edueatiou in 
tlie country schools and at Mt. Carmel. He 
helped his father in the latter's enterprises and 
assisted in the clearing of the tirst seventy-live 
acres and helped to improve that tract. In 18G1 
he left home and spent his winters until lSt>4, 
in teaching school, spending three winters in 
Wabash and the rest in Gibson County, lu 
18G4 he enlisted for service in the Civil War, 
entering Company C. One Hundred and Thirty- 
sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served 
until the final close of hostilities, having tilled 
the otiice of Sergeant. He was a good soldier 
and has a clean record. 

itr. Tilton resumed farming on the old place 
near Mt. Carmel, and also was engaged in butch- 
ering for five years and then moved into town 
and oi)ened a brick .•in<l tile factory, which he 
operated for twenty-tive years. His natural 
leaning was in the direction of mechanics, and 
the canieiitei' trade he learned almost without 
realizing his skill until he applied himself. lu 
1904 he sold out his factory and went into the 
contracting and building supplies trade. He ia 
numbered with Mt. Carmel's representative 
busine.ss men. 

On October 22, 18&S, Mr. Tilton was married 
to Miss Lydia JI. Sinionds, who was born and 
reared in Wabash County and is a member of 
one of the old pioneer families of the county. 
They have had four children, the two older 
ones i)eing deceased : Harry W.. Mabel. Fred D. 
and Beulatr R. Mr. Tilton and family belong 
to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In poli- 
tics he is a representative Republican and 
served one term as County Commissioner. He 
is identified v%ith the Order of Elks and the 
G. A. R. 

TRIMBLE, John G.— One of the most progres- 
sive farmers and stock-raisers of Wabash 
County, 111., is John (J. Trimhle. who is a na- 
tive of the county, born in Coffee Precinct. .Vpril 
5. 1S5S. a son of William and Triscilla (Click) 
Trimhle. tlie former born in Kentucky and the 
latter in Pennsylvania. Priscilla Glick was a 
daughter of Thomas Glick. a native of Germany. 
who located in Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wabash 
County, among the early settlers, becoming a 
large landliolder and a man of wealth. Wil- 
liam Trimble was an early stage-driver froiu 
Vincennes, Ind., to Grayville, 111., and died 
when his son John G. was but two .years old. 
The widow moved from Coffee Precinct to Mt. 
Carmel. and there John G, Trimble received his 
education in the public schools and the s-em- 
inary. 

As a young man John G. Trimble began ream- 
ing around Mt. Carmel and. after he was eight- 
een years of age, engaged in fanning, which he 
continued until his marriage, March 4, 1802, to 
Minnie E. Stillwell. Miss Stillwell was burn 
in Wabash Precinct, a daughter of James and 
Sarah (Canedy) Stillwell. natives respectively 
of Wabash County and Ohio. James Stillwell 
was a sou of Richard and Mar>- E. (Schier) 



Stillwell. of New Jersey. After his marriage 
Mr. Trimble moved to a farm east of Allendale, 
in Wabash Precinct, owned by his father-in-law. 
and later rented another farm three yeais. He 
then moved to a farm two and oue-half miles 
north of .\lleudale owned by his wife and later 
bought eighty-five acres nearby. On the latter 
and on his wife's 124 acres, he does general 
farming. Mr. Trimble is a firm believer in the 
advisability of raising high-grade stock and has 
made a si)ecialty of registered Hereford cattle. 
Perclieron horses and Berkshire hogs. He and 
his wife have made many improvements on the 
place and in the fall of 190.") erected a hand- 
some residence with modern conveniences and 
comforts. The following year they erected a 
large barn. 

Mr. Trimble and his wife became parents of 
children as follows: Earl, born June 9. 1893, 
died December 8, 1S98 ; Susan, liorn December 
24. 1894; William, born June .">. 1807; Ina M., 
born October :51. llXKi; Sarah Alice. Ijorn Sep- 
tember 12, 1905. The family are well known and 
highly regarded by their neighbors, Mr. Trim- 
l>le has been successful through energy and en- 
teriirise and has conducted his affairs in an able 
manner. He is a member of the Christian 
Church and a Democrat, and fraternally lielongs 
to the Modern Woodmen of America of Allen- 
dale and to Lodge No, 71.5 B, P. O. E., of Mt. 
Carmel. 

UTTER, John Charles, M. D., who is conducting 
a large medical practice at Mt. Carmel. 111., was 
born there December 14. 1859, a son of Abraham 
and Elizabeth (Penston) Utter, The father 
was born in Allegany County. N. T., March 11, 
1812, an<l died on his fann near Mt. Carmel, 
September 15, 1872. His wife, who was born 
in Atlantic County, N, J., May 22, 1820, died at 
Mt. Carmel. She was the daughter of John and 
Sarah (Lake) Penston. natives of New Jersey, 
who came to Wabash County. 111., in 182.S, and 
settled in Mt. Carmel. soon thereafter, however, 
moving to Bald Eagle Prairie. The paternal 
grandfather of Dr. Utter was Major Henry 
Utter, who was born in Allegany County, N. 
Y.. where he married his first wife, who died 
leaving four children. He subsequently married 
Rachel Hendricks, whose father was a Revolu- 
tionary soldier. Henry Utter was a soldier of 
the War of 1812 and rose to the rank of Major, 
by which title he was afterwards known. In 
1817 he came to the Territory of Illinois and 
settled in the old town of Palmyra, the first 
county-seat of Edwards County, of which Wa- 
bash County was a part. The next spring he 
went to Bald Eagle Prairie and remained there 
until his death. He was a millwright by trade, 
and one of the well known and highly esteemed 
men of his conunimity. 

.\l)raham Utter, father of Dr. Utter, remained 
with his parents until twentj--one years of age, 
and then went to Schuyler County, HI., where 
his brother was living and, for a few years, ped- 
dled fanning mills. Later he returned to the 



WABASH COUNTY 



815 



Wabash County home, iu 1S36 purchased the in- 
terest of the others in the estate, and soon 
afterwards jiurchased a place near Centerville, 
which he imi>roved and on which he lived for 
fifteen years. He then purchased the place near 
Mt. Carmel, and there the remainder of his life 
was spent. He was a man of energy and indus- 
try, possessed of good Imsiness judgment and 
foresight, and accumulated a large amount of 
property. He was of a quiet dis[)Osition and 
reserved manner, but quick to take advantage 
of a good business pro[X)sition. He was domes- 
tic in his habits and tastes, and a faithful mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. Nine children were 
born to Mr. I'tter and his wife, namely : Mary 
Gordon, born May IS, 1S40; Josiah, who die<l in 
his second year ; Henry, born .Tune 7, 184.5 ; Ed- 
win, born November 21, 1850, died in 1856 ; 
Lewis, who died in early childhood ; Robert 
Carroll, died in infancy: .John Charles: Eliza- 
beth Beamon. born September 15. 1862, and 
lives in Mt. Carmel, 

John Charles Utter was educated in a private 
school in Kentucky, afterwards taking a three 
years' course in Eureka College^ at Eureka, 111., 
from which he was graduated, and then spent 
three years at Miami Medical College, Cincin- 
nati, Ohio. He began the practice of his pro- 
fession at Pueblo. Colo., where he remained 
until 18!>3, and then returning to his native 
county, took up his practice at Mt. Carmel, At 
Waco, Texas, on September 2.5. 1884. he married 
Frances H. Scarborough, a native of Mississippi 
and daughter of Daniel Scarborough, an early 
planter of the latter State, Mr. and Mrs, Utter 
have two daughters living: Camille, tx>rn July 
18, 188C, married George D, Karsch, a civil en- 
gineer, living at Mt. Carmel : and Marie, born 
June !), 1890, marrie<l Hugh F. Harbin, a 
farmer residing in Wabash County, and they 
have one child, Marj' Frances, bom September 
2, 1909. 

Mr. Utter has been very successful in his 
practice, owns a fine farm and valuable city 
property, and is also interested in coal de- 
posits in this district. His skillful treatment of 
many complicated cases has won for liini the 
confidence of the people of his community, and 
bis practice has been , correspondingly large. 
He is a member of the Wat)ash County and 
State Medical Societies. Religiously he belongs 
to the Episcopal Church. 

VEIHMAN, Frank S.— The farmers of Wabash 
County. 111., as well as many throughout the 
State, have found it i)rofitable to invest in high 
grade stock of all kinds, and one of the pro- 
gressive farmers of Mt. Carmel Precinct, who 
has been very successful in this line, is Frank 
S. Veihman. Mr. Veihman was t>orn in Mt. 
Carmel Precinct, July !"■ 1^69. son of John H. 
and Mary (Epler) Veihman. the former born 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct and the latter in Penn- 
sylvania. The father was a son of John H. 
Veihman. a native of Germany, and the mother 
a daughter of Daniel Epler, a native of Penn- 



sylvania. The Eplers came to this countrj- in 
1734 and the grandfather of Daniel Epler was 
an artilleryman in Washington's army. Dan- 
iel Epler carried on farming in Pennsylvania 
until he removed to Mt. Carmel Precinct, Wa- 
bash County, in l,>v45. The Veihman family 
came to the county before 1840, and the grand- 
father of Frank S. Veihman worked in Wabash 
Precinct at his trade of shoemaker, 

John Veihman, Jr., and his wife were married 
in Mt. Carmel Precinct and renled a farm for 
t^vo years, then bought his present farm of 
eighty acres and later another fort.v-two acres. 
He has since carried on farming and is an 
industrious, useful citizen. Mr. Veihman was 
l)orn in 18;!S and his wife in 1841. They had 
children as follows: Amanda and Edgar, at 
home; Frank S, ; .\llen, of Mt. Carmel Pre- 
cinct, whose farm adjoins that of Frank S. ; 
Daisy, died in infancy ; and RoUa V., of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct. 

Frank S. Veihman remained with his parents 
until his marriage and received his education in 
the district school. He bought a farm of ninety- 
four acres eigliteen months before his marriage, 
and this farm has been brought to a high .state 
of cultivation through his efforts. He is a 
most jirogressive and wide-awake farmer, and 
has met with gratifying success. He has raised 
Percheron horses, registered Shropshire sheep, 
registered Short-horn cattle and registered Po- 
land-China hogs, all of which have received his 
most careful attention, Mr. Veihman makes 
the breeding of Poland-China hogs a specialty. 

Mr. Veihman was married, September 12, 
1894, to Rosa Coleman, born at Mt. Carmel, 
November 17, 1809, a daughter of Thomas and 
Mary (Doell) Coleman, of Bellmont Precinct, 
Mr. and Mrs. Veihman were parents of one 
daughter that survived. Irene, who was born 
August l.j. 1807. and lives with Mr. Veihman's 
parents. Mrs. Veihman died .May .'!0, 1900, and 
Mr. Veihman married (second!. .March 20. 1901. 
Hatiie Barber, who was born in Lawrence 
County. 111.. November 27. 1870, daughter of 
John and Rachel (Litherland) Barber, natives 
of Illinois. Two children have been born of 
this union: Roy E.. born .May 13, l!»ft5 : and 
(iladys, horn December 21. 1907. Mr. Veihm.in 
and wife are membei-s of the Methodist Episco- 
pal Church and in [lolitical views he is a Pro- 
hibitionist, having been active in the recent 
agitation of the temperance question throughout 
Illinois, He is always ready to support every 
good cause for the benefit of the comnmiuty at 
large, and is a man of good standing and influ- 
ence; Is well known in the county and has 
hosts of friends who appreciate his many good 
Qualities. 

WALTER, Louis, of the firm of Walter i Sons, 
who conduit the Old Reliable Furniture House, 
one of the oldest business establishments in Mt. 
Carmel, 111., is one "f five brothers who own the 
Walters Block, wmprising five separate brick 
buildings which are all connected to form the 



816 



WABASH COUNTY 



block. They carry one of the largest stocks in 
the line of undertaking supplies and furniture 
in Southern Illinois, and have a floor space of 
13,000 feet for displaying their line. Louis 
Walter was born in Mt. Carmel, November 4, 
1802, son of Martin and Amelia (Schmidt) 
Walter, the father born in Alsace (then France 
but now Germany), and she in Hesse-Darm- 
stadt, Germany. He was born June -9, 18.33, 
and died January 5. 1809, and she born October 
13. 1841, died January 23. 1900. He was a son 
of Martin Walter. The mother, Mrs. Schmidt, 
was a widow when she came to the United 
States and brought her children with her. 
About 18.54 she came to Mt. Carmel. 

Martin Walter came to Coshocton, Ohio, 
about 18.50, to escape service in the German 
Army. In Ohio he learned the trade of cabinet- 
maker and in 1S5.5 located in Mt. Carmel, where 
he worked at his trade and became a foreman 
in a furniture factory. He also had a planing 
mill. About 18.56 he went to Colorado, where 
there was great excitement over gold mining, 
going with several others who drove across the 
plains. He returned to Mt. Cannel and in 1860 
was married. He worked at the carpenter trade 
until February 25. 1S(JS, when he purchased 
William Kosier's furniture store on East Fourth 
Street, and in 1870 purchased a lot, 400 by 200 
feet, on the corner of Sixth and Main Streets, 
where he erected a building, conducting a fur- 
niture store in front and in the rear manufac- 
turing furniture and coffins, making the latter 
to order as needed. This was the beginning ot 
the present large enterprise caiTied on by his 
sons, which is the oldest establishment of its 
kind in Wabash County, He had a partner for 
two years, whom at the end of that time he 
bought out. His six .sons worked for him in 
the factory and store and. in 1897, he took the 
four eldest in as partners, later turning over 
the business to them. William M. died in Sep- 
tember. IftOl. and the three others continued 
the business until January 15. 1907. when John 
and Louis bought out the interest of their 
younger brother, Rudolph .1. They have since 
continued the business and have a .SIO.OOO stock 
of modern furniture, one of the finest in the 
countj'. as well as a complete line of undertak- 
ing supplies, and have a large patronage from 
both the city and surrounding country, making 
a great effort to keep good stock and cater to 
the wishes of their customers. Their reputa- 
tion has been established for many years and 
they have the complete confidence and esteem 
of all who know them. They have two fine 
funeral cars and an amiuilance. 

Louis Walter was educated in the common 
and high schools of Mt. Camiel, and when old 
enough began working in his father's establish- 
ment. October 27, 1897. he was married to 
Amelia Bender, born at Mt. Carmel, daughter 
of Fred and Ida (Hoffman) Bender, natives 
respectively of Japesr Count.v. Ind.. and Mt. 
Carmel. Children as follows have been born to 
Mr. Walter and wife : Xorman. Frederick, Rob- 



ert, Helen, Clara and Richard. Mr. Walter is 
a memlicr of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a.s are 
the other members of his family, and they are 
active in church work. He is a Director and 
Vice President of Mt. Carmel Banking & Trust 
Company. He is a Democrat in polities and a 
member of the Knights of Columbus of Mt. Car- 
mel No. 1.343, and has been a Trustee of the 
society since its organization. He also belongs 
to the B. P. O. E. No. 715. of Mt. Cannel, and 
to the St. Joseph's Benevolent Society. 

WEIGAND, Sebastian, who was for many years 
known as an educator in Wabash County, 111., 
has served with ability in several public offices 
and now makes his home in Mt. Carmel. though 
devoting his time to carrying on his farm near 
there. Mr. Weigand is a memljer of a family 
that is well known in the county, having been 
represented there over half a century. He 
was born in Mt. Carmel, October 9, 18t54, a son 
of John and Clara (Stanger) Weigand, natives 
of Bavaria, Germany, who came to the United 
States in a sailing vessel in 1844, the passage 
occupying forty-eight days. His grandfather, 
Andrus Weigand, was a soldier under Napoleon 
from 1803 to 1812, and witnessed the burning 
of Moscow. He was a lumlierraan and worked 
at hewing timber. About 1857 he followed his 
son John to America and lived with this son 
until his death, a few years later. 

After his marriage John Weigand and wife 
settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked 
at general labor until December, 1855. when 
he bought a farm in Wabash County. 111., 
carrying on farming until his death, in 1886. 
His wife died in 1873. Their children were : 
Andrew, died in infanc.v : Samuel, deceased; 
John D.. of Mt. Carmel Precinct ; Charles and 
Mary, died in infancy : August A., of Mt. Car- 
mel ; Catherine, died at the age of nine years : 
Sebastian : Charles, died in infancy. 

At the age of sixteen years Sebastian Wei- 
gand began teaching school in Wabasli County 
and for twelve years taught through the winter 
months. During the simimers he gave his at- 
tention to farm work and attended school him- 
self. He first attended Cecilian College, in 
Hardin Count.v, K.v., the county in which Abra- 
ham Lincoln was born. He later attended the 
Normal School of Lebanon. Ohio, two terms, 
and spent one term at the Normal School at 
Valparaiso. Ind. From 1890 until 1894 he 
served as County Clerk and Auditor of Wabash 
County, and proved an able official. He owns a 
farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct, which he looks 
after, while residing in Mt. Carmel. 

January 20. 1892. Mr. Weigand married Mar- 
garet Fearheil.v, who was liorn in Mt. Carmel, 
a daughter of Andrus and Catherine (Peters) 
Fearheily. natives of Bavaria, Germany. Her 
grandfather. Michael Fearheily, was a soldier 
imder Napoleon, and the family were among the 
earliest German settlers of Wabash County, 
where they have been prominent since 18.37. Mr. 
Weigand and his wife became parents of chil- 



WABASH COUNTY 



817 



dren as follows: Clara C. at home; Marsraret 
F., died at the age of two and a half years; 
Arthur A., at home. Mr. Weigand is regarded 
as one of the most intelligent and enterprising 
citizens of the county, where he is well known 
and highly esteemed. lie is a memher of the 
Catholic Church and belongs to the Kuights of 
Columbus, of \vhich he is Chancellor. 

WEISENBERGER, George, a veteran of the 
Civil War and a successful farmer of Bellmont 
Precinct, Wabash County, 111., is a native of the 
county, born in Wabash Precinct. October 12, 
1842, son of George and Kacina (Black) Wei- 
seuberger. The parents were both natives of 
Hesse-Cassel, German.y, where they were mar- 
ried, and about 1835 they emigrated to the 
United States locating at Timherville, now Al- 
lendale. Wabash County, 111. There Mr. Wei- 
senberger purchased forty acres which he sold 
later and moved to Mt. Carmel, living on rented 
land until his death a few years later. His 
widow married (second) Nicholas (Jetz, who 
died about ISfMi. and she then sold her |iri;p- 
ert.v and lived among her children until her 
death in 1903, at the age of eighty-.seven years. 
By Mr. Weisenberger she had children as fol- 
lows : Benjamin, deceased ; .lohn. of Bellmont 
Precinct ; Geor.ge ; Mary, married John IngersoII 
and died at Olney, 111.; Alexander, died in 
Wayne County, 111., in August. HKH): Frank. 
died in 1865. By her second marriage .Mrs. 
Getz had children as follows : Nicholas, died in 
Mt. Carmel ; Simeon, died in Bellmont Pre- 
cinct ; Henry, died in Mt. Carmel. 

The education of George Weisenberger was 
very limited in his youth, but he has learned 
much in the school of experience. He attended 
Groff District School a few terms, and at the 
age of eighteen years began working for farm- 
ers. In 1864 he went to Douglas County. 111., 
and February i:!, ]8t')."), went to Bureau (^ounty, 
111., where he enlisted in the One Hundred 
Fifty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Ills 
company was sent to Tennessee, later to Colum- 
bus, (ia., and to other points. They were dis- 
charge<l at Columbus, Ga., .I.muary 24. l.SOG. 
Upon Mr. Weisenberger's discharge from the 
army he returned to Wabash County and re- 
sumed farming. 

Mr. Weisenberger was married .lune 2.".. ISO", 
to Margaret Groft'. who was liorn in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, September 4. 1846. daughter of ,Ta<'ob 
and Mary (Fearheily) Groff, both natives of 
German.v. Mr. GrotT was honi in Hesse Darm- 
stadt December 2rt. 1822. and died at Mt. Car- 
mel Decemlier S. lOOri. and Mrs. (Jroff, who was 
born February 2.8. 1828. died .lune 2. 1S!18. Mr. 
and Mrs. GrofT were married November 5. 1.S4.">. 
and they had eight children, four of whom sur- 
vive, namely : Mrs. .John Sites. Mrs. Charles 
Johnson, Mrs. George Weisenberger and Mrs. 
W. M. Baum. In .lanuary, isnn. Mr. Groff mar- 
ried (second) Mrs. T,ouise Iteiidiard. wlio sur- 
vives him. After his tirst marriage Mr. Groff 
located on a farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct and 



later purchased a tract of wild prairie and tim- 
ber land in Bellmont Precinct, which he im- 
proved. In his later years he was a respected 
citizen of Mt. Carmel, having retired from ac- 
tive life. For a year before his death he had 
been suffering from cancer, from which he died. 
Mr. Weisenberger an<I his wife began house- 
keeiiing on a rented farm in Bellmont Precinct 
and lived on various farms until 187"), when 
the.v moved to the farm of her parents, where 
they have since resided. They have eighty 
acres in the home farm and forty acres on the 
Bonpas Bottom. Jlr. Weisenberger has been 
very successful in general farming and also 
raises hogs, cattle and horses. Children have 
blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. Weisenberger 
as follows : .lacob. of Browns, 111. ; George, born 
in 18(J!t. died In 1871 ; John, of Mt. Carmel ; 
Mary, married Ora (iay. of Bellmont; Edward, 
of Sullivan, and Lar.ra, at home. Jlr. Weisen- 
berger is a Democrat in politics and takes a 
commendable interest in public affairs in the 
couuniniity. He has spent his entire life in 
Wabash County, where he has won a large 
number of warm friends. 

WETZEL, Henry (deceased), for several years 
previous to his death an extensive grain dealer 
in Waliash County. 111., was well known 
throughout that region, where he was highly 
resiiected as a s>iccessful business man and a 
]iublic-s|iirted. useful citizen. He was a man of 
high cliaracler. whose jirobily and lionesty were 
recognized liy all. Mr. Wetzel was born in Law- 
rence County. 111., .\ugust 24. ],s.">!). a son of 
Henry and Wilhelmina (Bowden) Wetzel, both 
natives of (iermany. Henry Wetzel. Sr., came to 
Illinois in an early day and entered government 
land, spending his last days in Lawrence County. 
He had held a high |H)sition in his own country, 
being of noble family. However, through some 
misfortune, he had lost his holdings, and as it 
was not considered proper for one of noble 
blood to do an.v kind of work, he emigrated to 
America in search of a new home and an oppor- 
tunity to make his fortune. He cleareil his laud 
of timber and gave each of his children a farm, 
his son Henry ( whose name appears at the 
head of this sketch) receiving the original 
homestead. An uncle of Henry Wetzel. Sr., 
Lewis, was a famous Indian tigliter. and known 
as a br.-ive man in the part of Illinois where 
the fandly located. 

The children of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wetzel, 
who reached maturity, were : Carl, of Richland 
County III.: Josephine, Mrs. John Fonioff, of 
Lawrence County: Henry, Jr., and Louis, of 
Sunnier, 111. Henry lived at home after the 
death of his father, who passed away in 1864, 
and after his marriage In 1878. remained with 
his mother two or three years longer, then built 
a home for himself on the home farm and re- 
mained there unril 1887. when he removed to 
West Salem. 111., where he spent two years in a 
grist-mill. He then erected a grist-mill In 
Grayville, which he conducted until It was de- 



818 



•WABASH COUNTY 



stroyed by fire. March 14, 1S96. , He rented a 
mill at Bellmont a year, and then engaged in 
buying and selling grain, shipping it from Gray- 
ville, which he continued alwut a year, then 
purchased an interest in a grist-mill and grain 
elevator at Keensburg, remaining in that city 
three years. l'p<3n selling out his interests in 
Keensburg, he purchased an interest with Fred 
Holson, in the Bluff City Milling Comiiany. of 
Mt. Carmel, which he held until his death. 

Mr. Wetzel had received a fair education in 
the public si-hools and was a man of superior 
intelligence and energj", making his own way In 
life and achieving success through his own ef- 
forts. In 1878 he married (first) Elmo Wooden. 
who died in December. ls.s."i. having borne him 
two children : William II.. of Mt. Carmel. and 
Harvey, who was killed on the railroad, in 
February, 1900. In ISST Mr. Wetzel married 
(second) Tillie Keiling. and they had two chil- 
dren who survived: Irving H., of Mt. Carmel. 
and Elsie, a school teacher. Mi-s. Wetzel died 
in 189.3, and in April, 189C, Mr. Wetzel married 
(third) Rilla Bank.s, a native of Daviess County, 
Ind., a daughter of Levi and Lettie (Gregor.v) 
Banks. To this union were born children as 
follows: (5eorge II.. bom June 29. 1898; C. 
Harry, born April 29, 19(10 ; and Helen Marie, 
born March l.'i. 1902. The death of .Mr. Wetzel 
occurred at his home in Mt. Carmel. August 21. 
1903, and his remains were interred in the 
cemetery at Lancaster. He had many friends 
who sincerel.v mourned his loss. In political 
views Mr. Wetzel was a Democrat, and he at- 
tended the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
was afl!iliated with tlie Knighted Order of Tented 
Maccabees, in wliich ho had insurance to the 
amount of .1!2.000, which w.-is divided equally 
among his widow and seven children. 

William Henry Wetzel was born in Law- 
rence County, 111., .\ugust 24. 1882. and re- 
mained at home until his father's death. He 
received his early education in the common 
schools and later attended the high schools of 
Keensburg and Mt. Carmel. and the Southern 
Collegiate Institute, of Albion. 111. At the age 
of eighteen .years he began teaching In the dis- 
trict schools, and thre years later became 
Principal of the school at Lancaster, where he 
remained one year, and then took a similar ]io- 
sition at Keensburg. which he also held one 
year. On account of ill health he decided to 
abandon the profession of teaching and became 
clerk in the hardware store of McClung & 
Keeler. One year later he became jiartner in 
the florist business with Jlr. Fordyce. at Mt. 
Carmel. At the death of his father William 
Henry Wetzel came into possession of the orig- 
inal homestead of fort.v acres. Since 190" his 
brother. Irving Herman, has lived with him ; 
the latter is a civil engineer in the employ of 
Guy Courier. County Surve.vor. 

February fi. 1904. William Henry Wetzel mar- 
rier Margaret Wood, born near Friendsville, 
111., a daughter of Louis L. and Tenipe (.\dams) 
Wood, of Allendale, Wabash County. Her pa- 



ternal grandparents, Alexander and Lucinda 
(Simonds) Wood were natives of Wabash 
County, and her maternal grandparents, Mr. 
and Mrs. George ,\dams, were also natives of 
this county. Mr. Wetzel and his wife became 
parents of two children : Lewis Henr.v, born 
February 2, IfKi.-i. and died February 1", lOtXl; 
and JIarguerite Elsie, born March 20', 1908. Mr. 
Wetzel is a member of the Christian Church, of 
which he has been Deacon since 1907. Politic- 
ally he is a Democrat and is interested in pub- 
lic affairs. He is a young man of stability of 
character, a representative, useful citizen, and 
has considerable influence in the community. 

WHITE, Milbum Judson, eldest son of Dr. Sam- 
uel X. and Mary (Sitherwood) White, was 
born JIarch 24. 187."?, at Beaucoup, Washington 
County, 111. Doctor \\'hite was descendant of 
the old Virginia Whites, who were among the 
earliest settlers of the Virginia Colony, and his 
wife was a direct descendant of the house of 
JIcMichael, the royal family of Scotland. 

In 1877, when Milburn was but four .vears 
old. his parents moved to Okawville. 111., where 
Dr. White continued to practice his profession 
nntil his death two years later, August 20. 1.879. 
From this time on the care of the family de- 
volved upon the mother, who soon after the 
father's death, was appointed Postmaster Rt 
Okawville. in which capacity she served for 
eighteen years. 

Here, amid the peaceful environments of 
ccmntry village life, our friend pa.ssed his boy- 
hood da.vs, attending the village schools during 
the winter months, and assisting the family by 
working as a hired hand on neighboring farms 
during the summer mouths. His mother was a 
woman of unusual character and energy. — a no- 
ble. Christian woman. His f.-ither was a man of 
highest repute and scholarly attainments, and 
desired that his family should be brought up 
creditabl.v and receive the best educational ad- 
vantages he could provide. That his death 
should not end his plans for his children's 
bringing up, his widow continued the fight along 
the lines her husband had planned, and by her 
untiring energj- and faithful teaching inspired 
her son. who though but a boy in years, was the 
man of the home, to work cheerfull.v onward 
toward the goal he kejit constantly before his 
mind, that of an upright and honorable man- 
hood, adorned b.v a liberal education. Thus 
influenced and encouraged, he was inspired 
with an ambition to obtain an education beyond 
that which the home schools afforded. So, af- 
ter being out of school an entire year, during 
wliich time he saved a meager amount from 
funds earned b.v hard work, a part of which 
was chopping cord wood in the Kaskaskia 
River bottoms over two miles from home, which 
distance he walked morning and night going to 
and from his work, he entered McKendree Col- 
lege at Lebanon, in the fall of 1890, After at- 
tending one year and exhausting his hard- 
earned savings, he found it necessary to seek 



WABASH COUNTY 



819 



employiiient to enable him to provide fiiiuts to 
continue liis course in rollege. He secured a 
position as teaclier of a country scliool near his 
home town, and acquitted himself so creditably 
as a teacher that the directors offered to in- 
crease his monthly salary by ten dollars a 
month, which was then regarded as an unusual 
Inducement, if he would teach another year. 
The offer was inviting, but the desire to con- 
tinue his studies in college was stronger, so he 
returned to college again, where he remained 
three years, working his way through by ob- 
taining employment after school hours and on 
Saturdays. These were years of privation and 
sacrifice, but that they were well spent cannot 
be gainsaid. While in college he was popular 
■with the student body and with his teachers on 
account of his gentlemanly deportment and 
studious habits. He was a leader in all of the 
college activities and distinguished himself as a 
member of the Platonian Literary Society, by 
reason of his proficiency as an orator and a de- 
claimer. .\lthough he carried his ftiU quota of 
studies and earned sufiicient to pay his board, 
he also figuretl prominentl.v in athletics, es- 
peciall.v distinguishing himself as a member of 
the foot-ball team, which he served as Captain 
and Full-back the last ,vear he was in college. 

Being thus busily engaged with the serious 
matter of securing an education, enlivened b.v a 
moderate indulgence in healthy, manly sports, 
our friend found no time for the acquirement of 
extravagant tastes or useless and huitful habits 
and his clean life, as much as his scholarl.v at- 
tainments, rec-ommended him for the ]K>sition 
of Principal of the Enfield High School when he 
had finished his college course. In this position 
he served with pronounced success for three 
years, when he was elected Superintendent of 
the City Schools at Eldorado. 111., where he 
sen-ed with equal success for three years. While 
serving his third year as Superintendent of 
Schools at Eldorado, he was elected Cashier of 
the Bank of Eldorado, the tender of the i>osi- 
tion coming to him unsought. His Board of Ed- 
ucation being unwilling to accept his resigna- 
tion, he occupied the dual position of School 
Superintendent and bank cashier for a period of 
six months, after which he gave up the teach- 
ing profession to enter into tlie liaidiing busi- 
ness. Soon after Ids connection with the Bank 
of Eldorado, that institution was reorganized. 
The First National Bank of Eldorado result- 
ing. Mr. White was active in the reorganiza- 
tion and became a Director and the Cashier of 
the reorganized bank. Here he served until 
the close of the year 100,5. .\bout this time The 
Farmers and Merchants National Bank of 
Nashville, in Washington County, was being or- 
gainzed. and it is a strong testimonial to the es- 
teem in which he was held in his home wninty, 
that Mr. White was invited to that field for the 
purpose of completing the organization of that 
bank, and taking the active management of it 
as its Cashier. In this enterprise he was un- 



usually successful, building up a large and 
jirosperous Imsiness in a short time. 

When at the beginning of the year 1008 the 
American National Bank of Mt. Carmel ten- 
dered the position of Cashier to Mr. White, the 
most serious question that had confronted him 
during his business <-areer was before him for 
solution. Being in absolute charge of a large 
and rapidly develo|)ing business s\u-rounded by 
tho.se who liad been friends and neighliors during 
his young manhood, and |K)Ssessing their confi- 
dence and enjoying their esteem, it was difficult 
to even consider severing such agreeable ties aud 
launching out among strangers to liegin anew 
the work of establishing agreeable .social and 
business as.sociations. But here again we find 
the good taste and sound .judgment that had 
been his best asset asserting an influence in the 
decision of this perjilexing problem, with tlie 
result that he decided to accept the new po.si- 
tion and become a citizen of the Bluff City on 
the banks of the Wabash. Here he has become 
a fixture among the figinvs iirominent in the 
commercial as well as in the social and frater- 
nal life of the city, and that he has found Wa- 
bash County an agreeable abode for himself and 
family is not surprising to those who have 
knowledge of the excellency of her citizenship 
and the splendid advantages her County Capital 
affords to a .voung and enterprising sjiirit. 

It would be an injustice to Mr. White to speak 
of him without mention of his estimable family. 
In the year 18.07 he was married to Miss Mary 
May, daughter of Captain William May. of En- 
field. 111. Their family consists of three bright 
bo.vs. all fine specimens of "Young Americans." 

If there is anything Mr. White is proud of, it 
is that he is a ftoiitherii Illinaisan. he having 
resided in this i>art of the State all his life. 
His honorable and successful career is a splen- 
did illustration of what can be accomplished 
in the way of worthy attainment here in Egypt, 
by the boy of linnted financial assistance, who 
is animated l>y lofty motives and is willing to 
strive honestly and lal>oriously to the attain- 
ment of high ideals. — Chaki.es H. Dobris. 

WILKINS, Ellison L., who has been engaged in 
the oci-upation of engineer most of the time 
since he was sixteen years of age. now holds 
a res-jionsible position in Mt. Carmel. III., as 
first engineer at the plant of the Electric Eight 
and Gas Company. Mr. Wilkins was born near 
Fort Branch. (Jibson County, Ind.. September 
2.1. isns. son of Sharp and Fannie E. (Martin) 
Wilkins. the latter a native of Vanderburg 
County. Ind. Fannie Wilkins was a daughter 
of .lolin and Lucena (Marvel) Martin, and was 
married at Evansville. Ind. He became em- 
ployed as engineer in erecting machinery, but 
fin.ally died in Oakland City. Ind.. where he 
was engaged in the milling business. His 
widow still maki>s her home at Oakland City. 
Their children were: Ellison L. : Gertrude. 
Mrs. Oscar Verling. of Evansville. Ind., whose 
husband is a conductor on the Evansville & 



820 



WABASH COUNTY 



TeiTe Haute Railroad; and Clarence, chief en- 
gineer at tlie Electric Light plant. Princeton, 
Ind. 

When a hoy Ellison L. AYilkins attended the 
puhlic school and. as a young man. toolv a 
course in the Scranton Correspondence School, 
later taking up the study of steam engineering 
and electrical work. He lived at home until 
his marriage, although he was engaged in en- 
gineer work on stationary engines from the time 
he was sixteen years of age. He was married, 
March 20. 1895, to Mary JIayhall. bom at Lynu- 
ville, Ind.. daughter of George and Nancy (Bo- 
hall) Mayhall. Soon after marriage Mr. Wil- 
kins began work as engineer in a flouring mill 
at Oakland City. Ind.. where he had worked 
some years iireviously. At the time the elec- 
tric light plant was installed there he became Its 
first engineer and, a year later, became chief 
enginer of the plant at Princeton. Ind., remain- 
ing there five or six .years, then accepted a sim- 
ilar p<isition at Washington, Ind.. where he re- 
mained until August. 190."?, when he became 
chief enginer of the plant of the Mt. Carmel 
Gas & Electric Light Company. He and his 
wife have no children. 

Mr. Wilkins has attained his present position 
through his own intelligent effort, and took a 
thorough course in the technical study neces- 
sary to become an expert in his line. He has 
established a reputation for ability and integ- 
rity, and looks well after the interests of his 
employers. He is a Democrat in political views. 
Fraternally he is attiliated with the Blue I^odge 
of Masons at Oakland City. Ind. : the Royal 
Arch Chapter of ilt. Carmel, Xo. 1.59: the 
Knights of Pythias of Oakland City. Ind. ; N. 
A. S. E. No. 7. of Evansville. and the Royal Ar- 
canum of Washington, Ind. He is well liked in 
Mt. Carmel and is generally respected and es- 
teemed. 

WILLIAMS, Henry Howard, a aucoesaful stock 
farmer of Lick Prairie Precinct. Wabash 
County, 111., is a native of the county, born in 
Lancaster Precinct. September 8. 1850. He is 
the oldest son of Robert G. and Susan A. (Pen- 
ston> Williams, the former born in New York 
and the latter in Wabash County. Robert G. 
Williams, a sketch of whom appears In this 
work, was a son of .Toseph and Eliza Williams, 
both natives of Ireland, and early settlers of 
Wabash County. 

Henry H. Williams received his education in 
the Armstrong District School and was reared 
to farm work. He resided with his parents un- 
til his mariage. In October. 1870. to Elizabeth 
McManaman, born in Lick Prairie Precinct, 
daughter of Barney and Sarah (Gupton) Mc- 
Manaman. natives of Tennessee. After their 
marriage Mr. Williams and his wife located on 
a farm of 120 acres which he purchased, part 
in Lick Prairie and part in Lancaster Precinct. 
This land was but little improved, about twenty 
acres being cleared of timber. There was a log 
house with bams and an old frame house on it. 



They lived in the latter until 1880. when Mr. 
Williams erected a .story-and-a-half frame 
house (32 by 50 feet) where the family now 
live. He has been constantly clearing and de- 
veloping the land and now has 100 acres under 
cultivation. He has been successful in general 
farming and in his operations in live stock. 
He breeds horses for general purposes, Durham 
and Hereford cattle, and Poland-China and 
Berkshire hogs. 

Children as follows have been born to Mr. 
and Mrs. Williams : Luella and Ora. both died 
at the age of eighteen months ; Effie May. mar- 
ried Claude Stewart, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; 
Oma Bell and Ferble Elizabeth, at home ; For- 
rest Lake, of Lancaster Precinct. In polities 
Mr. Williams is a Democrat, and has served 
many years as School Director and Highway 
Commissioner. He also served two terms, 1903- 
07, as County Commisioner. He is highly re- 
garded by all who know him. and in his busi- 
ness dealings has been actuated by high princi- 
ples. Mr. Williams is well known and has many 
friends. In his religious views he is a Uni- 
versal ist. 

WILLIAMS, James S., an enterprising and suc- 
cessful merchant of Keensburg. 111., was born 
in Coffee Precinct. Wabash County. III.. De- 
cember 20. 1.802. He is a sou of .Jeremiah and 
Mary (Hall) Williams, both natives of Ken- 
tucky. The parents were married at New Al- 
bany. Ind.. where for many years he was em- 
ployed as a ship builder. They afterward moved 
to a farm iu Jackson County. 111., and in 1857 
he purchased a farm in what is now Coffee 
Precinct. Wabash County, where he died in the 
spring of 1870. His widow survived him many 
.years and passed away in 1890. Tlie.y were 
parents of children as follows : Louisa G.. 
widow of John Martina, of Bloomington, 111. ; 
Franklin A., of Arkansas : Thomas M., of 
Keensburg; Joseph W.. died In Keensburg, at 
the age of forty-seven years ; James S. ; Will- 
iam, of Wanette. Okla. 

The early education of James S. Williams 
was acquired in the common schools in Wabash 
County and he spent one year in the Southern 
Indiana Normal School at Mitchell. Ind., where 
he took a teacher's course and also studied 
book -keei ling. He lived with his parents until 
his marriage. October 4, 1885. to Edith M. Klm- 
lirel. bom in Coffee Precinct, daughter of James 
.\. and Annis (Skinner) Kimbrel. natives, re- 
spectively, of Wabash and Edwards Counties, 
111. The young couple began farming on part 
of the home farm, of which he inherited 120 
acres, and this was their home until 1903, when 
he rented his farm and moved to Keensburg, 
where he liought property. 

Mr. Williams sold his farm in 1909. and Au- 
gust 8. 1909. bought a business block in Keens- 
burg. stocking a store with groceries and hard- 
ware, where he has built up an extensive re- 
tail trade. He is well known and has man.y 
friends, enjoying the full confidence of his pa- 



WABASH COUNTY 



821 



trous. He carries a very eoniiJlete stock in his 
various lines and carries on his business witli 
energy and ability. 

Children as follows have been born to Mr. 
Williams and his wife: Goldie. married An- 
drew J. Fern, of Hudsonville. 111.; Kdna. mar- 
ried ^Villiam N. Fisher, of Keenslmrs;; (ilonu 
G. and Lawrence, at home. Mr. Williams is a 
Democrat in politics and servetl as County 
Commisioner from 1896-9i>. Fraternally he is 
a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, 
Camp No. 2193 : Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows, Lodge No. fHI!) ; Uoyal Neighbors and 
Tribe of Ben Hur. all of Keensburg. In relig- 
ious views he is member of Christian Church. 

WILLIAMS, Robert Graham (deceased), for 
many years a resident of Wabash County, 111,, 
was born in the State of New York, September 
1, 1824, son of Joseph and Eliza (Graham) 
Williams, natives of Ireland, who came west 
and settled at Albion, 111., where for many 
years the former served as Postmaster. Joseph 
Williams had children as follows : George, 
Fleming, Roliert G., James, Joseph, John, Da- 
vid, Serena, Eliza J., Susan. — all deceased. 

When he was twenty years of age. Robert G. 
Williams began learning the trade of tanner, In 
Edwards County. 111., and three years later es- 
tablished a tan-yard on the farm where his 
widow now resides, which he conducted many 
.vears, then for many .vears operated a thresh- 
ing machine. He also carried on general farm- 
ing. He firet purchased forty acres, adding to 
his possesions from time to time as he was able, 
until he owned 184 acres, forty acres being lo- 
cated in Edwards County. He died on this 
farm, November 21, 187(), having been active and 
industrious all his life. He was greatly missed 
in many circles and left a number of tirm 
friends to mourn his loss. 

Mr. Williams married, December 21. 1848, 
Susan A. Penston, who was born in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, April 7. 1828, a daughter of John and 
Sarah (Lake) Penston, the former born in 
Boston, Mass., and the latter in New Jersey. 
The iiarents of Mrs. Pension, Daniel and Alma 
Lake, of New Jersey, moved to Illinois at an 
early day, becoming very early settlers of Wa- 
basli County. Since the death of her husband 
Mrs. Williams has continued to reside on the 
home place. They were parents of cbihlren as 
follows: Henr>-, of Lick Prairie Precinct; 
Eliza, Mrs. Tobias Blakeney. of Vermilion 
County, 111.; Fleming I)., of Lancaster I're- 
cinct : Ada. Mrs. Oscar Swartzbaugh, of Ed- 
wards County, 111.: Robert (i.. who died Octo- 
ber 21, 1!)04, always resided with his mother, 
married Mary E. Brines, July IT. 18".)8. and they 
had one son — Samuel R. ; EHie. Mrs. Josejib 
Walter, of Evansville, Ind. ; IlaiTiet and Serena 
E., deceased. Robert G. Williams. Jr.. was first 
married to .\m:inda McGary. by whom he had 
three children : I-eo, who died at the age of eight 
vears; Winnie Pearl, and Nora Ethel. His 



widow resides with her mother-in-law on the 
home farm. 

Robert G. Williams, Sr., the subject of this 
sketch, was nmch interested bi public affairs 
and in politics was a Democrat. He was a 
I'niversalist in religious belief. 

WOOD, Abner.— The Wood family came to Wa- 
liash County at an early day, and Ale.xauder 
Wood, the grandfather of Abner, was one of 
the pioneers of Friendsville Precinct. His ma- 
ternal grandfather, Ira Keen, was also an early 
settler in Friendsville Precinct and a soldier 
in the Black Hawk War. Abner Wood was 
iHirn in Friendsville Precinct, October Ki. 18.50, 
a son of Ira and Rubina (Keen) Wood, both 
natives of that iire<-inct. Alexander Wood was 
a native of Kentucky and Ira Keen from Ham- 
ilton County. Ohio. Ira Wood w.is married in 
Friendsville Precinct, where he was reared, and 
settled on a farm of 200 acres. He died in 
18T.S and his widow continued to live on the 
home farm sevei'al years, and then spent the 
remainder of her life with her children. She 
died in Mt. Carmel, March 20, 1008. They had 
four sons and five daughters, of whom those 
surviving are: Abner: Emily, Mrs. George 
Goodhart, of Mt. Carmel : Clinton, of Mt. Car- 
mel : and Eleanor and William, of Friends- 
ville Precinct. 

The early days of Abner WocmI were spent on 
a farm and he attended the district schools, 
lie resided with his parents and after the death 
of his father, remained in charge of the home 
farm until his own marriage, June 11. 1870, to 
Sarah Smith, who was l)orn in Wabash County, 
a daughter of George and Mary (Banks) 
Sndth. both natives of Wabash Precinct. George 
Smith is a son of John and Rebecca (Ballard 
Smith, he of Vermont and she of Xew York, 
daughter of a Methodist circuit-rider. Mr. 
Smith was married in New Hampshire and was 
ii turner by trade. He came down the Wabash 
River on a flat-boat while the Indians were 
still living in Wabash County, and se<-ured tim- 
ber land from the Government, which he im- 
proved and developed into a good farm. The 
paternal grandparents of Mrs. Wood. Alexander 
and Nellie (Rawlins) Banks, were early settlers 
In Illinois, the latter a native of Lawrence 
County. III., and the former of England. 

After his marriage .\bner Wood lived on his 
farm and made a specialty of raising stock. 
.\bout seven .vears later he moved from this 
farm of ninety acres, locating in Mt. Carmel 
in the fall of 1002. He still looks after his 
farm, but devotes the most of his time to buy- 
ing and selling hogs, cattle and sheep, a busi- 
ness which he has found very profitable. He 
has established a reputation for fairness and 
honest dealing in business and is highly es- 
teemed for his many good qualities. The fol- 
lowing children were born to him and bis wife: 
Ira. of Mt, Carmel. a s<'hool te.-icher : Ge(U-ge. a 
ph.vsician and surgeon of Indianapolis, Ind.; 
Delia, Mrs. Enieqr Davidson, of Mt. Carmel 



822 



WABASH COUNTY 



Precinct, and Dora. Allie and France, at home. 
Mrs. Wood was educated in the connnon and 
higli school and is a refined, cultured woman, 
who is interested in many good causes in the 
community. Mr. and Mrs. Wood are members 
of the Christian Church. He is a Democrat in 
jiolitics and a member of the Modern American 
Society. 

WOOD, Francis Marion (deceased), formerly a 
successful fanner of Wabash County. 111., died 
January 20. IJS^l. but is still kindly remembered 
by his many friends, who revere his memory 
for his high character and many worthy deeds, 
lie was a good friend and neighbor and always 
had at heart the welfare and progress of the 
community. He has been missed in many cir- 
cles and will not be forgotten as long as those 
who knew him live. He was prominent as an 
active supporter of the Democratic party and 
took great interest in public affairs. He was a 
member of the Independent Order of Odd Fel- 
lows and of the Ben Hur Lodge and Moaern 
Woodmen of America. Mr. Wood was liorn in 
Hardinsburg, Ind.. .Tune 20. 1S52. a son of Will- 
iam Adoljihus and Margaret Wood, both na- 
tives of Indiana. The father was a saddle- 
maker and in later life became a farmer. He 
moved to Wabash County and both he and his 
wife died there. 

Francis M. Wood remained with his parents 
until his marriage, January 27, 1875. to Emily 
Jane Shadle. who was born near FriendsviUe, 
Wabash County. 111.. October 19. 1.8.53. a daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Barbara (Deal) Shadle. the 
former a native of Pennsylvania. Both Mr. 
Shadle and his wife died when their daughter 
Emily was a small child and she was reared by 
a family living near Allendale. At the age of 
sixteen years, wishing to be independent, she 
began earning her own living by working in 
various families, continuing until her marriage. 
She and her husband started housekeefiing in 
Wabash County and lived on a farm until his 
death. They had several children, but the 
father was cut off in young manhood. His 
widow remained on the farm two years, then 
bought a residence in Mt. Carmel. In August, 
liX):!. she erected a modern ten-room house, 
where the family now reside. The children 
were: Asa S.. John Walter, and Mary Elizabeth. 
Of these children. Asa S. Wood married 
Sarah Ellen Trunks and they had "the follow- 
ing children : John Austin. Mabel Irene, Juan- 
ita Ruth and Xina Mildred. Asa S. Wood was 
a mason and contractor, and died September 20. 
lOOn. John Walter Wood is a ItricU mason and 
contractor and lives at Mt. Carmel. He mar- 
ried Anna Woods and tliey have two children. 
Merle and Doris. Mary Elizabetli Wood mar- 
ried James Edwin Peters, a native of Mt. Car- 
mel. son of Roliert and Loretta (Sapp) Peters, 
of Wabash County. lie is a grocer of Mt. Car- 
mel. and they liave three iliildren : Garnet Mar- 
etta. Naomi Fern and William Howard. 



WOOD, Nelson.— The Wood family is one of the 
oldest in Wabash County, 111., having been rei> 
resented there since ISOO. Nelson' Wood, of 
Lick Pniirie Precinct, is a native of the county, 
born in FriendsviUe Precinct. February 27, 
1834, a son of John and Catherine (Bratton) 
Wood, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, re- 
spectively. The father of John, also named 
John Wood, was born in England and came to 
the United States in 1770, liecoming an officer 
in the Revolutionary War. He married a Miss 
Ogle in Maryland, and afterward lived for a 
time in Virginia, moved from there to Ken- 
tucky, and in 1800 entered land in the southern 
part of FriendsviUe Precinct. Wabash County, 
mostly prairie. He erected a fort in which the 
family lived for protection from the Indians. 
He developed a flue farm and died on it about 
1838. His son John married Catherine Bratton, 
whose father died in Tennessee, after which the 
widow brought her family of three daughters 
and two sons to Wabash County. The mother 
married John Wood. Sr., and her daughter mar- 
ried John Wood. Jr.. the former spending her 
last days in Edwards County, 111., where she 
died about 1S75. 

John and Elizabeth (Bratton) Wood were 
married In Wabash Count}' and settled down on 
part of the land his father owned, where both 
died, he on January 20. 18111, and she in the 
fall of 1878. Their children were. Llvona, who 
was Mrs. Sidney Miller and later Mrs. IBrad- 
shaw. died in Mt. Carmel ; Victor, of Mt. Car- 
mel Precinct ; Avaline. died at the age of twelve 
years: Sarah. Mrs. William S. Beard, died in 
Li-ck Prairie Precinct ; Nelson : Clark and a 
daughter (twins), the former of whom died in 
infancy, and the latter in Wabash County in Au- 
gust, 1008: Judy, JIi-s, James Campbell, of Mt. 
Carmel Precinct; John R.. killed in Mt. Carmel. 
in lOOii: Catherine, Mrs. John Leek, of Wabash 
Precinct; Niles, died in the Civil War; William, 
died in Mt. Carmel Precinct ; and Stephen, of 
Mt. Carmel. 

Nelson Wood attended the Shadel District 
School and received the same education as was 
given to most farmers' sons in the vicinity at 
that time. He remained at home until his mar- 
riage. April 11. 1858, to Sarah Ann Ulm. who 
was born in Clav County, 111., daughter of 
William T'hn. Iii September, 1,S61, Mr. Wood 
enlisted in Compan.v I. Thirt.v-second Illinois 
A'olunteer Infantry, being nuistered in at 
Springfield. 111., and assigned to the Western 
Army, under (ieneral Grant. He participated 
in the Battle of Shiloh. April (5 and 7. 18(i2. was 
afterward taken ill and as a consequence was 
discharged for disability. November 22. 1862. 
He made a good record as a soldier and ac- 
quitted himself creditably In the line of his 
duty to his country. Returning home after the 
war he resmned fanning, and after his mar- 
riage located on a farm of 100 acres in Lick 
Prairie Precinct, upon whicli were fifteen acres 
of cleared land with an old log house standing 
on it. where the family made their home about 



WABASH COUNTY 



823 



V 



ten years. He erected a good frame house about 
18GS, aud in IS&S erected a new frame dwell- 
ing with modern conveniences, to which he 
added in IS'.Ki, making a fine home. He has 
developed a fine farm, all of which he has un- 
der cultivation except twenty acres of timber 
land. 

Mr. Wood's wife died on February 15, 1878, 
and he married (second), December 1, 1878, 
Mary E. Ulm, a half sister of his first wife, 
whose mother was Sarah (Campbell) Ulm, of 
Tennessee. Ry his first marriage Mr. Wood 
had nine children, namely : Bertha, liorn Feb- 
ruary (!. 18;")!). died March 18, 1872; Rosella, 
born September 12, 18('i0, married Glenn God- 
dard, and died ; Catherine, born December 21, 
18(54, married Lewis McGregor, is now de- 
ceased ; Victor, born August 6, 1866, died De- 
cember 15, 1886; Austin A., born January 3, 
1868, resides in Eugene, Ore. : John H., born 
May 4, 1869, resides in Wabash Countj- ; Flor- 
ence May. born July 7, 1871. married Robert 
Brines, of Lick Prairie Precinct ; Sarah Me- 
lissa, bom December .31. 187.S. died March 17, 
1875 ; Lenora. born January 29. 1876, died June 
25, 188.3. By his second marriage Jlr. Wood 
had children as follows : William M.. born No- 
vember 29, 1879. died December 12. 1879; El- 
bern A., born December 22. 1883, resides with 
his parents; Judy L.. born February 6. 1885, 
married Glenn Cotieh, of Jit. Carmel ; Arva V.. 
born May 29, 1887, and died October 5. 1903; 
Estes I., born May 22, 1894, resides with par- 
ents. 

Mr. Wood Is a member of the Christian 
Church, of which he has been a Deacon for 
many years. In polities he is a Republican and 
has served a few terms as School Director. Mr. 
Wood is identified with the best Interests of his 
comnmnity and is a worthy representative of 
his family, which has been highly resiiected in 
Wabash County for more than a hundred years. 

WOOD, Oliver H.— .\mong the oldest families 
of Wabash County, 111., are the Wood and Keen 
families, who have been represented there for 
several generations. Oliver H. Wood was born 
in Frlendsville Precinct. November 6. 1845. a 
son of Joseph and Charlotte (Keen) Wood, and 
a worthy representative of his race. Josejjh 
Wood was a son of Joseph and Leah (Great- 
house) Wood, the former a native of Virginia 
and the latter of Kentucky, and bis wife was 
a daughter of Ira and Eleanor (Jordan) Keen, 
the former born in Cincinnati. Ohio, and the 
latter of Kentucky. Joseph Wood came down 
tlie Ohio River and up the Wabash to 
Palmvra. fonnerly the cotmty-seat of Ed- 
wards (^ounty. then drove to Frlendsville Pre- 
cinct, where be secured government land, there 
married and spent the remainder of his life. 
Ira and Eleanor Keen were very early settlers 
of Wabash County, he being brought there by 
his parents when a lad. and the family took up 
government land in Wabash I'recinct. Ira 
Keen married and settled In Frlendsville Pre- 



cinct, where he died at the age of ninety-two 
years. 

Joseph and Charlotte Wood were married in 
Wabash County and settled on land they Ixiught 
and entered, adding lo it nnlil they owned 500 
acres, lie died .\pril 27, is.511, at tlie age of 
thirty-nine years .•uul she died April 18, 1884, 
at the age of sixty years. Tlieir children were: 
Exima. married W. R. Couch and died in 
I'Yiendsvillc Precinct; Oliver 11. Mary, Mrs. 
S. A. Williams, of Springfield. 111. ; Horace, died 
at the age of thirty-five years ; Joseph O., of 
Frlendsville Precinct ; Linder, died at the age 
of twenty-seven. 

Oliver H. Wood lived with his mother after 
his fatlier's death and took charge of the farm, 
remaining at home until his marriage, Decem- 
ber 21. 1871. to Mary E. Milbnrn, born in 
Frlendsville Precinct, daughter of Harrison and 
Emily (Shoaff) Milbnrn. tho former a native 
of Patoka. Ind., and the latter of Pennsylvania. 
After his marriage Mr. Wcwd and his wife 
moved to his farm in Friendsvillo Precinct. 
This land had been previously imi)roved and 
tiled and buildings erected on it by him. He 
has since added thereto until he has 135 acres, 
and here carries on farming, raising Jersey 
cattle and registered Poland-China hogs. He 
and his wife have two children, Clifton J., who 
is in i)artnership witli his father in carrying on 
the farm, and Nora E.. Jlrs. (Jeorge Schrader. of 
Frlendsville Precinct. Mr. Wood and his son 
have made a specialt.v of breeding Barred Ply- 
mouth Rock chickens and White Holland tur- 
keys. Mr. Wood is nnicli interested in this in- 
dustiy and formerly served as President of the 
\\'abash County Poultry and Pet Stock -Associa- 
tion. .\s a l)oy he attended the district school 
and the Presbyterian iiarochial school at 
Frlendsville. He is now a member of the Chris- 
tian Church and has Iteen an Elder in the same 
since 1890. Politically he is a Repulilican and 
served three years as County Commissioner, 
from December 5, 1887. He takes great inter- 
est in anything that pertains to farnnng and 
has always liked this class of work, in which 
his wliole life has been |)assed. He is an able 
and industrious farmer and has reaped results 
accordingly. He is now President of the Wa- 
bash County Fair .\ssociation. and his adnnn- 
istration of its affairs has been most satisfac- 
tory to all concerned. 

WOOD, Victor. — One of the enterprising and suc- 
cessful farmers of Wabash County, 111., who 
has brought his farm from an unimproved state 
to its present produ<'tiveness. Is a native of 
the county, born in Frlendsville Precinct. De- 
cemlier 4. 1828. a son of John and Catherine 
(Bratton) Woo<l. John Wood was born in 
Kentucky and his wife in Tennessee, he a son 
of John and Patsy (Ogle) Wood, natives of 
England and Bohemia, respectively, and she a 
daughter of David and Rachel (Greathouse) 
Bratton. of Tennessee. David Bratton was a 
soldier In the War of 1812, and on his way home 



824 



WABASH COUNTY 



at the close of tLie war was taken sick and died 
from yellow fever at Jlenipbis. Tenn. His 
widow was ou her way to Wabash County, 111., 
when she heard of her husband's death and 
came on with the family to her destination. 
John Wood, Sr., was one of the earliest set- 
tlers of Wabash County, {,'oing to the county 
in the sprinf; of ISO'.X and enterhig 160 acres 
in Friendsville I'recinet, there built a home for 
his family, lu the fall of the same year he re- 
turned for his family. Half of his laud was 
prairie and the remainder timber, and there he 
and his wife spent the remainder of their lives. 

The marriage of John Wood. Jr.. took place 
In Wabash County and they settled on a farm in 
Friendsville Precinct, which he operated until 
his sons were able to take care of it : then took 
up the trade of gunsmith, which he followed un- 
til his great misfortune of becoming lilind, about 
three years before his death. He was born in 
1803 and died about 1S.S5. He and his wife had 
thirteen children who lived to maturity and the 
following four still survive: Victor; Xelsim. of 
Lick Prairie Precinct ; Catherine. Mrs. John 
Leek, of Allendale, 111.; Stephen T.. of Mt. 
Carniel. 

Victor Wood is the oldest child of his parents 
still living and resided with his parents until 
his marriage, December 7, IS.^1. to Eliza Arm- 
strong, born in Lick Prairie Precinct. Waliash 
County, daughter of Ephraim Annstrong, of 
Kentucky. After his marriage Mr. Wood moved 
to an eighty-acre farm in Section 0. Mt. Carmel 
Precinct, all timber land, given him by his 
father. He has made all the improvements on 
this place and has cleared much of it. He has 
also added to his farm until he now owns 140 
acres. The following children were born to Mr. 
Wood and his wife; Fannie. Mrs. George Mc- 
Gregor, now deceased; Seth ; Joshua, who died 
at the age of seven years. Airs. Wood died No- 
vember 2fi. and Mr. Wood married (second) 
May 24. 1857, Harriet Ulm. born in Mount Car- 
mel Precinct, daughter of William Ulm, and she 
died October 4. iS64. having borne the follow- 
ing children ; Sarah C Mrs. Samuel Moyier, of 
Friendsville, 111. ; Alice. Mrs, Louis Click, now- 
deceased ; William, who died at the age of four 
.years; Joseph L.. of Friendsville Precinct. Mr. 
Wood married fthird) May 2o. 186*5, Susan W. 
Carter, born in Posey County, Ind., daughter of 
Benjamin and Rachel (Wlliams) Carter. Two 
children were born of this union; John H.. of 
Mt. Carmel Precinct; and Victor B., of Friends- 
ville Precinct. Mr. Wood's third wife died Oc- 
tober 10. 1876. and he m.irried (fourth) Ra- 
chel Montgomery, widow of Thomas Montgom- 
ery, who had one son. Burgess, of Gibson 
County. Ind. Two children were born of this 
union: Cora, Mrs. Franklin Dantworth. of 
Granite Citv, III., and her twin-sister. Dora. 
Mrs. Wood died April 28. 1880. Mr. Wood mar- 
ked (fifth) October 28, 1880. Margaret (Frost) 
Campbell born in Allen Cotuity, Ky., a daughter 
of William and Margaret (Xix) Frost, the 
father a native of Kentucky and the mother of 



Tennessee. Mrs. Campbell was the widow of 
William D. Cami>bell. who was born in Tennes- 
see and died in Edwards County, 111., in 1876. 
She and Mr. Wood had one daughter, Jessie 
May, Mrs. Clinton Hinderliter. of Waterloo, 
Iowa. The following children were born to 
William D. Campbell and wife ; Mary D., died 
in infancy; Indiana, died at the age of eight 
years ; James, of Friendsville Precinct ; John, 
and Almira (Mrs. Joseph Shillings), both of 
Mt. Carmel. 

Mr. Wood is an enterisrising and progressive 
farmer, and is always ready to adopt modern 
methods of carrying on his work. He is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church and his wife of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically he is 
a stanch Republican and is much interested in 
the welfare of his community and highly es- 
teemed. 

WRIGHT, Edwin D.— The Wright family were 
among the very early settlers of Wabash 
County, Joseph and Margaret (Buchanan) 
Wright, the paternal grandparents of Edwin 
Wright, having come to the cxjunty from Ohio, 
securing land from the Government. Edwin 
Wright was born on the farm in Wabash Pre- 
cinct, where he now lives, July 20. 1863, sou of 
John R. and Rosanna (Keen) Wright, both na- 
tives of Wabash Precinct. Rosanna Keen was 
a daughter of Dennis and Margaret (Compton) 
Keen, the latter born at old Compton Fort In 
Wabash Precinct. The Comptons entered land 
from the (ioverument and became prominent 
farmers of Wabash Countj-. 

The marriage of John R. Wright and his wife 
took place in Wabash County, and they then 
settled on land in Wabash Precinct which she 
had inherited from her father. There were 
eighty acres in this tract and part of it was 
covered with timber. He cleared the farm and 
lived there until 1870. when he botight 100 acres 
near by and later added more land. He died 
on his farm and his widow still resides there 
with her son. Van C, who carries on the home 
farm. Their children were: Margaret A., 
widow of Fred Holsen, Sr., of Allendale, 111. ; 
Edwin D., of Wabash Precinct; Joseph T., 
died December 22. 1909; Clara E.. wife of Kent 
Adams, of Wabash Precinct ; Van C, with his 
mother. 

Edwin D. Wright received his education In 
the public schools and lived with his parents 
until his marriage, November 8, 188.'5, to Mary 
C. Hines. who was born in Pulaski County, Ky.. 
and at the time of her marriage was living with 
her brother, Hardin Hines, near Allendale. 
.\fter his marriage Mr. Wright purchased a 
farm of ninety-tliree acres which adjoined 120 
acres given him by his parents. He erected a 
comfortable house and substantial barns and 
made many other improvements, clearing about 
sixty acres. He carries on general farming 
and raises draft horses, also buys and feeds 
hogs and cattle for market. 

Mr. Wright and his wife have had children 



WABASH COUNTY 



825 



as follows: Emma Leota. Lyman Newell and 
Doreen, at home; MafiKie. who dieil in IS'.M), at 
the age of eight years; Edwin Burns, died in 
1900 at the age of sixteen months; M. Lurile. 
at home. Mr. and Mrs. Wright are well known 
and popular in social circles, having many 
friends. He is a member of the Christian 
Church, in political matters is a Democrat, 
and a member of the fraternal order Modern 
Woodmen of America, No. ]79i), of Allendale. 
He is a public-spirited citizen and actively in- 
terested in the welfare and development of the 
community. 

WRIGHT, John Robinson (deceased).— The late 
John Robinson Wright, of Wabash Precinct, 
Wabash County, III., was a large landowner 
and extensive stock-raiser. He was one of the 
best known men iu the county and was regarded 
by all with the highest esteem. Mr. Wright was 
a native of the county, born in Wabash Precinct. 
in 1831. son of Joseph and Margaret (Buch- 
anan) Wright, vei-y early settlers of the region. 
The parents secured land from the Government 
and both died in 1842. He attended ])rivate 
schools when a small boy and began working at 
farm work as soon as he was old enough to do 
so. For a few years the orphan boy lived with 
various families in his native county, and then 
rented ninety acres of the home farm. 

Mr. Wright married. February 24. 1853, Ros- 
anna Keen, who was born on the farm where 
she now resides. January 24. 1835, daughter of 
Dennis and Margaret (Compton) Keen, Mr. 
Keen was born in Ohio and his wife was the 
second white child born in Wabash County. 
Their parents were Peter and Jemima (Gard) 
Keen, natives of New Jersey, and Levi and Ros- 
anna (Burk) Compton. w^ho came from Vir- 
ginia. After his marriage Mr. Wright went to 
California, where he spent seven years, working 
in gold mines, herding sheep, etc. then re- 
turned and bought 107 acres of land from his 
wife's brother. His wife inherited 150 acres 
in Section 1. Wabash Precinct, and altogether 
they became owners of about 400 acres. He 
carried on general farming and became an e.x- 
tensive stock-raiser. Mr. Wright died June G. 
1892. but his widow still resides on the farm. 
Mr. Wright was a very industrious, ambitions 
man. and brought his land to a good state of cul- 
tivation, making all possible improvements. He 
witnessed the develoiHnent of the county from 
w-ild prairie and timber to well-kept farms, 
dotted with comfortable houses, and in his 
youth had to bear the many hardships and pri- 
yations connnon to pioneer life. He was a 
Democrat in politics and a member of the 
Christian Church. 

Children as follows were born to Mr. Wright 
and wife : Margaret A., widow of Fred Holsen, 
Sr., of Allendale; F.dwin D.. of Wabash Pre- 
cinct, a sketch of whom appears in this work; 
Joseph T.. died December 22. IWO ; Clara E.. 
Mrs. Kent Adams, of Wabash Precinct, and 
Van C. who lives with his mother on the old 



farm. Mrs. Wright is a woman of high char- 
acter and has many friends. Like her husliand 
she witnessed the many changes that have 
taken [ilace in the comity for more than half ii 
century, and well remembers the conditions 
and mode of living which prevailed in her child- 
bdod. Both bore their jiart in assisting in the 
developing and im]iroving cif their conununity. 

WRIGHT, Thomas B., Jr.— .Vmong the success- 
ful business men of Mt. Carmel, 111,, is Thomas 
B. Wright, Jr„ who has many financial inter- 
ests in the city, being the owner of considerable 
I>r<ii)erty. and one of the most widely known 
and most [Mipular citizens in Wabash County. 
Mr. Wright was born iu Hamilton County, 111., 
October !). 1870. a son of Thomas B. and Mary 
(O'Xeil) Wright, the fonner liorn in 1843 and 
the latter in ISlo, both in Hamilton (^ounty. 
The grandparents wore Charles Henry and Eliz- 
abeth (Webb) Wright, the former born in Ten- 
nessee and the latter in Illinois, and John Wil- 
liam and Jemima (Marshall) O'neil. he born in 
England and she in Ireland. The maternal 
grandiiarents came to the United States as chil- 
dren and were married in this country. Al>out 
1840 they located in Hamilton County. 111., 
where John William 0"Neil be<'ame a jwrk 
jiacker. He also shipiied meats and other pro- 
duce to New Orleans and was an extensive grain- 
dealer. He died in 1882, having been one of 
the leading business men of Hamilton County. 
When he began his business the only means of 
long distance transjHirtation in his part of the 
country was by water, and he lived to see great 
changes in business methods. 

Charles Henry Wright was one of the early 
settlers of McLeansboro, Hamilton County, 111., 
and he and Henry Mclx'an laid out tlie town. 
There he erected and operated the first giist-mill 
in that part of the State. o|>erating the same 
until 18(11. He then enlistcfl in the I'nion Army, 
and served as Ca|)tain of a t-(imi)any in the 
Eighty-seventh Illinois Vohmtcer Infantry to the 
end of the war. [The report of the Adjutant 
(ienemi of Illinois gives the name of James H. 
Wright, of McLeansboro. as Captain of Company 
E. Eight.v-seventh Illinois Volunteers during the 
Civil War. — 'Thk Editor.] Returning home, Mr. 
Wright engaged in business in the line of gen- 
eral merchandise, which he continued until 1872, 
when he went to Black Hills. S. D., where he 
died in 1S94. at the age of eighty-four years. 

John W. O'Neil also enlisted in the Union 
.\rmy. in 18(11. as a member of the Fifty-sixth 
Illinois Volunte(>rs. and served to the end of 
the war. A part of the regiment was with 
Sherman in the "March to the Sea." and after 
the Battle of Bentonville, N. C, 193 men and 
12 officers took pas,sage on the steamer Gen. 
Lyon, on the way home to be nmstered out. 
When off Cape Hatteras the steamer caught fire, 
during a storm, and was totally destroye<l, some 
,5(r(i lives being lost, of whom 200 belonged to 
the Fifty-sixtli. Of 28 pei-sons who escaped. 



826 



WABASH COUNTY 



five belonged to the Fifty-sixtli, Mr. O'Xeil being 
one of that number. .Mr. O'Xeil had previousl.y 
served in the Mexican War and was at Alamo 
just after the tight there. He died in 1SS2. 

Thomas B. Wright, Sr.. enlisted in 1861 and 
sensed in the Sixth Illinois Cavah\v as spy and 
shari>shooter to the end of the war. He was a 
member of the Grierson's raiders of 1863, who 
comprised some of the bravest and most fear- 
less men of the Union Army. He had one knee- 
cap shot off, was shot in liis right arm, his el- 
bow being carried 'away, had three horses sliot 
under him, and had many other narrow eseai^es. 
.\t one time he was captured, but managed to 
escape. After his discharge he returned to Mc- 
Leansboro and was married to a lady who was 
a graduate of St. Vincent's Catholic School and 
a woman of culture and refinement. Mr. Wright 
engaged in mercantile business in McLeausboro. 
where he continued until 1S84, when he sold 
out and embarked in the lunil)er business, which 
his sons conducted. In l.S8(i he was ordained 
a minister of the Jlissionary Baptist Church 
and has been able to do good work in the cause 
of the church. He resides at McLeausboro and 
does evangelical work throughout his part of 
the State. His wife died in 1888. They were 
parents of six children, namel.v : J. W., of Mc- 
Leausboro, who conducts a business of his own 
and is a leader in the lumber trade in Southern 
Hlinois: .Judge S. M., of Mount Vernon, 111., who 
is a graduate of Ann .'Vrbor Law School, was ad- 
mitted to the bar at the age of twent>'-one 
years and elected County .Judge of Hamilton 
County two years later ; Thomas B.. ,Jr. : Charles 
Henry, who after attaining his ma.iority was 
partner of his brother Thomas at Carmi and Mt. 
Carmel, 111., from 1897 until his death, February 
8, 1905, at San Antonio, Tex., whither he had 
gone for the benefit of his health ; Dollie, born 
in 1880 and died at the age of nine months; 
Mollie, married Allen L. Spivey, editor of the 
"News (Jleaner," and I'ostmaster of Shawnee- 
town, 111. Judge S. M. Wright was .\d,iutant 
in the Ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry during 
the Spanish-American War. He is interested 
in several large lumber yards and is the sell- 
ing agent of some of the largest lumber concerns 
in the United States. 

Thomas B. Wright. Jr., received his early edu- 
cation in the public schools and later attended 
the Northwestern Universit.y at Evanston, also 
the Rush Medical College at Chicago, and read 
jnedicine for a time with Dr. Halls in Me- 
Leansboro, but never completed his medical 
course. He later engaged in wholesale produce 
business at Cuba, Mo., where he had headquar- 
ters, with branches at Rolla. Salem, St. James 
and Sullivan, in the same State. He afterward 
located in Mt. Vernon in the same business, then 
went to Nashville, Tenn., where he remained a 
year and a half, when he and his brother Charles 
H. went into wholesale and retail lumber liusi- 
uess at Carmi, 111, In 1901 Mr. Wright opened 
a wholesale and retail lumber business at Mt. 
Cannel. and at the death of his brother in 1907, 



he bought the entire interest of the business 
and is now sole proprietor. He has other busi- 
ness interests and is tUe owner of much improved 
])roperty in the way of houses and lots. He 
stands high in business circles and is President 
of the Illinois, Indiana & Kentucky Lumber 
Dealei-s' Association. He has always shown 
high honor and integrity in his business dealings 
and has an envialile business reputation. 

June 1.5, 1892, Mr. Wright married Ida May 
Siddall, born at McLeansboi-o, 111., daughter of 
Joseph Robert and Rebecca (McGiiT) Siddall, 
the former born in the South and the latter in 
Marietta. Ohio. Mr. Siddall is a son of Wil- 
liam and Martha (Maltby) Siddall. of England. 
and his wife is a daughter of William McGirr. 
a Quaker and a native of I'hiladelphia. The 
following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Wright: Wilma. born .\pril T,, 1893, at home; 
Robert Bernard, born February 22, 1895; 
Thomas Gilbert, born February i, 1907. Mr. 
Wright is a Tresbyterian in religious faith and 
politically is a Republican. He has taken an ac- 
tive part in local affairs and in 1907 was elected 
Mayor of Mt. Carmel, serving one term of: 
two yeai-s. He was a candidate of State Senator 
in the fall of 1909, but was defeated by a small 
majority. He belongs to the B. P. O. E. No. 715, 
of Mt. Carmel. and to Hoo Hoo, No. 1861. Mr. 
Wright is now erecting a handsome residence on 
Seventh and MuUicrry Streets, which will be one 
of the most modern buildings of the kind In 
Southern Illinois. He has the facult.v of mak- 
ing and retaining warm personal friends, and 
he and his wife are well known and much sought 
in social circles in their city. 

YOUNG, James A. (deceased). — In recalling the 
business men of Mt. Carmel. who once were 
most active and useful among her citizens, the 
late James A. Young is brought to mind, many 
of the substantial buildings of the place having 
been erected through bis skill and the lumber 
furnished for many more from his mill.s. He 
was born near Mt."Carmel, 111., .August 10. 1831, 
his father being a farmer in Wabash County 
and a native of New York, Later the family 
moved into Mt. Carmel, the father selling his 
farm lands at that time and there James A., 
with others of the large family, attended school 
for a time. 

James X. Young learned the principles of 
merchandising in Oregon, and when he came 
back to Mt. Carmel he went into the mercan- 
tile business for himself, but after conducting a 
store for several years reverses fell upon him 
and he failed in busines.s. Earlier he had 
learned the carpenter trade, and to this he again 
tnnied after settling iip his mercantile affairs, 
and during the folowing years put up a large 
number of buildings. He then went into saw- 
null work and continued for twenty-five years 
being compelled to abandon this on account of 
an accident from which he later died. 

On March 28. 1869. Mr. Young was married 
to Mrs. Mary E. (Shannon) Miller, widow of 



WABASH COUNTY 



827 



S. p. Miller. Mr. Miller was lioni in Mary- 
land and was bronght to Wabash County by hla 
Iiaronts in boyhood. He was reared and edu- 
cated at Mt. Carniel, where be taught school for 
some years, and was also a local preacher In the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He left three 
childi'en : James S.. Otto P. (deceased), and 
Sarah H., all born at Mt. Carmel. Mr. Young 
was a member of the Methodist Church to which 
Mrs. Young also belongs. He was a man who 
was very highly respected by all who knew him. 

ZIMMERMAN, Frederick H.-^Araong the suc- 
cessful farmers and stock-raisers of Wabash 
County, 111., is Frederick H. Zimmerman, who 
has a fine fertile farm in Mt. Carmel Precinct, 
on which he was born October 17, 1S(>4, son of 
Jacob and Belinda B. (Hinde) Zimmerman, na- 
tives of Pennsylvania and Illinois, respectively. 
Jacob Zimmerman and his wife had children as 
follows : Frederick H. and Charles Bradford, 
who died at the age of four years. Belinda B 
Hinde, the mother of Frederick and Charles, 
died in 1S05 and was the daughter of Thomas 
S. Hinde, the founder of Mt. Carmel. Letters of 
the Association which founded Mt. Carmel were 
taken out at Chill icothe, Ohio, in 3818, and are 
now in possession of the subject of the above 
sketch. 

The education of Frederick H. Zimmerman 
was acquired iu the common and high schools of 
Mt. Carmel and, as a young man, he moved to 
Fort Smith, Ark., where from 188.3-86 he and a 
cousin, Harry H. Hinde, conducted a grocery 
store. He then returned home and remained 
with his father on the farm where he still re- 
sides. The fanu was turned over to him on his 
marriage. July 1.3. 1902. to Agnes M. Oldendorf. 
born at Jit. Carmel on May .3, 1872, a daughter 
of Peter and Mary S. (Wise) Oldendorf. of 
Wabash County. They became the parents of 
two children : Jacob Hinde and Belinda Re- 
becca. 

Mr. Zimmerman's farm, which contains about 
350 acres, is situated at the dam in Mt. Carmel 
Precinct. He is an extensive farmer, raises 
fine trotting horses and feeds cattle and hogs 
for the market. He is prosperous and indus- 
trious and is reaping a good profit from liis 
work. He is Independent in politics. Frater- 
nally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias of 
Mt. Carmel. having been Chancellor Commander 
of his lodge and filled the other chairs; is also 
a member of the Uniform Bank of same order, 
having held the rank of Captain for four years. 

ZIMMERMAN, Jacob.— One of the boat known 
and most popular citizens of Wabash County, 
111., who has been prominent in Democratic poli- 
tics throughout his part of the State, is Jacob 
Zimmerman, who has served two terms in the 
State Legislature and has helfl several local 
offices. Mr. Zimmerman was born near Greens- 
burg. Pa.. September 27. 18.31. son of Henry 
and Elizabeth (Steelsniith) Zimmerman, natives 
of Westmoreland County, Pa., and grandson of 



I'eter Zinnnerman. of Berks County, Pa., and 
of Jacob Steelsniith, who married a Miss Will- 
iams. Mr. Steelsniith was a carjienter, farmer 
and millwright. .Vll the grandparents of Mr. 
Zinnnerman spent their entire lives in Pennsyl- 
vania. Henry Zimmerman was married in 
(Jreensburg. Pa., where lie lived until 1840, 
when he moved to Stark County, Ohio, where 
he lived four years, then removed to Upjier San- 
dusky, Ohio, and liought land which had be- 
longed to the Wyandot Indian.s. Here he and 
his wife died, he at the age of si.xt.v-one years 
and she at eighty-one. Tlieir children were: 
Jacoli. the oldest ; Rebeera, .Mrs. Jones, now de- 
ceased ; Margaret, of Upper Sandusky, Ohio; 
Susan, of Bellefontaine, Oliio; Mrs. Jerome 
(Jould, wlio died in Mt. Carmel, in 1900; Bela 
B., deceased; Henry, of Upper Sandusky, Oliio; 
Bell, widow of Charles N. Lamason, a very 
prominent citizen of Lima, Ohio ; Mary, and 
one other who died in infaiuy. 

The education of Jacob Zimmerman was re- 
ceived in the connnon and select schools of Up- 
per Sandusky, Oliio, and at the age of eighteen 
yeai-s he liegau learning tlie trade of a printer. 
In 1849 the man for wliom lie was working got 
the "gold fever," and left the conduct of his 
busine.ss in the hands of Mr. Zimmerman and 
Robert Duuini. and a year later their employer, 
Mr. Giles, turned his Inisiness over to his 
brother. Mr. Dunnn and .Mr. Zimmerman went 
to Tiffin, Ohio, and worked on a newsjiaper 
there until March, 18r)2, when the latter went 
through Kentucky and Indiana, and finally 
located at Marshall, 111., where he worked on a 
Democratic paper a few months ; then he and 
James C. Robinson purchased the paper and a 
Whig paper and. combining tlie two. named their 
paper the "Eastern Illinoisan." In IS.'jO Mr. 
Zimmerman sold his interests and went to Ur- 
bana, where he established the "Constitution," 
also established a paper at CJreenup. 111., which 
he sold a few months later. In 1800 Mr. Zim- 
merman sold his interests in Urbana and moved 
to Mt. Carmel, where he took charge of a Dem- 
ocratic paper, conducting it until the latter part 
of November of that .vear, when he went out of 
the newspaper business. Mr. Zimmermau at 
this time owned an interest in an estate which 
his wife had inherited, and after lier death he 
purchased the interests of the other heirs, be- 
coming sole owner of 215 acres of land in Mt 
Carmel Precinct, near the Grand Rapids of the 
Wabash River. 

Wliile living at Marshall. III., Mr. Zimmer- 
man introduced the primary election method, 
which became universal. Wliile living in Cham- 
paign, he was instrumental in securing the 
adoption of township organization in the 
county. Wherever he has livetl he has been ac- 
tively interested in public affairs and has iden- 
tified himself with the cause of progress and 
improvement. 

Mr. Zimmerman married. December 25. 1856, 
Belinda B. Hinde. born in Mt. Carmel, daugh- 
ter of Thomas S. Hinde, a native of Kentucky, 



828 



WABASH COUNTY 



and one of tbe original proprietors of Mt. Car- 
mel. The two children bom of this union were : 
Charles, who died at the age of four years, and 
Fred H., of Mt. Carmel Precinct. Mrs. Zim- 
merman died June -0, 1S65, and Mr. Zimmer- 
man married (second), April 13, 1875, Emma 
Harris, born in Mt. Carmel, a daughter of John 
K. and Mary B. (McNair) Harris, both natives 
of Wabash Count}'. Her grandparents were 
Elijah and Elizabeth (Hogeland) Harris, he of 
New Yorli and she of Holland, and Charles and 
Amelia (Gard) McNalr, natives of Ireland and 
Ohio, respectively. 

From 1860 until 1903 Mr. Zimmerman lived 
near the Grand Kapids of the Wabash, then pur- 
chased 160 acres in the southeastern part of 
Friendsville Precinct. He has devoted most 
of his time to agricultural pursuits since 1861, 
and raises Jersey cows and registered Holstein 
cattle, registered Shropshire sheep and also 
draft and driving horses. By his second mar- 
riage he had two children : John, living on part 
of the home farm at Grand Rapids, and V. 
Hugo, living with his parents. Mr. Zimmer- 
man was elected on the Democratic ticket to 
the Illinois Legislature, in 1878, and afterward 
■was elected for another term. During his first 
term he obtained the appropriation for building 
the Wabash County court house, and during his 
second term was instrumental in securing the 
appropriation for placing the statue of General 
Shields in the House of Fame, at Washington, 
D. C, for which service he was publicly 
thanked by the daughter of Gen. Shields. He 
has also served as County Commissioner and 
Highway Commissioner. He has given efficient 
service in whatever office he has filled and has 
been so mindful of the interests of his constitu- 
ents that they have delighted to honor him in 



any way they could. Mr. Zimmerman has been 
a member of the Masonic Order since 1852, and 
also belongs to the Mt. Carmel Chapter. He 
served as Worshipful Master of the lodge at Mt. 
Carmel a number of years, and at the conclu- 
sion of his service his lodge brothers presented 
him with a unique Pastmaster's jewel. 

ZIMMERMAN, John Henry, though a young 
man, has shown himself possessed of consider- 
able business talent and has been successful in 
various lines of enterprise. Mr. Zimmerman was 
born in Section 9, Mt. Carmel Precinct, Peh- 
ruar.v 22, 1880, a son of Jacob and Emma J. 
( Harris ) Zimmerman, of Wabash County, the 
latter born in Mt. Carmel. They had three 
children, all boys. 

The early education of John Henry Zimmer- 
man was received in private schools until lie 
was about seventeen years of age, and he after- 
ward graduated from the high school at Mt. 
Carmel. When eighteen years of age he be- 
came employed as a clerk in a shoe and dry- 
goods store in Mt. Carmel, and about four years 
later engaged in farming on sixty acres of his 
father's farm. Here he carries on diversified 
fanning and makes a specialty of hog raising. 

November 14, 1902, Mr. Zimmerman married 
Clara Shryoek. born near Olney, III., a daugh- 
ter of Valentine and Margaret Shryoek. One 
son has been born of this union, J. Richard, 
born July 2. 1904. Mr. Zimmerman is a mem- 
lier of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in 
politics is a Democrat, though he does not care 
for public office. He has taken great pride in 
developing and improving his farm, and the re- 
sults have been highly satisfactory. He is con- 
sidered a representative and useful citizen and 
stands well in the community. 



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